These are two examples -- actually, I think the first one used the second one as a template. Does all this reading make your eyes buggy? Check out the photo at the end.
Articles of Associations
The _____ High School QSA Club
Adopted (12/12/2012)
Article One – Name
The name of this organization is the ____ High School Queer-Straight Alliance Club, hereinafter referred to as (QSA)
Article Two – Purpose
The ____ High School QSA is an affiliate of, and chartered by the members of the student body of ____ High School, and is a social, support, and advocacy club for students of ____ High School. The club and members therein will bring together members of the student body to promote a supportive and affirmative environment that is friendly and respectful of all students of _____ High School regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We will work to end all forms of discrimination on our campus and in our community.
Article Three – Membership
____ High School QSA membership is a benefit for all interested persons belonging to the student body of ____ High School. The only requirement for membership of the QSA is to complete and submit a parent permission form as issued by the State of Utah and ____ School District.
Those students who have not submitted a parent permission form will still be allowed to attend regular meetings but will not be allowed to participate in club meetings and activities on and off campus.
Article Four – Amendment of Articles of Association
Amendments shall take place when a member of the presidency of the club has submitted a proposal for an amendment. The amendment must gain a majority vote by the presidency of the club at which point it will be proposed to the general membership of the club which must vote with a minimal 2/3 vote in the affirmative in order to pass.
Procedure for proposal of an amendment must first be made during a regular presidency meeting. If passed, it will be added to the agenda of the following general club meeting at which point it will be voted on by the general membership of the club.
Bylaws
The ____ High School QSA Club
Adopted (12/12/2012)
Section One – Officers
The ___ High School QSA shall be governed by 6 elected officers of the student body, who are elected in the second week of May or every year and whose term begins on the last day of the school year. The club shall have a minimum of one advisor acting as both a representative of the school administration and on behalf of the faculty.
Officers are expected to keep a GPA of 3.0 and above. No officer shall be eligible for election without prior signed consent of the club advisor.
Section Two – Elections of officers
All candidates who wish to be officers of the ____ High School QSA shall submit to the advisor two weeks before elections an application and written declaration of why they are declaring their candidacy. It shall be the responsibility of the advisor to administer elections to ensure fairness. There shall be 6 elected officers and they are as follows:
- President, Vice President, Secretary, Senior Class Representative, Junior Class Representative, and Sophomore Class Representative whose responsibilities are listed in Addendum A.
-Sophomore class representative shall be elected the first week of October and shall submit the same application and declaration of candidacy to the advisor before the end of September.
Section Three – Officers Disciplinary Procedures
If it is decided by a member of the QSA that an officer is not performing their duties, it is the responsibility of that member to inform the advisor of their complaint. Once the advisor receives 3 complaints or as defined by a majority of the club during the first month of the school year, or a serious enough complaint as defined by the advisor, it is the advisors duty to verbally inform the officer in question of the complaints, while protecting the identity of the complain tees. This shall be the first verbal warning, and they shall be given a minimum of two weeks, or a period of time decided by the advisor, to change their behavior. After this time, if the officer in question has not changed or improved their behavior, or satisfactorily performed their duties, a second verbal warning shall be issued. After the second period of warning of minimum of another 2 weeks, if the officer in question still has not modified their behavior to the satisfaction of the members, they shall be asked to resign from their position by the advisor.
All of these procedures and warnings will be known by the other officers within the QSA so that they may support and assist the officer in question in satisfactorily performing their duties and adjusting their behavior to fit the needs of the general membership and the QSA club.
If an officers GPA drops below an average of 3.0, they will be able to continue attending presidency and general meetings but will not be given any responsibilities or tasks until their GPA has risen to a 3.0 or higher.
If an officers GPA drops below an average or 2.0, they will be asked to temporarily step down from their office until their GPA has risen to an average or 3.0 or higher. They will also be ask to not attend regular presidency meetings but will still be able to attend general meetings and club activities.
If a member of the presidency is involved in sexual harassment as defined by ___ High School and/or _____ School district, or if they partake in any form of drugs and/or alcohol, they will be required to immediately resign from their position.
Section Four – Terms of Office for Officers
QSA Officers are elected for a 1 year term. If an officer resigns from their position before the completion of their term then the elected replacement will complete the remainder of the term. A replacement must be elected within one month of an officer’s resignation. If the President resigns before the end of their term then the vice president will immediately become the club President and a replacement Vice President shall be elected in the manner previously mentioned.
Section Five – Voting
Prior notice of a minimum of one week shall be given to the general membership before a vote or election is held and a majority ballot vote is required to be an elected officer.
Section 6 – Meetings
The QSA shall meet every Monday at 2:30pm in Room 100 and will last a minimum of one hour. Any member of the student body may attend meetings. If a meeting is cancelled, it is the responsibility of the officers to inform the membership and in addition, place notification on the meeting room door.
Section 7 – Rules of Order
All meetings shall be conducted by the President unless another officer has been asked to conduct the meeting. It is the responsibility of the president to call meetings to order and end them according to the time constraints laid out in the agenda of the meeting.\
-Proceedings of the meeting and all other rules of order will be followed as detailed in Roberts Rules of Order.
