Constitution of the Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy Club
Preamble:
We the people of the Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy Club, in order to become more fully
acquainted with the laws and principles of nature, establish a weekly club, secure funding from the
Student Senate, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy Club.
Article I: Name
Section I: The organization shall be called “The Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy Club.
Article II: Purpose
Section I: The purpose of the Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy Club is to promote the
subculture of science fiction and fantasy genres in American society through art and
entertainment.
Article III: Officers
Section I: There is a minimum of four offices, which need to be filled at all times. The offices are
President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section II: Candidacy
All officers shall be a student enrolled at Gustavus Adolphus College, as well as a
member in good standing of the Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy Club.
Section III: The President
The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Gustavus Science Fiction and
Fantasy Club. This person shall hold this office during the term of one year, together with
the Vice President.
The President shall be in charge of the supervision of fellow officers. The President is the
final authority in all matters concerning the club. The President shall attain copyright
permission for all practical material. The President shall preside over meetings.
Before entering on the execution of office, the President shall take the following oath or
affirmation: -- “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of
President of the Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy Club, and will to the best of my
ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Gustavus Science Fiction and
Fantasy Club.”
In case of the removal of the President from office, or of death, resignation, or the
inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on
the Vice President. And the majority of elected officers may provide for the case of
removal, death, resignation or inability, both of the President and Vice President,
declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly,
until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall have power, by and will the advice and consent of the other officers,
to make treaties and formal relationships with other clubs and services on the Gustavus
campus, provided two thirds of the officers present concur. And the President shall
nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the other officers, shall appoint
ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and all other officers of the Gustavus
Science Fiction and Fantasy Club.
The President shall from time to time give the members information of the state of the
club, and recommend to their consideration such measures as that where judged
necessary and expedient.
The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the Gustavus Science Fiction and
Fantasy Club shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of,
treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Section IV: The Vice President
The Vice President shall be in charge of enforcing the club rules, regulations, and
constitution. The Vice President shall also be in charge of organization of committees,
volunteers, and publicity. The Vice President also shares all responsibilities of the
President, and shall be able to fulfill the office of President in case the President in
incapacitated.
Section V: Treasurer
The Secretary of Finance shall be in charge of financial records, obtaining purchase
orders, renting necessary rooms for meetings, and will be the financial liaison to the
Student Senate.
Section VI: Secretary
The Secretary of Public Affairs shall be in charge of the maintenance of the Gustavus
Science Fiction and Fantasy Club Internet presence, and email list. The Secretary of
Public Affairs is so charged with keeping a record of club and officer meetings.
Section VII: Election Procedures
Election will take place at a special meeting called by the current President. This meeting
will be announced at least two weeks prior to the actual voting. The election will take
place during the month of March or the month of April. Officers shall not be in office for
a period of time longer than one year without being re-elected.
Candidacy will be announced by a brief statement to the President. In this statement, the
candidate will explain his or her platform on issues ranging from social, economic and
political.
Candidates are elected by a simple majority of active members.
Section VIII: Vacancies
Vacancies will be filled by appointment of the President within one month and will be
approved by a majority of the officers.
Section IX: Removal of Officers
An officer can be removed for any reason, including, but not limited to: incompetence,
unlawful behavior, breaking club rules, and stealing club material.
If there is a problem with a current officer, the complaint will be presented to the
President. In that case in which the President in which the complaint is against, the
complaint will be heard by the Vice-President. If this does not completely satisfy the
complaint, the problem will be heard by the faculty advisor. If the issue is not resolved
through these means, the member will call for a vote on the removal of said officer.
Officers will be removed from office by a 75% vote of the active membership.
Section X: Additional Officer Positions
The President can appoint existing members to fulfill new officer capabilities provided
the new officer has a well-defined role. The officers’ position and role will be added as
appendices as stipulated in article IX.
Newly appointed officers’ must have the approval of two thirds the current officers and a
simple majority of the active members.
