Raiders for Rationalism

The Raiders for Rationalism Constitution

Constitution and By-Laws of
Raiders for Rationalism

Preamble

We the members of the Raiders for Rationalism (RFR) hereby establish this constitution to set forth the purpose, goals, guidelines and by-laws on which this organization seeks to promote. Furthermore, this constitution will stand as a fundamental governing document of Raiders for Rationalism.

Article I: Name

The official title of this organization will be Raiders for Rationalism, until this organization feels fit to rename itself. ‘RFR’ will act as an abbreviation of this organization.

Article II: Purpose

Section 1

Definition of freethought:

RFR shall employ the following definition of the word freethought:

The word freethought should be distinguished from free thought. Free thought is thought that is free of religious doctrine. In contrast, freethought is a name of a movement with a tradition and a philosophical base. Members of the freethought movement believe in the use of reason, the value of ethics, and the elimination of superstition and dogmatic religious assumptions from human thought. They strive to free the mind of ignorant presuppositions and terror of oppression.

Section 2

RFR shall incorporate the above definition to include all forms of dogma.

Section 3

Raiders for Rationalism is an affiliate member of Americans United fo rthe Separation of Church and State (AU). This organization will be expected to respect and honor AU’s cause.

Section 4

RFR is a unique cultural organization. Its purpose is three-fold:

To establish a positive social environment for Middle Tennessee State University students who are rationalist, non-theists, humanists, or skeptics.

To enrich Middle Tennessee State University campus life by sponsoring educational events and fostering student dialogue on matters of faith, science, and reason.

To engage Middle Tennessee State University students in issues of national and international importance surrounding freedom of conscience and secular education.

Section 5

Be it hereby known that the RFR abides by all established policies of Middle Tennessee State University.

Article III: Membership

Section 1

Middle Tennessee State University guidelines:

Membership shall be limited to currently enrolled MTSU students, faculty, and/or staff members. Spouse of faculty, staff and students are also applicable.

Membership shall not be denied to any person because of age, race, sex, religion, handicap, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Section 2

RFR guidelines:

Candidates for membership must be willing to actively participate in the meetings and the activities of the organization, and must promote keeping a hostile-free atmosphere.
Members must pay dues each semester as stipulated in Article V.
- -Those unable to provide dues may meet privately with the President or Faculty Advisor to discuss alternative means.
People need not be official graduate/undergraduate members to attend meetings and/or activities.
The officers of the organization will grant membership to candidates after careful consideration and approval of the candidate’s membership application.

Section 3

Members may withdraw their memberships on a voluntary basis.

Section 4

Members of the RFR will hold to the following minimum statement:

Raiders for Rationalism (RFR) includes campus groups and individuals that promote rational thinking, defend and cultivate an individual’s right to unbelief, and enhance the presence of freethought, skepticism, science, and secular humanism on campuses worldwide. The RFR respects the personal freedom and affirms the right and responsibility of humans to give meaning and shape to their own lives. The RFR is an inclusive union that does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, handicap, race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Section 5

Any member in violation of this Constitution is subject to membership revocation, and willnot be permitted to attend further meetings or functions for the remainder of the academic year. Revocation willbe voted on by the officers, needing a two-thirds (2/3) majority to be in force.

Section 6

Any person (non-member) in violation of this Constitution is subject to banishment from all RFR meetings and functions for the remainder of the academic year. Banishment will be voted on by the officers, needing a two-thirds (2/3) majority to be in force.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1

The officers of RFR include the President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, and Webmaster. Various committee chairs may also be appointed by discretion of the organization.

The President shall:

Preside of meetings.

Evaluate membership applications and membership standing.

Organize activities, speakers, etc.

Act as a liaison between the Office of Student Organizations and Community Service and RFR.

Have the final word in all organizational policies (but is encouraged to favor the desires of the majority of the organization’s members).

The Vice-president shall:

Assist the President in any and all of his/her duties.

Preside over meetings and activities in the absence of the President.

Evaluate membership applications and membership standing.

Advise the President on all organizational policy matters.

Serve as an informal Parliamentarian.

The Secretary shall:

Assist the President and Vice-president

Take minutes of each meeting and type/copy them to handout to members during the next meeting.

Type letters and other related items for distribution.

Advise the President and Vice-president on all organizational policy matters.

The Treasurer shall:

Assist the President and Vice-president.

Collect dues and keep track of RFR account balance.

Report balance changes to President in a timely fashion.

Advise the President and Vice-president on all organizational policy matters.

Section 2

At the end of every spring semester a majority vote will decide officer positions. Nominations are valid only from persons with good standing membership with the organization. Persons may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Terms of office are for one year starting the day after the elections.

