| Membership Expectations
Constitution
Speech Team
Morningside College
Original Document September 20, 2006
Revised September 2007
- Article I: Name
- Article II: Mission
- Article III: Purpose
- Article IV: Membership
- Article V: Officers
- Article VI: Members
- Article VII: Meetings
- Article VIII: Impeachment
- Article IX: Changes in the Constitution
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be: Speech Team
Article II: Mission
To develop and establish a tradition of Morningside College Forensics (the art or study of formal debate and/or speeches) by producing accomplished speakers who enrich communities using their voices.
07/08 mission: The Morningside College Speech Team's mission is to improve the speaking skills of the Morningside College students through collegiate competition and on campus assistance to all students.
07/08 goals:
To compete in collegiate competition throughout the school year.
To have each member present at least once during the year.
To gather materials and build a literary library.
To expand the Morningside College Speech program.
Article III: Purpose
This organization was established to provide an avenue for all students interested in Debate and Forensics who are wishing to further develop their skills and to be able to compete with these areas at tournaments across the nation against other two-year and four-year institutions.
Article IV: Membership
The Speech Team is open to students interested in any event related to Debate and Forensics. No prior experience is necessary and/or required.
Article V: Officers
Section 1: The President will preside over all club meetings, practice sessions, and fundraisers as well as engaging in promotional endeavors for the club. This position assures compliance to college and organization rules. The President works with the Coach and [Assistant Coach(es)] on fundraisers, tournament events, and any other aspect of the organization that should require their attention.
Section 2: The Vice-President assists the President in all duties. The Vice-President will preside over all club meetings, practice sessions, and fundraisers should the President be absent. The Vice-President performs all duties during the President's absence the Vice-President is also responsible for attending all meetings and practice sessions as well as assisting with fundraisers and promotional endeavors.
Section 3: The Secretary will record the minutes and attendance at each meeting. The Secretary writes all correspondence. The Secretary is also responsible for attending all meetings and practice sessions as well as assisting with fundraisers and promotional endeavors.
Section 4: The Treasurer will record and maintain accurate records of all funds related to the club. The Treasurer will report to the Coach, Assistant Coach, and the other offices as well as the Business Office with updated financial reports. The Treasurer is also responsible for attending all meetings and practice sessions as well as assisting with fundraisers and promotional endeavors.
Section 5: The Travel Coordinator will coordinate all travel for the team at least one week in advance of the day the team departs. He or she will report all estimated costs to the team. Travel Coordinator is also responsible for attending all meetings and practice sessions as well as assisting with fundraisers and promotional endeavors.
Section 6: The officers will be elected by plurality vote by all members in attendance when the vote is taken. Proxy votes and voting in absentia are not allowed. However, the President will serve in the vacant position by default if no one else wants that position.
Article VI: Members
Members vote and support their representatives. They also participate as much as possible in all practice sessions and will be in attendance at every club meeting. The attendance policy for members is no more than three consecutive or five total absences in a semester. Excused absences include illness, bereavement, and school approved functions. Members are also responsible for participating in fundraisers and in executing promotional endeavors for the team. Members who do not desire to compete and/or to attend a tournament can still remain a member of the team to help with practice sessions and fundraisers.
Article VII: Meetings
The team officers and members shall meet at a designated time and place a minimum of two times a month while school is in session for the fall and spring semesters. The club officers can decide on the frequency of the summer meetings for officers.
Article VIII: Impeachment
Section 1: In the event of an officer resignation, the Club President shall instigate a special election at the next immediate meeting to replace that officer. Nominations may be taken from the membership pool attending the meeting. The members would vote for a particular member who would then take office at that meeting. If wished by the team, a volunteer may fill in for a officer who is absent. If the President resigns, then the Vice-President automatically moves up to the President position and the election will be held to fill the Vice-President slot.
Section 2: An officer who commits any one or more offensive action defined by the Constitution during his/her term of office shall face impeachment by the officers of the club. Offensive actions could include: more than 50 percent absence rate from meetings per month; mishandling of funds; falsifying documents; kicked out of a tournament for any reason; being found guilty of committing harassment of any kind against officers, coaches, club members, and/or tournament officials; or any other offensive behavior unbecoming of a student as outlined in the Student Handbook or any other actions that violates any other kind campus or District policy. A closed-door conference will be held among the officers, the coaches, and the defendant. Morningside College officials may also sit in on this meeting. A majority vote of the officers will remove an officer from his/her position. At the next immediate meeting, a special election will be held to fill the vacant position. If the President is the officer removed, then the Vice-President will automatically move up to the President position and the election will be held to fill the Vice-President slot.
Article IX: Changes in the Constitution
Any proposed changes to the Constitution must be approved by the coaches and by the club officers before those changes are brought up for a vote at the club meetings. For a change to be approved for the Constitution, it must receive approval from 2/3 of the members in attendance at that meeting.
