Student Leadership and Involvement Center
Cal State East Bay
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[enter the official name of the organization] at Cal State East Bay.
Constitution and Bylaws
[Use this Model Constitution as a Template. This model is intended to assist you and your organization in writing or revising your governing document. There are many, many ways to structure an organization and you are free to tailor yours to the needs of your group. However, the paragraph headlines in bold print are required for recognition. Otherwise, this model serves as a good starting point for your constitution. For further assistance with a constitution, please see a staff member in the Student Leadership and Involvement Center. This model constitution is in compliance with Executive Order 1068. Template credited to SJSU and Sac State.]
Article I - Name
The name of this organization is [enter the official name of the organization].
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this organization is [enter the purpose of your organization. This statement will be used to describe what the organization is about to those looking for or at student organizations to join or work with].
Article III – Authority
Section 1 This organization is a Recognized Student Organization at Cal State East Bay and adheres to all campus policies as set forth in the Recognized Student Organization Handbook.
Section 2 This organization may establish Standing Rules to govern administrative and procedural matters (such as time and location of meetings, etc.). Standing Rules shall not conflict with these bylaws. Standing Rules may be adopted, amended, or temporarily suspended by a majority vote present at an organization meeting where a quorum is present (advance notice is not required).
Section 3 The rules contained in the most recent version of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for this organization and shall govern in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not consistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the organization may adopt.
Section 4 This organization is affiliated with [enter name of affiliated organization or none].
Article IV - Membership
Section 1 Membership in the organization shall be open to all those regularly-enrolled Cal State East Bay students who are interested in membership. There shall be no other requirements for admission to regular membership. Each regular member has equal rights and privileges. Membership is only open to regularly-enrolled Cal State East Bay students.
Section 2 Membership must be comprised of at least five (5) currently enrolled Cal State East Bay students, including president and treasurer.
Section 3 Only current Cal State East Bay student members may vote or hold office.
Section 4 Membership must be comprised of 80% CSUEB students OR 100% CSUEB students [pick one]. Non-CSU members shall not be more than 20% of the student organization’s total membership.
Section 5 Eligibility for membership or appointed or elected student officer positions shall not be limited on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability. Only fraternities and sororities with federal documents on file with the Student Leadership and Involvement Center are permitted to discriminate on the basis of sex, as outlined by Federal Law in Title IX. The organization shall have no rules or policies that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability.
Section 6 This organization shall prohibit all members and officers from engaging in hazing or committing any act that injures, degrades or disgraces any fellow student.
Section 7 This organization shall comply with Title 5, Section 41301, Standards for Student Conduct.
Section 8 Members shall OR shall not [pick one] be required to pay dues.
Section 9 Members shall be required to attend at least [Enter Percentage] of the organization’s regularly scheduled meetings.
Section 10 Other requirements: [enter other membership requirements or remove this section].
Article V – Officers, Committees and Duties
Section 1 The elected officers will be [list officer titles ONLY. DO NOT list names. For example: President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President].
Section 2 Powers and Duties of Officers:
Section 3 Qualifications necessary to hold office in this organization are as follows:
Article VI – Selection of Officers
Section 1 The officers are elected. Elections are held [at the end of the fall or/and spring semester, or other period of time] and shall take place at a regularly scheduled meeting of the organization at which a quorum is present. At least one week’s notice shall be provided for any meeting at which an election is to be held.
Section 2 Nominations for officers shall be made at the regular meeting immediately preceding the election. Nominations may also be made from the floor immediately prior to the election for each office. Members may nominate themselves for an office.
Section 3 The officers shall be elected in this order: [List order, usually starting with the President].
Section 4 Officers shall be elected by majority vote. If no candidate receives a majority vote, a runoff election shall be held between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes. In the event of a tie, there shall be a revote. If the revote results in a tie a coin will be flipped
Section 5 Votes shall be cast by secret ballot; however, when there is only one candidate for an office, a motion may be made to elect the candidate by acclamation.
Section 6 The following officers shall be appointed by the [President or Executive Committee]. [Indicate if ratification by a majority vote of the membership is required.]
Section 7 Officers shall assume office on [the first day of the semester/quarter following the election, or other period of time] and shall serve for [length of term of office].
Section 8 Officers may be recalled from office for cause. To initiate a recall election, a petition signed by [specify number, such as one-third of the total number of voting members] must be submitted at a regular meeting and a recall vote shall be taken at the next regular meeting. The officer subject to recall shall be given written notice of the recall at least 72 hours prior to the meeting at which the recall vote will be held and shall be given an opportunity to provide a defense. A two-thirds vote is required to remove an officer.
Section 9 If the position of President becomes vacant as the result of resignation, ineligibility or recall, the Vice President shall assume the office of President. Vacancies in any other elected office shall be filled by an election held at the next regular meeting where the vacancy was announced. Nominations may be made at the meeting where the vacancy is announced, and nominations may also be made from the floor at the time of the election. The President may appoint an interim officer to fill the vacancy until the election is held.
Article VII - Meetings
Section 1 Regular meetings shall be scheduled during the academic year.
