Constitution of the University of Iowa Freethinkers

Preamble: This constitution marks the formal formation of the University of Iowa Freethinkers. We define a freethinker as one who has rejected authority and dogma, especially in religious thinking, in favor of rational inquiry and speculation (Taken from The American Heritage College dictionary 3rd ed.). From this definition we derive our purpose.
Date: 4/20/04

The purpose of the group is derived from the definition given in the preamble. As a freethinker a goal is to elicit free thought from others. This objective will be pursued by offering speakers, debates or other discourses to the public. A second objective of a freethinker is to keep oneself informed and educated about the thoughts of others. To pursue this objective the group will hold frequent “coffee house” discussions.

Article II
Membership

a) "In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons because of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference, or any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an individual." The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and equal access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all persons.

b) There are no limitations put on membership. However the purpose of this group is to offer programs to the public that advocate thinking outside religion, any members are expected to help in the pursuit of this goal.

c) All members are of equal class and standing.

d) Those interested in the organization are admitted as new members after attending a meeting. Membership will be revoked after a year of inactivity, or upon request by the member.

Article III
Officers and Duties

a) Executive officers for the organization will consist of a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. The duty of the president is to conduct meetings and organize events. The president also has the ability to create standing committees as he or she see fit. The duties of the vice president are to assist the president whenever needed and to organize new member drives. The treasurer is in charge of finances, keeping track of incoming and outgoing funds and attending any required budgetary meetings. The role of the secretary is to record the minutes of the meetings, to maintain accurate member roles, and to maintain two email lists (one for business meetings and one for coffee house meetings) for contacting members, or those interested in events.

b) All active members are qualified to hold office.

c) i) To be elected the member must obtain a simple majority of all members present at the meeting. In instances where a simple majority is not obtained on the first ballot and run off between the top two vote receivers will occur. ii) A vacant office will be filled by an election following the same guidelines for normal officer election. The time line for holding the election will consist of: first meeting after the vacancy of office, the vacancy will be announced and duties of will be described. At the next consecutive meeting the election will be held.

d) To remove an officer from office the three other executive officers must reach the conclusion that the fourth officer is not completing the duties proscribed of his or her office. Once this decision is made, the officers must announce at a meeting that a removal vote will be conducted at the next meeting. For a removal vote to pass ¾ of members present must assent to removing the officer.

Article IV
Advisor

What are the responsibilities and duties of the advisor? How are they selected?

Article V
Meetings

a) This group will hold two types of meetings. The first type is a business meeting. These purpose of business meetings will be to pursue the first goal of the organization, bringing in speakers etc. Only members will be informed of these meetings. Business meetings must be held at a minimum of once a month. The second type of meetings will be the “coffee house” meetings. These meetings will be an open discussion format with no limit on the discussion topics. Members, any coffee house regulars and the general public are invited to these meetings. Coffee house meetings will be held every other week at a minimum. Exceptions to this are during breaks in the school schedule (Winter Break, Spring Break, Summer Break) during these times if and when meetings will be held is left to the discretion of the president.

b) Reminder notification to those on the email lists for a particular meeting will occur at a minimum of 48 hours before any regular meeting or special meeting.

c) For business requiring a quorum, a quorum is defined as 50% or more of the active membership

d) The president or vice-president are authorized to call meetings. They may delegate the duty of notifying members should the need present itself.

Article VI
Elections

a) Full executive board elections will be held yearly during the first general meeting during the month of February. Vacancy elections will be conducted under the guidelines described in III.c

b) Full executive elections will be announced during the general meeting directly preceding the elections. Information, including officer descriptions will also be distributed a week before elections via the email list.

Article VII
Finances

a) There are no membership dues.

b) For any funds that are collected via donations or fundraising the treasurer is in charge of all financial affairs, to include but not exclusively limited to the collection of finances, deposit of finances into account, and completing all paperwork necessary for the disbursement of funds. The president and treasurer must jointly authorize any expenditures.

c) Upon dissolution state money and mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization.

Group fees should be divided as stated in the constitution and carried out by the dissolving group’s members and officers.

If group has dissolved and group fees have not been divided as stated in constitution by 5 years from last account activity monies in group’s 00 account will revert to an account specified for this purpose within UISG. These funds will then be available for distribution through SABAC guidelines in compliance with University of Iowa policy.

d) Statement of where group fees should be divided upon dissolution (FYI: the University of Iowa or UISG is not responsible for the division of student fees that you have outlined above. It is up to your group to submit a copy of minutes which has record that your group agrees this is what is to be done with the money, along with filling out the appropriate approval forms, vouchers, and tax information in the Student Organization Business Office)

Article VIII
Amendments

a) Any proposed amendment to these by-laws will be read at two consecutive meetings, posted on the organization website, and sent as an email attachment. Voting will occur at the third consecutive meeting, after an additional reading of the amendment.

b) 3/4 vote of the members present and voting is required to pass an amendment.

c) Note that all amendments or changes to your constitution must be submitted to the Student Activities Board for approval.

Article IX
Ratification

Three quarters of members present, assuming quorum has been met, are required to ratify this constitution.