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Constitution

Preamble

Students for Life at the University of Michigan is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, and non-profit organization committed to promoting and defending the dignity and protection of all human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. We endeavor to fulfill this mission by developing and maintaining educational programs on the issues of abortion alternatives, euthanasia, infanticide, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty. We will interact with other students through outreach and dialogue in order to further the culture of life on our campus.

Article I: Name

Section 1:

The name of this organization shall be Students for Life at the University of Michigan, herein referred to as Students for Life

Article II: Purpose

Section 1:

As an organization committed to promoting the dignity and protection of all human life, from the moment of conception until natural death, the primary purpose of Students for Life is to interact with individuals and the general public, providing information and arguments against various issues when relevent in order to offer the full view of these issues. These topics include: fetal development, abortion, alternatives to abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty. This purpose will be accomplished primarily by:

  1. Setting up booths to dialogue with students and adults, and providing the resources for all members to learn pro-life apologetics.
  2. Providing educational materials and programs that factually depict the growth and development of the unborn child, and other materials containing relevant information to our cause.
  3. Developing and maintaining educational programs on the issues of abortion, abortion alternatives, euthanasia, infanticide, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty.
  4. Providing educational materials such as films, books, slides, and pamphlets to all interested University of Michigan students, faculty, and staff.
  5. Providing knowledgeable individuals to participate in community forums, school classes, and in radio and media on the above topics.
  6. Creating and operating educational booths, seminars, and conferences for our membership, the University of Michigan school community, and the general public.
  7. Providing information to the general public, and in particular to women who may be faced with untimely or problem pregnancies, concerning support systems and services available to provide assistance to them.

Article III: Membership

Section 1:

Any current University of Michigan student who subscribes to the common goals of Students for Life, as set forth in Article II, shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2:

Students interested in becoming a member of Students for Life need to attend any meeting and ask to be added to the list serve for the group e-mail.

A member in good standing is a member who attends one meeting every month and participates in two activities each semester.

Section 3:

A student can withdraw from Students for Life through an oral, written, or reliable electronic statement to the President expressing a wish to withdraw.

Section 4:

No member may volunteer at or promote any entity that outwardly promotes or participates in an abortion or Planned Parenthood in any way. Members will be made aware of major companies that support and are big players in the abortion industry.

Section 5:

Any member who would like to participate in outreach must sign a non-violence agreement form that will be given to them by the officers at a meeting.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1:

The officers shall be a President, a Vice President, an Events Coordinator, a Treasurer, a Social Media Historian, a Social Chair, and a Secretary. The duties of each officer are as follows:

  1. The President:
    1. Shall oversee all activities undertaken by Students for Life and ensure that they are in line with the group's goals and objectives as set forth in the Students for Life Constitution as well as the rules and regulations set forth by the University of Michigan.
    2. Shall preside at all meetings unless absent or has given another person permission to run the meeting.
    3. Shall determine, with input from other officers, the agenda for meetings, as well as plans for booths and other activities.
    4. Shall appoint, or oversee the appointment of committees, and shall be an ex-officio member of each committee.
    5. Shall delegate tasks to other officers and members.
    6. Shall oversee the activities of other posts.
    7. Shall act as the official spokesperson for Students for Life.
    8. Shall oversee the preparation of applications for funding proposals.
    9. Shall have a final say in decisions that affect the trajectory and mission of the club, including strategy and administration.
    10. Shall handle interations between other University clubs.
    11. The President may delegate any of these tasks if necessary or at the President's discretion.
  2. The Vice President:
    1. Shall exercise the powers and perform the functions that are from time to time delegated to the Vice President by the President.
    2. Shall exercise the powers and duties of the President whenever the President may be absent or otherwise unable to act.
  3. The Treasurer:
    1. Shall have the responsibility of overseeing the use of the funds of Students for Life.
    2. Shall oversee the preparation of financial reports and fulfill bookkeeping responsibilities.
    3. Shall be in charge of the bank account, and will deal with tasks delegated to them by the President regarding money.
  4. The Social Media Historian:
    1. Shall oversee updates of, as well as manage, the Students for Life website, Facebook page, and any other social media accounts.
    2. Shall assist with the organization and management of the e-mail list.
    3. Shall watch for direct messages in order to respond as fast as possible.
    4. Shall be in charge of the coordination of the advertisement for events and programs sponsered by Students for Life.
    5. Shall oversee the printing and distribution of flyers, take charge of chalking, and clip-boarding activities.
    6. Shall be responsible for documenting all events through taking pictures, video, and posting online to illustrate the activity of the group. The Social Media Historian can delegate these tasks.
  5. The Events Coordinator:
    1. Shall be in charge of reserving rooms, tables, Diag days, and festivals.
    2. Shall be responsible for the annual registration of Students for Life with the Michigan Student Assembly.
    3. Shall be in contact with the University if any logistical issues arise.
    4. Shall assist in the planning of programs, events, and conferences, especially in terms of logistics.
    5. Shall help manage the email lists and ownership of web groups and such.
    6. Shall be responsible for contacting possible speakers to be invited to programs and conferences hosted by Students for Life.
    7. Shall create a committee for the Gala and March for Life trip as its head, with the President an ex-officio member.
  6. The Social Chair:
    1. Shall plan, organize, and run a social event at least once monthly, with the March for Life and Gala satisfying the requirement for those months.
    2. Shall maintain group traditions.
  7. The Secretary:
    1. Shall be responsible for recording the events of each meeting through taking minutes and sending them out to the culb after each meeting for those not present. The same shall follow for officer meetings, with the Secretary sending out minutes to all the officers.

