Students Demand Action Constitution

College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University 

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name

Students Demand Action 

Section 2: Purpose/Mission

To work collaboratively with our community on and off campus to create a conversation within the community about gun violence. This conversation includes education on why mass shootings happen (such as what social factors contribute to gun violence), illegal gun trade, gun regulation/control, and how as a society we can be active in gun violence prevention.

Section 3: Affiliation

Students Demand Action 

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership

The CSB/SJU Students Demand Action is open to any and all currently enrolled CSB/SJU students. Non-students [e.g., faculty/staff/alumni/members neighboring communities] are not allowed to be participating members, but they can be supportive affiliates, and may attend events and meetings as allies. 

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria

To become a member, students must be informally interviewed by club presidents. Members must regularly attend meetings and events put on by the club. This means that students must attend AT LEAST 50% of events/meetings throughout the semester and actively contribute. Our club will not have strict regulations on membership initially, we believe it is necessary to attract as much of the CSB/SJU community as possible. 

Section 3: Removal of Members

  • Members to be re-examined
    • A member who attends only 1-3 meetings/events throughout the semester
    • A members who is repeatedly disrespectful or slanderous of others opinions
    • A member who counters the mission statement and values of the club
  • Re-examination process
    • Initial conversation/examination done by presidents (1st step)
    • 3 strike system: 2 warnings given by presidents, final strike the member will be asked to leave via email notification (2nd step)
    • Conversation with club presidents and advisor (3rd step)
    • Members will be offered a defense (4th step)
    • Members will be given an opportunity to appeal through a written statement (5th step)

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications

  • Open to all CSB/SJU enrolled student
  • Must be a member of the club to be an officer 

Section 2: Elected Officers

We chose to have a non-hierarchical structure. The co-presidents will be the primary contacts.

  • Co-Presidents
  • Treasurer
  • Marketers
  • Political Officers
  • Social Officers

 Section 3: Duties of Officers

  • Academic Year
  • Co-Presidents:
    • Ensures the club works remains on track for mission
    • preside at meetings
    • primary contact with the institutions,
    • runs the election process,
    • schedule meeting/practice rooms/facilities,
    • primary contact with the JCB,
    • plans member/officer training programs, other
  • Treasurer:
    • keeps all financial records,
    • submits monthly audit statements to CFB contact (this is a mandatory requirement if you receive CFB funds),
    • notifies organization of financial issues,
    • prepares budget/allocation requests,
  • Marketers:
    • students who are actively involved in making CSB/SJU students aware of our events and mission via social media and other sources
    • reminds club members of meetings/goals/events
  • Political officers:
    • students who are focused on political change of mass shootings, but are not limited to such
  • Social officers:
    • students who are focused on social change of mass shootings, but are not limited to such 

Section 4: Vacancy in Office

  • In the event of vacancy of both co-presidents a political officer and a social officers will take place of the presidents. This will be monitored by the treasurer. All other vacancies will be filled by the presidents until the election process takes place. 

Section 5: Removal of Officers

  • Reasons for re-examination
    • Formal complaints to the presidents by more than 3 students
    • Officers who are repeatedly disrespectful/slanderous of a differing opinion or stance
    • Student Demand Action is focused on creating an open, accepting space for all people, therefore those who counter this essential value will be re-examined
  • Process
    • Semesterly examination of officers done per semester by the presidents of the club and advisor, members will also have the opportunity to create a petition anonymously during semesters (1st step)
    • 3 strike system: 2 warnings given by officer, final strike the officer will be asked to step down (2nd step)
    • A 60% vote for a decision to pass (3rd step)
    • Officer will be offered a defense, and offered a revote (4th step)
    • officer will be given an opportunity to appeal through a written statement (5th step)

 

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers

  • A defense statement/argument in front of club members and advisor
  • A 60% vote for a decision to pass
  • IF rejected, officers will be allowed to submit a written appeal to be reviewed by advisor and club members

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination Process

  • Nominations by presidents, self-nominations and group nominations are all equally acceptable 

Section 2: Election

  • Presidents can serve for up to two years
  • Students will formally present ideas and goals to the club members
  • Students will interview with current presidents/officers
  • Club members and presidents will discuss and vote as a community
  • Process will be done through open floor conversation among members followed by a secret ballot
  • Elections will be held at the end of spring semester 

Section 3: Special Elections

Within 2 weeks of vacancy presidents/officers will review past applications for position and invite appropriate candidate to accept the position. If they choose to decline, the officers/presidents will review additional applications, until the position is filled. The position should be filled within 6 weeks. 

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection

We will ask a motivated and social justice oriented professor to help assist out presidents. 

Section 2: Duties

Advisor will objectively critique of strengths and weaknesses of the club. Advisor will meet with presidents once per month, as well as when needed. Advisor will also help the executive committee during the election process. 

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities

  • Meetings will occur biweekly and club members will be notified by the presidents via social media
  • Initial and highly important meeting and events will be advertised through general announcements to all CSB/SJU students via email
  • Address how often business meetings will occur, any regular club activities, etc., process to notify members of meetings/activities. 

Section 2: Special Meetings

Special meetings will be called when a mass shooting or violent outbursts occurs during the school year, and we will create an event to create awareness for the following week. Members will be notified via social media. These emergency meetings will be primarily brainstorming and prep sessions. 

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority

Presidents will begin with agenda followed by a briefing by each officer and opened to a large group discussion 

Section 4: Quorum*

60% of the group must be present for official club business to occur.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure

May be formed if needed 

Section 2: Special/Ad-Hoc Committees

May be formed if needed.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-Funding Board

If allocated resources, the Students Demand Action club will follow all CFB and institutional regulations, and keep all club funds in on-campus accounts. 

Section 2: Honorariums

There will not be honorariums

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification

Constitution may be amended by a 60% vote for a decision to pass  The public relations/advertising executive will communicate the reminders at least two weeks in advance in order to notify all members. 

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 Students Demand Action agrees that its activities, mission statement and goals are consistent with the Benedictine Values. 

Article XI

The Students Demand Action 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 XII

The Students Demand Action considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Students Demand Action recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.