Chapter 1. General
§ 1.01. Name.
The name of this organization shall be the Gamecock Flag Association, a Registered Student Organization located at the University of South Carolina, hereinafter referred to as the GFA.
§ 1.02. Definitions.
Vexillology: The study of the history, symbolism, and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general.
Vexillologist: Any person with an interest in flags and their related studies, regardless of education.
§ 1.03. Purposes.
The GFA has as its pillars:
To bring together an organization of individuals related to the University of South Carolina having an interest in all aspects of flags, including their history, significance, use, manufacturing, and design.
To collaborate with foundations including, but not limited to, museums, historical societies, research centers, vexillological associations, and all persons or organizations with an interest or inquiry in vexillology in order to educate or inform on topics related to the field.
To promote research into the various aspects of vexillology through publications, outreach programs, and correspondence with local and nonlocal communities, such as the University of South Carolina, the City of Columbia, and the State of South Carolina.
To represent vexillologists at the University of South Carolina and to cultivate in them a serious scientific study of flags.
The mention of areas of study categorized under vexillology in this Constitution does not deny or disparage other unlisted studies.
Chapter 2. Symbols, Honors, and Awards
§ 2.01. Flags.
The flag of the GFA is comprised of three triangles separated by an inverted chevron, “V”, which is white (Hexadecimal Color #ffffff, RGB Color 255, 255, 255). The hoist and fly right triangles are garnet (Hexadecimal Color #73000a, RGB Color Model 115, 0, 10) and the isosceles triangle between the arms of the chevron is black (Hexadecimal Color #000000, RGB Color Model 0, 0, 0). The relation of width to length of the flag is 2:3, although a length of 3:5 is also acceptable for display. The hypotenuses of the red triangles correspond to lines drawn respectively from the upper hoist and upper fly corners of the flag to the center point of the lower edge of the flag and form the outer lines of the chevron. The base of the black triangle is 3/4ths the length of the flag and its legs, forming the inner lines of the chevron, are parallel to the hypotenuses of the red triangles. Within the black triangle is a white palmetto tree depicted in a style similar to that of the State flag of South Carolina. Above the palmetto tree are four five-pointed white stars surrounding its upper branches, whose bases of two points face the upper portion of the tree.
§ 2.02. Honors and Awards.
The executive board may establish honors and awards to recognize contributions to the GFA or to vexillology. The board shall establish policies and procedures for nomination and selection of honorees and awardees, and the physical form and presentation of the honors and awards.
Chapter 3. Membership
§ 3.01. Qualifications.
Membership in the GFA shall be limited to persons officially connected with the University of South Carolina-Columbia as faculty, staff, or students. Students enrolled in the spring semester under the above conditions who have pre-registered for the fall semester, as well as students enrolled in summer classes, are eligible for summer membership.
The GFA, as a registered student organization at the University of South Carolina, agrees to abide by the university’s nondiscrimination policy.
The GFA, as a registered student organization at the University of South Carolina, will not engage in any activities that are classified as hazing under the university’s hazing policy. To view updated University Policies, refer to the Policies and Procedures Manual on the USC website.
Membership in the GFA is open to all eligible persons who are interested in vexillology and subscribe to this Constitution.
§ 3.02. Term of Membership.
To maintain active membership within the GFA, members must attend scheduled meetings. If they cannot attend a scheduled meeting, they should inform the executive board.
Membership continues until the member becomes ineligible according to Chapter 3 §3.01, or until the resignation, or until the member’s membership is revoked for cause.
§ 3.03. Resignation.
A member may resign by informing the executive board, which shall be effective upon receipt. If a member resigns, then they must remove themselves from Garnet Gate.
§ 3.04. Revocation for cause.
Membership may be revoked for good cause by unanimous action of the executive board. The president shall notify the member of the revocation by appropriate means and explain the reason for the revocation.
§ 3.05. Termination of membership.
Upon termination of membership, any right, title, or interest of the member in the GFA shall cease.
Chapter 4. Meetings
§ 4.01. Occurrence of Meetings.
The GFA shall hold meetings which are called and organized by the executive board.
