Sample Constitution/ By-Laws
*This sample constitution is not designed for you to fill in the blanks, but rather to provide you with guidelines in designing a constitution which will meet the specific requirements of your organization.
Note: You may wish to add additional articles, sections, by-laws or amendments to this sample. This is a model intended to guide you in the development of a constitution which will suit your organization. The only article in this sample required to be in you r by-laws is Article 8, section 4.
Article 1. Name
The name of this organization shall be __________
Article 2. Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be___________________
Article 3. Membership
Section 1. Membership shall be open to __________
Section 2. No member may be removed from membership without first having an open hearing and then by no less than _______ vote at a regular meeting.
Section 3. The (organization name) allows participation in the organization by all people regardless of sex, race, creed, or ethnic origin.
Article 4. Officers
Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be ____________(include a list of the positions, not the persons who will fill these positions.)
Section 2. All officers shall be elected at the (first meeting, March meeting, etc.) of (spring or fall) semester of each year. Officers will be elected by (majority, 2/3 present, etc. vote of all those members present at the meeting.
Section 3. No officer may be removed from office without first having an open hearing and then by no less than a ______ vote at a regular meeting.
Section 4. Office vacancies will be filled by special election at the meeting after the vacancy occurs.
Article 5. Meetings
Section 1. Regular meetings will be held_________
Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the chief executive officer or upon request of any (#) active members.
Section 3. All members shall be notified of a special meeting at least (number of days) before the time of the special meeting.
Article 6. Quorum
Section 1. Proposed amendments to this constitution or the by-laws of this constitution shall be presented at a regular meeting at least one meeting prior to being discussed and voted upon.
Section 2. Having been properly presented, amendments may be adopted by a ____ majority vote of the membership at a regular meeting.
Section 3. Amendments shall go into effect ( immediately, upon adoption, one week following adoption, etc.)
Article 7. Dues (Optional)
The dues shall be (amount) payable by (date and time)
Article 8. Duties of Officers
Section 1. Office of President (or related position)
Section 2. Office of Vice President (or related position)
Section 3. Office of Secretary
Section 4. An officer needs to be assigned the responsibility to register with the Office of Student Activates each year. This responsibility may be assigned to any officer in you r organization.
Section 5. Subsequent sections for the other officer explanations as needed.
Article 9. Committees
Section 1. There shall ______ standing committees.
Section 2. The ____ committee shall _______
Section 3. (These sections- and subsequent sections as needed- should describe the creation, purpose, and the duties of the standing committees.
Section 4. Special committees may be (describe the creation, purpose, and duties of special committees.
Article 10. Parliamentary Authority
________ shall be the parliamentary authority of this organization.