Fides et Ratio Club Constitution
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
The name of this club shall be Fides et Ratio
Section 2: Purpose/Mission
The purpose of Fides et Ratio is to foster an understanding for and put into practice all aspects of the Roman Catholic Faith. It shall be distinctively Catholic in service, worship, and faith.
To be distinctively catholic in service, worship, and faith, members of Fides et Ratio shall work toward:
- Developing community through service and fellowship (i.e. work and play).
- Growing spiritually through understanding and participating in the Roman Catholic Mass and sacraments, and other forms of Catholic worship. These shall include, but not be limited to, Eucharistic Adoration, the veneration of the Saints and Mary, and other Catholic prayers.
- Understanding the teachings of the Roman Catholic Faith through study, prayer, and reflection, always maintaining a close fidelity to the teachings of the Pope and Magisterium.
All aspects of the club will serve to celebrate the Catholic faith and culture.
Fides et Ratio commits to following the missions of CSB and SJU as Catholic institutions. Fides et Raito will also conscientiously comply with the policies set forth by the J-Book and Every Woman’s Guide.
Article II: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
The membership of this organization will be open to all College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University students in good academic standing who have paid their student activity fee.
Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
Only current students shall be voting members of the organization. Any voting member shall be present at 50% of the official meetings.
Section 3: Removal of Members
If a member does not attend at least 1 of 4 meetings held, that member will be contacted to ascertain the reason for lack of attendance. If the member indicates a willingness to continue in membership or the reason for lack of attendance is plausible but he/she continues to be absent, the member will again be contacted within a month for the same purpose. The student at this time will be given opportunity to explain absenteeism at the next meeting or by e-mail. If the reason is plausible to the majority of the club, the student will remain in good standing with the club. If the reason is not valid, the member will be given one final month to attend a meeting. The individual’s name will be removed from the roster if he/she does not attend.
If a member is causing a major disturbance, an officer will explain the problematic behavior to the member. If the problem persists and 90% of the voting members find this problem unbearable, then he/she may be asked to leave. The member in question can appeal this process by speaking at the following meeting. If 90% of the members still wish him/her to leave, then he/she shall be dismissed from the club.
Article III: Officers
Section 1: Officer Qualifications
An officer shall have been a voting member prior to his/her election and commit to be in attendance of at least 75% of the meetings during his/her tenure as an officer.
Section 2: Elected Officers
The officers of the organization shall be Chairperson, Associate Chairperson, Assistant Chairperson for the Scriptorium (Scriptor), and Assistant Chairperson for the Coffers (Purser). Other such officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of the article below. Not more than one office may be held simultaneously by the same person.
Section 3: Duties of Officers
The Chairperson will act as president of the club. The Chairperson will direct all formal meetings, notify members of meetings, call special meetings, be the primary contact for most purposes, appoint committee chairpersons, run the election process, and serve as supervisor for the Associate Chairperson. The Chairperson will set the agenda for all meetings with the assistance of the committee chairpersons and the Associate Chairperson. The Chairperson will be responsible for the well being and success of the club and all its programs.
The Associate Chairperson will act as vice president of the club. The Associate Chairperson will assume the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence, schedule meeting facilities, serve as the primary contact for the JCB, and plan member/officer/committee training programs with the consent of the Chairperson. The Associate Chairperson will act as liaison to the Campus Ministry Offices at both CSB and SJU. The Associate Chairperson serves as supervisor for the Scriptor and Purser.
The Assistant Chairperson for the Scriptorium (aka Scriptor) will act as secretary of the club. The Scripter will take and distribute the minutes of all club meetings, keep records (current and past members), act as club historian, and handle the official correspondence, approved by the Chairperson, of the club.
The Assistant Chairperson for the Coffers (aka Purser) will act as treasurer for the club. The Purser will keep all financial records, submit monthly audit statements to the CFB, notify organizations of financial issues, and prepare the budget and allocation requests.
A new term will being every April 1st. The officers will be elected no later than March 31st. A term of office lasts from April 1st through March 31st.
