Article I. Name of Organization:
The name of this organization shall be the Anthropological Society, also known as UTAS.
Article II. Statement of Purpose:
We provide a member run educational organization to foster anthropological discourse and facilitate social intercourse among students interested in the anthropological discipline. The organization strives to engage with and contribute to the anthropological community on campus and at large.
Article III. Membership:
Section 1. Membership shall be open to students of The University of Texas at Austin regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status.
Section 2. Membership must be limited to students, faculty and staff of The University of Texas at Austin.
Section 3. To be eligible for membership one must complete a membership application and pay dues when applicable.
Article IV. Officers:
Section 1. The elected officer positions shall serve from the beginning of the Summer session to the end of the following Spring session. These offices shall include:
The President, who will organize officers, represent the organization, lead meetings, develop meeting agendas, make necessary arrangements for the meetings, and oversee committees.
The Treasurer, who will manage the bank account, collect monies, oversee fundraising, and manage the budget. The Treasurer will also be responsible for submitting a list to the Secretary of dues paid members.
The Secretary, who shall be responsible for handling emails, recording minutes, maintaining the membership list, and maintaining official forms.
The Media Master shall be responsible for the website, any publications, and compiling photos of organizational events.
One additional appointed position shall serve from the time of appointment at the beginning of the Fall semester, to the end of the following Summer session. The position shall be:
The Appointed One, who will be responsible for carrying the UTAS totem to organizational meetings and events. The office must be held by a member in their 1st or 2nd year of college. The position will be appointed by the previous Appointed One, or, in their absence, at the discretion of the officers.
Section 2. Election Scheduling: At the end of the academic year, elections shall be held for the following year. The Officers will schedule the elections to be held no later than the last regularly scheduled general business meeting. Members must announce their candidacy no later than the regularly scheduled general business meeting before elections. Announcements should be submitted to the Secretary. The Media Master will publish the candidate list on the website at least one week prior to elections.
Section 3. Election Format: The candidates shall have the opportunity to make a brief presentation at the election meeting. Each candidate will be allotted equal time to make their presentation. Following the presentations a ballot shall be taken for the elected officer positions. Only current members will be permitted to vote, each member will be allowed one vote per office. The candidate with the most votes for their office will be awarded the position. A tally will be taken by the Secretary and the results announced at the end of the election meeting. In the case that an office is running unopposed or in the case that no member announced candidacy for an office, any member shall be allowed to run at the time of elections for that office.
Section 4. Impeachment Process: If an officer is incapable of fulfilling their duties, then at least one officer must submit in writing their grievances to all officers, including the one in question. The officer in question shall have an opportunity to give their defense at the next officer meeting. Following the defense, a vote by the other officers shall be taken. The officer shall be relieved of office if 2/3 of the remaining officers vote to impeach. The impeached officer shall be considered a regular member of the organization.
Section 5. If so desired, the officers shall appoint a faculty and/or staff advisor to assist the organization. The advisor shall have no official powers in the organization but should be there for guidance.
Section 6. In case of an officer vacancy or impeachment the remaining officers by majority vote shall appoint a temporary stand-in for the vacant position until general elections can be held for that position at the next regularly scheduled general business meeting.
Article V. Committees:
Section 1. Any member can propose the formation of a committee. The committee must be approved by a majority vote of the officers. The Secretary shall be responsible for notifying the member body of the newly formed committee. Members shall have the option of joining the committee by signing a committee membership list, to be maintained by the Chairperson of the committee. The Media Master shall be responsible for creating a forum on the organization website to be moderated by the Chairperson of the committee.
Section 2. As part of the initial proposal, the founding members must create Articles of Incorporation to be submitted to the organization. The Media Master is responsible for making the Articles of Incorporation available on the organization website. The Articles of Incorporation must include: the purpose of the committee, the means of selection and the responsibilities of the Chair, the duration of the committee, method of dissolving the committee, and any bylaws of the committee. The committee shall be considered active upon receiving a majority vote at a general membership meeting.
Section 3. The Articles of Incorporation are a document separate from this constitution but are still subject to the guidelines herein. The President is responsible for oversight of the committees.
Article VI. Meetings:
Section 1. General business meetings shall be held at least 4 times per semester.
Section 2. Officer meetings shall be held at least 4 times per semester.
Section 3. The Secretary shall be responsible for announcing meetings via email no later than 3 days prior to the meeting.
Section 4. Additional meetings may be called as desired with the approval of at least 2 officers.
Article VII. Method to Amend the Constitution:
Section 1. Amendments must be submitted in writing by any member at a regularly scheduled general business meeting.
Section 2. The written amendment must be posted on the organization website for a minimum of 2 weeks before a vote can be taken.
Section 3. The amendment must be approved by 2/3 vote at the next regularly scheduled general business meeting.
Article VIII. Dissolution Clause:
Section 1. In the case that the organization is dissolved all assets shall be given to the UT Department of Anthropology, to be held or used at the discretion of the department.
Article IX. Money:
Section 1. The Treasurer and the President must authorize all expenditures.
Date Ratified: 4/20/11
