The University of Akron Student Chapter of
The Association for Women in Communications
Student Chapter Bylaws
NOTE: Chapters may modify these bylaws to meet their needs, provided no substantive changes are made. Chapters must send a copy of their bylaws, as adopted, to association headquarters.
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this chapter shall be The University of Akron
Student Chapter of The Association for Women in Communications. No campus
organization may call itself Women in Communications or use the logo without
affiliation with the international organization. In those cases where campus
regulations prohibit the use of the term “women,” the name “Student
Communicators” may be used.
ARTICLE II – OBJECT
Section A.
Definition. This chapter shall be a nonprofit, professional organization for
men and women in journalism and communications.
Section B. Student
Chapters. Chapters may be established on the campus of or auspices of any
accredited college or university, including two-year colleges, provided the
college offers a curriculum in communications or communications related
disciplines such as: journalism, English, photojournalism, writing and editing,
advertising, public relations, marketing, radio, television, technical
communications, Internet Web site development, printing, print publishing,
electronic publishing and instructional media.
Section C. Purposes. The purposes of this chapter shall be those of the international organization. The Association for Women in Communications is a professional organization that champions the advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERS
Section A.
Qualifications. Membership is open to all persons who satisfy the conditions
for membership set forth in these bylaws, regardless of race, color, religion,
gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability or sexual orientation.
Section B.
Requirements. This chapter and its members shall meet the requirements of
The University of Akron School of Communication for participation in
college/university approved organizations.
Section C. Classifications. Classes of membership in student chapters shall be:
1. Student, as defined in the international bylaws--
Individuals who are
working full-time toward a degree (graduate or undergraduate), who demonstrate a commitment to a communications
career and have above average scholarship.
No student member may join the association within three months of graduation.
2. Faculty Advisor.
Each chapter must have one designated faculty advisor. This
individual must work with the student
chapter in an advisory capacity and must be a member of the regular or
adjunct faculty or staff of the institution. In some cases, a graduate
teaching assistant may be named as a faculty advisor, provided this is
consistent with the requirements of the institution.
The faculty advisor receives complimentary professional membership in the international association. Faculty advisors pay local dues at the
discretion of the professional chapter.
Section D. Good
Standing. Members in good standing are those whose current international and
chapter dues are paid and who comply with the requirements of the international
bylaws and these chapter bylaws. The faculty advisor must certify the grade
point average of each member and attest that the student’s academic record is
above average for that institution.
Section E. Transfer
of Membership. Student members may transfer membership from one student
chapter to another, with notification to association headquarters and the local
chapter, if applicable.
Section F.
Privileges.
1. Student members in good standing may vote and hold elective or
appointive office at the chapter level, as
well as hold offices designated for students at the international level.
2. Student members in good standing may attend international association
events at the student member rate. They may also join professional chapters at
the chapter’s student member rate.
3. Student members, upon graduation, qualify for the reduced first year
graduate rate for professional membership.
Student members, upon graduation, are not required to pay the application fee for professional membership.
ARTICLE IV - DUES AND FEES
Section A.
International Dues. Students pay dues annually and renew in September of
each academic year.
Section B. Student Chapter Dues. Chapter dues shall be set by majority vote of those present at a regular business meeting, provided that notice of pending vote to change the dues structure has been published in the meeting notice, or otherwise circulated to the membership prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken.
ARTICLE V - ORGANIZATION
Section A. Number of
Members. The chapter shall consist of a minimum of eight members in good
standing, as defined in these bylaws. No individual shall be a “local only”
member. Affiliation with the international association is required for all
members of a local chapter.
Section B. Annual Business Meeting Representative(s). The chapter’s representative(s) and alternates to the annual business meeting shall be appointed by the president or board of directors from among members in good standing.
ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS
Section A. Regular
Meetings. Meetings shall be held at least six times annually, with at least
four professional programs/projects each school year.
Section B. Special
Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the president or three members
of the board of directors.
Section C. Quorum. A quorum for any regular or special meeting shall consist of twenty-five percent of the chapter’s members in good standing.
ARTICLE VII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section A.
Nominations Committee. A nominating committee consisting of at least three
members shall be appointed by the board of directors. It shall be the duty of
this committee to call for nominations for office from the membership, as well
as to seek at least one candidate for each office for which no nominations were
received. The slate of candidates shall be presented to a meeting of the
membership of the chapter, at which time additional nominations may be made from
the floor for any office.
Section B. Elections. All officers shall be elected by the close of the academic year to serve for one year or until their successors are elected. A majority shall elect. In the event of more than one candidate for an office, voting shall be by ballot. All terms of office begin May 1.
ARTICLE VIII - OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
Section A. Title of
Officers. The officers shall include a president, a vice president (or
president-elect), secretary and treasurer. Their duties shall be those normally
incumbent with the respective offices and those specified in these bylaws and
the manual for student chapter operations. Other officers may be designated by
the executive board. An individual may hold more than one office and a chapter
may vote to adjust the officer slots to facilitate the management of chapter
business.