Each officer will receive a review of their performance the first Monday in December and First Monday in March from their supervisor; the chairperson will be reviewed by a committee consisting of and only of the other officers.
Section 4: Vacancy in Office
In the event of a vacancy due to a study abroad or extended absence from the college or university, the Chairperson will appoint a member of the club to hold that officer’s position until his/her return. In the case that the Chairperson will be on study abroad or have an extended leave, the Associate Chairperson will act as Chairperson and appoint a club member to the position of Associate Chairperson during the absence of the Chairperson until his/her return. This leave of absence by the elected officer may be no longer than one semester. If their elected term expires before the officer’s planned return, they will not reassume their position.
In the event a vacancy could occur (resignation or removal), the Chairperson (or Associate Chairperson in the event the Chairperson is vacant) will appoint a member of the club to take on the duties of the vacant officer’s position until a special election is complete. Please refer to Article IV for a complete explanation of special elections.
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. The petition must contain the reason(s) for petitioning the removal of the officer in question.
When such a petition is received, the Chairperson shall call a meeting of the club to determine whether or not the officer in question should be removed. In the event that the Chairperson is petitioned for removal, the Associate Chairperson shall call and moderate a special meeting.
Grounds for removal are to be 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.
An officer petitioned for removal maintains all his/her authority and responsibilities unless a vote removed him/her from office.
A quorum shall be present, and a 2/3 vote of the voting members shall determine removal.
Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
The officer may attend the next meeting to speak to the club. After speaking, a revote may take place. If 2/3 of the active members vote in favor of removing the officer, the officer will be removed. The former officer may join the club the following year as a regular member.
Article IV: Elections
Section 1: Nomination Process
During the last week of March the members can nominate any active club member, including themselves, to be an officer for the upcoming year.
Section 2: Election
Each active member votes by secret ballot. The ballots shall be tallied by the club advisor. A member must be present to vote. A person can serve an unlimited number of terms. Election results are to be reported to the JCB and Student Activities by April 1.
Section 3: Special Elections
If an officer resigns or is removed from office a special election will occur within two weeks of the vacancy. Procedures will be the same as outlined in Article IV, Section 2.
Article V: Advisor
Section 1: Selection
Any interested faculty/staff member of CSB/SJU is eligible. All club advisors must be an employee of CSB/SJU. If multiple candidates are interested, a simple majority vote by the student members will choose the advisor.
Section 2: Duties
The advisor will support the group in its goal to promote living the Roman Catholic faith. The advisor should be willing and able to attend at least 1/2 of the meetings. The advisor will help, guide, advise and facilitate the group as requested by the student leadership of the group.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meetings
Regular meetings will take place at the same time and place if at all possible. Issues of even campus meeting distribution will be addressed as circumstances warrant. E-mail messages will be sent to all organization roster members to remind them of meetings. Agendas will be highly recommended in such notifications. Plans for the next meeting will be discussed at the end of each meeting. Meetings will also be promoted through other campus postings, in order to continually recruit new members.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called in order to plan for special events, activities, or tasks. Meetings will be conducted in the same manner in which regular meetings are conducted.
Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Fides et Ratio may adopt.
Section 4: Quorum
Quorum shall consist of 2/3 of voting members present.
Article VII: Finances
Section 1: Co-Funding Board
Fides et Ratio will apply for CFB monies. If such resources are allocated, Fides et Ratio will follow all CFB and institutional regulations.
Section 2: Honorariums
No officers or members shall receive any honorarium or stipend from the organization for services provided.
Section 3: Dues
There shall be no membership dues assessed upon the members of Fides et Ratio.
Article VIII: Amendments
Section 1: Ratification
Amendments can be proposed at the last meeting of a term by any member as long as it is fully supported by at least one officer. The amendment shall be discussed and may be voted upon by all who plan on participating in the club the following year in the same meeting or may be postponed until a subsequent meeting. A quorum must be present and 2/3 of the present members must be in favor of the amendment in order for the amendment to be passed.
Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board
Any changes made to this constitution must be submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the JCB.
Article X
The Fides et Ratio 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 Fides et Ratio considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Fides et Ratio recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.