SWIA Constitution
Fall 2009
Preamble:
SWIA’s mission is to celebrate the diversity of religious belief in the field of Social Work and to challenge religious prejudice and misinformation. We strive to welcome students of all religious beliefs into the UM School of Social Work and to give them opportunities to form supportive and worthwhile relationships with their peers. SWIA also strives to create a forum where issues of social work and religion/spirituality may be discussed openly and civilly.
Article I-Name
The name of this organization is the Social Work Interreligious Alliance, henceforth referred to as SWIA.
Article II-Purpose
SWIA strives to
• support religious diversity within the field of Social Work by creating a welcoming environment for students of all religions in the UM SSW
• combat misinformation and stereotypes that exist regarding religious groups.
• create an open and civil forum for discussing religious issues within the context of social work.
• contribute to the UM SSW community by serving others and supporting quality activities.
Article III- Membership
Sect. I-Membership is open to all persons who support the mission and purpose of the SWIA.
Sect. 2 – One can become a member at any time by indicating to one of the organization’s officers their desire to join the organization.
Sect. 3- Voluntary withdrawal of membership may be done at any time with a written notice to a student leader of the organization.
Article IV: Officers
Sect. 1
SWIA has three officer positions:
President
Treasurer
Secretary
President plans and coordinates meetings and events. Treasurer coordinates and organizes finances. Secretary takes minutes of meetings, creates and distributes fliers as needed; also is responsible for communicating with Office of Student Services to coordinate events.
Sect. 2
Decision-making powers will be held by the membership of SWIA. Decisions will by made by majority or plurality vote.
Article V. Operations
Sect.1
Any member of SWIA is eligible for office.
Sect. 2
Officers are elected by nomination from their peers. The ballot will consist of an email sent to the President to be tallied. Officers may be elected in September and/or January.
Sect. 3
Officers will assume their positions at the first group meeting following the elections.
Article VI- Finances
Sect. 1
SWIA will obtain funding in the following ways 1) private donations 2) MSA funding.
Sect. 2
Elected Treasurer will be responsible for organizations finances.
Article VII- Amendments
Sect. 1
Amendments may be proposed verbally at any meeting or may be submitted in writing.
Sect. 2
Any current member of SWIA may submit an Amendment.
Sect 3.
Amendments will be sent by e-mail ballot to all members and must pass a two thirds vote. Members who don’t respond to the e-mail within a week of it being sent out will not have their vote counted.
Article VIII- Registration Renewal
Sect.1
Registration will be Renewed every September.
Article IX- Removal of Membership
Sect.1
Officers may be relived of their leadership duties if they fail to fulfill their commitments or engage in unethical/ illegal behavior.
Sect. 2
Officers will be removed by a majority vote from the membership.
Sect. 3
A member of SWIA may be removed if they pose any form of threat physical, emotional or psychological to any member of the organization.
Sect. 4
A member of SWIA may also be removed by a 2/3 majority vote from the membership.
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An admirable draft of a constitution. Thanks for making this effort.
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether some may hesitate to participate because this draft is a bit ahead of their thinking - if, in other words, the mission statement somehow unwittingly discourages potential participants.
In my case, for instance, it seems like the early materials on this group were more oriented toward the "discussion" aspect. That may not be accurate; it's just somehow the sense that I came away with.
I am not sure, at present, about celebrating diversity of religious belief or challenging misinformation about religion. Not saying those are bad goals; they just aren't mine. So when I saw those words, my first reaction was that I might not really belong in this group. But I'd be interested in seeing whether anyone else had a similar reaction.
What would your goals be? Perhaps we can incorporate them more explicitly in the constitution. I wouldn't oppose adding a statement in the preamble about discussing issues of faith. We might be able to strengthen the emphasis on the third bullet point under article II about the purpose of the organization.
ReplyDeleteThe administrative part of it looks fine.
ReplyDeleteIn the first part, I would say religion and spirituality, instead of just religion (whenever mentioned). I would also put "We strive to welcome students of all religious beliefs, spiritual paths and students with no religious or spiritual affiliation into the UM School of Social Work and to give them opportunities to form supportive and worthwhile relationships with their peers.
-Michelle H
Sounds good. We can add that statement to the preamble and a bullet point to the purposes.
ReplyDelete