Middle Tennessee State University Lambda Association Constitution
Article I: Name
The name of this organization will be Middle Tennessee State University Lambda Association, subsequently referred to as “Lambda,” a group for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) and GLBT supportive individuals.
Article II: Statement of Purpose
Lambda exists to provide an outlet for GLBT persons and supporters of equal rights to discuss various GLBT issues. Above and beyond any reason, Lambda exists to provide support for the members of the GLBT community at MTSU. Lambda is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
Article III: Membership
Section I: Any student, faculty member, or staff member who has a sincere interest in the stated purpose of Lambda is eligible for membership. Membership cannot be denied to any individual who attends or works for MTSU so long as that individual acts in full faith of this constitution.
Section II: Lambda does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or sexual orientation. Furthermore, Lambda does not discriminate against veterans or individuals with disabilities.
Section III: A person will only be considered a member of Lambda after paying membership dues. Dues may be paid at any time, and may be pro-rated for the portion of the semester remaining at the time dues are paid.
Section IV: Membership dues will be determined by the officers at the first officers’ meeting of each semester. Each semester’s dues will be reported by the officers to the first general meeting held by Lambda that occurs after the first officers’ meeting of the semester. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the officers will determine the amount of membership dues.
Section V: The right to attend any Lambda official function will be extended to all interested parties regardless of membership status provided a desire to attend is an act in full faith of Lambda.
Section VI: No member is to disclose any person’s sexuality, or “out” any person, either directly or indirectly.
Section VII: Any member in violation of this Constitution is subject to membership revocation, and will not be permitted to attend further meetings or functions for the remainder of the academic year. Revocation will be voted on by the officers, needing a two-thirds (2/3) majority to be in force.
Section VIII:Any person (non-member) in violation of this Constitution is subject to banishment from all Lambda 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 I: The standing officers are as follows (in their hierarchical order):
President, Vice President, Presidential Advisor, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, and Web Designer.For job descriptions and duties, refer to the SOP.
Section II: Acceptance of elected office by Lambda officers constitutes an agreement to uphold all parts of this Constitution.
SEction III: Any member of Lambda may be elected to office.
Section IV: Any member of Lambda may nominate another member for election to an office. Members of Lambda may nominate themselves for election to an office.
Section V: Nominations for officers will be taken during the penultimate meeting of the Spring semester. Elections will be held following nominations. Newly elected officers will take office during the last meeting of the Spring semester.
Section VI: The member nominated for an office who receives the most votes from members present will be elected to that office. Members may vote for themselves.
Section VII: Officers are elected for one (1) academic year. If an office becomes vacated, that office will be filled according to the procedures outlined in Article VI.
Section VIII: All Lambda officers must be willing to publicly and openly discuss any GLBT issues. They must also be willing to have their name associated with the group in all functions and publications during their elected term.
Section IX: During the Summer semester, officers are required to stay in contact via telephone or email.
Article V: Officer Challenge
Section I: If any member of Lambda 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 II: If any member of Lambda 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 III: 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 IV: 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 I: 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 II: 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 I: The Faculty Advisor will be chosen by the President during the Summer semester.
Section II: The Faculty Advisor will investigate all outside parties who approach Lambda before those parties will be allowed to work with students. The faculty advisor will solicit and check references for all outside parties who approach Lambda with an interest in providing services (e.g., seminars) to Lambda. For all outside parties who approach Lambda to offer counseling or professional services requiring licensure, the Faculty Advisor will also check for a valid license.
Section III: The Faculty advisor will ensure that Lambda is operating within the guidelines established by the University.
Article VIII: Meetings
section I: The first Lambda general meeting will be scheduled to occur by the second week of each Fall or Spring semester.
Section II: General meetings will be held no less than two (2) times per month during each Fall or Spring semester.
Section III: The time and place of each meeting will be planned by the 5th of the previous month. The time and place of each meeting will be posted on the web site and on the flier advertising the meeting.
Section IV: Officers’ meetings are to be held at the President’s discretion during the Summer semester and at least once a month during each Fall or Spring semester, but no more than once a week, barring emergency meetings.
Article IX: Amendments
Section I: An amendment may be made to this Constitution after consideration by the officers. After review by the officers, the amendment will then be brought before the next general meeting. At that time, the measure must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the officers in attendance and one-half (1/2) majority vote of Lambda members in attendance.
Section II: Once an amendment to this Constitution is passed, it will go into effect immediately and this Constitution will be rewritten incorporating the changes.
Last Revised: 23 April 2003