PREAMBLE

For the Purposes deemed wise and good, here and after set forth, this organization is hereby established and submits itself to be by, and dedicating itself to uphold, the following constitution.

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be commonGround – the University of Louisville’s Assembly for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexual students, and their Allies, hereafter referred to as commonGround.

ARTICLE II – STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Section 1.              

    commonGround primarily exists for the purpose of supporting and promoting the welfare of gay, lesbian, bisexual,     transgender, queer, questioning ,and intersexual (GLBTQQIA) students and their allies at the University of Louisville     (U of L).

Section 2.             

Additional purposes of commonGround include, but are not limited to:

1. Providing support and referral, particularly for U of L GLBTQQIA students
2. Providing information and education for the U of L GLBTQQIA community, the U of L community-at-large, as well as the greater Louisville metropolitan community
3. Providing a means to network with other U of L GLBTQQIA organizations and other common interest groups, as well as groups within the greater Louisville metropolitan region
4. Empowering people to share common goals, concerns, and interests as equals
5. Existing as a social organization for the U of L GLBTQQIA community

ARTICLE III – NON-DISCRIMINATION CLAUSE

commonGround will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, sexual preference, gender identity, gender expression, religious affiliation, political affiliation, age, religion, national origin, ethnic origin, or physical, mental, or emotional disability. This non-discrimination policy covers membership, access, and treatment in commonGround programs and activities, as well as application and treatment in commonGround elections. commonGround will make every reasonable effort to ensure that all official activities are held in handicapped accessible areas.

ARTICLE IV – CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE

commonGround shall respect the confidentiality of its members due to the sensitive nature of sexual and gender identity issues. Members of commonGround shall also respect the integrity of this confidentiality clause and abide by its expectation both within and outside of the organization. Members shall commit to this confidentiality clause upon completion of the membership application.

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP (GENERAL ASSEMBLY)

Section 1.              

Membership of the General Assembly shall consist of those who have agreed to uphold this Constitution and participate fully in the activities of this organization and who have completed a membership application which will remain on file with the Secretary. At least fifty percent (50%) of the membership of commonGround will consist of U of L Students.

Section 2.              

Membership Requirements

Full Voting Members

    Full voting members must be an enrolled student at the University of Louisville

Voting Members

    Voting members must fulfill one of the following:

1. Be currently employed as faculty or staff at the University of Louisville
2. Be currently enrolled as a student or currently employed as faculty or staff at any Metroversity institution (Bellarmine University, Indiana University Southeast, Jefferson Community College – Downtown Campus, Jefferson Community College – Southwest Campus, Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, or Spalding University) or any post-secondary institution, college, or trade school located in the greater Louisville metropolitan area

Non-Voting Members

Non-voting members must fulfill one of the following:

1. Be an individual that does not meet the requirements of full voting or voting members
2. Be an individual that has been given honorary membership status because of commitment to and assistance with commonGround

Section 3.              

Rights and Privileges of Full Voting Members

1. Have the right to vote on all issues brought to the floor of the General Assembly
2. Have the right to head and/or serve on working groups
3. Attend and participate in commonGround Executive Council meetings, if elected to the Executive Council
4. Have the right to anonymity, except those full voting members that serve on the commonGround Executive Council

Section 4.              

Rights and Privileges of Voting Members

A.      Have the right to vote on all issues brought to the floor of the General Assembly (except those issues which involve financial commitments on behalf of commonGround)

B.       Have the right to head and/or serve on working groups

C.       Have the right to anonymity

Section 5.               Rights and Privileges of Non-Voting Members

A.      Have the right to serve on working groups

B.       Have the right to anonymity

Section 6.               Term of Membership

A.      Individuals may remain members for one term (a term being defined as the period from August 1st through July 31st)

B.       At the end of a term, the member will be considered for membership for another term if s/he meets the qualifications designated in Article V, Section 2

Section 7.               Removal of Membership

A.      commonGround members are subject to removal from the membership for behavior deemed unethical or in violation of University policy, including but not limited to the following conditions: embezzlement of commonGround funds, violating constitutional or University of Louisville policy, violating commonGround bylaws, slander against commonGround members or guests, belligerent or offensive behavior during commonGround events, any behavior intentionally meant to adversely affect the purpose and mission of commonGround, and any instance of speaking on behalf of commonGround without membership or Executive Council approval

B.       Members may be removed from membership by a simple majority vote (defined as one vote more than one-half of the voting members in attendance) of the Executive Council followed by a simple majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the voting members in attendance) at the following General Assembly meeting

