Student OrgsNewman Center

ARTICLE I: NAME 

The name of this organization shall be The Newman Center. 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE 

The purpose of the Newman Center is to promote, uphold, and share the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church through fellowship, education, and the sacraments. 

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1: Started in the spring of 1999, the Newman Center is a national student organization dedicated to building a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. This is a place where students of all denominations are welcome to join in faith, sharing and discussing religious doctrines, both within and beyond the Catholic Church. The Newman Center provides Bible studies, daily Rosary prayer, involvement in the St. Peter community, and various fellowship and faith sharing events. 

Section 2: The following categories of membership exist in the Newman Center:  A. Officers: organize events and accept responsibility for the functioning of the organization. B. Members: participate in events. 

Section 3: Members are accepted continually throughout the year whenever they express interest in helping with activities and participating in group events. 

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS 

Section 1: The following officer positions shall exist in the Newman Club: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers must be full-time students in good standing enrolled at Gustavus Adolphus College. The President 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. Freshmen may only serve on the board if needed to fill a mid-year vacancy. 

Section 2: The duties of each office are described as follows: A. President 1. To organize and preside over meetings. 2. To facilitate communication between executive board members. 3. To work with the advisor and other executive board members to create yearly goals for the organization. 4. To facilitate weekly Executive Board meetings B. 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 club events. 4. To assist in the development of yearly organizational goals. 5. To attend weekly Executive Board meetings C. Secretary 1. To keep a written record of what happened at all Newman Club meetings and Executive Board meetings. 2. Be responsible for all correspondence for the Newman Club. 3. To keep members informed of upcoming meetings and events. 4. To assist in the development of yearly organization goals. 5. To attend monthly Executive Board meetings D. Treasurer 1. To maintain the finances of the Newman Club and keep accurate records of all financial matters 2. To coordinate other fundraising efforts 3. To assist in the development of yearly organizational goals 4. To attend weekly Executive Board meetings E. Historian 1. To keep a photographic and written record of the club’s happenings throughout the year 2. To administer over social media platforms 3. To assist in the development of yearly organizational goals 4. To attend monthly Executive Board meetings F. Risk Manager 1. To negate risk by enforcing compliance with the Campus Activities rules on risk management and student organization policies 2. To ensure that waivers are available and completed when the organization hosts events with high risk situations 3. To attend weekly Executive Board meetings. 

Section 3: Candidates for the Executive Board must come forward with interest in the role around the middle of March. 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 deadline (approximately the end of March). All members who have attended at least one Newman Club event that semester (outside of meetings) will be eligible to vote. Voting will take place using a Google Form via Email. Candidates will be elected into office if they receive a majority vote. 

Section 4: The term of office begins at the beginning of May, with the month of April 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 Newman Center, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all members, 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 a minimum of once a month during the academic year. Meetings should ideally occur once a week unless this is not possible for all Executive Board members. The Executive Board will meet at the beginning of each semester to set meeting dates. 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. The Risk Manager may be an additional role to any of the others and does not need to be a single member’s role. 

Section 2: The executive board shall meet once a week to discuss the planning of club events and campus evangelization efforts. 

ARTICLE VII: FINANCES 

Section 1: Funds of the organization shall be acquired through the Student Senate Financial process. 

Section 2: Upon dissolution of the Newman Center, any financial assets will be credited to the Gustavus Student Senate. 

Section 3: The Newman Center may also fundraise and receive donations as approved by the Campus Activities Office. All rules regarding fundraising in the student organization handbook will be followed. Donations may be accepted via cash, check, or credit card.

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 fill out an online Google Form voting ballot before the appointed A majority vote is needed to allow the by-law to pass. 

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

 Section 1: All members of the Newman 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: 09/17/2024