Bylaws of Clarion
University Council for the
Social Studies
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be “Clarion University Council for the Social Studies
(CUCSS)”, hereafter referred to as “this organization”

Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this organization is to:
 Provide professional development to pre-service and alumni teachers
 Hold public discussions and programs
 Advise social studies education
 Cooperate with schools, districts, communities, and other interested parties on
approved Social Studies projects
Article III: Membership
Section 1. Membership Requirements
Members including officers in this club shall consist of:
 Full/Part time students of Clarion University
 Students who are in good standing within the University
 Students who follow the policies and procedures set forth by the student
handbook
Article IV: Voting
Section 1. Membership voting
Members who are in good standing according to the bylaws and standing rules of the
organization may vote on all club matters
Section 2. Acting on Votes
A quorum of 50 percent plus one is required to act upon the following items:
 Elections of Officers
 Changes and amendments to the constitution
 Any other matter deemed appropriate by the Executive Board
A tie means a measure is defeated
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Section 3: Membership notification on voting
Members must be notified at least one week in advance of any assemblies in which
quorum will be required

Article V: Executive Board
Section 1. Executive Board
The Executive Board of this organization shall consist of a:
 President
 Vice President
 Secretary
 Treasurer
 Parliamentarian
Section 2. Committee Positions
Committee Chairpersons will be elected by majority of club membership and serve the
same term as Executive Officers.
Section 3. Elections of Officers
A. All Executive Board officers shall be elected by the club membership
B. Candidates for office must be a current member of this organization
C. The election process will take place during the last meeting of the Spring
semester
D. The newly elected Executive Board will get installed at the first meeting of the fall
semester
E. All elections shall be conducted by secret ballot
F. An advisor should be present during vote tabulations and recording of the results
G. Nominations shall be heard both during the meeting prior the election and the
meeting of the election.
Section 4. Term
The officers shall serve for a term of one year or until their successors are selected.
The term of office will begin on the last day of the Spring Semester. No member shall
be elected to serve more than three full terms in the same office.
Section 5. Removal
Any officer may be removed for cause by a vote of two-thirds of the organization
Section 6. Vacancies
Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner of selection as provided in Section 3 of
this article
Section 7. Duties of Officers
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A. The President:
 Shall preside over all assemblies of this organization
 Shall preside over all assemblies of the Executive Board
 Shall have the authority to appoint all committee chairpersons (confirmed
by the majority of the Executive Board)
 Shall create new committees
 Shall act as a spokesperson for the organization
 Shall create the schedule of all club activities
 Shall follow all reporting guidelines and procedures required by Clarion
University
B. The Vice President:
 Shall assist the President in the operations of the club
 Shall preside over all club assemblies in the absence of the President
 Shall upon resignation of the president the Vice President shall assume all
duties of the President for the remainder of the term and shall nominate a
replacement Vice-President that is subject to approval of the Board.
 Shall support the president in all events
 Shall follow reporting guidelines and procedures required by Clarion
University
C. The Secretary:
 Shall handle and keep a record of all club business and correspondence
including:
i. Keeping an up to date file on all members and informing all
members of the club assemblies and activities
ii. Keeping meeting minutes and uploading them to the universities
website
 Shall follow reporting guidelines and procedures required by Clarion
University
D. The Treasurer:
 Shall handle all financial transactions of this organization including but not
restricted to:
i. Collection of dues
ii. Managing this organization’s allocated budget and special accounts
iii. Recording all transactions in this organization’s appropriate
financial report
iv. Depositing all funds received into the clubs account
v. Provide financial statements to the membership at every general
club meeting
 Shall follow reporting guidelines and procedures required by Clarion
University
E. The Parliamentarian
 Shall review agenda before the meeting
 Shall advise the president during the meeting as needed
 Shall make sure assemblies follow Robert’s Rules of Order
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

Shall handle all issues regarding the Bylaws of the Clarion University
Council for the Social Studies Executive Board

Section 8. Presidential Vacancy
In the case of presidential vacancy, the vice president moves up, appoints a new vice
president, the board confirms minus a vote from the president. Should the vice
president refuse succession, a special election will be conducted. In case of any other
vacancy (besides president and vice president) a special election will be conducted by
the membership. Until special election has occurred, the president will serve as that
chair until a new one is elected. Should the offices of President and Vice president
become vacant simultaneously, there will be a special election for the presidency.

Article VI: Assemblies

Section 1. Regular Assemblies
The first meeting of the academic year should be held within two weeks of the beginning
of the fall semester. Regular assemblies should be held at least once a month at a time
and destination determined by the organization. The frequency and timing of the
committee assemblies shall be determined by the individual committee chairpersons.
Before a regular meeting, the Executive Board will meet in advance to create an agenda
for the meeting.
Section 2. Annual Assemblies
An annual meeting is held once a year to install the Executive Board.
Section 3. Special Assemblies
Emergency/Special assemblies of this organization may be initiated by the president. In
the case of a presidential vacancy, a special meeting can be called by a member of the
Executive Board.
Section 4. Paper Assemblies
In the event of a time constriction, the Executive Board can decide to hold a paper
meeting. Each officer, committee, advisor etc. will send their reports to the secretary.
The secretary will then compose them together and send them to the members and
advisors.
Article VII: Advisors
Section 1. Nominations
The Advisor(s) of this organization shall be nominated by the Executive Board and
approved by the majority vote of the membership

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Section 2. Qualifications
The Advisor(s) must be a faculty and/or staff member employed by Clarion University
Section 3. Duties of Advisor(s)
The Advisor(s) shall:
 Serve as a liaison with the University, as well as the Office of Campus Life
 Assist in the transition period between officers
 Be invited and notified of all organization assemblies and club activities
 Assist the organization in setting goals and in promoting our purpose
 Follow all guidelines and procedures required by the Office of Campus Life
Section 4. Advisor Voting
The Advisor(s) shall not vote on any club matters, and be a neutral party during
discussions as this is a student run organization.
Article VIII: Finance
Section 1. Funding
This organization may receive allocated funding by the Clarion Students’ Association.
Section 2. Fundraising
This organization may finance its activities through approved fundraising projects.
Section 3. Special Assessments
Special assessments will be determined by the organization’s Executive Board as
deemed necessary

Article IX: Constitutional Amendments
Section 1. Proposal of Amendment
Any member of the chapter may propose an amendment. Any proposed amendment to
the constitution shall be made by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast of the
membership of this organization
Section 2. Voting on Amendment
Proposed amendments shall be voted upon only after two regular assemblies (or one
month) following the introduction of the proposal, whichever occurs first.
Section 3. Robert’s Rules of Order
For Amendments, we will follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 4. Effective Amendments
Proposed amendments will become effective after being approved by the membership
of this organization and approval of the advisor(s).

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Article X: Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees
There will be standing committees of this council
Section 2. Ad Hoc Committees
Ad hoc committees may be created by the president as needed.

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