Students In Free Enterprise Constitution

Article I: Mission and Purpose

SIFE will provide the students of CSB/SJU the best opportunity to develop leadership teamwork, and communication skills through learning, practicing, and teaching the principals of free enterprise.

SIFE discerns free enterprise as a business venture, either for profit or non-profit. These ventures will be consistent with our mission and directed towards both SIFE at CSB/SJU and the communities in which we live. We recognize the importance of free enterprise in our lives and work toward developing the skills and abilities of our members and our community to better practice it. The scope of our free enterprise activities can only be defined by the students’ own imaginations--using their ingenuity and effort to support our community, promote the welfare of business and enterprise, and searching for personal growth and valuable life skills while working towards the SIFE mission. The club intends to do this while remaining consistent with Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s institutional mission and policies.

We are an affiliate with the national SIFE organization. However, the guidelines set by this constitution and the institutional mission and policies take precedence over any national rules or commitments.

ARTICLE II: Membership and Dues

Membership is open to any undergraduate student on the CSB/SJU campuses with an interest in our mission. There are no membership dues. An active member is a member who attends at least one SIFE meeting each month.

ARTICLE III: Government

The affairs of SIFE, including the establishment and implementation of policy, shall be the responsibility of the board of directors. The board of directors consists of the president, project coordinator, treasurer, secretary and advisor. A description of the activities of the board of directors and the officers follows:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (BOD)

  1. Allocates funds to SIFE projects
  2. Creates annual report
  3. Handles marketing of SIFE
  4. Manages operations of SIFE and strategy
  5. Plans SIFE trip to annual competition

Job Descriptions

Treasurer-

- Controls finances of SIFE
- Generates monthly statements
- Tracks finances of SIFE and its projects
- Liaison to fundraising committee
- Senate co-funding Board contact
- Collects funding requests from project leaders

Vice President-

- Oversees membership (roster, recruitment, distribution lists)
- Distributes, creates SIFE literature
- Maintains SIFE records
- Manages SIFE office
- Records minutes at BOD and full SIFE meetings

Project Coordinator-

- Oversees project leaders—is the liaison between leaders and BOD
- Meets with project leaders
- Oversees Web Page

President-

- Sets agendas for BOD and full group meetings
- Chair of the Business Advisory Board
- Responsible for SIFE communication outside of CSB/SJU
- Handles club status and dealings with the Student Activities office/Joint Club Board
- Represents SIFE at functions/meetings
- Liaison to SIFE national headquarters
- Sets vision/strategy with BOD for SIFE

* Each officer (except the advisor) is allowed to vote in full group meetings

Article IV: Club Advisor

- Will be a faculty or staff member of St. John’s or St. Benedict’s
- Consults/critiques BOD
- Faculty liaison between SIFE and CSB/SJU
- Represents SIFE in community
- Faculty rep on Business Advisory Board
- Aids in shaping strategy and vision of SIFE
- Selection of the advisor will be to the Board of Directors discretion and the advisor cannot vote.

Article V: Selection of Officers

The selection process will take place at the end of each academic year, so that the next board can begin to prepare for next year. The selection process for the Board of Directors is as follows:

  1. All members interested in being elected to the Board of Directors must be nominated by another active member. Nominations must be emailed or written and delivered to the SIFE secretary at least 72 hours prior to the election.
  2. The positions on the board of directors shall be selected by majority vote. This majority vote must come from a meeting of all SIFE members. A quorum is necessary. The quorum shall be at least 50 % of all active SIFE members.
  3. Project leaders are free forming. Project leaders are elected by their project group in a fashion that groups find fitting.
  4. SIFE Members- students who show an active interest in SIFE and its mission statement are considered part of our club. Active membership is defined in Article II.

Officers are to be undergraduates of the CSB/SJU community and must be selected before April 1st of each academic year and will begin their duties before the academic year ends. Officers are also expected to remain active and fulfill their duties and responsibilities through the summer.

Article VI: Board of Directors Meetings

The board of directors should meet at least once a week, unless otherwise decided upon by the board. In order for business to be conducted, there must be a quorum of three directors. All motions at said meetings must be approved by a majority of those present. Board meetings may be called at any time by the president or by a total of three officers.

Article VII: Impeachment, Removal, and Replacement

Any board member may be impeached for failure to perform his/her prescribed duties properly and in good faith. Upon a three/fourths vote of the other officers at the Board of Directors meeting, an officer shall be impeached from his/her post. Removal requires a majority vote of a quorum of SIFE members.

In the case of an officer being removed or leaving office for any particular reason, there shall be a special election held to elect a replacement. The newly elected officer will serve until the next regular election. In the case of an officer position being vacated for any reason before the election, the board of directors will appoint a SIFE member to fill the position until the election. The special election shall follow the same procedure and rules as stated in Article V.

Article VIII: Executive Authority

The board of directors shall determine all matters not otherwise specified by this constitution. However, no board ruling may conflict with the provisions of the constitution.

Article IX: Honorariums

Students In Free Enterprise does not give honorariums to any member of its board of directors.

Article X: Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the membership voting in person or by proxy at any regular or special meeting of a project board; provided that pre-posted amendment shall have been considered at a previous board meeting by the board of directors.

Article XI:

Students in Free Enterprise 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:

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