This is constitution that is to be utilized by all NFAS chapters. If any chapter requires an exception or modification, please contact us.
Name
The name of this chapter is “CHAPTERNAME”.
Principles
Purpose
The primary purpose of this chapter is to mandate integrity in our nation’s education system while improving our school, as well as other schools all across America.
Goals
To that end, this chapter will:
- Protect the rights of students.
- Demand the best school conditions and the best learning environments.
- Enhance the education process.
- Work to promote its own and the parent organization’s views on the local, the state and the national level.
Actions
Therefore, this chapter will:
- Educate students regarding their rights, education law and the education system.
- Lobby Student Government, school administration, and elected officials regarding education issues.
Non-profit
This chapter shall be not for profit in nature.
Affiliation
This chapter is part of the National Federation of American Students, and has to abide by the parent organization’s rules and policies, which are subject to change. This chapter is not officially affiliated with any other group, political party, candidate, or political action committee.
Membership
Members
Full membership shall be limited to registered students of this school who have attended at least two meetings during this school year.
Associate Members
Faculty, staff, administrators and elected officials may be associate members. Associate members may not hold office or vote on matters concerning this chapter.
Dues
Dues are set by the parent organization.
Dissociation
Members are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution or harassment.
Code of Conduct
This chapter shall conform to the regulations prescribed by applicable law.
Hazing
Hazing is, by all means, prohibited.
Discrimination prohibited
This chapter shall not discriminate on the bases of race, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, disability, or any other classification as provided by law.
Officers
Executive Board
The officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, who together shall constitute the Executive Board.
Term of Office
Officers will take office in the beginning of the academic year following their election and shall hold office until the beginning of the next year. There is no limit on the number of terms a member may serve; however, one individual may not hold more than one elected office within the chapter simultaneously.
Roles
President
The President will preside over meetings, act as official representative of the chapter, prepare the agenda for all meetings, and schedule the first meeting of the fall, and maintain active relations with the student body. The President shall be the main contact between the chapter and the parent chapter.
- For the first year as an established chapter, the chapter founder may run unopposed as president.
Vice-President
The Vice-President will assist the President, fulfill the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence, and verify the eligibility of nominees to hold office. The Vice-President shall be the secondary contact between the chapter and the parent chapter.
Secretary
The Secretary will maintain minutes of meetings and all official documents, present the agenda at each meeting, take attendance, maintain contact information of members, schedule meetings and elections and notify members thereof, maintain the list of nominees in an election, and record the vote tally of elections.
Treasurer
The Treasurer will coordinate fund raising efforts, be responsible for handling all funds, maintain accurate financial records, maintain active relations with the parent organization, and remain in accordance with applicable law.
Impeachment
Bringing
The impeachment of an officer can only occur when a member files a written complaint alleging the officer is not fulfilling his/her duties.
Review
The complaint will be reviewed by the Executive Board, excepting the impeached officer. The Executive Board may question the member filing the complaint, the impeached officer, or any others as part of the review. The Executive Board will write an evaluation of the complaint and the impeached officer’s performance, along with their recommendation of whether or not to remove the impeached officer from office (as determined by 2/3 vote).
Scheduling of Vote
The Secretary (or, in case of impeachment of the Secretary, the President) will schedule a meeting to discuss the impeachment and notify members thereof.
Voting
The vote to remove the impeached officer shall be put to the full membership, following the presentation by the Executive Board of their evaluation and a brief presentation of defense by the impeached officer, if he/she wishes to present one.
Removal from Office
If 2/3 of the membership vote to remove the officer, the officer will be removed.
- Note: The parent organization reserves the right to remove any officer from office.
Election of Officers
Scheduling
Elections of new officers will take place annually in the last month of the academic year, as scheduled by the Secretary.
Nominations
A member may be nominated for office by any member of the chapter at an chapter meeting preceding an election. Nominations may be made in oral or written form, as determined by the president.
Nominees
Members who are running for office must accept their nomination. Members running for office will be permitted to address voters in a manner decided by the president.
Voting
Officers must be elected by the vote of a simple majority of members, by secret ballot.
Replacement
If an officer leaves office, another officer will fill the position, as decided by the officers. The Secretary shall schedule a meeting (that will occur within 30 days of an officer’s resignation) at which nominations may be made to fill the office, and an election to fill the office. If the Secretary leaves office, the President shall perform these duties. Nominations and voting shall proceed as in a regular election.
Committees
Formation
Committees may be formed at any time, according to the needs of this chapter, by vote of the Executive Board.
Appointment of Coordinators
The Executive Board shall appoint a coordinator to the committee.
Role of Coordinators
The coordinator will be responsible for coordinating volunteers working on the committee, communication with the Executive Board and the chapter , and accomplishing the aims of the committee.
Term of Coordinators
The coordinator shall serve until his/her resignation, the completion of the aims of the committee, or recalled by the Executive Board.
Meetings
There shall be two categories of meeting:
Open Meeting
An open meeting shall be conducted publicly, in an open location. Anybody, regardless of membership status shall be permitted to attend.
Closed Meeting
A closed meeting shall be conducted as described by the Executive Board. It shall be limited to the Executive Board members and all applicable committee members.