The Constitution
ARTICLE 1: NAME AND AFFILIATION
SECTION 1. The name of this organization shall be the Mount Holyoke College Republicans, hereinafter referred to as the College Republicans, CR, or MHCR.
SECTION 2. The Mount Holyoke College Republicans shall be the recognized campus affiliate of the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans, and of the College Republican National Committee.
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE
SECTION 1. To make known and promote the principles of the Republican Party among members of the Mount Holyoke College campus and community, and to provide support for other Mount Holyoke College students who choose to identify themselves as Republicans.
SECTION 2. To aid in the election of Republican candidates at all levels of government.
SECTION 3. To encourage and assist in the organization and active functioning of the Republican Party at the local, state, and national levels.
SECTION 4. To develop political skills and leadership abilities among the Republican students as a preparation for future service by them to the Party and the community.
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. Any person affiliated or associated with the Mount Holyoke College community may apply for membership.
ARTICLE 4: EXECUTIVE BOARD AND OFFICERS
SECTION 1. There shall be an Executive Board, which shall govern the Mount Holyoke College Republicans.
SECTION 2. The Executive Board shall consist of the officers of the College Republicans. The officers that compromise the Mount Holyoke College Republicans shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer. Any appointed officers shall have a voice, but no vote, at all Executive Board Meetings.
SECTION 3. The Executive Board shall introduce, approve, and implement all actions and activities necessary and proper for the functioning of the College Republicans and not inconsistent with this Constitution or the Bylaws.
SECTION 4. The main duties and powers of the officers of the MHCR shall be as follows:
The President shall:
Direct and coordinate all activities of the MHCR.
Preside at all meetings of the MHCR, both General and Executive.
Serve as spokeswoman for the MHCR and its Executive Board.
Represent the MHCR in negotiations with other organizations and the College Republican National Committee, subject to approval of the Executive Board.
Prepare the annual budget for the Ways and Means Committee in conjunction with the Treasurer.
Have check signing privileges along with the Treasurer.
Have final say over all matters that do not require approval or a vote by the Executive board.
The Vice President shall:
Preside at meetings in absence of the President.
Head special projects at the direction of the President
Have check signing authority.
The Vice President shall become President in the event that the presidency is vacated.
The Vice Presidents hall represent the MHCR in Senate.
The Secretary shall:
Record the minutes of all Executive Board meetings and general meetings.
Distribute minutes of the Executive Board meetings to all officers within three days of the board meeting and Send an email to the President in order to send out the rest of the club within three days of the last meeting of the week.
Record the attendance of Executive Board members at the Executive Board meetings, general membership meetings, and/or any activities that replace the above meetings.
Maintain all MHCR files.
Maintain MHCR membership and mailing lists.
Be responsible for club mail.
Be responsible for all alumnae mailings, including fundraising letters.
Maintain the official MHCR Facebook page in conjunction with the Public Relations Officer.
The Treasurer shall:
Maintain all MHCR funds, including dues.
Keep accurate financial records and prepare statements on demand of the Executive Board and at every general meeting.
Prepare the annual budget for the Ways and Means Committee in conjunction with the President.
Ensure that the mandatory audit is complete each semester.
Prepare any grant applications.
Have check signing authority.
Prepare annual fundraising initiatives.
The Public Relations Officer shall:
Prepare any communication with the media, both on and off campus, subject to approval of the President.
Be responsible for event publicity.
Keep the secretary informed of all upcoming events to place in a monthly newsletter.
Be responsible for recruitment publicity.
Assist in the maintenance of the official MHCR website.
Prepare annual club-building initiatives.
Maintain the official MHCR Facebook page in conjunction with the Secretary.
SECTION 5. The President may appoint members to positions that aid the elected officers. Suggested, but not required, positions are as follows:
The Alumnae Liaison shall:
Assist the Secretary in researching former MHCR club lists and conservative alumnae lists.
Assist the Secretary in the planning and mailing of the annual alumnae newsletter.
Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Secretary.
The Finance Committee shall:
Assist the Treasurer with all fundraising initiatives.
Assist the Treasurer with soliciting the donations from alumnae or community members and for applying for grants.
Keep a record of all donor lists.
Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Treasurer.
The Five College Representative shall:
Attend all Five College CR meetings.
Attend as many Five College CR events as possible.
Be the liaison between Mount Holyoke College, Amherst College, Hampshire College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Report Five College CR events and information at general meetings.
