Bylaws
Your bylaws should outline specific procedures for the group's functioning, help the group conduct business in an orderly manner, provide further definition to the constitution, and is easily revised, and revised regularly as procedures change.
Skeleton example - The following structure should be used when writing bylaws. This will eliminate confusion and provide for easier review.
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section A - NAME
The name of this organization shall be [name of organization].
Section B - National Affiliation
[If the organization is a member of a national or state organization, add
the following statement and attach a copy of the national constitution, as
it will become part of this document.] "The rules and regulations of the
National Constitution shall be followed when not inconsistent with the
rules and regulations of St. Cloud State University."
Section C - Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be:
[List in detail the purposes and objectives of the organization]
[Etc.]
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP & DUES
Section A - Eligibility
Membership shall be open to [define membership qualification, i.e.,
majors in a particular academic area, etc.] upon payment of the dues, as
outlined in Section C.
Section B - Restrictions
Voting members will be students. However, no person will be restricted on
the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, age, marital status, disability, membership on a local
commission, or status with regard to public assistance.
Section C - Dues (If applicable)
Dues shall be $_______ per year. [List national and state dues separately,
if applicable.]
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS
Section A - Officers
The officers shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
[These are the usual officers. Additional officers may be added, dependent
upon the needs of the organization.]
Section B - Eligibility
The President shall be enrolled for at least 6 credits for fall and spring
semester at SCSU. [If membership is open to persons outside the campus
community, all officers and voting members must be SCSU students.]
Section C - Election
The officers shall be elected by ballot at the last meeting of the spring
semester by a majority of the vote cast for that office.
Section D - Term
The officers shall serve for one year and their term of office shall begin at
the commencement of the [fall, spring] semester.
Section E - Vacancy
If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President shall
assume the office for the remainder of the term and vacancies in
any other office shall be filled by a special election.
ARTICLE IV: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section A - President
It shall be the duty of the President to:
- Preside at meetings
- Vote only in case of a tie
- Represent the organization
- Appoint committee chairpersons, subject to the a pproval of the Executive Committee.
- Serve as an ex-office member of all committees except the nominating committee, and perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office.
Section B - Vice President
It shall be the duty of the Vice President to preside in the absence of
the President and serve as Chairperson of the Program Committee.
Section C - Secretary
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
- Record the minutes of all meetings
- Keep a file of the organization's records
- Maintain a current roster of membership
- Issue notices of meetings and conduct the general correspondence of the organization
Section D - Treasurer
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:
- Receive all funds and pay out by order of the Executive Committee and signed by the President and faculty/staff advisor.
- Keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and make reports, as directed
- Make a yearly audit to the membership at the end of each school year.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Section A - Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held monthly during the regular school
year.
Section B - Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the President with the approval of
the Executive Committee.
Section C - Quorum
A quorum shall consist of [fifteen (15)] members or a majority of the
voting membership. [The number required should be small enough
to insure that a quorum will usually be present and large enough to
protect the organization against decisions being made by a small
minority.]
Section D - Parliamentary Authority
Sturgis shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are
applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.
ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section A - Responsibility
Management of this organization shall be vested in an Executive
Committee responsible to the entire membership to uphold these bylaws.
Section B - Membership
This committee shall consist of the officers, as listed in Article III, and the
faculty advisor.
Section C - Meetings
The committee shall meet at least once between regular meetings of the
organization to organize and plan future activities.
Section D - Quorum
A quorum of this committee shall consist of [2/3 is the usual number]
members.
ARTICLE VII: FACULTY/STAFF ADVISOR
Section A - Selection
There shall be a faculty/staff advisor who shall be selected each year by
the membership.
Section B - Duties
The responsibilities of the faculty/staff advisor shall be to:
- Advise and stimulate interest in the organization
- Provide guidance in the dev elopment and implementation of programs and activities.
- Serve as liaison between the University and the organization, interpreting, if necessary, university policy or philosophy
- Attend meetings and activities regularly
- Monitor all expend itures of the organization
ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES
Section A - Vote
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the
chapter membership.
Section B - Notice
All members shall receive advance notice of the proposed amendment at
least five (5) days before the meeting. [The time limit may be extended to
the preceding].
