SAMPLE CONSTITUTION

*Adapted from Kent*

This sample constitution is provided as a guide to developing constitutions for student

organizations at Kent State University at Stark. Organizers of new groups are encouraged to
adapt this style to the unique needs and purposes of their organizations. All points covered in this
sample should be included in the new constitution. Submit the new constitution with all
registration materials to the Office of Student Life for review. You will be required to make a
presentation before the Student Leadership & Allocations Board regarding your organization.

ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Kent State University at Stark [state name of
organization] (hereinafter referred to as [the “organization,” the “club,” the “association,” etc.]).

ARTICLE II: Purpose

Section 1:
The purpose of the [organization, club, association, etc.] shall be [state purpose].

Section 2:
The [organization, club, association, etc.] shall coordinate and promote activities,
programs and fund-raising events which are of support to the goals of the organization.
*Only one fund-raising event is permitted per academic year to benefit your group.
Fundraisers for charities do not have a limit.

ARTICLE III: Membership

Section 1:
Membership in the [organization, club, association, etc.] at Kent State University at Stark
shall be open to any and all students, faculty, and staff at Kent State University at Stark. Active
membership shall be determined by [include specific criteria]. Once a student graduates or ceases
to be a student at the University, his/her active membership in the [organization, club,
association, etc.] shall cease.

Section 2:
An affiliate member is one who is taking less than three hours of University course work
or one who is not currently enrolled. Such members may not outnumber student members, hold
office, vote for officers, or vote on the expenditure of money. They may not schedule university
facilities or services on behalf of the organization. Such members are expected to know,
understand, and abide by all university rules and regulations.

Section 3:
Any member may be removed from membership for violation of the purposes of the
organization by a two-thirds vote of the active membership. All members must be notified of this
pending action at least one week prior to the removal decision. Written charges by a member are
to be presented to the Executive Committee who will notify the member in question with
sufficient opportunity given for the member to answer charges at a meeting of the membership.
Voting for removal from membership is to be done by secret ballot within [state time lapse] of
the meeting. Only active members may vote. The member in question must be notified
immediately of the outcome of the vote.

Section 4:
It shall be stated as part of the policy of the [organization, club, association, etc.] at Kent
State University at Stark that there shall be no form or type of discrimination in the
[organization, club, association, etc.], whether it be due to one’s race, color, religion, gender,
sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, handicap, or veteran’s status.

Section 5:
With active membership in the [organization, club, association, etc.] comes full floor and
voting privileges on any and all items of [organization, club, association, etc.] business,
including resolutions, items of legislation, bylaws, and elections.

ARTICLE IV: Officers

Section 1:
The officers shall consist of a [example: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer,
and historian]. The officers shall be responsible for all administrative duties of the [organization,
club, association, etc.].

Section 2:
The [example: president] shall have the power to establish and maintain operation
procedures of the [organization, club, association, etc.], call meetings, and answer for all actions
of the other officers. The [example: president] shall be able to vote in all decisions affecting the
[organization, club, association, etc.]. [List other additional responsibilities.]

Section 3:
The [example: vice president] shall assist the [example: president] with all administrative
duties and assume those duties in the absence of the [example: president]. [List other additional
responsibilities.]

Section 4:
The [example: secretary] shall keep accurate and detailed records of all meetings and
affairs, send/transmit all official [organization, club, association, etc.] correspondence, and
coordinate preparation and distribution of [organization, club, association, etc.] flyers, handouts,
and publications. [List other additional responsibilities.]

Section 5:
The [example: treasurer] shall receive and distribute [organization, club, association, etc.]
funds upon the authorization of the [example: president], in accordance with the financial rules
and regulations of the University and the laws of the State of Ohio, and make financial reports at
all Executive Committee meetings, and at the regular meetings of the [organization, club,
association, etc.], and coordinate all fund-raising activities.

Section 6:
The [example: historian] shall be responsible for keeping historical records of the
[organization, club, association, etc.] activities, events, fund-raisers, etc. to assist the group in
maintaining its purpose and direction.

Section 7:
The elected officers shall form the Executive Committee.

