SAMPLE STUDENT ORGANIZATION CHARTER

Structure

I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be “New Group at UWM”.

II. PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION

“New Group at UWM” shall encourage students to become involved in UWM student life and recreational activities.  The group has three primary goals:  (1) to encourage outdoor fun; (2) to provide information, services and support for students seeking adventure; and (3) to encourage learning and growth in leadership.

III. MEMBERSHIP

  1. Eligibility: All UWM students can be members in “New Group at UWM”.   Only student members may vote and hold office.  Nonstudents are allowed to participate in “New Group at UWM”, but are restricted to adjunct memberships.
  2. Individuals interested in joining “New Group at UWM” need to attend two consecutive regular scheduled meetings to be added to the active roster. “New Group at UWM” does not discriminate in membership selection on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, age, Vietnam era veteran status, ancestry, political affiliation or belief, creed, arrest or conviction record, or marital status unless the nature of the organization entitles it to an exemption in accordance with applicable laws.
  3. Individuals may be removed from “New Group at UWM” active roster for missing three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings or by violating membership rules as stated in the membership manual. Membership manuals are available from the Membership Coordinator. Removal of membership based on violating membership rules must follow due process and requires a 2/3 vote of the membership, such vote to be taken at a meeting for at least one week proper notice has been given, and the removal is included on the agenda

IV. OFFICERS

  1. Qualifications: All officers must be currently enrolled as UWM students.  Students must be a member of “New Group at UWM” one semester to be eligible for office.
  2. Selection Procedures: “New Group at UWM” shall have a Director, Assistant Director, Membership Coordinator, and Business Manager. Elections for all officers will be in February of each year.  Nominations for positions are held at regularly scheduled meetings.  Voting for the officers will be done by secret ballot at the next regularly scheduled meeting.  Voting members must be notified of open nominations for officer positions at least one week prior to the meeting at which nominations are taken.   Officers elected will assume their positions on April 1st.  If an officer position becomes vacant during the year, the remainder of the term can be filled by a qualified “New Group at UWM” member appointed by greater than 50% of the voting members at a regularly scheduled meeting.
  3. Removal: An officer may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of the membership, such vote to be taken at a meeting for at least one week proper notice has been given, and the impeachment is included on the agenda. Due process must be observed.

V. MEETINGS

  1. Frequency of Meetings: “New Group at UWM” meetings will be held twice a month September through May and once a month June through August.
  2. Authority for Calling Regular and Special Meetings: Two officers can call a special meeting provided 48 hours notice is given to voting members.
  3. Parliamentary Authority: Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, for any meeting procedure not covered in this document.
  4. Committees: “New Group at UWM” shall have the following standing committees:  Executive, Membership, and Promotion. The Executive Committee shall consist of all executive officers and two members at-large appointed at a regularly scheduled meeting.  The membership committee shall consist of the Membership Coordinator and five members appointed at a regularly scheduled meeting.  The Promotions Committee shall consist of the Assistant Director and five members appointed at a regularly scheduled meeting.  All committee duties are outlined in the membership manual.

VI. AMENDMENTS

This document must be ratified by 2/3 vote at two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings.

This document may be amended at a regular meeting by a 2/3 vote of the membership providing the membership has been advised of the proposed changes at least two weeks in advance.