CONSTITUTION OF THE ENGLISH CLUB OF CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ARTICLE I Name The name of this organization shall be the English Club of Clarion University of Pennsylvania. ARTICLE II Object The purpose of this organization shall be to establish and maintain a sense of community between English majors, minors, graduate students, and any other individuals who have an admiration for English language and literature. This organization shall promote interaction between students, faculty, administration, and the university community through English language and literature related events. ARTICLE III Members Section 1. Qualifications for Membership Membership in this organization shall be open to all registered students and faculty members affiliated with English through interest and/or studies. Section 2. Voting Status for Membership All members of the English Club shall have the right to vote. A voting member must express a desire to function in organization meetings and activities and must demonstrate a willingness to perform duties and to assume responsibilities. Section 3. Acceptance of Members New members shall be accepted at any regular business meeting of the organization . ARTICLE IV Officers Section 1. Number and Titles The officers shall be five in number. The officers of the organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these bylaws. -1- Constitution of the English Club of Clarion University of Pennsylvania Section 2. Powers and Duties A. President The President shall serve as chairman of the Executive Board. The President shall also preside at all business meetings of the English Club to appoint and coordinate committee activities and to serve as primary mediator in all committee and organization disputes. B. Vice-President The Vice-President shall be responsible for all public relation duties of the club, including announcements of meetings, publicizing events, and any other related duties that shall arise. The Vice-President shall also, in the event of the President’s absence or inability to perform stated duties, assume the duties of the president. C. Secretary The Secretary shall keep a roster of all members present at group functions, record the minutes of each meeting, and execute all organization correspondences. D. Treasurer The Treasurer shall keep records of all financial matters concerning the English Club and shall report on the status of the organization’s treasury at each business meeting. E. Historian The Historian shall maintain the scrapbook and the written continuing history of the organization. Section 3. Election of Officers Nominated candidates shall be recognized and approved by the assembly prior to a secret ballot election to be held on the first business meeting in April. A majority vote of all members shall then determine the officers who will assume their duties immediately after the election, and who shall serve for a term of one year. Section 4. Executive Board The Executive Board shall be composed of the officers and the advisor of the organization. The Board shall meet periodically throughout the year to consider programming, budget requirements, and committees concerning the English Club. The Executive Board shall be responsible to represent the best wishes of the members of the English Club at all times and in all associations with Clarion University, its students, faculty, staff, and administration. ARTICLE V Faculty Advisor Section 1. Selection -2- Constitution of the English Club of Clarion University of Pennsylvania The Faculty Advisor to the English Club must be a member of the English Department of Clarion University of Pennsylvania. The Advisor shall be nominated by a majority vote of the Executive Board and shall be appointed by a majority vote of the voting members of the English Club. The Executive Board shall maintain the power to change advisors, provided that the decision is upheld by a majority vote of the English Club’s voting members. Section 2. Role The Faculty Advisor shall be required to be familiar with the English Club’s Constitution, with Clarion University policy regarding recognized student organizations, and with Clarion University’s funding processes. The Faculty Advisor shall take an active role in establishing meaningful programming, business meetings, and other activities of the English Club, while also promoting continuity, participation, organization, and adherence to all regulations. The Faculty Advisor shall attend all English Club meetings and activities whenever possible. Section 3. Powers The Faculty Advisor shall be a member of the Executive Board, but shall have no other powers greater than any other member of the English Club. ARTICLE VI Meetings Section 1. Frequency The first meeting of the year shall be called by the Executive Board and shall fall within the first twenty-five days of the regular academic year. The organization will ideally hold meetings every two weeks, but most hold at least one meeting per month, totaling a minimum of five per semester, excluding summer sessions. All meetings shall be announced at least two days prior to the meeting, which shall be the responsibility of the Vice-President, as outlined in Article IV, Section 2.B. Section 2. Quorum 2/3 of the entire membership must be present to conduct business requiring a vote. Section 3. Majority For a vote to take place, the number of members present must meet or exceed the quorum. Votes will then be decided by a majority of members present. Majority shall be defined as a number greater than half the number of present members. Section 4. Conduction -3- Constitution of the English Club of Clarion University of Pennsylvania Meetings shall be conducted informally, with the Executive Board, primarily the President and the Faculty Advisor, establishing and maintaining order and direction during meetings. Section 5. Special Meetings Any member of the Executive Board may call a Special Meeting. Any other member wishing to call a Special Meeting must contact a member of the Executive Board. Special Meetings shall be announced two days prior to the meeting, excepting if short notice is necessary due to particular urgency and/or importance. In the latter case, it shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board to take every possible measure to contact as many members as possible through various modes of communication, including but not limited to email, the posting of written notices, and telephone ARTICLE VII Finances and Funding Funds for the English Club shall be requested from the Student Senate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and may also be secured through fundraising activities. There shall be no dues or fees required of members, unless approved by a majority vote of members. ARTICLE VIII Changes to the Constitution Section 1. Amendments Any Member of the English Club may submit amendments to the Constitution in writing at any regular meeting. A majority vote is necessary for the English Club’s approval. In addition, Student Senate and the President of Clarion University must approve any modifications to the Constitution before the modifications may be adopted. Section 2. Suspensions Suspension, concerning the removal of a section in the Constitution, shall be submitted by a motion being made to suspend the Rules of Ratification, and shall be approved by a majority vote. Section 3. Acceptance This Constitution shall be accepted through a majority vote of acceptance. ARTICLE IX Ratification The Constitution must be ratified by a majority vote of the English Club and must also be recommended by Student Senate and approved by the President of Clarion University. -4-