C.       A Motion for Removal of Membership for a General Assembly member shall be initiated with the Executive Council. Once a Motion for Removal of Membership has been initiated, the Executive Council will review all evidence and information regarding the Motion, and will vote in accordance with procedures outlined in Article V, Section 7, Subsection  B. If a Motion for Removal of Membership is approved by the Executive Council, the Motion will then be sent to the General Assembly for review of all evidence and information regarding the Motion. After review of the Motion for Removal of Membership by the General Assembly, a vote on the Motion will be held in accordance with procedures outlined in Article V, Section 7, Subsection B

D.      In the event of a Motion for Removal of Membership, the member in question shall appear before the Executive Council and the General Assembly in order for the vote to be in effect

E.       In the event the member in question fails to appear before the Executive Council and General Assembly, s/he shall be forbidden to attend any commonGround function until the Motion for Removal of Membership is addressed

F.       Members removed from the membership list will be forbidden to attend any future commonGround meetings or events for the remainder of their term of membership

Section 8.               Voting Process

commonGround will use a simple majority vote (one vote more than one half of the voting members in attendance) to pass or defeat motions presented before the General Assembly, unless otherwise noted in this Constitution. In the event of a tie, the advisor(s) shall cast the tie-breaking vote(s)

ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP (EXECUTIVE COUNCIL)

Section 1.               The officers which compose the Executive Council of commonGround shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Publicity, and Webmaster

Section 2.               During times of officer vacancies, the Executive Council shall determine which remaining officers will perform the duties of the vacant office until that office is filled

Section 3.               The responsibilities of the President shall be as follows:

A.      To preside at regular and administrative meetings of commonGround

B.       To serve as the liaison between commonGround and the University of Louisville, Student Government Association, other organizations, media, and the general public

C.       To execute the orders of commonGround, subject to the approval of the membership

D.      To delegate Presidential responsibilities when deemed appropriate, subject to the approval of the membership

E.       To have signature authority on all checks issued by commonGround

F.       To inform succeeding officers of their responsibilities to commonGround, the University, the Student Government Association, and other organizations

G.       To perform other such duties as the membership, Constitution, or bylaws may specify

Section 4.               The responsibilities of the Vice President shall be as follows:

A.      To assist the President in his/her duties

B.       The preside at meetings of commonGround in the absence of the President

C.       To assume the office of the President in his/her absence, vacancy, resignation, or dismissal

D.      To appoint all working group chairs

E.       To serve as the new member mentor to ensure that new members get specific information about commonGround and feel that they are welcome

F.       To serve as liaison between commonGround and the Student Organizations Board

G.       To perform other such duties as the membership, Constitution, or bylaws may specify

Section 5.               The responsibilities of the Secretary shall be as follows:

A.      To record minutes of all regular and administrative meetings

B.       To handle all correspondence of commonGround not under the preview of the President

C.       To pick up mail received at the Student Government Association at least once per week in addition to any other location at which mail may be delivered

D.      To read, route, and reply to any e-mail sent via the organizations official e-mail account (commonground@louisville.edu)

E.       To maintain an accurate and current list of the membership

F.       To update and maintain all files and membership applications

G.       To assume the office of the Vice President in his/her absence, vacancy, resignation, or dismissal

H.      To perform other such duties as the membership, Constitution, or bylaws may specify

Section 6.               The responsibilities of the Treasurer shall be as follows:

A.      To keep accurate records of financial status and transactions

B.       To receive and disburse all monies

C.       To have signature authority on all checks issued

D.      To hold personal responsibility for all commonGround monies in his/her possession

E.       To assume responsibility for organizing fundraising

F.       To represent commonGround when requesting funds from the Student Government Association

G.       To serve as chair of any finance working groups

H.      To assume the office of the Secretary in his/her absence, vacancy, resignation, or dismissal

I.         To perform other such duties as the membership, Constitution, or bylaws may specify

Section 7.               The responsibilities of the Director of Publicity shall be as follows:

A.      To assume responsibility for the creation and distribution of flyers, advertisements, newsletters, and announcements (in both paper and electronic format) for commonGround meetings and activities

B.       To serve as liaison between commonGround and the Student Activities Board and community organizations

C.       To keep abreast of news in The Cardinal and other news mediums that are relevant to commonGround

D.      To provide press releases and other commonGround information to The Cardinal for publication

E.       To serve as chair of any publicity working groups

F.       To assume the office of Treasurer in his/her absence, vacancy, resignation, or dismissal

G.       To perform other such duties as the membership, Constitution, or bylaws may specify

Section 8.               The responsibilities of the Webmaster shall be as follows:

A.      To serve as primary administrator of the official commonGround webpage

B.       To maintain all other unofficial commonGround webpages and internet groups, including but not limited to Facebook and Myspace

C.       Attend the University of Louisville’s training for creation and maintenance of the official website

Section 9.               Term of Office

A.      Elected officers may serve until the next administration takes office. A typical term of office is September of the current year to September of the following year

