Physics Club Constitution

College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University Physics Club

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Name
Physics Club

Section 2: Purpose/Mission
Our mission is to explore and find interest in science field. Due to decreasing interest of students in science field of study, our club is to promote interest in physics through field trips, entertainment, movies and creative science activities.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership

Open to any CSB/SJU students. Non-students [e.g., faculty/staff] are not allowed to be full members, but they can be non-voting, affiliate members.

Section 2: Voting Member criteria

Qualification to run for position must have at least 50% attendance of all meetings.

Section 3: Removal of Members

Grounds for removal may include misuse of club funds, club name, personal information, or other criteria as determined by club officers. Member removal process must be by a 2/3 vote of all members.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications

Any CSB/SJU student who is motivated to lead the Physics club is eligible to be an officer.

Section 2: Elected officers

President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer

Section 3: Duties of Offices

President: preside at meetings, primary contact with the institutions, appoint committee chairs, runs the election process, other

Vice-President: assume President’s duties in his/her absence, schedule meetings/facilities, primary contact with the JCB, plans member/officer training programs, other

Secretary: takes and distributes minutes of all club meetings, recorder keeper (current and past members, files minutes, etc), 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

Section 4: Vacancy in Office

In the event that the President leaves office, the Vice President will assume those duties until a special election is held. See Article IV.

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% 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 to be 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 2/3 vote of the voting members shall decide upon removal.

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers

A removed officer may appeal his or her removal by arguing his or her stance in front of club members, at which time a revote may occur.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination process

A candidate for the coming year may be nominated by a current officer or member, or by self-nomination, before April 1.

Section 2: Election

Voting will occur by secret ballot of all members present at the election meeting. This meeting will take place before April 1.

Section 3: Special Elections

Same procedures as outlined before will occur within 1 week of the officer’s vacancy.

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection

An advisor will be selected by a majority vote of members.

Section 2: Duties

Advisor will give ideas for club activities

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities

The club will have a regular monthly meeting, to be announced by email.

Section 2: Special Meetings

A special meeting may be called for an election or if necessary to organize an event. Members will be notified by email.

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority

Meetings will be informally run by the officers.

Section 4: Quorum*

At least one officer and 50% of the club must be present for a meeting.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure

If a committee is necessary, it will be organized at a club meeting.

Section 2: Special/Ad-Hoc Committees

Special/ad-hoc committees may be formed if needed.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-Funding Board

The physics club will apply for CFB monies. If allocated resources, the club will follow all CFB and institutional regulations.

Section 2: Honorariums

Officers will not receive a stipend.

Section 3: Dues (optional)

Members are not required to pay dues.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification

In order to amend the constitution, a proposed amendment must be brought up at a meeting and voted on by members. Majority is necessary for the amendment to be passed.

Article X:

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

Date of recognition/revision: 8/27/08