The Constitution of OUTspoken
At
Western Michigan University
Updated September 11, 2007

PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I: Mission and Vision Statement
ARTICLE II: Purpose
ARTICLE III: Membership
ARTICLE IV: The Executive Board
ARTICLE V: Advisor
ARTICLE VI: Finances
ARTICLE VII: Statement of Compliance
ARTICLE VIII: Meetings
ARTICLE IX: Amendments
ARTICLE X: Representation

 

1. PREAMBLE
1. We the members of OUTspoken, a Registered Student Organization representing gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight ally (GLBTA) students at Western Michigan University, do hereby ordain this document as that which governs our organization; the Constitution of OUTspoken.

1. ARTICLE I: Mission and Vision Statement
1. Mission
1. The Mission of OUTspoken is to create a community of undergraduate GLBTA individuals that is inclusive of our many diversities, open to the many opinions of our membership, and safe for all members of the group.
2. Vision Statement
1. The Vision of OUTspoken is to provide a community that is tolerant, safe, and conducive to the livelihoods of all GLBTA individuals on campus.

1. ARTICLE II: Purpose
1. The Purpose of OUTspoken is:
1. To support gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight ally students at WMU;
2. To educate ourselves and others in the Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo communities on issues concerning GLBTA people;
3. To advocate for the well-being of GLBTA persons through participating in local political processes;
4. To engage in outreach activities on issues regarding GLBTA persons;
5. To provide programs and weekly meetings that empower GLBTA persons and unifies them with the surrounding University and Kalamazoo communities.

1. ARTICLE III: Membership
1. Types of Membership
1. Active Membership is open to any undergraduate student at Western Michigan University who pays $5 in dues per semester.
2. Active Membership may be obtained at ANY time during the Fall or Spring semesters.
1. General Assembly Membership is open to any student at WMU, students from surrounding high schools or colleges, alumni, and community members.        
1. Membership Qualifications
1. Membership in OUTspoken is open to all undergraduate students who:
3. Are committed to the mission, vision, and purpose of OUTspoken;
4. Agree to abide by all SA&LP and University policies, procedures, and local, state, and federal laws.
1. No individual will be denied membership based on race, sex, religion, height, weight, age, handicap, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status.
1. Voting
1. Only Active Members will be permitted to vote on any issue.
2. Only those Active Members who are present during a vote will be allowed to cast a ballot.
3. All General Assembly or Active Members shall automatically have the privilege of voice.

1. ARTICLE IV: The Executive Board
1. Duties of the Executive Board
1. Attend all meetings of the General Assembly and Executive Board.
2. Plan and prepare for all General Assembly meetings.
3. Uphold the Constitution of OUTspoken.
2. Elected Officers
1. President
2. Prepare and provide an agenda for all General Assembly and Executive Board meetings
3. Delegate tasks as necessary.
4. Maintain contact with the advisor.
1. Vice President
5. Assume authority in the absence of the President.
6. Assist the President in carrying out his or her duties as needed.
1. Secretary
7. Record minutes at Executive Board and General Assembly meetings.
8. Keep records of attendance at meetings.
9. Maintain a database of email contacts.
1. Treasurer
10. Collect dues from members and maintain membership records.
11. Apply for and keep track of funding.
12. Obtain and distribute monies as necessary for programming.
1. Community OUTreach Coordinator
13. Serve as a liaison between OUTspoken and the greater campus and Kalamazoo communities.
14. Develop and oversee committees as special needs arise.
1. Qualifications for Holding Office
1. In order to serve as an Executive Board member one must be a full-time student in good standing at Western Michigan University.
2. Any candidate for the Executive Board must have been an Active Member for at least one semester prior to officer elections.
3. All Executive Board members must obtain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
4. Executive Board members must have obtained at least a sophomore standing by the beginning of their term in the Fall Semester.
2. Selection of Officers
1. Executive Board elections must take place at least three weeks prior to the end of the Spring Semester each year.
2. Election procedures are as follows:
15. Each candidate must nominate him or herself by notifying, in writing, their intention to run to the Advisor of OUTspoken.
16. A list of nominees shall be provided to the members at least one week before the election.
17. On election night, the Active Members present shall decide upon the election procedure.
18. Election requires a majority vote of the members present.
1. Filling Vacancies
1. If an Executive Board position becomes vacant less than six weeks prior to the end of Spring Semester, the seat shall not be filled until the regularly scheduled elections.
2. If an Executive Board position becomes vacant more than six weeks prior to the end of Spring Semester, a special election will be held. 
19. Any Active Member who fulfills the aforementioned Qualifications for Holding Office may be nominated in a special election.
20. Special elections will follow the aforementioned Selection of Officers procedures.
1. Recall of Officers
1. A member of the Executive Board may be recalled from office if and only if there is a formal motion for removal submitted by an Active Member to the Advisor.
2. Once a formal motion has been submitted, there must be a vote of the Active Members at the earliest possible General Assembly meeting.
21. An Executive Board member will be recalled if the motion passes with a 2/3 majority vote.

