The Constitution of Sawyer Hall Council

PREAMBLE

Sawyer Hall Council is an organization, which aims to better the community of Sawyer Hall through events and programming voted upon by the attending members.

ARTICLE I – NAME

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be Sawyer Hall Council, hereafter referred to as Hall Council.

Section 2: The officers of Hall Council shall make up the Executive Board of Hall Council, hereafter referred to as the “E-Board.”

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

Section 1: Hall Council’s purpose is to contribute to a positive, inclusive, engaging, and educational community with the use of the Residential Life's Mission Statement by:

A. Representing and acting upon residents’ needs and problems.

B. Creating and collaborating in social programs, including but not limited to academic, educational, passive, and service programs, that serve the residents with the main funds of the Hall Council budget.

C. Promote inter-hall relations, activities, and interactions.

D. Act as a sounding board for all residents of the represented residence halls.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: The general body of this organization is comprised of UNH students. The specific requirement for membership is being a resident of Sawyer Hall.

Section 2: The specific process for becoming a member of Hall Council is to attend a meeting and speak to the E-Board officers expressing interest.

Section 3: The privileges and responsibilities of membership include the ability to organize and create events for the Sawyer Hall community, vote on decisions on behalf of your fellow residents by attending meetings, and gain insight into different aspects of leadership involved in organizations. RAs will have the right to vote.

Section 4: Membership may be revoked by the advisor if they feel fit.

Section 5: Membership rules of Hall Council will not be contrary to the University of New Hampshire nondiscrimination policy as listed in Students’ Rights, Rules and Responsibilities.

Section 6: Non-students are not considered members of this organization and there is no opportunity to gain membership. Membership is only comprised of Sawyer Hall Residents.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

Section 1: The Hall Council shall have a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Advisor. These officers shall comprise the E-Board and must be listed as officers on the organization’s Wildcat Link page.

Section 2: All officers must be members of Sawyer Hall Council; this excludes Resident Assistants and the Resident Hall Director.

Section 3: All officers must be appointed to their position through a vote via wildcat link and be considered a matriculated undergraduate student at UNH.

Section 4: The term of office shall be from September 1 to June 1.

Section 5: Election of officers shall be held annually during September (date to be decided by advisor.)

Section 6: Officers are elected by Wildcat Link.

Section 7: Two weeks’ notice shall be given before the election meeting.

Section 8: A member of the Hall Council can either nominate themselves or be nominated by their fellow residents.

Section 9: Any officer may be removed from their position by a two-thirds vote of the E-Board. Any officer removed from office may appeal to the general members. If their appeal is approved by two-thirds vote of the membership, said officer shall be considered reinstated.

Section 10: Any vacancy, which may occur in an office, shall be filled by appointment by the president pending ratification at the next group business meeting.

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1: The President

1. The president shall be the chief executive officer.

2. The president shall appoint all committee chairpersons.

3. The president, with approval of the E-Board, directs the budget.

4. Vacancies in offices will be filled by appointment of the president with approval of the general membership.

Section 2: The Vice President

1. The vice president shall be the parliamentarian for the organization.

2. The vice president shall assume the duties of the president should the office become vacant, or in the absence of the president.

3. The vice president will keep and have available current copies of the Constitution and bylaws and will also be charged with ensuring that the copies of these documents on the Hall Council’s Wildcat Link page are also current.

4. The vice president will be responsible for scheduling programs.

Section 3: The Secretary

1. The secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of all meetings and the meetings of the executive board.

2. The secretary will provide a copy of the minutes for each officer via email and keep a master file.

3. The secretary shall maintain a complete and accurate account of attendance and membership status.

Section 4: The Treasurer

1. The treasurer shall keep a current record of all financial transactions.

2. The treasurer shall develop quarterly reports containing a list of all receipts and disbursements and distribute them among the membership.

3. The treasurer will be responsible for checking the accuracy of all bills and invoices and paying them correctly and on time.

