CONSTITUTION

 

We the Republicans at the University of Southern Indiana, in order to promote, preserve, and stand upon the conservative, republican principles at the foundation of the United States of America, do ordain and establish this Constitution to encourage the implementation of measures within the USI College Republicans that will most effectively transform the hearts and minds of as many fellow students, faculty, and others as possible.

 

Article I
Formation

 

Section 1.        On August 30, 2001, the organization “USI College Republicans” was officially established.

Section 2.        Be it recognized the highly influential basis that The Honorable John N. Hostettler, Congressman of Indiana’s 8th Congressional District from 1994 to 2006, played in the formation of the USI College Republicans with his selfless promotion of genuinely conservative principles that first started the Republican Party.

 

Article II

Name

 

Section 1.        The name of this organization shall be the “USI College Republicans.”

Part 1.     The complete name shall be the “University of Southern Indiana College Republicans.”

Part 2.     The acronym “USICR” may also be used to signify the organization.

 

Article III
Association

 

Section 1.        USICR shall be an official student organization of the University of Southern Indiana.

Section 2.        USICR shall be chartered by the Indiana Federation of College Republicans (IFCR).

Section 3.        USICR shall be affiliated with the College Republican National Committee (CRNC).

 

Article IV
Purpose

 

Section 1.        To make known and promote the principles of the Founding Fathers and the Republican Party to the students, faculty, administration and community surrounding the University of Southern Indiana, particularly when in unison, including, but not limited to:

Part 1.          The Defense of Liberty and the Rights of Mankind

Part 2.          Limited Government

Part 3.          The Right to Life

Part 4.          The Respect of Property Rights

Part 5.          Low Taxes

Part 6.          Personal Responsibility

Part 7.          Federalism and States’ Rights

Part 8.          Equality of Opportunity

Part 9.          Free Market Economics

Part 10.       Sound Monetary Policy

Part 11.       Traditional Family Values

Section 2.        To assist students in placing a value in the Republican Party, its conservative foundation, the need to support it at times it deserves our support, and be willing to correct it when it needs to be corrected.

Section 3.        To encourage members to be active in the USI College Republicans organization.

Section 4.        To prepare members for future service as upstanding citizens that would exemplify the patriotic sentiments of our Founding Fathers to our nation, their respective state, and localities.  

Section 5.        To solely aid in the post-Primary, General Election of conservative, Republican candidates.

Section 6.        To encourage individuals to participate independently in an external capacity in primary and general elections and endorse candidates, considering, as an organization the USI College Republicans will decline endorsing specific candidates altogether.

 

Article V
pOWERS & jURISDICTIONS

 

Section 1.        The Executive Board shall be the permanent governing body and the default entity to decide matters when not expressly in the jurisdiction of the Executive Chairman.

Part 1.     Executive Board Members shall be elected by the General Members.

Part 2.     The Executive Chairman shall chair meetings of the Executive Board.

Part 3.     A quorum of a simple majority of the Executive Board shall be necessary to resolve official business matters at a called meeting.

Section 2.        The Executive Chairman, along with chairing the Executive Board, shall lead in and hold responsibility for the execution and coordination of organizational activities and programs.

Part 1.     The Executive Chairman shall have the exclusive jurisdictional powers, for which he may execute or delegate at his discretion, to:

                                                             A.      Chair, oversee, and/or designate times, places, and manners of meetings and events.

                                                             B.      Appoint any and all unfilled non-Executive Board officer positions.

                                                             C.      Decide the specific duties that officers should perform that conform to the general office functions spelled out by this Constitution.

                                                            D.      Serve as the general representative and primary administrator of the organization.

                                                              E.      Make final decisions on all matters of dispute between officers or members that do not require an Executive Board vote.

                                                              F.      Set the general strategic vision and goals of the organization and serve as its primary executioner.

Part 2.     In the event that the Executive Chairman is not faithfully or adequately discharging exclusive jurisdictional duties, the Executive Board, by simple majority, may:

                                                             A.      Provide an official written or verbal request to focus or report on the areas in question and may request a similar, adequate, and timely response.

