Constitution of (Name of Organization)
Plymouth State University
(Month and Year drafted)

Preamble (optional)

An introductory statement, no longer than two or three sentences, stating the reason and intent for what follows.

Article I
Name:

The name of this organization shall be (Full Name of the Organization) here in after referred to as (Shortened Name of Organization as it will appear throughout constitution).

Article II
Purpose:

"The purpose of this organization shall be to…" etc.

Article III
Membership:

NOTE:All organizations must be open to all matriculated students of Plymouth State University and the organization and/or its membership cannot discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap, veteran’s status, gender identity/expression. However, academically oriented organizations may be open to only affiliates of their respective discipline. Also organizations may set a minimum GPA.

Section 1: Eligibility:State in complete sentences the qualifications for membership; use the above note as a guideline.

Section 2: Active Membership:State in complete sentences the qualifications for Active or Voting membership in the Organization.

Article IV
Officers:

Section 1: Number and Method of Elections:(The Name of Organization) shall elect from the active membership a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Etc. at the second to last meeting of the spring semester. Indicate further if any special form of ballot is to be used, if any special procedure is to be used, and who is eligible to hold office.

Section 2: Duties of Officers: (List all duties and obligations of each officer)

1. President:
   1. Preside over all meetings of (Name of Organization).
   2. Etc.
2. Vice President:
   1. Preside over all meeting in the absence of President
   2. Take over the duties of President in their absence
   3. Etc.
3. Treasurer:
   1. Account for all financial matters of the organization.
   2. Take over the duties of Vice President in their absence.
   3. Any duties deemed necessary by the President.
   4. Etc.

Section 3: Term of Officers: Indicate in complete sentences how long each officer is to serve, if officers may be re-elected to the same office, etc.

Section 4: Impeachment of Officers: Indicate in complete sentences if officers may be impeached, grounds for impeachment, procedure for impeachment.

Article V
Committees:

Section 1: Standing Committees: State in one sentence the standing committees of the organization.

Section 2: Duties of Standing Committees:

1. The Constitution Committee Shall:
   1. Review this Constitution each semester
   2. Etc.

Section 3: Creation: Standing committees may be created at any time during the existence of the organization.

Article VI
Advisor:

Section 1: Number and Term of Office: Indicate in complete sentences the number of Advisors the organization is going to have and how long each will be asked to serve.

Section 2: Method of Appointment: State in complete sentences how the advisor is to be selected by organization.

Section 3: Duties: Indicate what responsibilities the Advisor is expected to fulfill.

Article VII
Meetings:

Section 1: Regular Meetings: Indicate how often and approximately when regular meetings will be held.

Section 2: Special Meetings: Indicate when special or emergency meetings are to be called, by who and how members.

Section 3: Parliamentary Procedure: All regular and special meetings or the name of the organization shall be run under the rules of parliamentary procedure with Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 4: Quorum: This is up to the organization. A quorum usually consists of one more than half of the total active membership.

Article VIII
Amendments:

Section 1: Procedure for Amendment: Indicate the procedure for offering an amendment to the constitution: As a general rule, amendments are submitted in writing and are read at two meeting before a vote is taken.

Section 2: Ratification: Indicate the vote necessary to ratify an amendment, etc. Ratification is usually accomplished through either a two-thirds or a three-fourths vote of the active membership.

Notes:

1. You may wish to add Articles depending upon the nature of your organization. These additional articles should appear after the article dealing with “Advisors” and before the article dealing with “Amendments”
2. In all cases, clear, simple, and precise English must be used. Work to avoid misspellings and grammatical errors-these will delay acceptance of your Constitution.
3. Try your best to cover all possible questions that might arise.
4. Amendments are best added to the Constitution in the form of “Articles of Amendment”, appearing as a supplement to the original document. The Amendment Article or section is labeled for instance: “Amended: October 1, 2005”.
5. The body of your Constitutions format should be justified.
6. Inactive members have no voting rights but they as well as outside community members must pay to be part of group activities.