All students are welcome to join IUSB’s Political Science Club, regardless of major. Details of the club’s activities and information about joining may be obtained by contacting Dr. Elizabeth Bennion, 574-520-4128, Wiekamp 2181, email: ebennion@iusb.edu.

Mission

The Political Science Club works to expand student knowledge of and participation in politics at the local, state, and national levels.  Club members meet to discuss important domestic and international political issues and events and to host educational events including speakers, voter education campaigns, and political debates.  The club is also designed to allow students interested in politics to socialize and interact with others who share this interest.

Political Science Club Officers

IU South Bend Political Science Club Constitution

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Political Science Club

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to expand student knowledge of and participation in politics at the local, state, and national levels.  Club members meet to discuss important domestic and international political issues and events and to host educational events including speakers, voter education campaigns, and political debates.  The club is also designed to allow students interested in politics to socialize and interact with others who share this interest.

Article III – Membership

Membership is the Political Science Club is open to all students expressing interest and enthusiasm for politics. Members must attend 50 or higher percentage of meetings to retain voting privileges.

Article IV – Officers

The IUSB Political Science Club shall be governed by an executive board consisting of a president, vice president of public affairs, vice president of event planning, secretary and a treasurer.

Article V - Officer Elections

Offices: President, Vice Presidents (1-2), Treasurer, Secretary

Terms: 1 Year Term (mid-May to mid-May of the following year)

Term Limits:  2 years of consecutive service per office

Voting Procedure:  Australian “secret” ballot; Simple majority of all registered POLS Club member attending the meeting at which the election is held; or e-mail ballot (as determined before each election)

Article VI - Office Responsibilities:  (No person may hold the post of president and vice president).

§         President:
schedule and call meetings
set meeting agenda (in consultation with club members)
moderate/facilitate business meetings
assign/recruit volunteers for various tasks and offices
supervise work of other offices; make sure tasks are completed
arrange for a President pro tempore in case of absence
 

§         Vice President of Recruitment and Public Relations:
plan recruitment activities
create publications to promote membership growth
advertise club events on campus and in the community
answer inquiries based on club publicity from members of the campus and community (or refer people to the appropriate club officer)
archive all PR materials (1 copy per poster)
 

§         Vice President of Club Events and Activities:
gather and create new ideas for club events and activities
plan and coordinate event logistics (i.e. rooms, food, AV equipments, furniture, speakers, videos, reading materials)
recruit volunteers to help with club events
work with the VP of Public Relations to advertise club events
 

§         Secretary:
attend all business meetings (arrange for a secretary pro tempore in cases of absence)
take detailed minutes of each meeting
distribute minutes of each meeting within one week of the meeting date
revise minutes based on member comments
print revised minutes for circulation at the next club meeting
 

§         Treasurer:
request SGA club money at the beginning of each academic year
request check’s from SGA organization budget for approved activities
request reimbursement from SGA organization funds when approved
consult with club members (including officer) about the proper (or best) way to purchase club-related goods and services
keep track of (and balance) club budget
provide budget report to club members when requested by the president

Article VII - Business Meeting Procedures and Guidelines:

§         Basic Structure:
Meeting is Called to Order by President
Minutes from Previous Meeting are Accepted or Revised
Written Agenda is Followed
Motions are Debated and Passed According to Parliamentary Procedure
New Business is Allowed at Scheduled Time
Meetings Shall Not Exceed 90 Minutes
Meeting is Adjourned by President

§         Decision-Making:
A quorum is required to pass any binding procedural change
A quorum shall be 2/3 of all registered club members
The requirement for a quorum may be changed by majority vote (but not unless a quorum is present under guidelines set by the old rules determining quorum)
A motion may be passed by a simple majority (except for officer removal which requires a 2/3 vote)

§         Attendance:
All club members are encouraged to attend business and social meetings
Club officers are required to attend business meetings
An officer of the club automatically forfeits his or her position if he/she

· misses more than one non-business meeting and one business meeting in a given semester (Does not include weekly television viewing).

· misses more than two business meetings in a given semester

· misses more than two non-business meetings in a semester 

unless these absences are officially excused by the president.*

Such official excuses should only be granted under the most serious circumstances. In the event of an absence, every attempt should be made to clear the absence with the president before the meeting and to make sure that one’s official responsibilities are covered by another club member. 

• If the president is the person absent, he/she must notify current  vice president(s) of this absence at least 24 hours before the scheduled meeting.

Article VIII – Amendments

Amendments or issues not specifically addressed in this constitution may be decided with a 2/3 vote of the active membership. A quorum of over 50 percent is required for voting.

Last modified 05/21/08