ART CLUB CONSTITUTION

Article I

Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Westfield State College Art Club is to enrich the educational experience of all students interested in art. The Art Club ensures this through providing trips to Art Museums and Galleries. The trips are used to educate students of art about the fine masters of the past. The Art Club also provides lectures to students about art when applicable.

Article II

Name:

This organization shall be known as the Art Club.

Article III

Membership:

Section One: Membership shall be open to all full-time and part-time undergraduate students of the college who have paid their student activities fees for the current academic year.

Section Two: Members are considered to be active if they attend and/or participate in 2/3 of the club meetings and activities.

Article IV

Officers:

Section One: The officers of the club shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section Two: The officers shall be elected at a regularly scheduled club meeting prior to May 1st of every year by a majority vote. Refer to by-laws voting procedures.

Section Three: Any member of the club shall be eligible to hold an office.

Section Four: The term of office, for each officer, will begin May 1st of that year and end April 30th of the following year, making each term one year.

Article V

Advisors:

Section One: The faculty advisor shall be selected from the faculty of the ArtDepartment, by a majority of the club members or officers.

Section Two: The faculty advisor(s) shall advise the club, when consulted, in planning the activities of the club.

Article VI

Meetings

Section One: The number of meetings held each year will be determined by a majority of club members.

Section Two: Special meetings may be called by the President.

Section Three: The officers of the club may hold meetings separate from the regular club meetings without the presence of an advisor.

Article VII

Vacancies:

Section One: If an office is vacated for any reason, nominations will be made at least one meeting in advance to fill the vacant position. Refer to by-laws for election procedures to fill any vacancy that may occur.

Article VIII

Amending Procedure:

Section One: The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting membership in the club and if approved by the rules and regulations committee of the Student Government Association.

Article IX

Removal from Office:

Section One: If an officer is not performing his/her said duties (see by-laws), he/she may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote. His/her replacement will be chosen by election the following week. The election procedure will follow normal election procedures.

Section Two: If an advisor is not performing his/her said duties, he/she may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the club members. His/her replacement will be appointed by the President with majority approval of the club members.

Article X

Recognition of Safety and Waiver of Liability:

Section 1:

  1. The Student Government Association (herein, SGA) and this Club, Art club, recognize that the overall safety and wellbeing of its Club members is a priority function of the Club.
  2. This Club (named above) is only authorized to conduct its activities in a designated University approved location such as one provided on campus grounds or at a recognized location that is designed or approved for this Club’s specific activities.
  3. Each Club member, as a material condition of membership, understands, accepts and agrees that his/her participation in this Club is voluntary and that he/she voluntarily assumes all risks and liabilities associated with his/her participation. Each Club member, by accepting membership, agrees to hold the SGA harmless from and indemnify the SGA against any and all liability, including, but not limited to physical, financial, emotional and property damage claims, whether sustained or inflicted, in connection with or in any way related to the participant’s participation in the Club.
  4. Once approved the SGA acts as an administrative resource for the Club and is not responsible for managing Club activities. The Club must be under proper supervision (by an advisor or coach or certified facility manager) while performing Club activities which may include but are not limited to practices, meetings and competitions.
  5. Any and all injuries, whether incurred or inflicted in connection with Club activity, must be reported to Westfield State University Public Safety (413) - 572-5262 immediately per University reporting procedures. The SGA Parliamentarian or Representative must also be notified of such injury in writing no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the injury occurs. Reports of injuries will be kept by the SGA within the Club’s file.
  6. After a report of such an injury has been made, all Club activities must cease while the cause of the injury is determined and an assessment of the situation occurs. After such determination and assessment by the Rules and Regulations committee, the club may resume its activities only if authorization from the SGA Parliamentarian to resume is issued in writing.

Section 2:

  1. Failure to adhere to these conditions may result in sanctions, up to and including, revoking the Club’s active status as determined by the Rules and Regulations Committee.

By-Laws

Article I

Duties of the President:

Section One: Shall preside at all club meetings.

Section Two: Shall call special meetings, appoint committees, and appoint chairpersons.

Section Three: Shall have general supervision of the affairs of the club.

Article II

Duties of the Vice President:

Section One: Shall assume the duties of the president in case of absence and shall assist the President whenever possible.

Article III

Duties of the Secretary:

Section One: Shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the meetings and activities of the club on file with the Student Government Association.

Section Two: Shall keep attendance records.

Article IV

Duties of the Treasurer:

Section One: Shall act as a custodian of all money in the possession of the club.

Section Two: shall keep an accurate record of allotments, receipts, and expenditures.

Article V

Elections:

Section One: Members may neither nominate nor second the nomination of themselves. Any member may nominate or second the nomination of any other. The nomination and seconds of the nominations will be done verbally. The vote will be cast anonymously. The ballots will be tallied by the Advisor. The nominee who receives the most votes shall be the officer elect.

Section Two: No election may be held if there is not a quorum of the members present at the meeting.

Section Three: If an election vote ends in a tie the election procedure will be started over for that office.