Social Work Club

ARTICLE I:  NAME AND PURPOSE

 

Section 1: Name

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University Social Work Club.

 

Section 2: Purpose/Mission

The purpose of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University Social Work Club is to provide for those interested in social work and other related fields the opportunity to learn more about the field through guest lecturers, cultural immersions, film presentations, and relevant literature.  The Club is committed to providing an environment in which members can share a common interest in social work, peace, and justice.

 

The Mission of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Social Work Club is to provide opportunities for interested students to learn more about the social justice through education and experience. It is also the club's goal to foster awareness and promote involvement in current issues related to the area of social work.

 

Section 3: Affiliation

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Social Work Club is not affiliated with any national or regional agencies at this time.

 

ARTICLE II:  MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership

The Social Work Club welcomes any student who expresses an interest in social justice.  Non-students (e.g. faculty and staff) are allowed to be members, but they do not have voting privileges, and are known as affiliate members.

 

Members: Students of CSB/SJU who attend the club meetings and attend club events.  These students have voting privileges to make decisions on what they feel is best for the club.

 

Affiliate Members: Faculty and staff of CSB/SJU who attend club meetings and offer suggestions and provide objective guidance.  These members do not have voting privileges.

 

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria

In order for a student to become a voting member of the CSB/SJU SWRK Club, they need to sign the Official Club Roster which can be done at any time by emailing the Social Work Club account (swrkclub@csbsju.edu), or by signing the roster at any club meeting.

 

Section 3: Removal of Members

In order for a member of the CSB/SJU Social Work Club to be involuntarily removed from the club roster, a club vote must be taken.  The club must vote with a 2/3 majority for the removal of a member from the roster.  The member will be notified by the Club Officers via email and PO Box.  In the event that a member wishing to be voluntarily removed from the club roster, the member must email the Social Work Club account (swrkclub@csbsju.edu) or contact a club officer.  A vote is not required for a voluntary removal of a member.

 

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS

 

Section 1: Elected Officers

There will be an executive committee of at least four members who will be responsible for scheduling and executing club meetings and events. 

Section 2: Officer Qualifications

In order to become an officer in the CSB/SJU Social Work Club, the member must be a current student of CSB/SJU.  Further qualifications are outlined below.

      President- must be a Junior or Senior Social Work Major

      Vice President- must be a Junior or Senior Social Work Major

      Secretary- open to all majors and years

      Treasurer- open to all majors and years

      Class Representatives- open to one member of any class that is not already represented by the President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer positions.

 

Section 3: Duties of Officers

o   President - The President of the Social Work Club will be responsible for preparing an agenda, presiding at the meetings, calling special meetings, contacting local agencies.  The President will be the primary contact for the club.

o   Vice President - The Vice President of the Social Work Club will be responsible for communicating with the members at large, as well as filling in for the President when necessary.  This person is also the primary contact for the Joint Club Board, and responsible for filling out Event Notification forms and program evaluations for Student Activities.

o   Secretary - The Secretary of the Social Work Club will be responsible for taking and distributing the official meeting minutes and attendance.

o   Treasurer - The Treasurer of the Social Work Club will be responsible for paying the bills and keeping the club's financial accounts accurate and up to date, submitting monthly audits to the Co-Funding Board contact (mandatory if receiving Co-Funding Board funds), as well as preparing budget/allocations requests.

o   Class Representative(s)- Class Representatives will serve as members-at-large on the executive board.  They will receive delegated tasks and will act as a liaison between the club and their respective class.

 

Section 4 Vacancy of Office

In the event of a vacancy occurring among the elected officers, the following action will be taken:

The open position will always become the Secretary.  If needed, the Vice President will become the President and the Secretary will become the Vice President.  The Treasurer will not change positions to fill a vacancy.  If the vacancy is the position of the Treasurer, the Secretary will become the Treasurer.  A Special Election will occur to fill the position of the Secretary, regardless of the original vacancy.

 

Section 5: Removal of Officers

o   Grounds for removal of a club officer are as follows:

In order to be removed from office a club officer must not be fulfilling the officer duties stated in Article 3: Section 3 or is not upholding the mission statement of the Social Work Club as stated in Article 1: Section 2.

 

o   Procedure for Officer Removal:

A petition to remove the officer from the position must be submitted to a club officer not in question.  This officer is responsible for notifying all other club officers of the petition.  The petition must contain the signatures of at least 50% of the voting members of the club.

 

When the petition is received, the highest ranking officer not in question shall call a meeting of the club to determine whether or not the officer should be removed.  The club advisor must be present at this meeting.

 

Grounds for removal will be presented by the officer in charge at the beginning of the meeting to the whole club.

 

The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in writing or in person to be presented to the members of the club.

 

A quorum shall be present, and a 2/3 majority vote by secret ballot of the members shall decide upon removal.

 

 

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers

A club officer has the opportunity to appeal the clubs decision within one week of the clubs majority vote to remove the officer.  This appeal must be in writing and be given to the club advisor and another club officer.  This written statement also must include how the officer was fulfilling the duties of the position as stated in Article 3: Section 3.

 

ARTICLE IV: ELECTIONS

 

Section 1: Election

The election of new officers will take place in the beginning of December, before the end of Fall Semester.  The election process will take place at either a regularly scheduled meeting or a Special Meeting.  Elections will begin with nominations.  Those nominated and wishing to run for a position will be given the opportunity to speak on their own behalf either verbally or in writing.  Voting will take place by secret ballot.  The current officers will leave the meeting room to count the ballots, and will return to announce the results. 

 

Section 2: Special Elections

The voting will be conducted as stated above.  In the event of a vacancy or removal from office, a Special Election will occur for the vacant position.  See Article 3: Section 4.

 

ARTICLE V: ADVISOR

 

Section 1: Selection

The club advisor will be a faculty member of the Department of Social Work for CSB/SJU.

 

Section 2: Duties

The duties of the advisor are stated in the advisor contract signed at the beginning of each academic year.

 

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

 

Section 1: Regular meetings/Club Activities

Social Work Club will meetings will be determined by the club annually.  Club activities and opportunities will be emailed out to club members.

 

Section 2: Special Meetings

Special Meetings may be called if there is a change in an activity or if the club is working with another club or agency for a particular event.  In this event, the President is at the discretion to call a Special Meeting that was not previously scheduled.  All club members will be notified of the meeting date, time, and location via email.

 

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority

Club meetings will operate with respect to the club officers.  We encourage the exchange of ideas and look to have input from everyone at every meeting.

 

Section 4: Quorum

The percentage of members that must be present for official club business to be conducted is 2/3 of the voting members who have signed the Official Club Roster.

 

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

 

Section 1: Committee Structure

There are no consistent committees within the Social Work Club.  In the event that there is a need for a committee, a committee may be formed with responsibilities pertaining to the special event.  This committee will stay in close contact with the club officers.

 

ARTICLE VIII: FINANCES

 

Section 1: Co-Funding Board

Social Work Club Treasurer will apply for club monies from the Co-Funding Board for each year.  The club will also follow all Co-Funding Board and institutional regulations in order to maintain those monies.

 

Section 2: Honorariums

There will be no honorariums granted unless approved by both the Joint Club Board and the Joint Funding Board.

 

Section 3: Dues

The Social Work Club will not have membership dues required from its members.

 

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1: Ratification

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote by the members of the club.  The amending vote may not occur at the same meeting as the amending motion.

 

Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board

Any changes to this constitution must be submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the Joint Club Board.

 

ARTICLE X:

 

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Social Work Club admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and other activities, generally accorded or made available

 

ARTICLE XI

 

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Social Work Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization.  The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Social Work Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.