(Servicing Northern Kentucky Students)
Also includes Mission Statement
I. Organization
1. Group Name
a. The name of this organization shall be the Pagan Student Association, the organization for people of all beliefs at Northern Kentucky University, here and after referred to as the Pagan Student Association as well as by the initials P.S.A.
2. Non-Profit Status
a. The Pagan Student Association is a non-profit organization.
b. The Pagan Student Association is not organized for the purpose of furthering the private financial gain of an individual and/or a select number of individuals.
II. Statement of Purpose and Missions
1. Primary Purpose
a. The Pagan Student Association primarily exists for the purpose of supporting and promoting the welfare of Pagan students and their allies at Northern Kentucky University.
2. Primary Missions
a. To extend the support of Pagan Student Association to the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area.
b. To provide a social outlet for Northern Kentucky University Pagan students and Greater Cincinnati related groups.
c. To provide referral to Northern Kentucky University Pagan students.
d. To provide information and education to Northern Kentucky University Pagan students and other Pagan people in Greater Cincinnati.
e. To network with other Northern Kentucky University campus and Greater Cincinnati organizations.
III. Non-Discrimination Clause
1. Commitment to Equal Opportunity
a. The Pagan Student Association will adhere to Northern Kentucky University's Commitment to Equal Opportunity, which can be found in the Northern Kentucky University 2001-2002 Catalog, General Section, page 5, by not blatantly discriminating or promoting such on the basis of race, ethnicity, beliefs, sex, gender, sexual orientation/identity, religious or political affiliation, age, or physical, mental, or emotional disability during concerns of membership, access, and treatment in the Pagan Student Association's programs, activities, application, and treatment in the Pagan Student Association's elections.
IV. Confidentiality Clause
1. Comprehensive Confidentiality
a. No advisor, officer, member, or visitor is obligated in any way to disclose their religious affiliation.
b. The Pagan Student Association will respect the confidentiality of its members that do not wish to identify themselves as Pagan, Wiccan, or
any other religious label.
c. If any Pagan Student Association attendee is open concerning their religious affiliation, then it is that attendee's prerogative to disclose that information.
V. Membership
1. General Membership
a. General Membership Composition
i. Membership of the General Assembly shall consist of those who have agreed to uphold this constitution and to participate fully in the activities of this organization and who have completed a membership application, which will remain on file with the Secretary. At least fifty percent (50%) of the membership of the Pagan Student Association will consist of Northern Kentucky University students.
b. General Membership Requirements
i. Full Voting Members must:
1.) Be an enrolled student at Northern Kentucky University.
ii. Partial Voting Members must fulfill one of the following:
1.) Be currently employed as faculty or staff at Northern
Kentucky University.
2.) Be currently enrolled as a student or currently employed as faculty or staff at the following Greater Cincinnati universities/colleges: University of Cincinnati, Xavier University (of Ohio), Miami University of Ohio, Thomas More College, Cincinnati State College, or any other post-secondary institution, college, or trade school in Greater Cincinnati.
3.) Be currently employed as faculty or staff at any Greater Cincinnati public or private educational institution.
ii. Non-Voting Members must :
1.) Be an individual that has been given honorary membership status by a simple majority vote, because of commitment to and assistance with the Pagan
Student Association.
2.) Be an individual that does not meet the qualifications under Article V., Section 1.b (part i) or Article V., Section
1.b (part ii) for membership.
2. Rights and Privileges of Full Voting Members
a. Have the right to vote on all issues brought to the floor of the General Membership.
b. Have the right to head and/or serve on committees and attend and participate in Pagan Student Association General Membership Meetings.
c. Have the right to anonymity, except those full-voting members that serve as officers.
3. Rights and Privileges of Partial Voting Members
a. Have the right to vote on all issues brought to the floor of the General Membership (except those issues, which involve financial commitments on behalf of the Pagan Student Association).
b. Have the right to serve on committees and to attend and participate in Pagan Student Association General Membership Meetings.
c. Have the right to anonymity.
