Florida State University Chapter of NAACP
Collegiate Constitution 2013-2014
Compiled by: Prophete, Roth and Robinson Administration
MISSION:
The mission of the NAACP Youth & College Division shall be to inform youth of the problems
affecting African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities; to advance the economic,
education, social and political status of African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities
and their harmonious cooperation with other peoples; to stimulate an appreciation of the African
Diaspora and other people of color’s contribution to civilization; and to develop an intelligent,
militant effective youth leadership.
VISION:
Developing a New Generation of Leadership
OBJECTIVES:
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Leadership and Activism Training
Proactive Political and Community Activism
Recruitment of new Youth Units
Maintenance of existing Youth Units
Public awareness of the necessity of youth involvement
To be the leaders and trendsetters in the area of youth leadership and civil rights training
I.
ATTENDANCE
Executive Committee members are required to be in attendance at all NAACP functions,
which includes Executive Committee meetings. If a member of the Executive Committee
cannot attend one of the events, he/she must notify the Secretary within 24 hours of
his/her absence via e-mail or phone call. Notification via text messaging will not be
allowed. The Secretary must notify the President, if any Executive Committee member is
unable to attend an event.
For all functions, all members of the Executive Committee must arrive 30 minutes prior
unless otherwise noted beforehand. This is necessary in order to help set-up and run
through the event to ensure everything is in order for the general body. Failure to arrive
30 minutes, or another predetermined time, prior to the event without notifying the
Secretary or President (for Secretary) will result in repercussions.
II. REMOVAL PROCEDURE
Non-functioning committees shall be discharged promptly by the Executive Committee.
Any member of the Executive Committee, except officers or of any standing special
committee who shall be absent from three consecutive meetings without notice to the
Secretary or President or who shall not perform their required duties for three consecutive
months shall be removed by the Executive Committee by written notification to the
delinquent member and replaced. If the Executive Committee fails to act, the President,
Secretary and one member may sign the removal letter.
For any officers who shall be absent from three consecutive meetings without notice or
explanation to the Secretary or President, or who shall not perform the required duties for
three consecutive months, the National Office is to be notified by the Secretary by way of
a petition signed by the Secretary, the President, and one other member of the Executive
Committee. If the President or Secretary is in violation, then any three members of the
Executive Committee shall sign the petition. The National Office shall recommend the
removal of said officer.
III.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EXPECTATIONS
* President - is expected to preside at meetings both General Body and Executive Board
alike, while acting as chair of the Executive committee. The President should encourage
and assist all committees in the development of their programs. He/She is expected to
appoint the chair and members of all committees not otherwise elected by general
membership, as well as recommend to the Executive committee, the removal of any
chairperson of any committee. The President should countersign all checks and properly
support requisitions for disbursement.
* 1st Vice-President - is expected to perform all duties of the President in his/her absence
or disability. He/She should update the President weekly and share progress of respective
committees. The 1st vice President is also responsible for half of the Executive Board
committees, which include: Membership, Press & Publicity, and Political Action. He/She
should meet with the chairpersons of each committee to discuss upcoming goals, plans,
and events. He/She will also observe and give feedback to his/her perspective
committees.
*2nd Vice-President - is expected to perform all duties of the President in his/her absence
or disability. He/She should update the President weekly and share progress of respective
committees. The 2nd Vice President is also responsible for half of the Executive Board
committees, which include: Education/Juvenile Justice, Health, and Social Outreach.
He/She should meet with the chairpersons of each committee to discuss upcoming goals,
plans, and events. He/She will also observe and give feedback to his/her perspective
committees.
* Treasurer - is expected to open/maintain a checking account in the name of the
Chapter with the name of the unit printed on check, as well as provisions made for two
signatures. The Treasurer will receive all monies of the NAACP Chapter and promptly
deposit the funds in the name of the Chapter. The Treasurer is expected to act as the chief
financial officer of the NAACP Chapter and oversee the Fundraising Committee. Provide
receipts for memberships received and transmit names to National Office. He/She will
make authorized disbursements upon requisition will recite the amount and purpose of
the payment requested. The Treasurer will submit reports to the Executive Committee at
all regular meetings to show the financial status of the FSU Chapter of NAACP by
showing receipts, disbursements, and outstanding accounts unpaid since last report. The
Treasurer will be responsible for submitting a year-end financial report to the National
Office before February 1. It is very important that the Treasurer work with the Advisor
and President to also establish a realistic budget at the beginning of each year. The
Treasurer should also be updated on the Florida State University Student Government
Financial Manual.
