Article I. Name and Preamble.
We, the members of Gay, Lesbian, or Whatever (GLOW), the Lawrence University Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Ally organization, establish this constitution on 10 April 2003. In order to foster acceptance, respect, diversity, celebration and support without restriction based on gender, sexual orientation or ideology, the name GLOW has been decided upon by this organization.
Article II. Mission Statement.
Gay, Lesbian, or Whatever (GLOW) is a community of students, allied with faculty and staff, who identify as or who support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students on the Lawrence University campus. We are a visible and supportive community, an outlet for social interaction, and an educational resource for the Lawrence University campus. Our mission is to encourage acceptance of, diversity among, and respect for all members of the Lawrence University student body, regardless of sexuality or gender identity
Article III. Membership.
Membership in GLOW is open to all students who identify as, and/or are respectful of, the LGBTQ community and its allies. Faculty and staff are welcome to attend and participate in meetings and functions, but are not considered members of GLOW. Non-Lawrence University students are welcome to participate in meetings and functions, but are not considered members of GLOW.
In order to be a member in good standing of GLOW, a student must attend two meetings per term and one non-meeting event per year, and be enrolled at Lawrence University.
Article IV. Meetings.
GLOW shall hold at least 8 general membership meetings per term. The executive board will hold a planning meeting before each general meeting, at least 24 hours before the general meeting at a time convenient for all members of the executive board. At least 4 executive board meetings each term must be open to the general membership of GLOW.
Article V. Officers.
1. Executive Board. The elected officers of GLOW will constitute the Executive Board. Board members will be responsible for attending general membership meetings and all executive board meetings, except in extenuating circumstances. In the case of extenuating circumstances executive board members must contact at least one other board member to inform them of their absence. The executive board will work together with the GLOW advisor and the Diversity Center, and they will take responsibility for GLOW in the event of administrative concerns. The Executive Board will also be responsible for putting together the calendar of events, the budget, the Bjorklunden agenda, training new board members, and choosing the faculty advisor. They will provide leadership to GLOW and uphold and update the constitution.
2. President. The president will be the primary contact for the organization. The president will deal with LUCC business and supervise finances. The president will run both general membership meetings and board meetings. The president will contact the executive board and committee heads to develop weekly agendas, and will be responsible for scheduling all meetings. The president will be the primary correspondent for GLOW and will delegate business to the appropriate officers.
3. Vice-President. The vice-president will keep track of membership and attendance, and maintain a sign in sheet at all meetings. The vice- president will also put together ballots and run elections. The vice-president will substitute for the president when the president is unable to attend meetings. In the event of resignation of the president, the vice-president will act as interim president until an election is held. The Vice-President will assist other executive board members as needed.
4. Secretary. The secretary will be responsible for taking minutes, sending out weekly emails, maintaining the GLOW email list, maintaining the GLOW webpage, blog, and facebook. The secretary will be responsible for bringing mail sent to GLOW to the appropriate meetings. All email and paper correspondence between exec-board members and faculty, speakers, and guests related to GLOW programming will carbon copy (CC) the secretary.
5. Treasurer. The treasurer, in conjunction with the president, will be responsible for setting and presenting the budget for the following academic year. The treasurer will make sure the budget is followed and keep track of money taken in through fund raising. The treasurer is also responsible for keeping accurate, specific, and up-to-date records of all expenses.
5. Social Chair. The social chair will plan social events. The social chair will be responsible for room reservations, van reservations, van policy, trip planning, and Bjorklunden planning. The social chair will compile the calendar of events for the upcoming year. The social chair is also responsible for promotion and publicity of both the GLOW organization and its events.
6. Outreach Chair. Outreach chair focuses on bringing community involvement to the organization and works closely with CODA and other campus organizations. Outreach chair is expected to attend all CODA and volunteer center meetings.
7. Advisor. The advisor will attend one board meeting, and at least one general membership meeting each term. The advisor will work closely with the board and mediate disputes. The advisor’s term of office is indefinite.
Article VI. Elections.