                                                             B.      Depending on the level of satisfaction the Executive Board has for the response, the Executive Board may vote, as is their power at any time, for the removal of the Executive Chairman from his responsibilities.

1.       A unanimous vote of the non-offending Executive Board members is necessary to carry the motion.

Part 3.     With the advice, consent, or request of the Executive Board, the Executive Chairman may fulfill additional responsibilities beyond his exclusive jurisdictional powers.

Part 4.     If a specific power of the Executive Chairman is in doubt in a specific situation, a voice vote by a simple majority of the Executive Board shall be sufficient to decide.

Section 3.        The Executive Chairman may call together the Tribunal, which shall consist of the Executive Chairman, Internal Vice-Chairman, and External Vice-Chairman for the purpose of strategizing on long-term organizational direction and planning and other similar goals.

Section 4.        Officers of the Departments, including Department Chairmen and Coordinators, shall be appointed by the Executive Chairman.

Part 1.     The Department Chairman may request to the Executive Director particular individuals to serve as Department Coordinators.

                                                             A.      The Executive Director shall bring appointment recommendations before the Executive Chairman for final approval.

 

Article VI
Organization of the Officers

 

Section 1.        The Executive Board shall consist of the Executive Chairman, Internal Vice-Chairman, External Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. 

Section 2.        The Tribunal shall consist of the Executive Chairman, Internal Vice-Chairman, and External Vice-Chairman.

Section 3.        The Departments shall consist of the Executive Director, Information Chairman, Financial Chairman, Connection Chairman, Publicity Chairman, Merchandise Chairman, and Activity Chairman.

Section 4.        The Senior Officers shall consist of the Executive Board, the Directorships, and the Department Chairmen.

Section 5.        Auxiliary Officers shall include Chaplain, Sergeant at Arms, Parliamentarian, and Historian.

 

Article VII

Executive Board

 

Section 1.        Executive Chairman:  The Executive Chairman [EC] will work to maintain a Vision for the organization as well as participate in day-to-day business.  The EC has final say over all matters that do not require a vote by the board.  The EC will administer the functions of USICR inside and outside of the campus, but shall rely on the assistance of the Vice-Chairmen for these duties. 

Section 2.        Internal Vice-Chairman:  This person will manage the element of USICR on the campus and will assist in long-range planning.  The Internal Vice-Chairman [IVC] will work with the University and other on-campus allied organizations.

Section 3.        External Vice-Chairman:  This person will manage the element of USICR outside the campus.  The External Vice-Chairman [EVC] will work directly with the local, state, and national allies of the Republican Party.

Section 4.        Secretary:  This person will produce and maintain the meeting minutes of USICR.  The minutes shall serve as the official documentation and last word regarding the authenticity of a meeting.

Section 5.        Treasurer:  This person will produce and maintain the financial books of USICR.  Knowledge of our tax status and the filing of any taxes will also be duties.

 

Article VIII
Departments

 

Section 1.        Executive Director:  This person will execute the day-to-day business set forth by the Executive Chairman.  Whenever the EC, IVC, and EVC are incapacitated, the Executive Director [XD] shall represent the organization.  The XD helps to maintain the effectiveness of the Departments and Coordinators.

Section 2.        Information Chairman:  This person sees that members are educated on issues, topics, and current events related to USICR.

                 Part 1.            Education Coordinator:  This person will be in charge of educating the group on current events. 

                 Part 2.            Resource Coordinator:  This person will be in charge of the USICR book collection, articles written for USICR, and the USICR Member Profiles.

Section 2.        Financial Chairman:  This person sees that funds are increased through fundraisers, donors, and grants. 

                 Part 1.            Fundraising Coordinator:  This person will create and initiate programs that raise funds for the organization.

                 Part 2.            Support Coordinator:  This person will work with individuals and organizations to acquire funds.