Sections Eight – Bylaws
The bylaws shall be adopted by the officers and advisor before the end of the month of September of each year. It is also the responsibility of the officers to review school and district policies and procedures and if any section of these bylaws is found in conflict with any policy or procedure of the school and/or district then that section shall be amended and adopted by the officers, advisors, and members of the club unless said School or District Policy is thought to be discriminatory, state and/or federally unconstitutional, or going against this club’s, QSA of _____ High School, constitution.
If a district or school policy or procedure is found to be any of the above mentioned, it will be brought to the attention of the School and/or district as well as one of the following third parties so that an investigation may take place. Those third parties are as follows; Utah QSA Network (Queer-Straight Alliance), National Association of GSA Networks (Gay-Straight Alliance), ACLU of Utah (American Civil Liberties Union), and GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network)
Addendum (A)
____ High School QSA
Adopted (12/12/2012)
Officers
The Responsibilities of the QSA Club officers shall include but not be limited to the following:
- Set overall strategy and calendar for the QSA club.
- Plan and lead club business, meetings, and activities.
- Lead efforts to revise the Articles of Association, Bylaws, and Addendums as needed to satisfy the requirements of the school and club.
President
The President’s responsibilities include:
- Supervising, facilitating, and coordinating QSA activities and meetings
- Calling and presiding over regular and special meetings of the club.
- Working in conjunction with the officers to create and plan meetings and programming of the QSA
- Serve as primary student liaison with the school.
Vice President
The Vice President’s responsibilities include:
- Coordination of all fundraising activities.
- Preparation of meeting and activity space.
- Assume the responsibilities of the president if said president cannot complete their term or attend the meetings and/or activities.
- Work with the President to create and implement programming for the QSA clubs
Secretary
The Secretary’s responsibilities include:
- Preparation and documentation of minutes and agendas of the QSA club.
- Recording and documenting club history (includes photographing events)
- Drafting and Writing any Club publications or press releases.
Senior Class Representative
The responsibilities of the senior class representative include:
- Liaison of members in their grade level
- Working with class officers of the school for their grade level to learn about potential opportunities for involvement of the QSA club, i.e. parades, dances, pep rallies, publicity and education events.
- Responsibilities of Public Relations such as: informing school and local media of club activities and events (including writing of media publications in conjunction with the Club secretary), and promoting the club in school and local media.
Junior Class Representative
The responsibilities of the junior class representative include:
- Liaison of members in their grade level.
- Working with class officers of the school for their grade level to learn about potential opportunities for involvement of the QSA club, i.e. parades, dances, pep rallies, publicity and education events.
- Also the responsibilities of treasurer such as; tracking and documentation of budget and club fundraising, and to work with the vice president in planning possible and future fundraisers
Sophomore Class Representative
The responsibilities of the sophomore class representative include:
- Liaison of members in their grade level.
- Working with class officers of the school for their grade level to learn about potential opportunities for involvement of the QSA club, i.e. parades, dances, pep rallies, publicity and education events.
- Communication with President and other officers about incoming and youth students needs as the newest members of the student body
- Oversee, in conjunction with the club officers and Club advisor, outreach to local middle/junior high schools.
Advisor
The responsibilities of the club advisor include:
- Overseeing and monitoring the appropriate behavior of all members and officers of the QSA Club.
- Overseeing and conducting fair and honest elections for officers within the club
- Acting as a supportive and mature influence to foster a positive, healthy, and inclusive environment for club membership.
- Working with students as a liaison between students, parents, and school administration.
Second Example
Articles of Associations
Article One – Name
The name of this organization is the "X" High School Love Is For Everyone Club, hereinafter
referred to as (LIFE)
Article Two – Purpose
The "X" High School LIFE Club is an affiliate of, and chartered by the members of the student body of "X" High School, and is a social and supportive club for students of "X" High School. The club and members therein will bring together members of the student body to promote a supportive and affirmative environment that is friendly and respectful to all students at the school. The LIFE club will provide a safe and neutral environment for all students of "X" High school regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We will work to end all forms of discrimination on our campus and in our community.
Article Three – Membership
"X" High School LIFE Club membership is a benefit for all interested persons belonging to the student body of "X" High School. The only requirement for membership of The LIFE Club is to complete and submit a parent permission form as issued by the state of Utah and the "X" School District.
• Those students who have not submitted a parent permission form will still be allowed to attend regular meetings but will not be allowed to participate in club activities on and off campus.
Article Four – Amendment of Articles of Association
Amendments shall take place when a member of the presidency of the club has submitted a proposal for an amendment. The amendment must gain a majority vote by the presidency of the club at which point it will be proposed to the general membership of the club which must vote with a minimal 2/3 vote in order to pass.
Section One – Officers and Directors
The "X" High School LIFE Club shall be governed by 5 elected officers of the student body, who are elected in the second week of May of every year and whose term begins on the last day of the school year. The club shall also have one advisor acting as both a representative and administrator on behalf of the faculty. Officers are expected to keep a GPA of above a 3.0. No officer shall be eligible without prior signed consent.