Elections will occur once a year, in the last 3 weeks of term II. New officers will inaugurate their elected positions at the first meeting of third term. Voting will occur by secret ballot in person. A member may run for more than one office, but may hold only one office at a time. Special elections may be held to fill vacant positions when needed. Nominations will be accepted at the meeting of 8th week and until three days before the voting is scheduled to occur. People may nominate themselves. During the meeting at which voting is to occur, short statements are to be made by eligible candidates. A member must be present at the election meeting or have submitted a statement in advance in order to be on the ballot. Members may be elected to office only if they are members in good standing. A quorum (40% of members in good standing) must be present for voting to take place. A simple majority must approve the election results. The vice president will bring a current list of members in good standing to the meeting at which voting occurs and will oversee the voting process. The Vice-President and a general member in good standing not on the ballot will collect and tally the votes. Members may not serve on the executive board for more than eight Lawrence University trimesters, and may not hold the same position in consecutive years, except in the case of an uncontested race.
Elections will occur in this order: President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, social chair, outreach chair.
Ballots and results will be tallied after each position is elected. This will ensure that those who are interested in holding office, but do not receive the first position sought, may run for an alternative office, once results have been announced. In case of a tie, the voting shall be done between the tied candidates, except in the case of only two people running, in which case a coin toss will decide the vote. The vice president will toss and mediate the coin toss.
All general votes taken during group meetings that do not follow election procedure or amendment procedure, or are otherwise not covered in the body of the GLOW constitution, will pass with a simple majority.
Article VII. Removal and Replacement of Officers.
1. Removal of Officers. Any officer who violates the organization’s purpose or constitution, injures the organization, or fails to fulfill duties as stated may be removed from office by the following process: Any member in good standing may request the removal of an officer based upon the above criteria. Requests for removal will be submitted to the board and put on the agenda for the next board meeting. The member requesting the removal of an officer will prepare a written statement, which may be anonymous, explaining why they have requested the removal of the officer. The officer in question may then make a statement in defense, if the officer desires. The Executive Board, excluding the involved member, will then, based on the severity of the issue, vote to issue a formal written warning, vote to dismiss the complaint, or vote bring the complaint to the general meeting for a vote for immediate removal of the officer. At least 50% of the executive board must vote in favor of a warning in order for a formal warning to be filed. At least 50% of the executive board must vote in favor of dismissing the complaint for the complaint to be dismissed. At least 80% of the executive board must vote in favor of taking the issue to the general meeting for a vote to occur. If the complainant is named, he or she will be informed of the executive board’s decision within the week. The Executive Board’s decision will also appear in the executive board meeting minutes.
For a vote to occur at the general meeting, a quorum of members in good standing must be present. At least two-thirds of the members in good standing present at the voting meeting must approve the removal in order for it to take effect. Removal of an officer follows the same procedure as a regular election.
2. Resignation of Officers. If an officer wishes to resign, the resignation will be on the agenda for the next general meeting. A quorum of members in good standing must be present at the meeting so that a vote can be held to replace the resigning officer. If a quorum is not present, the resignation and election will be postponed for 1 week at which time a quorum must be present. Voting will follow the same procedure as a regular election.
3. Replacement of Officers. Nominations and elections will take place immediately following a vote approving the removal of an officer. Voting will follow the same procedure as a regular election.
4. Removal of Advisor. Any board member may request the removal of the advisor. At the meeting at which the removal of the advisor is to be discussed, the advisor may not be present. After discussion the board will vote on whether to remove the advisor. The entire board must be present and 80% of the board must approve.
5. Replacement of Advisor. Replacement of advisor will follow the same process as choosing an advisor.
Article VIII. Principles.
1. GLOW does not discriminate based on gender, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, economic status, age, class standing, sexual orientation, academic records, size, major or area of study, “closet status”, affiliation with other on campus groups, marital status, medical status, or place of residence.
2. GLOW supports Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer rights.
3. GLOW supports the right of every individual to choose whether or not to share his or her sexual orientation.
4. GLOW supports LGBTQ students and straight allies.
5. GLOW works to eliminate violence against LGBTQ people and their straight allies.
6. GLOW is a member group of the Committee on Diversity Affairs (CODA), and works with other groups on campus to support diversity.
7. GLOW works to educate the Lawrence University Campus about LGBTQ issues.
Article IX. Amendments.
Requests for amendment must be submitted to the executive board to be put on the agenda. Amendments to this constitution must be approved by a 75% majority of members voting. A quorum of members in good standing must be present to hold a vote on an amendment.
Article X. Finances.
No finances may be used without the approval of the majority of the Executive Board. Requests for finances must be sent to the treasurer to be brought up at the next executive board meeting. Approval for the use of finances will appear on the executive board meeting minutes.