* Secretary - is expected to give notice of meetings and events. The Secretary is in
charge of keeping accurate minutes, attendance records, and membership records. The
Secretary must submit reports for the Executive Committee and General Membership.
The Secretary is responsible for all correspondence, which includes but is not limited to
notifying members of meetings/events, writing sympathy or congratulatory messages,
‘thank you’ notes, and replying to all letters, e-mails, and inquiries. The Secretary is also
responsible for submitting Quarterly Reports to the National Office, State Office, and
Tallahassee Branch.
*Membership - is expected to work throughout the year to maintain and increase the
membership of the Association. The membership committee is responsible for planning
and organization of annual membership campaigns, as well as planning events that will
continue to solicit new members while also securing and retaining the chapter’s current
members. The membership committee should also work on gaining life members. The
membership committee is to be the chapter's representation at other events held by
various registered student organizations as well as groups in the Tallahassee community.
The committee should be able to communicate the purpose of the FSU Chapter of
NAACP to non-members and be able to inform general body members of new
information while representing the chapter.
* Fundraising - is expected to plan creative fundraising events for the FSU Chapter of
NAACP. The Fundraising committee should find or create events that result in reaping
the most funds and expend the least from the chapters account.
*Education/Juvenile Justice - is expected to research, educate, and monitor local and
state incarcerations, sentencing, arrest, and probation rates of African American and other
youth of color. The committee will also seek to eliminate discriminatory practices in the
Juvenile Justice systems. This committee is also expected to study local educational
conditions affecting minority groups as well as eliminating segregation and other
discriminatory practices in public education. The committee is also responsible for
keeping individuals abreast with Education/Juvenile Justice issues that the National
Office is focusing on.
* Political Action - is expected to serve as political liaison for the FSU Chapter of
NAACP. This committee is responsible for encouraging the minority population to take
an active role and interest in the political process. If in a voting year, the Chair(s) should
spend time educating individuals on voting processes and the importance of getting to the
polls. Investigating and exposing social and political injustices is essential to this
position. This committee is also responsible for keeping individuals abreast with political
issues, such as programs and research, which the National Office is also focusing on.
*Social Outreach - is expected to plan at least 1-2 community service events a month for
the organization to participate in. Chair(s) should plan events that are geared toward the
betterment of the surrounding community. The Chair(s) should remain abreast of current
issues affecting the minority community both locally and nationally. Chair(s) should also
be responsible for keeping individuals abreast with issues that the National Office is
focusing on.
*Historian - is expected to accurately document the FSU NAACP Chapters' events held
during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The Historian is responsible for putting
together not only a scrapbook, but also a slideshow to be shown at the end of the school
year. The Historian is expected to work on keeping our website, and online social
networks, up to date with photos and info of recent events.
*Health - is expected to promote, protect, and maintain the health of minorities. The
Health committee will assess the health needs of the community and advocate for equal
access to health education, care, treatment, and research for all Americans. This
committee will also sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs, and
workshops that highlight issues of importance to people of color. The Health committee
should be mindful to support health initiatives on the National Level.
*Press and Publicity - is expected to secure publicity in the local press for Chapter
(FSUView, Tallahassee Democrat, etc.) and to publicize meeting and activities of the
chapter, by means of posters, ads, etc. The Press and Publicity committee is expected to
produce 2-4 publications (newsletter) during school year, which highlights the Chapter’s
activities as well as current events affecting minority population locally and nationally.
Another responsibility will be to reserve a table for every Market Wednesday as well as
advertising events/meetings using our website, Facebook and other social networks. This
committee will work closely with Student Publications to produce flyers and posters for
events. Any advertisements will need to be available at least 2weeks before the actual
event takes place.
IV. EVENT QUOTAS
Each Executive Committee member is required to bring at least three (3) planned events to
Executive Board meetings and execute at least one (1) per semester, or when asked to do so.
When planning events, please make sure publicity is up at least two (2) weeks before the event,
which includes Facebook, flyers, and Executive Committee notification. Events need to first be
confirmed at least three (3) weeks before the actual event is to take place. All events need to be
approved by one of two Vice-Presidents first, and then approved by the Chapter President. It
will be presented to the Executive Committee in an Executive Committee meeting for final
approval and confirmation.
