QRAC+constitution

Draft of Constitution for the Qualitative Researchers student group

The constitution and/or bylaws MUST reflect the following: (see [|Model Constitution] below for further detail) and regulations, or materially and substantially disrupt the work and discipline of the institution MODEL CONSTITUTION/BYLAWS This handout is designed to assist student organizations in developing a Constitution/By-Laws. The document should be kept simple and practical. The ARTICLES can contain various SECTIONS dealing with specific concerns. __ARTICLE I - NAME__ Official name of the organization as well as any nicknames that it may go by. It helps if the name of the organization can be readily identified with the purpose of the organization...but this is not necessary. __ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES, PURPOSE, GOALS__ Be fairly specific. (Proposed activities, however, should not be a part of this document). __ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP__ State: (a.) membership of organization including categories of memberships such as "active" or "associate," with rights and privileges of each; (b.) qualifications and eligibility including provisions for application; (c.) membership dues and collection procedures. The University requires a minimum of 10 student members, all who have earned a minimum 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average. The organization may have associate members. These may be faculty, staff, or community persons who share the objectives and purposes of the organization and thereby enrich the student experience. **Note:** Associate members cannot having voting privileges within the organization and may not hold officer positions. The number of associate members should not outweigh the number of active/student members. __ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS__ Name and define the duties of the officers and the advisor; describe how the officers will be selected, length of officer service, when the tenure begins and ends; describe how a vacancy in an office will be filled. Officers must be The University of Memphis students taking at least six (6) hours during the regular semesters of their tenure. They must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA during their tenure. If the organization will be acquiring funds of any kind, it must have a Treasurer. __ARTICLE V - MEETINGS__ State specifics regarding meetings including: (a.) regularity of meetings (i.e. once a week, twice a month); (b.) days, times and locations of regularly scheduled meetings if known; (c.) procedures for calling special meetings; (d.) required notice of meetings; (e.) quorum, order of business (i.e. Robert's Rules of Order) and disposition of minutes. Describe the administrative board, cabinet or executive council of the organization that may be entrusted with any administrative authority and responsibilities. Define the committees of the organization including the process of appointment, responsibilities and reporting. Also state if and how ad hoc committees can be formed, chaired and dissolved. State the financial plans/expectations of the organization, including any proposed fees, dues, and/or assessments. Explain how the funds will be monitored. Organizations **__MUST__ designate how remaining funds are to be disposed of** by The University **if the organization ever becomes inactive and dissolves**. (For example, an organization may decide that the remaining funds of a defunct group go to The University of Memphis Library to purchase books related to the interest or purpose of the organization.) Explain the procedure for amendments including advance notifications, number of readings and required vote for adoption.
 * Constitution and bylaws of the organization should clearly contain:**
 * Name of the organization
 * Purpose of the organization
 * Proposed activities
 * Rules of membership (may not deny membership to any person on the basis of age, race, sex, religion, handicap or national origin)
 * The officers
 * Officer terms
 * Methods of officer selection
 * Proposed nature and frequency of meetings and activities
 * Financial plans of the organization, including any proposed fees, dues and assessments
 * Provision for the distribution of all funds and assets in the event of dissolution
 * Organizational purposes are not within the scope of a current registered organization
 * Organization represents the interests of The University of Memphis student members
 * More than 50% of membership of the organization is limited to currently enrolled U of M students
 * Control of the organization is within the local campus group
 * Organization does not:**
 * Have illegal aims and goals
 * Propose activities which would violate regulations of the Board or the institution or federal or state laws
 * Advocate incitement of imminent lawless action which is likely to produce such action
 * Use the same name, or a name which is misleading and similar to the name of a currently registered organization
 * __ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE BOARD__**
 * __ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES__**
 * __ARTICLE VIII - FINANCE__**
 * __ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS__**