Sample Student Club Constitution

PREAMBLE
We, the members of [New Student Club], to fully realize our purpose, do hereby adopt and establish this
constitution as the guiding instrument of our Club.

ARTICLE I
Name

The name of this Club shall be [New Student Club name], hereafter referred to as [NSO].

ARTICLE II
Purpose

The purpose of NSO shall be to help provide information and assistance to groups wishing to become
registered student Clubs of Black Hawk College.

ARTICLE III
Membership

Section 1. Membership in NSO shall be limited to persons officially connected with Black Hawk College
as students, faculty or staff (with voting privileges restricted to students).

Section 2. Membership in NSO shall not be limited to persons based on their race, color, religion, gender,
national origin, age, ability, gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Section 3. Active membership in NSO shall be conferred upon those members who, in addition to the
above requirements, have paid the semester dues (if applicable) in full within one month of the first day
of classes.

ARTICLE IV
Club

Section 1. The officers of the Club shall be elected from the active members. Any student seeking to hold
office must have and maintain an overall grade point average not less than 2.5.

Section 2. The elected officers of NSO shall consist of leadership roles, for example – President, Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer, which shall serve as the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Elections:
A. All officers shall be elected on or before April 1 of each year, and shall serve one-year terms,
which may take effect after April 1.
B. All officers shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast. Only active members are eligible to
vote. If no candidate for an office receives a majority of the votes cast, then only the top two
candidates will be placed on a second ballot for that office until a majority is reached.
C. A quorum of one-half of the active membership shall be required for all meetings where
officer nominations or elections take place.
D. All elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. The ballots shall be tabulated by any officer
not on the ballot and the faculty/staff advisor.
Section 4. Officers’ Duties:
A. The President shall preside at all NSO meetings and have the authority to appoint all committee
chairpersons, to create new committees, to nominate a faculty advisor to be approved by the active
members, and to act as a spokesperson for the Club.
B. The Vice President shall preside at all NSO meetings in the President's absence, and in the event of
her/his resignation, shall become the President of the Club for the duration of the term. The Vice
President will support the President on special projects.
C. The Secretary shall handle and keep a record of all NSO business and correspondence, including,
but not restricted to recording minutes at all NSO meetings, keeping an up-to-date file on all members,
and informing members of all NSO meetings and activities.
D. The Treasurer shall handle all financial transactions of the Club, including, but not restricted, to the
collection of dues (if applicable) and recording all transactions.

Section 5. The faculty/staff advisor to NSO shall be nominated by the Executive Committee and approved
by a majority vote of a quorum of active members. The faculty/staff advisor must be selected from full-
time faculty or administrative staff members of the college.

ARTICLE V
Dues and Finances

Section 1. The dues for NSO (if applicable) will be established by the Executive Committee. Payment of
dues must be received by the Treasurer within one month of the first day of class of each semester to be
an active member of NSO.

Section 2. NSO will finance its activities through membership dues, fundraising projects or funding from
Student Government Association allocations, if so granted.

ARTICLE VI
Meetings

Section 1. The first meeting of the fall semester shall be within two weeks after classes start.

Section 2. Regular meetings shall be held at least once a month during the school year at times set by the
Club.

Section 3. The meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the revised edition of Robert’s Rules of
Order.

Section 4. The basic agenda at regular meetings shall follow:

A. Call to order
B. Roll call (optional)
C. Approval of minutes
D. Executive committee report
E. Officer reports
F. Committee reports
G. Old business
H. New business
I. Announcements
J. Adjournment
Section 5. Action on any business, old or new, requires a quorum of one-half of the active membership of
the Club.
ARTICLE VII
Removal from Office

Section 1. An NSO officer whose dereliction of duty adversely affects the operations of the Club shall be
subject to disciplinary action or removal from office.

Section 2. A written request stating the reasons for dismissal and signed by at least three (3) active
members of the Club must be submitted at a regularly scheduled meeting.

