Preamble

Civitan International came into being for the purpose of building good citizenship. The true Civitan is a distinctive type of citizen. A Civitan desires to develop in themselves, in their associates, and in their community a strong civic pride and conscience. A Civitan is mindful of the value of a broad vision and of a united, constructive effort to make their community and country a better place in which to live.

Article I – Name and Motto

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Walden University Campus Civitan Club, operating under a charter granted by Civitan International.

Section 2. The motto of this organization shall be, “Builders of Good Citizenship.”

Article II – Objectives and Purposes

Section 1. The club shall strive to provide fellowship and knowledge to its members and service to its community. To this end, members of the club shall meet together regularly for the purpose of acquiring a broader knowledge of public affairs and community needs; and through instruction, discussion, and study to become better prepared for intelligent leadership and cooperation in solving civic and community problems.

Section 2. The objective of this organization primarily is the building of good citizenship. Other important objectives are projects designed to teach young adults the responsibilities of citizenship; providing aid to individuals who have physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities; the loyal support of our government in peace and war; the curbing of crime; conservation of natural resources; and the promotion of national and international goodwill. Additional objectives will be those determined by Civitan International or those worthy local objectives selected by clubs to meet the needs of their communities, and which are not contrary to the Constitution and Bylaws of Civitan International.

Article III – Meetings and Fiscal Year

Section 1. There shall be a minimum of one board meeting and/or regular meeting per month during the regular school year (fall through spring) with the option for more regular meetings as well as summer meetings

Article IIII – Officers

Section 1. The officers of this club shall be the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. All officers shall hold office for one year, or until their successors are elected and qualified.

Article V -Board of Directors

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers and three directors elected by the club, one of whom should be the immediate past president.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the club and shall have the power to make such regulations and take such action consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws as in its judgement, may be necessary for the welfare of the club. The decisions of the board in all club matters shall be final, subject to appeal to the club.

Article VI – Politics and Religion

Section 1. This club shall not be used in any way for political purposes, nor shall it, as a club, actively participate in the political candidacy of any person.

Section 2. The merits of a nay public question may be fairly and intelligently studied and discussed, but the club shall not take any action inconsistent with the provisions of Section 6 of Article 1 in the Civitan International Bylaws.

Section 3. Civitan International is a service organization, and membership therein and in this club is not restricted in any way by religious faiths or beliefs. Membership in Civitan International and in this club shall be open to all students regardless of race, sex, disability, religion, or national origin.

Article VII – Surrender of Charter

Section 1. If this club deems it desirable, by unanimous vote of the active membership, to surrender the charter of this club, notice of such intention shall be given to the Executive Vice President of Civitan International. Thereafter, the provisions of Article III in the Civitan International Bylaws, will apply.

Article VIII – Amendment of Constitution

Section 1. This Constitution may be amended only after recommendation by the Board of Directors and by a two-thirds vote of the active members in good standing present and voting at any club meeting, provided written notice of proposed amendments have been given to members at least ten days prior to the meeting. No amendments or additions to this Constitution shall be made which are not in conformity with the Constitution of Civitan International.

Article I – Meetings

Section 1. Meetings. Regular meetings of this club shall be held as provided in the constitution. Meetings shall be held at minimum one time per month, at such time and place as the Board of Directors shall designate.

Section 2. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting shall be held on a meeting date designated by the Board of Directors during the months of February or March for the election of officers and directors, for the presentation of annual reports, and transaction of other business. The installation of officers and directors shall be held at a regular meeting in April or May. The term of officers shall officially begin on the first day of July following their election.

Section 3. Business Meeting. The club shall have at least four business meetings per year. Any such business meetings may be postponed or dispensed with by the president or Board of Directors who may call business meetings at other times when deemed necessary.

Section 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the club may be called by the president or Board of Directors or by any twelve members upon regular written notice to the secretary at least five days in advance of said meeting.

Section 5. Quorum. A majority of active members in-good-standing shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the club.

