Constitution of The Thomas Society (draft)
Article I- NAME AND PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION.
Section 1. The name of this organization is The Thomas Society.
Section 2. The Purpose of this Organization:
The Thomas Society is an organization that seeks to create a “Third Place” at the Ohio State University for
conversation about faith, doubt, culture and illumination. Our goal is to make the campus a place of beauty,
culture, and relationships among the Faculty, Staff and Students through group meetings, working with
other campus organizations, and various educational opportunities.
Article II- DOCTRINAL BASIS.
The Thomas Society holds to the following beliefs:
First, we confess the Nicene Creed stated as follows:
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and
invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God
of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father
by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was
incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under
Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and
ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to
judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we
believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Second, we believe in the model of Creation, Fall, Redemption and Restoration. That is, we believe that
God created the world, we messed it up through our sin, Christ redeemed us and so we can fufill our
original calling to be Stewards of God’s creation in our work, play, conversation and relastionships.
Article III- MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION.
Section 1. The Thomas Society is open to ALL students who desire to meet and discuss issues of faith,
doubt, culture and illumination. This organization shall not exclude any individual(s) from membership for
reasons of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, age, handicap, or Vietnamera veteran status. Furthermore, participation in this organization is open to all faculty, alumni,
professionals and visitors, although these individuals will be considered nonvoting
members
.
Article IV. OFFICERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION.
Section 1. The officers of this organization shall consist of an executive committee composed of a
president, a vice-president and a treasurer.
Section 2. The responsibilities of the officers are:
President
-To carry out the purpose and general policies of this organization.
-To call an annual meeting for selection of new officers.
-To be responsible for the continuance of this organization from year to year.
Vice-president
-To assist the president in his/her functions and to fulfill the duties of the president when he/she is
unavailable.
Treasurer
-To disburse funds on behalf of this organization, as needed, and keep accurate records of the financial
activity of
this organization.
Section 3. While membership is open to any Ohio State student, the officers of this organization must
subscribe to the above Basis of Faith and Purpose of this organization.
Article V. MEETINGS.
Section 1. BI-Monthly meetings for conversations on how the Doubt God? Study, the Worldview Café and
other possibilities to further conversations about faith, doubt, culture and illumination can happen at Ohio
State.
The time and place of these meetings will be decided by the members.
Section 2. Other meetings for the discussion and presentation of matters pertaining to the life and purposes
of this organization will be held as occasion warrants.
Section 3 The order of the meetings shall be governed by Robert’s rules of order.
Article VI. SELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Section 1. New officers will be selected on an annual basis for a term of one year.
Section 2. Toward the end of the academic year (Spring quarter), nominations for officers will be made by
voting members of this organization. Nominees will be asked whether they can affirm the above Basis of
Faith and Purpose of this organization. Those nominees that answer in the affirmative will be presented to
the membership for election. Nominees that receive the majority of votes for a particular office will be
elected and will serve their term in the following academic year.
Article VII. CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This constitution shall be adopted with a two-thirds vote of the membership.
Section 2. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership, providing that no
change is made to Article I, section 2, Article II or Article IV, section 3. A proposed amendment shall not
be voted on at the same meeting at which it is presented, but may be voted on at any subsequent meeting.
Section 3. Amendments to this constitution will not become valid until a copy of said amendment has been
placed in the office of Student Organizations (SOURCE) of the Ohio State University and with the
faculty/staff advisor of this organization.