SEM Student Union Section Bylaws Draft
Article I. — Name and Purpose
Section I. Name
The name of this section shall be the ‘Student Union’, also referred to by the official
abbreviation, ‘SEM SU’.
Section II. Purpose
The Student Union is a section of the Society for Ethnomusicology, composed
primarily of the student membership. The Student Union would focuses primarily,
but not exclusively on:
1. Provide support and resources for students in the field of ethnomusicology
through community, networking, and information exchange.
2. Promote world music and cultures through education, service, and
performance.
3. Use music to promote and understanding of social differences and
encourage mutual cooperation among students, scholars, and performers in
music in our community and the world.
4. Support the goals and objectives of the Society for Ethnomusicology.
Article II. — Meeting Quorum and Rules of Procedure
Section I. Quorum
The presence of the Executive Committee plus a minimum of five members is the
recognized quorum to call a meeting of the SEM SU to order.
Section II. Rules of Procedure
1. Where it is not superseded by these bylaws, the current edition of
Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern procedures at all business meetings
of the SEM SU.
2. All decisions of the SEM SU shall be made by a majority vote of members
present and voting, except where otherwise specified. Quorum must be
present when the question is called.
Article III. — Membership
Section I. Eligibility
1. The SEM SU is open to all graduate students with the desire to participate in
and further the field of ethnomusicology regardless of race, ethnicity,
national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or educational
background.
2. Student members of the Society for Ethnomusicology are automatic members
and do not need a vote by the membership.
Section II. Responsibilities of Memberships
1. Pay promptly all financial obligations (see Article VI)
2. Make reasonable effort to maintain participation with the SEM SU
Section III. Good Standing
1. A member is in good standing if the member fulfills all the responsibilities of
membership as defined in Section Two of this article.
2. Members in good standing will have preference over those not in good
standing for activities of the SEM SU including but not limited to
opportunities for:
a.
Committee membership
b.
Scholarships
3. Members not in good standing may not serve in any office and may not vote.
Article IV. — SU Executive Committee
Section I. Eligibility
1. Officers must be members in good standing of the SEM SU
2. Under reasonable circumstances, officers are expected to attend the SEM
Annual National Conference.
3. Under reasonable circumstances, officers should make every effort to commit
to the responsibilities and duties of the SEM SU Executive Committee.
Section II. Officer Positions
1. Chair
2. Vice-Chair
3. Secretary/Treasurer
4. Member-at-Large
Section III. — Elections
1. Each Spring Semester the Nominating Committee shall produce a slate of
nominated officers to the SEM SU membership.
2. New officers must be elected by affirmative vote by the week before the
Annual SEM National Conference.
3. Elections will be done online through the SEM SU Website.
Section IV. Vacated Positions
1. ??
Article V. — Officer Responsibilities
Section I. General Responsibilities
The SEM SU officers shall be responsible for the duties of their position as
prescribed by this article. All officers report to the Chair.
Section II. Chair Responsibilities
1. Acts as the presiding officer of the SEM Student Union.
2. Coordinates and chairs all SEM Student Union business meetings.
3. Provides supervision and acts as advisor to officers.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Set specific goals at the start of each term year.
Acts as official representative and liaison to the Society for Ethnomusicology.
Writes annual report for SEM Board.
Writes bi-annual letter for SEM Student News.
Updates and maintains the SEM Student Union bylaws.
Section III. Vice-Chair Responsibilities
1. Serves as executive officer for all sub-committees.
2. Meets with sub-committee chairs to set specific committee goals at the start
of each term year.
3. Facilitates grant writing for the SEM Student Union in conjunction with
appropriate officers and sub-committees for specific grant needs and goals.
4. Assumes the duties of the Chair in his/her absence.
5. Acts as the parliamentarian for all SEM Student Union business meetings.
6. Oversees SEM Student Newsletter
Section IV. Secretary/Treasurer Responsibilities
1. In coordination with Executive Committee, prepares agenda items for
Student Union business meetings.
2. Maintains accurate business and financial records for the SEM Student Union.
3. Prepares and submits the minutes of proceedings for approval of all business
meetings, for subsequent distribution to membership.
4. Records attendance at SEM Student Union.
5. Maintains an accurate account of the financial status of the SEM Student
Union in the form of a registry.
6. Presents the SEM Student Union financial status at all business meetings.
7. Collects all membership dues and other moneys owed to the SEM Student
Union.
Section V. Member-at-Large Responsibilities
1. ????
Section VI. Sub-Committees
1. Will consist of a minimum of two representatives from the Student Union
membership who are elected by the membership or appointed by the SEM
Executive Committee.
Section VII. Conference Panel Sub-Committee
1. Is responsible for organizing conference panels or roundtables that address
student issues.
2. Sends out invitations to scholars and professionals working in
ethnomusicology, determines how the panel will be structured (as a
roundtable or as separate presentations), and submits a panel proposal to
the SEM program committee during the call for papers in March.
Section VIII. Newsletter Sub-Committee
1. Responsible for organizing and publishing two volumes of the SEM Student
News every year (in April and October).
2. There is more information regarding goals and expectations for this
committee is contained in the Governing Document for the newsletter
committee.
Section IX. Network Sub-Committee
1. Serves as a link between the SEM Student Union and the vast body of SEM
student members.
2. Organizes and facilitates student-related social events at the upcoming SEM
annual conference.
3. Responsible for researching and networking with:
 SEM regional chapter student representatives
 Executive officers for regional graduate ethnomusicology associations
 SEM Council student representatives
 SEM Special Interest Groups, Sections, and Committees
4. Encourages and promotes:
 Attendance to SEM Student Union meetings
 Submissions to SEM Student News
 Represent SCC and student union interests at their affiliated institutions
 Providing information from the SEM Student Union to their affiliated
institutions.
 Coordinates with the SEM Executive Officer (Steve Stumpfle) to assist with
the meet and greet gathering at the SEM National Conference for first time
student attendees
 Coordinates a system of “student hosts” to be clearly identified throughout
the SEM National conference.
 Sends out emails to the hosts and to the greater SEM community to explain
the purpose of the sticker or button at the SEM conference.
 Coordinates a social gathering for student members during the conference
Section X. Special Committees
1. The executive council has the discretion to create special ad hoc committees to
coordinate projects as needed for the SEM SU.
2. Special committees shall be dissolved once project or need is fulfilled.
Section XI. Committee Chair Duties
1. To coordinate committee meetings.
2. To report on committee activities when called upon to do so during designated
business meetings.
3. To report absent members directly to the Secretary/Treasurer.
Article VII. — Dues
1.
????
Article VIII. — Bylaws Amendments
1.
All amendments to these bylaws require approval by a two-thirds majority
vote of members present and voting.