Section 2 Special meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Executive Committee. All members must be given a minimum of 24 hours’ notice prior to the meeting time.
Section 3 Business cannot be conducted unless a quorum of the membership is present. A quorum for this organization is defined as [a majority of the voting membership] (Note: Organizations may choose to have a lower quorum, such as one-third)].
Section 4 Members must be present to vote. Absentee or proxy voting is not permitted.
Section 5 In order to vote a member must be in good standing. [State what constitutes “good standing.” This may include payment of dues or meeting attendance requirements. If there is an attendance requirement, specify the number of excused and/or unexcused absences that results in loss of voting privileges, and define what constitutes an excused absence, if applicable.]
Article VIII - Advisor
The organization shall [elect/appoint] an individual employed as a faculty or staff member by Cal State East Bay to serve as the university advisor to this organization. The advisor shall fulfill the responsibilities specified in the Recognized Student Organization Handbook. Advisors shall serve on an academic year basis or until their successor has been selected.
Each officially recognized student organization must have a university advisor who is either a faculty member or professional member. Advisors must:
NOTE: Include the information below if your organization has health and safety responsibilities related to your organization. You can alter the text as appropriate:
Section 1 Due to the nature of the organization’s mission and activities, advisors for this organization shall be responsible for providing for the health and safety of its members and officers in conjunction with any affiliated academic department.
Section 2 Advisors are responsible for maintaining the overall safety of any club spaces in conjunction with Executive members of the organization and any affiliated academic departments at CSUEB.
Article IX – Executive Committee
Section 1 The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected and appointed officers, with the advisor serving as non-voting member.
Section 2 The Executive Committee shall meet weekly during the academic year. Special meetings may be called by the President or a majority of the Executive Committee. All members must be given 24 hours’ notice of the meeting. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Executive Committee members.
Section 3 When necessary, Executive Committee business can be conducted via email or via online meetings.
Section 4 The Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the organization between meetings and is authorized to take action when action must be taken prior to the next meeting.
Section 5 The Executive Committee shall report to the membership all actions taken between meetings. Except when it is too late to do so (such as when a contract has been executed), any actions taken by the Executive Committee may be rescinded or modified by the membership by a majority vote.
Article X – Standing and Ad Hoc Committees
Section 1 The organization shall have the following standing committees: [List all standing committees, such as Membership, Fund Raising, Program, Social, Bylaws, Nominations, Finance, Public Relations, etc.].
Section 2 The duties of each of Standing Committees are as follows:[List the duties for each of the committees listed above.].
Section 3 The President shall have the authority to establish ad hoc committees as may be necessary from time to time to carry out the work of the organization.
Section 4 The President shall appoint the chairpersons and members of all committees [Optional: subject to ratification of the membership].
Article XI – Finances
Section 1 Membership dues shall be [$XX per semester/quarter/academic year].
Section 2 Dues shall be paid by [specify due date, such as “second week of each semester/quarter/academic year.”] [Optional: There shall be a late fee of [$XX/$XX per week].
Section 3 This organization has the ability to assess the membership for special purposes. Assessments shall be determined by a quorum of the membership at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Section 4 Members who have not paid their dues or special assessments by the due date shall be considered as not being in good standing and shall lose all membership privileges, including voting, until the dues are paid.
Section 5 The Executive Committee shall propose an annual budget to be voted upon no later than the second regular meeting of the academic year. Any unbudgeted expenditures shall be approved in advance by the membership. When financial decisions must be made between meetings, the Executive Committee is authorized to approve expenditures not exceeding [$XXX] .
Section 6 Organization funds shall not be used to purchase or reimburse members for alcoholic beverages.
Section 7 All funds of this organization will be banked with Associated Students.
Article XII – Amendments
Section 1 Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be presented to the membership, in writing, one meeting prior to the meeting where the amendment will be voted upon. [Optional: The Executive Committee and/or Bylaws Committee shall review and make recommendations on all bylaw revisions prior to consideration by the membership.]
Section 2 Bylaw amendments require approval by two-thirds of the voting members present at a regular meeting. The amendment shall be effective immediately unless otherwise stipulated in the amendment.
Section 3 A copy of any amendments to these bylaws must be submitted to the Student Leadership and Involvement Center at Cal State East Bay within two weeks after adoption.
Optional: Use this space for additional articles or bylaws if needed. An example of an optional Article may relate to safety within the organization below:
Article XIII – Safety
Section 1 The Purpose stated in Article II of this Constitution requires extra measures around safety, liability, and wellbeing of students, volunteers, staff and faculty, and CSUEB. This organization may establish specific rules and regulations around Safety for its members.
Section 2 Rules and regulations around Safety will be available to membership of the organization in the following manner: [Insert ways the guidelines are available]. The [OFFICER responsible] is responsible for the upkeep and validation of these safety guidelines and compliance by membership.
Section 3 Individuals found in potential violation of those guidelines are subject to disciplinary action and/or CSUEB Student Conduct processes as noted in Article XII of this Constitution.
This constitution and bylaws were adopted on: [enter date here] and most recently revised on [enter date here].