Constitution for CHIculture

Central Michigan University

____________________________________________________________________
October 5,2018

Article I
Mission Statement

The Mission of CHIculture is to create a safe community for people from Chicago and
people far away from home.
Motto
“CHICAGO & EVERYTHING”
Purpose
The purpose of CHIculture is to not just form a supportive environment, but a family for students
far away from home at Central Michigan University.

Primary Goals
To maintain a strong presence on campus and in the community and to help student get acclimated
to campus, meet new people, create a safe space and to find transportation to and from home.

Colors
The colors that will represent CHIculture are sky red, blue and white.

Article II

Membership Qualification
1. Membership in CHIculture shall not be denied because of location in city, gender, sexual
orientation, religion, creed, race, color, national origin, age, martial status, etc.
2. Must have an interest in promoting the goals of CMU.
3. Must be actively involved in meetings and events (unless other arrangements have been
approved by e-board).
4. New members or 1st semester members must pay $10.00 in total for the entire year for
dues, by the date assigned by the E-Board in order to qualify for membership for the
 ongoing semester
5. E-board dues are $10.00 for the entire year (1st and 2nd semester).

E-Board Qualifications

Article III
OFFICERS
Section A. Executive Board Responsibilities

1. CHIculture’s Executive Board of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer,are

predetermined by the founders and will not change until graduation or until an officer
steps down.
2. The President shall call and preside over all executive meetings unless she/he delegates
such responsibilities. He/she shall see that vacancies are filled and shall appoint all
committee chairpersons with cooperation of the Vice President.
3. The Vice President shall coordinate all committees, shall all duties and responsibilities of
the President in his/her absence or inability to serve. He/she shall preside over all general
meetings, and assume all other duties delegates to him/her by the President.
4. The Secretary shall compile the minutes of each meeting, type agendas, all
correspondence necessary for the organization and other duties required of the secretary.
He/she shall assume other appropriate jobs given him/her by the President, Vice
President, or Advisor(s).
5. The Treasurer shall handle any funds allotted to CHIculture. He/she will be responsible
for a weekly report to the executive board of CHIculture. The Treasurer is also
responsible for setting reservations for organizations activities involves fees. He/she
assume other appropriate jobs given him/her by the President, Vice President, or
Advisor(s).
Selection B. Election Officers

1. Officers shall be appointed following the graduation of current E-Board members or if a

current E-Board member steps down.
2. . Officers shall take office May 1st of that year.
3. Officers shall be elected by the majority of The Motions’ s active members and voting
nominations, which shall have been opened at the previous meeting.
4. When the Advisor position is up for election, background experience, research skills, and
participation in other organizations are highly recommended. New advisors, and elected
 ¾ vote (with the exception of dismissal).
Section C. Recall of Officers

1. Officers and Advisor shall be subjected to removal for failure to perform their duties,
excessive absence, and other reasons deemed inexcusable by CHIculture after written
warnings have been assessed.
2. Officers and the Advisor shall be removed upon written proposal to CHIculture stating
the reasons why he/she should be removed. Final action may not be taken until one week
has passed from the original submission to The Motions.
3. The proposal must receive an affirmative vote from 2/3rd of the members present at the
meeting.
4. Immediately following such approval, the officer(s) shall be removed from office. (All
other officers are required to uphold the duties of (these) position(s) until the President
has elected a new E-board member.)
5. At the end of each academic year all E-Board positions will be open. All interested
members and current members can run for any position and be elected by all members
(including current E-Board members).

Article IV
FACULTY ADVISOR

Section A. Responsibilities of the Advisor(s) to CHICULTURE

1. Advisor(s) should insure that meetings are properly scheduled and serve as a resource for
executive and regular meetings, as well as attend functions of the organizations.
2. Advisor(s) should assist with the formation and revision of the organization constitution
and by-laws.
3. Advisor(s) should encourage and assist the organization in developing active and
significant programming and working with the officers in promoting effective
administration of the organization.
4. If necessary for an Advisor to resign his/her position, he/she should notify the organization
and the Office of Student Life.

Section B. Responsibilities of Faculty Advisor to the University

1. Groups should plan their meetings at the time when the advisors are able to attend. Invite
 him/her to all activities. The President should meet on a regular basis with the advisor to
discuss organizational matters.
2. Check out all dates with the advisor before scheduling special meetings and/or social
activities.
3. Ask the advisor for their opinion when problems arise in the organization. Make use of
their background and experience within the organization and the University. Do no
bypass him/her in working out problems and plans. Always discuss plans with him/her
before contacting outside sources.
4. Officers should keep the advisor fully informed of programs and activities of the
organization and progress in plans.
5. Necessary expenses of the advisor for the social affairs and activities should be paid for out
of the organizations funds.
6. Proper social procedures and courtesies should be observed toward the advisor at all the
organization functions. Show appreciation for the services by thank you notes,
appropriate comments at meetings, and by personal thank you.

Article VI.
MEETINGS

Section A. Frequency of Regular Meetings

1. The first meeting of the fall and spring semester shall be held within the first three weeks
of the semester. The goals of CHIculture (for that year) should be outlined at that time.
2. Regular meetings shall be held bi-weekly unless noted in advance for programming
purposes.
3. Executive board meetings shall be held at the request of the officers for and shall be held
weekly and/or when deemed necessary.

Section B. Special Meetings

 Special meetings shall be held at the request of the executive board or the President when
deemed necessary.
 All meetings shall be open unless Executive officers, the President, or one third (1/3) of the
number present in voting ask that it be closed. The President will then close the meeting
to all non-members.

Section C. Executive Board Attendance Policy

 1. All E-board members need to attend meetings and functions on a regular basis.
2. Absence: three (3) absences evaluation by other members of the E-Board. E-Board will
vote on the absence being excused or unexcused after review session. After third
unexcused absence, E-Board member will be dismissed from his/her duties.
3. Tardy: There will be a 5-minute grace period. There will be a $1.00 fine for every 5
minutes late after the 5-minute grace period. There will be a $2.00 fine for tardy to any
professional or social events and all meetings given without informing another board
member at least 1 hour prior to the event. A $5.00 fine will also be issued for a no-
call/no-show.
4. E-board members should arrive at events 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time. After
four unexcused tardies the E-board members will be reviewed. Paying does not excuse
tardiness.

Article VII
Ratification

CHIculture must approve a proposed constitution by two thirds (2/3) of those voting at two
consecutive meetings. The vote must be taken at each one of these meetings. Following such
approval, the proposed constitution shall become the constitution of CHIculture.

Article VIII
Amendments

All proposed amendments to the constitution must be submitted in writing to CHIculture.

Action may not be taken until one (1) week has passed from the original submission of
CHIculture . Proposed amendments must then receive an affirmative vote from two-thirds (2/3)
of the members present at the meeting. Following such approval, the proposed amendments shall
become amendments to the Constitution of “CHIculture”.

If CHIculture should dissolve, all funds will be dispersed to The Pacific Gardens Mission of
Chicago, IL