University of North Dakota
Criminal Justice Association
Constitution

ARTICLE I.         NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1.         Name:  

                        The name of the organization established by this constitution shall be the Criminal Justice Association (C.J.A.) of the University of North Dakota.

Section 2.         Purpose:  
        
                        The purpose of this organization shall be to:
        
                        A:    Foster and facilitate an interest in the practice and techniques of Criminal Justice among the students of the University of North Dakota.
                        B:    Provide its members with activities that will contribute to those members.
                        C:    Provide for social contact of persons interested in Criminal Justice.
                        D:    Provide for public service.

Section 3.        Affiliations:

                        This organization is not affiliated with any local, state or national group.

ARTICLE II.        NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Section 1.         Non-discrimination Statement:

                        Membership in this organization shall be without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age,                                   status, veteran status, political belief or affiliation, or membership or non-membership in any organization.

ARTICLE III.        MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.        Requirements for Membership:
        
                    A.     Anyone may become a member who:

                        1.    Is a student at the University of North Dakota.
                        2.     Is a faculty/staff member at the University of North Dakota.
                        3.     Is an interested community member.
                        4.     Has paid the required dues.
        
                B.    All student members shall be voting members.

                C.    All non-student members are not allowed to vote on matters dealing with:

                        1.    Election or removal of officers.
                        2.    Removal of members.
                        3.    Amendments to the constitution or bylaws.
                        4.    Financial matters.

                D.    No academic credit shall be offered for participation and/or membership in this organization.

Section 2.        Removal of Members:

                A.    Grounds for removal of members include:

                        1.    Violation of University Policy.
                        2.    Violation of the UND Code of Student Life.
                        3.    Any violation of the bylaws.

                B.        A member may be removed by the following process:

                        1.    A petition to remove the member should be submitted to the President.  Such a petition must contain the signatures of at least 30% of the voting                                members.  When such a petition is received, the President shall call a meeting of the organization to decide upon removal.  This meeting shall be                                held no later than three weeks after the receipt of the petition.
                        2.    The grounds for removal are to be presented by the President at a regular or special meeting of the organization.
                        3.    The member in question shall be provided one week to present a defense either in person or in writing.
                        4.    Voting is not to occur sooner than the next scheduled meeting after the presentation of the grounds and defense have been made.  In order for a                                vote for removal to take place, at least 2/3 of the voting membership must attend the meeting, and a 2/3 vote of the members present at that                                    meeting is required for removal.

Section 3.        Appeal of Removal of Members:

                A.        Members may appeal their removal, but the appeal must be made within two weeks of the vote for removal by requesting the President to call a                                 special meeting of the organization.  The President shall notify all members of this meeting, which is to occur at least two weeks and not more than                             four weeks after the appeal request is received by the President.

                B.        The decision to repeal the vote for removal shall require at least 2/3 of  the voting membership to attend the meeting, and a 2/3 vote of the                                         members present at the special meeting.

ARTICLE IV.        OFFICERS

Section 1.        Elected Officers:

            The officers of this organization will be:

                A.    President.
                B.    Vice President.
                C.    Secretary.
                D.    Treasurer.
                E.    Public Relations.

Section 2.        Qualifications for Holding Office:

            In order to be eligible to hold an office in this organization, the following qualifications must be met.

                A.    The candidate must be a student member of the organization.
                B.    The candidate must have held membership in the organization for at least one semester.

Section 3.        Elections:

                A.    The officers of the organization shall be elected for the term of one year.
                B.    There will be no restrictions placed on the number of terms of office a member may hold.
                C.    Elections will be held each Spring semester during the first meeting following Spring Break.  A quorum must be present for this meeting.
                D.    Election to office will be by a simple majority vote of the members present.