Section 3.        Connection Chairman:  This person sees that new and potential members are familiarized and made welcome to USICR.

                 Part 1.            Membership Coordinator:  This person maintains the information on the membership. 

                 Part 2.            Recruitment Coordinator:  This person will work to constantly recruit new members into the organization.

Section 4.        Publicity Chairman:  This person sees that word is spread abroad of the existence of USICR and important events and activities.

                 Part 1.            Promotion Coordinator:  This person will promote USICR on campus with flyers, brochures, business cards, chalkings, and other methods available.

                 Part 2.            Press Coordinator:  This person will inform the different forms of press on and off-campus to USICR events and issues.

Section 5.        Merchandise Chairman:  This person sees that items are sold and inventoried that we have produced for members, fellow chapters, alumni, and donors.

                 Part 1.            Sales Coordinator:  This person will sell merchandise to members and chapters.

                 Part 2.            Inventory Coordinator:  This person will maintain an inventory of the items we have for sale and bring a selection to the meetings for members.

Section 6.        Activity Chairman:  This person sees that adequate activities are provided for members to keep them socialized and excited about the organization.  

                 Part 1.            Political Coordinator:  This person organizes events that are more political in nature.

                 Part 2.            Social Coordinator:  This person organizes events that are more social in nature.

 

Article IX

Auxiliaries

 

Section 1.        Chaplain:  This person will help to maintain the correct heart, soul, and Spirit for the organization.

Section 2.        Sergeant-at-Arms:  This person will act as security for the organization, at the hand of the EC.

Section 3.        Parliamentarian:  This person will keep the rules of the government of USICR.

Section 4.        Historian:  This person will keep the historical records of USICR.

 

Article X

The Advisor(s)

 

Section 1.        The on-campus Advisor(s), at least 1 required by USI, shall assist with the operation of the organization.

Section 2.        The Advisor(s) shall serve in an advisory capacity and not in a managing capacity.

Part 1.     The Advisor(s) shall be free to recommend actions and efforts that the group may undertake, but shall not attempt to overtly coerce particular members or officers into certain actions.

Section 3.        The on-campus Advisor(s) shall have final authority over the on-campus checking account, as is university policy.

 

Article XI

USICR alumni

 

Section 1.        The Alumni Council shall consist of all General Members that graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with USICR Alumni Status.

Part 1.     The Alumni Council Executive Board shall decide the administration of this auxiliary.

Part 2.     USICR Alumni are welcome at USICR events and meetings.

Section 2.        A Founders Day Celebration shall occur annually or at an interval determined by the Executive Board.

 

Article XII
Membership

 

Section 1.        General Membership in USICR shall be open to all students and faculty (staff and administration) at USI.  General Members may participate, for instance, by:

Part 1.     Voting in elections.

Part 2.     Taking part in the weekly member meetings.

Part 3.     Being elected or appointed to available positions.

Part 4.     Participating and helping in planned activities.

Part 5.     Representing the group to those not involved and encouraging them to attend.

Section 2.        An “official” membership form shall be on file for a General Member to be eligible to vote.

Part 1.     The College Republican National Committee or other devised membership form will suffice.

Section 3.        Affiliate Membership in USICR shall be open to all others who do not qualify as General Members.

Part 1.     Affiliate Membership shall incur annual dues of $10.00.

Section 4.        Members are subject to rules that the Executive Board may establish for their acceptance.

 

Article XIII
Meetings

 

Section 1.        All official USICR meetings shall begin with an Invocation and end with a Benediction, prayerfully inviting Almighty God’s blessing on the business of the organization, as even Benjamin Franklin noted that “We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that except the Lord build the House they labor in vain who build it.”

Section 2.        General Meetings, open to the public, shall occur weekly, unless otherwise directed by the Executive Chairman.

Part 1.     Attendance by Senior Officers at the General Meetings shall be an integral part of the duties of this type of officer.

                                                             A.      USICR Officers absent three times from these meetings within a semester, particularly consecutively and without prior communication or documentation, shall be dismissed from their position and/or duties, unless otherwise indicated by the Executive Chairman.

