Rome Start Club
Constitution
Date Original Constitution Ratified: January 21, 2013
ARTICLE I.
NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1.
Name:
The name of this organization established by this constitution shall be Rome
Start Club.
Section 2.
Purpose:
The purpose of this organization shall be to:
A.
B.
C.
Encourage involvement in the Loyola and Chicago community.
Provide support for reverse culture shock for Rome Start students.
Inspire potential Rome Starters or JFRC students to study abroad at
the John Felice Rome Center.
Section 3.
Affiliations:
This organization shall be affiliated with Loyola University, John Felice Rome
Center and Rome Start Program. The rules and regulations of the national
constitution shall be followed when not inconsistent with the rules and
regulations of the University. When inconsistencies are present, this
organization shall adhere to the rules and regulations of the University. A
letter of affiliation is attached to the constitution.
ARTICLE II.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Section 1.
Non-discrimination Statement:
No student is to be excluded from membership or participation on the basis
of his or her race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran’s status, marital status,
political affiliation or physical, mental or medical disability unrelated to the
purpose of the organization. Discriminatory behavior regarding
organizational activities or the actions of members is a violation of University
policy and may be addressed by the University as inappropriate.
ARTICLE III.
Section 1.
MEMBERSHIP
Requirements for Membership:
Membership in this organization is open to all Loyola University Chicago
students.
A.
Anyone may become a member who:
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1.
2.
3.
B.
Is a student at Loyola University Chicago.
Is an interested community member.
Is a Loyola student who studied their First Year at Loyola
University’s John Felice Rome Center.
Voting members shall consist of all members who:
1. Have been involved with the Rome Start program for at least one
semester.
2. Is a Loyola student who studied their First Year at Loyola
University’s John Felice Rome Center.
C.
Non-students cannot vote on the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
D.
Section 2.
No academic credit shall be offered for participation and/or
membership in this organization.
Removal of Members:
A.
Grounds for removal of members may include:
1.
2.
B.
Violation of University Policy.
Violation of the Code of Conduct/Student Promise.
A member may be removed by the following process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Section 3.
Election or removal of officers.
Removal of members.
Amendments to the constitution or bylaws.
Financial matters.
A petition to remove the member should be submitted to the
President. Such a petition must contain the signatures of at least
60% of the voting members. When such a petition is received,
the President shall call a meeting of the Elected Officers to
decide upon removal.
The grounds for removal are to be presented by the President at
a regular or special meeting of the organization.
The member in question shall be provided an opportunity to
present a defense either in person or in writing.
Voting is not to occur until after a presentation of the grounds
and defense have been made. In order for a vote for removal to
take place, at least 90% of the voting membership must attend
the meeting, and a majority vote of the members present at that
meeting is required for removal.
Appeal of Removal of Members:
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A.
After 24 hours of the removal, members may appeal their removal, but
the appeal must be made within 10 days of the vote for removal by
requesting the President to call a special meeting of the organization.
The President shall notify all members of this meeting, which is to
occur at least two weeks and not more than three weeks after the
appeal request is received by the President.
B. The decision to repeal the vote for removal shall require at least a simple
majority of the voting membership to attend the meeting, and a twothirds vote of the voting members present at the special meeting.
ARTICLE IV.
OFFICERS
Section 1.
Elected Officers:
The officers of this organization will be:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Section 2.
President.
Vice President
Secretary.
Treasurer.
Social Media Chair
Qualifications for Holding Office:
In order to be eligible to hold an officer position in this organization, the
following qualifications must be met.
A.
The candidate must be a Loyola student member of the organization.
B.
The candidate must have held membership in the organization for at
least one year. This requirement does not apply for the first year of the
organization.
President must be a Romestart student involved in the club for one
year.
Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.
C.
D.
Section 3.
Elections:
A.
The officers of the organization shall be elected for a term of one year.
B.
Proper elections will be held if more than 15 members are involved in
the club.
C.
There will be no restrictions placed on the number of terms of office a
member may hold.
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D. Elections will be held in the month of March.*shall not start position though
until fall semester
E. The candidate shall be nominated in the following manner: group
members may volunteer themselves or others for the position, after which
the official candidates will be voted upon by all elected and non-elected club
members.