Section 6. Rules of Order. Parliamentary procedure in all meetings of the club, board meetings, and committee meetings shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article II – Duties of Officers

Section 1. President. The president shall appoint all committees, preside at all meetings of the club and the Board of Directors, and perform such duties that pertain to such office. The president shall be ex-officio member of all standing committees. Within 15 days of the election, the president shall appoint all club appointed officers. In the event of a vacancy in the office of president, the vice president shall assume the office and title of president during the unexpired term of the president.

Section 2. Vice President. The vice president shall have the duty of becoming familiar with all Campus Civitan affairs and shall work under and in cooperation with the president. In the event of a vacancy in the office of vice president, the office shall remain vacant until the next annual election – otherwise a special election shall be called to fill the office.

Section 3. Secretary. The duties of secretary include the following: keep records of membership; record the attendance at meetings; send out notices of meetings of the club, board, and committees; record and preserve the minutes of such meetings; make the required reports to Civitan International on time; and perform such duties as customarily pertains to such office.

Section 4. Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to have custody of all funds. The treasurer shall collect all dues and funds of the club and deposit them in the bank or depository named by the Board of Directors. The treasurer shall forward the required dues to Civitan International on time so as to prevent delinquency on the part of the club. Upon the treasurer’s retirement from office, all funds, books, and accounts or any other club property in their possession shall be turned over to the successor or to the president. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined.

Section 5. Salary of Officers. All the officers shall serve without compensation.

Section 6. Officer Training. All officers shall participate in group training led by a member of the sponsoring senior club, preferably the Campus Club Liaison.

Article III – Board of Directors

Section 1. Meetings. The president shall be chairman of the board and shall call regular meetings of the board at least once a month. The president shall call a special meeting within five days after receiving a written request from three or more board members.

Section 2. Functions.

1. The board shall be responsible for the appropriation of all funds in accordance with the club’s budget, and shall, through the president or other duly authorized member of the board, approve all vouchers before payment by the treasurer. It shall designate the bank or depository for funds of the club, approve all investments of funds of the club, and determine the amount of the bond which shall be given by the treasurer. It shall receive and approve the budget and the annual audit of the financial transactions of the club.
2. It shall pass on all projects recommended by the project committee, which must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire board before submitting the same to a vote of the club membership.
3. It shall pass upon grievances, default and complaints by or against a member, and may take such action as it deems appropriate on behalf of, or against, such member. It may, for good cause, declare an office vacant, upon two-thirds vote of the entire board, provided however, before such action is taken, the officeholder shall be notified of such proposed action and shall be given an opportunity to be heard by the board.
4. It may fill vacancies that occur during the year, except in the offices of president and vice president, which offices shall be filled only as provided in Article II of the Bylaws.

Section 3. Quorum. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.

Article IV – Appointed Officers

Section 1. Inspirational Leader. The president, within 15 days after their election, shall appoint a club inspirational leader to open all meetings of the club with an invocation or thought provoking topic. The inspirational leader shall deliver suitable eulogy before the club upon the passing of any of its members.

Section 2. Sergeant-at-Arms. The president, within 15 days after their election, shall appoint a sergeant-at-arms to preserve order at all times, to be the custodian of the club banner, and other supplies and equipment at meetings, and perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office, if applicable.

Article V – Committees

Section 1. The president may appoint the following nine standing committees: Membership and Retention, Community Service; Programs and Entertainment, Fellowship and Attendance, Budget and Finance, Constitution and Bylaws, Publicity, Youth Work, and Fundraising.

Section 2. These standing committees may be combined or divided or sub-divided as the president or the Board of Directors deem necessary.

Section 3. Special Committees. In addition to standing committees, there shall be appointed by the president such special committees as the president or the Board of Directors deem necessary.