Section Two – Elections of Officers and Directors
All candidates who wish to be officers shall submit to the advisor two weeks before elections an application and written declaration of why they are declaring their candidacy. It shall be the responsibility of the advisor to administer elections to ensure fairness. There shall be 5 elected
officers and they are as follows:
• President, Vice President, Senior Class Representative, Junior Class Representative, and
Sophomore Class Representative whose responsibilities are listed in Addendum A.
Sophomore Class Representative shall be elected the first week of October and shall submit the same application and declaration of candidacy to the advisor
Section Three-Officer Disciplinary Procedures
If it is decided by a member of The LIFE Club that an officer is not performing their duties, it is the responsibility of that member to inform the advisor of their complaint. Once the advisor receives a significant amount of complaints as defined by at least 1/3 of the membership, or a serious enough complaint as defined by the advisor, it is the advisor’s duty to verbally inform the officer in question of the complaints, while protecting the identity of the…(??) This shall be their first verbal warning, and they shall be given a minimum of two weeks, or a time period to be decided by the advisor, to change their behavior. After this time, if the officer in question has not changed their behavior, or satisfactorily performed their duty, a second verbal warning shall be issued if 1/3 of the members still agree that the officer’s behavior is unacceptable or insufficient. After the second period of warning of another two weeks, if the officer in question still has not modified their behavior to the satisfaction of the members, they shall be asked to resign from their position by the advisor.
All of these procedures and warnings will be known by the other officers within The LIFE Club so that they may support and assist the officer in question in satisfactorily performing their duties and adjusting their behavior to fit the needs and desires of the general members.
Section Four – Terms of Office for Officers
LIFE Officers are elected for a 1 year term. If an officer resigns from their position before the completion of their term then it is the responsibility of the President to appoint a replacement.
After the appointment, a general vote to replace must take place in the general membership and a simple majority will replace said officer. If the President resigns before the end of their term then the Vice President shall assume the presidency and a replacement for the Vice President shall be nominated in the manner previously mentioned.
Section Five –Voting
Prior notice of 1 week shall be given to club members before a vote or election is held
Section Six – Meetings
The meetings of The LIFE Club shall occur on the first B day of every week after school and will be conducted for at least one hour. Any member may attend meetings. If a meeting is cancelled, it is the responsibility of all officers to inform the membership.
Section Seven – Rules of Order
All meetings shall be conducted by the president unless another officer has been asked to perform the meeting. It is the responsibility of the president to call meetings to order and to end them according to the time constraints laid out in the agenda of the meeting.
Section Eight – Bylaws
The bylaws shall be adopted by the officers and advisor of The LIFE Club after a review of the policies and procedures of the school and school district. If any section of these bylaws is found in conflict with any policy of the school then that section shall be amended by the officers, advisor, and members of the club.
The responsibilities of The LIFE Club officers shall include but not be limited to the following:
• Set overall strategy and calendar for The LIFE Club.
• Lead efforts to revise the Articles of Association, By-Laws, and Addendums as needed to satisfy the requirements of the school and club.
President
The President’s responsibilities include:
• Supervising and coordinating LIFE activities.
• Calling and presiding over regular and special meetings of the club.
• Working in conjunction with other officers to create and plan the programming of The LIFE Club.
• Serving as primary liaison with the school.
Vice President
The Vice President’s responsibilities include:
• Coordination of all fundraising activities.
• Preparation and documentation of minutes and agendas of The LIFE Club.
• Assumes the responsibilities of the president if said president cannot complete their
term or attend the meeting.
• Works with president to create and implement programming for The LIFE Club.
Senior Class Representative
The responsibilities of the Senior Class Representative include:
• Liaison of members in their grade level.
• Working with the class officers of the school for their grade level to learn about potential opportunities for involvement for the LIFE club, i.e. parades, dances, and publicity events.
• Responsibilities of public relations such as; informing school and local media of club activities and events(including the writing of media publications), promoting the club in school and local media, and to act as liaison for the school and community
• To photograph club events and activities
Junior Class Representative
The responsibilities of the Junior Class Representative include:
• Liaison of members in their grade level.
• Working with the class officers of the school for their grade level to learn about potential opportunities for involvement of The LIFE Club, i.e. parades, dances, and publicity events.
• Also the responsibilities of Treasurer such as; tracking and documentation of budget and club fundraising, and to work with the Vice President in planning possible and future fundraisers
Sophomore Class Representative
The responsibilities of the Sophomore Class Representative include:
• Liaison of members in their grade level.
• Working with the class officers of the school for their grade level to learn about potential opportunities for involvement of The LIFE Club, i.e. parades, dances, and publicity events.
• Communication with president and other officers about incoming and young students' needs as the newest members of the student body.
• Also the responsibilities of the secretary such as; to take minutes of club and officer meetings and to keep documentation of club activities along with the senior class representative.
The responsibilities of the Advisor include:
• Overseeing and monitoring the appropriate behaviors of all members and officers of The LIFE Club.
• Overseeing and conducting fair and honest elections for officers within the club.
• Acting as a supportive and mature influence to foster positive and healthy membership in the club.
• Working with students as a liaison between students, parents, and school administration.
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