Charter of MacVeggies
Article I: Definition and Objectives
a. MacVeggies is a student organization at Macalester College. It is, therefore, governed by all rules and regulations relating to student organizations as dictated by the Macalester College Student Government.
b. MacVeggies aims to raise awareness about issues related to vegetarianism, veganism, health, the environment, animal rights, world hunger and consumerism. It also aims to facilitate community activities for members and non-members to participate in and enjoy.
Article II: Membership
a. Membership in MacVeggies is not restrictive or discriminatory. It is open to all students attending Macalester College.
b. MacVeggies guarantees that equal opportunity and access to membership, programming, facilities and benefits shall be open to all persons.
c. There are no minimum or maximum limits on the number of members in MacVeggies.
d. Persons who wish to join MacVeggies should be registered as students at Macalester College. They need not be attending classes on campus at the time they wish to join. There are no other criteria for membership in the organization. Information required for joining includes the full name of the student, his or her phone number and his or her e-mail address.
e. Revocation of membership in MacVeggies is only possible upon the member’s request.
Article III: Officers and Duties
a. MacVeggies is run by an Executive Committee consisting of five members: two co-Chairs, one Secretary, one Treasurer and one Committee Coordinator.
b. The role of the co-Chairs is to preside over weekly meetings and to monitor the goings-on of the organization.
c. The Secretary’s duties include recording the minutes of meetings and maintaining contact with members. The Secretary also works with the co-Chairs on an agenda prior to each meeting.
d. The Treasurer’s duties include overseeing the finances of the organization and preparing a semi-annual budget. The Treasurer is the liaison between MacVeggies and the Financial Affairs Committee (FAC) of the Macalester College Student Government (MCSG).
e. The role of the Committee Coordinator is to form and oversee the work of special teams (or committees) organized to plan and carry out MacVeggies events.
f. One committee will be formed for each MacVeggies event. Membership in a committee is restricted to members of MacVeggies.
g. Members of the Executive Committee are elected at the last meeting of each semester. Special elections can be held at a different time if a vacant position needs to be filled.
h. If an issue with an officer is raised, it will be presented before members of the organization to decide on holding a re-election or asking the officer to resign. If an officer resigns, he/she may not be forced to withdraw their membership from MacVeggies.
Article IV: Advisors
There will be no faculty advisor for MacVeggies.
Article V: Meetings
a. Meetings will be held once a week, or as determined by the Executive Committee. Only members of the Executive Committee have authority in calling a meeting.
b. Members of MacVeggies are notified of any meeting at least three days in advance via e-mail.
c. Meetings are presided over by one or both co-Chairs. In the event that neither co-Chair is able to attend, they will find a willing member of the Executive Committee to preside over the meeting.
d. Five members will constitute a quorum, and any issues will be validated by contacting members through their post office boxes or through e-mail.
Article VI: Elections
a. Members of the Executive Committee are elected at the last meeting of each semester. The elected members will take office immediately after the election results are announced.
b. A special election is held only if an Executive Committee vacancy arises.
c. Each election is administered by an Election Committee formed by the Committee Coordinator.
d. All members of MacVeggies are eligible to run for an executive position. Members who wish to run for any position should notify the Election Committee at least one week before elections are held.
e. All members of MacVeggies are eligible to vote in any election.
f. MacVeggies members will be notified of the elections with adequate time to ensure participation.
Article VII: Finances
a. There will be no dues system.
b. The Treasurer is primarily responsible for financial affairs, but he/she will only operate within the consensus of the Executive Committee.
c. Revenues will be reported to the FAC Chair by MacVeggies delegates at MCSG meetings.
d. Should the organization dissolve, money and MCSG allocations revert to the Macalester College Student Government.
Article VIII: Amendments
a. Eligible voting members will be notified via e-mail of any proposed amendment at least one week prior to voting.
b. Two-thirds of those present and voting will be required to ratify any amendment.
c. All amendments or changes to our charter will be submitted under no uncertain terms to the Student Affairs Committee for approval.
Article IX: Ratification
A majority of those present is needed to ratify this charter.
Article X: Sunset Clause
This charter will expire on March 1st 2008, at which time it may be resubmitted for renewal and must be re-approved by the Legislative body to remain effective.