Section 3. Before the next regularly scheduled meeting, written notification of the request and the reasons
for dismissal must have been given to the offending officer, who should come to that regular meeting
prepared to speak.

Section 4. A two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of all active members is required to remove the officer from
office.

ARTICLE VIII
Constitutional Amendments

Section 1. The Constitution is binding to all members of NSO, but is not binding unto itself.

Section 2. Amendments to the Constitution must be proposed in writing by an active member of NSO at
any regular meeting at which two-thirds (2/3) of the active members are present.

Section 3. Proposed amendments shall be voted upon only after two regular meetings following the
introduction of the proposal.

Section 4. Proposed amendments will become effective following a three-fourths (3/4) affirmative vote of
the active members.
Sample President’s Position Description

Meetings:
 Prepare for all meetings
 Preside at Club meetings
 Facilitate Executive Board meetings
 Meet weekly with the advisor
 Inform the Executive Board of other meeting information

Representation:
 Represent the Club to the institution
 Serve as spokesperson for the Executive Board and Club
 Serve on various committees or task forces
 Prepare prior to all interviews

Club Effectiveness:
 Lead the setting and accomplishing of goals
 Assess and fulfill the purpose and needs of the Club
 Assist all executive officers
 Be aware of all money matters
 Coordinate campus-wide programs
 Provide follow up to Club tasks
 Coordinate the Executive Board transition
 Create a shared vision with the group and enable others to articulate the vision

Recognition and Motivation:

 Provide motivation for the Club
 Be open to all opinions and input
 Prepare for the annual banquet

Sample Vice President’s Position Description

 Preside at Club meetings in absence of the President

 Serve as Parliamentarian
 Direct constitutional updating and revision
 Facilitate elections
 Submit term reports
 Serve as liaison to committees
 Perform other duties as determined by the needs of the Club
Sample Secretary’s Position Description

 Prepare and maintain minutes of all Executive Board and Club meetings
 Send minutes to all appropriate members and institutional staff
 Prepare an agenda with the President for all meetings
 Maintain attendance (roll call) at all meetings
 Maintain a calendar of events
 Maintain a phone and e-mail directory of all members
 Inform members of upcoming meetings and events
 Reserve meeting rooms for the year
 Oversee the Club’s public relations and advertising of meetings and events
 Maintain the office and any supplies; work with the treasurer when new supplies need to
be purchased
 Organize an end-of-the-year slide show

Minutes should include the following information:

 Type of meeting (executive, Club, standing committee, etc.)
 Date, time and place
 Time of call to order
 Approval and/or amendments to previous meeting minutes
 Reports from officers, standing and special committees
 General matters
 Record of proposals, resolutions, motions, seconding and final disposition (and the names
of people making these)
 A summary of the discussion
 A record of voting
 Time of adjournment

Sample Treasurer’s Position Description

 Prepare the Club budget

 Prepare money request/deposit forms and submit according to institutional procedures
 Maintain financial records in an organized manner
 Serve as chair of the Finance Committee
 Audit books twice a semester with the advisor
 Make regular reports to the Executive Board and the Club
 Coordinate solicitations and fundraisers
 Maintain an inventory of all equipment and its condition
 Serve on various committees and task forces
Sample Advisor’s Position Description

Meetings/Information Sharing:
 Meet weekly with the Club’s President and/or Executive Board
 Attend Club meetings and events when possible
 Give a report during the Club’s regular meeting
 Keep the Executive Board informed on institutional matters
 Provide a background history and insight to the Club
 Understand institutional requirements for the Club

Club Effectiveness:
 Encourage and assist in the setting of Club goals
 Help the officers assess and fulfill their duties
 Develop the effectiveness of the officers and members through coordinating leadership
development/team-building opportunities
 Confront ineffective leadership, negative behaviors or lack of follow through
 Assist Treasurer with budgeting and financial issues
 Assist with risk management decisions
 Assist with election concerns

Recognition and Motivation:

 Promote involvement and discussion
 Provide motivation for the Club
 Encourage annual celebrations and recognitions