F.
G.
Section 4.
Voting shall be by ballot, as decided by the organization.
Election to office will be by majority of the voting members present.
Duties of the Officers:
A.
The President shall be the principal executive officer and shall have the
following duties:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
B.
The Vice President shall have the following duties:
1.
2.
3.
C.
To assume the duties of the President (until a special election
can be held) in the event of a vacancy in the office.
To serve as an ex-officio member of the Standing Committees
of the organization.
To perform other duties as assigned by the President.
The Secretary shall have the following duties:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
D.
To preside at all meetings of the organization.
To call special meetings of the organization, when required.
To attend monthly CAN meetings if Secretary(ies) is(are) unable
to attend.
To serve as external spokesman for the club.
To review Constitution as least once a year and propose changes
and updates to members as appropriate.
To keep a record of all members of the organization.
To keep a record of all activities of the organization.
To keep minutes of each meeting of the organization.
To handle all official correspondence of the organization.
To serve as CAN Delegate and attend monthly CAN meetings.
The Treasurer shall have the following duties:
1.
2.
3.
To keep all financial records of the organization.
To prepare and submit financial reports to the members.
To prepare all budget requests for funds.
p. 4
4.
E.
The Social Media Chair shall have the following duties:
1.
2.
3.
4.
F.
To become familiar with University accounting procedures and
policies.
To publicize club events.
To maintain the club website.
To update Facebook, Twitter and blog accounts.
To make sure all media sites associated with the club comply with
the University Standards.
The CAN Delegate shall have the following duties
1.
2.
3.
Section 5.
Section 6.
To attend monthly CAN meetings.
To share concerns and/or needs to CAN Board.
To inform organization membership of progress, updates, etc.
Vacancy of an Office: In the event a vacancy should occur in one of the elected offices,
provisions must be provided to fill the vacancy. State the process by which the vacancy will
be filled.
A.
In the event of a vacancy in an office other than the President before
the expiration of a full term, a special election shall be called by the
President within two weeks to fill the vacancy.
B.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President before the
expiration of a full term the Vice President shall assume
responsibilities of the President until a special election shall be called.
Changes in Officers.
All changes in shall be submitted to Student Activities & Greek Affairs via
Orgsync within two weeks of such a change.
ARTICLE V.
MEETINGS
Section 1.
Meetings: Address how often business meetings will occur. Identify the process to hold a
non-business meeting.
A.
Business meetings of the organization shall be called by the President
every month during the academic year.
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B.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Non-business meetings for the purpose of instruction, practice, or
other activities shall be held once every three weeks or as seen fit.
Special Meetings: Identify the process that will be observed to hold special meetings.
A.
Special meetings may be called by the President upon one week notice
to the members.
B.
The President shall call a special meeting when requested by majority
of the voting membership.
Quorum:
meetings.
Identify the quorum needed to hold business meetings and non-business
A.
A quorum at business meetings shall consist of 2/3 office position
holders.
B.
Quorum is not required to hold non-business meetings (such as
instruction, classes, or other activities).
ARTICLE VI.
AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Ratification: Identify the process to be used related to proposed amendments to your
constitution and the quorum needed.
A.
A proposed amendment to this constitution shall be presented to the
members at least one week prior to the meeting at which the vote shall
be held.
B.
Ratification of an amendment to this constitution shall require a
majority vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled business
meeting of the organization.
ARTICLE VII.
ANTI-HAZING STATEMENT
Section 1.
Anti-hazing Statement:
The Rome Start Club considers hazing to be a most destructive and
degrading activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student
organization. Hazing, defined as: Hazing is any intentional or reckless action
or situation, created to produce emotional or physical discomfort,
harassment, humiliation or ridicule, is strictly prohibited The Rome Start
Club recognizes the dignity of every individual and opposes all forms of
hazing.
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This constitution was approved by the organization’s members on __APRIL 2013_______.
_______Cayla Turain___
President
_____________________________________
E-board member
__________________________________
E-board member
_______________________________________
E-board member
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