Part 2.     An attendance sheet may be passed .

Section 3.        Senior Officer Meetings, which shall pertain to the Executive Board and the Department Chairmen, shall occur weekly preceding the General Meeting for preparation and consultation beforehand.

Part 1.     Attendance for Senior Officers at Senior Officer Meetings is optional, but it is encouraged.

Part 2.     Guests, dignitaries, or others may be welcome at the Senior Officers Meetings per the invitation or approval of the Executive Chairman.

Section 4.        Anyone significantly disturbing the normal course of business at any called USICR meeting may be requested to leave by any of the Senior Officers.

Part 1.     Per the confirmation of the removal by the Executive Chairman, the offending individual may be physically removed by the Sergeant-at-Arms or other Officers.

 

Article XIV
Finances

 

Section 1.        The USICR Treasury shall be housed in a checking account in an off-campus bank or equivalent method of maintaining funds.

Part 1.     This shall be the preferred method to avoid bureaucratic wrangling at the University, considering the previous unwillingness to release funds in a timely fashion.

Section 2.        Expenditures for USICR purposes in excess of $300.00 from the USICR Treasury shall require the approval of a majority of the Executive Board.

Section 3.        The Treasurer shall maintain the records of account transactions and funds available and be ready to report these figures in a timely fashion to the Executive Board.

Section 4.        USICR Officers may purchase items necessary to assist in their official USICR duties.

Part 1.     Prior authorization by the Executive Chairman is required to assure reimbursement. 

Section 5.        The utmost in discretion by USCIR Officers to limit expense and provide exceptional fiscal regard and management of the Treasury shall be vigilantly desired.

Part 1.     Any effort by other officers to serve as a check and balance in this regard shall be allowed, encouraged, and rewarded, if necessary.

Part 2.     Knowledge of fiscal mismanagement shall be brought before any officer and it shall be the duty of that officer to present the information to any member of the Executive Board.

 

Article XV
Elections & Appointments

 

Section 1.        Regular Elections will take place on the day of the regularly scheduled General Meeting during the 2nd Week of November, the week following the United States General Election, unless another time is designated by the Executive Board within 30 days of the U.S. General Election, Sundays excepted.

Part 1.     Elections shall require a minimum of two weeks between the announcement of the election and the actual date of the election to provide adequate time for nominations and electioneering.

Part 2.     Any General Member of the organization shall be eligible for nomination or appointment to available positions within the organization.

                                                             A.      Nominations for a positions may be made once the announcement that an election is to be held at a certain date.

                                                             B.      Any General Member may nominate another General Member for a position.

Part 3.     During the time preceding the election, preferably before the nominations begin, the Executive Board should devise and announce the rules for the election, including:

                                                             A.      The length of time that candidates may speak on the day of the voting.

                                                             B.      The appropriately impartial individual(s), preferably a non-member of the Executive Board and possibly a committee of three, that will:

1.       Conduct the vote.

2.       Produce and distribute the ballots.

a.        The order that the candidates shall speak as well as the order in which they are listed on the ballot shall be alphabetical.

3.       Implement the Oath of Office for the newly elected officers.

a.        Once the Oath of Office is conducted for the Executive Chairman, he shall be the preferred conductor of it for swearing in new officers.

Part 4.     A plurality of votes cast shall decide which candidate for the particular office is victorious.

                                                             A.      In the event of a tie vote, the Internal Vice-Chairman or 2nd highest ranking actively serving officer shall break the tie by deciding the victor, unless the Internal Vice-Chairman would like to defer or recuse himself from the vote.

Part 5.     Any General Member may question any part of the process, at which time the process will halt and the Executive Board will decide the validity to the claim and what action(s) shall be taken, if any.

Part 6.     If any irregularities exist in the number of votes or eligibility of voters, the election shall be null and void, calling upon a new election as soon as possible.

Section 2.        Special Elections shall occur when an Executive Board position is vacant.