4. Rights and Privileges of Non-Voting Members
a. Have the right to serve on committees and to attend and participate in Pagan Student Association General Membership Meetings.
b. Have the right to anonymity.
5. Term of Membership
a. Individuals may remain members for one term (a term being May 1 through April 30.
b. At the end of a term the member will be considered for membership for another term if s/he meets the qualifications designated in Article V., Section 1.b.
6. Removal of Membership
a. The Pagan Student Association will provide for "due process" in disciplinary and removal procedures with our membership.
b. Pagan Student Association members are subject to removal from the membership for behavior deemed unethical or in violation of University policy, including but not limited to the following:
i. Embezzlement of Pagan Student Association funds.
ii. Violating constitutional or Northern Kentucky University policy.
iii. Violating Pagan Student Association bylaws.
iv. Slander, libel, and/or rumor mongering, against Pagan Student Association members and/or guests,
v. Belligerent or offensive behavior during Pagan Student Association events and/or any behavior intentionally meant to adversely effect the purpose and mission of the Pagan Student Association.
vi. Any instance of speaking on behalf of the Pagan Student Association without membership or Executive Board approval.
c. Members may be removed from the membership by a simply majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the officers in attendance) of the Executive Board followed by a simply majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the voting members in attendance, excluding the member in question) at the following General Membership Meeting. Members whose membership is questioned must be officially notified (by writing or e-mail) within no less than three (3) days prior to the General Membership Meeting in which the vote will take place.
d. Members removed from the membership list will be forbidden to attend any future Pagan Student Association meetings or events for the remainder of their term of membership and must be notified officially by writing or e-mail before the next meeting or event.
7. Voting Process
a. The Pagan Student Association will use a simply majority vote (one more than one-half of the voting members in attendance) to pass or defeat motions presented before the General Membership. In the event of a tie, the advisor(s) cast(s) the tie-breaking vote(s) .
8. Executive Board Membership
a. The officers of the Pagan Student Association are as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Publicity (or Webmaster and Director of Public Relations), and Historian.
i. Officer elections will take place at the final meeting of a term.
b. During times of officer vacancies, nominations will be made by members of the General Membership.
i. Once nominated with a second motion and that prospective officer approval, the prospective officer will be voted in with a majority vote of the General Membership.
ii. If no qualified nominations are made, then the remaining officers will delegate the responsibilities of the missing officer(s) amongst themselves until the officer vacancy is filled.
c. In the event that the Treasurer, Secretary, or Director of Publicity becomes ineligible as a voting member of the board, or if the Director of Publicity position is split into Webmaster and Director of Public Relations, then the office of Historian assumes the voting rights of an officer. In the event that a second office becomes ineligible of its voting rights and the Historian has already assumed voting privileges for an officer then an election will be held to replace that officer's position on the Executive Board. In the event that the Webmaster and Director of Public Relations are combined into one position of Director of Publicity, the Historian looses officer voting privileges.
9. Responsibilities of the President
a. To preside at regular and administrative meetings of the P.S.A.
b. To serve as the liaison between the Pagan Student Association and the University, Student Government Organization, other organizations, media, and the general public.
c. To delegate presidential responsibilities when deemed appropriate, subject to the approval of the membership.
d. To have signature authority on all checks issued by the P.S.A.
e. To inform succeeding officers of their responsibilities to the Pagan Student Association, the University, the Student Government Association, the Student Life Office, and other organizations.
f. To guide the Executive Board and General Membership in fulfilling the group's Purpose and Mission.
g. To perform other duties as the membership, Executive Board, or Constitution may specify.
