The following outline and questions are designed to help you write a constitution for your chapter. The constitution should contain statements concerning enduring aspects of the chapter. Items that are subject to frequent revision should be included in the by-laws. University policies that apply to recognition of your chapter are included in the outline.
PREAMBLE
This section should be a statement of the group's establishment and purpose of the Constitution. The preamble should contain the name of the organization.
ARTICLE I. NOTE
Section 1. What is the exact title to be used in addressing this organization?
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
Section 1. What is the purpose? Is it fostering a broad educational goal? Is it a social, cultural, or political organization? Why was the group founded?
Section 2. This section should include a statement of the group's willingness to abide by established University policies.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.Who is eligible for membership? Are there any restrictions? How does one become a member? How are members identified
Section 2. Voluntary withdrawal of membership may be provided for. Can a member remain in the organization if she/he fails to pay dues?
Section 3. Nondiscrimination clause should be provided for and include the following: race, color, creed, sex, disability, or sexual orientation.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
Section 1. How many officers are there? What are their titles and duties? Will the officers constitute an executive committee? Description of any standing committees should be included, probably in the by-laws. What are the duties of the faculty advisor? (If your organization plans to apply for Graduate Student Government funding, all executive officers should be graduate students. )
ARTICLE V. OPERATIONS
Section 1. How are officers elected? What type of ballot? When are they elected (month), and for what period? Who is eligible for office? When do officers assume their positions? How may officers be removed? You may wish to clarify the role of your advisor.
ARTICLE VI. FINANCES
Section 1. How will the organization finance its activities? Will the organization use membership dues or perhaps receive funding from GSG or their department?
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. How are amendments to be proposed and by whom? Do you want to provide for a delay before voting on amendments? How are your amendments to be voted upon?
ARTICLE VIII. REGISTRATION RENEWAL
Section 1. In accordance with established registration procedures, this section should contain a statement that specifies a date for annual registration renewal. This date should be one month after your organization's elections.
BY-LAWS(Optional)
Constitutions may also include a "Provision for By-Laws"; Article or a clause pertaining to the establishment of by-laws. The By-Laws might include some of the following items:
* Standing committees of the organization.
* Ad Hoc Committees of the organization which are established for a single purpose, or 1-year commitment. Such committees will be eliminated from the By-Laws once abolished or defunct.
* Policies pertaining to the time, location of organizational meetings.
* Election procedures, dates, terms of offices.
* Structures/purposes of committees.
