LEAP Constitution & By-Laws
Constitution of the University of Cincinnati
LEAP: Leaders for Environmental Awareness and Protection
Revised: September 21, 2008
Article I Name
The name of this organization shall be “Leaders for Environmental Awareness & Protection,” hereinafter referred to as “LEAP”
Article II Purpose
LEAP hopes to foster an environmental movement, both on campus and in the community, by engaging the talents of students and faculty. LEAP focuses on
networking with environmental organizations, volunteerism, promoting special events, increasing environmental education and creating open discussions to achieve this mission.
Article III Membership
Members of LEAP shall uphold values that are representative of our purpose and must be registered students of the University of Cincinnati.
Article IV Officer Requirements
4.1 The officers of LEAP shall be two Co-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator, and Webmaster whose duties are described herein.
4.2 Each officer shall be a matriculating student achieving and maintaining at least a 2.5 quarterly grade point average and be in good standing with his/her college.
4.3 All officers shall serve for a term of one full year or until their successors shall be duly elected, qualified, and must fulfil all duties outlined in the constitution.
4.4 All officers will be elected into their positions before the end of the previous academic year.
4.5 Any vacancies that occur may be filled by nominating and selecting another member from the group.
4.6 Any officer who, during the term of his/her office, fails to maintain any of the above requirements or does not adhere to the purpose of LEAP shall be removed from office and a replacement shall be elected thereto.
Article V Officer Duties
5.1 The individual duties of the officers shall be as follows:
Co-President:
- Representing LEAP and being a liasion for other student and community organizations
- Creating a weekly, quarterly and yearly agenda
- Primary contact with SALD and attend all SALD required meetings
- Approving every budget
- Facilitating Meetings
- Re-registering every fall quarter with SALD
- Updating the constitution each year as the group evolves
- Ensuring that other LEAP officers are fulfilling their duties
Secretary:
- Create the agenda before every LEAP meeting and record meeting minutes
- Check and forward e-mails from the gmail account to the proper officer on a regular basis
- Maintaining and updating BB
- Distribution of pertinent information to all members
- Check mail in Steger Student Life Center
Webmaster:
- Maintain the LEAP website
Treasurer:
- Create and maintain all event and activities budgets
- Assemble a timetable for budgets
- Attend all SALD treasurer meetings
Volunteer Coordinator:
- Gather and Distribute information about on and off campus volunteering activities
- Create ways for members and non-members to find community service hours
- Copy Co-Presidents to post activities to BB and the LEAP website
Apart from the individual duties, all LEAP officers are expected to:
- Create a strong network with outside organizations
- Contribute to a growing group of members
- Group promotion as well as events promotion
- Communicate relevant information to be updated in the website to the Webmaster
Article VI Member Duties
The duties of all LEAP members shall be as follows:
6.1 To attend as many meetings as their schedule allows for
6.2 Know and practice the purpose and mission of LEAP
6.3. To take an active part in LEAP's activities and events
6.4 Participate in the recruitment and education of new members
Article VII Committees
Special committees shall be appointed at the discretion of the LEAP officers for specific events and activities as needed.
Article VIII Meetings
8.1 LEAP shall hold meetings weekly during fall, winter and spring quarters. During summer quarter, meetings will be held as the co-presidents deem necessary.
8.2 Student officers shall meet at least once prior to the beginning of each quarter in order to create a unified agenda before the beginning of each quarter.
Article IX University Advisor
9.1 LEAP shall have a University Advisor who shall be a full or part-time member of the University faculty, staff, or administration.
9.2 The appointed university advisor shall grant approval for all off-campus activities in which a student formally represents LEAP, such as events, meetings, etc.
Article X Hazing Policy
10.1 LEAP’s hazing policy shall be in line with that established by the University in University rule number 40-3-12
Article XI Amendments
11.1 Amendments to this Constitution must be represented by a member of LEAP at least one week prior to voting upon the same
11.2 A two-thirds (2/3) vote shall be required for approval of the amendments
Article XII Ratification
12.1 Ratification by two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members of the LEAP shall be sufficient to establish this Constitution
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Bylaws of the University of Cincinnati
LEAP: Leaders for Environmental Awareness & Protection
Revised: September 21, 2008
Section 1 Student Officers
1(1) The Co-Presidents shall be the Executive Officers of LEAP and shall preside over all LEAP meetings of and the Executive Board. They shall also be an ex-officio member of all standing committees.
(a) The duties that are to be divided between the Co-Presidents include but are not limited to:
- Creating a weekly, quarterly and yearly agenda
- Maintaining primary contact with SALD
- Maintain contact with University Advisor and Environmental Studies internship advisor
- Approve each budget
- Maintaining and updating Black Board and Facebook including the announcements and pictures
- Updating the constitution each year as the group evolves
1(2) The Treasurer shall be responsible in conjunction with the University advisor, to all fiscal matters of LEAP.
(a) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all funds paid to the student organization and shall deposit them in the official depository.
(b) The Treasurer, in conjunction with the University Advisor, will have final approval of all student organization expenditures. The Treasurer will co-sign all checks with the University Advisor in payment of bills.
(c) The Treasurer will abide by all Policies and Guidelines set down by the Undergraduate Funding Board.
(d) The Treasurer is responsible for educating his/her successor on the obligations of this position.
(e) The Treasurer will keep the accounts and books which, at all times, must be open to inspection by the President, Executive Board, Funding Board, or any authorized auditor.
(f) The Treasurer will make reports at any such times as the President or Executive Board may direct.
(g) The treasurer will create and delegate a minimum of one fundraiser each school. Additionally they shall generate a list of companies and nonprofit organizations in which to partner with.
