First Generation Club Constitution
College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
First Generation Constitution
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1:
First Generation
Section 2:
The purpose of our club is to develop and establish additional support for first generation students, whose parent(s) have not attained a 4 year college degree. These students have no or very little family collegiate history and are entering into college with limited knowledge about traditions and patterns of college life and academia. First Generation is dedicated to develop ways to support CSB/SJU first generation students adjust to new environment, lifestyle, and academic traditions. In addition, First Generation is devoted to be a support group and resource for first generation students to help them understand and utilize their academic and community resources.
Article II: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
First Generation is open to any enrolled CSB/SJU student, but preferably first generation students. All members must be motivated to learn and must fully participate in all activities in order to be entitled to vote.
Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
All voting will take place during First Generation's All Class Gathering Meeting. Any one member can be nominated for board position base on their commitment and participation to First Generation. Selection of club leaders should be democratic in nature.
Section 3: Removal of Members
In case of members who do not follow the Benedictine Values will be force for dismissal of membership. The process of dismissal of membership will undergo a confidential talk between the officers with the verification of the club advisor.
Article III: Officers
Section 1: Officer Qualifications
Officer positions are only for CSB/SJU student. The qualifications for an officer position in First Generation will be based on their dedication to support first generation students and their involvement.
Section 2: Elected Officers
President:
•§ Primary contact for the institution
•§ Work closely with Administration and update administration about First Generation progress
•§ Oversees all other officer positions
•§ Presides and orders meetings in to session and can call special meetings
•§ Department of Student Activities contact
•§ Oversees election process
•§ Term of office is an academic year
Vice President:
•§ Assume the duties of the president in his/her absence
•§ Work closely with President on All-Class Gathering which includes contacting the Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman class.
•§ Reserve places/rooms and obtain required materials for All-Class Gathering.
•§ Works closely with Public Relation Representative in order to maintain successful events and Gatherings
•§ Primary contact with the Joint Club Board
•§ Schedule and submit meetings to First Generation calendar
•§ Communicate with Alumni office and CSB/SJU First Generation Alumni for mentor program
•§ Term of office is an academic year
Public Relations Representative:
•§ Promote First Generation events through posters, social networking and media
•§ In charge of emailing and informing CSB/SJU community
•§ Main contact and liaison between First Generation and CSB/SJU clubs as well as community outreach
•§ Confirm all promotion with the President before sending it out
•§ Regulating newsletters
•§ Term of office is an academic year
Secretary and Treasurer:
•§ In charge of all administrative and secretarial work
•§ Takes and distributes minutes of all club meetings,
•§ Records and organize name of current and past members, club minutes, member attendance, etc
•§ Handles and organizes the agenda of All-Class Gatherings
•§ Organize and file Class Representatives individual meeting agenda
•§ In charge of organizing and coordinating elections
•§ Keeps records of all finances
•§ Submits monthly audit statements
•§ Notifies organization of financial issues
•§ Prepares budget/ allocation requests
•§ Term of Office is an academic year
Upper Class Representatives:
CSB Representative:
•§ Reserves rooms and get required materials for individual class meetings on CSB campus
•§ Record attendance of participating members and agenda
•§ Liaison for CSB students of the upper class
•§ Main contact for CSB First Generation upper class members
•§ Collect contact information of mentors for the upper class
•§ Work Closely with SJU Upper Class Representative
•§ Term of office is an academic year
SJU Representative:
•§ Reserves rooms and get required materials for meetings on SJU campus
•§ Record attendance of participating members and agenda
•§ Liaison for SJU students of the upper class
•§ Main contact for SJU First Generation upper class members
•§ Collect contact information of mentors for the upper class
•§ Work Closely with CSB Upper Class Representative
•§ Term of office is an academic year
Under Class Representatives:
CSB Representative:
•§ Reserves rooms and get required materials for individual class meetings on CSB campus
•§ Record attendance of participating members and agenda
•§ Liaison for CSB students of the under class
•§ Main contact for CSB First Generation under class members
•§ Collect contact information of mentors for the under class
•§ Work Closely with SJU Under Class Representative
•§ Term of office is an academic year
SJU Representative:
•§ Reserves rooms and get required materials for meetings on SJU campus
•§ Record attendance of participating members and agenda
•§ Liaison for SJU students of the under class
•§ Main contact for SJU First Generation under class members
•§ Collect contact information of mentors for the under class
•§ Work Closely with CSB Under Class Representative
•§ Term of office is an academic year
Section 4: Vacancy in Office
In the event that a vacancy should occur (resignation or removal) provisions will be made to fill the vacancy. Following the chain of command, when needed, officers will assume those duties until a special election is held.