The executive board shall give information regarding the date, time, and location of these meetings to its members in a timely notice.
Members not on the executive board may suggest holding a meeting and are free to hold unofficial meetings among other GFA members, but may not hold voting, attempt to pass resolutions, or in general claim any powers held by the executive board.
§ 4.02. Quorum.
Action on any business, old or new, requires a quorum of one half of the active membership of the organization.
§ 4.03. Non-member Attendance.
Non-members who are eligible according to Chapter 3, if interested in the operations of the GFA, may join meetings. The executive board is not responsible to give information regarding meetings to non-members.
Non-members who are not eligible according to Chapter 3 may be permitted to join meetings through invitation by the executive board if it is deemed that their attendance will help to further the purposes of the GFA.
All non-members who are invited to meetings are barred from partaking in any voting. If they are permitted by the executive board to weigh in on decisions regarding the business of the GFA, their opinion may be noted, but should not be the sole factor in the final decision of the executive board.
§ 4.04 Voting.
Constitutional amendments proposed by the board or by petition and other matters that the board or members wish to submit to a vote by the membership shall be conducted at meetings, or if no meeting can be held, electronically. If a vote occurs in person, a poll will be sent electronically to non-present members. It is their responsibility to fill out the poll in a timely manner to be included in the voting.
Matters voted upon, except amendments to this Constitution, shall be decided by a majority of votes cast.
Chapter 5. Executive Board
§ 5.01. Powers.
The executive board is the board of directors of the GFA and shall manage its affairs consistent with this Constitution.
The executive board may authorize any officer or agent of the GFA, in addition to the officers so authorized by this Constitution, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the GFA, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
The executive board may accept on behalf of the GFA any contribution, gift, or bequest for the general purposes, or for any special purposes, of the GFA.
The treasurer may sign checks or authorize electronic payments on behalf of the executive board.
§ 5.02. Members.
The executive board shall consist of elective officers, as defined in Chapter 6, who shall be elected as specified in Chapter 8.
§ 5.03. Assistant officers and consultants.
The executive board may appoint assistant officers or consultants to assist it in its work.
§ 5.04. Meetings.
The executive board shall conduct meetings at such times and places and in such manner as may be directed by the president or requested by a majority of the executive board. No notice of regular executive board meetings is required other than a notice from the president or a board resolution stating the time and place of the meeting.
Meetings may be held in person or through any shared electronic communication medium, or a combination thereof.
All meetings of the executive board shall be open to all members, with timely notice.
§ 5.05. Quorum.
A majority of the board members in office shall constitute a quorum. The act of the majority of the board members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the executive board.
§ 5.06. Informal action by board members.
Any action required by the University of South Carolina to be taken at an executive board meeting, or any other action that may be taken at an executive board meeting, may be taken without a meeting if consent, setting forth the action so taken, is given by all board members; any such consent given by all board members shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote.
The action shall be effective when all board members have approved the consent, unless the consent specifies a different effective date.
§ 5.07. Compensation.
Board members shall not receive any compensation for their board service other than reimbursement for actual expenses.
Chapter 6. Officers
§ 6.01. Elective officers.
The elective officers shall be a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Elective officers must be active members of the GFA as defined in Chapter 3. They constitute the members of the executive board.
Any student seeking to hold or holding a position in a student organization must maintain the cumulative GPA requirement for graduation, maintain at least part-time enrollment status, and remain in good standing in their respective college.
§ 6.02. Term.
Elective officers shall serve for one year, starting on the day they are elected and continuing until reelection is held the following year.
Despite the expiration of an elective officer’s term, the officer shall continue in office until a successor is elected or appointed.
§ 6.03. Resignation.
An officer may resign at any time by informing the other members of the executive board.
A resignation is effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a future date.
A pending vacancy may be filled before the effective date of the resignation, but the successor shall not take office until the effective date.
§ 6.04. Recall of an officer.
An elective officer may be recalled and removed from office, with or without cause.
An elective officer may only be removed following a written petition to the secretary signed by two thirds of GFA members. The petition shall include a statement of the reasons for the removal.
