Constitution of the University of Rochester College Republicans

Preamble:

              We, the College Republicans of the University of Rochester community, in recognition of the need for youthful opinion and participation in all aspects of our government, declare our voluntary effort to support and propagate the principles of the Republican Party of the United States of America, and to do so in an amiable, resourceful, and equitable manner.

Article I.  Purpose of Organization

              The purpose of the College Republicans shall be to define and discuss the problems and issues of contemporary society and politics, and to promote viable solutions based upon free market principles while respecting the rights of individuals. 

Article II.  Meetings

              section A:  A meeting is only valid if a quorum plus one officer is present.

              section B:  A quorum is defined as fifty percent of the total active group membership.

section C:  Regular meetings may be held at the call of the Chairman, the officer acting in place of the Chairman, or by three officers.  Notice of regular club meetings shall be given to all club members in the most practicable and speedy manner.

section D:  Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used as the source of parliamentary procedure at all official club meetings.

Article III.  Membership and Voting

              section A:  General Membership

• All faculty, staff, and members of the Student Association are eligible for  group membership.
• Attending at least 2 meetings to date per semester attains general membership.

section B:  Voting Members

• All those eligible for voting member status are those who have paid their dues of $5 per semester and have attended at least 2 meetings per semester.  Voting members shall be entitled to participate in all activities of the CRs, including voting, holding office, and receiving information concerning club activities. 
• Dues may vary from semester to semester at the discretion of the executive board.  A majority vote by the members of the executive board is required to change club dues.

section C:  Associate Members

• All others eligible for active membership and who have not paid their dues shall be associate members.  Associate members have all the privileges of voting members except for voting, holding office, and chairing committees.

section D:  Voting

• Voting on any issue is official only if the meeting is valid.
• All members have one vote on a given issue and all votes have equal weight (The Chairman will cast a vote only to break a tie vote within the club.).
• The results of all voting shall be determined by a count of hands by the secretary.

Article IV.  Officers, Governing Bodies, and Qualifications

section A:  Officers

• The officers of the CRs shall be:  Chairman, First Vice-Chairman of Membership, Second Vice-Chairman of Publicity, Secretary, and Treasurer.
• Only undergraduate voting members of the CRs qualify to run for officers.

section B:  Duties of the Officers:

              Chairman – To preside over all meetings of the club and all meetings of the club officers; to administer the CR’s programs, to perform such other tasks as the Chairman may design.

              First Vice-Chairman – To preside in the absence of the Chairman; Chairs the Membership Committee and is responsible for all of its activities; to perform other tasks as the Chairman may assign.

              Second-Vice Chairman – To preside in the absence of the Chairman and the First Vice-Chairman; Chairs the Publicity Committee and is responsible for all of its activities; to perform other tasks as the Chairman may assign.

              Secretary – To prepare the minutes of all regular club meetings and to send all official club correspondence.

              Treasurer – To make financial reports at all regular club meetings; to receive and distribute Club funds upon authorization by the Chairman; coordinate all fundraising activities.

section C:  All officers shall serve a one-year term.

section D:  Standing Committees:

• Membership Committee: Responsible for the recruitment of new members, keeping records of current members’ status and any other activities that Chairman deems fit.  Shall be chaired by the First Vice-Chairman with the remaining committee members appointed by either the Chairman or the First

      Vice-Chairman.

• Publicity Committee:  Responsible for all public relations matters which include advertising club activities and any other activities that the Chairman deems fit.  This shall be Chaired by the Second Vice-Chairman with remaining committee members appointed by Chairman or the Second Vice-Chair.

section E:  ad hoc Committees

• The Chairman may, with the consent of the Assembly, create ad hoc committees.  The Chair shall appoint ad hoc committee chairs, members, and grant them a specific charge.  An ad hoc committee can be dissolved at any time by the Chair.

section F:  Executive Board

• The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the CRs, as well as the chairs of all standing committees.  Chairs of the ad hoc committees shall be members of the Executive Board only during the time that the committee has a formal charge.
• The Executive Board shall be responsible for carrying out the business of the club as ordained by the Assembly.

Article V.  Nominations and Elections

section A:  Nominations

• Nominations for offices shall be open at a general meeting at least seven days prior to the election date, and shall close by midnight the day before.
• Any member of the CRs may nominate him or herself or any other member for office provided that the person nominated is eligible as outlined in Article IV section B.

section B:  Elections

• All elections shall be held by secret ballot.  The current secretary shall be responsible for the collecting and counting of the ballots for each office except for his or her own if the current secretary is running for reelection in which case the duty shall fall to the current Chairman. 
• All elected officers shall serve a term of one full year effective from the Assembly’s last general meeting of the academic year.

Article VI.  Impeachment

section A:  Any officer may be impeached for failure to perform his/her prescribed duties properly and in good faith.

section B:  If a vote of no confidence on any officer is to take place it must be given an official meetings notice.

• Upon a three-fourths affirmative vote by the voting members of the club, the officer in question will be removed from office.
• The office shall remain vacant until the next regular club meeting when an election to fill the position shall be held.
• The removed officer may seek election to fill the vacancy, as may any other voting club member.

Article VII.  Amendments

section A:  Adoption and ratification of amendments to this constitution shall follow the same procedures as the adaptation of the entire constitution.

Article VIII.  Adaptation of the Constitution

section A:  Two-thirds of the active membership present at a general meeting must approve the constitution.

section B:  The constitution will be ratified upon approval of the Senate and the Signature of the Speaker.

section C:  This constitution should not conflict with the Student Association constitution and by-laws.

Article IX.  By-Laws

              section A:  Adoption of the by-laws shall occur by proposal.

section B:  Two-thirds of the membership present at a general meeting must approve the by-laws.

section C:  No by-law should conflict with this constitution not the constitution and by-laws of the Student’s Association.

Article X.  Hazing Policy

              The harassment of one individual or group of individuals (sometimes called hazing) is not permitted by the CRs.  Behavior prohibited under this rule includes actions threatening substantial risk of physical or mental injury:  actions exposing the individual to distressing, repulsive, or alarming situations or sensations; forced consumption of alcohol or drugs; actions in the form of social pressure which might cause harm to an individual.

Article XI.  Discrimination Policy

              The University of Rochester College Republicans do not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap, or religious, political, ideological views or affiliations.

Signature of the Chairman of the College Republicans                                             Date

Signature of the SA Speaker granting approval                                                         Date Approved

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