Section B.
Eligibility. All officers and committee chairs must be members in good
standing.
Section C. Vacancies.
A vacancy occurring in an office shall be filled by a majority vote of the board
of directors.
Section D. Duties of
Officers.
1. President. The
president shall preside at all meetings of the chapter and the board of
directors and shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the
nominations committee.
2. Vice President
and/or President-Elect. The vice president and/or president-elect shall
perform the duties of the president in the absence or incapacity of the
president.
3. Secretary. The
secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of all meetings of the
chapter and the board of directors.
4. Treasurer. The
treasurer shall keep records of all financial reports, collect fees and dues
from applicants, forward required moneys to headquarters, pay out moneys when
directed by the board of directors, and provide necessary information for
required reports to the headquarters of the association. The treasurer shall supply other
officers with the names of chapter members who have paid dues and shall transmit
records and chapter moneys to a successor.
Section E. Executive
Board. The executive board consists of the aforementioned officers.
Section F. Committees. The chapter may have standing committees, special committees and/or task forces at the discretion of the chapter’s board of directors.
AWC STUDENT CHAPTER BYLAWS
ARTICLE IX
FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS
Section A. Fiscal
Year. The fiscal year of the chapter shall begin July 1 and end June 30 or
any other one-year period as designated by the board of directors. The chapter
shall follow all fiscal guidelines as established by The University of Akron and
the School of Communication.
Section B. Contracts.
The board of directors may authorize any officer(s) or agent(s) of the chapter,
in addition to the officers so authorized by these bylaws, to enter into any
contracts or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of
the chapter. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
The chapter shall follow all fiscal guidelines as established by The University
of Akron and the School of Communication.
Section C. Checks,
Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts (or orders for the payment of money), notes
(or other evidence of indebtedness) issued in the name of the chapter shall be
signed by such officer(s) or agent(s) of the chapter in such manner as shall
from time to time be determined by resolution of the board of directors. In the
absence of such determination by the board of directors, such instruments shall
be signed by the treasurer and countersigned by the president or vice
president/president-elect of the chapter. The chapter shall follow all fiscal
guidelines as established by The University of Akron and the School of
Communication.
Section D. Deposits.
All funds of the chapter shall be deposited in a timely manner to the credit of
the chapter in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the board of
directors may select. The chapter shall follow all fiscal guidelines as
established by The University of Akron and the School of Communication.
Section E. Budgeting.
All major projects, services, programs, events and activities conducted by the
chapter shall follow fiscally sound practices, procedures and guidelines. Any
exceptions to this shall require a special resolution, approved by a two-thirds
majority vote, by the board of directors. The chapter shall follow all fiscal
guidelines as established by The University of Akron and the School of
Communication.
Section F. Books and Records. The chapter shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its board of directors and committees. The chapter shall keep at its registered or principal office a record giving the names and addresses of the members of its board of directors. The chapter shall file all tax reports as may be required by local, state or federal governments. The chapter shall follow all fiscal guidelines as established by The University of Akron and the School of Communication.
AWC STUDENT CHAPTER BYLAWS
ARTICLE X - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section A.
Composition. The board of directors shall consist of the chapter’s elected
officers and chairs of the standing committees. The immediate past president
shall be a voting member of the board of directors.
Section B. Duties.
The board of directors shall conduct routine business of the chapter, except
those matters requiring a vote of the membership.
Section C. Quorum. A majority of the members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION
Section A. Use of
Funds. The chapter shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and
purposes specified in these bylaws and no part of said funds shall inure or be
distributed to members of the organization. The chapter shall follow all fiscal
guidelines as established by The University of Akron and the School of
Communication.
Section B. Dispersion of Funds. Should the chapter be dissolved, any funds remaining shall be forwarded to the Association for Women in Communications headquarters or donated to nonprofit organizations with goals consistent with the AWC mission, e.g. a university communications department. The chapter shall follow all fiscal guidelines as established by The University of Akron and the School of Communication.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENT TO BYLAWS
Section A. Method.
Chapter bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of those present
at a regular chapter meeting, providing that the amendment, signed by two
members in good standing, has been submitted in writing at the previous regular
meeting, and provided the amendment does not conflict with the international
bylaws.
Section B. Filing.
Current chapter bylaws must be kept on file at the international headquarters of
the Association for Women in Communications.
ARTICLE XIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly
Revised shall govern this chapter in all cases not provided for in these bylaws
or in specific rules adopted by the chapter.
Approved by the membership of The University of Akron Student Chapter of The Association for Women in Communication on September 20, 2004
Certified by:
_____________________________
Amber Mattie, President
______________________________
Dr. Julia A. Spiker, Faculty Adviser