No Labels Constitution
Article I: Name
Section 1
The name of this organization shall be No Labels at Iowa State University.
Article II: Purpose
Section 1
The purpose of this organization shall be to further the No Labels movement by engaging college students with a new politics of problem solving. Individuals who believe in changing the dynamics of our political culture both nationally and here at this university can collaborate and act in order to further the ideals of No Labels.
Section 2
Locally, this chapter shall affiliate with members of the Problem Solvers Caucus in this state and nationally with the non-profit organization No Labels.
Section 3
This chapter will follow Iowa State University’s rules and policies regarding the function of a student organization.
Article III: Statement of Compliance
Section 1
No Labels at Iowa State abides by and supports established Iowa State University policies, State and Federal Laws and follows local ordinances and regulations. No Labels at Iowa State agrees to annually complete President’s Training, Treasurer’s Training and Adviser Training (if required).
Article IV: Non-Discrimination Statement
Section 1
Iowa State University No Labels at Iowa State do not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, race, ethnicity, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a U.S Veteran.
Article V: Membership
Section 1
Any student currently enrolled at the university is eligible for membership. When any interested student submits his/her name, email address and zip code to an officer, that student shall be considered a member.
Section 2
Membership gives a student the privilege to vote in elections for the Executive Board and take part in chapter events.
Section 3
This chapter will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religious beliefs, party affiliation, disability, age, ancestry or national or ethnic origin.
Section VI: Risk Management
Section 1
The role of the risk management officer is to [a] help minimize potential risks for club activities, [b] recommend risk management policies or procedures to No Labels, [c] to submit documentation to ISU’s Risk Management Office and [d] to ensure that Iowa State University policies are followed at all of the organization’s events and [e] to ensure that proper waivers and background checks are on file with Risk Management for events.
Section 2
The Risk Management officer will be nominated by the President and approved by the rest of the body with a 2/3 majority vote.
Article VII: Officers
Section 1
The Executive Board shall act as the governing body of the chapter by making policies and supervising the organization.
Section 2
The Executive Board shall consist of the following elected positions: Presidentand Treasurer.
Section 3
The Executive Board shall add or eliminate existing positions by a majority vote of a quorum of existing Executive Board members. Any new positions shall be filled through the election process outlined in Article VI.
Section 4
Executive Board meetings shall be held at least twice a month, with additional meetings added at the Board’s discretion. These meetings are open to all members except when a majority vote of the Executive Board decides to close the meeting.
Section 5
Decisions made by the executive board may be overruled by a 2/3 majority of general members present at a general membership meeting.
Section 6 – President
The President shall be the official representative and spokesperson of the chapter. He or she will create an agenda for and preside over each meeting. The President will also be the contact for the national organization to discuss progress and share ideas for events and fundraising the chapter can do.
Section 7– Treasurer
The Treasurer will be responsible for the financial obligations of the chapter. This includes maintaining a budget and submitting financial paperwork to the proper organizations within the university on time. The Treasurer will submit a budget report at least once every semester to the Executive Board. The Treasurer is also responsible sending a budget report to the national organization for funding requests.
Section 8 – Eligibility
In order to be eligible to run for an office a candidate must have attended at least three general meetings. Nominations shall be officially made on the day of the election by an active member who is not a candidate for an office.
In addition "The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:
(a) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
(b) Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as stated below and meet that minimum GPA in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office. For undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, the minimum GPA is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration.
(c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b)."
Section 9– Election Guidelines
Elections shall be announced one month in advance and members are notified when the election is announced. Annual elections will occur during the month of September at a regularly scheduled club meeting determined at the discretion of the Executive Board. Each active member in attendance is given one vote for each office excluding the president who serves as an impartial administrator who shall count the votes and monitor all electoral activities. Candidates will have five minutes each to speak on their own behalf before votes are cast. Votes are cast after candidates for each office give their speeches and counted immediately by the president, who will then announce the winner. In the event of a tie there will be another round of speeches during which active members can pose questions to be answered by both candidates. After this, there will be a runoff election. If that does not determine the winner the president will choose the victor. Club members are notified of election results via email immediately after the election takes place and at the next club meeting.
Section 10 – Removal of Officers
Officers can be removed upon a motion from a member of the organization and two separate 2/3 majority votes to take place at two separate general meetings of all members in attendance. A member of the organization must tell the officer in question in writing he or she plans to move to remove him or her from office a minimum of one week before the meeting before the first vote takes place. Officers who are pending removal will have five minutes at the general meeting to speak before the vote takes place.
Section 11 – Replacing Officers
All vacancies must be filled during the next general meeting and the election guidelines set force in Section 9 will determine how the replacement elections are held.
Article VIII: Advisor
Section 1
The adviser of this organization will be in charge of making sure the organization is meeting university standards and compliances and adhering to the above Constitution.
Section 2
The adviser will be chosen by the executive board, and approved by a vote of 2/3 majority of all members in attendance.
Section 3
The adviser will serve at his or her leisure and must give a notice of two weeks minimum before resigning for any reason.
Section 4
The adviser may be impeached upon recommendation of the executive board and a vote of 2/3 majority at a general meetings by all members in attendance. The adviser is welcome at the final vote and is allowed to talk for five minutes to defend him or herself.
Section 5
A replacement adviser will be recommended by the executive board and must be
approved by a majority vote.
Article IX: Finances
Section 1
"All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the Campus Organizations Accounting Office and/or approved institution/office (must receive authorization via Campus Organizations Accounting Office). All funds must be deposited within 48 hours after collection. The Adviser to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment."
Section 2
No dues will be collected for this organization
Article X: Amendments to this document
Section 1
All amendments to this constitution must be recommended by the executive board and approved at two different meetings by a 2/3 majority vote of all members in attendance at a general meetings.
Section 2
No amendments to this constitution are allowed that are contrary to the guidelines of Iowa State University or contrary to the goal of No Labels.
Section 3
An amended or ratified constitution should be submitted within 10 days to Student Activities Center for approval.