Our Constitution
We the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Rochester hereby establish the University of Rochester Special Olympics Club (URSO) of the University of Rochester and enact this constitution for its government. Failure to follow this constitution could result in revocation of Students' Association recognition of this organization.
Article I. Purpose of Organization/Mission Statement
The goal of our service organization is to reach out to and provide mentorship through sports to students with mental and physical disabilities in the Greater Rochester area.
Article II. Membership
Section A. Membership
1. Eligibility – All Students' Association members shall be eligible for membership. An SA Member is a University of Rochester undergraduate of the College who has paid their SA activities fee. All University of Rochester faculty, staff, graduate students shall not be eligible for associate membership. All members and associate members shall be listed on the organization's Campus Club Connection site.
2. Definition of active member – An active member must participate in at least two programming events each semester.
3. Definition of associate member – An associate member shall be defined as a member who attends at least one meeting or programming event per semester.
Article III. Meetings and Voting
Section A. A meeting shall be valid if a quorum, plus two officers are present. Quorum is defined as 50% of the organizations active membership in addition to two E-Board members.
Section B. Voting
1. Voting on any issue shall be official only if the meeting is valid.
2. All active members shall have equal voting power.
3. Procedure – All decisions shall be arrived at by simple majority using a hand vote unless otherwise specified by the presiding officer. The President shall only vote to break a tie.
Article IV. Officers and Qualifications
Section A. Officer Positions
President–two academic terms
Vice President – two academic terms
Business Manager–two academic terms
Fundraising Chair-two academic terms
Events Chair-two academic terms
Secretary-two academic terms
Section B. Duties of Officers
1. All officers shall be members of the Students' Association.
2. All officers shall promote active recruitment of new members.
3. All officers shall enforce this constitution.
4. All officers shall be responsible for knowing the sections of the Students' Association constitution and bylaws that apply to this organization.
5. A President shall be the Liaison between URSO and Special Olympics New York of the Genesee Region, delegates duties to maintain a functioning club, organizational representative at CSN (Community Service Network) meetings, chairperson of all organizational meetings.
6. A Vice President shall be responsible for maintaining a current copy of this constitution open to inspection by all members of this organization, Senators, and all members of the Students' Association. Books room reservations for general meetings. Serve as a substitute for President at any meetings if the President is unable to attend and will act as the executive decision maker in those situations. Sets meeting time, makes announcements to the general body via email, handles new member requests. Keeps track of disciplinary warnings, and is in charge of disciplinary action.
7. The Business Manager will be responsible for maintaining all finances and keep detailed records of all transactions.
8. The Fundraising Chair shall be responsible for calling businesses for donations and organizing on-campus events involving raising money for URSO as well as New York Special Olympics.
9. The Events Chair shall be responsible for coordinating any on or off campus event and may work alongside of the Fundraising Chair for specific fundraisers. The Events Chair will be in charge of planning awareness events as well as social events with partnered training clubs of the Special Olympics.
Section C. Nominations and Elections
1. Nomination and Elections Procedure –
a. On the first Monday of March, the organization will send out a general body email specifying what officer roles will be available for the upcoming academic year (beginning in September). On the last Monday of March, with a quorum present, the election of a new E-Board will take place.
b. An interested active member may nominate him/herself to any officer position(s).
c. Any active member is eligible for an officer role. Faculty, staff, alumni, and external affiliates are not eligible for officer status.
d. Applicants will be asked to give a 2 minute speech highlighting their qualifications for their desired position in front of the entire organization at a valid meeting.
e. Upon completion of each applicant's speech, all members of the organization, excluding the President, will be asked to vote for an individual. The President will be responsible for tallying up the votes and will immediately announce the newly elected officer.
f. Once elected, an officer holds the role for the two upcoming academic terms.
g. An officer can hold the same position for more than one academic year.
h. An officer cannot hold more than one position simultaneously.
i. An officer cannot be a member of a committee.
j. There will be no absentee or proxy ballots.
k. In the event of a contest of election results, the chosen candidate and the discontented applicant will each be interviewed by the faculty advisor, whose decision is final and cannot be contested.
2. Timing of Elections – Elections will occur on the last Monday in March.
3. Term of Office – One academic calendar year (Fall-Spring)
Section D. Vacancies, Resignations, and Removals
1. At the valid meeting following a vacancy of an office, the position is to be filled by the same manner described in the Nominations and Elections Procedure.
2. A vote of no confidence is a vote to remove an officer. Such a vote shall require a unanimous vote of the E-Board to pass the motion.
3. If a vote of no confidence on any officer is to take place, it must be given an official meeting's notice. Any member of an organization can call for a vote of no confidence.
4. An office shall be declared vacant as the result of a vote of no confidence.
Article V. Committees
Section B. Committees
Committees are not applicable to University of Rochester Special Olympics Club.
Article VI. Finances
Section A. Students' Association members shall receive priority at
SA-funded events conducted by this organization.
Section B. Funding
URSO shall be eligible for SA funding. (All SA- recognized organizations shall be eligible for funded status by submitting a budget unless they are religious or political in nature, or are exclusive [audition-only].)
Section C. Donations
a. Donations will be managed by the Business Manager
b. If a surplus remains, the business manager will work alongside with the other officers to determine a budget of the money remaining at the end of each year. This budget will determine the allocation of money.
Article VII. Classification
Section A. URSO shall be classified as a/an: Community Service - A community service organization shall be any organization whose primary mission is service to the campus and Rochester community through formal or informal consultation with local nonprofit agencies, government, and community-based organizations. Such services may improve residents' quality of life, fulfill specific community needs, or deliver financial resources to partner organizations.
a. Organizations seeking SA recognition that are determined to meet these qualifications shall be classified as Community Service and will form under the jurisdiction of the Community Service Network. The SA recognizes the Community Service Network as a network.
Article VIII. Adoption of the Constitution
Section A. Two-thirds of the active membership, or more if the organization decides, must approve the constitution.
Section B. This constitution will be ratified upon approval of the Senate and the signature of the Speaker.
Section C. This constitution shall not conflict with the Students' Association constitution or by-laws.
Article IX. Amendments
Section A. Adoption and ratification of amendments to this constitution shall follow the same procedure as adoption of the entire constitution.
Article X. By-laws
Section A. At least a 2/3 majority of the active membership must approve the by-laws and any amendments.
Section B. By-laws should not conflict with this constitution or the SA constitution or by-laws.
Article XI. Hazing Policy
Hazing, defined as the harassment of one individual by another individual or organization, is not permitted by the URSO. Behavior prohibited under this rule includes actions threatening substantial risk of physical or mental injury; actions exposing the individual to distressing, repulsive, or alarming situations or sensations; forced consumption of alcohol or drugs; actions in the form of social pressure which might cause harm to an individual.
Article XII. Discrimination Policy
The URSO of the University of Rochester does not discriminate against any individual or organization of individuals on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or political affiliation.
___________________________________________________ __________________________
Signature of Officer Date
Submitting Constitution
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Signature of SA Speaker Date
Granting Recognition