Student OrgsGustavus Students for Life

Gustavus Students for Life

Constitution of Gustavus Students for Life

February 13, 2019

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is “Gustavus Students for Life.”

Article II: Purpose

Members of Gustavus Students for Life work to save lives threatened by induced abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment and the destruction of human embryos for research. In furtherance of these goals, members seek to promote respect for life at Gustavus Adolphus College and on a local, state, and national level, to educate on life issues, to help those in need so that life is a promising choice, and to work with others who share common goals.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: Gustavus Students for Life is open to all students at Gustavus Adolphus College, faculty, and staff. No Gustavus Adolphus College student, faculty member, or staff member may be denied membership on the basis of race, sex, religion, ethnicity, national origin, color, age, disability, or veteran status.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1: The officers will include a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and Risk Manager.

Section 2: Officers will hold office for a one year term starting and ending at 12:00 PM on the last day of classes for the spring semester. No officer shall hold any office for more than two terms. A term lasts 2 academic years. However, they do have the option of running for another office after their second two year term is over. For the first year of existence, however, the officers will be appointed.

Section 3: Roles of Officers

        A) President

                 1) Schedule and organize meetings and activities

                 2) Conduct the meetings

                 3) Provide general upkeep of the club

    4) Send out emails along with Vice President

    5) Organizes regular recruitment drives

        B) Vice President

1) If the president is unable to perform any of the previously mentioned tasks, it will be the responsibility of the vice president to temporarily take over that particular role or responsibility

2) Perform any reasonable task requested of them by the President to further the goals of the organization

3) Handles publicity

4) Attends any external meetings with which the group could be associated and in addition establishes relationships with community groups, i.e. pregnancy care centers and local pro-life organizations

        C) Secretary

                 1) Keep track of the schedule

                 2) Updates and maintains membership lists and takes roll

                 3) Keeps meeting minutes

                 4) Sends out e-mail reminders (along with president and vice president)

                 5) Works on publications (website and/or newsletter)

    6) Counts election, impeachment and amendment ballots and announces results immediately after the vote is taken

        D) Treasurer

                 1) Reports finances

                 2) Handles fundraising

Section 4: The impeachment of an officer can only occur when a two-thirds majority of official members vote to impeach.

Section 5: In addition to the officer positions, it is at the President’s discretion to appoint students to committees to coordinate specific events or activities.

Article V: Elections

Section 1: Elections of officers will take place at an election meeting to be held once a year during the spring semester at least one week before the last day of classes for the semester.

Section 2: Any official member may be nominated for office or may nominate themselves.

Section 3: Members who are running for office must be nominated and accept their nomination at the nomination meeting which will occur a minimum of one week prior to the election meeting.

Section 4: Officers must be elected by a simple majority via secret ballot.

Section 5: If an officer decides to step down, nominations will be accepted at the next meeting and the new officer will be elected one meeting later.

Article VI: Advisor

An advisor will serve at the request of the President for as long as he or she is willing.  

Article VII: Meetings

Section 1: The President must call a meeting at least once a month during the fall and spring semesters. Any official member may call a meeting through consent of the President or any two officers.

Section 2: The President will call the meeting to order and will address any relevant business. Those present will be given an opportunity to speak on each matter.

Section 3: The Secretary will pass around a sign in sheet and will keep minutes on the meeting.

Article VIII: Affiliations

Gustavus Students for Life is associated with Students for Life of America, but no other national, statewide, or local group.

Article IX: Amendments

In order to amend the constitution, an amendment should be submitted to the President. At the next meeting the President will announce the proposal and a vote will take place by secret ballot. A two-thirds majority is necessary for approval.