Constitution for the
International
Organization
The International Organization assists International students to integrate into FGCU and
the local community, to share international experiences, and bring to FGCU an awareness
and understanding of international perspectives and cultures through programs, events,
social activities and services.
Anti-Hazing Statement:
This student organization prohibits its members, both individually and collectively, from
committing acts of hazing as defined herein: Hazing means any action or situation which
recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student
for the purpose of initiation or admission into an affiliation with an organization. Such
terms shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of physical nature such as
whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced
consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance or any other forced physical
activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual to
extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact,
forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment or any other forced activity
which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.
Article I
Name and Purpose
Section I: Name: This organization shall be known as the International Organization of Florida Gulf Coast
University.
Section II: Purpose: The purpose of this organization will be as follows:
A.
To provide programs, social activities, projects and events of an international nature which
help enhance Florida Gulf Coast University's international perspective.
B
To provide programs and support services to International students to assist them in
integrating into the university.
C
To provide opportunities for International students to particiipate in student leadership and
representation on university issues, activities and committees.
Article II
Section I: Membership Requirements: The membership requirements for this organization will be as
follows:
A.
The International Organization is open to all currently enrolled students at Florida Gulf
Coast University with an International interest. FGCU staff, faculty and alumni may be
non- voting members, cannot hold office, but may participate in committees and
activities.
B.
To achieve good standing within this organization, one must:
- Attend meetings and or programs on a regular basis (at least monthly).
- Support the organization and maintain communication with the membership as
a whole.
Article III
Meeting
Section I: Meeting: The meetings of this organization will be as follows:
A.
"General Meetings" will be held once a month or as agreed by the organization.
B.
President is responsible for calling special meetings.
C.
Club Officers must meet once every week, or as agreed by the officers and President, to
organize and plan activities to keep members informed.
D.
Special committees will meet as necessary.
Article IV
The Executive Powers
Section I: The executive power is rested in the International Organization of Florida Gulf Coast University.
Section II: The executive officers of the International Organization are the President, Vice-President,
Treasurer and Secretary.
Section III: The President of the organization will be elected in an organizational wide election in the
spring of each year by a majority vote of members. The President must have attained at least Sophomore
standing at the time of his or her assuming office and not be on academic or disciplinary probation, must
have previously been a member in good standing of the International Organization at least one semester.
Section IV: The President of the International Organization will have the following duties:
A.
Serve as the chief executive officer ofthe International Organization
B.
Represent the Organizational members at meetings and conferences affecting the interests
ofthe Organization. This power may be delegated.
C.
Call special meetings of both the members and officers, as the President deems necessary
and expedient.
D.
Serve as the presiding officer of the International Organization assembly meetings.
power may be delegated.
E.
Nominate ambassadors from the organization to serve on University Committees and
Boards affecting International student concerns.
This
F.
Have discretionary power to deal with non-policy matters in a matter of consistency with
the constitution and its interest until such time as the organization assembly establishes
policies on the matter in question.
G.
The President may delegate duties where suitable but ultimately responsibility for
executive office action lies with the President of the Organization.
H.
The President must remain impartial on floor discussion regardless of personal feelings.
I.
The President, along with the club Advisor has signature authority for expenditures as
necessary.
Section V: The Vice-President of the organization will be elected in an organization wide-election in the
spring of each year by a majority of members voting. The Vice-President must have attained at least
sophomore standing (with the exception ofthe clubs' inaugural year) at the time of assuming office and
neither be on academic nor disciplinary probation. Must have been a member in good standing of the
International Organization at least one semester.
A.
In the event of absence, resignation, removal or ineligibility of the President of the
International Organization, the Vice-President will succeed to the office of the President.
B.
In the event of elevation of the Presidency, ofthe absence, resignation, removal or
ineligibility of the Vice-President, the President of the organization will nominate to the
Membership assembly a Vice-President successor who upon confirmation by majority
vote of the members will become Vice-President.
c.
The Vice-President will perform duties as assigned by the President of the Organization.
D.
The Vice-President
will head the organization's special committees.
Section VI: The Secretary and Treasurer of the organization will be elected in an organization wide
election in the spring of each year by a majority vote of those members voting. The Secretary and
Treasurer must meet the same qualification of the other officers. He/she must have good speaking ability,
some typing knowledge, and must be able to take efficient notation, as well as display the ability to oversee
the clubs' funds and monetary resources. He/she must have some knowledge of accounting, needs to
understand the fiscal aspects of the organization's financial affairs
Section VII: The duties of the Secretary and Treasurer are as follows:
A.
Will take complete and detailed minutes at each meeting, make available to all members
and maintain in organizational records.
B.
Prepare agendas for each meeting.
c.
Responsible for typing correspondences.
D.
