Southern Methodist University Chapter Constitution

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be Southern Methodist University College Republicans, herinafter referred to in this document as CR.

Article II: Purpose

SECTION 1: To make known and promote the principles of the Republican Party among members of the Southern Methodist University campus and community.

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 local, state, and national levels.

SECTION 4: To develop political skills and leadership abilities among Republican students as preparation for future service by them to the party and community.

Article III: Officers and Elections

SECTION 1: The officers of this College Republican Chapter shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Programs Chair, Membership Chair, Political Affairs Chair and Freshman Representative. Honorary Exec members, when applicable, will include Past President/Student Advisor and Texas Federation of College Republicans (TFCR) Affiliate. There will be a Nominations Committee consisting of the current President, Past President, Faculty Advisor and three General members.

SECTION 2: The roles of the officers are as follows:

President: Chair of the Executive Committee, overseeing all organization responsibilities; presides over meetings, both Executive and General; responsible for meeting agendas, submitted at least 24 hours before a meeting.

Vice President: presides at meetings in president's absence; delegates and coordinates all organizational operations.

Secretary: responsible for detailed minutes of every meeting; submits meetings to president each week and keeps records of attendance and club roster.

Treasurer: prepares budget for Senate review; collects dues from members; maintains an accurate account of income and expenditures; coordinates fundraising activities.

Program Chair: coordinates speakers for meetings; coordinates socials, activities, and TFCR events.

Membership Chair: coordinates membership drives; plans voter registration drives around elections.

Political Affairs Chair: coordinates political activity (including, but not limited to campaign activity); establishes and maintains relationships with Republican political organizations (Dallas County GOP, Young Republicans, etc.) as well as with elected officials.

Freshman Representative: fall position for incoming freshmen only; functions largely as an assistant for the executive committee.

Past President/Student Advisor: remains active on Exec, if applicable, and functions as knowledgeable resource for organization.

TFCR Affiliate: reserved only for a SMU CR holding a state level position with the TFCR; functions as a liaison between TFCR and SMU, reporting to the club-at-large.

Faculty Advisor: serves on the Nomination Committee and is a valuable resource to the organization.

Nominations Committee: three general members selected by interview process; will hold interviews and vote for Exec applicants, (current President, Past President and Faculty Advisor are also on the committee).

SECTION 3: All officers shall go through an interview process and be elected by the Nominations Committee. For all officer positions besides President and Freshman Representative, applications shall be sent out with two weeks notice for applicants to reply between January 15th and February 28th. Turnover for the President shall take place in November by an Exec Board vote. Freshman Representative applicants shall be interviewed and accepted between August 15th and September 30th. (Nominations Committee members shall be interviewed and accepted in November).

SECTION 4: After the deadline, interviews will be held by the Nominations Committee, and applicants voted on. The current President will count votes, and an absolute majority is necessary for acceptance.

SECTION 5: To become President, you must have served as an officer on Exec for one year. To be on Exec, no experience is necessary.

SECTION 6: Vacancies ocurring among the officers shall be filled by the Executive Board. Applicants will be interviewed and an absolute majority vote by Exec is necessary for acceptance. A person elected to fill the vacancy shall serve as officer until the next annual election.

SECTION 7: Exec members may be removed of their position with an absolute majority vote by the other officers if a satisfactory job is not done and regular attendance is not met. All complaints must first go to the President.

Article IV: Executive Board Guidelines

SECTION 1: There shall be an Executive Board, which shall govern this chapter of College Republicans.

SECTION 2: The Executive Board shall consist of the elected members of good standing.

SECTION 3: The Executive Board shall introduce, approve and implement all actions and activities necessary and proper for the functioning of the CR and not inconsistent with this Constitution or the By-laws.

Article V: Membership

SECTION 1: Any person affiliated with the Southern Methodist University community may become a member.

SECTION 2: Any person is considered a member if contact information is kept up to date and they have been registered with our Membership Chair.

Article VI: Impeachment

SECTION 1: Any officer who, during his term in office, has demonstrated disloyalty to the Republican Party, negligence or incompetence in the performance of his prescribed Constitutional duties, or willfully impeded the CR program, may be impeached and removed from office. Disloyalty, as defined by negatively representing the Republican Party, has nothing to do with supporting a candidate from a different party.

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.