Constitution

 

Buffalo State College French Club

 

Article I

The name of the student organization shall be La Table Française
or Buffalo State College French Club.

 

Article II

Statement of Purpose:

 

The purpose of the club is to provide students with a social and educational forum for the promotion of the language and culture of French speaking countries; to bring about an awareness of the educational importance of studying French for the sake of both international relations and to give opportunities to students to interact socially with French-speakers.  Members of the French Club will also be encourages to use the language outside of the classroom as they endeavor to take part in activities that use French as a prime means of communication in order to improve each member’s ability to understand and speak French.  The French Club shall serve the campus and its members by encouraging French language and cultural activities both on and off of the campus.  Such activities may include but are in no way limited to:

 

  • On campus exhibition of French or Francophone films, art, or other appropriate cultural media.
  • Viewing French plays locally and elsewhere, attendance at French films on campus or at local theatres.
  • Organizing and attending presentations by guest speakers in French.
  • Participating in weekend trips to Toronto and Quebec where students can experience first-hand everyday cultural happenings.
  • Become exposed to departmental activities related to opportunities for careers requiring the study of French, and opportunities for study abroad.

 

Article III

Membership:

A. Eligibility

  • Any student of Buffalo State College is eligible for membership in the French Club.

 

Section I

Voting Members

A.      Any French Club members who attend two or more meetings a month are allowed to vote.

B.       A member retains their voting membership by attending general interest meetings as well as being involved at French Club events.

 

Section II

All members must share equally in the rights of the organization and no rights shall be abridged.  All members may participate in all events and activities sponsored by the organization.

 

 

Article IV

Officers and Elections:

Section I

Executive Officers

 

  • President
  • Vice-President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary/ Public Relations

 

Section II

Election of Officers

 

  1. Elections will be held during the last full week of the spring semester.
    1. All members must be notified of elections 1 month in advance
  2. Election Procedures:
    1. All interested in an officer position should so indicate two weeks before the election date. 
    2. Candidates shall be free to briefly campaign on their behalf.
    3. The faculty advisor shall distribute ballots on which each member should write a choice for each position.
    4. The faculty advisor will count the ballots and immediately announce the results
  3. Terms of Office:
    1. The term of office shall be one academic year.
    2. Officers may serve multiple terms, however they must always meet the above conditions.

 

Section III

Executive Board Powers and Duties

 

  1. The executive power and administrative functions of the French Club shall be vested in the Executive Board.
  2. The Executive Board shall hold weekly meetings and have the responsibility of calling general membership meetings.
  3. Shall prepare the budget of the French Club for the following year.
  4. Special meetings of the Executive Board shall be called by the President or by a majority of the Executive Board.
  5. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of members of the Executive Board.
  6. Any vacancy in any position of the Executive Board shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Board and be confirmed by the general membership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section IV

Executive Board Member Powers and Duties

 

  1. The President:
    1. Shall be the official representative of the French Club.
    2. Shall serve as speaker of the Executive Board.
    3. Shall have the power to act on behalf of the organization in cases of emergency.  Such action shall be presented for the approval at the next meeting of the organization.
    4. Shall have a vote in the Executive Board only in cases of a tie.
    5. Sign with Treasurer all official papers.
    6. Work with Secretary in formulating meeting agendas.
    7. Shall chair all general membership meetings.
    8. Provide vision and direction for the club, assisted by the other cabinet members
    9. Attend, or designate an attendee to any meetings required to secure funding for the Club.
    10. Be ultimately responsible for the planning of Club activities.
  2. The Vice-President:
    1. Shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President.
    2. In cases of resignation or dismissal of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the position.
    3. Shall be a voting member of the Executive Committee and the general membership.
    4. Shall be Executive Chairperson of all existing committees.
    5. Shall work with the President in understanding and interpreting all phases of work.
    6. Be responsible for the publicizing of any Club activities, both to Club members, and to the campus as a whole.
  3. Treasurer
    1. Shall receive, hold, disburse, and account for all organization funds, and keep order of the French Club’s financial records.  Shall make monthly and annual reports of receipts, disbursements and fund balances of the French Club.
    2. Shall guide the executive committee in preparation of the budget.
    3. Shall be a voting member of the executive committee and general membership.
    4. Shall present the annual proposed budget to the organization for approval.
    5. Assist the President in the planning of activities.
  4. Secretary/Personal Relations
    1. Shall take accurate minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and the general membership meetings.
    2. Shall serve as custodian of all records and official papers as may be places in his/her care.
    3. Shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Board.
    4. Shall keep an accurate up to date roll of voting membership.
    5. Shall work with committee chairs and other officers in receiving, evaluating and preparing reports.
    6. Shall care for the correspondence as directed to the organization.
    7. Shall ensure that a current copy of the Constitution is kept on file with

                                                               i.      Chair of Modern and Classical Languages

                                                             ii.      USG Rules Chair

                                                            iii.      Faculty Advisor

                                                           iv.      Any other University offices that so require

    1. Produce all media publications of the club.
    2. Make sure necessary copies are made.

 

 

Article V

Meetings and Quorum:

 

  1. Meetings shall meet at a minimum of once a month
  2. Special meetings can be called by any members of the Executive Board
  3. Attendance and minutes will be taken at each meeting by the Secretary/PR.

 

Article VI

Committees:

 

  1. If, at the discretion of the Officers, a committee or committees need to be formed, the Officers shall charge the committee with its task, and set specific guidelines for how the task shall be undertaken.
  2. The chair of any committee shall be appointed by the Officers.
  3. The chair of any committee shall be appointed by the Officers.

 

Article VII

The Advisor:

 

  1. Shall give support to the members of the French Club on a case-by-case basis and as deemed necessary.
  2. Shall not be required to participate in meetings or activities.
  3. Shall be held accountable only in so far as intellectual support is concerned.
  4. Shall be appointed by the President of the French Club and verified by a majority vote of the general body.
  5. The advisor is responsible for providing long-term continuity within the group and should be familiar with its history.
  6. Act as a liaison between the Club and the Department of Modern & Classical Languages.

 

Article VIII

Removal

 

Removal of members, if deemed necessary, will depend on both a decision of the Executive Board and a super majority vote (2/3 + 1) of the general membership.  All members of the French Club retain the rights of due process.

Article IX

Amendments

 

Amendments to the constitution of the French Club are not binding until approved by the USG Senate

  1. Any voting member may propose an amendment to this constitution.
  2. An amendment will be considered in force when approved by all the officers and a 2/3 majority of all voting members.

 

Article X

Parliamentary Authority

 

The special rules of order to be followed, if chosen, shall be Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

 

 

Article XI

Ratification

 

Section I

Ratification Vote

 

An affirmative vote of a simple majority of the organization’s members will ratify the constitution.

 

 

Section II

Ratification Date

 

 

 

Section III

USG Senate Recognition