Section 3.        If a vacancy occurs in the Executive Board, the remaining members of the Executive Board must decide the date of the election within 30 days, Sundays excepted.

Section 4.        If an appointed position has multiple admirable applicants, the Executive Chairman may ask for an election to be held for the regularly appointed position.

Part 1.     A Special Election will be held at the date decided by the Executive Chairman.

Part 2.     The Executive Chairman may solely decide the terms of the Special Election.

Section 5.        Immediately or at a reasonable time following the election, a new officer shall be sworn in.

Part 1.     Those swearing in new officers should make it clear that those who do not faithfully execute their duties will be relieved of their position.

Part 2.     It also should be made known that materials of the club shall be returned if an officer is removed from their position.

Part 3.     In ceremoniously swearing in the new officer, the following prose should be recited and repeated:  “I, [new officer], promise to the best of my ability, to faithfully execute the duties of the office I am undertaking as [position], and will defend, protect, and uphold the USI College Republicans Constitution, so help me God.”

 

Article XVI

Vacancies & Dismissals

 

Section 1.        If a vacancy occurs in the Executive Board, the remaining members of the Executive Board must decide the date of a special election within 30 days, unless a regularly scheduled election is within 60 days, Sundays excepted.

Part 1.     In the event the Executive Chairman position is vacated, the Executive Board shall decide to meet as soon as possible to decide and vote on an [Interim] Executive Chairman to serve until the special election has been finalized and the new Executive Chairman has been officially elected.

Section 2.        An officer of the Executive Board may file for the dismissal of another Executive Board Officer from their position, at which time:

Part 1.     A unanimous vote of the officers not being considered for removal is required to dismiss the officer in question from the Executive Board.

Section 3.        Officers may be dismissed for any reason so decided by their governing entity or officer, including and particularly the following:

Part 1.     Failure to perform designated and/or assigned duties in a good faith, timely, or otherwise adequate manner.

Part 2.     Consistent or reoccurring physical or mental absences from meetings and/or events that are necessary to perform position functions.

Part 3.     Intentionally hindering the integrity or name of USICR.

Part 4.     Conduct that does not befit the office held by a USICR officer.

Part 5.     Disrespect for or to the elected or appointed leadership.

Part 6.     Exhibiting a lack of commitment or seriousness to USICR by word, action, or the absence thereof.

 

Article XVII
Constitutional Review

 

Section 1.        An official Review of the Constitution by the entire organization (Officers, Members, Advisor, etc.) shall occur annually, at a specific time to be determined by the Executive Board.

Part 1.     Additional Review(s) will be acceptable and desired, and shall be decided by the Executive Board.

Part 2.     The purpose of the Review(s) will primarily focus on the strengthening of the Constitution’s ability to disperse power in a way that is beneficial to the organization.

                                                             A.      If certain agents are consistently prone to behaviors that detriment the organization because power is either too centralized or the opposite, minimal changes to offset this should be recommended.

                                                             B.      The importance of Members participating in making recommendations for Amendments shall not be underestimated.

                                                             C.      Reminding the Executive Board of the importance of executing the Constitution’s provisions shall be another goal of the review.

Part 3.     Careful consideration for the importance of particular elements shall not be underestimated.

 

Article XVIII
Amendments

 

Section 2.        Amendments to the Bylaws, which can be proposed by a Senior Officer or Auxiliary Officer, will require a simple majority vote of the Executive Board to adopt the Amendment.

Part 1.     The Executive Chairman may submit multiple amendments in the form of a new Constitution without changing the form of government.

                                                             A.      The Executive Board shall vote on the changes as one document, not separately.

Section 3.        Any such Amendments shall be given to the Parliamentarian to put before the Executive Board.

 

Article XIX
Ratification

 

Section 4.        This Constitution shall become the governing document of USICR upon the approval of:

Part 1.     A majority of the Executive Board.

Part 2.     A majority plus one of the Senior Officers.

Part 3.     Two-thirds of the General Members.