Section XI: Removal of Officer Positions
The President can remove a current officer position provided the position is currently not
occupied. The officers’ position will be removed from the Constitution with a simple
majority of the remaining officers. At no time will the President remove the offices of
President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer.
Article IV: Membership
Section I: While any person is welcome to attend meetings of the Gustavus Science Fiction and
Fantasy Club, membership is reserved for residents of the Gustavus community.
Section II: Categories of Membership
There shall be two categories of membership, active and inactive.
To be considered an active members, one must attend at least three meetings within the
previous semester. Only active members shall be allowed to vote.
All other members are considered inactive. Inactive members shall not be eligible for
voting.
Section III: Members shall remain in good standing as long as they uphold the club rules, and the
rules and regulation of Gustavus Adolphus College. A member may be removed from the club for
any of, but not limited to, the following reasons:
Showing pornographic material during club meetings.
Failing to follow the guidelines addressed by Gustavus Adolphus College concerning
sexual harassment, racial discrimination and sexual discrimination. Serious offences will
be reported to the Gustavus Adolphus College Judicial Board.
Failure to return club property.
Section IV: Judicial Process
First Offense: The member in question shall receive an official warning to cease
offending behavior. This warning shall be issued by an officer, and will be placed in the
members’ official file.
Second Offense: The member will attend a meeting with the faculty advisor and an
officer. Disciplinary measures may be decided at this meeting.
Third Offense: The member will be removed from the club.
Serious Offenses: All serious offenses will result in the member being removed
immediately by a consensus of the officers.
Article V: Meetings
Section I: The club will hold meetings once a week while class is in session. The meeting day and
time will be determined at the conclusion of the previous week. At each meeting, a pre-defined
schedule will be followed. If the schedule includes movies, books, or other media, the legal
process concerning copyright laws will be followed. The officers, with input from the members,
are in charge of running the club meetings. The President shall have the final decision.
Section II: Quorum
Two officers and thirty percent of the active members must be present for a quorum. A
quorum is necessary to make any changes in policy or make any decision concerning
financial matters.
Decisions made prior to or during club meetings when a quorum is present require a
simple majority for approval.
Decisions that are approved are enacted immediately.
Section III: Special Meetings
Special meetings can be called by the President or the Vice President to plan upcoming
events, to address any issue that may have been brought to an officers’ attention, or if
there are any developments that greatly affect the club. These meeting will also cover the
purchasing of material if there is an urgent situation. Special meetings require a five day
notice, unless for an emergency, in which case an email will be sent to the mailing list
with instructions.
Article VI: Committees
Section I: Committees will be created and run by officers as needed.
Article VII: Finance
Section I: Funds are allocated by the Student Senate and through fundraising and contributions.
Section II: In the event of the dissolution of the Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy Club, the
monetary assets of the club will be turned over to the Student Senate. The members will have the
opportunity to purchase club material, with proceeds given to the Society of Physics Students.
Article VIII: Renting of Club Material
Section I: Material will not be rented without the express written consent of the club President or
Vice President. The member must submit his or her name, phone number, email and date rented.
The member will sign a legal document prepared by the Secretary of Public Affairs stating his or
her responsibility for the material, and his or her agreement to replace any damaged or lost
property. Any failure to adhere to there rules will result in inability to rent materials, and may
result in expulsion from the club.
Article IX: Amendments
Section I: The membership, whenever two thirds shall deem it necessary, shall propose
amendments to this Constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this
Constitution, when ratified by seventy percent of the membership.
Article X: Ratification
The ratification of four officers shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution
between the membership so ratifying the same.
Date of Ratification: ______________________
Signed:
Amendments:
Amendment I: The Gustavus Science Fiction and Fantasy club shall make no rule respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of
the press; or the right of the members peaceably to assemble, and to petition the officers for a redress of
grievances.
Amendment II: A well-regulated militia, being unnecessary to the security of the Gustavus Science Fiction
and Fantasy Club, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall be infringed.
Amendment III: No officer shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the
member, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV: The right of the member to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against
unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable
cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishments inflicted.
Amendment VI: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the members.