🐘 PennWest College Republicans Club Constitution 🐘
EST: 2024
Preamble: PennWest College Republicans, in recognition of the importance of fostering an inclusive political discourse on our campuses, do hereby establish this Constitution.
Article I: PennWest College Republicans
Section I: The name of the club shall be PennWest College Republicans, or PWCR.
Article II: Purpose
Section I: The purpose of PennWest College Republicans:
A. Is to have a Republican based student club at PennWest University.
B. Provide students with a platform express their political views & interest.
C. Encourage political participation and awareness among students.
D. Organize events, discussions, and activities to educate and engage students on political issues.
Section II: Mission Statement
A. PennWest College Republicans mission is to create a dedicated space for students to express and explore Republican and conservative viewpoints. PWCR aims to promote political engagement and awareness through organized events, discussions, and educational activities. By doing so, we seek to empower students to become informed and active participants in the political process, thereby enriching the intellectual and civic life of our communities.
Article III: Membership & Member Duties
Section I: Membership
A. Membership is open to any student enrolled at any Pennsylvania Western University campus.
B. Prospective members must complete the application and agree to adhere to PWCR’s constitution and code of conduct.
C. PWCR will not impose a limit on the maximum number of members.
Section II: Member Duties
A. Members must attend at least 5 meetings per semester.
B. Members must assist with at least 4 event per semester, if applicable.
C. Members must not be on disciplinary probation.
D. Members are expected to actively contribute to PWCR’s goals and remain respectful.
Section III: Membership Removal
A. Any member can be expelled for cause
I. Undermining Political Engagement: Actively working against PWCR’s efforts to promote political engagement and awareness.
II. Ignoring Club Policies and Procedures: Failure to adhere to PWCR’s policies or code of conduct.
III. Negative Impact on Club Reputation: Actions that negatively impact CCR’s reputation or ability to function effectively.
IV. Lack of Respect for Diverse Opinions: Disrespect towards diverse opinions within CCR’s framework.
V. Repeated Violations: Multiple violations of PWCR’s mission statement despite warnings.
VI. University Discipline: Automatic removal if facing university disciplinary action that conflicts with PWCR’s mission, as determined by the Executive Board.
B. Process of removal
I. The Executive Board will consider the Discipline Conduct Chair’s recommendation regarding removal. The violation will be presented at the next General Business Meeting with the member’s name withheld. If a majority agrees, the member will be removed.
II. If a member is removed from PWCR they are allowed to reapply for membership one year from the date of removal.
C. Warnings
I. Warnings may be issued for discipline as determined by Executive Board with recommendation by the Discipline Conduct Chair and kept on record for a minimum of 6 months.
II. Members receiving 3 or more warnings will go through the removal process outlined in Article III, Section III, Subsection B.
Article IV: PWCR Executive Board & Officer Duties
Section I: Executive Officers
A. The Executive Board will be composed of no more than 9 members.
B. Members are only eligible for an executive board position if they are a full-time student enrolled in degree seeking program, at PennWest Clarion. Except for the California Campus Director and the Edinboro Campus Director.
C. All Executive Board members are required to attend all scheduled board meetings. This attendance requirement is essential to maintain effective communication, decision-making, and leadership consistency within the organization. Any absence must be justified with a valid reason and communicated in advance to the President or designated officer. Failure to comply with this attendance policy may result in disciplinary action as outlined in the bylaws.
D. All executive board members shall report to the club President regarding any and all matters pertaining to the business and operations of the PennWest College Republicans. This directive ensures centralized oversight and efficient communication within the club's leadership structure, fostering cohesive decision-making in line with the club’s objectives.
E. Terms for all elected officers are 2 years from the date of the election.
F. The Executive Board Positions are:
I. President
II. Vice-President
III. Treasurer
IV. Secretary
V. Discipline Conduct Chair (DCC)
VI. Public Relations Specialist (PRS)
VII. Technology Specialist
VIII. California Campus Director
IX. Edinboro Campus Director
Section II: Elections & Officer Vacancy or Removal
A. Officer Elections.
I. Officer Elections will be held at General Business Meetings
II. Officer elections will be done with a ballot in person.
III. The President, Vice-President, Treasurer, PRS, Technology Specialist & DCC may only run for office if they are attending PennWest Clarion.