Take a roll call at each meeting and keep a record of all members and attendance
E.
The Secretary and Treasurer will perform other duties as assigned by the President of the
organization.
F.
In the event of absence, resignation, removal, or ineligibility of the Secretary and
Treasurer, the President will call a special election.
G.
Check club mailbox weekly and disburse (or respond to) mail as appropriate
G.
The Secretary and Treasurer and the organizational advisor must authorize all
expenditures.
H.
Must keep accurate financial records.
I.
Must make a financial report at all meetings.
J.
Prepare and submit annual budget request by prescribed deadlines.
K.
Will perform other duties as assigned by the President of the organization
L.
In the event of the absence, resignation, removal, or ineligibility of the Secretary or
Treasurer, the President will call a special election.
Section VIII
Advisor:
In accordance with university policy and procedure, the International Organization will
appoint at least one official organizational advisor (by invitation) who meets the
university requirements for serving as an advisor
A.
Advisor appointments are to be made simultaneous to election of officers with term of
office running parallel to officer terms
B.
Advisor is not a voting member
C.
Advisor (along with club President) has signature authority for all organizational
expenditures.
Article V
Elections
Section I: Open floor nomination for the officers of the International Organization
A.
Nominations may be made for one office and then closed, until all offices have their slate
of candidates.
B.
Nominations will be held in the spring semester of each year.
Section II: Effective date for elections of the International Organization will be as follows:
A.
Elections will be held the week following nominations.
B.
New officers will take office the final day of spring final examinations.
Section ill: Term of office will be as follows:
A.
The officer's tenure will begin the summer pre-ceding the academic year, ending the last
day of final examinations ofthe Spring Semester.
Section IV: Special Elections will be as follows:
A.
In case of elected office vacancy, the President must call a special election.
Article VI
Voting
Section I: Voting for Officers:
A.
Voting for officers will be done by ballot where as all candidates names will be printed
on one ballot.
Section II: General Business voting:
A.
Issues of general business will be decided upon by a majority vote of members present.
B.
A majority is at least fifty-one percent of the total members Present and voting.
C.
Officers will be elected by a majority vote.
Article VII
Legal Procedures
Section I: Legal Requirements will be as follows:
A.
A two-third vote of the assembled members is required to pass or amend By-laws under
this constitution.
Section II: This Constitution will be the official Constitution of the International Club of Florida Gulf
Coast University, upon ratification by a majority of members voting in a constitutional referendum and
approved by the Advisors.
Article VIII
Dissolution Clause
Section 1: This Student Organization will be dissolved by a two-thirds majority of quorum votes to do so,
or when the Student Organization fails to complete the University required recognition process for two
consecutive semesters. In the event of the Student Organization's dissolution, all Student Organization
financial assets become property ofthe Student Government Association and shall be added to allocations
designated for recognized student organizations. All additional assets will be used toward any debts; if no
additional assets remain, all debts shall be reconciled by the current officer(s) prior to the dissolution of the
organization. Organizations with outstanding debt will not be recognized as a RSO at FGCU.
By-Laws
A.
MEETINGS: Meetings can be called by the officers with two working days notice. General meetings
will be scheduled in advance no less than once monthly during fall and spring semesters. Meetings will
follow established order as set by the organization but will include a call to order, roll call, reports, old
business and new business. Meetings may include speakers or other added features. During meetings,
members may present concerns for discussion and vote.
B.
AUTHORIZATION TO RECEIVE AND DISBURSE FUNDS: The President and Secretary-Treasurer
are the only members ofthe International Club ofFGCU authorized to receive and disburse funds,
unless prior approval is received from both the President and Secretary-Treasurer. The Advisor and
President must approve all expenditures in writing.
C.
OFFICER AND MEMBER REMOVAL CLAUSE: If any officer fails to uphold the specific duties of
the office or fails to attend two consecutive meetings, either regular meetings or Officer sessions, and
fails to contact another officer regarding his or her standing, the officer can be removed from the post
by a majority vote of the members in attendance at any general meeting. Officers and members can
also be removed by a majority vote for documented, serious infractions of the Student Code of
Conduct, provided due process has been observed.
D.
DUE PROCESS: The International Club shall follow due process procedures as outlined in the Student
Code of Conduct in the event of the removal of an officer or a member. Student organizations and their
individual members are responsible for complying with all public laws and University rules and
regulations.
E.
COMMITTEES: committees shall be established as needed either by volunteering or by appointment
by the President. Term of service on a committee shall be for the semester in which the member was
appointed.
F. ENROLLMENT/ GRADE POINT AVERAGE STATUS: All members and officers must be enrolled
for a minimum of one class per semester and maintain a cumulative grade point average of2.00 or above.
President Signature:
Advisor Signature:~
Office of Student Involvement:
Revised 09/14
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