(h) Failure to abide by these aforesaid policies will result in Financial Probation of LEAP as defined by their respective Funding Board.
1(3) The Secretary shall keep the records of the membership and the minutes of the meetings of LEAP and the Executive Board.
(a) He/she shall also be responsible for posting these records to Blackboard under the documents category within 48 hours of any meeting.
(b) The Secretary may also make a report at any meeting of LEAP at such time as the President or the Executive Board may direct.
(c) He/she will also be responsible for retrieving any and all mail from the LEAP mailbox located in the Steger Student Life Center.
(d) Additionally the Secretary is responsible for scheduling meetings and events with campus scheduling and posting these meetings to the Blackboard calendar.
1(4) The Volunteer Coordinator’s primary responsibility is outreach with the neighboring and greater Cincinnati area and create a strong network within the environmental and nonprofit agencies throughout Cincinnati.
(a) The Volunteer Coordinator shall gather and distribute information about environmental and nonprofit activities on and outside of campus.
(b) The Volunteer Coordinator will actively engage in projects and collaborations within nonprofit environmental groups and organizations within the Clifton, Cincinnati, and surrounding area.
(c) The Volunteer Coordinator will create ways for members and non-members to find community service hours within the environmental and nonprofit community.
(d) The Volunteer Coordinator shall notify all members of upcoming volunteering opportunities through the Blackboard Calendar, LEAP email and when necessary the Center for Community Engagement.
Section 2 Elections
2(1) All officers shall be elected by a majority vote of those members present for voting.
Section 3 Executive Board
3(1) The Executive Board shall be composed of the elected officers of LEAP and the University Advisor.
3(2) The Executive Board shall determine the policies and the activities of LEAP, direct members, approve the budget and have general management of the organization.
Section 4 University Advisor
4(1) The University Advisor shall consult with LEAP and ensure that the activities of the organization are consistent with the stated purposes of the organization.
4(2) The University Advisor is required to file an official certification of academic standing of the organization's officers with the Student Activities & Leadership Development Office (Student Life Center, Room 455).
4(3) The University Advisor has an obligation to know the rules and regulations governing the handling of all funds and to assist and advise the treasurer in all financial matters and to co-sign checks.
4(4) The University Advisor must attend at least one Executive Board meeting per month as well as at least half of the on-campus LEAP events.
Section 5 Special Committees
5(1) Special Committees may be established by the Executive Board and shall perform such duties as defined in their establishment.
5(2) The Executive Board shall appoint, and may remove, committee members and a Chairperson for each committee.
5(3) Each Special Committee that is designated must meet the core principals and goals set forth by LEAP.
Section 6 Meetings
6(1) LEAP shall hold general weekly meetings during fall, winter and spring quarters. During summer quarter meetings will be held as the Co-Presidents deem necessary.
6(2) Meetings shall be held at such places as determined by the executive Board.
6(3) Each LEAP meeting shall be given at least one (1) week notice of the place and time of such meetings.
6(4) A quorum is necessary for the organization to conduct official business, which for all purposes will be at least 8 members.
6(6) All matters coming before LEAP which require the approval of the membership, and the election of officers, shall be carried by the majority vote of the voting members present, providing that a quorum is present.
Section 7 Revenue
7(1) Revenue from sources other than those defined in this section may be raised as determined by the Executive Board and approved by LEAP, along with the approval of the appropriate University office.
7(2) The disbursement of said revenue shall be determined by the Executive Board with the approval of LEAP and in accordance with university policies.
7(3) The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accountability of LEAP’s monies, and shall report to the Executive Board and LEAP.
Section 8 Discipline
8 (1) Any member charged with conduct not in accord with the purposes of LEAP and against who such charges are sustained after due and proper hearing before the Executive Board, may be expelled from membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Executive Board
8(2) Any student whose membership in LEAP has been terminated in any manner shall forfeit all interest in any funds or other property belonging to the Organization and may not use the organization's name in connection with any further activities.
8(3) Appeal process: Any member whose membership in LEAP has been
terminated by action of the Executive Board of the organization may appeal his/her expulsion, in writing, and within two weeks of the Executive Board's action to the LEAP’s respective governing board. If the expulsion is upheld by the governing board, the student may appeal to the Student Organizations and Activities Office in writing, and within two weeks of the governing board's action
Section 9 Impeachment
Any member may initiate an officer’s removal by the following procedure.
9(1) Petition Executive Board with signatures of at least 8 voting members and the petition should state reason for removal.
9(2) Executive Board shall then notify officers and call for removal vote within fourteen days of the filing of the petition.
9(3) Membership shall be notified at least one week prior to removal vote meeting.
9(4) At the meeting for removal, the petition's stated grievances shall be made public and the officer charged shall be allowed to respond to the charges of the petition.
9(5) Removal from office shall require a vote of at least 8 voting members and the majority of the executive board.
Section 10 Vacancy of Office
10(1) In case of resignation or removal of any officer, an interim acting officer shall be appointed by the Executive Board.
10(2) Either Co-President shall call for an election within fourteen days after vacancy of any office.
10(3) Election shall be conducted as stated in the bylaws.
10(4) Should the office of either Co-President become vacant, the other President should complete the unexpired term and call for an election for Co-President consistent with the provisions of Section 10(2).
Section 11 Amendments of Bylaws
11(1) Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by any member and shall be voted upon at the next meeting following notice of such proposed amendment to the voting members; such notice shall be given at least one week ahead of the time such amendment is proposed.
11 (2) Amendments to these Bylaws shall be by the affirmative vote of at least 8 voting members and with the approval of the appropriate governing board.
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