Date of origin: April 2002
I. Purpose
A. SADU is primarily a collective of women of African descent
who have come together to:
Educate, Politicize, Support, Nourish, Encourage, Challenge, Heal, Celebrate, Transform…Ourselves, our communities, and the world.
II. Membership
A. At all times, the majority (50%+1) of all active members shall be full-time, officially registered, undergraduate students at University Park.
B. The membership shall be divided into active and associate members.
1. Only currently employed faculty, staff and currently registered students are eligible for active membership.
2. All others interested in furthering the purpose of SADU shall be associate members. Only active may hold office, vote, preside, officiate, or solicit funds on behalf of the organization.
C. At all times there shall be at least 12 active student members
D. The club reserves the right to expel a member who is not following the policies of the organization with a super majority vote of attending members - quorum is 75% of active members.
III. New Membership and Recruitment
A Any and all new members will be given full disclosure during recruitment, including but not limited to the disclosure of:
a. New Membership Manual
b. Schedule of New Member events and Activities
c. A list of responsibilities
d. A definition of personal rights, and a copy of the University Hazing policy, prescribed by Policies and Rules for Student Organizations.
All of these documents will be available upon request by the USG Supreme Court.
B. All members, including but not limited to new members and recruits, reserve the right to refrain from participating in any activities without consequences, based upon personal/religious beliefs, personal values, or moral reserve as defined by the member.
C. Any all interaction/activity between members and/or new members will be limited to guidelines stated by university policy, as well as local, state, and federal laws
IV. Officers
A. Only full-time, officially registered active student members shall be eligible to serve as appointed or elected officers. Further limitations are subject to USG Supreme Court/GSA judiciary Committee approval.
B. All members hold “official positions”. Elected officers are for the sole purpose of allowing order to progress.
V. Meeting
A. SADU will meet at least 4 times a month
B. Adequate advance will be given to all active members.
C. The Coordinators may change meeting frequency.
D. Members shall be notified by e-mail.
E. The Coordinators may call special meetings when they see fit.
VI. Voting
A. Only active members may vote.
B. Quorum for all voting shall be thirty-three percent (33%) of the active membership.
C. A simple majority (50%+1) shall be necessary for all voting. This majority shall be derived from the active members present.
VII. Finances
A. All organizational funds are to be deposited and handled through the Associated Student Activities (ASA) in 240 HUB.
B. This organization shall collect dues that will not be excessive.
C. The treasurer, with the consent of the Coordinators will determine dues.
D. Dues shall be collected semi-annually.
VII. Elections
A. Nominations and elections shall take place during the third meeting of the spring semester.
B. This meeting shall be publicized in the meeting preceding it.
C. Elections codes:
1. Any member may nominate an active member for any office by raising his/her hand at the appropriate time and being recognized by the presiding official. Next, the active members shall cast secret, written ballots for the candidate of their choice. Each active member shall have one vote per office.
2. If 50%+1 cannot be obtained, the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be dropped from consideration, and the active members shall vote again.
3. In the event of a tie, the ballot will be recast.
D. All officers serve for the term of one year, beginning in the month following elections and ending the month of elections.
IX. Amendments to the Constitution
A. Amendments to this constitution may be introduced at the conclusion of any meeting. Voting shall occur at the meeting following its introduction, with the amendment taking effect following USG supreme Court/GSA Judiciary Committee approval.
B. Any member may introduce a constitutional amendment at the conclusion of any meeting. At the following meeting, the active members shall vote on the amendment, as outlined in the article on voting. If the amendment passes, it shall be sent to the USG Supreme Court / GSA Judiciary Committee approval.
C. All amendments are subject to the approval of the USG Supreme Court/GSA Judiciary Committee.
X. Parliamentary Authority
A. Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, by Sarah Corbin Roberts shall be used in all cases not covered by this constitution.
XI. Accessibility of this Constitution
A. Copies of this constitution shall be made available to anyone upon request.
XIII. Advisor
A. This organization must retain an advisor at all times. The advisor will be a Faculty or Staff member of the University, will be chosen by the organization, and will sign a statement acknowledging his or her responsibilities and knowledge of the safety guidelines in place.