Amnesty International Constitution
Article I. Name and Purpose
Section 1: Amnesty International
Section 2: Purpose/Mission
Amnesty International is a human rights organization that exists for the purpose of; educating others about current human rights abuses, educating others about the principles of human rights, fundraising for victims of human rights abuses, and advocating for human rights.
Section 3: Affiliation
The CSB/SJU Chapter of Amnesty International is a student group that operates under the umbrella of the International Human rights organization Amnesty International. The Headquarters for Amnesty International are located in London, England. The student group acts an independent organization when deciding which issues it will educate others and fundraiser for in regard to.
Article II. Membership
Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
All students of CSB/SJU are eligible for membership.
Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
Any student who attends 2 meetings in a given academic school year can be a voting member (voting members include members of the executive board).
Section 3: Removal of Members
If it becomes necessary for a member to be removed the process is thus; the executive board will vote and a 2/3 majority will be necessary in order for a removal to occur. All members of the executive board must be present for voting. Upon completion of the vote the concerned member will be notified of the decision and given a two week time period in which they may submit a written appeal, stating why they believe they should not be removed. The concerned member must also have a meeting with the entire executive board, at which a non concerned party should be present in order to mediate.
After the appeal is reviewed the executive board will again vote, and a 2/3 majority will be necessary to confirm the removal of the member.
Article III. Officers
Section 1: Officer Qualifications
Any voting member of Amnesty International is eligible to become an officer.
Section 2: Elected Officers
- Co-Chair
- Co-Chair
- Co-Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Events Coordinator
- Public Relations Coordinator
- Urgent Action Coordinator
Section 3: Duties of Officers
Co-Chairs
This position has the most responsibility within the group. The Co-chairs are responsible for the following things: overseeing and mentoring all other officers; participating in the leadership of all meetings; calling meetings; cancelling meetings; overseeing and organizing all events; voting in the removal of other officers; mentoring other officers in their duties; making sure all the events and positions of the CSB/SJU chapter of AI are in accordance with AI USA; delineating tasks to other officers and members of the group, creating pamphlets and flyers for all events, and working with other clubs and organizations.
This position is meant for the person/people with the most relevant experience with Amnesty International or a related club or organization. This person should be organized, fair, and have a deep understanding of human rights abuses, and the positions that Amnesty International USA takes on human rights issues.
Treasurer
This person will be responsible forworking with the co-funding board, student accounts, and student activities; direct planning for the budget each year; keeping track of money spent and money earned; all paper work related to events and fundraising for the group, i.e. requesting spontaneous funding, ordering items for fundraisers; sending forms to charities. This position will be mentored by the group leaders and/or the previous executive administrator if that person will no longer be attaining that position. When leaving this position it is required that you mentor the next treasurer during the last event in which you partake.
Secretary
This person is responsible for note-taking during meetings, logging members, e-mails, helping with events (sitting at tables, set-up, handing out flyers, etc.)
Events Coordinator
This person is responsible for the planning, coordinating, and scheduling of events. This includes booking rooms and making sure that contracts are signed.
Urgent Action Coordinator
This person is responsible for receiving all current urgent actions from Amnesty International USA and working with other officers to decide which cases the group will focus on. This person will organize and collect letters after each meeting. This person will send all letters and postcards to the appropriate place. This person is responsible for researching and understanding each of the cases that the CSB/SJU chapter will focus on, usually 2-4 per month.
Public Relations Coordinator
This person is responsible for making all Amnesty International events on campus as visible as possible. This person will be responsible for the following; alerting all media outlets, filling out appropriate forms to alert student activities about upcoming events, help with designing flyers and posters for upcoming events, possibly working with other clubs and organizations.
Section 4: Vacancy in Office
If there is a vacancy in any office the person holding the office directly below the vacancy will take over the spot of the vacant position, while maintaining their own position. No other positions will be changed. After a 2 week vacancy a vote will be taken by all voting members to elect a member for the vacant position if more than one person runs for the position.
Section 5: Removal of Officers
If any officer is going to miss a meeting they must contact the president or vice president immediately. The president and/or the vice president must be present at all meetings, and if neither can make the meeting it must be cancelled.
If more than 2 meetings are missed within one month's time by any officer, this officer will be removed and the position will be open for a vote by voting members. An exception can be made if an officer misses 2 meetings in one month's time due to a special circumstance. All elected officials must agree that the circumstances present are reasonable to permit the position to be retained by the current officer.
If any officer is repeatedly not following through with duties or causing disruptions within the context of the group - the remaining elected officials may vote to remove the officer. A 2/3 majority by the elected officials is necessary to remove an officer for this reason.
Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
An officer may be granted one appeal, one week after removal. They must submit, in writing, why they feel they deserve an appeal - to all of the current officers. At the next meeting the officers will evaluate the appeal. A 2/3 vote by the remaining elected officials is necessary to reinstate an officer. If the officer is not reinstated - the position will be opened at the next meeting, and a new officer will be voted in at the following meeting. An officer that has been removed my reapply for any position after one month.
Article 4: Elections
Section 1: Nomination Process
Any member may nominate themselves for a position. This must occur at least two weeks before voting begins.
Section 2: Election
Two weeks prior to the election all interested parties must announce their candidacy for any of the previously mentioned positions. At the meeting prior to April 1st, all voting members present will vote, in a secret ballot for each position. There are no regulations concerning the number of terms that any person can serve. A 1/5 quorum must be present. Each member present for voting will be allowed one vote per position.
Section 3: Special Elections
Within 2 weeks of an office vacancy, whether for a removal or otherwise, a special vote will take place in order to fill the vacant office. All members present will be given one vote per vacancy, and the vote will be conducted by secret ballot. A 1/5 quorum must be present. Any interested member may run for the vacant position, and must announce their intention to run at the meeting prior to voting.
Article V: Advisor
Section 1: Selection
Any member of the executive board may nominate any professor for advisor. After nomination, a vote of the elected officials will take place. A 2/3 majority vote by all elected officials is necessary in order to confirm a vote for advisor.
Section 2: Duties
The advisor must be available to give advice to the organization upon the organizations request. This can be in the capacity of; event ideas, fundraiser ideas, speaker requests, and any other capacity the group deems necessary.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
Meetings will be held every Tuesday at 9:15. All members will be notified of a meeting the day before by e-mail.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special meetings will be called when the elected officials deem it necessary. Group members will be notified by email in such circumstances.
Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
Meetings will be run by the executive board. Introductions will be made first at each meeting, upon completion of introductions all pertinent club information will be presented by a member of the executive board.
Section 4: Quorum
1/5 of the voting members must be present in order for quorum to exist.
Article VII. Committees
Section 1: Committee Structure
We will have no committees.
Section 2: Special/ Ad Hoc Committees
Special/Ad Hoc Committees may be formed if necessary.
Article VIII. Finances
Section 1: Co-Funding Board
Amnesty International will apply for Co-Funding Board Monies. Amnesty International will follow all CFB and institutional regulations.
Section 2: Honorariums
No honorariums will be given
Section 3: Dues
No dues will be taken.
Article IX: Amendments
Section 1: Ratification
In order for a constitutional amendment to occur a 2/3 majority vote of the voting members is needed. Any voting member may propose a constitutional amendment. At the following meeting a vote by the voting members will be taken. 2/3 majority vote is necessary for the ratification to occur. Upon completion of 2/3 majority vote the constitution will be ratified at the following meeting.
Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and JCB
Any changes made to the constitution must be submitted to the department of student activities and the JCB.
Article X:
The Amnesty International admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.
Article XI:
The Amnesty International considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Amnesty International recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.