10. Responsibilities of the Vice President
a. To assist the president in his/her duties.
b. To preside at meetings of the Pagan Student Association in the absence of the president.
c. To assume the office of President in his/her absence, vacancy, resignation, or dismissal.
d. To appoint and transition all committee chairs and to maintain records of all committee activities.
e. To serve as the new member mentor to ensure that new members get specific information about the Pagan Student Association and feel that they are welcome.
f. To perform other duties as the membership, Executive Board, or Constitution may specify.
11. Responsibilities of the Secretary
a. To record minutes of all regular and executive meetings, including attendance and attendance-related exceptions for all officers.
b. To handle all correspondence of the Pagan Student Association not under the preview of the President.
c. To pick up all mail received at the Student Life Office at least one per week in addition to any other location at which postal mail may be delivered.
d. To read, route, and reply to any e-mail sent via the organization's official e-mail account.
e. To update and maintain all files.
f. To maintain an accurate list of the membership.
g. To assume the office of Vice President in his/her absence, vacancy, resignation, or dismissal.
h. To perform other duties as the membership, Executive Board, or Constitution may specify.
12. Responsibilities of the Treasurer
a. To keep accurate records of financial status and transactions.
b. To receive and disburse all monies.
c. To have signature authority on all checks issued.
d. To hold personal responsibility for all Pagan Student Association monies in his/her possession.
e. To assume responsibility for organizing fundraising.
f. To present the Pagan Student Association when requesting funds from the Student Government Association, or any other committee that has funds to give.
g. To serve as chair of any finance committees.
h. To assume the office of Secretary in his/her absence, vacancy, resignation, or dismissal.
i. To perform other duties as the membership, Executive Board, or Constitution may specify.
13. Responsibilities of the Director of Publicity
a. To assume responsibility for the creation and distribution of flyers, advertisements, and announcements (in both paper and electronic format) for the Pagan Student Association meetings and activities.
b. To serve as liaison between the Pagan Student Association and the Student Activities Board and community organizations.
c. To keep abreast of and report news in The Northerner and other news media that is relevant to the Pagan Student Association.
d. To serve as primary administrator of Pagan Student Association's web page.
e. To serve as chair of any publicity committee.
f. To coordinate all member recruitment efforts.
g. To assume the office of Treasurer in his/her absence, vacancy, resignation, or dismissal.
h. To perform other duties as the membership, Executive Board, or Constitution may specify.
i. In the case that no member is able to completely fulfill the above responsibilities due to lack of duty-related qualifications, this position will be divided up into two positions: Webmaster (fulfilling electronic advertising, electronic news, and maintaining the web page as listed in parts a, c, and d) and Director of Public Relations (fulfilling all other above listed requirements).
14. Responsibilities of the Historian
a. To collect and store information about the Pagan Student Association including but not limited to, names of members and officers, group activities and events, in order to provide a written historical record for the future; place these events in chronological order and make sure said information is available to the Executive Board, the advisor(s), and upon request to individuals of the General Membership.
b. To maintain a record of Greater Cincinnati Pagan, Wiccan, or other religiously-affiliated community organizations, contact information for said organizations, including addressed for postal mail, phone numbers, web page and e-mail address, if available. This information will be updated at least one each school year, preferably during the Summer and/or Fall Semesters. This information can be used by the Executive Board or individual members to contact the organizations that are of interest to them.
c. To assume any voting privileges of an open Board member in times of vacancies except in the case of the President or Vice President, or in the case when the Director of Publicity's responsibilities are divided as stated in Article V., Section 14.i.
d. To be as knowledgeable of the Constitution and previous decisions and activities of the Executive Board and General Membership as possible and cite information as appropriate regarding the decisions made by the Executive Board, General Membership, and committees. This includes judging the most accurate and final interpretation all relevant documents with the approval of the advisor(s).
e. To perform other duties as the membership, Executive Board, or Constitution may specify.
f. Duties of the Historian, and types of information included in the official historical record can be broadened and/or abridged upon request of either the Historian or the Executive Board and approved by the Executive Board.
