Constitution

Name and Purpose

Our organization will be known as the Society for Technical Communication of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, commonly referred to as STC UW-Eau Claire.

The purpose of our organization will be to accomplish the following:

• Inform the UW-Eau Claire community about the importance of the technical communication field
• Educate UW-Eau Claire students about various techniques of communication that will help them to achieve their future job goals
• Exchange ideas and gain knowledge from persons and resources from the technical communication field
• Participate in projects that will further professional growth

All actions of the STC UW-Eau Claire will be in adherence with the rules of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
 

Membership and Eligibility

The membership of STC UW-Eau Claire will consist of University students (present or former) and faculty who share a common interest in technical communication. Members must pay dues (See Dues). Declared major/minor or grade point average will not be a factor in determining membership or eligibility. If there is any debate regarding eligibility, it will be decided by the Executive Committee.

Consistent with all applicable federal and state laws and University policies, STC UW-Eau Claire and its subordinate bodies, officers, and members will not discriminate for or against any person for reason of age, gender, marital or parental status, race, creed, religion, color, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or physical handicap.

Privileges of Membership

As a member of the STC UW-Eau Claire, you will also be affiliated with the national Society for Technical Communication. STC "is the largest professional society in the world dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practice of technical communication (STC website, www.STC va.org)." The national organization provides a subscription to two resourceful and informative magazines: Intercom and Technical Communication. It entitles you to valuable information regarding jobs, technical writing resources, scholarships, grants, etc. Through its many conferences and its annually produced member directory, the national STC is also a powerful networking tool.

On a local level, membership means that you will have opportunities to engage in the following:

• Listen to those practicing in the field speak about their experiences
• Meet with and/or gain a mentor in the field of technical writing
• Participate in projects that are meaningful to you, help to develop professional skills, and build your resume
• Learn cutting edge skills and concepts in workshops led by knowledgeable technical communicators
• Create a network of contacts among soon to be and current technical communication professionals
• Have the potential to gain leadership experience in the role of project leader or STC UW-Eau Claire officer

In short, being a member of STC UW-Eau Claire will help you to bridge the gap between the academic and the professional world. STC UW-Eau Claire provides a forum for you to utilize and apply your academic knowledge to real world projects.

 Officers

The officers will consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary-Treasurer, and a Public Relations Coordinator. The STC UW-Eau Claire members will elect all officers.

All officers, after the 1999-2000 academic year, in an effort to achieve the most effective leadership for our organization, must have completed at least one semester of membership to STC UW-Eau Claire.

Their fellow members in STC UW-Eau Claire will elect candidates eligible for officers’ positions in the spring semester and those officers will assume office during the following fall term. During the summer, the chapter will be inactive.

Duties of Officers

President. The President will preside at all meetings, be STC UW-Eau Claire’s representative at the Student Senate and other such groups when this is needed, and perform all other duties relative to the office of the President.

Vice President. The Vice President will preside at all meetings in the absence of the President and perform all other duties relative to the office of the Vice President.

Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer will keep the minutes of each meeting, be responsible for the safekeeping of STC UW-Eau Claire’s funds, maintain an adequate financial record, and perform all duties relative to the office of the Secretary-Treasurer.

Public Relations Coordinator. The Public Relations Coordinator will arrange and publicize programs for the STC UW-Eau Claire meetings, contact potential speakers, and perform all other duties relative to the office of the Public Relations Coordinator.

Privileges of Officers

Officers of STC UW-Eau Claire are unique in that they have all the privileges of members as well as the benefits of officers. As an officer in STC UW-Eau Claire, you will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, engage in decision-making, and help to shape and drive STC UW-Eau Claire toward greater achievements.

The role of officer is a challenging one, but it comes with many rewards. The skills and experience you gain will be invaluable in your professional career. Holding such a position will also help build an impressive resume.

The appointed advisor of STC UW-Eau Claire will be a non-student, paid member of STC, duly qualified in the field of technical communication. The advisor will assist with nomination and election procedures, be eligible to vote on any STC UW-Eau Claire issue, and perform other duties as appropriate.

