Constitution

Submitted for ratification by ISUPC on 9/30/07

sorry for the formatting problems

Constitution

Article I. Name of Organization

The formal name of this Iowa State University student organization will be the ISU Pagan Community. The informal names will be ISUPC and Pagan Community.

Article II. Purpose

A. The purpose of the ISU Pagan Community is to provide a safe and accepting environment for the discussion of Pagan beliefs, to raise awareness and tolerance of religious diversity on and around campus, and to provide its members opportunities to network with related religious and social organizations.
B. ISU Pagan Community abides by established Iowa State University policies and State and Federal Laws.

Article III. Membership

As stated in the Student Organization Recognition Policy, all organizations must have at least five members in their group (not including the advisor to the organization). A complete roster of members of a recognized organization (beyond the required five officers and members and any advisors) is not required for registration and will not be kept on file. The ISU Pagan Community does not keep a roster of members and associate members (as defined below) beyond the required five officers and members and any advisors.

A. Club Eligibility
a. Membership is open to registered students at Iowa State University.
i. Only members who are currently enrolled at Iowa State University have voting rights and privileges.
ii. As stated in the Student Organization Recognition Policy, community college students who have been accepted into the Admissions Partnership Program who have chosen to pay the optional student activities fee shall be considered ISU students. Admissions Partnership Program participants who do not pay the optional student activities fee shall be considered non-university community members.
b. Associate membership is open to university community members (faculty, staff, spouses/partners of these persons, and/or retired faculty) and non-university community members (alumni, Ames and surrounding community residents).
i. Associate members do not have voting rights and privileges.
ii. The university advisor does not have voting rights and privileges.
c. Non-discrimination statement as required by the Student Organization Recognition Policy.
Iowa State University is committed to assuring that its programs are free from prohibited discrimination and harassment based upon race, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or local, state, or federal law. Membership and participation in the organization must also be open without regard to sex, unless exempt under Title IX. Organizations that select their members and/or leaders on the basis of a commitment to a set of beliefs may limit membership and participation in their organization to students who, upon individual inquiry by the organization, affirm that they support the organization's goals and agree with its beliefs, so long as no student who meets the other criteria for membership or participation is excluded based on his or her status of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or a U.S. veteran.
i. At this time, the ISU Pagan Community chooses not to select its membership based on a commitment to a set of goals and beliefs.
B. Disciplining and/or Removing Members
a. If a member or associate member performs actions deemed inappropriate:
i. The member or associate member will receive a verbal warning from an officer, member, or associate member that their actions have been deemed inappropriate and continued performance of inappropriate actions will result in a vote to revoke membership or associate membership.
ii. If inappropriate actions continue past the first verbal warning, an officer, member, or associate member will call for a vote to revoke membership or associate membership. Membership or associate membership will be revoked by ½ vote of officers present and 2/3 vote of the members present.
1. If membership or associate membership is revoked, the individual is asked to never return to any ISU Pagan Community meetings or functions.
2. If membership or associate membership is not revoked and inappropriate actions occur again, an officer, member, or associate member may call for another vote to revoke membership or associate membership.

Article IV. Officers and Advisors

As stated in the Student Organization Recognition Policy, every student organization is required to have a president and treasurer (or parallel leadership positions). Other leadership positions are optional. The president and treasurer (or parallel leadership positions) are required to be annual trained through the officer training program. Annually, each student organization must provide the full names, local home addresses, local phone numbers and e-mail addresses of its president, treasurer (or parallel leadership positions), three additional student members, and each of its advisers.

University advisors are required for all organizations. Advisors must be employed at Iowa State University on at least a halftime, permanent basis. Graduate assistants may serve as additional advisors in conjunction with university advisors who meet the requirements stated above, however, they will not have signing authority for vouchers, intramurals, or contracts.

