Philosophy Club Constitution
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
The name of our club is Philosophy Club. For short, we will call ourselves POPE, an acronym for The Pursuit of Philosophical Enlightenment.
Section 2: Purpose/Mission
The mission of Philosophy Club is to facilitate philosophical discussion and debate and to provide CSB/SJU community members opportunities to improve their philosophical knowledge. We will accomplish this through colloquia, reading groups, bringing in at least one off-campus speaker per year, and taking at least one philosophy-related trip per year. Each of our meetings will also include an open forum discussion to allow students the opportunity to explore philosophical questions. We believe philosophical discourse and education in a relaxed club setting will foster wisdom for a lifetime.
Section 3: Affiliation
N/A
Article II: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
Eligibility for membership is constrained to CSB/SJU students.
Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
Every member in good standing (participate in philosophy events or meetings at least once a month) will have a chance to vote for group decisions.
Section 3: Removal of Members
Members will not be removed.
Article III: Officers
Section 1: Officer Qualifications
Discussion facilitation abilities, organizational skills
Section 2: Elected Officers
- Philosopher king - Department of Student Activities contact person
- Vice-philosopher king - Joint Club Board (JCB) contacts person
- Secretary philosopher king
- Treasurer philosopher king - Co-Funding Board (CFB) contact person
Section 3: Duties of Officers
- Philosopher king: initiates meetings, call special meetings, primary contact with the institutions, appoint committee chairs, runs the election process, Department of Student Activities contact person
- Vice-philosopher king: assume President's duties in his/her absence, schedule meeting/practice rooms/facilities, primary contact with the JCB
- Secretary philosopher king: takes and distributes minutes of all club meetings, recorder keeper, and club historian, notify members of meetings, handles the official correspondence of the club
- Treasurer philosopher king: keeps all financial records, submits monthly audit statements to CFB contact, notifies organization of financial issues, prepares budget/allocation requests
All terms of office are one academic year
Section 4: Vacancy in Office
In the event of a vacancy in office, a special election will be held at the next meeting (see Article IV). If the philosopher king office is vacant, the vice-philosopher king will fulfill that role a new one is elected.
Section 5: Removal of Officers
Officers may be ousted if they are failing to facilitate discussion at meetings or are otherwise neglecting their responsibilities. To begin the process of removing an officer, a vote of confidence can be called by any member at a meeting. If the officer in question does not receive more votes of confidence than disapproval, that officer must defend their position at the next meeting in a special election and prove that he or she has the necessary and sufficient conditions to lead (see Article IV). An officer can be challenged only twice a semester.
Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
A removed officer has the same right as any member to call for a vote of confidence.
Article IV: Elections
Section 1: Nomination Process
Self-nomination will decide candidates. The process of selecting the next year's leadership will begin on March 1. Candidates must announce their candidacy before the last meeting in March at which elections will be held.
Section 2: Election
Election will be held at the last meeting in March. Standing members must defend their positions by seeking re-election. Candidates will have announced which position they are seeking. At the meeting each candidate will give a one minute speech saying why they want the position. After all the speeches, all students present can vote. The voters can ask candidates questions and request further statements about their plans for the club. Secret ballot voting method will be used. A simple majority wins. There are no term limits.
Section 3: Special Elections
In the event of vacancy, special election will occur at the next meeting. This meeting should be scheduled within ten class days of the day that the vacancy occurred. For resignations, the same election procedures will be used as in regular elections. In a removal situation, a vote of confidence will take place again and if the officer fails it again, a special election will take place. Any student attending may nominate themselves for the position. The removed officer may attempt to run in the special election.
Article V: Advisor
Section 1: Selection
The founding members will have a discussion to decide the advisor. However, since we have already had multiple preliminary meetings, the advisor is already decided upon.
Section 2: Duties
The advisor will help, by means of guidance and suggestions facilitate debates, speakers, and other club functions meant for the public. She will also be an integral member in most decision making processes as far as for the direction of the club.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
We will have meetings once every other week to discuss activities, plan events and host discussions.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special meetings will happen if extra planning/organizing is needed for an event.
Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
Business will be discussed in an orderly, philosophical manner. Decisions shall be democratically made. In the event of disagreements, the advisor will mediate debate and make a decision if the students fail to do so.
Section 4: Quorum*
Whenever two or more are gathered in my name (wisdom's name that is), there too shall I be.
Article VII: Committees
Section 1: Committee Structure
We will have no permanent committee structure.
Section 2: Special/ad-hoc committees
Special/ad-hoc committees may be formed if needed.
Article VIII: Finances
Section 1: Co-Funding Board
The club will apply for CFB monies. If allocated resources, this club will comply with all CFB and institutional regulations.
Section 2: Honorariums
None of the officers or members will receive any honorarium/stipend from the organization.
Section 3: Dues
The club will not require dues from its members.
Article IX: Amendments
Section 1: Ratification
- When the occasion arises in which there is a proposed amendment to the POPE constitution the format will go as follows:
- An amendment can be proposed by any POPE member.
- The presenter will offer his/her idea to the group without interruption.
- After the presenter has finished, the proposed amendment will be openly discussed by all of the club members present.
- If a unanimous consensus can be reached the final amendment will be documented, and a sub-final version will be sent to all POPE members.
- The final decision will be made the following meeting and will also require a unanimous vote of all the members present.
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: Anti-discriminatory Policy
The Philosophy 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: Anti-hazing Policy
The Philosophy Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Philosophy Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.
Date of recognition/revision: 10/24/09