Section 8:
All elected officers must meet all requirements for holding office as stated in the
Digest of Rules and Regulations and the University Policy Register.

ARTICLE V: Elections

Section 1:
The [list officers] shall be elected by the active members of the [organization, club,
association, etc.] to serve a term of one year. Annual elections shall be held [state time frame —
example: the third week of the spring semester]. The officers shall be elected by means of a
secret ballot. The term of office for all officers shall begin on the first day of [example: the sixth
week of the Spring Semester] and end on the same day the following year.

Section 2:
Nominations of candidates for [organization, club, association, etc.] officer positions
shall be [identify process of nomination — example: from the floor of the meeting] by a(n)
[organization, club, association, etc.] active member. Nominees for officer positions must be
[organization, club, association, etc.] active members for [duration may be added].

Section 3:
Voting shall take place after the close of nominations for each office. Officers shall be
elected by majority vote of those [organization, club, association, etc.] active members present,
provided quorum is met. Affiliate members are ineligible to vote for officers.

Section 4:
The order of succession shall be: (1) [example: president], (2) [example: vice president],
(3) [example: secretary], (4) [example: treasurer] (5) [example: historian].

Section 5:
Vacancies occurring in any of the elected offices shall be officially filled at the next
regular [organization, club, association, etc.] meeting following the occurrence of such a vacancy
or vacancies. The order of succession shall be followed in the filling of any vacant office during
any unexpired term. If an officer declines to succeed to a vacant office, then an election shall be
held to fill the vacant office for the remainder of the unexpired term. The election procedure for
filling the unexpired term of a vacant office shall be the same as the normal procedure for
elections. Page 4

ARTICLE VI: Appointments

Section 1:
The [example: president] shall appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee,
such positions as may contribute to the successful operation of the [organization, club,
association, etc.]. Examples include, but are not limited to, program chair, fund-raising chair, etc.

ARTICLE VII: Removal From Office

Section 1:
Any officer may be removed from office for failure to perform his/her prescribed duties
by a two-thirds vote of the active membership, provided that all members are notified of this
pending action at least one week prior to the removal decision. Removal from office can occur
for failure to carry out the responsibilities of that office, for actions which violate the purposes of
the organization, or for actions which violate University Rules and Regulations. Written charges
by a member are to be presented to the Executive Committee who will notify the officer in
question with sufficient opportunity given for the officer to answer charges at a meeting of the
membership. Voting for removal from office is done by secret ballot. Only active members may
participate in this vote, affiliate members are ineligible to vote.

ARTICLE VIII: Meetings

Section 1:
General membership meetings shall be held [state how often], with additional meetings
called by the [example: president] as needed. Notice of additional meetings must be given to all
members in the most timely manner possible but not less than one week. The official means of
notifying members shall be agreed upon at the first meeting held after the election of a new
[example: president].

Section 2:
The Executive Committee shall meet when called by the [example: president].

Section 3:
Official notice of the meeting at which the election of [organization, club, association,
etc.] officers will take place must be provided to all [organization, club, association, etc.]
members not less than two weeks prior to such meeting.

Section 4:
Quorum shall be defined as [example: fifty percent plus one of the total] of the
[organization, club, association, etc.] active membership. Page 5
ARTICLE IX: Funding

Section 1:
All fund-raising shall be conducted in accordance with University policies and
procedures. Student groups are only permitted one fund-raising event per year to benefit the
student group. An unlimited amount of charity fund-raising events are permitted.

ARTICLE X: Amendments

Section 1:
Amendments to this constitution shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the active
members present at two consecutive meetings at which the amendment has been read.

Section 2:
Once approved by the active membership, amendments shall be submitted to the Office
of Student Life of Kent State University at Stark.

ARTICLE XI: Jurisdiction

Section 1:
The [organization, club, association, etc.] is subject, as a registered student organization, to the
rules, regulations, and policies of Kent State University and the laws of the State of Ohio. The
rules, regulations, and policies of Kent State University shall hold precedence over any and all
rules, regulations, and policies applying to the [organization, club, association, etc.], including
those of national organizations with which the [organization, club, association, etc.] is
associated.