Pacific Lutheran University chapter constitution
Article 1: Name and Purpose
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be Society of Professional Journalists.
Section 2: This organization is the Pacific Lutheran
University student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
(SPJ), a national organization. PLU Society of Professional
Journalists will participate in national and regional SPJ activities,
meet their requirements for campus chapters, and abide by their mission
statement.
Section 3: The purpose of the PLU student chapter of
Society of Professional Journalists is to provide a place for student
journalists to interact with professionals in the field, enhance their
journalistic skills, discuss journalistic-based ethical questions and
perpetuate the ideal of free press.
Article 2: Membership
Section 1: All officers of PLU Society of
Professional Journalists must be admitted students at Pacific Lutheran
University.
Section 2: Active members and officers of the
student chapter must be registered members of the national Society.
Section 3: All members shall attend official student
chapter meetings, unless previously excused. Members shall
participate in SPJ planned activities, lectures, service projects, etc.
Section 4: PLU Society of Professional Journalists
shall not deny consideration for membership to any student because of
gender, race, religion, creed, national origin, handicap, marital
status or sexual orientation.
Section 5: The student chapter will not deny membership based on student’s declared major.
Article 3: Officers
Section 1: The leadership positions in PLU
Society of Professional Journalists will be President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations; these officers will make up
the executive board.
- Duties of the President include overseeing members of the
executive board, assuring that the organization follows policies and
procedures set forth by the University and the national chapter of
Society of Professional Journalist. Specific duties include
completing the SPJ Campus Chapter Annual Report, managing weekly
distribution of The Mast, acting as a liaison between the student
chapter and the Western Washington Pro Chapter, and maintaining a
chapter file with the assistance of the Secretary.
- Duties of the Vice President include acting in place of the
President in case of absence, acting as advisor to subcommittees of the
organization for specific events, and acting as a liaison between the
student chapter and other campus clubs and organizations.
- Duties of the Secretary include preparing an agenda for
meetings, reminding members of scheduled meetings and upcoming events,
recording minutes from each meeting and reporting these to members,
maintaining records of member participation at both meetings and
events, and assist President in maintaining chapter file.
- Duties of the Treasurer include overseeing finances,
handling reimbursements, keeping record of members’ payments of
national dues, completing the Treasurer’s Report for the SPJ Campus
Chapter Annual Report, and maintaining overall financial integrity for
the organization.
- Duties of the Public Relations chair include publicizing of
club events, announcing schedule of chapter meetings and annual
national and regional chapter events, maintaining the SPJ bulletin
board, and organizing campus advertising.
- All members of the executive board are responsible for
motivating active members of the club, recruitment of new members,
serving on at least one committee, and delegating responsibilities
required of their position to other members of the executive board when
needed.
Section 2: All members for the executive board for the following
academic year will be selected by April of the current year. For
a selection to be official, 2/3 of active members shall be present for
discussion and a vote. New officers will take office in the fall,
but will participate in a period of office transitioning after being
selected.
Section 3: If a vacancy occurs, an emergency selection will take place to fill the position.
Section 4: If an officer fails to maintain membership in good standing,
they may be removed following a discussion and vote of the general
membership.
Article 4: Advisor
Section 1: A full time faculty or staff member of
Pacific Lutheran University will advise The PLU Society of Professional
Journalists. The advisor will attend official student chapter
meetings, provide guidance and direction in relation to the policies
and procedures of the University, as well as ideas for events and
membership. The advisor must be a registered member of the
national Society.
Article 5: Meetings
Section 1: The PLU Society of Professional
Journalists will meet weekly. Meetings will usually last for one
half hour, but if needed, will run longer. Members will be
notified ahead of time. Location and time of meetings may vary by year.
Section 2: Special committees will meet as
determined by the need of the group and necessity of projects at hand.
Section 3: The quorum necessary for votes will be 2/3 of members present to discuss and vote.
Article 6: Finances
Section 1: Members of PLU Society of Professional Journalists will pay
annual dues to the national Society by the end of October. As new
members join, they will have one month to pay their dues. Members
will be responsible for paying their own dues and will not be
reimbursed by the student chapter.
Article 7: Amendments
Section 1: All active members of the PLU Society of
Professional Journalists have the opportunity to suggest an amendment
to the constitution.
Section 2: All proposed amendments must be presented
in writing to the executive board members and the advisor.
Section 3: The Secretary is responsible for
alerting all members prior to a meeting when an amendment vote will
take place.
Section 4: A vote of 2/3 of the present active
members at a voting meeting will approve an amendment to the
constitution.
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