Constitution

PREAMBLE

We, the students of Doane College, will establish a comfortable environment for minority students; encourage the development of leaders of the college, community, and nation; promote success academically, and enhance self-achievement; act as a liaison between the minority student body and the administration and faculty; institutionalize the ideals, values and beliefs of diverse cultures in order to promote their positive image; improve bonding between students; advance the aims of the minority student body; provide social programs on campus and in the community; celebrate multiculturalism by perpetuating change through action and thought in the Doane community; and act as a support group for minority students. Do ordain this constitution of the Students for Change organization of Doane College.

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be Students for Change.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of Students for Change is to enable minority students to create and foster a sense of unity and understanding among themselves. We also seek to open the eyes and help change the viewpoints of the other students on Doane's Crete campus. Through activities, programs and community service, Students for Change will accomplish just that...Change.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

Students for Change shall have five officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Historian.

The President and Vice-President shall be elected by a ballot vote of the members in Students for Change by a general election, held in the spring of each year.Each candidate must give a short presentation on why they should serve a specific office.
The President and Vice-President must be of sophomore, junior, or senior standing when assuming office in the fall semester; be a full-time student as defined by the Registrar; and maintain a minimum of a two-point (2.0) accumulative grade point average.
Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates must have served in Students for Change for at least one year.
The Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed by the President, subject to majority approval by the members of Students for Change.If the majority approval is not met, then the remaining officers have the right to nominate candidates.The voting procedure will continue until a majority is obtained.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERS

All members in Students for Change must be full-time students as defined by the Registrar and have a two-point (2.0) accumulative grade average. If members do not have a 2.0 they must be receiving help from Students Support Services.This organization shall not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.
Attendance of members is required at all meetings.Members may get their absences excused by the President prior to the meeting.After three (3) unexcused absences, per academic year, members will be required to resign.This does not include school activities.After five (5) absences (excused, unexcused, or school activities) per academic year, members will be required to resign.Members may appeal their resignation before the officers.Majority vote will rule.
Members are also required to participate at, if not all, events scheduled by Students For Change.
Membership fees will be per year.

ARTICLE V. CABINET

The organization will be administered by a Cabinet, which will be directly responsible to the general membership.
The cabinet will consist of the following members: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian.
All Cabinet members must abide by and support all goals and missions of the organization.

ACTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

The organization will be divided into 4 committees (Celebrations, Community Services, Promotions, and Activities).
Each committee will be chaired by the cabinet: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian.
All Students For Change members must abide by and support all goals and missions of their committee.

ARTICLE VII. Elections

Officers shall be elected by a ballot vote of the members in Students for Change by a general election, held in the spring of each year. Each candidate must give a short presentation on why they should serve a specific office.

Whenever vacancies occur in Students for Change the President may appoint a student to fill the vacancy with the advice and consent of a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members.
In the event that someone is appointed, it shall be approved by the cabinet.
Action must be taken no later than two weeks after the occurrence of the vacancy.

ARTICLE ViII. Faculty Sponsor

A faculty member of Doane College shall serve as the advisor to Students for Change.The named advisor may assume the position for as many terms as he/she may wish to take.
The advisor may be removed on grounds of inappropriate conduct that will bring harm to the organization.The advisor may in fact be removed through a formal recommendation of the Cabinet and majority vote of the organization.
The advisor shall be encouraged to participate in meetings and provide guidance but may not have voting rights.

ARTICLE IX. DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS

The President Shall

Oversee all meetings.
Coordinate plans for action.
Stimulate conversation at meetings.
Serve as chief spokesperson for Students for Change.
Be the Chief Liaison between all other organizations, administrators, faulty, staff, and students. Assign responsibilities to officers in accordance to their constitutional responsibilities.
Know the budget of the organization.
Establish relationships with other organizations.
The president is to be a non-voting member of the organization.When there is a tie, the president shall then cast the deciding vote.
Shall create a report at the end of each semester, and one annual report at the end of his/her term documenting all activities from the year for next year's cabinet.
Maintain the organization's email list.

The Vice President Shall

Assumes the duties of the President in his/her absence.
Act as parliamentarian of the club.
Assist the President.
Assume the responsibility of a vacated position, until a replacement is selected.

The Secretary Shall

Records the proceedings of the meetings and activities/events of Students For Change, which will be later distributed to all members.
Include "old business" in each agenda at every meeting.
Report to the Vice President.
Keep track to all amendments to the Constitution and make copies available upon request.
Give a copy of the Constitution to all Students For Change members and the cabinet yearly.
Retain all membership information, i.e. birthdays, attendance, etc.

