For each section of the constitution, a brief description of contents and an example (in blue box) are provided. By no means is this the only way to create a constitution – use whatever format is best to communicate your mission, goals, and activities and structure.
Name
This section includes simply the name of your organization.
Article I. Name
The name of this organization shall be Common Sense Action (CSA)
Purpose and Functions
This section is one of the most important, as it details the mission and activities of your club.
Article II. Mission
Common Sense Action is a grassroots organization that expands opportunity for Millennials by bringing our generation to the policymaking table and building a movement of Millennial voters committed to advancing generational fairness, investing in Millennial mobility, and repairing politics.
Membership
This section discusses the target audience of your club and any steps a student must take to obtain membership. Note that to be recognized as a CMC-only club, a roster may not contain more than 20% non-CMC students. If your club requires an invitation, audition, or application, include those requirements here. We recommend allowing students to join as General Members without any application or interview to start. This helps to generate interest and involvement in your group. You can then channel that interest into executive board positions that require applications, etc.
Article III. Membership
We are looking for students who are interested in working with public policy and who share our values of generational equality and bipartisanship. At our core, we are a group dedicated to making a positive impact on the community around us, and similarly committed students who are willing to work towards our common goal will always be accepted.
Nondiscrimination Clause
In order to be chartered, your constitution must include a statement saying that your club will not discriminate.
Article IV. Nondiscrimination Clause
[Club Name] or it’s members may not discriminate against someone on the basis of the person’s legally-protected status (e.g. including: race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion (including religious dress and appearance), gender, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, military status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic that may be specified in laws and regulations, as well as the perception that a person has any of those characteristics).
Officers/Leadership
This section discusses different leadership positions and their responsibilities. It also includes information about length of terms and election processes.
Article V. Officers
President
a. Responsible for preparing and running meetings
b. Serves as liaison to CSA main chapter
VP of Programming
a. Responsible for planning all organization events and workshops
VP of Finance
a. Responsible for overseeing club finances
VP of Communications
a. Responsible for CSA press release
Each officer hold their position for the time period of one year beginning at the start of each academic year, with elections held amongst club members occurring at the end of each academic year in preparation. All club members are eligible to run for any of the executive board positions. Leaders will be elected by a majority vote of the current membership.
Meetings
This section includes information about meeting frequency, content, and determination.
Article VI. Meetings
Meetings to discuss current club initiatives will occur every two weeks on a day and time decided by executive board.
Amendments
This section contains instructions regarding how to amend the constitution. Exact requirement are at your discretion.
Article VII. Amendments
Amendments may be proposed at the end of each meeting, with voting on the proposal occurring during the next meeting. All registered members may vote, and in order for an amendments to be implemented, 3/5 of all executive officers AND 50% of all other members present must affirm it.
Ratification
This section contains instructions for ratification. Exact requirements are at your discretion.
Article. VIII. Ratification
In order for this constitution to be ratified, 3/5 of all executive officers must vote to do so.