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Constitution Mission Statement The UW College Republicans shall advocate and disseminate conservative scholarship and intellectual discourse, promoting the principles of the Republican Party among the students of UW-Madison and throughout state and local politics.
ARTICLE I --Name The name of this organization shall be the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) College Republicans (hereafter referred to as "the club").
ARTICLE II --Purpose Section 1. To promote the principles of the Republican Party among the students at UW-Madison. Section 2. To recruit UW-Madison students as members of the club and as members of the Republican Party. Section 3. To aid in the election of Republican candidates at all levels of government. Section 4. To develop political skills and leadership abilities among Republican students as preparation for future service by them to the party and the community.
ARTICLE III --Membership Section 1. Only enrolled UW-Madison students are eligible to become members. Section 2. Membership shall last from September 1 until August 31. If a member graduates or takes time off from school after becoming a member, membership privileges will continue until August 31. Section 3. Membership is to be divided into two groups: general members and members in good standing. General membership requires one to complete an official membership form. Membership in good standing requires one to have completed a membership form and have paid club dues at least seven days prior. Membership in good standing may be removed by a 3/4 vote of all members in good standing during a regular club meeting, and reinstated with a majority vote of all members in good standing.
ARTICLE IV-- Officers Section 1. The officers of the club shall be a Chairman, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Section 2. The officers shall be elected at a regular club meeting between March 1 and April 30 and shall take the office immediately upon election. Only members in good standing may be elected and serve as an officer. Amendment will take effect upon the election of new officers in 2003.
Section 3. The duties of the officers shall be as follows: 1. Chairman: To preside over all the meetings of the club and all meetings of the club officers; to manage all affairs of the club and govern its official policies; to represent the club in all capacities and be responsible for its actions; to vote on impeachment and financial matters. Also, within one week after being elected, the Chairman must state in the Constitution's by-laws the official duties of each Executive Board member. This public document, which expires when the Chairman's term expires, may be changed at any time pending notification of the Executive Board. 2. First Vice-Chair: To preside in the absence of the Chairman; to perform such other tasks as the Chairman may assign; to vote on impeachment and financial matters. 3. Second Vice-Chair: To preside in the absence of the Chairman and First-Vice Chair; to perform such other tasks as the Chairman may assign; to vote on impeachment and financial matters. 4. Secretary: To prepare minutes of all regular club meetings; to send all official club correspondence; to coordinate preparation and distribution of club publications; to vote on impeachment and financial matters. 5. Treasurer: To make financial reports to all regular club meetings; to receive and distribute club funds upon authorization of the Chairman; to coordinate fundraising activities, to vote on impeachment and financial matters.
ARTICLE V --Appointive Positions Section 1. The Chairman shall select up to five members in good standing to become appointed members of the Executive Board. Section 2. These appointees will each have a vote on all financial matters, such as the approval of spending and the determination of annual club dues. Section 3. The Chairman reserves to the right to replace any appointee who, in the opinion of the Chairman, has not performed adequately.
ARTICLE VI --Officer Impeachment Section 1. Any member in good standing may bring impeachment charges on an officer. The vote will occur at a regular club meeting provided that a notice of impeachment has been received by the Chairman and Secretary and the club's members have been notified at least seven days in advance. Section 2. An officer may be impeached by either a 3/5 vote of the officers, or by a 2/3 vote of all members in good standing present at a regular club meeting. Section 3. Immediately after impeachment, an election will be held to replace the impeached officer. Regular election procedure will apply, as any member in good standing, including the impeached officer, may run for the vacant position.
ARTICLE VII --Meetings Section 1. The club shall hold regular meetings not less than once monthly while school is in session, with a quorum requiring at least ten members. Section 2. Regular meetings may be held at the call of the Chairman or of any of the five club officers. Notice of regular meetings shall be given to all club members in the most complete manner practical not less than one week prior to the meeting. Section 3. The Executive Board, consisting of the officers and appointees, shall meet at least once a month, with a quorum requiring at least five Executive Board members.
ARTICLE VIII --Finances Section 1. The Executive Board shall have the power to vote on annual dues, with ties going to the side the Chairman voted with. Section 2. All spending must be approved by a majority of the Executive Board, with ties going to the side the Chairman voted with.
Section 3. All outstanding debt must be reconciled and paid by the day prior to the election of new officers. Any outstanding debt shall become the personal liability of the outgoing Executive Board members.
ARTICLE IX --Endorsements No Republican candidate for public office, whether local, state, or national, shall be officially endorsed or opposed by the club prior to a party primary or party endorsing convention or caucus; however, this shall not prevent any member from participating on an individual basis.
ARTICLE X --Rules of Order The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.
ARTICLE XI --Amendments Amendments to this constitution may proposed at a regular club meeting by any member in good standing and adopted upon an affirmative vote by 2/3 of members in good standing present and voting at the next regular club meeting, provided however that no such amendments shall take effect without the approval of at least three club officers.
ARTICLE XII --Constitutional Questions Any questions regarding the interpretation of this constitution shall be decided upon a majority vote of all members in good standing present and voting at a regular club meeting.
ARTICLE XIII --Ratification Upon approval of at least 3/4 of all UW-Madison College Republicans as of September 16, 1997, this Constitution shall be become the effective governing document of the UW-Madison College Republicans, superseding all prior documents. |