The Treasurer Shall

Attend to the financial affairs of the organization, i.e. local bank account, etc.
Report to the Vice President
Oversee the drafting of funding proposals
Make sure all financial transaction are benefiting the organization
Present the financial budget to the organization upon request.
At the end of the academic year, give a copy of the up-to-date ledger to the President
Present a proposed budget for the upcoming academic year in the beginning of January for Student Congress allocation meeting.

The Historian Shall

Maintain all historical records of organization in a scrapbook.
Maintain ordinance of all meetings.
Maintain updates on Doane's website. Contact Nancy Weyers in the Marketing Communications Office.
Bring a camera to every meeting and event held by Students For Change.

****There shall be not consecutive terms when serving office****

ARTICLE X. MEETINGS

Section I.

Students for Change shall meet at least twice a month on a specified day and at a specified time. Students are invited to attend meetings to present their views. Anytime a meeting is necessary at short notice, the president is required to inform all the member of the meeting.

Section II.

The President shall call all meetings and shall be required to call a meeting at the written request of any four members in office.

Section III.

Two-thirds (2/3) of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ARTICLE XI. Principles

The following principles were developed to change the perception of all minorities on campus. We pride ourselves on taking these three principles and becoming the best students, friends, and leaders we can be.

Academics-

Providing tutors for students who need them. Aiding students in their coursework if possible. This program is aimed to promote the need for success academically as minority students. Academics are the main reason we are at Doane. So we, as an organization must put the desire to succeed academically in the minds of our minority students. Self-

Achievement-

In anyway provide motivation for members of the organization to succeed in any task placed before them. Achievement in anything whether it is academically, socially, emotionally, or even athletically. Self achievement is what will produce successful leaders of America

Leadership-

Provide and inform members of the organization of leadership opportunities. Create ways for the members to be involved in activities around the Doane Community. Current leaders of Doane and our community are what we are. Future leaders of America are what we want to grow to be.

ARTICLE XI. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

A) Removal proceedings against an officer may be initiated by presentation of a petition of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting membership.

B) Ground for impeachment shall include:

Constant failure to perform the assigned duties outlined in the constitution and/or as prescribed by the President due to conscious and constant negligence.
Deliberate pursuit of policies contrary to the constitution of Students for Change.
Does not adhere to the attendance policy of the Students for Change.
Any deliberate action which may compromise the purpose of Students for Change.

C) Any officer who is in violation of the organization's purpose or constitution, as described above, may be removed from office via the following procedure:

A written request or petition by one-fourth of the active members or two-thirds of the Cabinet is necessary to begin the process of removal of a Cabinet chairperson.
The President must confront the officer in question (via formal letter and meeting) to determine whether or not there is substantial evidence that an open hearing is required. The President must inform the officer in question of their violations and/or conduct and the concerns as addressed by the members. The officer in question must discuss the causes and situations that have allowed or perpetuated these actions. In cases where the President is under question, the Executive Vice-President will assume the responsibilities toward deliberation.
Failure by the officer in question to meet the President's request for a meeting is just cause for (1) the officer's resignation per President's request and/or (2) the immediate impeachment of the officer in question by a two-thirds vote of the Cabinet.
If the officer in question responds to the request for a meeting with the President, and substantial evidence for impeachment is acquired, the officer in question must be prepared to address these concerns to the organization during an open hearing, which will be announced to all active members.
The President or Vice-President shall preside over the hearing.
A two-thirds vote by the general memberships voting members is necessary to remove an officer;
The removal of the individual through this process prevents him or her from holding another position in the organization during the next academic year.

D) Resignation of ones position shall remain an option for leaving ones office or being asked to leave:

Any resignation request should be made to the Cabinet in a formal letter, addressed to Students for Change and President two (2) weeks prior to anticipate day of resignation.
A vote of fifty percent (50%) plus one (1) of the Cabinet is needed to have an officer receive a formal request from the President that he/she resign from their office.
A vote of two thirds (2/3) of the members is needed to have an officer receive a formal request from the President that he/she resign from their office.
If resignation request is not accepted by the officer the option of formal removal procedures must be utilized.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

A) The Constitution can be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the general membership.

B) Amendments may not be voted on until the next general membership meeting after the introduction of the amendments.

C) Amendments must be consistent with policies governing student organizations at Doane College.

Last Revised
August 4, 2006