The constitution of the saint john fisher college

gospel choir

Article I. Name

· The official name of the club shall be the Saint John Fisher Gospel Choir.

Article II. Statement of Purpose

· The Gospel Choir is dedicated to making a joyful noise unto the Lord, and to having a good time while doing it. Music performed by the choir is in the African-American tradition. The choir’s members represent diverse cultures, races, and religious sects. The main focus is not merely to entertain, but to minister to people through song.

Article III. Membership

· Qualifications: Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome.

Article IV. Officers

· Title of Officers:

· President

· Vice President

· Treasurer

· Secretary

· Chaplain

· Qualifications:

· Must be a member of Gospel Choir for at least one academic year.

· Must be nominated and then elected to office by a majority vote of Gospel Choir members who are present on election day.

· Must be a student at Saint John Fisher College.

· Must attend at least, but no less than, ½ of the scheduled rehearsals in an academic year.

· Officer Responsibilities:

· President:

· Maintain contact with advisor.

· Coordinate activities for officers and the choir.

· Handle the club’s e-mail account.

· Maintain the club’s website.

· Attend Council of Presidents (COP) meetings.

· Vice President:

· Aid the President.

· Attend COP meetings if the President is unable to attend.

· Aid in handling the club’s e-mail account.

· In charge of end-of-the-year club awards.

· Treasurer:

· In charge of money matters and financial transactions.

· Maintains fiscal responsibility in keeping with the outlined budget.

· Secretary:

· Formulates an official contact sheet.

· Records attendance of members at each rehearsal.

· Transcribes E-board meeting minutes.

· Send IM’s to choir members to remind them of rehearsals and other events.

· Chaplain:

· Leads the choir in prayer.

· Serves as motivational support for choir members.

· Procedure for Impeachment

· A written statement must be submitted by a choir member to any E-board member or by one E-board member to another.

· The written statement must identify who shall be removed and why.

· The E-board member who receives the statement will call an emergency E-board meeting to discuss the removal. *The identity of the choir member who submitted the written statement previously mentioned is to remain confidential.

· The E-board member in question will be notified of such at the meeting and will have a chance to present their case at the meeting as well.

· The E-board will discuss whether or not the complaint is legitimate.

· If the E-board determines that there is legitimate claim for removal then the issue will be taken to the choir and there will be a secret ballot vote for removal.

· The removal will be official and binding only if a majority of choir members present for the vote determine so.

Article V. Advisor

· The newly elected E-board must approve of an Advisor for the following academic year through consensus.

· Selection:

· Must be nominated by any choir member.

· President will approach the nominee and seek acceptance.

· If the nominee for the position of club Advisor does not accept then the process will continue until an Advisor is found.

· Upon acceptance, the nominee must be approved by the E-board.

· If the E-board does not approve then the process will begin again until an Advisor is found.

· Qualifications:

· Person must be accessible.

· Person must be open to diversity.

· Responsibilities:

· Provide assistance to the choir when necessary.

· Lead the search for a new Director should the position become vacant.

Article VI. Elections

· Process for Elections

· Nominations of choir members to run for office will be made exactly 1 month prior to the date of the Spring concert.

· In order to run for office, a choir member must be nominated by another choir member.

· Actual elections will be held exactly 2 weeks prior to the Spring concert.

· Members running for office may only win that office by a majority vote.

· If a member is running un-apposed they must still be voted into office by a majority.

· If no choir members desire to run for a particular office then that office shall remain vacant until a choir member decides to run for it.

· All elections will occur through a secret ballot, democratic process where a majority is needed to win.

· Eligibility

· Any choir member who has been a member for at least 1 academic year and has attended at least, but no less than, ½ of the scheduled rehearsals in an academic year.

Article VII. Meetings

· Rehearsals are held at least one night every week.

· For a rehearsal to take place at least ½ of the choir members must be present.

· Meetings may be cancelled by either the director or by consensus among E-board members.

· E-board meetings are held at the request of the President.

· There must be at least 1 E-board meeting held prior to the December and Spring concerts.

Article VIII. Finances

· The Treasurer is responsible for finances with oversight by the President.

· The President and Treasurer will work collectively as a team to handle all finances.

· The Treasurer will sign all checks; however, the President will sign checks in the Treasurer’s absence.

· Funds shall be administered in a manner consistent with the guidelines specified by the Council of Presidents, Student Government Association, and the SGA Finance Committee.

Article IX. Amendments and Ratification

· The Constitution may be amended by the President with support from the choir.

· An amendment will only be ratified once it has passed a majority vote among all choir members.

· If an amendment passes the majority vote by all choir members then it is automatically ratified.

· If a majority of choir members does not approve the amendment then it is not ratified and the amendment process must be re-started or abandoned.