Turning Point USA at Texas A&M University Constitution
- ARTICLE I – ORGANIZATION
Section I. Name - The name of this organization shall be Turning Point USA at Texas A&M University.
- Section II. Mission Statement
- Turning Point USA’s mission is to educate students about the importance of limited government, fiscal responsibility, free markets, and capitalism through innovative campus activism and nonpartisan, thought-provoking discussion.
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Section III. Texas A&M University Registration - The organization shall be independent in its decision-making in accordance with the national Turning Point USA organization.
- The Leadership Board will register the Club or apply for its recognition as a registered student organization every spring.
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ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Section I. Voting Members - Membership in the Club shall be open to all full-time and part-time Texas A&M University students who have attended at least one meeting and remain in good standing with Texas A&M University.
- If dues are a requirement for membership, then a member must have paid dues prior to voting in club elections.
- Polls will be conducted regularly to gauge the opinion of the membership on club activities.
- In any instance in which membership dues are being expended, the general members who have paid dues will be eligible to vote on the appropriation of their dues.
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Section II. Membership Dues - Existence and numerical value of dues will be determined by an agreement among the President and Treasurer and will apply for the following school year.
- A reevaluation of the existence and numerical value of dues will be made by the new President and Treasurer each subsequent year.
- The Treasurer will provide a budget breakdown for the appropriation of dues by the second General Meeting of each semester.
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Section III. Removal of Members - An individual may have their membership revoked by the Leadership Board if they have displayed unruly, disruptive, or illegal behavior both in or outside of meetings, at the sole discretion of the Board.
- The individual will be issued a total of two(2) warnings by the Board before removal is pursued.
- If said behavior continues after the second warning, the individual will be called to a meeting with the Leadership Board where they will be given the opportunity to defend their actions.
- This meeting will not be scheduled without a minimum of seven(7) days notice to both the Board and the individual in question.
- A two-thirds majority vote by those in the Leadership Board is required to remove the individual’s membership in the Club.
- After such vote has been reached, the individual will be stripped of their membership and notification as well as full documentation of the meeting and previous two warnings will be sent by the Secretary to the Faculty Advisor.
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ARTICLE III - OFFICERS
Section I. Governance - The affairs of the Club shall be managed by its Officers.
- Officers shall have the power to manage and control the affairs and property of the Club,
- adopt rules and regulations governing the actions and activities of the Club,
- and delegate its authority to officers or committees. Officer positions are only available to those who are dues paying members of the Club.
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Section II. Positions - The Club’s Leadership Board shall be comprised of no fewer than three officers serving at a given time. This will include; President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
- Additional positions may be created as is deemed necessary and voted on by the Leadership Board.
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Section III. Duties of Officers
Duties of Club officers include, but are not limited to:
- President:
- Preside over meetings
- Coordinate all activities within the chapter
- Act as a liaison between the chapter and outside entities
- Attend Texas A&M University functions which require a Club representative to be present
- Coordinate with other officers to determine the overall direction of the Club
- Report to the national organization
- Serve as a signatory on the chapter’s bank account
- The President and Treasurer will work together to determine dues
- Maintain and update the club website
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- Vice President:
- Carry out any duties of the President in the event of the their inability to carry them out
- Replace the President in the event of removal or resignation
- Maintain decorum at meetings
- Carry out club duties that don’t fall under other board members’ duties
- Write weekly emails to inform and remind members of general news and upcoming calendar items
- Manage T-Shirt Designs and Orders
- Secretary:
- Maintain a list of all active members and sign-ups
- Keep minutes of meetings
- Maintain chapter documents
- Work with the other officers to create a schedule of events and activities
- Treasurer:
- Serve as a signatory on the chapter’s bank account
- Manage the finances of the Club
- Ensure debts are paid on time
- Work with other officers to prepare budgetary and fundraising plans
- The President and Treasurer will work together to determine dues
- The Treasurer will provide a budget breakdown for the appropriation of dues by the second General Meeting of each semester
- Public Relations Director:
- Disseminate media advisories before and after each event
- Take pictures and record videos to help the chapter earn media coverage
- Access contact info of Bryan/College Station area media outlet when needed
- Maintain the club’s social media accounts
- Events Coordinator:
- Plan all socials for the club
- Work in conjunction with the Treasurer with regards to the financial aspects of events
- Prepare and bring forth ideas for future events for the club
- Activism Coordinator:
- Coordinate tabling and other activism centric events on campus
- Conduct at least one(1) activism training each semester
- (h) Sub-officer positions and Committees
- Can be created and filled with majority approval of the current officer board
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Section IV. Removal of Officers - An individual may have their officership revoked by the Leadership Board if they have displayed unruly, disruptive, or illegal behavior, both in or outside of meetings,
- as well as not performing the duties of their respective officer position.