A recall election shall be conducted under the process specified for annual elections in Chapter 8 but take place no later than 30 days after a valid recall petition is received by the secretary. Its results take effect immediately after the tabulation of the election results.
§ 6.05. Order of succession.
In the event that the president is unable to discharge the duties of office, these duties shall be performed by the vice president, secretary, and treasurer, in that order.
§ 6.06. Vacancies.
If the office of president becomes vacant, it shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term according to the sequence in Section 6.05.
If an elective office other than that of president becomes vacant, the remaining officers shall choose a member to fill the vacancy for the unexpired part of the term.
§ 6.07. Appointed officers.
The president, with the approval of the executive board, may establish additional officer positions as required to manage the activities of the GFA, and shall define the authority and duties of those positions.
Appointed officers are appointed by the president with the approval of the executive board; they assume their duties upon that approval and may be removed by the executive board at its discretion.
§ 6.08. President.
The president shall:
Chair all meetings.
Serve, at his or her discretion, as an ex officio member of all committees.
Sign any contracts or other instruments that the executive board has authorized to be executed.
Represent the GFA.
Perform all other duties normally associated with the office.
§ 6.09. Vice president.
The vice president shall:
Serve as acting president by assuming the duties of the president in the president’s absence.
Perform all other duties as directed by the executive board.
§ 6.10. Secretary.
The secretary shall:
Deliver all required notices.
Maintain a record of all current members.
Perform all other duties as directed by the executive board.
§ 6.11. Treasurer.
The treasurer shall:
Collect and care for all the GFA’s assets.
Keep accurate financial records.
Submit a written financial statement to the executive board when requested.
Perform all other duties as directed by the executive board.
Chapter 7. Committees
§ 7.01. Creation.
The president, with the approval of the executive board, may create standing and ad-hoc committees as needed to carry out the functions of the GFA. Members may suggest the creation of a committee, which can be confirmed through the approval of the executive board.
If a member objects to the creation of a committee, a vote on its creation may be held, however if it is deemed necessary by the executive board to install this committee, the vote can be ignored.
The executive board shall provide direction regarding the scope, responsibilities, functions, and operation of each committee.
§ 7.02. Members.
The president, with the approval of the executive board, shall approve a chair, voted in by members of the GFA, and at least one member to each committee and may change those appointments at any time. The board may establish qualifications and guidelines for committee membership.
Chapter 8. Elections
§ 8.01. Elections.
Elections shall take place at the beginning of each fall semester at a meeting scheduled by the executive board, except when all candidates are uncontested and no other matters are before the membership for a vote. If a member is unable to attend a meeting in person, they may cast their vote electronically.
The executive board shall provide an explanation or explanatory material and instructions on the voting process to members prior to voting, whether in person or electronically.
The voting shall include all nominees for elective office or committee chairs. Voting on amendments and other matters shall be conducted separately from elections and may be conducted at any meeting, including the meeting for election.
If only one candidate is nominated for an office, that candidate is elected and shall not be voted upon; if there is more than one candidate, the candidate receiving the greatest number of affirmative votes shall be elected; if two or more candidates receive the same plurality of affirmative votes, the executive board shall determine the winner from among those candidates by appropriate random means.
§ 8.02. Nominations.
The secretary shall present a list consisting of at least one candidate for each open office to the executive board at least 1 hour before the election.
The executive board shall provide the list of candidates for offices and the executive board’s list of candidates for nominating committee members to the membership before the election, and shall solicit additional nominations from the membership.
Chapter 9. Funding
§ 9.01. Funding.
The GFA may finance its activities by applying for Student Activity Fee funds from Student Government (or their designee) after the GFA has been recognized as a student organization by the Leadership and Service Center.
Chapter 10. Amendment and Ratification
§ 10.01. Amendment proposal.
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the executive board, or by a petition from at least one member.
The executive board shall have readily available before voting all proposed amendments, clarifying information, and arguments in favor and in opposition, and will solicit member comments.
§ 10.02. Amendment voting.
Proposed amendments shall be voted upon at meetings called within 30 days of its proposal.
Constitutional amendments require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast by members.