Students for Education Reform Constitution
Student For Education Reform CSB/SJUChapter
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1:
The name of this organization shall be Students for Education Reform the CSB/SJU Chapter (SFER )
Section 2: Purpose/Mission
To begin a conversation on ways to close the achievement gap and ensure an excellent education for all children by mobilizing a new generation of leaders in education reform through advocacy work on our campus and in our community.
Section 3: Affiliation
Students for Education Reform Minnesota
Objectives:
- To bring together students committed to improving America's schools and closing the achievement gap
- To spread awareness on our campus and in our community about education inequity
- To advocate for meaningful education policy reform with a focus on K-12 education. This includes but is not limited to student testimony, op-eds, and organized rallies.
- To inform students about current issues in education policy through a high visibility campaign
- To host events, such as discussion series, seminars, school visits, and film screening that will engage students with issues in education policy and inspire them to pursue careers in education reform
- To bring to campus speakers who have a significant amount of experience in either teaching or policy work and have a demonstrated commitment to closing the achievement gap
- To help match students with career opportunities in the education field
Section 4: Affiliation
Students for Education Reform: Minnesota/National
Article II: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
Membership is open to all undergraduate students, at the College of St. Benedict/Saint John's University
Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
To become an active member, one must attend five consecutive meetings and three consecutive events, with special circumstances of absence open to the discretion of the Chapter Leaders. All students are encouraged to attend meetings and events, while members will demonstrate commitment by repeated attendance.
Section 3: Removal of Members
Any member/officer may be impeached for misconduct (to be defined by the group (i.e. failure to perform duties, attendance, misuse of funds, slanderous acts to harm organization name, etc.)). The member/officer shall be given a seven-day advance notice and an opportunity to defend him/herself. This impeachment vote shall require a 2/3 majority vote from the group membership
Any member found to be misrepresenting the views of the group as a whole (i.e. on the internet or in an interview) shall be required to rescind or edit his/her statement. However, members are encouraged to talk to members of the press about their individual opinions on certain issues pertaining to the mission and goals of the organization
Article III: Officers
Section 1: Officer Qualifications
Identify what qualifications a student must have to be eligible to be an officer. This may include GPA, length of time in organization, previous experience, etc. All officers must be current CSB/SJU students. See Article IV for Election procedures.
Section 2: Elected Officers
The CSB/SJU Philosophy Club Executive Board shall be composed of: Chapter Leader CSB,
Chapter Leader SJU, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations
Section 3: Duties of Officers
Each position is to be voted upon by the voting members in the spring semester of every school year. In the case there is a need for a special election for an open position, the highest ranking officer will notify voting members and proceed with the election process.
Typical duties include:
Co Chapter Leaders:
Preside at meetings, call special meetings, primary contact with the institutions, appoint committee chairs, runs the election process, other
Secretary:
Takes and distributes minutes of all club meetings, recorder keeper (current and past members, files minutes, etc), club historian, notify members of meetings, handles the official correspondence of the club, other
Treasurer:
Keeps all financial records, submits monthly audit statements to CFB contact notifies organization of financial issues, prepares budget/allocation requests
Public Relations:
Creates and distributes advertisements for the club. Responsible for the club e-mail account.
Section 4: Vacancy in Office
In the event a vacancy should occur (resignation or removal), provisions must be made to fill the vacancy. Officer succession/"chain of command" should be addressed
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 50% plus one 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 then 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 50% plus one, vote of the voting members shall decide upon removal.
Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
This section clearly outlines what procedure a removed officer can take to appeal the club's decision.
Article IV: Elections
Section 1: Nomination Process
There will be a self- nomination for any voting member interested in becoming a member of the executive board. The candidate will have to come up with a platform and give a short speech on why they are running for whatever position it is that they are running for. This process should occur at least one meeting prior to the meeting at which elections will take place.
Section 2: Election
Elections will be held at the second to last meeting of the academic school year. Elections will be done by a secret ballot and the votes will be tallied by the Chapter Leaders or someone who is appointed by the Chapter Leaders, in the case that the Chapter Leaders are running for a second term. The votes will be counted after all the votes have been submitted. The election result will be announced by the end of the meeting.
Section 3: Special Elections
A special election will be held in a case where an officer leaves the club for any reason. The position shall be filled with in 4 weeks that the position becomes vacant. The position is officially open when the highest ranking officer notifies all voting members via a formal email. At this time any member who is interested in the open position may submit their name as a nominee. Any one interest have five (5) calendar days to submit their name to run for the position. There will be a special election within 7 days of the closing of the nomination period. At the special election meeting the candidates for the open position will be given time to give their platform, prior to the member voting. During the position vacancy the remaining officer(s) will assume the position's responsibilities.
Article V: Advisor
Section 1: Selection
The Advisor for SFER will be selected by the co-Chapter Leaders. The co-Chapter Leaders will identify faculty/staff that they believe will be interested in helping the club become successful.
Section 2: Duties
The role of the advisor includes but is not limited to, meeting with the executive board of SFER at least three (3) times per semester. The advisor is encouraged to attend as many SFER events as possible.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
A regular meeting for all members will be held at least twice a month during the academic year. The Executive Committee will meet once a week, on average.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called in situations where a vote is needed by club membership.(i.e special election, membership removal etc.) All members will be notified about the meeting at least 3 days prior to the meeting date. These meeting will be shorter than a regular meeting and will not run the same way.
Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
All meetings will start with the secretary recording the meeting attendance. Following attendance one of the Co-Chapter Leaders will go over the agenda for the meeting. After the review of the agenda the meeting will proceed with what is on the agenda for the meeting.
Section 4: Quorum*
A quorum shall be present in order to conduct official business of the organization. A quorum shall consist of 50% of the voting membership plus one.
Article VII: Committees
Section 1: Committee Structure
At this time there will be no formal committees formed. In the future this will change.
Article VIII: Finances
Section 1: Co-Funding Board
SFER will apply for CFB money and will follow the institutional regulations.
Section 2: Honorariums
No officers or members will receive honorariums.
Section 3: Dues (optional)
There will be no dues collected at any Student for Education Reform meetings or events.
Article IX: Amendments
Section 1: Ratification
Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by any member of the club. Such proposals shall be submitted at the regular meeting prior to the meeting in which the proposed amendment is to be voted on. Duty proposed amendments shall be submitted to a vote of the voting members, providing a quorum is present. A two-thirds majority vote in favor shall be required for adoption of such amendments. A motion for an amendment to the constitution may be raised at the meeting to elect new officers.
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 for Education Reform 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 Student for Education Reform considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The (name of club/organization) recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.