1. ARTICLE V: Advisor
1. Qualifications for Holding Office
1. The Advisor must be a faculty or staff member or a partner of a faculty or staff member at Western Michigan University.
2. Duties of the Advisor
1. Attend all meetings of the General Assembly and Executive Board.
2. Act as an unbiased mediator for the Executive Board and General Assembly.
3. The Advisor shall have the privilege of voice, but not vote in all General Assembly and Executive Board meetings.
3. Term of Office
1. The Advisor shall hold his or her position until he or she decides to resign.
2. The Advisor may be recalled if an only if a majority of the Executive Board and 2/3 of the Active Members votes to remove him or her from office.
4. Selection of the Advisor
1. The Advisor shall be selected by the Executive Board.
2. Each candidate will be given an opportunity to meet with the Executive Board.
3. After the Executive Board selects its candidate, the new Advisor must be confirmed by a 2/3 majority vote of the Active Members.

1. ARTICLE VI: Finances
1. On-Campus Accounts
1. OUTspoken will follow and be subject to all University policies, procedures, and practices regarding student organization accounts and finances.
2. Off-Campus Accounts
1. All non-university funds will be kept at National City bank.
3. Dues, Assessments, or Initiation Fees
1. $5 must be paid each semester in order for members to maintain Active Membership status.
2. OUTspoken does not require General Assembly members to pay dues of any kind.
4. Financial Policy
1. The financial books and records for OUTspoken shall be audited once a year at the end of each school year.
2. The Treasurer of the organization shall attend University financial workshops as required.
5. Disposition of Non-University Funds in the Case of Inactivation
1. In the event of inactivation, all non-university funds shall be donated to a local non-profit organization that supports GLBTA individuals.

1. ARTICLE VII: Statement of Compliance
1. OUTspoken will comply will al SA&LP and University policies, procedures, and practices and all local, state, and federal laws.
2. Registration/Reactivation
1. Prior to the start of the Fall Semester the President is responsible for completing and following-through on the annual reactivation process as set forth by SA&LP.

1. ARTICLE VIII: Meetings
1. Frequency of Meetings
1. OUTspoken shall meet each Wednesday of the school year at 9pm in the Bernhard Center.
2. The Executive Board shall meet independently of the General Assembly once a week on a date and time determined by the Executive Board members.
2. Special Meetings
1. Special meetings may include any special event or program that is scheduled outside of the regular meeting time.
3. Quorum
1. In order to conduct business, there must be at least ½ of the total number of Active Members present.

1. ARTICLE IX: Amendments
1. Any Active or Executive Board Member may propose an amendment.
2. Amendments must be submitted in writing to the Advisor.
3. The proposed amendment will be voted on at the General Assembly meeting one week after being received.
1. In order for an amendment to be adopted, it must pass with 2/3 of the votes by the Active Members.

1. ARTICLE X: Representation
1. Western Student Association
1. Any Active Member is qualified to serve as the representative to WSA.
2. The WSA representative is responsible for attending weekly WSA meetings and reporting its activities to the Community OUTreach Coordinator.
2. Campus Activities Board
1. Any Active member is qualified to serve as the representative to CAB.
2. The CAB representative is responsible for attending weekly CAB meetings and reporting its activities to the Community OUTreach Coordinator.