B.       An Executive Council member may not serve on more than one concurrent council position within commonGround

Section 10.             Requirements for Office

A.      Each member of the Executive Council must be a registered student at the University of Louisville throughout the term of office, not including summer sessions, and must have a cumulative University of Louisville grade point average of 2.0 or higher

B.       Each member of the Executive Council may miss no more than one (1) General Assembly meeting per semester. In the case of illness or extreme emergency, an exception may be granted by the President unless the exception is for the President, in which case the advisor(s) may grant the exception

C.       Each member of the Executive Council must attend all Executive Council meetings. In the case of illness or extreme emergency, an exception may be granted by the President unless the exception is for the President, in which case the advisor(s) may grant the exception

Section 11.             Removal from Office

A.      commonGround officers are subject to removal from office for abuse of executive power or behavior deemed unethical or in violation of University policy, including but not limited to the following conditions: embezzlement of commonGround funds, violating Constitutional or University of Louisville policy, violating commonGround bylaws, slander against commonGround members or guests, belligerent or offensive behavior while serving as a commonGround representative, any behavior intentionally meant to adversely affect the purpose and mission of commonGround, and lack of fulfilling prescribed duties

B.       commonGround officers are subject to removal from office if, at any point during their term, their University of Louisville grade point average falls below 2.0 or they are no longer a registered student at the University of Louisville

C.       Executive Council officers may be removed from office by a simple majority vote (one vote more than on-half of the council members in attendance) of the Executive Council excluding the officer in question, followed by a simple majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the voting members in attendance) at the following General Assembly meeting

D.      A Motion for Removal from Office for an Executive Councilmember shall be initiated with the Executive Council. Once a Motion for Removal from Office has been initiated, the Executive Council will review all evidence and information regarding the Motion, and will vote in accordance with procedures outlined in Article VI, Section 11, Subsection C. If a Motion for Removal from Office is approved by the Executive Council, the Motion will then be sent to the General Assembly for review of all evidence and information regarding the Motion. After review of the Motion for Removal from Office by the General Assembly, a vote on the Motion will be held in accordance with procedures outlined in Article VI, Section 11, Subsection C.

Section 12.             Voting Process

The Executive Council will use a simple majority vote (one more than one-half of the council members in attendance) to make all plans and decisions for the organization, unless otherwise noted in this Constitution. In the event of a tie, the advisor(s) casts the tie-breaking vote(s)

ARTICLE VII – ADVISORY POSITIONS

Section 1.               commonGround must have at least one advisor and empowers itself to create additional advisory positions as necessary. An advisor(s) cannot be a member of commonGround and must be at least twenty-three (23) years of age.

Section 2.               Requirements for the Advisor(s)

A.      Call meetings of the Executive Council when s/he believes it is necessary

B.       Explain University policy when relevant to the discussion

C.       Depend on the Executive Council to carry University policies out through their leadership

D.      Speak up during discussion when s/he has relevant information

E.       Get a copy of all official correspondence

F.       Be custodian of all group paraphernalia, records, etc., during the summer and between changeover of the Executive Council if official office space is not available

G.       Inform the group of infractions of its Constitution and bylaws

H.      Be familiar with University facilities, services, and procedures which affect group activities

I.         Approve all candidates for office in terms of scholastic standing (GPA) and check periodically to ensure that officers are maintaining the required grade point average

J.        Veto a decision when it violates University policy or the Constitution and bylaws of commonGround

K.      May miss no more than two General Assembly meetings per semester. In the case of illness or extreme emergency, an exception may be granted by the President

L.       May miss no more than two Executive Council meetings. In the case of illness or extreme emergency, an exception may be granted by the President

Section 3.               Any duties not listed in Article VII, Section 2, are optional and left to the discretion of the advisor(s)

Section 4.               Dismissal of an Advisor

A.      An advisor may be released from his/her role as advisor for abuse of executive power or behavior deemed unethical or in violation of University policy, including but not limited to the following conditions: embezzlement of commonGround funds, violating Constitutional or University of Louisville policy, violating commonGround bylaws, slander against commonGround members or guests, belligerent or offensive behavior while serving as a commonGround advisor, any behavior intentionally meant to adversely affect the purpose and mission of commonGround, and lack of fulfilling prescribed duties

B.       An advisor may also be released from his/her role as advisor by a simple majority vote (one vote more than one-half of the council members in attendance) of the Executive Council, followed by a two-thirds majority vote at the following General Assembly meeting