- Before any action is taken, notice will be given to the officer in question,
- and they will be given the opportunity to speak in front of the officer board and the general membership to share his/her perspective.
- Officers may be removed from their position by a majority vote of the remaining officers AND a 3/4 vote by voting members in the Club.
- In the event of an officer removal or resignation, the vacancy shall be filled by an appointment made by the remaining officers.
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Section V. Meetings - The Club shall have meetings no less than once a month;
- but can be more often as the Club officers deem necessary.
- At Leadership Board Meetings officers must be present in order to vote,
- and if he/she is not present then they will not have a vote.
- New Business will be discussed at each meeting, but cannot be voted until the following meeting.
- The meeting's agenda will be distributed the morning of the officer meeting.
- The meetings will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
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ARTICLE IV - ELECTIONS
Section I. Candidate Selection - Those who wish to run for a spot on the Leadership Board must make their candidacy known, in writing, to the sitting board members a minimum of two weeks prior to the elections.
- If a candidate is found eligible by the Leadership Board, their name will be added to the ballot for election at the second to last meeting of the Spring semester.
- The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum cumulative and semester grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum cumulative and semester GPR in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office.
- For undergraduate students, the minimum cumulative and semester GPR is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s).
- For graduate level students the minimum cumulative and semester GPR is a 3.00 and for first professional students the minimum cumulative and semester GPR is 2.50. In order for this provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least four credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree.
- Be in good standing with the university and enrolled:
- at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office. Students enrolled in the Blinn TEAM program are also eligible to hold an office, as long as the student is meeting all applicable Blinn TEAM requirements and is in good standing with the program.
- at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
- Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).
- Have a minimum cumulative and semester grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum cumulative and semester GPR in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office.
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Section II. Tenure and Elections - Elections shall be held no later than the second to last meeting of the spring semester, in the month of April. Current officers will remain in their position until the end of the semester to train the incoming officers.
- Officers must make the names of officer candidates available to all voting members, no less than one week prior to the election.
- Officers shall serve in their elected position for the one calendar year, until the calendar school year ends, after which the newly elected Leadership Board will assume their new positions.
- The office of the President shall only be available to those who are currently holding or have previously held an officer position in the Leadership Board.
- Candidates will be given the opportunity to give a 90 second speech followed by a five(5) minute question and answer period.
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ARTICLE V - BOOKS AND RECORDS
Section I. Books and Records - The Treasurer shall keep correct and complete books and records of financial accounts,
- and the Secretary shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its membership and officer meetings.
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ARTICLE VI - FACULTY ADVISOR
Section I. Faculty Advisor Requirements - The selected Faculty Advisor must be dedicated to the mission and values of the Club and its members.
- The Advisor will be expected to be available to sign any forms the Club may require to be signed for Club business.
- The Faculty Advisor and Leadership Board will meet a minimum of once per semester to discuss important information regarding Club business.
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ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Section I. Amendments to Constitution - This Constitution may be altered, or amended and new bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of 67% or higher of the officers and 75% or higher of all voting members in attendance.
- Officers wishing to amend the Constitution must inform all members of a vote no less than two weeks prior to the vote.
- This constitution is reviewed annually and subject to the approval of the Department of Student Activities.
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Section II. Club Requirements - Regardless of changes to the Constitution, the following must remain:
- At least three officer positions, comprised of President, Secretary, and Treasurer must exist.
- Officer elections must be held between April 1st and May 7th of each calendar year with officers serving for one year.
- ARTICLE I – ORGANIZATION