Section 4.        Duties of the Officers:

                A.    The President shall be the principal executive officer and shall have the following duties:
    
                        1.    To preside at all meetings of the organization.
                        2.    To call special meetings of the organization, when required.
                        3.    To submit an Officer Roster Card at the beginning of each semester to the Coordinator of Student Organizations.
                        4.    To schedule all meetings and to obtain appropriate facilities for these meetings.
                        5.    To prepare and file any report required by the University.
                        6.    To appoint any committee as will meet the needs of the organization.
                        7.    To perform other duties as specified in the bylaws.
                        8.    To prepare and maintain a manual/binder related to the office and to review all materials in the transition of the incoming President prior to giving                                up the office.

                B.    The Vice President shall assume the duties of President in the event of absence or vacancy of the President.  In addition, the Vice President shall have                         the following duties:
    
                        1.    To assume the duties of the President (until a special election can be held) in the event of a vacancy of the office.
                        2.    To serve as an ex-officio member of the Standing Committees of the organization.
                        3.    To plan the officers’ orientation and organization retreats.
                        4.    To perform other duties as assigned by the President or as specified in the bylaws.
                        5.    To prepare and maintain a manual/binder related to the office and to review all materials in the transition of the incoming Vice President prior to                                 giving up the office.

                C.    The Secretary shall have the following duties:

                        1.    To keep a record of all members in the organization.
                        2.    To keep a record of all activities of the organization.
                        3.    To keep and distribute minutes of each meeting of the organization.
                        4.    To notify all members of meetings.
                        5.    To handle all official correspondence of the organization.
                        6.    To perform other duties as assigned by the President or as specified in the bylaws.
                        7.    To prepare and maintain a manual/binder related to the office and to review all materials in the transition of the incoming Secretary prior to giving                                 up the office.

                D.    The Treasurer shall have the following duties:

                        1.    To keep all financial records of the organization.
                        2.    To prepare and submit financial reports to the members.
                        3.    To prepare the annual budget and all budget requests for funds.
                        4.    To submit financial records for an annual audit to the Coordinator of Student Organizations at the end of Spring semester.
                        5.    To become familiar with University accounting procedures and policies.
                        6.    To perform other duties as assigned by the President or as specified in the bylaws.
                        7.    To prepare and maintain a manual/binder related to the office and to review all materials in the transition of the incoming Treasurer prior to giving                                 up the office.

                E.    The Public Relations officer shall have the following duties:

                        1.    To keep the organization’s website updated.
                        2.    To post relevant information (in a timely manner) to the website per request of an officer of the organization.
                        3.    Nothing shall be posted to the website without permission from the President of the organization.
                        4.    To perform other duties as assigned by the President or as specified in the bylaws.
                        5.    To prepare and maintain a manual/binder related to the office and to review all materials in the transition of the incoming Public Relations officer                                 prior to giving up the office.

Section 5.        Vacancy of an Office:

                A.    In the event of a vacancy in an office other than the President before the expiration of a full term, a special election shall be called by the President                             within two weeks to fill the vacancy.

Section 6.        Removal of Officers:

                A.    Grounds for removal of an officer include:

                        1.    Violation of University policy.
                        2.    Violation of the UND Code of Student Life.
                        3.    Failure to perform the duties of the office as set forth in the constitution and bylaws of the organization.
                        4.    Failure to uphold the provision of this constitution and bylaws.

                B.    An officer may be removed by the following process:

                        1.    A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer.  Such a petition must contain the signatures of 30% of the                                         voting members of the organization.  When such a petition is received, the officer shall call a meeting of the organization to decide upon                                             removal.
                        2.    The grounds for removal are to be presented by the officer in charge at a regular or special meeting of the organization.
                        3.    The officer in question shall be provided one week to present a defense either in person or in writing.
                        4.    Voting is not to occur sooner than ½ hour after the presentation of the grounds and defense have been made.  In order for a vote for removal to                                 take place, at least 2/3 of the voting membership must attend the meeting, and a 2/3 vote of the members present at that meeting is required for                                 removal.

Section 7.        Appeal of Removal of Officer:

                A.    An officer may appeal his/her removal, but such appeal must be made within two weeks of the vote for removal by requesting a special appeal meeting of the organization.  The President, or Vice President if the President is the officer being removed, shall notify all members of this meeting which is not to occur less than one week and not more than four weeks after the appeal request is received.
                B.    The decision to repeal the vote for removal shall require at least 2/3 of the voting membership to attend the meeting, and a 2/3 vote of the members present at the meeting.

