Coptic Society: The Archangel Gabriel Initiative

Article I

Name & Objective

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Coptic Society, hereafter referred to as the “Coptic Society”.

Section 2: The objective of this organization is to benefit and unite the Coptic community. This organization will serve as a means by which the body may attain a greater understanding of the Coptic Orthodox faith through service.

Coptic Society will:

01.   Guide the body to progress in the Coptic Orthodox faith.

02.   Provide the community with an opportunity to discover and understand Coptic Orthodoxy.

03.   Instruct the body on the church’s views regarding social and secular issues addressed by the youth.

04.   Serve spiritual and emotional support through service to one another in the spirit of brotherly love.

05.   Sponsor activities for social interaction and humanitarian efforts.

Article II

Membership

Section 1: Membership is open to all undergraduate students of Rutgers and NJIT registered full-time or part-time and will not be denied based on sex, race, religion, handicap, or sexual orientation.

01.   All members shall have full voting privileges.

Section 2: Enrolled graduate program students may join the Coptic Society as an associate member.

01.   Associate members shall be entitled to all privileges of the organization except voting and holding office.

Section 3: All regular and associate members must register annually for administrative purposes.

Article III

The Executive Committee

Section 1: A committee of officers, hereafter referred to as the “Executive Committee” shall chair the organization.

01.   Officers of the Coptic Society will consist of:

a.       President

b.       Vice President

c.       Treasurer

d.       Secretary

Section 2: Each officer must be a registered full-time undergraduate NJIT student and must not be on either academic or disciplinary probation throughout the term of appointment.

Section 3: All officers must have spent at least two semesters as college students and at least one semester as a Coptic Society member.

Section 4: A term of office shall be one academic year, beginning at the termination of the academic year, defined as the last day of the final examination period of the spring semester. Officers may hold the same office for a maximum of two terms.

Article IV

Duties

Section 1: All officers are required to attend all properly constituted meetings and all scheduled executive meetings.

01.   Foreseen absences must be reported 3 days before the meeting.

02.   Officers who fail to attend 4 or more of any combination of the properly constituted meetings and executive meetings are subject to termination from office.

Section 2:

The President shall:

01.   Call all meetings of the Coptic Society to order.

02.   Preside over all general, properly constituted, and executive meetings.

03.   Collaborate with the Executive Committee and the committee chairpersons in preparing a Program Packet before each semester.

04.   Prepare and submit an agenda to the secretary before each meeting.

05.   Serve as an ex-officio member on all committees.

06.   Have signatory power, along with the Treasurer, over any organizational accounts.

07.   Vote only in the case of a draw.

Section 3:

The Vice President shall:

01.   Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence.

02.   Assume the office of the President, if the President is unable to fulfill his/her term of office.

03.   Assist the President in the execution of his/her duties and powers.

04.   Supervise the progression of all committees and report recommendations to the President.

Section 4:

The Treasurer shall:

01.   Manage all organizational finances and maintain accurate records of all income and expenditures.

02.    Prepare, along with the President, a budget for the semester’s Program Packet.

03.   Publish and implement the semester’s budget after the approval of all the members.

04.   Submit a year-end financial statement to the newly assumed Treasurer and President concerning the organizational financial status.

05.    Have signatory power, along with the President, over any organizational accounts.

Section 5:

The Secretary shall:

01.   Record accurate minutes of all meetings and report them at the following meeting.

02.   Carry on all correspondence directed by the Executive Committee.

03.   Record and report all incoming correspondence.

04.   Make necessary arrangements for meetings.

05.   Distribute agendas and notices of any meetings or functions to the executive board one week in advance.

06.   Accurately record attendance at all general, properly constituted, and executive meetings.

07.   Track membership; up-to-date list of all valid voting members, regular and associate.

08.   Coordinate annual membership registration.

Section 6: Failure to fulfill these duties will result in an action of dereliction of duty and will be subject to impeachment, as per Article VII, Section 3.01.

Article V

Elections

Section 1: The election process is to be held each year not later than the 15th of April. At the time of elections, officer nominations, speeches by candidates, and voting by secret ballot will commence.

01.   The administration-elect will act as “apprentices” to the standing administration until the beginning of their term.

Article VI

Voting

Section 1: Except where otherwise noted, all votes are to be done by secret ballot.

Section 2: Voting shall only occur at a properly constituted meeting (quorum present). A quorum shall constitute one-half plus one (50% +1) of the total voting membership.

Section 3: Except where otherwise noted, a majority wins. In the case of a draw, another vote shall take place. In the case of a second tie, the President shall be the tiebreaker.

Article VII

Impeachment & Resignations

Section 1: Impeachment proceedings are allowed to be brought against any officer or chairperson by 25% of the organization’s members.

01.   The fraction of the body in proceedings of impeachment must file charges in writing to all executive members.

02.   The officer in question is to be present at the meeting to defend themselves.

03.   All members must be notified in writing of the meeting date for the discussion of impeachment.

04.   Removal from office requires a ⅔ vote of quorum.

Section 2: The executive member or a chairperson who is impeached is permitted to appeal up to a week after the impeachment vote by requesting a second hearing in writing. The remaining members of the executive committee would then reinstate said executive member or chairperson by a 100% vote.

Section 3: Reasons for justifiable impeachment are as follows:

01.   Failure to perform duties of office.

02.   In violation of the University Disciplinary Code of Conduct.

03.   Convicted of a high crime or misdemeanor in a state or federal court.

Section 4: If an executive officer or chairperson wishes to resign, he/she must submit a letter of resignation two weeks in advance to the remaining executive members.

Article VIII

Vacancies

Section 1: In the case of vacancies in the positions of Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary, the President, with the advice and consent of the members, shall nominate and conduct an election to approve the replacement.

Section 2: In the case of the vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary shall fill the position, in that order.

Article IX

Meetings

Section 1: General meetings shall be held weekly.

Section 2: Properly constituted meetings are where a quorum is present. They shall be held at least once a month or at the request of at least 3 members of the executive committee.

Section 3: Executive meetings shall be held at least once a month or at the request of any single member of the executive committee.

Article X

Amendments

Section 1: Any member may propose an amendment to the constitution. A written copy of the proposed amendment shall be submitted to the Executive Committee.

01.   All members must be notified of the proposed amendment at least one week before the next properly constituted meeting at which the vote will occur.

02.   At the properly constituted meeting, the proposed amendment will be announced followed by an open discussion and a vote by secret ballot.

03.   The amended constitution supersedes and replaces all previous constitutions, and is effective immediately.

Section 2: The members shall enact and/or repeal all amendments necessary to exercise its power by a 2/3 vote at a properly constituted meeting.

Article XI

Advisors

Section 1: A Coptic Orthodox Clergyman will act as an advisor to the Coptic Society.

Section 2: The Coptic Society shall have a member of the Faculty of Rutgers/NJIT to serve as an advisor to the organization.

Section 3: The advisors may attend all meetings of the Coptic Society and shall have a voice but no vote on all procedures and substantive questions facing the Coptic Society.