Student's Right to Organize
A student organization for Social Work majors originated in the fall of 1990. It was initiated in the Community
Organization course as a class project, to organize social work students on their own behalf.
Social work students have the right to organize in their own interests in matters related to academic and student
affairs. This also applies to the Social Work Program. Social work students are encouraged to maintain and
participate in S.W.O.R.G. the student organization which advocates with the college structure for the needs of
students, invites distinguished professionals to campus for presentations, and organizes events.
In 1999-2000 the Student Organization was renamed as the Social Work Organization (SWORG) and has included
sociology students since 2009. This organization has now been in existence for twenty academic years and is
continuing to develop in terms of its recognition and its involvement in the life of the students in the major. The
effectiveness of the student organization is confirmed by its continued existence and increasing organizational
activity. Each year the Student Organization participates in community service activities for local human service
agencies, including hat, mitten, and winter coat drives, food collections, fund-raisers, assistance with the annual
Point-in-Time Homeless Count, making of sexual assault and domestic violence awareness ribbons for the Center
for Women in Transition, and others. As of 2010-2011, Sociology majors were invited to join the Social Work
majors in SWORG, which was renamed as the Sociology and Social Work Organization, but the acronym
(SWORG) was kept the same.
The current faculty representative to the organization is Pam Koch. During the 1993-94 school year, the
organization established by-laws revised in 2013, which are on record with the college. The Student Social Work
Organization is now a recognized academic student organization by Hope College. It is the continued hope and
desire of the social work faculty to encourage student participation in this organization. Currently, the student
organization sponsors meetings at which faculty and practitioners present material on various topics of general
interest, plan and implement social activities, and community service projects.
STUDENT SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIOLOGY ORGANIZATION (SWORG)
BY LAWS
ARTICLE 1: NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Student Social Work and Sociology Organization
(SWORG).
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
SWORG is the student organization of the department of Sociology and Social Work at Hope
College. The purpose of this organization is to provide student interaction and to socialize
students to professional life. Specifically, the organization has the following purposes
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Promote and participate in community service
Provide leadership opportunities to students
Provide an opportunity for students to voice their opinions in policy decisions
Promote service to the college and community appropriate for young professionals
Recognize and allow for student research
Exemplify what it means to be a professional social worker and/or sociologist
ARTICLE III:
MEMBERSHIP
Full membership in the organization is open to social work and sociology majors. Prospective
majors may participate in some activities by invitation.
ARTICLE IV:
OFFICERS
Officers should be elected to the following positions
2 Co-chairpersons (1 sociologymajor and 1 social work major) duties include:
 Formulating an agenda for SWORG meetings
 Conducting SWORG meetings
 Overseeing (w/faculty advisor) the election of officers
 Initiating guest lecturers and other activities
1 Secretary Duties include:
 Recording and distributing minutes
 Maintaining minutes and files
1 treasurer duties include:
 Developing an annual financial plan in accordance with the chairpersons consistent with
the activities
 Reporting on the budget of SWORG at meetings
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES
As need arises, ad hoc committees will be formed.
ARTICLE VI:
MEETINGS
1. Informational meeting:
This meeting will be open to all eligible students and will consist of a brief summary of
the organization, its members, and the purpose of the organization. Those interested will
sign-up and be contacted for further meetings
2. SWORG meetings
These meetings will address agenda items requiring discussion, action and ad hoc
committee formation. All SWORG meetings are open.
ARTICLE VII:
AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by any member of the organization. The
proposed amendment shall be raised at least one meeting prior to being voted on. A 2/3rds vote
of members present shall be required to amend.