Constitution

The name of this organization shall be Tyler Collegiate Model United Nations Club.

The Tyler Collegiate Model United Nations Club dedicates its self to raising local awareness of the United Nations; Competing in collegiate Model United Nation simulations; promoting good citizenship and leadership, educating others about Model United Nations and its potential for improving academic success, and expanding our United Nations program to an international educational community.

A. Promote participation in the National Model United Nations Conference (NMUNC) hosted in New York annually.

B. Procure financial assistance for students wishing to be part of UT Tyler’s delegation to the NMUNC.

This organization shall operate according to the most current regulations and policies of the Texas State Board of Education, the University of Texas at Tyler and those of the University of Texas System, and in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws regardless of contradictory material that may be in this document.

• age	• gender	• veterans’ status
• race	• national origin	• sexual orientation
• color	• ancestry	• political affiliation
• religion	• disability

The President of this Chapter must be a full-fee paying student of The University of Texas at Tyler.

All remaining officers and voting members of this organization shall be fee-paying undergraduate or graduate students of The University of Texas at Tyler, carry a minimum of three credit hours and shall be current in the payment of dues (as specified by the Bylaws, officers, membership). Members of this organization shall be voluntary participants in the organization activities.

All members must abide by the provisions of the constitution and bylaws of this organization.

Dues: all members of this organization shall be required to pay dues of $50 per semester, which shall be collected by the Treasurer and deposited into the club’s general fund account. Failure to pay these dues will result in dismissal from the organization.

SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT: In keeping with the essence of its Mission Statement, The Tyler Collegiate Model United Nations Club believes in the equal opportunity of all interested students to participate, regardless of economic distress or financial hardships. Therefore, any member, or potential member, who is unable to pay their dues, for the reasons mentioned above, shall schedule a meeting with the current president and Faculty Advisor to explain their inability to pay and may receive a waiver of the dues at the president and Faculty Advisor’s discretion. Furthermore, this financial need must be demonstrated, in the manner stated above, each semester in which a waiver of dues is requested.

The University of Texas at Tyler, faculty and staff may be associate members but may not vote or hold office.

In order to comply with Sec. 5-302 of the Manual of Policies and Procedures for Student Affairs, all members shall be fee-paying students of The University of Texas at Tyler, maintain a minimum of 3 credit hours and be in compliance with all UTT policies.

Grounds for removal: Any member not fulfilling the requirements as outlined in this Constitution Article VI, or in the Bylaws of this organization to the satisfaction of the voting membership or violating The University of Texas at Tyler policy or the Student Code of Conduct may be removed from membership. A 2/3-majority vote of the total voting membership shall be required for removal of any member.

Notice of charges: The motion to remove a member from this organization must be presented in writing to the total voting membership at least 2 weeks before the meeting at which the removal will be voted on.

Right to a fair hearing: The member subject to removal shall have the right to present his/her case to the membership at the meeting in which the voting for removal is to take place.

Quorum: To conduct business, all club officers must be present at the meeting. A simple majority of the total voting membership must be present for all elections.

Voting percentages: Motions dealing with amendments and the removal of officers or members will require a 2/3-majority vote of the total membership present at voting. All other motions will require a simple majority vote of the quorum to pass.

Frequency of meetings: This organization shall meet at least once each semester. The President or a 2/3 majority of the total voting membership may call emergency meetings. Written notice of organizational meetings shall be given to all members at least 7 days prior to such meetings. Written notice of special or emergency meetings shall be given to all members 3 days in advance.

Parliamentary authority: The Constitution of this organization shall be the supreme authority in parliamentary procedure at all meetings. The Bylaws of this organization, if and when they exist, shall be the next highest authority. Parliamentary rules shall be the procedure used to conduct meetings except where it conflicts with the Constitution or with the Bylaws.

Types of elections: General elections will be held to replace officers whose terms are due to expire. Special elections shall be held when an office is vacated in midterm.

Nomination of candidates: A candidate for office must be nominated by a voting member during the specified meeting in the case of general elections or during the meeting immediately prior to special elections.

Time of elections: General elections shall be held the second week of January, the first week of September and special elections shall be held as necessary.

Qualifications: The President of this Chapter must be a full-fee paying student at The University of Texas at Tyler, and must maintain a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA. All remaining officers must be fee-paying students at The University of Texas at Tyler, carry a minimum of three credit hours and must maintain a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Term of office: An officer shall serve for one full semester (Fall or Spring) from his/her swearing-in, or until his/her successor is appointed or elected. Due to the once per semester voting cycle, any officer elected in the first week of September will begin their service at the next scheduled meeting and serve until the second week of January, at which time another election will commence and those chosen to be officers will likewise begin their service at the next regularly scheduled meeting and serve until the election in the first week of September.

1. Shall be the chief executive officer of the organization and shall preside over meetings.

2. Shall submit the names of all officers of the organization to the Student Activities Office not more than four weeks after the beginning of the fall semester and within ten days of any election.