15. Officer Term of Office
a. Elected officers may serve until the next board takes office. A typical office term is a membership term.
b. An officer may not serve on more than one concurrent board position within the Pagan Student Association.
16. Requirements of Officers
a. Each officer must be a full-voting member throughout the term of office, not including summer sessions, and must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
b. Each officer may miss no more than two (2) General Membership Meetings per semester or more than two (2) Executive Board meetings per semester. In the case of illness or extreme emergency, the President may grant an exception unless the exception is made for the President, in which case the advisor(s) may grant the exception. All exceptions and attendance must be documented in the respective meeting's minutes. 17. Removal from Office
a. Pagan Student Association officers are subject to removal from the membership of the Executive Board and/or from the General Membership for behavior deemed unethical or in violation of University policy, including by not limited to the following:
i. Embezzlement of Pagan Student Association funds.
ii. Violating constitutional or University policy.
iii. Violating Pagan Student Association bylaws.
iv. Slander, libel, and/or rumor mongering, against Pagan Student Association members or guests.
v. Belligerent or offensive behavior during Pagan Student Association events and/or any behavior intentionally meant to adversely affect the purpose and mission of the Pagan Student Association.
vi. Any instance of speaking on behalf of the Pagan Student Association without membership or Executive Board approval. b. Officer(s) may be removed from office by a simple majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the officers in attendance) of the Executive Board, followed by a simple majority vote (one vote more than one half of the voting members in attendance) at the following General Membership Meeting. S/He must be officially notified (in writing or e-mail) prior to the next P.S.A. event of both questioning his/her removal and any approved removal from the position.
c. Officers may also be removed for not meeting the basic qualifications of an officer by a vote (as described in part b above), by the Advisor, or by the Office of Student Life (for officers whose academic requirements are not met).
18. Officer Voting Process
a. The voting officers, while making an Executive Board decision, will use a simply majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the board members in attendance) to make all plans and decisions for the organization. In the event of a tie, the advisor(s) and/or non-voting members cast the tie-breaking votes.
VI. Advisory Position(s)
1. Advisor Qualifications
a. The Pagan Student Association must have at least one (1) advisor and empowers itself to create additional advisory positions as necessary. An advisor cannot be a member of the Pagan Student Association and must be at least twenty-three (23) years of age.
2. Responsibilities of the Advisor(s)
a. Call meetings of the Executive Board when s/he believes it is necessary.
b. Explain University policy when relevant to the discussion.
c. Depend on the officers to carry University policies out through their leadership.
d. Speak up during discussion when s/he has relevant information.
e. Get a copy of all official correspondence.
f. Be custodian of all group paraphernalia, records, etc., during the summer and between transitioning between officers if official office space is not available.
g. Inform the group of infractions of its constitution and bylaws.
h. Be familiar with University facilities, services, and procedures that affect group activities.
i. Approve all candidates for office in terms of scholastic standing (i.e. grade point average) and check periodically to ensure all officers maintain the required grade point average.
j. Veto a decision when it violates University policy or the constitution and bylaws of the Pagan Student Association.
k. May miss no more than two (2) General Membership Meetings per semester. In the case of illness or extreme emergency, the President may grant an exception.
l. Any duties not listed in officer responsibilities are optional and left to the discretion of the advisor(s).
3. Dismissal of Advisor
a. The Pagan Student Association advisor(s) are subject to removal from the membership for behavior deemed unethical or in violation of University policy, including but not limited to the following:
i. Embezzlement of Pagan Student Association funds.
ii. Violating constitutional or University policy.
iii. Violating Pagan Student Association bylaws.
iv. Slander, libel, and/or rumor mongering, against Pagan Student Association members or guests.
v. Belligerent or offensive behavior during Pagan Student Association events and/or any behavior intentionally meant to adversely affect the purpose and mission of the Pagan Student
Association.
vi. Any instance of speaking on behalf of the Pagan Student Association without membership or Executive Board approval.
b. Advisor(s) may be removed from office by a simple majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the officers in attendance) of the Executive Board, followed by a simple majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the voting members in attendance) at the following General Membership Meeting. . S/He must be officially notified (in writing or e-mail) prior to the next Pagan Student Association event of both questioning his/her removal and any approved removal from the position.
