10 Percent Society (Lesbian, Gay, Straight, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance)
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Organization's Email: tenpercentsociety@wolves.northern.edu
President: Hope Ochocki = email: ochoc409@wolves.northern.edu
Advisor: Daniel Yurgaitis = email: yurgaitd@northern.edu
10 Percent Society Constitution
Article I: Name
10 Percent Society (Lesbian, Gay, Straight, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance)
Article II: Purpose
The purposes of this organization are to:
A. Promote awareness and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues on campus and in the surrounding communities by:
1. sponsoring local, regional, and national speakers and other educational activities for all of the students on campus;
2. organizing campus evens such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Awareness Week;
3. cooperating in organizing other campus events and activities which promote greater understanding of issues surrounding inborn sexual orientation, and gender identity;
4. working with University administrations and offices to enhance the campus environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students
B. Provide a positive campus environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students by:
1. providing a place where members can confidentially discuss personal, social, and political issues;
2. promoting personal growth and a sense of identity among members;
3. providing emotional support for members; and
4. fostering a sense of pride in being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
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Article III: Membership
A. Membership is open to all of the NSU student body, not limiting membership to only lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexed, “gay-sensitive” or gay-supportive students. However, those joining that prove to not be supportive and disturb the peace of the organization will have their membership revoked.
B. To be considered an official member, for the purposes of voting and a membership roll, each individual will be required to pay a membership fee of $5.00 per semester. The member will then be added to the roll; voting rights will take effect the following meeting.
C. Any interested NSU faculty, staff, or members of the local and surrounding communities are welcome to attend as guests. 10 Percent Society welcomes their collective wisdom relating to sexuality and gender issues. Voting rights are restricted to members.
Article IV: Officers
A. Election of a president, vice-president, and a secretary/treasurer from the membership roll will take place the first routine meeting in April.
1. Nominations will be called for by the president.
2. After nominations have ceased; those nominated that accept will be asked to leave the room and discussion will take place by members; when discussion is complete, the nominees will be asked to return to the room.
3. The president will then call for a vote by secret ballot, the nominee receiving a majority will fill the office.
B. The officers' duties will include but not be limited to the following.
1. The president will be responsible for:
a) administering meetings;
b) preparing an agenda for each meeting;
c) serving as a correspondent between the 10 Percent Society and area communities;
d) serving on the budget committee;
e) designation and serving on committees as needed
f) calling and publicizing special meetings;
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g) calling for a vote when needed; and
h) holding elections as provided in Article IV, Part A.
2. The vice-president will be responsible for:
a) making sure each meeting is publicized;
b) serving as a correspondent between the 10 Percent Society and area communities;
c) serving on the budget committee; and
d) fulfilling the role of the president if the president is unable to complete said duties until the president is able to resume those duties or a replacement is made.
3. The secretary/treasurer will be responsible for:
a) recording the minutes at each meeting;
b) presenting the minutes from the previous meeting;
c) collection all receipts, including dues, and recording any transactions that affect 10 Percent Society’s financial accounts in any way;
d) serving on the budget committee;
e) requesting an area for each meeting from the University as needed; and
f) maintaining an accurate and up-to-date membership roll.
C. Term of Office
1. Term shall begin the final meeting in the school year in which they were voted in.
2. Term shall end in May of the school year for which they were elected; duties shall be transferred to the new officers at the beginning of the final meeting of said year. (This process will be understood and not require any formal ceremony.)
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D. Removal of Officers
1. Removal of an officer can be requested by any member that has reason to believe the officer is not fulfilling his or her duty as prescribed by this document.
2. Removal process can proceed after the officer in question has had an opportunity to defend his or her position and discussion among members has taken place. (The officer may be requested to leave during parts of the discussion as seen fit by the president.)
3. Removal of an officer will be official after a vote taken via secret ballot resulted in two-thirds of the members present being in favor of the removal.
E. Vacant Offices
1. Vacant offices will be voted on the first meeting after group members have been informed of the vacancy.
2. Vacant offices will be filled by a member voted in through the procedures stated in Article IV, Section A.
Article V. Meetings
A. Meetings will take place not less than two times a month. The first one will be called by the president. Thereafter, they will announce the date of the next meeting as part of the regular agenda.
B. Special meetings may be called by the president if he or she feels there is an urgent need and the meeting is responsibly publicized in advance.
Article VI. Committees
A. Committees shall be formed by the president on an as needed basis.
B. Committees will be completely voluntary; however, after accepting a commission, the individual will be responsible for serving fully to their ability or notifying the president of their wish to resign from the committees.
Article VII. Voting
A. Voting will be presided over by the president unless the position is vacant, in this case the vice-president will preside; the secretary/treasurer will preside if both these positions are vacant; if all three offices are vacant voting will be presided on by an advisor. An officer cannot call for a vote affecting their position, whether it be reelection or removal.
B. Voting shall take place after the item which is being voted on has been presented to the group and adequate discussion as seen by the president has been allowed.
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Article VIII. Official Business
A. Official business shall include, but not be limited to any items requiring a vote or concerning finances
B. Official business will be valid only if six (6) official members, by definition of Article III, Section B, are present
Article IX. Revenue
A. The 10 Percent Society reserves the right to obtain revenue
B. Revenue may be obtained through, but not limited to:
1. membership dues,
2. fund-raising activities,
3. funds donated from the Student Association, and
4. donations.
Article X. Budget
A. A budget will be drawn up and submitted in accordance to the Student Association guidelines by all officers and any other member serving on the budget committee.
Article XI. Constitutional Amendments
A. Proposals to amend the constitution will be submitted in writing, stating the amendment desired and reasons that necessitate the amendment.
B. Proposals for constitutional amendments may be presented at any meeting; however, each member present must be made fully aware of the contents and the group must be allowed discussion.
C. The amendment shall be called to vote the same meeting it is proposed or the following one.
D. This constitution may be amended by two-thirds majority vote of members present and voting.
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Article XII Advisor(s)
A. The advisor(s) shall hold a non-voting, pro-active position in the organization. Duties shall be to oversee the activities of the 10 Percent Society and provide advisement when needed.
B. Should the need arise for a new or additional advisor(s), the members will choose the person(s), drawn from the university faculty or staff, by a majority decision.
This constitution was presented for approval per NSU Student Organization Handbook rules September 19, 2006.