A. Election of Officers and Advisors
a. Officer positions are limited to registered students at Iowa State University.
b. Election of officers will require a majority vote of members. If a candidate fails to receive a majority of votes, a run off election will be held within the top two candidates that received the most votes. Members interested in becoming an officer must meet the following academic requirements:
i. Have a minimum grade point ratio (GPA) as stated below and meet that minimum GPA in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment, and semesters during the term of office. For undergraduate students, the minimum GPA is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration.
ii. Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half time (six or more credit hours) if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and at least half time (four of more credits) if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
iii. Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (i) and (ii).
c. Election of advisors will require a majority vote of members. If a candidate fails to receive a majority of votes, a run off election will be held within the top two candidates that received the most votes.
d. Voting will be done by hand vote.
i. A secret ballet vote may be requested.
B. Term of Office for Officers and Advisors
a. The term of office will be one full year, from April to April. All officers comprise the Executive Committee of this student organization. The Executive Committee may meet in addition to regular organization meetings. The Executive Committee may appoint committees that are needed to carry out organization goals.
C. Officer Duties
a. President
i. Preside over all meetings
ii. Represent student organization on campus
iii. Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with standards set forth by Iowa State University and the Student Activities Center
iv. Maintain communication with student organization advisor(s)
v. Schedule meetings and events with appropriate University offices
vi. Coordinate student organization promotion and publicity of events
vii. Maintain an accurate record of all student organization meeting minutes and post for members
viii. Correspond when necessary with University administration and other recognized organizations
ix. Submit annual year-end report
x. Perform required training through the officer training program
b. Treasurer
i. Preside over meetings in the absence of the President
ii. Maintain accurate record of student organization transactions
iii. Cosign organization vouchers along with the Advisor
iv. Perform required training through the officer training program
c. Vice President
i. This office is not required
ii. Preside over meetings in the absence of the President or Treasurer
d. Secretary
i. This office is not required
ii. Preside over meetings in the absence of the President, Treasurer, or Vice President
e. Webmaster
i. This office is not required
ii. Maintain student organization web space
iii. Ensure student organization web space follows University policies and guidelines
D. Advisor Duties
a. Advisor
i. Maintain communication and meet with officers
ii. Awareness and approval of financial expenditures
iii. Ensure the organization is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by Iowa State University and the Student Activities Center
E. Removal of Officer or Advisor
a. Officers or advisors may be removed from office by ½ vote of the other officers and 2/3 vote of the membership if actions are deemed inappropriate or unsatisfactory by the membership. The officer or advisor is permitted to speak before the Executive Committee and the membership about the charges made concerning his/her performance. The officer or advisor is not permitted to participate in the deliberation of the Executive Committee and membership regarding the charges.
b. The vote for removal will occur during a normally scheduled meeting. The membership should be informed of the vote for removal at least ten (10) days before the vote occurs.

Article V. Operations (as laid out in the Student Organization Recognition Policy)

A. The president, treasurer (or parallel leadership positions) and adviser(s) of each organization agree to inform their membership of Iowa State University's policies affecting their organization and provide an assurance that their organization will comply with these policies. The president, treasurer (or parallel leadership positions) and adviser(s) must further verify that their organization follows all local, state and federal laws.
B. Annually, each student organization must provide the full names, local home addresses, local phone numbers and e-mail addresses of its president, treasurer (or parallel leadership positions), three additional student members and each of its advisers. This contact information must be kept current in the Student Activities Center through the utilization of the Student Organization website and Recognition Application signature form.
C. The Government of the Student Body Supreme Court shall review grievances within or among organizations. Actions of the Government of the Student Body Supreme Court may be appealed to the Dean of Students Office. Guidelines are on file in the Dean of Students Office and the Government of the Student Body.
D. Organizations are required to submit an annual year-end report that includes a detailed summary of their activities for the past year; any amendments to their constitution and bylaws and any amendments to their operations manual. This report must be filed in the Student Activities Center by the end of each academic or fiscal year (June 30).

Article VI. Finances

A. All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the Campus Organizations Accounting Office and/or approved institution/office (must receive authorization via Campus Organizations Accounting Office). All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment. (Statement required by Student Recognition Policy)
B. Dues
a. The ISU Pagan Community does not collect dues because that would involve keeping a proper roster of paid members. As stated above, the ISU Pagan Community does not maintain a roster of members or associate members.
C. Dissolution
a. If the ISU Pagan Community is to be dissolved, a majority vote of the membership will determine the fate of the student organizations account balance.
i. A run off vote may be performed if needed.
b. Suggested fates of the account balance are to fund a final event, purchase books for the library, donate the money to another student organization, or donate the money to a charity.

Article VII. Amendments and Ratifications

A. Ratification
a. This constitution will become effective upon approval by a 2/3 vote of the membership.
b. Ratified constitutions must be submitted to Student Activities Center within ten (10) days for final approval.
B. Amendments
a. Amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the organization. The amendment(s) will be voted on at a subsequent meeting. For an amendment to be adopted, a vote of 2/3 of the membership is necessary.
c. The vote for amendment will occur during a normally scheduled meeting. The membership should be informed of the vote for amendment at least ten (10) days before the vote occurs.
d. Amended constitution must be submitted to Student Activities Center within ten (10) days for approval.

Article VIII. Bylaws

The ISU Pagan Community does not have Bylaws.