English Club of Black Hills State
University- Constitution February 15, 2001
Preamble:
We, the undersigned, wishing to secure for ourselves the
pleasures and benefits of an association of persons commonly
interested in the study of literature and writing of prose and
poetry, constitute ourselves the BHSU ENGLISH CLUB and enact this
constitution as our governing law. It shall be our purpose to
further the exchange of information and cooperation between
members, to promote the study of literature, writing of prose and
poetry, to promote literacy, and so to conduct club programs and
activities as to advance the general interest and welfare of the
above stated pursuits in the community and Black Hills State
University.
Membership: Article I
All persons interested in study of literature, writing of prose
and poetry and promotion of literacy shall be eligible for
membership. Membership shall be according to the terms as the
club shall provide in its By-Laws.
Officers: Article II
Sec. 1. The officers of this club shall be: President,
Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Sec. 2 - The officers of this club shall be elected for a term of
one year by ballot of the members present, provided there be a
quorum, at the last meeting in April or the first meeting in
September during the Fall semester, if there is not a quorum, a
vote by mail may be taken and supervised by the club's advisor.
Sec. 3 - Vacancies occurring between elections must be filled by
special elections at the first regular meeting following a
withdrawal or resignation.
Sec. 4 - Officers may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the
membership.
Sec. 5 - An advisor to the ENGLISH CLUB shall be a current
full-time English instructor from the Humanities Department of
Black Hills State University. His or her primary duty is guiding
and encouraging the activities and mission of the ENGLISH CLUB.
Other duties consist of holding an account for monies earned from
club fund-raisers and any money allocated to the club from grants
obtained from University Funding. His or her duties include
supervising the distribution of the monies contained in the
ENGLISH CLUB'S off-campus bank account, keeping a copy of the
club's membership list, keeping a copy of the ENGLISH CLUB'S
constitution and attending meetings and club functions, when
warranted.
Duties of Officers: Article III
Sec. 1 - The President shall be of Full Membership status and
preside at all meetings of this club, and conduct them according
to the rules adopted. If unable to attend a regular club meeting
he/she is to contact the club's vice presiden t to act in his/her
stead. He/she shall enforce due observance of this Constitution
and By-Laws; decide all questions of order; sign all official
documents adopted by the club, and perform all other duties
pertaining to the office of President. The President shall also
attend the COSO meetings or assign someone to attend in his/her
stead. A president must disqualify him/herself if he/she can not
preside over meetings or fulfill the aforementioned duties as a
Full member.
Sec. 2 - The Vice-President shall be of Full Membership and shall
assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence and
supervise the progress of the Club's Web- magazine.
Sec. 3 - The Secretary shall be of Full Membership and keep a
record of the proceedings of all meetings, keep a list of
members, carry on all correspondence, read communications at each
meeting, and mail written meeting notices to each member. The
Secretary shall accept all submissions to the ENGLISH CLUB
Web-magazine and post them on the Web-Magazine's pages in a
timely fashion. Any questionable material is to be reviewed by a
quorum of officers at a special meeting. At the expiration of
his/her term he/she shall turn over all items belonging to the
club to his/her successor.
Sec. 4 - The Treasurer shall be of Full Membership and receive
and receipt for all monies paid to the club; keep an accurate
account of all monies received and expended; pay no bills without
proper authorization (by the club's advisor or its officers
constituting a business committee). At the last meeting at the
end of each semester he/she shall submit an itemized statement of
disbursements and receipts. At the end of his/her term he/she
shall turn over everything in his/her possession belonging to the
club to his/her successor.
Meetings - Article IV
The By-Laws shall provide for regular and special meetings.
At meetings, a minimum of one-third of the membership and at
least two officers present shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business
Dues: - Article V
The club, by majority vote of those present at any regular
meeting, may levy upon the general membership such dues or
assessments as shall be deemed necessary for the business of the
organization. Non-payment of such dues or assessments shall be
cause for expulsion from the club within the discretion of the
membership.
Amendments: - Article VI
This constitution or the By-Laws may be amended by a two- thirds
vote of the total membership. Proposals for amendments shall be
submitted in writing at a regular meeting and shall be voted on
at the next following regular meeting, provided all members have
been notified by mail of the intent to amend the constitution
and/or By-Laws at said meeting.
Robert's Rules shall govern proceedings.
By-Laws:
Secret ary. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the
constitution and By-Laws of the club and have the same with
him/her at every meeting. He/she shall note all amendments,
changes and additions on the constitution and shall permit it to
be consulted by members upon request.
Membership. Full
membership is open to all Black Hills University Students who
attend every two out of three meetings and participate in at
least one of the club's activities per semester. Contributing
memberships are open to those who can not attend meetings but are
interested in participating in at least one of the club's
activities per semester. Associate memberships are available to
those who submit creative works of literature and poetry to the
English Club's Web-magazine. Only Full membership includes all
club privileges as well as rights to hold a club office and to
vote for club officers. \par Contributing membership includes all
club privileges except for the right to hold office and vote for
club officers. Review of membership status shall be conducted at
regular meetings.
Meetings. Regular meetings shall be held on the
first and third Thursday of each calendar month during the
academic school year with the time of day to be announced at the
first regular meeting. Special meetings may be called by the
President upon the written request of any five club members.
Notices shall be sent to members concerning special meetings and
the business to be transacted. Only such business as designated
shall be transacted. Such notices shall be sent so that they
arrive not less than 24 hours before the meeting.
Dues. No dues are required under these By-Laws
as decided by a quorum vote on February 15, 2001.
Signed and ratified by the following members on the 15th day
of February, 2001:
1. John Engelbrecht
2. Katherine Schoenick
3. Holly R. Heintz
4. Jennifer L. Nyberg
5. Arnie Jordan
6. Carol M. Armbrust
7. Tera L. Burnham
8. Maria King
9. Jennifer Beth Walker
Please direct any inquiries about this constitution to: The Club Advisor