V. MEMBERSHIP QUOTAS
Members of the Executive Committee are required to obtain at least two (2) memberships per
month or six (6) per semester.
The sections below are required by the Florida State University Student Activities Center
in order to be a registered student organization on campus:
VI. Officer Vacancies:
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Removal of Executive Committee Position
If Executive Committee members are not fully exemplifying all duties of their position, they will
be contacted by their respective Vice-President to meet and discuss their latest actions within the
organization. If the Executive Committee members do not meet with their respective VicePresident in the time allotted, they then will be contacted by the President. If after 3 attempts to
meet with either their Vice-President or President has not happened, the Executive Committee
member will receive an official letter via e-mail along with a letter mailed to their local address
for the removal of their Executive Committee position.
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Removal of Elected Official Position
If Elected Official members are not fully exemplifying all duties of their position, they will be
contacted by the President to meet and discuss their latest actions within the organization. The
President will be contacted by the Secretary. If the Elected Official member does not meet with
the President or Secretary (for President) after 3 attempts, then a vote will be held the following
Executive Board meeting to determine the status of the Elected Official. Theirs offenses and
then a vote will be taken to retain or release him/her from his/her position. A majority vote by
Executive Committee in favor of the removal of the officer is needed in order to remove him/her.
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Resignation
If an Executive Committee member no longer desires or feels they can uphold the duties of their
position they must provide a 2 weeks notice to the Cabinet with an official letter of their
resignation.
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Filling Vacant Executive Committee Positions
Vacant Executive Committee positions can be filled upon vacancy of position. It is to be decided
amongst the Cabinet when Committee Chair Applications will be available to fill the vacant
positions and the Cabinet chooses who best qualifies for the position. If one of the Cabinet
members resigns, or there is a vacant position within the Cabinet, the position will be voted upon
by paid members apart of the chapter.
VII. Selection of Officers
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Eligibility to Vote and Hold Office
All paid members of the FSU Chapter of NAACP are eligible to vote for Cabinet positions and
apply to hold any type of position they so desire.
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Election Process
The Nominating Committee, which consists of paid members of the chapter along with the
current Cabinet, decides when elections for the New Cabinet will occur. The New Cabinet
includes: President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Assistant
Secretary. The elections will take place during the spring semester. The Nominating Committee
will set the date, time, and place for candidate speeches as well as the election date. Only those
on the Nominating committee will be able to count votes and conduct elections.
 Term of Office
The term for Cabinet and Executive Committee positions lasts one full academic year.
VIII. Finances
No university student may be denied membership due to inability to pay membership dues. If a
member is not able to pay dues, arrangements will be made.
IX.
Publications
All advertisements of the organization must comply with the University Posting Policy, which
can be found on posting.fsu.edu. All publications must be approved by the President or VicePresidents before they are posted to the University or local community. The publications include
shirts, flyers, etc prior to duplication and distribution.
X.
Membership Requirements
Membership is limited to all students who are enrolled with the Florida State University.
No hazing or discrimination will be used as a condition of membership in this organization.
This organization agrees to adhere to the University non-discrimination statement: No university
student may be denied membership on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national
origin, age, disability, veterans’ or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender
expression, or any other protected group status.
 Revocation of Membership/Appeal Process
The only reason a member may be revoked from their membership status is if their dues are
not paid. Their status is changed from a paid member to a general body member but will still
be able to play an active role within the organization. The appeal process to becoming a paid
member once again and receive full benefits as a member includes paying the national dues
to the national organization.
XI. Advisor
The advisor shall be elected by the officers of the organization with approval by the
Tallahassee Branch of NAACP by majority vote of paid members. The advisor shall serve as a
mentor to the organization providing guidance to the officers & members. The advisor has no
voting rights and must be a current FSU faculty or staff member. The advisor will be notified at
least 1 week (7 days) prior to the vote for removal of advisor position. The advisor will be
allowed to address the organization to provide defense. After majority vote, the advisor will be
removed from duties and a new advisor will be elected within 30 days.
XII.
Amendments
Amendments to the constitution must be proposed in writing to the President. The
amendment must be presented to the organization at an Executive Committee Meeting and
should include full explanation of the amendment being made. The amendment will not take
effect until approved by a majority vote (51%) of the Executive Committee.