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Constitution of the Laurentian Political Science Association

Article 1 Name
1.1 1.2 1.3 The organization shall be officially called the Laurentian Political Science Association of Laurentian University Barrie Campus. The organization may be commonly called the PSA. LPSA shall be the commonly used acronym for the organization.

Article 2 Definitions and Interpretation


2.1 2.2 Political Science Student persons majoring or minoring in political science at Laurentian University. Executive Officers persons holding positions of the President, Vice-President, Internal Events Coordinator, External Events Coordinator, Communications Director, Treasurer and Secretary. Members persons subscribing to events and activities of the LPSA and interested in regular updates Executive quorum is defined as 50 per cent plus one of all executive members, excluding the President, for voting purposes.

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Article 3 Mission Statement


3.1 The mission of LPSA of Laurentian University (Barrie) is to provide effective representation for students who are majoring in political science to the Department of Political Science and to the entire Laurentian University community at the Barrie Campus. It is to raise awareness through activities that uphold the LPSA as a politically oriented student body and promote a sense of community and unity amongst members and students. The LPSA aims to work with members of the Laurentian Barrie campus in order to raise their recognition about the LPSA, as well as offering students within political science academic help and related social events.

Article 4 Affiliations
4.1 LPSA should work in collaboration with the following organizations and consult them on a regular basis: a) The Department of Political Science b) The Laurentian Student Union of Barrie (LSU) c) Laurentian University Administration d) Any other pertinent organization as the community expands in the future

Article 5 The Executive Committee


5.1 The voting positions on the Executive Committee, in order of precedence, are as follows: a) President b) Vice-President c) Internal Events coordinator d) External Events coordinator e) Communications Director f) Treasurer g) Secretary h) Director of Promotions h) More positions may be added as the Association expands, depending on the need Officers of the Executive Committee shall be elected every year pursuant to Article 14, by and from the body of LPSA members. The Executive Committee shall meet at the request of the President or by written request of the Secretary. A meeting of the executive committee should be held bi-weekly/monthly between the months of September and April. No one individual shall simultaneously hold more than one of the positions listed in section 5.1.

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Article 6 Duties of the Officers of the Executive Committee


6.1 All officers of the Executive Committee (as listed in Section 5.1) shall be responsible for holding office hours of no less than 1 hour a week between the months of September and April. Must be actively enrolled in the Political Science program. Executive officers are expected to attend all meetings. All officers of the Executive Committee (as listed in Section 5.1) shall be responsible for having full comprehension of this constitution and its articles. Furthermore, all officers will assume to have such knowledge and will be treated as such. All officers of the Executive Committee (as listed in Section 5.1) shall be responsible for upholding the mission statement and integrity of the LPSA. They are to act within the confines of the constitution and any legislation passed by council and the Executive Committee. Furthermore, they are to avoid bringing the LPSA into disgrace and/or disrepute through their actions. Incoming correspondence is to be the sole responsibility of the Executive Committee unless deemed otherwise by the committee and sent to the council for review and/or approval. Officers of the Executive Committee, in particular the President, have the power to represent the LPSA as a whole but should be mindful to consult council on matters that are deemed important and be prepared to accept its input.

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1. Duties of the President 1.Presides over all meetings of council and Executive Committee

2.Is the official spokesperson of the Executive Committee and the LPSA. 3.Is responsible for the effective operation of the LPSA and ensuring that all members of the Executive Committee fulfill their duties and abide by the constitution. 4.Is responsible for the allocation of additional duties. 5.Is one of two signing authorities on the LPSA bank account. 6.If required, has the authority to create a temporary associate of council that can fulfill a responsibility that cannot be fulfilled by an executive member. 1. Duties of the Vice-President 1.Shall fulfill the duties of the President when he or she is unable to do so. 2.Is responsible for relaying information between executives and the President on various events and activities taking place under the direction of the LPSA. 3.Shall perform any duties pertaining to the LPSA as assigned to by the President. 4.Is responsible for relaying information between the department and the LPSA, keeping both up to date on activities. 5.Is responsible to coordinate representation on all departmental committees that the LPSA has a seat on, and ensure maintenance of those positions. 1. Duties of the Vice-President Internal 1.Is responsible for recruitment to the LPSA including the annual lunch in September and April, Christmas Party, participation in frosh week, Career Day and recruiting booths during the elected term, etc. 2.Is responsible for organizing at least one politically themed movie night to raise political awareness on campus. 3.Shall perform any duties pertaining to the LPSA as assigned to by the President. 6.10 Duties of the Vice-President External/events coordinator 1.Is responsible for all outside communications beyond the Political Science Department. 2.Is responsible for organizing a guest speaker event to promote political science and raise the image of the LPSA. 3.Is responsible for fundraising for the clubs various initiatives (coordinate specifically with the Communications director). 4.Shall perform any duties pertaining to the LPSA as assigned to by the President. 6.11 Duties of the Communications Director 1.It is crucial to have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) in order to hold this position 2.Is responsible for coordinating advertising for all council operations and events. 3.Is responsible for coordinating the printing of posters and tickets for all council operations and events. 4.Is responsible for checking the email account and answering and/or forwarding all relevant correspondence received. 5.Is responsible for writing articles to Laurentian Voice/ Local city newspapers to raise awareness for political events/issues. 6.Is responsible for ensuring the LPSA website is updated and maintained (Once created).

7.Is responsible for sending announcements through the LPSA and Political Science Department List-Service pertaining to the events of the LPSA. 8.Shall perform any duties pertaining to the LPSA as assigned to by the President. 6.12 Duties of the Treasurer 1.Is one of two signing authorities on the LPSA bank account 2.Shall create, administer and oversee all bank accounts of the LPSA. 3.Is responsible for preparing monthly statements of expenses and revenues to be available to all officers of the Executive Committee. 4.Is responsible for continually updating the budget when any changes occur. 5.Is responsible for compiling a budget to be submitted to various organizations for funding in conjunction with the executive officer who is responsible for the event. 6.Shall perform any duties pertaining to the LPSA as assigned to by the President. 6.13 Duties of the Secretary 1.Is responsible for taking the minutes of all executive and general meetings 2.Is responsible for preparing the minutes and making them available to executive members as well as sending them via email. 3.Is responsible for organizing schedules of meetings and office hours of the Executive Committee 4.Shall perform any duties pertaining to the as assigned to by the President. 6.14 1. well Duties of the Director of Promotions Works in collaboration with Communication director, Internal/External coordinators, as

other executive members depending on the need. 2. responsible for tabling, speaking to classes and students, and promoting the LPSA at events such as Fall and Winter Orientation days, as well as other campus events

Article 7 Financial Powers of the Executive Committee


7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 All budgetary items must be discussed with the entire executive committee. All financial matters exceeding 100 dollars must be voted on by the Executive Committee and must meet executive quorum. All financial matters 100 dollars or less only need the consent of the President. The President must receive copies of monthly bank statements and make them available to all Executive officers upon demand.

Article 8 Removal of Officers


8.1 Officers of the Executive Committee may be removed for the following reasons: a) Misappropriation of funds b) Mishandling of duties as described by Article 6 or Article 7 c) Acting against the constitution

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d) Lack of attendance to meetings e) Excess outside workload negatively affecting performance f) Conflict of interest g) Misbehaviour with other council members Any executive officer who misses any three executive meetings without a reasonable and unavoidable cause will be immediately and automatically removed from council. The impeached individual will have the right to defend his/her actions Fifty + one majority vote of executive members present will result in the removal of the individual from the club and the loss of any privileges associated with the association In the event of the registration or impeachment of an elected Officer, temporary appointments may be made by the Executive Committee for a period not to exceed sixty days, at which time a by-election must be called, unless the appointment occurs within sixty days of the Annual General Meeting.

Article 9 Meetings Procedures


9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 All meetings of association will conform to Roberts Rules of Order (see summary on http://www.robertsrules.org). If sections of this constitution and Roberts Rules of Order are in conflict, this constitution will take precedence. Council quorum defines the attendance for meetings in both the executive and the council meetings as a whole The LPSA President does not cast a vote, except to break a tie The President also has the responsibility of preparing and circulating the agenda for the meeting ahead of time, and presiding over the meeting. At least 2 full days notice of said regular meetings of council must be provided. This notice is to be widely distributed by any means necessary, including but not limited to: email, telephone, notices on the office door and notices in the campus newspapers. The LPSA Executive Committee may call emergency or other meetings of council with less notice.

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Article 10 Election Process for Executive Officers


10.1 10.2 10.3 A call for nominations for executive officers shall be declared during the month of March. All those wishing to become LPSA executive may pick up a nomination form from the office. Any political science student who has completed the nomination form and handed it in by the deadline and signed by the active president of the LSU shall be considered nominated for the LPSA executive officer position that said person has chosen. The election period, from close of announcement of available positions to voting day, shall last no longer than 9 days, 7 of which must be business days.

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During the election period all nominees shall be given a chance to address the electors at no less than one all candidates meeting. Rules of the meeting shall be determined at the time by the Executive Committee. Results shall be announced by the LPSA President and confirmed by the Vice President. All newly elected officers will take office on May 1st of the year and end April 30th of the following year. Following the election of the executive officers, one meeting of the new executive shall be convened during the month of August in order to prepare for the new-year

Article 11 Election Rules for Executive Officers and Emergency Elections


11.1 In the case of an election, all parties shall be given the chance to address student body before a vote is cast. The President, with the approval of executive, decides the time allotted to speeches for elections to keep within time constraints. In the event that an emergency election is required to fulfill executive positions after the beginning of the academic year, all rules pursuant to Articles 10 and 11 must be adhered to with the exception of the election period. In said situation, the nomination forms to voting day must be less or no longer than 7 days, 5 of which must be business days. The election must take place on the 8th or 9th day. In case of impeachment/resignation of an executive member, the former first runner-up shall take over the position until the end of term/next election. If no runner up then elections must be held.

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Article 12 Amending the LPSA Constitution


12.1 For amendments brought between the months of May and August, a copy of the original constitution and the amendments must be sent out to all executive officers at least one week prior to voting. Amendments to the constitution must meet executive quorum. If any amendments are brought to the Constitution between the months of September and April, it must be accepted unanimously by the Executive officers, and council voting quorum is required as well. In the event that an amendment is passed, but an executive officer is against it, they are permitted to resign.

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