B. Election Disputes
I. Disputes must be formally presented to the Executive Board.
II. The Executive Board will review and adjudicate election-related disputes.
III. The Board’s decision is final and binding.
C. Officer Vacancies
I. In the event of an officer position becoming vacant the Executive Board may proceed in finding an interim replacement.
II. For vacant positions, the Executive Board may appoint an interim replacement for a maximum of 3 meetings.
III. If no nominations are made, the quorum will vote on making the interim replacement permanent.
IV. If an officer is under investigation by the DCC and is suspended, no voting or filling of the vacancy will occur until the investigation is resolved. If found innocent, the interim will be removed, and the original officer reinstated.
V. If the President is removed or relinquishes their position, the Vice-President will become the interim President. No new amendments or ratifications can occur during this period. The procedure for filling the President’s and/or Vice-President’s positions will follow Article IV, Section II, Subsection C.
Officer Removal
I. The Executive Board may vote to remove an officer at any time with simple majority only at Executive Board Meetings.
II. Removed officers may request a general membership vote to overturn the decision, requiring majority support to halt removal.
III. Officers who fail to execute duties or commit acts listed in Article III, Section III, Subsection A will be removed and barred from running again.
IV. If an officer is suspended pending investigation and found not guilty, they will retain their position. If guilty, they are removed and barred from office.
V. If an officer is removed from office and did not commit one of the acts listed in Article III, Section III, Subsection A the officer is allowed to remain in the group but is not allowed to run for office again.
Section III: Officers
A. The Officer Positions are:
I. President
II. Vice-President
III. Treasurer
IV. Secretary
V. Discipline Conduct Chair
VI. Public Relations Specialist
VII. Technology Specialist
VIII. California Campus Director
IX. Edinboro Campus Director
Section IV: Officers Duties
I. President: Oversees all meetings, aligns activities with PWCR’s mission, and keeps members informed.
II. Vice-President: Assists the President, coordinates events, and acts as interim President in the absence of the President.
III. Treasurer: Manages financial affairs, tracks transactions, and prepares reports.
IV. Secretary: Maintains records of meetings, handles correspondence, and updates membership records.
V. Discipline Conduct Chair (DCC): Manages the code of conduct, investigates complaints, and makes disciplinary recommendations.
VI. Public Relations Specialist (PRS): Manages public image, promotes events, and handles communication with media, and will also oversee any future committees established for the purpose of outreach, ensuring alignment with the mission and values of the Clarion College Republicans. The PRS shall maintain authority to guide, advise, and support these committees, promoting cohesive and effective outreach efforts on behalf of the organization.
VII. Technology Specialist: Provides technical support, assist with online presence, and trains members on technology use.
VIII. California Campus Director: Is the primary representative of the PennWest College Republicans (PWCR) at PennWest California. This director is responsible for organizing and overseeing PWCR activities, promoting conservative political engagement, and fostering a strong local chapter presence. Duties include hosting meetings and events, recruiting and retaining members, and ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and values. As a liaison to the PWCR Executive Board at Clarion, the California Campus Director reports directly to the PWCR President, providing updates on activities, achievements, and challenges while working to empower students to become active participants in the political process.
IX. Edinboro Campus Director: Is the primary representative of the PennWest College Republicans (PWCR) at PennWest Edinboro. This director is tasked with coordinating PWCR efforts on campus, organizing events and meetings, and growing membership to establish a strong chapter presence. They ensure that chapter activities align with PWCR’s mission and values while reporting directly to the PWCR President at Clarion. The Edinboro Campus Director provides updates on chapter progress, addresses any challenges, and collaborates with the California Campus Director to organize multi-campus initiatives and uphold the organization’s goals of fostering political engagement and activism.
Article V: Executive, General Board Meetings & General Procedure
Section I: Meetings
A. Meeting will be held on a bi-weekly basis
B. No meetings will be held during finals week.
C. Executive Board members must attend at least 2 E-Board meetings in person a month.
Section II: Executive Board Meetings
A. The Executive Board shall convene for a meeting on a weekly basis to discuss and oversee all matters pertinent to the ongoing activities, strategies, and administrative duties of the PennWest College Republicans. These meetings shall ensure consistent leadership coordination, enhance communication among officers, and maintain the effective operation of the organization.
Article VI: Parliamentary Authority
Section 1: Governing Procedures
A. Scope
I. In all matters not specifically addressed within this constitution or its bylaws, PWCR shall adhere to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR) as the authoritative guide.
B. Application
I. RONR shall be used to govern the conduct of meetings including but not limited to:
- The process for making and handling motions
- Procedures for debate and discussion
- Methods of voting and counting votes
- Rules for maintaining order and decorum
- The resolution of procedural disputes and appeals
Article VII: Amendments
Section I: Amendments
A. Purpose & Alignments:
I. Amendments to the PWCR constitution may be proposed to ensure that the governance of the PennWest College Republicans remains consistent with the PWCR mission statement to provide a platform for expressing and exploring Republican and conservative viewpoints to enhance political engagement and educational activities.
B. Align with Mission:
I. Any proposed amendment must align with the PWCR mission statement.
Section II: Proposal
A. Submission
I. Amendments may be proposed by any member in good standing of PWCR at any General Business Meeting.
II. The quorum shall review the proposed amendment to ensure it remains consistent with the mission statement.
Section III: Consideration & Adoption
A. Discussion:
I. The proposed amendment shall be discussed at a general business meeting. Members have the opportunity to express their views and ask questions about the proposed amendment.
II. To be adopted the proposed amendment must receive (2/3) majority vote of members present at the meeting.
Section IV: Implementation & Communication
A. Effective Date:
I. Adopted amendments shall be effective immediately unless a different effective date is specified within the amendment.
B. Notification
I. Members shall be notified of the adoption of amendments and provided the updated constitution.
Article VIII: Amendment Ratification
Section I: Ratification
A. A passed amendment will automatically become a(n) Article or Section within 5 general business meetings.
I. After the amendment is passed and ratified if a member wants to remove the new Article or Section it must be proposed as a new amendment at a General Business Meeting.
Article IX: Amendments
No Amendments at this time
PennWest College Republicans Code of Conduct
Mission Statement:
PennWest College Republicans mission is to create a dedicated space for students to express and explore Republican and conservative viewpoints. PWCR aims to promote political engagement and awareness through organized events, discussions, and educational activities. By doing so, we seek to empower students to become informed and active participants in the political process, thereby enriching the intellectual and civic life of our communities.
1. General Principles
Members are expected to act in a manner that reflects positively on the organization, PennWest Clarion, and the values of the Republican Party.
Respect for differing opinions is a cornerstone of our organization. Disagreements are encouraged to remain respectful and constructive.
2. Membership Expectations
Attendance and Participation: Members are to regularly attend meetings, events, and activities to stay engaged and contribute to the success of PWCR.
Representation: When representing PWCR at events or online, members must uphold the organization's values and avoid any actions or statements that could harm the group's reputation.
Collaboration Across Campuses: Members are encouraged to collaborate with PWCR members at other PennWest campuses to strengthen the organization and promote unity.
3. Meeting Conduct
Be respectful and attentive during discussions and presentations.
Refrain from interrupting speakers and wait for your turn to speak.
Represent PWCR and your respective PennWest campus with professionalism and integrity.
4. Event Conduct
Treat event speakers, attendees, and other participants with respect.
Follow all event guidelines and instructions from PWCR leadership.
Represent PWCR and PennWest University with professionalism and integrity
5. Social Media Use
Members are prohibited from making social media posts that are discriminatory, harassing, or offensive while associating with PWCR.
Do not post content that misrepresents PWCR or conflicts with the organization’s values.
Use disclaimers when expressing personal opinions, clarifying that the views are not representative of PWCR.
6. Anti-Harassment Policy
PWCR maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, or bullying in any form, including but not limited to behavior based on race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or political beliefs. Harassment complaints will be reviewed by the Executive Board, and appropriate disciplinary action including removal may be taken.
7. Conflict Resolution
Concerns or disputes should be brought to the attention of the PWCR Executive Board for resolution.
Members should make every effort to resolve conflicts internally and respectfully.
8. Disciplinary Actions
Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary actions, including verbal warnings, suspension of membership privileges, or removal from the organization.
The PWCR Executive Board will review any violations and determine the appropriate course of action.
Acknowledgment of the Code of Conduct:
By joining the PennWest College Republicans, members agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. The Executive Board reserves the right to amend this Code as necessary with or without notification to align with the mission and values of the organization.
Chapter President:
Brady McGiffin
President, PennWest College Republicans