Chemistry Club Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name
The CSB/SJU Chemistry Club further referred to as the Chem Club.

Section 2: Purpose/Mission

  • To foster the advancement of science and service to society through membership in the club.
  • To provide opportunities for keeping abreast of scientific developments and literature, and to aid in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public enlightenment.
  • To gain ideas of various opportunities for study and work in the field of chemistry.
  • To provide students with information and literature concerning graduate, occupational, and further educational studies.
  • To enhance professor/student relationships through club activities.

Section 3: Affiliation
Chemistry club members have the opportunity to become affiliated with the American Chemical Society.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
Voting members: All CSB/SJU Students who have expressed an interest in joining the Chem Club are eligible to be members.  Non-voting members: All CSB/SJU faculties.

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
To become a voting member one must be a member of the Chem. Club. Non-voting members include faculty and the faculty advisor.

Section 3: Removal of Members
The member to be removed will be notified via e-mail after a decision by the executive board. The person has the right to defend their position in front of the club and needs a majority vote by the club to remain a member. The person can also appeal to the faculty advisor with in one week.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualification
Officers will serve as juniors or seniors in chemistry or biochemistry majors.

Section 2: Elected Officers
There will be six officers including one president, one vice-president, one secretary, one treasurer, and two senior advisors.

  • Section 3: Duties of Officers
    President: Preside at Meetings, Call Special Meetings, primary Contact with institutions, committee chairs, and advisor. Must be a junior during term.
  • Vice-President: Assumes President’s Duties in his/her absence, Primary Contact of Advisory Committee and Joint Club Board. Must be a junior during term.
  • Secretary: Takes and distributes minutes of all meetings of the Chem Club, Record Keeper (current and past members, files minutes), notifies members of meetings and official correspondence of the Club.
  • Treasurer: Keeps financial records, submits monthly audit statements, and prepares budget/allocation requests to the Co-Funding Board.
  • Advisory Committee: Two members of the Senior Class. Coordinate transition of elected officers, chair committees, as specified in Article VII, Section 1. And advise the remainder of the executive committee, full voting privileges on executive committee.

Section 4: Vacancy in Office
In the event that a vacancy occurs the following is the process to fill that vacancy. If the President leaves or is removed the Vice-President will assume those duties, and a Special Election will be held. If the Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer leaves or is removed a member of the Advisory Committee will assume those duties, and a Special Election will be held. If a member of the Advisory Committee leaves or is removed, a Special Election will be held. Special Elections will be held according to the provisions of Article IV, Section 3.

Section 5: Removal of Officers

A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. This petition must contain the signatures of 75% of voting members. When such petition is received, the officer shall call a meeting of the club to determine whether or not the officer should be removed. Grounds for removal are to presented by the officer in charge at a regular or special club meeting. The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing. A quorum shall be present, and a 2/3 majority vote of the voting members shall decide upon removal.

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
The removed officer can make an appeal to the executive committee with the faculty advisor present.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination Process
Any voting member of the Chem Club can nominate themselves or another voting member for any officer position they can hold. The president and vice-president will be chosen from the current sophomores while the secretary and treasurer can be chosen from the current sophomores or juniors.

Section 2: Election
An email soliciting nominations will be sent to club members by March 1st before the end of the semester. Each club member will vote via email ballot around March 15th. Student Activities will be notified by April 1st of new club officers.

Section 3: Special Elections
The procedure for Special Elections will follow directly from the provisions in Article IV, Sections 1 and 2. This will occur in the case of an officer leaving or being removed.

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection
The club advisor will be from the CSB/SJU Chemistry Department Faculty. The current executive committee will consult with the Chemistry Department Chair in order to choose an advisor. The advisor will be voted on by Chem. Club members.

Section 2: Duties
The Advisor will meet with the executive board of the Chem Club as necessary, will be present at the all Club meetings, be welcome at executive committee meetings as a non-voting member, and will be the primary liaison with the rest of the Chemistry Department.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
Meeting shall be held once a month or when thought necessary by the officers. Club members will be notified of meetings in advance by e-mail.

Section 2: Special Meetings
Special Meetings can be called by the President and Advisor upon agreement of the executive committee. However, it is recommended that no special meetings take place, and that everything is accomplished at the monthly meetings.

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
The Standard Set of Robert’s Rules of Order will be used.

Section 4: Quorum
A quorum will be 2/3 of the present voting members, with a minimum of ten (10) being necessary for the vote to be official.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure
No standing committees.

Section 2: Special Committees
Special Committees may be formed as needed to help plan and implement events.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-Funding Board
The Chem Club will apply to the CFB for monies and will follow the outlined regulations of the CFB as they appear in the CFB Constitution.

Section 2: Honorariums
No honorariums will be paid to any member of the Chem. Club.

Section 3: Dues
Club members will not pay dues.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification
A proposed amendment or change to the constitution must be written and submitted to the executive committee by a voting member in good standing (including the executive committee members themselves). The executive committee will determine whether the amendment should be added to the constitution with a two-thirds majority vote.

Section 2: Submission of Changes
Before the constitutional changes or amendments take effect the constitution must be submitted to the Joint Club Board and the Department of Student Activities.

Article X:
The Chemistry Club 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:
Chemistry Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Chemistry Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Article XII:

The Chemistry Club agrees that its activities, mission statement and goals are consistent with the Benedictine Values.

Date of Recognition: February 3, 2008