Constitution of Debate Club at Iowa

02/20/2017

Article I - Purpose
Debate Club at Iowa provides a way for students to practice debate skills and have
meaningful discussions about a variety of topics. Debate Club will also serve as a means
of teaching different debate tactics.

Article II - Membership
a)
In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of
persons on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex,
pregnancy, disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the
U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, associational preferences, or
any other classification which would deprive the person of consideration as an
individual. The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and equal
access to membership, programming, facilities, and benefits shall be open to all
persons. Eighty percent (80%) of this organizations membership must be
composed of UI students.
b)
Executive Board (must be a member in good standing)
President
Vice-President
Head of Marketing and Recruitment
Appointed Officers (must be a member in good standing)
Treasurer
Secretary
Vice-head of Marketing and Recruitment
General Members
UI Students (must comprise 80% of the total organization membership)
are eligible to vote and hold office within the Organization.
Non-UI Students (cannot exceed 20% of total organization membership)
are not eligible to vote or hold office within the organization.
Members in Good standing:
 To be a member in good standing, one must have paid dues (if applicable)
and have attended at least 3 meetings previously, with the exception of
the first election for Executive Board. Members in Good Standing have the
right to vote and seek and hold an elected/appointed office or position.
c)
Membership in this chapter is open to anyone officially connected to the
University of Iowa as students, faculty, or staff as well as those from the
community such as alumni and the general public, as long as 80% of the active
members of this organization are currently enrolled UI undergraduate or graduate
and professional students.
d)

The organization shall admit as a member any person who expresses interest,
contacts the organization executives, and provides their name and contact
information. Membership may be revoked for reasons including but not limited to:
inappropriate behavior, being delinquent in paying dues without explanation, and
one year inactive membership (not attending or being involved in communication
with the executives or officers of the organization). Revocation of membership
may occur due to situations that arise both outside of club functions and those
that arise during club functions.
All situations of revoking membership will be evaluated on a case by case basis
by the executives of the club, who are in charge of the revocation process.
Membership will also cease at the member's own request or upon departure or
graduation from the University of Iowa.

Article III - Officer and Executive Duties

a)
Executives must be enrolled University of Iowa students. They represent the
organization membership. These individuals are selected from the ranks of the
organization's voting membership.
Officers must be enrolled University of Iowa students. They represent the
organization membership. These individuals are selected from an application
process established by the Executive Council.
b)
Executives-
President: The duties of the president include calling and chairing all meetings,
preparing the agendas, representing the official position of the organization to the
 University and all external individuals and groups, delegating responsibilities, and
any other duties that the membership might assign.
Vice-President: The Vice-President shall fulfill the duties assigned by the
President. In case of a vacancy in the Presidency, the Vice-President will
assume the duties of the President until a special election can be held to fill the
President position.
Head of Marketing and Recruitment: The Head of Marketing and Recruitment
shall be responsible for the design and maintenance of the organization's
website, maintaining social media accounts, recruitment of new members, and
creating any marketing or informational materials regarding the organization.
Officers-
Secretary: The Secretary shall record and keep the minutes of all meetings and
shall make those minutes available to any member upon request. The Secretary
shall make and distribute copies of the minutes according to policy established
by the elected executives.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall handle all financial transactions, keep the
financial records of the organization, ensure the organization is meeting all
University policies, and federal and state laws. The Treasurer will also make
periodic reports to membership.
Vice-Head of Marketing and Recruitment: The vice-Head of Marketing and
Recruitment shall fulfill the duties assigned by the Head of Marketing and
Recruitment.
c)
The elected executives of the organization shall constitute the Executive Council.
Appointed positions shall be created and/or filled by the Executive Council
Offices vacated will be filled in a special election. The Executive Council will
present a nomination to the membership for their approval by a majority vote of
those present at the next meeting.
Procedure for removal of an executive or officer will follow the procedures
outlined in Robert's' Rules of Order (latest edition).

Article IV - Elections
a)

Membership will be notified of upcoming elections at least one week in advance

by announcement at a previous general meeting and by email communication.
b)
 Elections will occur each Fall near the beginning of the school year, unless a
special election is required to fill a vacant executive position.
c)
Student Organization executive positions shall be elected during the fall
semester to serve one year until the next fall election. Executives may run for
re-election if they will continue to be at the University of Iowa for at least one
more academic year.
All elected executives shall be chosen by secret ballot, and nomination shall be
made from the floor. The candidates receiving a plurality of all votes cast shall be
elected.
In the case of a tie, any candidates not in the tie will be eliminated, and another
election will occur until the tie is broken. If the only candidates left are tied, a
random number generator online will be used to determine the winner.

Article V - Finances
a)

Dues will be determined and voted on by the Executive Board prior to the
beginning of the academic fall semester. Members will be notified of dues
payment and expected to pay dues to participate in organization activities.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all collection of dues, budget application
processes, disbursement of funds, and payment authorization. The Treasurer is
also responsible for following all University of Iowa cash-handling and accounts
payable policies are followed.
b)
Debate Club at Iowa is required to deposit all receipts in and make
disbursements through the Student Organization Business Office, Fraternity
Business Services, or Recreational Services. Upon dissolution, state money and
mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization. Inactive
organizations will be considered dissolved after five years of no account activity.
Revenue generated dollars or 00 funds must be divided as stated in this
Constitution and carried out by our leadership. Our organizations remaining
revenue generated dollars or 00 funds will be divided or dispersed evenly to
Dance Marathon at Iowa and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County. If
this organization has dissolved and revenue generated dollars or 00 funds have
not been divided as stated in this Constitution by five years from last account
activity, funds in our 00 account will revert to an account specified for this
 purpose within student government(s). These funds will then be available for
distribution through student government(s) guidelines in accordance with
University of Iowa policy.

Article VI - Amendments
a)

Proposed amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing by

membership to the Executive Board.
There will be three readings of a proposed amendment before a vote will be
taken to adopt changes to the organization's constitution.
Members will be notified of a proposed amendment by a posted notification,
email communication, or mail.
A 2/3 vote is required by members in good-standing to ratify an amendment.
All amendments or changes to this constitution must be reflected in an updated
constitution that must be submitted to the Center for Student Involvement &
Leadership located at 145 Iowa Memorial Union.

Article VII - Ratification

2/20/2017
This constitution is ratified on 0