VII. Meetings
1. The Pagan Student Association will meet no less than twice per month during the Fall and Spring Semesters, the general day and hour to be set by the President and Advisor.
2. Special meetings shall be called at the discretion of the President or upon the request of any five voting members of the Pagan Student Association.
3. General and special meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend: member or non-member, provided they respect the other attendees of the meeting.
VIII. Elections
1. Candidates for any office must be full voting members.
2. Candidates for any office must have a cumulative Northern Kentucky University grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
3. Candidates for any office shall be nominated by the voting membership or shall nominate themselves.
4. Candidates for any office must have on file with the advisor(s) an officer application.
5. Election of officers shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose. Unless there is an officer vacancy that needs to be filled, officer elections shall take place during the last General Membership meeting of the Spring Semester.
6. If there is only one candidate applying for an office, that candidate shall take office by default unless the voting membership feels that the candidate is not qualified for the office for which s/he applied, which must be expressed through the processing of a motion and vote during the election process.
7. No person shall occupy more than one office.
8. Officers may be re-elected to the same position for a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms.
9. The candidate that receives the most votes for the office for which s/he applied will be declared the officer for the term specified during the election process.
IX. Committees
1. Committees may be formed as needed to address tasks and/or issues. Any voting member may form a committee.
2. A committee is chartered by a decision of the General Membership or by the Executive Board.
3. Once chartered, the committee will be considered an official body of the Pagan Student Association and will be empowered to use its name.
4. Committees may be dissolved by a decision of the General Membership, the Executive Board, or by the committee itself.
5. All committees must have a chair (appointed by the Vice President) that takes responsibility for running the meetings and reporting to the liaison.
6. All committees must have an officer that is responsible for, but not necessarily chair, the committee (with the exception of any financing committee, which must be filled by the Treasurer in compliance with Article V., Section 12.g or any publicity committee, which must comply with Article V., Section 13 e.). This officer serves as the liaison between the committee and the Executive Board and has the final say in decision within the committee.
7. All chair and officer liaisons must report to the Vice President periodically, per the Vice President's request. In the event that the Vice President is such, s/he must report to the advisor(s) periodically as the other committees report (or at the advisor's request if no other committees are currently chartered).
X. Institutions
1. Formation of Institutions
a. The Pagan Student Association empowers itself to create institutions to ensure its own longevity which include, but are not limited to, funding, newsletters, event calendars, communication networks, archives, and outreach/visibility programs.
2. Standing Institutions
a. E-mail account ([email protected]).
b. World Wide Web Page (www.nku.edu/~psa)
XI. Amending Governing Documents
1. Amending the Constitution
a. One or more voting members may author an amendment to this constitution.
b. The amendment shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Officers for review and recommendation concerning legality, punctuation, placement, and word order. The amendment must be reviewed by the Executive Board two academic (2) weeks after submission to the Executive Board (unless any part of the amendment needs review, in which the author(s) must edit and submit it again as a new amendment proposal).
c. The officers shall present the amendment in writing at the next meeting of the Pagan Student Association, and a copy of the amendment will be given to each voting member. This shall constitute a first reading.
d. Voting will occur at the first reading after suggestions for revision by the General Membership have been taken into consideration. A simply majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the voting members in attendance) will be sufficient to amend the constitution.
e. At the next meeting following the acceptance of an amendment, updated copies of this constitution shall be given to each voting member, all advisors, and the Office of Student Life. The constitution shall be updated in all areas where it is presented in electronic form and/or is relevant to the Historian's collection of P.S.A. records.
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