Section 3

Officers who are absent for three (3) consecutive meetings will be absolved from their position and said position will be filled as per Article IV §3.

Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed and decided excusable by remaining officer council.

Section 4

During the Summer semester, officers are required to stay in contact via telephone or email.

Section 5

All those in RFR officer positions will be personally responsible for being aware of RFR events, messages, and news.Any and all gross lack of awareness will be reflected on that individual’s officer status.

Section 6

Acceptance of elected office by RFR officers constitutes an agreement to uphold all parts of this Constitution.

Article V: Officer Challenge

Section 1

If any member of RFR feels that an elected officer is not performing assigned duties effectively,that member has the right to voice his/her concerns at an officers’ meeting.

This constitutes an officer challenge, and should be a last resort action.

Section 2

The challenge will be resolved at the next general meeting. The Vice President, falling to the Secretaryif the Vice President is being challenged, will explain the procedures, introduce the situation, and preside over the forum. The officers, except the accused (and accusing officer, if this is the case), will then vote on the challenge. The challenge must pass with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the officers in attendance.

Section 3

If the officer is voted to be derelict in his/her duties, (s)he will immediately resign and all members will be notified. The officer will be replaced according to the procedures outlined in Article VI.

Section 4

Only one officer may be challenged at any given time, and any current officer challenge must be resolved before a new officer challenge may be initiated.

Article VI: Officer Replacement

Section 1

If an officer should resign, the office will be filled by nomination of the President.

The nomination will then need a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the officers in attendance and a simple majority vote of the members in attendance at the next general meeting.

Section 2

Should the office of President be vacated, the Vice President will then take the position of President, and a new Vice President will be selected according to the procedures outlined in Article VI, Section I.

Article VII: Faculty Advisor

Section 1

The Faculty Advisor will be chosen by the President during the summer semester.

Section 2

The Faculty Advisor will investigate all outside parties who approach RFR before those parties will be allowed to work with students. The faculty advisor will solicit and check references for all outside parties who approach RFR with an interest in providing services (e.g., seminars) to RFR. For all outside parties who approach RFR to offer counseling or professional services requiring licensure, the Faculty Advisor will also checkfor a valid license. The Faculty Advisor will also check the current enrollment status of any nominated officers to ensurevalid enrollment status. The role of the advisor to the RFR may take an active role in the RFR. The Faculty Advisor mayhold his or her position to officer status level.

Section 3

The Faculty advisor will ensure that RFR is operating within the guidelines established by the University.

Article VIII: Finances

The activities, etc., will be funded by:

Submitting the Student Activity Fee Application to the Student Government Association of Middle Tennessee State University.
Holding fundraisers and/or other money-making activities.
Applying for funds from RFR.
Dues of $5.00 will be collected by the Treasurer each semester from each member, excluding summer semester.
- Dues must be paid by the second meeting of each semester.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1

Amendments to the RFR constitution may be proposed by any official member of the organization. Amendments will be read aloud by an officer, and debates may take place. The Vice-president, serving as the Parliamentarian, will use informal Robert’s Rules of Order to conduct the debate. Anybody may participate in the debate, but only official members may vote. Amendments are passed by a majority vote.

BYLAWS

01.The RFR shall meet at least twice a month at 6pm. Meetings will be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

02.The role of the advisor to the RFR may take an active role in the RFR. The faculty advisor may hold his or her position to officer status level.

03.Summer meetings will be held tentatively and in a non-obligatory manner.

04.‘Raiders for Rationalism’ will be henceforth used as the slogan for this organization.

AMMENDMENTS

1. All those in RFR officer positions will be personally responsible for being aware of RFR events, messages, and news. Any and all gross lack of awareness will be reflected on that individual’s officer status. (9-10-02)
2. Raiders for Rationalism is now (9-10-02) an affiliate member of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AU). This organization will henceforth be expected to respect and honor AU’s cause. This statement of purpose shall be amended to Article II: Purpose, as §5. (9-10-02)
- 2. §1. RFR executive board members shall be expected to pay close attention to AU national efforts. The President shall be required to do so. (9-10-02)
- 2. §2. RFR executive board shall, when called upon, act as an AU contact to interested parties in the Murfreesboro area, including those not affiliated with MTSU.
- 2. §3. Article V shall now include “apply to AU for funds and resources.” (9-10-02)
3. Removal of Office. This statement of purpose shall be amended to Article II: Purpose, as §5. (8-06-03)
- 3. §1.The President may be removed by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of paid regular members present at any general meeting.(8-06-03)
- 3. §2.Any other officer may be removed by a vote of the Executive Council if a quorum of the Executive Council exists and a majority of members present vote for such removal. (8-06-03)