Enacted by the Student Senate of the University of Southern Maine
March 7, 2002
Article 1: Name
The name of this Organization shall be the Pagan Student's Association (herein known as the P.S.A.) of the University of Southern Maine .
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of the P.S.A. is to create a safe place on campus for pagan students to meet, socialize, and talk openly about their religion; to promote understanding and diversity at USM.
Article III: Membership
Section 1. Membership Eligibility. Membership is open to all undergraduate students of the University of Southern Maine without requirement of fees or dues of any kind. Membership is open to any other individuals whom the Organization chooses to invite.
Article IV: Election Procedures
Section 1. Officers and Duties. The officers of the Organization shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by this Constitution and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the Organization. The President may not also hold the office of Treasurer and vice-versa.
Section 2. Elections. Within the first three weeks of each spring semester, the Organization shall accept nominations from its membership and hold elections for officers. If an office becomes vacant, new nominations and elections may be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the organization. The officers shall be elected by individual ballot to serve for one year or until their successors are elected, and their term of office shall begin at the start of the fall semester following their election. (This will allow time for job shadowing.) This section of the Constitution may be suspended by a two-thirds vote.
Article V: Duties of Officers
Section 1. All Officers. All officers must be undergraduate students of the University of Southern Maine taking at least 3 credit hours on the Portland or Gorham campus during the fall and the spring semester of which she or he holds office.
Section 2. President. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Organization. The President shall have other duties outlined by, and shall run all meetings in agreement with the parliamentary authority adopted by the Organization.
Section 3. Vice-President. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside over meetings of the Organization. The Vice-President shall, at the President's request, be available to assist in any duties of the President outlined in this Constitution or in the parliamentary authority adopted by the Organization.
Section 4. Secretary. The Secretary is the recording officer of the organization and shall keep accurate minutes of each meeting, that is available upon request to the U.S.M. Student Senate, Board of Student Organizations, and to the general public. The Secretary shall keep and update as needed a list of all members of the Organization, including contact information for the purpose of informing members about upcoming meetings. The Secretary shall have other duties as outlined in the parliamentary authority adopted by the Organization.
Section 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer is responsible for keeping accurate records and accounts of the Organization's funds. The Treasurer shall be responsible for enforcing and complying with all rules and regulations set forth by the U.S.M. Student Senate regarding the proper collection, holding, and dispersal of funds. The Treasurer must also complete an orientation training with the Coordinator of Student Senate Operations (C.S.S.O.) as well as provide the C.S.S.O. with an annual fund raising report in the manner designated by the C.S.S.O.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Organization shall be held at a time and place that is most convenient for the majority of the membership.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon the written request of twenty-five percent of the members of the Organization. The purpose of the meeting must be stated in the call and notice must be given to the entire membership, at least three days in advance.
Section 3. Quorum. Fifty percent of the membership of the Organization shall constitute a quorum.
Article VII: Harmony
All activities of this organization shall be in keeping with Student Senate Board of Student Organizations Policy and Procedures Manual, as well as all federal, state, and local regulations and the policies of the University of Maine System and the USM Student Senate. The Organization shall refrain from discriminating against any individual with respect to that individual's race, color, religion, gender, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, age, or national origin.
Article VIII: Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws and any special rules of the order the Organization may adopt.
Article IX: Amendment of this Constitution
This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the Organization by a two-thirds vote, provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. All amendments must also be approved by the Parliamentarian of the Student Senate as well as by a two-thirds vote of the Student Senate.