SWI CLUB PROPOSED CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: NAME

The organization shall be named the “Southern Women’s Institute Club,” hereinafter referred to as “SWI Club.”

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the SWI Club is to represent the students interested in Women’s Studies and Golden Girl Oral Histories by acting as follows:

A. SWI Club will make recommendations to the Women’s Emphasis Committee regarding policies, class offerings, and procedures in areas involving the Women’s Studies Minor. Decisions on SWI Club recommendations shall be communicated to the SWI Club.

B. SWI Club will act as advisors for the Golden Girls Oral Histories.

C. SWI Club will contribute to the overall effectiveness of Women’s Studies Minor and the Golden Girl Oral Histories by affecting harmony and unity of purpose among the parties.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Membership Eligibility

All full-time and part-time students at MUW shall be eligible to serve as members of SWI Club. 

Section 2.  Membership Selection

Members will be invited to be a part of the SWI Club based on their interest in Women’s Studies and Golden Girl Oral Histories or upon recommendation by faculty and SWI Club members.  There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, disability, or national origin.

Section 3. GPA Requirements

All members must maintain an overall quality point average of at least 2.0.

Section 4. Committees

Women’s Emphasis Committee

The purpose of this committee is to serve as a liaison between the Women’s Emphasis Committee faculty and the SWI Club. 

Golden Girl Oral History Committee

The purpose of this committee is to serve as a liaison between the Oral History Committee and the SWI Club.

Community Service/Social Committee

The purpose of this committee is to be responsible for the organization of social events and coordinating community service projects for SWI Club. Duties may include deciding on time and location, arranging catering and entertainment, and sending invitations.

SWI Book Club Committee

The purpose of this committee is to encourage readership of books involving Southern Women.  Each semester the SWI Club will select a book to read.

Constitution Committee

The purpose of this committee is to be responsible for keeping the Constitution updated.  Duties may include writing suggested revisions and logging revisions for yearly review.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section I. Election of Officers

A. Officers of the SWI Club are President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Publicity Chair.

B. Election of officers will be held annually at the first meeting of the academic year by secret majority vote of the membership.

Section 2. Terms of Office

A.  An officer's term is one year.

B. An officer may serve consecutive terms.

C. The President must have been a member for at least one year prior to election as officers.

D. Should the President become unable or ineligible to complete a term, the Vice-President will become President and a special election will be held to elect a new Vice-President.

E. Should the Vice-President become unable or ineligible to complete a term, a special election will be held to elect a new Vice-President.

Section 3. Duties of Officers

A. PRESIDENT DUTIES:

1. To preside over meetings of the SWI Club and Executive Committee.
2. To represent the SWI Club at University Leadership Panel through the Office of Student Life.
3. To prepare and distribute notices of SWI meetings and the agenda for meetings.
4. To appoint Sub-Committees for the work of the SWI Club.
5. To appoint consultants or advisors to sub-committees from outside the SWI Club.
6. To perform all other functions of the President of an organization.

B. VICE-PRESIDENT DUTIES:

1. To be a member of the SWI Club Executive Committee.
2. To preside over SWI Club meetings in the absence of the President.
3. To substitute for the President at meetings of University Leadership.
4. To oversee the Constitution Committee.

C. SECRETARY DUTIES:

1. To be a member of the SWI Club Executive Committee.
2. To prepare and distribute a copy of the official minutes of each regular meeting to all members.
3. To maintain a record of attendance.
4. To correspond, report for, or represent the SWI Club as requested by the President.

D. PUBLICITY CHAIR DUTIES:

1.     To publicize activities of the SWI Club to the campus and community.

2.     To serve as chair of “Woman of the Month.”

3.     To oversee the activities of the Community Service/Social Committee.     

Section 4. Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary of SWI Club.  The Executive Committee will be responsible for setting meeting agendas, holding special meetings as needed, and providing direction for SWI Club activities.

Section 5. Officer Eligibility

Officers of the organization shall hold and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0, not be on disciplinary or academic probation, and shall be fully admitted students to Mississippi University for Women.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section 1. Frequency of Meetings

SWI Club will meet at least once a month. The schedule of monthly meetings will be established at the beginning of each academic year. Special sessions may be called at the discretion of the President or at the request of the SWI Director.

Section 2. Quorum and Voting Rights

A. For purposes of conducting business on which a vote is required, quorum is defined as 3/4 of the membership.

B. Only members vote on business before the SWI Club.

D. Any member of the student body has a standing invitation to attend the SWI Club meetings but does not have the privilege of the floor or of voting.

E. The President or a member may invite to a meeting persons whose presence is deemed necessary for the discussion of an agenda item. These persons have the privilege of the floor, but not of voting.

F. The SWI Club may exercise the right to conduct a closed session. The concurrence of 2/3 of the members present is required.

Section 3. Referral of Business

Matters may be referred to SWI Club by the SWI Director, the Women’s Emphasis Committee, the Oral History Committee, or the campus community. Referrals must be made in writing and submitted to the President before the agenda is prepared.

Section 4. Agenda Procedures

The Executive Committee determines the order in which items of business are to be presented to SWI Club. At least 3 days before a scheduled monthly meeting, the Executive committee will meet to prepare the agenda. Matters arising after this time may be included in the agenda at the discretion of the Executive Committee. If time does not permit discussion of an agenda item, the item will automatically be placed first on the agenda for the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE VI: FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The SWI Club will be financially supported by the Southern Women’s Institute.  No dues will be required for membership.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Proposal

Any amendments to the constitution and bylaws shall be proposed by members, in writing, to the SWI Club at least seven days before the meeting during which it is to be presented for a vote.  Proposed amendments will be considered for a vote. 

Section 2. Ratification

A proposed amendment approved by a 2/3 vote of the total membership will be submitted to the general staff for ratification by a simple majority vote. Following such ratification it will be submitted to the SWI Director and Director of Student Life for approval and acceptance. 

Section 3. Limit of Powers

Nothing contained in this constitution shall in any way limit the final authority of Mississippi University for Women.