American Sign Language Club Constitution Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section I: Name
American Sign Language Club (ASL)

Section II: Purpose/Mission
The purpose of this club is to function in accordance to the mission of CSB/SJU with the Catholic and Benediction traditions while developing the sign language skills of the members. They will learn more about the deaf culture in order to be able to communicate with the deaf and hard-of-hearing. This club will allow students to acquire skills that are essential to a growing number of jobs in the diverse world.

Section III: Affiliations
None

Article II: Membership

Section I: Eligibility for Membership
ASL will be open to any CSB/SJU student. Faculty and staff are able to attend the meetings, but will not be considered full members.

Section II: Voting Member Criteria
A person attending 80%, or more, of the meetings may vote.

Section III: Removal of Members
If a person does not attend three consecutive meetings, officers will send an email to that person to acknowledge the attendance problem. He or she will be given the opportunity to explain their absences. If the reason is legitimate to officers of the club, the person is still in good standing. If the reason is not valid, the member is given another month to come to meetings. If the person still does not attend meetings, they will no longer be considered a member. 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 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 should leave the club.

Article III: Officers

Section I: Officer Qualification
To be an eligible officer, a student must have been in the club for at least one year. He or she must have attended all of the meetings the previous year with an exception of no more than four legitimate absences. The student may not be on academic or behavioral probation with the school.

Section II: Elected Officers

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary

The club may also have two co-presidents which would eliminate the position of vice president. The Joint Club Board and Co-Funding Board should contact the (one of the) president.

Section III: Duties of Officers
The term of office lasts throughout the academic year.

President: preside at meetings, call special meetings, primary contact with the institutions, appoint committee chairs, runs the election process, coordinate speakers and events

Vice President: assume President's duties in his/her absence, schedule meeting/practice rooms/facilities, plans member/officer training programs, handles any situations passed down from President

Treasurer: keeps all financial records and receipts, submits monthly audit statements to CFB contact, notifies organization of financial issues, prepares budget/allocation requests

Secretary: takes and distributes minutes of all club meetings, record keeper, club historian, notify members of meetings, handles the official correspondence of the club

Section IV: Vacancy in Office
In the event of a vacancy (resignation or removal) the other officer would assume responsibilities until further election occurs.

Section V: Removal of Officers
A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to the other officer, this petition must contain the signatures of 60% of voting members. When such petition is received: the officers should notify the advisor, the advisor will notify the officer in question. Grounds for removal are to be presented by the officer in charge at a regular or special club meeting. The officer in question should be provided the opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing. The officer will be removed by 2/3rd of the active members voting to remove him/her.

Section VI: Appeal of Removal of Officers
The officer may come to the following meeting and speak to the club. After speaking, they may have a revote.  If 2/3rd of the active members vote in favor of removing the officer, the officer is removed. The officer may join the club the following year as a member.

Article IV: Elections

Section I: Nomination Process
During the final week of March, the members may nominate themselves if they wish to be an officer. They must fit the qualifications above.

Section II: Election
Each active member votes confidentially. If a person is not at the meeting, then he/she cannot vote. The person who receives the most votes will be the officer. A person can serve an unlimited number of terms.

Section III: Special Elections
If an officer leaves for any reason or is removed from office, a special meeting will occur within two weeks of the vacancy to fill the position through a special election.

Article V: Advisor

Section I: Selection
Any interested employee of CSB/SJU is eligible. Knowing ASL is beneficial, though not essential, to the position.

Section II: Duties
The advisor is available for consulting and advice. The advisor does not need to attend meetings, however, it is encouraged.

Article VI: Committees

Section I: Committee Structure
Due to the fact that the club is small, there will be no committees at this time. All members are able to participate in and recommend any ideas or programs. If the club prospers and continues to grow, committees may be added through the normal voting procedure outlined above.

Section II: Special/Ad-Hoc Committees
Special/Ad-Hoc committees may also be added if needed.

Article VII: Meetings

Section I: Regular Meetings and Club Activities
Emails will be sent to remind members and students about the meetings. Generally, meetings will be held at the same time and place. The next meeting will be mentioned at the current meeting.

Section II: Special Meetings
Special meetings will include field trips which would be an opportunity to interact with the deaf/hard of hearing community. These meetings will be planned in advance. Other special meetings include if a special vote needs to be placed. People will be notified by email.

Section III: Parliamentary Authority
The officers will run the meetings. Speakers or presenters will also take part. Member participation and questions are highly encouraged.

Section IV: Quorum 
2/3rd  of members must be at the meeting for voting to take place.

Article VIII: Finances

Section I: Co-Funding Board
This club will apply for CFB monies and will not have an off-campus account.

Section II: Honorariums
Members will not receive honorariums/stipends from the organization. Speakers or presenters will be offered a stipend for their time.

Section III: Dues
There will be no dues for this club.

Article IX: Amendments

Section I: Ratification
Amendments can be suggested at any meetings by any members. A quorum must be present and 2/3rd of the present members must agree with the change.

Section II: 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 American Sign Language Club 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 American Sign Language Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The American Sign Language Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

March 9th, 2010