3. Shall submit additional information, as it is required to the Student Activities Office.

4. Shall assist the Advisor and the Treasurer in preparation of requests for funding from the Associated Students of The University of Texas at Tyler, and shall sign said requests.

1. Shall assume the duties of the President during his/her absence and shall succeed to that position in the event that it becomes vacant, until a special election can be held.

2. Shall be responsible for writing the Bylaws of this organization and for presenting them for approval to the total voting membership at the first meeting.

1. Shall be responsible for promoting this organization and any events sponsored by this organization.

2. Shall report an accounting of revenues and expenses upon request at any organizational meeting.

3. Shall prepare, at the end of each school year, all financial records for audit.

4. Shall assist the Advisor and the President in preparation of requests for funding from the Associated Students of The University of Texas at Tyler, and shall sign said requests.

E. Any additional duties of the officers will be outlined in the Bylaws of this organization.

Responsibility: Management of this organization shall be vested in an Executive Committee responsible to the entire membership to uphold this constitution.

Membership: Membership shall consist of President, Vice President, Public Relations Officer, Treasurer, and Advisor.

Meetings: The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times a semester to organize and plan future activities and agenda items for meetings.

Quorum: A quorum of this committee shall consist of the President and Advisor.

Grounds for removal: Any officer not fulfilling his/her duties as outlined in this Constitution Article IX, Section 4 or in the Bylaws of this organization to the satisfaction of the voting membership or who has violated a University policy or the Student Code of Conduct, may be removed from office. A 2/3-majority vote of the total voting membership shall be required for removal of any officer.

Notice of charges: The motion to remove an officer from his/her position must be presented in writing to the total voting membership at least 2 weeks before the meeting at which the removal will be voted on.

Right to a fair hearing: The officer subject to removal shall have the right to present his/her case to the membership at the meeting in which the voting for removal is to take place.

Form of vote: All elections under this Article shall be done by secret ballot.

Selection: This organization shall annually designate an Advisor(s) at the time of the regular organization elections. Said Advisor(s) shall have no voting privileges.

Duties: The Advisor(s) shall assist the Treasurer and the President in preparation of requests for funding from the various sources, departments and administration of The University of Texas at Tyler, and shall sign said requests. The Advisor(s) shall consult with the officers about the organization’s activities in compliance with University Policies.

The finances of this organization will come from fund-raising projects, individual contributions, membership dues and/or from The University of Texas at Tyler, when appropriate.

Proceeds from Fund Raising projects: Fund raising is important in helping to reduce the cost of participation to individual members and in demonstrating to the college administration and student affairs department that we are making an honest effort to help with the funding. Our basic fund raising philosophy is that the rewards of fund raising should go to those who participated. Therefore, the Tyler Collegiate Model United Nations Club reserves the right to withhold these funds from any member who did not participate in fund raising events based on a 2/3rds vote by all team members excluding the parties in question.

Conduct: While keeping in line with the University of Texas at Tyler Student Code of Conduct, every member is expected to attend and come prepared to all scheduled Tyler Collegiate Model United Nations Club events, including competitions, meetings, and fund raising activities. Further description is as follows:

A. Unauthorized absences from any scheduled team event could result in dismissal from the Tyler Collegiate Model United Nations Club.

B. While at competition, Tyler Collegiate Model United Nations Club members are expected to professionally represent both the University of Texas at Tyler and their assigned delegation at all times through punctuality and diplomacy.

C. During competitions, members are expected to maintain communications with the advisor, head delegate and committee member.

D. Members are expected to use reasonable judgment so not to engage in any activities that would impair their performance during competition.

The President shall have the authority to appoint any special committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee that will meet the needs of the organization.

A. This organization may approve bylaws for the specific operation of the organization.

B. No bylaw shall be adopted that is contrary to the provisions of this Constitution

A. The organization may adopt, amend or rescind any bylaw by a 2/3 vote of the membership present at the time of voting.

B. Any proposed bylaw must be publicized in writing to the members at least [one week, one meeting] prior to the meeting at which it is to be voted upon.

A proposed amendment to the constitution must be adopted in accordance with Article VIII, Section 2 and such amendments to this Constitution must be reviewed and approved by the Faculty Advisor to ensure that the entire document is compliance with all current policies of the University of Texas at Tyler and The University of Texas System.

A proposed amendment this Constitution must be presented to the total voting membership in the form of a written motion at least [7] days before it is to be voted on.

In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the organization shall after necessary expenses thereof be distributed to such organizations as shall qualify under section 501 c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws; or to the federal government, or to a state or local government for a public purpose.

No part of the net earning of this organization shall inure to the benefit of any member or officer of the organization, or any private individual, and no member or officer of the organization or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the assets upon dissolution of the organization

No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, or any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization is organized exclusively of one or more of the following purposes: religious, charitable, scientific, international amateur sports competition, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, as specified in section 501 c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 c) (3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws.