About GLBSU

Constitution

Article I

Name of the Organization:
The name of the organization shall be Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Student Union. Hereinafter referred to as GLBSU.

Article II

Mission:
To eliminate homophobia; to achieve equality and fair treatment for all people regardless of sexual orientations; and to overcome the devastating effects of prejudice and discrimination on gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.

Purposes:

1. To safeguard the rights guaranteed homosexual individuals by the constitutions and civil-rights laws of the United States through peaceful petition and assembly and non-violent protest when necessary.
2. To speak out on public issues as a homosexual civil rights organization working within the framework of the university and the laws of the United States, vigilant and vigorous in the fighting any discrimination based on the sexual orientation of the individual.
3. To work for the repeal of the laws regulating sexual conduct and practices between consenting adults.
4. To work for the passage of laws ensuring equal treatment under the law of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation.
5. To instill in homosexuals a sense of pride and self-worth.
6. To promote a better understanding of homosexuality among homosexuals and heterosexuals alike in order to achieve mutual respect and friendship.
7. To assist the University and general community through volunteer efforts.
8. To achieve, ultimately, the complete liberation of homosexuals from all injustices visited upon them that they might receive ultimate recognition as free and equal members of the human community.

Article III

Officers:
The officers of GLBSU shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Additional officers may be created at any time providing there is a unanimous vote among all officers. The executive offices along with the created offices shall make up the GLBSU Governing board. In order to hold a leadership position in this organization, members shall meet the minimum leadership requirements as stated in the GOLDEN RULE.

President:

1. Assumes responsibility for coordinating the over-all activities of the organization as they relate to members, the community, and the administration of the University of Central Florida.
2. Maintains good working relations within the organization and with other groups.
3. Extends the influence of GLBSU through personal representation and the use of the media available.
4. Presides at general meetings.
5. Maintains ties with the gay community and other similar organizations.
6. Interprets the programs and purposes of GLBSU with the help of the Faculty Advisor and the members.

Vice-President:

1. Studies community resources and available literature and keeps members informed thereof.
2. May succeed the President or assumes presidential duties in the President's absence.
3. Helps develop activities, which will be beneficial to GLBSU as a whole.

Co Vice-President:

1. Works hand-in-hand with the Vice-President.
2. Shares in all duties of the Vice-President.
3. Assumes responsibility for individual projects.

Secretary:

1. Reads correspondence at meetings.
2. Conducts correspondence as needed.
3. Attends and records minutes of General and Executive Board meetings as necessary.
4. Notifies President and other Executive Board members of action, or action calling for follow-up.
5. Records the attendance at General meetings.
6. Maintains a current phone list and a calendar of events.

Treasurer:

1. Receives and records membership contributions.
2. Maintains accurate records of the organization's financial accounts.
3. Conducts all banking procedures as required in an accurate and professional manner.
4. Pays bills and buy required items with approval of the Executive Board.
5. Helps develop fund raising activities which will be beneficial to GLBSU.

Article IV

Selection of Officers:
The selection of officers shall take place once per academic year in April. Selection of created officers may occur at any time. For all offices, nominations shall be accepted from the floor. All members who meet the minimum requirements to hold leadership positions will be eligible to hold office. Votes shall be cast by secret ballot at the election meeting each year. They will be counted and announced. A majority (50 percent and one) of votes cast shall elect each officer. Officers shall hold no more than one position. There will be no absentee ballots.

Article V

Terms of Officers:
All offices last until next April's elections.

Article VI

Removal of Officers:
Officers shall be removed by a two-thirds vote held at a general meeting. The officer under consideration shall have an opportunity to speak at this meeting. Robert's Rules of Order shall be followed when this procedure is necessary.

Article VII

Voting Powers of Officers:
Officers, other than the President, shall have complete voting rights. The President shall vote only in the event of a tie.

Article VIII

Vacancies:
In event of a vacancy in any office, resignation or other cause, a successor shall be chosen by the GLBSU Executive Council to serve until a replacement can be found and voted on at a general meeting, following the rules set out in Article IV. The replacement's term shall end at the next general election.

Article IX

Membership:

Section 1

Membership is limited to all active students of UCF who have paid university fees. No discrimination shall be made on the basis of gender, race, age, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, parental status, veteran's status, or sexual identity.

Section 2

Faculty, staff, UCF Alumni, student spouses, and members of the Research Park may be affiliate members but may not vote or hold office. Those who are not affiliated with UCF in the above stated manner are welcome to attend meetings but will not have regular member status.

Section 3

Recruitment shall take place each semester. Membership will be open to any of the qualified people mentioned above at any time.

Article X

Finances:

Section 1

Acceptance. Funds and property, real or personal, offered to GLBSU by gift, bequest, devise, or otherwise as endowment or special purpose funds (as distinguished from income received by GLBSU from its annual operations), shall be subject to approval and acceptance by the Executive Board.

Section 2

Principal. The principal of all GLBSU permanent funds shall be kept intact in the form of money, securities, or property, real or personal, or such other form of investment as the Executive Board, with the advice of competent investment counsel, may choose; except that the Executive Board may authorize borrowing form the principal of the fund to provide temporary operating funds for general purposes of GLBSU.

Section 3

Income. The income from all permanent funds, and both the principal and income of such special purpose funds as may be received by gift, bequest, or otherwise, shall be expended as directed by the Executive Board.

Section 4

Signing Payments. The Treasurer and the President shall be the only persons to sign the payments.

Section 5

Transfer of Signature. The Treasurer's transfer of signature shall take place after the new treasurer has been elected and before the next general meeting to be held.

Article XI

Meetings:
General meetings of GLBSU including business sessions shall be held on a regular basis, at a time and place decided by a majority of the organization. Quorum to conduct the business at a general meeting will consist of those members who are present at that meeting.

Article XII

Publications:
All publications of the organization shall comply with the GOLDEN RULE Advertising and Signs section, and other pertinent regulations. Publications of the group shall be approved by the Executive Board.

Article XIII

Amendments:
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the total cast at any regular meeting of GLBSU.

Article XIV

Faculty Advisor:
GLBSU shall have at least one Faculty Advisor chosen by the Executive Board after an informal interview process. The duties of the Faculty Advisor(s) are to serve as an interface between the organization and the University in order to provide advice and insight into policies, courses of action, etc. A Faculty Advisor can be removed form this position by a two-thirds vote of the entire Executive Board. The Faculty Advisor shall not have any voting privileges.