Student OrgsThe Dead Poets Society

CONSTITUTION FOR THE DEAD POETS SOCIETY

ARTICLE I:

NAME

The name of this organization shall be The Dead Poets Society.

ARTICLE II:

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Dead Poets Society is to provide a space for learning about, listening to, and discussing poetry and literature in order to explore diverse ideas and share our passions with fellow students.

ARTICLE III:

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:Membership in this organization is open to all students who enjoy reading, listening to, and discussing poetry and literature.

Section 2:Members are accepted continually throughout the year as long as they attend at least one meeting a semester.

ARTICLE IV:

OFFICERS

Section 1:The following officer positions shall exist in the Dead Poets Society: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Risk Manager. All officers must be full-time students in good standing enrolled at Gustavus Adolphus College. The only position that has additional requirements that must be met is the President. They must have been a member of the organization for at least one year before becoming President. If no qualified parties are interested, this requirement may be waived with the majority agreement of the membership present.

Section 2:The duties of each office are described as follows:

1.  President

1. To organize and preside over meetings
2. To function as a spokesperson for the student organization
3. To facilitate communication between executive board members
4. To work with the advisor and other executive board members to create goals for the organization
5. To facilitate Executive Board meetings

1.  Vice President

1. To preside over meetings in the absence of the President
2. To exercise all the functions of the office of the President in the absence of the president
3. To assist the President in the organization of group events
4. To assist in the development of organizational goals
5. To attend Executive Board meetings

1.  Secretary

1. To keep a written record of what happened at necessary Dead Poets Society meetings and Executive Board meetings
2. Be responsible for all correspondence for the Dead Poets Society
3. To keep club members informed of upcoming meetings and events
4. To assist in the development of organization goals
5. To attend Executive Board meetings

1.  Treasurer

1. To maintain the finances of the Dead Poets Society and keep accurate records of all financial matters
2. To coordinate any fundraising efforts
3. To assist in the development of organizational goals
4. To attend Executive Board meetings

1. Risk Manager

1. Developing an educational program that includes a general risk management review for members and new members each year 
2. Raising awareness of special risk management issues with members
3. Working with other officers to develop and maintain a Crisis Management Plan
4. Meeting regularly with other officers to ensure compliance of all events with College policy
5. Advising the student organization president and/or other officers of any situation or conditions that place the student organization, its members, or guests at risk
6. Being called upon to assist the president or others in conducting investigations and preparing reports regarding accidents, injuries, and situations 

Section 3:Candidates for office must be nominated from the membership of the Dead Poets Society around the end of March or beginning of April. They then must submit a written application to show their commitment to the organization and discuss what they hope to accomplish if they receive an office. This will be distributed to all members of the organization along with the voting date (approximately the mid to end of April). All members present on the day of voting who have attended at least one Dead Poets Society meeting that semester will be eligible to vote. Voting will take place using electronic ballots. Candidates will be elected into office if they receive a majority vote.

Section 4:The term of office begins at the beginning of June, with the month of May serving as a transition month between old and new officers. The term of office shall last for one calendar year. Any vacancies during the year shall be announced to the membership at the meeting following the vacancy. Nominations shall be taken and voting shall occur at the meeting. If no one is nominated, the President can appoint a member to that position.

Section 5:The Dead Poets Society, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members present, may remove, on good cause, an executive board member from office. A request for removal from office will be brought to the President who will then bring the request before the membership at the next scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE V:

MEETINGS

Section 1:Meetings will be held biweekly on Mondays at 8 pm during the academic year. The Executive Board will meet at the beginning of each semester to set meeting dates. The Secretary or President is responsible for informing members of meetings. The President will set the agenda for the meetings with input from all members and Executive Board members.

Section 2:Decisions are made by voting- brought to the floor by a motion and a second. A majority shall allow the vote to pass.

Section 3:The President or Advisor has the capability of calling special meetings for any matters they feel cannot wait until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Members must be given at least 3 days notice of any special meetings.

ARTICLE VI:

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1:The Executive Board shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Risk Manager.

Section 2:The executive board shall meet at least once a semester to discuss the planning of club events. At the board’s meeting, they shall set the dates for all Society Meetings, as well as develop organizational goals.

ARTICLE VII:

COMMITTEES

Section 1:The Executive Board may create Special Committees on an as needed basis.

ARTICLE VIII:

FINANCES

Section 1:Funds of the organization shall be raised primarily through fundraising or Student Senate. 

Section 2:Upon dissolution of the Dead Poets Society, any financial assets will be credited to the Gustavus Student Senate.

ARTICLE IX:

BY-LAWS

Section 1:By-laws may be established by club members and reviewed each September. Any member in good standing can propose the by-laws. They will be prepared for voting by the Executive Board members and submitted to members in writing prior to the meeting where voting is to take place.

Section 2:All members in good standing are eligible to vote, but must be present at the meeting to do so. A majority vote is needed to allow the by-law to pass.

ARTICLE X:

AMENDMENTS

Section 1:All members of the Dead Poets Society that are in good standing may propose Amendments. The proposed amendments will be reviewed by the Executive Board members and submitted to members in writing at least 2 weeks before voting is to take place.

Section 2:All members in good standing are eligible to vote, but must be present at the meeting to do so. A two-thirds (2/3) majority is needed to allow the amendment to pass.

Section 3:If amendments are passed they take effect at the end of the meeting during which they are passed.

Date of Ratification: September 12, 2022