Tulane Literary Society Constitution

Constitution of the Tulane Literary Society

Preamble:
The purpose of this constitution is to set forth the governing regulations of the Tulane Literary Society, a student organization recognized by the Tulane University Associated Student Body.

Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Tulane Literary Society, hereinafter referred to as the Society.

Article II: Purpose
The purpose of the Society shall be to publish select poetry, prose and art in Tulane Review, and to enrich the Tulane community through literary endeavors including, but not limited to, lectures, readings, workshops, additional publications, and an open-mike poetry reading venue.

Article III: Membership

Section 1. Eligibility

All members of the Tulane community shall be eligible for membership in the Society.

Section 2. Voting Membership

Voting members of the Society shall be those who have attended at least one-half of the general meetings, and who are also members of a committee or board as determined by the chair.

Article IV: Executive Board

Section 1. Composition

The Executive Board shall be comprised of five voting members: the President of the Society, the Editor of Tulane Review, the Vice-President of Society Events, the Vice-President of Business, and the Vice-President of Public Relations; and one non-voting member: the Secretary.

Section 2. Number and Method of Election

At the next to last general meeting of the academic year, the Society shall elect the voting members of the Executive Board, excepting the Editor, from its voting membership. An election committee, comprised of the Secretary and Secretarial Committee shall be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the election. Notice of the election shall be given at least two weeks prior to the election. All candidates must express in writing their intentions to run for office at least ten days prior to the election. Absentee votes may be submitted in writing to the election committee before the actual election takes place. In order for the election to be considered valid, at least two-thirds of the voting members must participate in it. The votes will be tallied by the election committee, and again by the Advisor to Student Media.

Section 3. Election of Editor

At the next to last Editorial Board meeting of the academic year, the Editorial Board shall elect an Editor from its voting membership. An election committee comprised of the Secretary and Secretarial committee shall be responsible for running and overseeing the election. Notice of the election shall be given at least two weeks prior to the election. All candidates must express in writing their intentions to run for the office of Editor at least ten days prior to the election. Absentee votes may be submitted to the election committee before the actual election takes place. The votes shall be tallied by the election committee and again by the Advisor to Student Media. The newly elected Editor must then be approved by the Executive Board.

Section 4. Duties of Officers

A. The President shall

1. preside over all general meetings of the Society.

2. preside over all meetings of the Society's Executive Board.

3. act as a liaison between the Society and the University.

4. be a non-voting member of the Editorial Board of Tulane Review.

5. be responsible for all financial transaction and legal contracts entered into by the Society.

6. vote on the Executive Board in case of a tie.

7. appoint the Secretary

8. dismiss the Secretary (dismissal requires the approval of the Executive Board)

B. The Editor of Tulane Review shall

1. preside over all meetings of the Editorial Board

2. be responsible for the fulfillment of the publication schedule of Tulane Review.

3. make all day to day decisions for Tulane Review which do not require the approval of the Editorial Board.

4. appoint the members of the Editorial Board through a process of application and interview.

C. The Vice-President of Society Events shall

1. coordinate all events of the Society including, but not limited to, workshops, lectures, performances, and all publications, excluding Tulane Review.

2. create committees to fulfill the duties outlined above

3. appoint committee chairs.

4. dismiss committee chairs (dismissal requires approval by the Executive Board)

D. The Vice-President of Business shall

1. handle all financial paperwork of the Society, that is, all financial transactions of the Society must go through the Vice-President of Business.

2. keep record of the financial status of the Society

E. The Vice-President of Public Relations shall

1. make the Tulane community aware of both regular and special events conducted by the Society through the use of promotional and advertising activities.

2. direct a promotional campaign soliciting submissions for Tulane Review in conjunction with the Editorial Board.

3. be responsible for all advertising and promotional activities conducted by the Society.

4. maintain the Society website.

5. be responsible for the distribution of Tulane Review.

6. if necessary, recruit and chair a committee to help in the above duties.

F. The Secretary shall

1. be responsible for the taking of minutes at meetings including, but not limited to, general, Executive Board, and Editorial Board.

2. coordinate the general election.

3. compile and maintain a list of voting members

4. if necessary, recruit and chair a committee to help in the above duties.

Section 5. Terms of Officers

The members of the Executive Board shall serve a one year term, beginning at the end of the academic year in which they are elected.

Section 6. Meetings

A. Regular

The Executive Board shall be required to meet at least twice each month during the academic year.

B. Special Meetings

The President of the Society may call emergency meetings as necessary. Members of the Board shall be notified in person or by telephone.

C. Procedure

All meetings of the Executive Board shall be run in accordance with the wishes of the President. Members of the Executive Board, the Faculty Advisor, the Advisor to Student Media, and any invited guests shall have the privilege of the floor.

D. Quorum

A simple majority of the voting membership must be present at a meeting in order to conduct business.

Section 7. Recall elections

A recall election shall be held upon the presentation of a petition containing the signatures of at least two-thirds of the Society's voting membership to the Media board. The petition must be presented to the Media Board no later than twenty days after the original election has taken place.

Section 8. Impeachment of Officers

Any member of the Executive Board may be removed from office by the Media Board for cases of gross negligence, or gross incompetence while carrying out his/her duties.

Section 9. Vacancy of Office

In the event of a vacancy of office, excluding the Editor, in the Executive Board, an interim officer shall be appointed by the Executive Board. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Editor, an interim Editor shall be appointed by the Editorial Board. All interim officers, excluding the Editor shall hold office until a special election can be held.

Article VI: Faculty Advisor

Section 1. Number and Terms of Office

The Society must have at least one faculty advisor, and the term of office shall be one year concurrent with the President.

Section 2. Method of Appointment

The President shall appoint the faculty advisor(s) upon consultation with the Editor of Tulane Review.

Section 3. Duties

The faculty advisor(s) will be responsible for providing literary advice and serving as a liaison between the Society and the faculty.

Article VII: Meetings

Section 1. General Meetings

The general Society shall be required to meet a minimum of once a month during the academic year.

Section 2. Procedure

All meetings of the Society's general membership shall be run under the rules of Parliamentary procedure with Robert's Rules of Order Revised as a reference.

Section 3. Quorum

One more than one half of the total voting membership of the Society must be present in order to conduct business.

Article VIII: Amendments

Section 1. Procedure for Amendment

A proposed amendment to this Constitution must be submitted in writing to the President prior to a meeting of the Society. the amendment shall be read at that meeting, and discussed and voted upon at the following meeting.

Section 2. Ratification

To ratify, a two-thirds majority vote of Society voting members present is necessary. Amendment then becomes law upon Media Board approval.