4. The treasurer will perform other duties as directed by the president.

Section 5: Student Senate Representative (1 Position)

1. The Student Senate Representative shall attend weekly Student Senate meetings.

2. The Student Senate Representative shall report what was discussed during the Student Senate meeting at Hall Council meeting.

3. The Student Senate Representative shall vote representing the view of Sawyer Hall when Senate votes on bills or resolutions.

Section 6: Floor Representatives (4 Positions)

1. The Floor Representatives shall attend weekly Hall Council meetings.

2. There shall be a minimum of one Floor Representative per floor; a maximum of two.

3. The Floor Representatives shall post advertisements for Hall Council meetings, organized socials, intramurals, and community service projects.

4. The Floor Representatives shall get their floor involved in Hall Council meetings and hall activities.

Section 7: Intramural Coordinator (1 Position)

1. The Intramural Coordinator shall attend intramural captain’s meetings.

2. The Intramural Coordinator shall inform the hall of upcoming sports at weekly Hall Council meetings.

3. The Intramural Coordinator shall recruit and encourage all Sawyer residents to get involved in intramurals.

4. They shall advertise Sawyer team events, or delegate that responsibility to intramural team captains.

Section 8: Event Coordinator and Marketing Coordinator (2 Positions)

1. Event Coordinator/ Marketing Coordinator shall attend weekly Hall Council meetings.

2. They shall inform the hall of upcoming events, projects, and initiatives. They will also focus on the upcoming events in the hall and help promote them.

3. They shall document events that are coming up or that have taken place through the use of flyers, photos, videos, etc.

Section 9: Campus Living Association (RHA/CLA) Representative (1 Position)

1. RHA/CLA Representative shall attend weekly Hall Council meetings.

2. They shall inform the hall of upcoming events, projects and initiatives being undertaken by the Campus Living Association.

3. They will additionally focus on the upcoming events in the hall and help promote them.

4. They shall attend weekly meetings in the MUB as the RHA/CLA Representative for Sawyer Hall.

Section 10: Environmental Advocate (1 Position)

1. Environmental Advocate shall attend weekly Hall Council meetings.

2. Environmental Advocate shall organize 2 hall events per semester as well as write 1 newsletter article per semester related to the environment.

3. They shall inform the hall of upcoming events, projects and initiatives being undertaken by the Environmental Advocates.

4. They will additionally focus on the upcoming events in the hall and help promote them.

5. They shall attend weekly meetings in Paul College as the Environmental Advocate for Sawyer Hall.

Section 11: Advisor

1. The advisor shall assist the group in their execution of roles and responsibilities.

2. The advisor shall provide feedback to the organization regarding its operation and functioning.

3. The advisor shall serve as a resource.

4. The advisor should provide advice upon request, and also should share knowledge, expertise, and experience with the group.

5. The advisor will be a nonvoting member of the organization.

6. Feedback about a Hall Council Advisor should be directed to the Director of Residential Life.

ARTICLE VI – Meetings

Section 1: Parliamentary procedure

1. The meeting will follow the agenda prepared by the President. There will be an opportunity at the end of meetings for members to voice questions, concerns, and other ideas to the E-Board and members at large.

2. The rules may be suspended by two-thirds vote of the present membership.

Section 2: Meeting times

1. The times for regularly scheduled weekly meetings shall be determined by the advisor and E-Board.

2. At least 2 days of notice shall be given for each regular business meeting.

3. Special or emergency meetings may be called with less than 10 hours of notice by the E-Board.

4. The meetings shall include a quorum, order of business, and disposition of the minutes.

Section 3: Voting

1. A quorum will be: 50% E-Board, the advisor, Resident Assistants, and at least 1 member from each floor

2. E-Board, Resident Assistants, and general members who attend the meeting, have a vote in matters discussed that week.

3. No proxy voting unless advance notice to an E-Board member is provided. If advance notice is provided, then arrangements will be made for a vote in the matter.

Section 4: Outside Meeting Information

1. Environmental Advocate – Mondays 7PM in Paul College 370N

2. Campus Living Association – Thursdays 6PM in MUB 158

3. Student Senate Representative – Sundays 6PM in Paul College 165