Article VI – Duties of Committees

Section 1. Membership and Retention. This committee shall encourage members to seek new members for the club, investigate the character and eligibility of all persons proposed for membership, and shall act upon all proposals. The approved shall be certified to the secretary for action in accordance with Article VIII – Election of Members. The committee shall insure that each new member is initiated into the club with an appropriate ceremony; is indoctrinated as to the purposes and goals of the club; and is promptly involved in a club project or activity. The committee shall work to retain existing members as well as seek new ones.

Section 2. Community Service Projects. This committee shall devise and consider suitable and appropriate projects and shall devise ways and means whereby definite interpretation of the aims and objectives of the organization shall be given expression. The committee shall explore the needs of individuals in the community living with physical, intellectual, and/or developmental disabilities. It shall take cognizance of all matters of civic, charitable, or similar nature and recommendations of the Projects Committee shall constitute the basis for consideration of all projects of the club. Adoption of a project shall require a two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors. Thereafter such projects shall be approved by the club by a two-thirds vote at any club meeting.

Section 3. Programs and Entertainment. This committee shall arrange and have charge of all programs for regular meetings of the club. The purpose of said programs shall be to provide each member with a better understanding of their community and the world. It shall also have charge of all social functions, picnics, and parties of the club, as may be directed by the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Fellowship and Attendance. This committee may notify the club of any illness or distress existing among its membership and send letters, telegrams, or flowers to such sick or bereaved members. Members shall particularly devote their attention to the proper welcoming of new members, striving to encourage friendship among the members. This committee will work to maintain the attendance of club members at its meetings, utilizing the various plans suggested by Civitan International in conjunction with the Board of Directors.

Section 5. Budget and Finance. This committee shall prepare a budget of the estimated income and expenses of the club for the year, and shall pass upon all major expenditures of the club, same having been recommended by the Board of Directors. In the month of September each year, the Finance Committee shall cause an audit of the books to be made and such statement shall be distributed to the membership.

Section 6. Constitution and Bylaws. This committee shall have consideration of all proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and report the same to the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Publicity. The Publicity Committee shall be responsible for supplying notices concerning club meetings and club events to the appropriate news media outlets.

Section 8. Youth Work. This committee will work to involve the club in activities and projects designed to help the youth of the community better understand the responsibilities of good citizenship and the importance of altruistic service.

Section 9. Fundraising. This committee shall seek out new as well as work to improve upon existing fundraising efforts.

Article VII – Election of Officer and Directors

Section 1. The elected officers of the club shall be elected at the annual meeting held in February or March of each year. At an early regular meeting in January (or at least three meetings before the annual meeting), the president shall appoint a nominating committee of at least three members. The chairman shall be the last president. The nominating committee shall prepare a report giving the offices to be filled at least two candidates each. This must be presented to the club at least two meeting prior to the annual meeting.

At the annual meeting, there shall be a ballot containing the names of the nominees for the respective offices upon which each member shall indicate their choice. All members in good standing are eligible to vote. This may be during an online meeting or an online poll.

Section 2. Balloting. The nominees receiving the largest number of votes so cast for the respective offices of which they were nominated shall be declared elected for the terms of office commencing July 1, following the election.

Article VIII – Election of Members

Section 1. Qualifications: Any student at Walden University of good character and reputation is eligible for membership.

Section 2. Types of Membership:

1. Active – any person possessing the ideals of Civitan may be elected to active membership. Active members shall pay membership fees and dues as prescribed.
2. Honorary – Honorary membership may be conferred upon any individual who shall be distinguished in some praiseworthy manner. Such selection shall be by the unanimous vote of the club membership in attendance, provided such person’s name has been proposed for such membership at a previous regular meeting. Honorary members shall not be required to pay dues or be permitted to vote or hold elected office, and they shall have on interest in any of the funds or property of the club.

