Student OrgsGIECO (Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club and Opportunities)

CONSTITUTION OF THE GUSTAVUS INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLUB

Drafted on April 9, 2024

ARTICLE I:

NAME

The name of this organization shall be The Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club.

ARTICLE II:

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club shall be to provide experiences and opportunities around entrepreneurship and building an innovative mindset. Activities will include guest speakers, off-campus experiences, workshops, competitions, and conferences.  

ARTICLE III:

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:    Membership in this organization is open to all students who are interested in innovation and entrepreneurial-related activities. New members will be required to submit a brief application to be a recognized member of the club.

Section 2:    The following categories of membership exist in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club:

• Student Members (undergraduate or graduate students who are actively pursuing growth in their innovation and entrepreneurship skills, abilities, and mindset)
• Faculty Advisors (faculty members who provide guidance, mentorship, and support to the club and its members)
• Alumni Members (alumni/former club members who have graduated but remain involved in the club to offer mentorship, networking opportunities, and/or support)

Section 3:    Members are accepted continually throughout the year as long as they attend at least one club event a semester (outside of meetings). 

ARTICLE IV:

OFFICERS

Section 1:    The following officer positions shall exist in the Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club: President(s), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicist, Risk Manager and Historian. 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 with exception to the charter year. 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(s)

1.     To organize and preside over meetings
2.     To function as a spokesperson for the club
3.     To facilitate communication between executive board members
4.     To work with the advisor and other executive board members to create yearly goals for the organization
5.     To facilitate monthly Executive Board meetings
   1.  Vice President
6.     To preside over meetings in the absence of the President
7.     To exercise all the functions of the office of the President in the absence of the president
8.     To assist the President in the organization of club events
9.     To assist in the development of yearly organizational goals
10.     To attend monthly Executive Board meetings 
11. 1. Secretary
12.     To keep a written record of what happened at all Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club meetings and Executive Board meetings
13.     Be responsible for all correspondence for the Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club
14.     To keep club members and potential club members informed of upcoming meetings and events
15.     To assist in the development of yearly organization goals
16.     To attend monthly Executive Board meetings
17. Maintain the club’s webpage in partnership with the Publicist
    1.   Treasurer
18.     To maintain the finances of the Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club and keep accurate records of all financial matters
19.     To coordinate sales of items and services
20.     To coordinate other fundraising efforts
21.     To assist in the development of yearly organizational goals
22.     To attend monthly Executive Board meetings
23.     Publicist
24.     To be responsible for the recruitment of new members including coordinating the tables at Student Organization Fairs
25.     To promote and publicize all fan club events
26.     To assist in the development of yearly organizational goals
27.     To attend monthly Executive Board meetings
28. Maintain the club’s webpage in partnership with the Secretary
29. Responsible for the club's social media accounts
30.     Risk Manager

1. Assess potential risks that could impact the club, such as alcohol and drug use, hazing, sexual abuse, fire prevention, and emergency planning
2. Ensure that the club complies with relevant laws and regulations, as well as internal policies
3. Administer waivers and other legal paperwork in order to limit liabilities

1. Historian
2.     To keep a photographic and written record of the club’s happenings throughout the year
3.     To coordinate the photographs to be included in sponsorship and marketing-related events and causes
4.     To assist in the development of yearly organizational goals
5.     To attend monthly Executive Board meetings

Section 3:    Candidates for office must be nominated from the membership of the Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club by January 31st for the following academic year. 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 of the January meeting. All members present on the day of voting who have attended at least one Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club event that semester (outside of meetings) will be eligible to vote. Voting will take place using 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 months of April and May serving as transition months between old and new officers. The term of office shall last for one full academic year (June 1 - May 31). 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 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club, 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 Club’s Advisor or President who will then bring the request before the membership at the next scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE V:

MEETINGS

Section 1:    Leadership meetings will be held a minimum of once a month during the academic year with Officers and Committee Chairs. The Executive Board will meet once a month each semester to set meeting dates. Full membership meetings will be held at a minimum of once a semester. The Secretary 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.

Section 4: All recognized members are required to go to at least 3 events per semester and participate in the full-membership meeting at the beginning of each semester.

ARTICLE VI:

EXECUTIVE BOARD

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

Section 2:    The executive board shall meet once a month with the admittance of Committee Chairs to discuss the planning of club events and other formal activities. At the board’s first meeting of each semester, they shall set the dates for all Club Meetings, as well as develop organizational goals.

ARTICLE VII:

COMMITTEES

Section 1:    In March of each year the newly elected officers will determine committees for the upcoming club year of their elected term.

Section 2:    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 and budget requests from the college. This includes annual sales events and any other fundraisers.

Section 2: The Treasurer is responsible for managing all club finances, maintaining records, and an accurate reporting system.  The President and Vice President will have access to all records and accounts.  The Secretary will audit and sign off on monthly reports.

Section 3:Upon dissolution of the Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club, 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 new or changes to the by-laws. They will be prepared 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 Gustavus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club 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:

(Remember to put the date of subsequent changes made by amendment to the constitution and the initials or name of the person responsible for updates at the end of the document.)