Section 2:

The Students for Life Officers shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Events Coordinator, Secretary, Social Chair, Social Media Historian, and Treasurer. The Officers shall meet the first Monday of every month, or more at the discretion of the President, in addition to the regular weekly meetings of the student group at large. The Officer meetings are open to any members of Students for Life.

Article V: Operations

Section 1:

Any University of Michigan student who is a member in good standing of Students for Life and subscribes to the common goals of the group as stated in the Students for Life constitution is eligible for office.

Section 2:

Officers and Executive Committee members are elected annually at a special meeting for that purpose near the end of the winter term. Nominations for officers shall be made and seconded by the general membership. Nominees shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting. Members shall vote by an anonymous ballot. Unless a member in good standing cannot attend the meeting, in which case they contact the Secretary for access to the nominee's speeches and vote online.

Section 3:

The newly elected officers do not assume their positions and responsibilities until the end of the winter term.

Section 4:

In the event of a vacancy on the Executive Committee, the remaining officers and Executive Committee members shall elect a successor at any Executive Committee meeting by a majority vote of the remaining Committee Members. An officer elected to fill a vacancy shall serve out the unexpired term.

Article VI: Finances

Section 1:

Students for Life will finance its activities through the use of funds collected through fundraisers and donations. The group will also apply for funding through the Michigan Student Assembly and the LSA Student Government to assist in financing programs and activities.

Section 2:

The Treasurer of Students for Life has the primary responsibility of managing the organization's finances. The President and Vice President shall also participate in overseeing the use of funds.

Section 3:

Funds collected through donations and fundraisers shall be used for activities and events held by Students for Life, including but not limited to: speaker costs and travel fees, room rentals, supplies for events, and resources for pregnant women encountered by Students for Life either on campus or while holding vigil.

Article VII: Amendments

Section 1:

Amendments to the constitution may be proposed both by the general membership of Students for Life and by the Executive Committee. Any proposed amendment shall be filed in writing with the Executive Committee at least two weeks before being presented for adoption at any meeting.

Section 2:

Amendments to the constitution shall be adopted upon a two-thirds vote of the members.

Section 2:

A meeting of at least three officers including the President, with consent of the other officers, can update the constitution at their discretion. If the other officers request a vote, they must vote as a group..

Article VIII: Removal of Membership

Section 1:

Officers shall be removed from office if the officer engages in any action that is contrary to the rules and regulations for student groups as set forth by the University of Michigan, illegal or unethical, or contrary to the goals and objectives of Students for Life as set forth in the constitution.

Section 2:

Officers shall be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Executive Committee.

Section 3:

The process of removal shall be presided over by the President excepting in the situation where the President is the officer in question. In this case, the removal process shall be presided over by the Vice President.

Article IX: Statement of Compliance

Section 1:

Students for Life understands and fully adheres to the policies, rules, and regulations for student clubs and organizations as set forth by the University of Michigan.