Section 2. Active Members. Members of this club shall be elected in the following manner:

1. A candidate for membership shall be sponsored by an active member of Campus Civitan. The proposal for membership shall be delivered in writing to the club secretary and shall contain the name, address, email address, as well as any other information deemed necessary in order to determine qualifications for membership.
2. The secretary shall promptly notify the membership of the candidate proposal in open meeting or through club bulletin.
3. The membership proposal may be submitted to a membership committee for review and recommendation, or, in the event there is no such committee directly to the Board of Directors. In any event, it must go to the board and if the proposal is acted upon favorably by the board, the prospect shall be considered elected to membership and notified.
4. Any protest against the admission of the candidate shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors. In the event there is such a protest, the Board of Directors shall submit the candidate’s name to the membership at a regular meeting, and if two-thirds of those active members in good standing present approval of said membership, then the candidate shall be an accepted member.
5. The club secretary shall notify the candidate in writing of their election and of arrangements for orientation and formal installation.

Section 3. Leave of Absence. The club may grant a leave of absence of not more than six months duration. Such leaves of absence shall be granted only if the member is in good standing and or sufficient cause. Membership dues to International that accrue during a proposed leave of absence shall be paid in advance.

Article IX – Initiation Fees and Dues

Section 1. Initiation fee. The initiation fee for membership in this club is $5 (waived for past Junior Civitan members) and shall be paid before a candidate can qualify as a member. The initiation fee shall be promptly forwarded to the World Headquarters of Civitan International as an enrollment fee.

Section 2. Active Members. Membership dues shall be $20 per year, payable in advance, which shall include $15 International dues.

Section 3. All dues shall be payable when billed by the treasurer. No member shall be deemed in good standing who is in arrears more than thirty days in payment of their dues.

Article X – Resolutions and Subscriptions

Section 1. No resolution or motions to commit this club or any matter shall be considered by the Board of Directors. Such resolutions or motions, if offered at a club meeting shall be referred, without discussion to the board, which after having given consideration to the matter, shall submit its recommendations to the club. Having received the recommendations of the board, the club may then proceed to take such action as may seem proper to the majority.

Section 2. No assessments shall be permitted to be placed upon the membership of the club.

Section 3. The expenditure of the club’s funds in excess of the amount of $25 for any purpose whatsoever shall not be made except on the recommendation of the board, or as specified in the club’s budget.

Article XI – Attendance

Section 1. Members shall be expected to attend meetings regularly except for unavoidable schedule conflicts due to personal or business matters. Prospective members shall be informed of this membership responsibility.

Section 2. Some members of this club will wish to maintain a record of perfect attendance at club meetings. Therefore, a member shall not be counted absent if they attend, within thirty days of such absence, any one of the following meetings - - a meeting of any other Civitan club; Senior, Campus, or Junior, a regular Board of Directors meeting of this club, a regular International, District, or Regional meeting, or a bona fide project of this club of at least one hour’s duration. The member shall certify this make-up attendance in writing to the club secretary who shall maintain an attendance record on each member.

Article XII – Termination of Membership

Section 1. Resignation. The resignation of any member, when delivered in writing to the president or secretary, shall become effective immediately upon its acceptance by the board, providing all indebtedness of such member to the club has been paid. The effort should be made to determine why members resign so as to reduce membership terminations.

Section 2. Non-payment of dues. Any member owing dues or otherwise indebted to the club for a period of sixty days may be terminated as a member. If the member applies for reinstatement within sixty days from the date of such suspension and pays all amounts owing to said date, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, reinstate the member to good standing.

Section 3. Non-attendance. If any member shall be absent from four consecutive meetings of the club, the Board of Directors shall inquire as to the reason for such absences and may suspend membership. Such suspension, after 30 days, may be made permanent by the majority of vote of the club. Absence from the city or illness of the member or immediate family shall be a valid excuse, and notice thereof must be given to the secretary. Enforced absence from meetings occasioned by the performance of any patriotic service shall be held as a valid excuse.

Section 4. Misconduct. Any member who, by personal or business conduct, violates the principles or ethics of the club or Civitan International may be expelled from membership by the Board of Directors by a two-thirds vote of the entire board at a meeting called for that purpose, provided that said member shall have been given ten days notice in writing of such pending action together with a copy of the complaint, and shall be given opportunity for a full and fair hearing.