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Writing/Revising a Constitution |
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The best constitutions are simple, clear, easily implemented, and include guidelines for all of the group’s essential components.The constitution is the student organization’s user manual.
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See a past Duke East Campus Council Constutituion as an example Possible components include: | |
- Official organization name |
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- Mission statement |
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| Usually a sentence or two that summarizes the purpose of the organization |
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- Description of members/constituency |
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| A brief explanation of individuals who are in the club and which groups they serve |
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- Method for obtaining funds |
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| Description of the group’s funding structure, which may include activity passes, university departments or fundraising efforts |
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- Electing officers |
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| Outline process for selecting the organizations leadership. Try to be as detailed as possible and to ensure that these guidelines are adhered to in order to ensure fair proceedings. Some important aspects of selection include desired qualifications, how many votes are needed to ratify the individual, which organization members can vote, office term lengths, and when officer changeover occurs. |
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- Explanation of officer duties |
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| Detailed description of the tasks and expectations of each position, similar to a job descriptions for each position. Make sure that the descriptions are specific and detailed. |
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- Meetings |
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| General outline of meeting frequency, location, days, and times |
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- Procedures for the removal of officers |
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| Guidelines for how to remove officers who are not performing their duties. Please keep in mind that it is the job of organization members to hold each other accountable for their actions. These guidelines can include reasons for removal and details on how the removal occurs. |
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- Provisions for amending the constitution |
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| An outline of the method through which group members modify the constitution. Most groups employ some type of process by which a member submits a proposal for an amendment that is voted on by the group. If a certain majority is reached, then the amendment passes and the constitution is changed. |
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