Section 8.        Changes in Officers:

            All changes in officers or mailing addresses shall be submitted to the Coordinator of Student Organizations within two weeks of such a change.

ARTICLE V.        ADVISOR

Section 1.        Advisor Selection:

                A.    The Advisor to this organization must be a member of the UND faculty or staff.
                B.    The organization Advisor shall be elected by a simple majority vote each     year at the time of the regular organization elections.

Section 2.        Role of the Advisor:

                A.    The Advisor must co-sign all financial transactions of the organization.
                B.    The Advisor shall assist the officers and the members in accomplishing     the purpose of this organization.
                C.    The Advisor shall regularly review the financial records of the     organization and forward mailings to the appropriate officers.

ARTICLE VI.        MEETINGS

Section 1.        Meetings:

                A.    Business meetings of the organization shall be called by the President at least once during the academic year.
                B.    Non-business meetings for the purpose of instruction, practice, or other activities shall be held upon one week notice to the members.

Section 2.        Special Meetings:

                A.    Special meetings may be called by the President upon one week notice to the members.
                B.    The President shall call a special meeting when requested by 30% of the voting membership.

Section 3.        Quorum:

                A.    A quorum at business meetings shall consist of a simple majority of the voting membership.
                B.    Quorum is not required to hold non-business meetings (such as instruction, classes, or other activities.

Section 4.        Parliamentary Authority:

            The Parliamentary Authority for this organization shall be Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

ARTICLE VII.    EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1.        Responsibility:

            Management of this organization shall be vested in an Executive Committee responsible to the entire membership to uphold this constitution.

Section 2.        Membership:

            Membership shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations officer, one member-at-large and the Advisor.

Section 3.        Meetings:

            The Executive Committee shall meet at least once before each business meeting to organize and plan future activities and agenda items for meetings.

Section 4.        Quorum:

            A quorum of this committee shall consist of a simple majority.

ARTICLE VIII.    COMMITTEES

Section 1.        Authority to Establish Special Committees:

            The President shall have the authority to appoint any special committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee, as well as meet the needs of the                     organization.

Section 2.        Special Committees:

            These committees may include, but are not limited to, the following, as designated by the President:

                A.    Membership Committee
                B.    Program Committee
                C.    Publicity Committee
                D.    Conference Committee
                E.    Fundraising Committee

ARTICLE IX.        FINANCIAL STRUCTURE

Section 1.        University Account:

                A.    All funds from University sources must be deposited and maintained in a University of North Dakota account.
                B.    The President and/or the Treasurer shall be authorized to sign all financial transactions dealing with organization funds.
                C.    The Advisor of the organization must co-sign all financial transactions of the organization.
                D.    The financial records/ledger of the on-campus account must be submitted for an annual audit to the Coordinator of Student Organizations at the end                         of the Spring Semester.

Section 2.        Dues:

            Dues for this organization shall be approved by a simple majority vote of the voting membership at the annual election meetings.

ARTICLE X.        BYLAWS

Section 1.        Provision for Bylaws:

                A.    The organization may approve bylaws for the specific majority operation of the organization.
                B.    No bylaw shall be adopted that is contrary to the provisions of this constitution.

Section 2.        Vote Required:

                A.        The organization may adopt, amend, or rescind any bylaw by a simple     majority vote of the membership.
                B.    Any proposed bylaw must be publicized to the members at least one meeting prior to the meeting at which it is going to be voted upon.

ARTICLE XI.        AMENDMENTS

Section 1.        Ratification:

                A.    A proposed amendment to this constitution shall be presented to the members at least one meeting prior to the meeting at which the vote shall be                             held.
                B.    Ratification of an amendment to this constitution shall require a 2/3 vote of the members present at a regularly scheduled business meeting of the                                 organization and all amendments to this constitution shall be approved by the Student Policy Committee before they take effect.

Reviewed and May 6, 2004


Back to CJA Home