CONSTITUTION OF THE GAY - STRAIGHT ALLIANCE

PREAMBLE

The Gay - Straight Alliance is a student organization at the College of the Redwoods, Eureka campus. Our purpose is to promote awareness and educate our campus and community about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and alternative sex and gender cultures. We encourage acceptance, tolerance and self pride within our community through community involvement. We also provide support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals on campus and to their families and friends.

ARTICLE I - NAME

This organization shall be known as the Gay - Straight Alliance at the College of the Redwoods, Eureka campus.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP & ATTENDANCE

SECTION 1: ATTENDANCE
Meetings, activities and functions are open to everyone willing to maintain the safe atmosphere we are striving to provide.
SECTION 2: MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to students, faculty, staff and alumni of College of the Redwoods.

ARTICLE III - NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY The Gay - Straight Alliance will not tolerate discrimination from within its membership or from outside its membership, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability, at any program or activity offered under the control of the Gay - Straight Alliance. Nor will the Gay - Straight Alliance tolerate any form of harassment from within its membership or from outside its membership.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS & TERMS

SECTIONS 1 & 2: Elected Officers & Terms
Position Term in Office
President 1 academic year
Vice-President 1 academic year
Treasurer 1 academic year
Secretary 1 academic year
The number of terms a position can be held is unlimited, but the same position cannot be occupied in consecutive years.
SECTION 3: Description of Duties
Faculty Advisor: The Faculty Advisor is a liaison between the club and the faculty, staff and community. Furthermore, the Faculty Advisor provides assistance with fundraising, events coordination and club organization. Removal of officers will be at the sole discretion of the Faculty Advisor.
President: The President is the spokesperson for the club, and as such is expected to attend all meetings and club functions and display exemplary leadership qualities. The President is also responsible for all appointed positions. The President shall oversee all meetings. President is responsible for the production and distribution of the agenda. All agenda items must be submitted to the president 48 hours prior to the next meeting.
Vice-President: The Vice-President shall oversee all committees and club functions. In the event that responsibilities lie unattended, shall be responsible for recruiting new committee members or canceling committee functions or events at the VP's discretion. Discretionary decisions are subject to review by club officers. The Vice-President must fill in for the President and attend A.S.C.R. meetings as necessary.
Treasurer: Duties of the Treasurer are to keep accurate records of incoming or outgoing monies with regard to the funds of our treasury. Will keep receipts and make an accurate accounting of all said monies at the beginning of each weekly meeting. Any outgoing monies will need the signature of either the Treasurer or the President and at least one advisor and all others required by A.S.C.R. regulations.
Secretary: The Secretary is expected to attend all general and officers meetings and keep minutes for both. Copies of all general meeting minutes are to be made available to the club members and the Faculty Advisor. The Secretary is to keep both hard copies and the master disk of club productions and articles. A copy of all club productions and articles is to be kept updated in the ASB office.
SECTION 4: Appointed Positions & Duties
Appointed positions are to be held on a per semester basis, not limited to, but not to exceed 2 semesters consecutively. All appointees shall submit reports during the general meetings.
A.S.C.R. Representative: The A.S.C.R. Representative attends the ASB meetings and presents club needs and requests. The A.S.C.R. Representative is expected to provide a full report of ASB proceedings to the President and during the general club meetings.
H.S.U. Liaison: The liaison is expected to attend both CR and HSU club meetings. The liaison will communicate information to the President and report proceedings to both organizations. He/she will assist in coordinating shared activities between both organizations.
Public Relations Coordinator: The Public Relations Coordinator is responsible for the production of articles for community publication. All articles must be submitted to the President for approval prior to publication. The Public Relations Coordinator is also responsible for club advertising. Experience with writing articles for publication is required for this position.
Web Editor: The Web Editor is responsible for maintaining and updating the club's web site. Experience in web site design and maintenance is required for this position. The Web Editor is accountable for obtaining approval from the President and Advisor on all new project endeavors.

ARTICLE V - DISMISSAL OF OFFICERS & APPOINTED POSITIONS
Officers with more than three absences from obligatory meetings or activities per semester will be required to resign from office. Failure to perform duties listed in Article IV constitute grounds for dismissal. Officers and Appointees are expected to adhere to guidelines set forth by the student handbook.

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES
Committee membership is voluntary. Committees will be formed, as needed, by the officers. The Committee heads will submit weekly reports to the Vice-President at each meeting.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Meetings are held weekly. The faculty advisor must be present in order to hold an official meeting on campus.

ARTICLE VIII - VOTING PROCEDURES
The method used by members to express themselves is in the form of moving motions. A motion is a proposal that the entire membership take action or a stand on an issue. Individual members can: 1) initiate motions, 2) second motions, 3) debate motions, 4) vote on motions.
SECTION 1: Initiating Motions
Motions are presented by obtaining the floor. Wait until the last speaker is finished. Address the President by saying, "I have a motion." When the President recognizes the member, he/she will make the motion by speaking in a clear and concise manner stating the motion affirmatively. Another member will second the motion or the President will call for a second. If there is no second to the motion, it is lost. If it is seconded, discussion ensues, then the President calls for a vote.
SECTION 2: Voting on a Motion
The method of vote on any motion depends on the situation and by-laws of your organization. The two methods used to vote by the Gay - Straight Alliance are:
1) By voice - The President asks those in favor to say, "aye", those opposed to say, "no". An abstention by any member is allowed. Any member may move for an exact count. The advisor will vote only in case it is necessary to break a tie.
2) By ballot - Members write their vote on a slip of paper. Votes are collected and counted by the President. Any member may move for an exact count. The advisor will vote only in case it is necessary to break a tie.
SECTION 3: Proxy
A proxy (authority to act for another) may be issued from one member to another for a vote when a member is unable to attend a meeting. The proxy must be handwritten and signed, authorizing the member to vote on an issue. The proxy vote is in force according to the written proxy and may not be changed or altered after the vote is taken.
Example: I, Jane Doe, authorize Helen Waite to vote for me on any issue that arises on 2/14/00.

ARTICLE IX - QUORUM
In order for a vote to be cast and valid, a quorum must exist. This requires half of the official club membership plus one. Only votes from members who voice a response will be counted.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
Amendments become legal when ratified by 2/3 of a valid quorum.