How to Write a Constitution
All recognized student organizations are required to have a current constitution on file with Campus Activities. Below is a skeleton to help guide organizations in writing or rewriting one for your group.
SAMPLE CONSTITUTION
Article I — Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be _____________________________.
Article II - Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of this organization shall be to _____________________________.
(i.e. promote, organize, manage, direct, assist, etc.)
Be sure to describe nature of club as well as types of activities.
Article III — Membership
Section 1. The membership of this organization shall consist of _________________________.
(i.e. undergraduate and
graduate students, members of faculty and/or University)
Section 2.
(Honorary members)
(Associate members)
Section 3. Eligibility requirements ________________________________________.
(i.e. Grade point average, special qualifications, etc.; should include method of appointment or selection)
Article IV — Officers
Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be ______________________________.
(president or chair, vice-president
or vice-chair, secretary/ies, treasurer, and other officers).
Section 2. Qualifications
for each office.
Section 3. Term of
office.
Section 4. Duties
of officers.
Section 5. Provisions for removal of officers.
Article V — Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings of this organization shall be held _________________________.
(i.e. monthly, semi-monthly,
weekly, semi-weekly, etc.)
Section 2. Special
meetings may be called at any time by the president or chair upon petition
of ______ members or upon petition of ______ members of the Executive
Board or Committee upon ______ days of notice of such meeting to members.
Section 3. A quorum shall consist of _______________________________________.
(_____ members present at any regular or special meeting; ______ present and voting members at any regular or special meeting, etc.)
Article VI — Elections
Section 1. Election
of officers shall be held ___________________________________.
Section 2. Who may
vote - how — proxy votes, etc.
Section 3. Notice of election or appointment.
Article VII — Executive Authority
Section 1. The executive authority of this organization shall be vested in a _______________.
(Board of Directors, Executive
Committee, Executive Board, Advisory Council, etc.)
Section 2. The _______________________
shall consist of _____, ______, ______, _____.
Section 3. Powers
and Duties.
Section 4. Reporting to Membership.
Article VIII — Sponsors, Advisors
Section 1. There shall
be (1, 2, or more) faculty advisors/sponsors who shall be members ex-officio,
with/without vote.
Section 2. Method
of selecting advisors/sponsors.
Section 3. Duties and/or responsibilities of advisors/sponsors.
Article IX — Committees
Section 1. Standing Committees (composition, appointment, membership, function, powers, and duties).
Section 2. Appointment by Committees - (president/chair, executive body, etc.)
Article X — Dues
Section 1. The dues
of this organization shall be _____ per (month, semester, quarter).
Section 2. Where funds are to be kept. Provisions for auditing, etc.
Article XI — Amendment
Section 1. This constitution may be amended by ______________________________ _.
(2/3 or 3/4 membership
present and voting at any regular/special meeting; provision may be
made for vote at more than one meeting).
Section 2. Provisions
for advance notice of amendment.
Article XII — By-Laws
Section 1. Methods
for adoption.
Section 2. Methods
for amendment or revision.
NOTICE AND ACCEPTANCE OF RECOGNITION LIMITATIONS
It is understood and agreed that:
- The organization is a private student group and is not an official component of Marywood University.
- Recognition expressly permits the organization to operate only on campus.
- The organization may not act on behalf of the University.
- The organization may not represent itself as being an official component of Marywood University.
- The organization may not engage in any contractual obligation in the name of the University.
- Off campus activities of the organization are the sole responsibility of the organization, its officers and members unless expressly approved and/or sponsored in advance by the University.
- Participation in the activities of the organization is voluntary and all attendant risks are assumed solely by the organization, its officers, members and non-member participants.
| ______________________________ | ___________________________ | _________ |
| President/Chair´s Name | Signature | Date |
| ______________________________ | ___________________________ | _________ |
| Advisor´s Name | Signature | Date |
___________________________________________________________________________
Official Use Only
Received in the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development _____________
| ______________________________ | ___________________________ | _________ |
| Director´s Name | Signature | Date |