C.       A Motion for Removal of Advisor shall be initiated with the Executive Council. Once a Motion for Removal of Advisor has been initiated, the Executive Council will review all evidence and information regarding the Motion, and will vote in accordance with procedures outlined in Article VII, Section 4, Subsection B. If a Motion for Removal of Advisor is approved by the Executive Council, the Motion will then be sent to the General Assembly for review of all evidence and information regarding the Motion. After review of the Motion for Removal of Advisor by the General Assembly, a vote on the Motion will be held in accordance with procedures outlined in Article VII, Section 4, Subsection B

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

Section 1.               commonGround will meet no less than once per month during the Fall and Spring semesters, the general day and hour to be set by the Executive Council

Section 2.               Special meetings shall be called at the discretion of the President or upon the request of any five voting members of commonGround

Section 3.               General and special meetings will be open to anyone who wishes to attend, both member and non-member

ARTICLE IX – ELECTIONS

Section 1.               Candidates for any office must be full voting members

Section 2.               Candidates for any office must have a cumulative University of Louisville grade point average of 2.0 or higher

Section 3.               Candidates for any office shall be nominated by the voting membership or shall nominate themselves

Section 4.               Candidates for any office must have on file with the advisor(s) an Executive Council application

Section 5.               Candidates for any office must be interviewed and approved by the commonGround advisor(s)

Section 6.               Election of officers shall take place at a meeting called for that purpose. Unless there is an officer vacancy that needs to be filled, officer elections shall take place during a General Assembly meeting in the month of September

Section 7.               No person shall occupy more than one Executive Council office

Section 8.               Officers may be re-elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms, a term being defined as September of the current year to September of the following year

Section 9.               The candidate that receives the most votes for the office for which s/he applied will be declared the officer for the term specified during the election process

ARTICLE X – WORKING GROUPS

Section 1.               Working groups may be formed as needed to address tasks and/or issues. Any voting member may participate in a working group

Section 2.               A working group is chartered by a decision of the General Assembly or by a consensus of the Executive Council

Section 3.               Once chartered, the working group will be considered an official body of commonGround and will be empowered to use its name

Section 4.               Working groups may be dissolved by a decision of the General Assembly, the Executive Council, or by the working group itself

Section 5.               All working groups must have a chair (appointed by the Vice President) that takes responsibility for running the meetings and reporting to the liaison

Section 6.               All working groups must have an Executive Councilmember who is responsible for, but does not chair, the working group. This councilmember serves as the liaison between the working group and the Executive Council and has the final say in decisions

Section 7.               Standing Working Groups

A.      Speakers Bureau

1.        The Speakers Bureau shall exist to provide University of Louisville instructor’s students that are willing to speak to their courses about GLBTQQIA issues and that are willing to educate the University of Louisville community on GLBTQQIA Issues

2.        The Speakers Bureau reports directly to the Vice President

3.        The speakers Bureau will exist until such time that the University establishes an office or personnel that is responsible for campus education on GLBTQQIA issues

B.       Web Design team

1.        The Web Design Team shall consist of the Webmaster and any other members that are interested in keeping the web page up-to-date

2.        The Web Design Team reports directly to the Webmaster

ARTICLE XI – INSTITUTIONS

Section 1.               commonGround empowers itself to create institutions to ensure its own longevity which include, but are not limited to, funding, newsletters, event calendars, communications networks, archives, and outreach/visibility programs

Section 2.               Standing Institutions

A.      Newsletter

B.       Email Account (commonground@louisville.edu)

C.       Internet Discussion Group

D.      World Wide Web page (http://www.louisville.edu/rso/commonground)

ARTICLE XII – AMENDING GOVERNING DOCUMENTS

Section 1.               Amending the Constitution

A.      One or more voting members may author an amendment to this Constitution

B.       The amendment shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Council for review and recommendation concerning legality, punctuation, placement, and word order

C.       The Executive Council shall present the amendment in writing at the next meeting of commonGround, and a copy of the amendment will be given to each voting member. This shall constitute a first reading.

D.      Voting will occur at the first reading after suggestions for revision by the General Assembly have been taken into consideration. A two-thirds majority vote shall be sufficient to amend the Constitution.

E.       At the next meeting following the acceptance of an amendment, updated copies of the Constitution shall be given to each voting member

Section 2.               Amending the Bylaws

A.      The Bylaws are a fixed part of the Constitution

B.       The Executive Council shall present a bylaw in writing at the next meeting of commonGround following the authorship of the bylaw, and a copy of the bylaw will be given to each voting member. This shall constitute a first reading

C.       Voting will occur at the first reading after suggestions for revision by the General Assembly have been taken into consideration. A two-thirds majority vote shall be sufficient to amend the bylaws

D.      At the next meeting following the acceptance of a bylaw, updated copies of the bylaws shall be given to each voting member

[established: 25 September 2007]

[SGA approved: 09 October 2007]