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Constitution of the Gay Straight Alliance of the University of Idaho

Article I – Name

The name of the organization shall be “The Gay Straight Alliance of the University of Idaho” (GSA)

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of the GSA shall be to provide support for the people whose lives are affected by gender and sexual orientation, to promote a better understanding in the campus community concerning matters and issues related to gender and sexual orientation, and to raise awareness of historic cultural issues.

Article III - Mission Statement

The mission of the GSA is to promote a positive and inclusive atmosphere for all people. The GSA strives to encourage individual growth and understanding by improving support for gays and their straight allies.

Article IV - Membership

  1. The majority of the membership shall consist of regularly enrolled students at the University of Idaho (UI).
  2. UI staff, faculty, and non-student members shall have Associate Member status. However, they shall not have voting privileges.
  3. No person who is supportive and willing to contribute to the positive nature of the GSA shall be denied membership regardless of age, race, gender, class standing, nationality, disability, religion, income, sexual orientation or preference, marital or relationship status, or parenthood.
  4. All membership information shall be kept strictly confidential including name, age, sexual orientation or preference, phone number, mailing address, e-mail address, class standing, and all other personal biographical or statistical information.
  5. 5. Membership information shall only be available to elected officers and shall only be released to others when written permission is given out and witnessed by both co-chairpersons.

Article V - Structure

  1. Elected Officers
    1. Executives
      1. One self-identified male and one self-identified female shall be elected by the organizational members and shall preside over the GSA’s business meetings.
    2. Secretary
      1. The elected officer(s) is responsible for recording the minutes at each meeting, when those minutes are deemed necessary, keep attendance records, and act as a signatory in the event of a co-chairperson is missing from any meeting which checks must be signed.
    3. Treasurer
      1. The elected officer(s) is responsible for maintaining financial records for the GSA, and act as a signatory in the event of a co-chairperson is missing from any meeting which checks must be signed.
  2. Ad Hoc Committees
    1. Ad Hoc Committees shall be created by the mutual agreement of both chairpersons or one co-chairpersons and the faculty adviser to research and act on behalf of the GSA.
    2. Ad Hoc Committees shall deal with specific, one-time projects and shall be dissolved by a majority vote of the general membership when the purpose of the committee has been served.
    3. The co-chairpersons shall appoint the chairperson of each Ad Hoc Committee.
    4. Ad Hoc Committee members shall be added as people volunteer and are approved by the Ad Hoc Committee Chairperson.

Article VI - Procedures

  1. Meetings
    1. The quorum to conduct meeting shall be five (5) members, including two (2) elected officers.
    2. Regular meetings shall be held once a week when UI classes are in session, except Dead Week and Finals Week of each semester.
  2. Terms of Office
    1. The definition of “term” shall be a period of time inclusive of one calendar year.
    2. Regular elections for co-chairpersons shall be held:
      1. One co-chairperson shall be elected at the beginning of the Fall Semester within three weeks of the first meeting of the semester.
      2. One co-chairperson shall be elected at the beginning of the Spring Semester within three weeks of the first meeting of the semester.
      3. No elections shall be held at the first meeting of any semester.
    3. Newly elected officers shall assume their responsibilities once they accept their office.
  3. Elections
    1. Only members who meet the membership requirements in Article IV my hold an elected office.
    2. A member MUST be present to be both nominated and elected into office.
    3. A member shall be only allowed to hold one office at any given time.
      1. Exception is given if another officer has prolonged illness.
      2. Exception is given if a position cannot be filled.
    4. Elections shall be by a majority vote of members, who meet the membership requirements in Article IV, and at the election time periods stated in Article VI Section 2.
  4. Faculty Adviser
    1. The faculty adviser shall be present at election time period stated in Article VI Section 2.
    2. Each year, the faculty adviser shall be confirmed for service for the following school year, and if not a new faculty adviser must be found.
    3. The faculty adviser may request to be rejected, in writing prior to the regular elections.

Article VII - Funding

All funding activities shall be conducted in accordance to the policies of the UI and the Associated Students of the UI, and may include student activity fees, as allocated by the ASUI, money from fundraisers, contribution, and/or grants from outside sources.

Article VIII - Amendments

  1. Any member of the GSA may propose amendments to the GSA Constitution.
  2. Constructive notice that changes to the constitution are being considered must be given to the general membership at least one meeting prior to the meeting in which changes shall be discussed.
  3. The constitution cannot be amended during interim periods, vacations, or summer sessions.

 

Gay Straight Alliance 2009