Constitution

Constitution of Women and Gender Minorities in STEM

Submitted September 7, 2017

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: The name of the organization is Women and Gender Minorities in STEM, and it will also be recognized as WiSTEM.

Section 2: This society aims to support, encourage, and inspire women and gender minorities in all fields of science, and to create a friendly and welcoming environment in these departments for all students. To this end, the group will provide resources, host events, and connect students to peers and mentors, fostering professional growth and a sense of community.

Section 3: WiSTEM will be responsible for the observance of the rules and regulations established by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. All control must rest with the student members of the organization

Section 4: It is stated that all leadership positions must be held by currently enrolled UWEC students.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Members of this organization will be University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students, faculty, or staff members. The organization will maintain a minimum of 4 members, all of whom must be UW-Eau Claire students for the full academic year. UW-Eau Claire students must make up at least three-fourths of WSTEM’s membership.

Section 2: To become a member of this organization, a student at UW-Eau Claire must be in good standing with the organization and must provide payment of dues.

Section 3: “Consistent with all applicable federal and state laws and University policies, this organization and its subordinate bodies, officers and members shall extend membership and all membership privileges, including voting and eligibility to hold office, to all students without regard to age, ethnicity, gender (except as otherwise permitted by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972), disability, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, sexual orientation or expression, veteran status, or parental or marital status.”

(Per Regent Policy 30-6 - Student organizations that select their members or officers on the basis of commitment to a set of beliefs (e.g., religious or political beliefs) may limit membership, officer positions, or participation in the organization to students who affirm that they support the organization’s goals and agree with its beliefs, so long as no student is excluded from membership, officer positions, or participation on the basis of his or her race, color, creed other than commitment to the beliefs of the organization, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, or, unless exempt under Title IX, sex.)

Section 4: The primary control of the WiSTEM rests with its student members.

Section 5: WiSTEM must hold all official meetings and official events requiring attendance in facilities and establishments that allow persons of any age entry.

Section 6: At least one-fifth of all student members must be present to conduct official business to fulfill quorum requirements. In order for business to pass, a majority of the student members present must agree to the business being presented.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: WiSTEM shall have five officers: one President, one Vice President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and a Public Relations chair. Each officer must be a member in good standing with WiSTEM and a full-time student at UW-Eau Claire.

a. The President is in charge of setting up meetings and events, running meetings and events, and contacting speakers, UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff, and other organizations.

b. The Vice President is in charge of advising the President, helping to organize meetings and events, and general public relations. He or she shall be responsible for presiding over meetings or events in the absence of the President.

c. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining records of official business, maintaining membership information, and informing members and officers of official business proceedings.

d. The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting membership dues, maintaining financial records, paying expenses, collecting reimbursements, and monitoring the organization budget.

Section 2: All officers must be University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire students to hold offices. They must be at least half-time students, defined as being enrolled in a minimum of six credits for undergraduate students or 3 credits for graduate students.

Section 3: For a member to be eligible for the office of President or Vice President, they must be a paid member, full-time student, and at least of junior status. For a member to be eligible for any other officer position, they must be a paid member, full-time student, and at least of sophomore status.

Section 4: WiSTEM will elect its officials by a vote on the last meeting of the organization of the school year. All members interested in running for an officer position will submit a statement of their intent to the President one week prior to the election meeting. Candidates will give a prepared speech describing their competence for the position. All paid student members and officers will cast votes by anonymous ballot, the Vice President will collect and tally the votes, and the member with the most votes will be elected to the office. The new officers will take over duties immediately following the election. There will be a fair and democratic vote between all the members interested in voting and qualified to vote.

Section 5: Officers of WiSTEM can be recalled if they fail to fulfill their duties to the club and have been absent from two or more consecutive meetings. This officer will be provided a chance to earn back their position with a speech to the other officers, after which the other current officers will vote on whether to recall the position.

Section 6: If officer vacancies occur throughout the course of an academic year, the office will be immediately re-elected by the same process outlined in Section 4. If the role of the President becomes vacant, the only eligible candidate for the position shall be the current Vice President. His or her resultant vacant position may be filled by an eligible paid student member.

Section 7: All officers must be present at meetings to conduct official business. If an officer is late or missing without prior excuse, their right to vote on matters discussed at an official meeting is waived.

Article IV: Advisor

Section 1: The advisor must be a UW-Eau Claire faculty, academic, classified, or administrative staff member. The advisor shall be appointed by the organization.

Section 2: The responsibilities of the advisor are to promote good student-faculty relationships, help maintain professional and university standards in all activities of the organization, and exercise financial supervision as necessary.

Article VI: Amendments

Section 1: Amendments to this constitution shall be made in the following manner:

a. The proposed amendment shall be read at the regular, official business meeting.

b. After approval by the advisor, the proposed amendment shall be distributed to the members in writing with notice of a subsequent meeting at which the amendment will be considered.

c. At the designated meeting, the amendment shall be read again, discussed, and voted upon. Two-thirds majority of the voting members present shall be required to adopt the amendment.

d. Copies of the proposed amendment shall be sent to the Campus Affairs Commission of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Student Senate before taking effect.

Section 2: Changes in proposed bylaws shall follow the same procedures as amendments.

Article VII: Bylaws

Section 1: Disbursements from the Treasury for organization expenditures will be made under authorization of an officer. Disbursement information is made available upon request to members.

Section 2: Annual dues shall be established upon recommendation of the officers of WiSTEM and approved by a majority vote among officers. This vote will take place at the annual election meeting.

Section 3: Any member who shows interest in taking responsibility in the organization by volunteering will be appointed to the position after majority vote by the paid members present. Roles and duties will be proposed and assigned as determined necessary by the officers, and will terminate at the officers’ discretion, when the duty or responsibility has been fulfilled.

Section 4: WiSTEM will not use funds collected from member dues, fees, or collaborative fundraising efforts to purchase alcohol that can only be consumed by members who are of legal drinking age and to purchase promotional materials for unofficial events that can only be attended by those of legal drinking age.

Section 5: In order to pass business, such as a constitutional amendment, we must receive greater than or equal to 50% of votes.

Section 6: WiSTEM will update their BluSync profile, including Constitution form, officers, advisors, and membership roster, annually by the second Wednesday in October.