The Constitution of the

Queer Student Union

Section I. Name. – The name of this organization shall be known as the Queer Student Union, hereinafter referred to as QSU or the Organization.

Section II. Mission Statement. – The purpose of the Organization is to promote acceptance and understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer people within the community of the University of Nevada, Reno, hereinafter referred to as the University, and the Northern Nevada community as a whole.  In addition, this Organization seeks to support and promote the development and progression of LGBTIQ issues, culture, and community through social interaction, community outreach and development, and political activism.  It is the belief of this Organization that the creation of a strong, safe community requires the cooperation and support of organizations and peoples striving for the same goal.  In addition, QSU seeks to provide a safe, open, and friendly space for all individuals, without prejudice.

Section III. Membership. – Membership in the Organization is open to any and all persons committed to upholding this constitution and the purposes of the Organization regardless of sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, or physical or mental impairment.

(a.) Active Membership Status is maintained by attending at least two (2) QSU Executive Board meetings, general membership meetings, or functions, as designated by the Board, per month during the spring or fall semesters, as designated by the University of Nevada, Reno.

(i.) The Executive Board of the Organization has the discretion to grant exceptions to this clause, based on individual case and appeal.

(b.) Student Membership is designated to individuals who are actively enrolled in at least one (1) credit at the University for the academic term and maintain active membership with the Organization, as described above.

(c.) Affiliate Membership is designated to individuals who are not currently enrolled at the University, yet maintain active membership with the Organization, as described above.

Section IV. Executive Board and Club Officers. – The Executive Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, shall consist of the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, along with the Board Positions of Historian, Director of Public Relations/Advertising, and Member At-Large.  The purpose, of which, is to make decisions with the general approval of the active membership of the Organization, oversee club meetings, functions, and events, ensure the execution and maintenance of the overall goals and purpose of the Organization, and maintain the finances of the Organization.

(a.) Qualifications to Hold Officer Position. – Those elected to the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer must be undergraduate students, as designated by the University, at the time of election and throughout their term. Officers must hold active membership, as described above, at the time of election and throughout their term.
(b.) Qualifications to Hold Board Member Position. – Those elected to hold the positions of Historian, Director of Public Relations/Advertising, and Member At-Large must hold active membership, as described above, at the time of election and throughout their term.

(c.) Election and Terms. – A general election, of private ballot, shall be held no later than the first week of October and those elected will take office before or during the second week of October.  The Advisor, as designated by the University, shall oversee the election process.

(i.) Officer Term. – The term of any and all officers is one year.  However, individuals may be elected to subsequent terms.

(ii.) Qualification to Participate in General Election. – Only those individuals who have maintained active membership status may cast one vote per office during the general election of the officers of the Organization.

(iii.) Vacated Office. – In the event of a vacant or vacated office within the Board, other than the office of President, a general election will be held one week after official notice to the general membership of the Organization. Active members may be nominated to run for the vacant position.

(1.) In the event of the office of President being vacated, the Vice President will fill the position.

(d.) Oath. – Those elected to serve on the Board, before entering office, shall take an oath to support and uphold this Constitution.
(e.) Committee. – Each officer of the Board may oversee a QSU designated committee.  In the event that an officer does not wish to oversee the committee, nominations may be accepted for appointment of an active member to oversee the committee.

(f.) Power of Veto. – The Executive Board has the power to veto a decision or recommendation with a majority vote, designated as fifty (50) percent plus one (1).  However, the veto may be overturned with a majority, designated as fifty (50) percent plus one (1) of the active membership body at the voting meeting.

(g.) Officer and Executive Board Member Duties. –

(i.) President. – The President of QSU shall preside over any and all meetings, functions, and events of the Organization unless otherwise designated, and represent the Organization and its members in any official capacity.  It is the duty of the office to supervise and ensure the execution and maintenance of rules, regulations, policies and decisions as designated by this Constitution and the Board.

(1.) The President has the power to call emergency meetings with a minimum of forty-eight (48) hour notice to the general membership of the Organization.

(ii.) Vice President. – The Vice President will assist the President in supervising and ensuring the execution of all rules, regulations, policies, and decisions as designated above.  The Vice President shall not only assume duties assigned by the President, but fill the role and all responsibilities of the President in the absence of said officer.

(iii.) Secretary. – The Secretary shall establish and maintain records, files, and by-laws. The secretary shall also record minutes of all meetings, assume duties assigned by the president, distribute agendas to members of the Organization, and keep records of attendance, in order to provide for accurate membership status.

(iv.) Treasurer. – The Treasurer shall keep record of all financial transactions, manage accounts, and make expenditures in a manner approved by the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno. The treasurer shall be responsible for fundraising, with help from the Board.  The Treasurer shall assume duties assigned by the President, along with implementing the budget of the Organization, as so designated by the Board.

(v.) Historian. – The Historian is responsible for documenting all activities that involve the Organization or its members, such as meetings, functions, events, and other activities so designated by the Board. The Historian is responsible for keeping a written history of the Organization, working closely with the Director of Public Relations to maintain up-to-date advertising and information on the Organization and its functions, and assuming all duties assigned by the President.

(vi.) Director of Public Relations/Advertising. – The Director of Public Relations/Advertising is responsible for community and high school outreach, as well as working with the Executive Board to solidify QSU as a driving force on campus.  The Director shall work with the Executive Board and committees to design and implement flyers, posters, handouts and press releases for club functions and events, as well as assuming all duties assigned by the President.

(vii.) Member At-Large. – The Member At-Large is solely elected to serve the Executive Board and the club in duties that are delegated by the President. It is the officer’s responsibility to work with the Secretary at length to maintain and increase membership though various events throughout the school year as well as working with any other member of the Executive Board upon request.

Section V. Confidentiality and Safe Space. – It is of the utmost importance to the Organization and the Board that each individual and their privacy be respected.  Any and all correspondence of an official capacity between the officers, the Advisor of the Organization, QSU myspace message system, or the QSU email and the members of the Organization will remain confidential.  The member list of the Organization is confidential, apart from the required voluntary release of qualified members, according to the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno, in order to maintain recognition.  The weekly meeting locations of the Organization will remain confidential, in order to provide for a safe space for individual expression.  Any and all other functions, events, and record confidentiality remains with the discretion of the Board.

Section VI. Amendment to Constitution. – Amendments to the Constitution may be made by a majority vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the present active membership.  Notification of said amendment must be made at least one (1) week prior to the voting session.