If the Five College Representative has had no experience with the Five Colleges, the Vice President may accompany the Five College Representative to as many meetings as she feels necessary.
Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Vice President.
The Publications Director shall:
Write and submit articles to represent the MHCR viewpoint to both on- and off-campus news vehicles, subject to approval of the Public Relations Officer.
Assist the Public Relations Officer with any media publicity.
Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Public Relations Officer.
The Recruitment Director shall:
Prepare recruitment and retention initiatives several times a semester.
Stay in touch with designated residence hall representatives that will act as liaisons to each dorm.
Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Vice President.
The Social Chair shall:
Be responsible for planning club-building events throughout the year.
Assist the Public Relations Officer with event planning and publicity.
Work in conjunction with, and with the approval of, the Public Relations Officer.
ARTICLE 5: ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. By April 1, the President shall call for elections and begin scheduling a time with the rest of the executive board.
SECTION 2. The candidates must submit a written statement expressing why they are interested one week prior to the set election date.
SECTION 3. Only club members who have attended ¾ of the meetings shall be eligible to run for office at the said election.
SECTION 4. Eligible members intending to run for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Public Relations Officer shall declare their intention to do so to the Executive Board no later than 11:59 pm one week prior to the date of elections.
SECTION 5. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote conducted in an online poll emailed out by the Executive Board members.
SECTION 6. Members studying abroad may vote and run in any election.
SECTION 7. Newly elected officers shall take office the first Monday following the election.
SECTION 8. In the case of a tie, the Election Committee shall hold an automatic recount. If it is still determined that there is, in fact, a tie, the elected official shall be determined by the executive board.
SECTION 9. Nullification: (A) If any members eligible, and voting at the meeting shall contest the results of the election upon reasonable grounds, she must present her grievance in writing to the President within 24 hours. The committee shall then have 5 days to investigate that member's claim and reach a decision regarding the validity of the election. (B) If any race or races are determined to be null and void, a new election shall be held within 10 school days. Eligibility of voters and candidates will remain unchanged as described above. The current officers in the affected positions shall remain in their positions until the election.
SECTION 10. Vacancies occurring among the officers shall be filled by the election of the Executive Board at the first meeting following the occurrence of a vacancy, provided however that notice that the election is to occur must be included in an official notice of the Board meeting. A person elected to fill a vacancy shall serve as an officer until the next annual election. If the President position were to become vacant, the Vice President shall become President.
ARTICLE 6: IMPEACHMENT
SECTION 1. Any officer who, during her term in office, has demonstrated significant loyalty to a political opposition of the Republican Party, negligence, or incompetence in the performance of her prescribed Constitutional duties, or willfully impeded the CR program, may be impeached and removed from office.
SECTION 2. Specific charges against the impeached officer must be approved by absolute majority of the officers of the CR, excluding the officer being impeached, at a meeting of the Executive Board.
SECTION 3. From the approval of the charges until the next meeting of the Executive Board, the impeached officer shall remain in her office and be allowed to prepare her defense to charges.
SECTION 4. At the first Executive Board meeting after the meeting in which the charges were approved, an officer or other person selected by officers shall present the charges and the impeached officer shall present her defense. Following this defense, the Executive Board Officers shall vote. A 2/3 vote shall be required to remove the officer.
ARTICLE 7: OPERATING PROCEDURE
SECTION 1. The most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall serve as the final parliamentary authority for the MHCC, except where it conflicts with a provision of the Constitution or its By-laws.
SECTION 2. The MHCC letterhead is to be used solely for official MHCC business.
SECTION 3. The MHCC mailing list can be used by MHCR members for official club business only. The only exception is if MHCC Executive Board members agree to participate in the MACR Credentialing process each year.
SECTION 4. The most current copy of this Constitution and its Bylaws must be posted on the official MHCC website, given to the Mount Holyoke Office of Student Programs, and held by every Executive Board member.
ARTICLE 8: ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT
SECTION 1. This constitution shall be adopted by a majority vote of members at a general meeting. Notice of the vote shall be given no less than one week in advance. Absentee ballots shall be accepted.
SECTION 2. This constitution shall be amended by a 2/3 vote of one general meeting. A petition of quorum of the general membership or a vote of the Executive Board shall introduce an amendment to the floor with at least one-week notice in writing to the general membership. Absentee ballots shall be accepted.