The primary control of STC UW-Eau Claire will rest with the student members. Although advisors may be consulted for advice or information regarding issues concerning STC UW-Eau Claire, the final decisions will fall to the student members. Although the advisor is eligible to vote, the advisor’s vote is not any more powerful than the vote of any student officer of member.

Nominations and Elections

The officers will be nominated from the floor. Any nominee has the right to refuse a nomination.

The election will take place at the last regular meeting of the spring semester. All members are eligible to vote. No new names may be added to the ballot after the nominations have been closed. Only members present at the meeting may vote.

The officers will be elected by a simple majority vote. In the event of a tie, a re-election will be held immediately. The tie holders will have the option to speak immediately before the re-election for a limited, equal period of time, determined by the Executive Committee.

The officers will hold office for one full academic year, until the end of the academic year. The new officers will serve beginning with the start of the following fall semester.

As appropriate, procedure for meetings of STC UW-Eau Claire will adhere to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Vacancies

Should any vacancy of office occur, a special election will be held at the next STC UW-Eau Claire regular meeting. Notification of the special election will be given at least one week before the election. All special elections must follow the rules established under Nominations and Elections.

Any officer or member of STC UW-Eau Claire may resign at any time during that member’s membership/service. Members may simply stop attending meetings. Officers must submit a written resignation to the Executive Committee in a timely and considerate manner.

Removals

A member will be subject to removal proceedings if that member commits any act that is detrimental to the goals of STC UW-Eau Claire. The member subject to removal will be notified one meeting prior to the vote, and will have an opportunity to speak in this or her own defense at the next meeting. The member subject to removal may also resign (See Vacancies). The member will be removed by a three of five vote in the Executive Committee.

An officer will be subject to removal proceedings if that officer commits any act that is detrimental to the goals of STC UW-Eau Claire, or if that officer fails to uphold the duties of his or her office. The officer subject to removal will be notified one meeting prior to the vote and will have an opportunity to speak in his or her own defense at the next meeting. The officer subject to removal may also resign (See Vacancies). The officer will be removed by a three of four vote by the remaining members of the Executive Committee.

Committees

Standing Committee: Executive Committee

The Executive Committee will be composed of the officers of STC UW-Eau Claire (See Officers) and the Faculty Advisor.

• The President of STC UW-Eau Claire will preside as chairperson of this Committee
• This Committee will have the right to spend STC UW-Eau Claire money for any matter approved at a regular meeting
• This Committee will have the preference to serve as delegates or alternates to any convention related to technical communication, or may appoint delegates or alternates from the membership.
• This committee will meet once a week during the semester, as feasible
• All powers not specifically give to the Executive Committee will be retained by STC UW-Eau Claire members.

Special Committees. Other committees may be appointed at the discretion of the President and subject to ratification by a majority of STC UW-Eau Claire members and/or the Executive Committee. All members of special committees must be STC UW-Eau Claire members.

Meetings

Regular meetings will be held twice a month during the semester, as feasible, with dates being set by the Executive Committee with consideration for members needs. The Executive Committee will also have the ability to call special meetings.

Notice of any STC UW-Eau Claire meeting will be given no later than seven days prior to the meeting. Notices will be posted and/or emailed.

Special meetings will be announced one meeting prior to the special meeting.

Three of the five Executive Committee members or 50 percent of the membership constitutes a quorum.

Dues

All student members of STC UW-Eau Claire must pay the student membership fee of the national Society for Technical Communication organization.

If any officer or member decides to resign from participation, or is removed from STC UW-Eau Claire at any time, STC UW-Eau Claire is not responsible for providing any type of refund.

Adoption of Ammendments

Proposed amendments to this Constitution by any member will be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee and the general membership one meeting prior to a vote. A majority vote will be necessary for the amendment to take effect. A quorum must be present as defined under Meetings. All constitutional amendments are subject to review by the Organizations Commission.

Adoption of Bylaws

Proposed bylaws will be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee and the general membership one meeting prior to a vote. A majority vote will be necessary for the bylaw to take effect. A quorum must be present as defined Meetings. All new bylaws are subject to review by the Organizations Commission.