Constitution of the Spanish Club
Recognizing the need for the continued pursuit of goodwill, understanding and unity among all peoples in the World community, we, the members of the Spanish Club, do hereby declare and ordain this Constitution in the interest of the long-term and steadfast pursuit of these goals.
Article I: Name
The official name of this organization is the Spanish Club.
Article II: Purpose
The Spanish Club at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (hereafter known as
"RHIT"), shall strive to achieve the following goals:
To promote Peace through Understanding among all peoples of the Earth.
To increase Cultural Awareness of the Rose family by sponsoring activities which promote understanding and goodwill.
To seek creativity in diversity and to improve and expand upon the efforts towards this goal already being accomplished by members of the Rose-Hulman Community.
Article III: Membership
The Spanish Club shall allow any RHIT student, faculty or staff member to become a member. These requirements shall not be changed except in accordance with the Purpose of the Spanish Club, as enumerated in Article II.
For voting purposes, to be called "active," a member must have attended at least two Spanish Club events or meetings in the academic year.
Article IV: Officers
Section I: Offices
The three elected officers of the Spanish Club shall be the President, the
Vice-President, and the Treasurer.
Section II: Elections and Terms
All three of the Spanish Club Officers listed in Section I of Article IV shall
serve a term of one (1) year, and elections shall be held in the Spring Quarter
of each Academic Year during a meeting of the Spanish Club. The new officers
shall assume their roles immediately after being elected.
Section III: Qualifications
While it is beneficial that all officers of the Spanish Club be speakers of the
Spanish language, this skill shall not be an official requirement to become an
officer of the Spanish Club. However, any member who seeks to become an officer
of the Spanish Club should be able to provide evidence of membership in good
standing for at least one entire academic quarter prior to election.
Section IV: Duties
President:
The President of the Spanish Club shall:
Preside over all meetings.
Be elected into office by a majority vote of a quorum of members present at the annual election meeting.
Serve as facilitator for the planning of activities and events, in accordance with the Purpose of the Spanish Club, as enumerated in Article II.
Act as the official representative of the Spanish Club to all foreign bodies.
Be replaced by the Vice-President if two-thirds of all voting members of the Spanish Club call for the President's impeachment or if the President becomes unable to perform the duties associated with that office.
Vice-President:
The Vice-President of the Spanish Club shall:
Undertake any duties the President is not able to fulfill in the President's role as facilitator or representative.
In absence of the President, serve as acting President.
Maintain all official records of the Spanish Club.
Maintain the Spanish Club website.
Keep the members informed about all events and meetings sponsored by the Spanish Club
Advertise publicly those events sponsored by the Spanish Club which are open to the community.
Confirm the Treasurer's accounts at least once per year.
Be elected into office by a majority vote of a quorum of members present at the annual election meeting.
Be replaced by a Presidential appointee if two-thirds of all voting members of the Spanish Club call for the Vice President’s impeachment or if the Vice President becomes unable to perform the duties associated with that office.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer of the Spanish Club shall:
Be responsible for the stewardship of all moneys and debts associated with the Spanish Club, and inform the members about the financial status of the Spanish Club when called to do so.
Maintain complete and accurate records of all monetary flows, realizing that these records may be examined on demand by any officer or member.
Compile and present the annual budget request to SGA.
Be replaced by a Presidential appointee if two-thirds of all voting members of the Spanish Club call for the Treasurer's impeachment or if the Treasurer becomes unable to perform the duties associated with that office.
Article V: Advisor
In accordance with the purpose as established in Article II, the Spanish Club desires to maintain relations with the faculty and staff of RHIT. Therefore, at the request of the Spanish Club, a member of the RHIT faculty or staff shall serve as the Spanish Club's advisor for a term of no less than one academic year.
The advisor shall serve as representative to the RHIT faculty and staff and advise the Spanish Club in all aspects of its operation. It is beneficial, but not required, that the advisor speak Spanish fluently. The Spanish Club advisor should, if possible, attend all meetings and events of the Spanish Club and chaperone travels.
Article VI: Amendments
Section 1: Submissions
Any active member during the course of the meeting may make a motion to make an
amendment to the constitution.
Section 2 - Voting
Amendments shall require a two-thirds vote of all active Spanish Club members to
take effect.
Article VII: Adoption and Repeal
Section 1 - Adoption
This Constitution and Bylaws shall be considered adopted when and if two-thirds
of the entire active membership of the Spanish Club vote to adopt said
Constitution at a meeting called for such a purpose.
Section 2 - Repeal
Upon the adoption of this Constitution and Bylaws of the Spanish Club, all
previous Constitutions and Bylaws, including any and all amendments thereon,
thereto or contained therein, shall be considered repealed and no longer in
effect.
Article VIII: Constitutional Bylaws
Section 1 - Election Procedures
Nominations will be taken second week of the Spring Quarter. The meeting that is
second week in the Spring Academic Quarter shall be held for the purpose of
holding elections. Nominees will be given a maximum of five (5) minutes to
present a speech to the general membership explaining their reasons behind
running for office, qualifications, goals, and all other applicable information.
After all speeches are completed, a written ballot will be taken to vote. The
nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will win the office. In the case
of a tie, the quorum of the membership will vote again, taking only those
candidates involved in the tie into consideration. The elections will be held in
ascending order. The offices will be voted on and decided in the following
order: the President, the Vice-President, and the Treasurer.
Section 2 - Meetings
The time and format of meetings shall be decided by the active members.
Section 3 - Attendance
Officers should be in attendance at every meeting unless prior notification of
absence is given. .
Section 4 - Quorum
A quorum shall consist of two-thirds of the active members of Spanish club.
Section 5 - Voting Requirements
All votes, unless specified otherwise, shall be passed by a majority of a quorum
of the active general membership.
Amended - January 19, 2006