Section 5: Removal of Officers
In the situation where a board member is not in good standing with the club and may be removed, the process will first be a hearing conducted by the officers with the verification of the club advisor, and will be followed up by a vote by the officers in which the majority will rule.
Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
In an appeal of the removed officer, the officer who is making the appeal shall be subjected to the review of the Advisor. If the appeal should pass, it will be followed up by a vote in which the majority will rule.
Article IV: Elections
Section 1: Nomination Process
Nomination is open CSB/SJU student who are motivated to help support first generation students understand and utilize academic and community resources. Officers can be nominated by other members or self-nominate him/herself as long as they are CSB/SJU students. Nomination process will begin one month before officer elections and if there is any officer vacancy.
Section 2: Election
Application will be sent out to the whole school and be submitted electronically to the President. Applicants will be contacted through e-mail for interview times. Applicants will attend the interview upon request. The whole club will vote on applicants for Board positions with a majority vote. Applicants will be notified through e-mail to confirm their position. Selection of club leaders should be democratic in nature. Officers can serve a maximum of two years per position.
Section 3: Special Elections
If in any situation where there is any officer vacancy or if an officer leaves/is removed from office, there will be a special election announced to the whole student body within the two weeks of vacancy. The same procedure as Section 2 will be used for special elections.
Article V: Advisor
Section 1: Selection
The position of advisor for First Generation is open to faculty and staff members of both CSB/SJU campuses.
Section 2: Duties of an Advisor
Advisor duties are, but not limited to:
1. Promote group activities to other faculty/staff
2. Meet with the Officers when it is necessary
3. Attend officer and membership first and last meeting
4. Act as a resource to the club/organization
5. Provide support through advising for the club/organization
6. Help to formulate the goals of the group
7. Oversees and advise the club constitution annually
8. Oversee and advise on annual club budget
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
All Class Gathering will meet at the end of every month. All Class Gathering will host special events in the CSB/SJU Community or the community of St. Joseph. Upper Class and Under Class individual meeting will be held once a month to focus on achieving first generation students' needs. Officers will meet in the beginning of every month to evaluate and discuss on activities and events. E-mails will be sent to member's CSB/SJU e-mail account unless specify about occurring meetings, gathering and events.
Section 2: Special Meetings
In case of a special meeting that would require all members, First Generation members will be notify through e-mail right away in which it will run the same as regular meetings or gatherings.
Article VIII: Finances
Section 1: Co-Funding Board
First Generation will apply for Co-Funding Board monies and will follow all CFB and institutional regulations in which the club will not have an off-campus account.
Section 2: Honorariums
First Generation will not offer any stipend or collect any dues from any one Officers/members.
Article IX: Amendments
Section 1: Ratification
If amendments to the First Generation constitution is needed, a committee will be form within First Generation to review and advise for any changes. An amendment can be passed by First Generation members and officers with advises from the Advisor.
Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board
Any changes to the constitution shall be reported and resubmitted to the Department of Student Activities and JCB.
Article X
The First Generation 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 First Generation considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The First Generation recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.
Date of recognition/revision: 9/20/2012