Believe-Victim Support Society Constitution
Believe–Victim Support Society Constitution (reproduced)
Article I. Organization
Section I. Naming
The name of the organization is Believe-Victim Support Society (Believe Society).
Article II. Purpose
Section I. Purpose
The purpose of Believe Society is to promote awareness of the needs as well as to provide support and hope for disaster/poverty stricken victims.
Article III. Membership
Section I. Eligibility
Believe Society Membership is open to any student.
Section II. Certified Membership
- All students must contribute an adequate effort in order to become a certified member.
- Certified members receive a certificate signed by the Club President and Advisor at the end of their service in Believe Society. Unless certified, Believe Society does not formally recognize attending members. This is to ensure that all recognized Believe Society members have adequate participation.
- The Believe Society requires members to actively contribute to the club for at least one year to become a certified member. Participation is determined through attendance and fund-raising volunteer work.
Article IV. Board
Section I. Board Positions
- President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Publicity Officer
- Tech Officer
Section II. Duties
- President: The President must organize and head Club Meetings and attend all Interclub Meetings. He or she must also research and find new projects for the club and make sure that the club is active in achieving its purpose. He or she must constantly keep a check on all Officers and ensure that duties are properly distributed amongst them.
- Secretary: The Secretary keeps a list of all club members (certified and attending) and takes attendance at the start of every meeting. Also, he or she will keep a record copy of club member contact information. He or she must keep a year-long record of minutes of every meeting and send them to the Tech Officer. He or she must keep a binder of all club-related materials and make sure he or she is always organized and informed of club matters. The minutes, which should be easily accessible and available upon request, should be available both on line and off line. In addition, he or she will write the next monthly club report at the end of every month.
- Treasurer: The Treasurer is in charge of keeping an accurate log of money (depositing and withdrawing in an organized fashion). He or she must know the amount of money in the club treasury at all times and must be prepared to report when requested. He or she must keep everything logged neatly in a folder and have it constantly ready to be checked.
- Tech Officer: The Tech Officer must regularly update and manage the club website and forum. He or she shall have a list of member contact information and will send out a meeting notification at least 3 days prior to the actual date of the meeting. He or she must also send meeting minutes and announcements to everyone in the club when the information is available.
- Publicity Officer: The Publicity Officer must make sure that the club is properly and adequately promoted and represented. He or she must constantly look for opportunities for the club to participate in, especially in the community and school wide projects. He or she is also responsible for planning club community service projects.
Section III. Interns
Every board position will have an intern position, in which future board members are trained; the board member must make sure their intern is properly trained before the upcoming election. Lower class men usually have priority regarding an intern position. While a previous intern position greatly increases the chances of the position in the following year, the internship does not guarantee the position just as internship is not required to run for a position.
Section IV. Elections
Officers and interns will be elected by club member's secret ballots before the end of each school year and will serve until the end of the following school year. A candidate must receive the majority of the votes in order to be elected. Interviews will be held with the previous president and the graduating senior members of the club. Final decisions will be made between the President and the senior members.
Article V. Meetings
Section I. Schedule
Regular meetings for Believe Society are scheduled to be the first and third Wednesday of every month. If changes are needed, the President will reschedule meeting dates in order to accommodate the schedules of the majority of the members and the Tech Officer will send an e-mail notice at least 3 days beforehand. Any member may freely notify the President if he or she feels holding a meeting is necessary.
Section II. Cascade Authority
The following order of Officers will be used to identify who will conduct the meetings in case of absences:
- President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Publicity Officer
- Tech Officer
Article VI. Records
Section I. Archives
The Society Attendance Log and all minutes taken by the Secretary will be open to new members on the Believe Society website.
Article VII. Amendment
Section I. Amending Constitution
Amendments to the Believe Society Constitution can be proposed by the President and passed with a majority of the votes of present members. The President is responsible for keeping the Constitution reasonable, executing the Constitution, and notifying members of changes to the Constitution.
Section II. Amending By-Laws
The Believe Society Constitution may be amended at meetings by a majority vote of members (present on site or on line).
Section III. Vote Forfeit
Unexcused absences equate to a forfeited vote.