Constitution
> Article I
The name of this club shall be the Astronomy Club, established under the guidance of Carnegie Mellon University.
> Article II
The purpose of the Astronomy Club will be to promote interest in amateur astronomy among students at Carnegie Mellon University and to provide the opportunity for experience and enrichment in the field. All activities and functions of the organization must be legal under University, local, state, and federal laws.
> Article III
Regular meetings shall be held every Friday throughout the school year, subject to change at the discretion of the executive officers and the membership.
> Article IV
- Membership: Any Carnegie Mellon student or faculty member with an interest in astronomy or a related science may become a member of this club.
- Special Membership: Any person interested in astronomy or a related science may become a member of the club with the approval of the membership.
- Honorary Membership: An honorary membership can be bestowed upon any person who has given signi cant, sustained or outstanding contributions to the Astronomy Club. This will be granted upon approval of the Astronomy Club.
- Active Membership: Anyone who has paid the annual dues will be considered an Active Member. Only Active Members are allowed to run for club office, and vote in club elections. They will also be accommodated on any club trip before all others. Active members will also have access to equipment utilized by the club outside of group functions. Honorary Members will automatically be considered Active Members with all corresponding privileges.
- Recruitment: Membership is always open though ocial recruitment may take place at both the fall and spring activities fair. Official recruitment (distribution of promotional material and accumulation of contact information for mass d-list subscription) at other events and locales is done strictly with the explicit permission of the host.
- Discrimination: Under no circumstances may membership be prohibited, inhibited, discouraged, or reviled based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, place of origin, religion, creed, or major.
- Hazing: Under no circumstances will hazing of any form be used as a condition of membership in this organization.
- Dues: Dues may be collected once annually; the presiding officers will determine the rate. Dues should be paid when a person has attended his or her third club meeting. Active club membership will not be granted until dues are paid. Honorary members are exempt from payment of dues.
> Article V
Officers, their duties and elections: The offices shall consist of: the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Observatory Director. The term of office shall be one year. Elections will be held in the latter part of 2nd semester. Nominations for candidates takes place immediately after the beginning of the meeting elections are set to take place.
Officers are elected individually by position in the order below by a simple majority (51%) of the regular membership in attendance at the meeting where elections are taking place. Candidates are required to give a three minute proposal for their candidacy. Immediately after all candidates for a position have presented their proposals voting commences. Candidates who are not con rmed for a position may submit their candidacy for other positions until they are either elected or all the positions have been fi lled with other candidates.
Impeachment of an officer other than the president must be done with a two thirds majority during a regular meeting with at least fifteen in attendance, including the officer being impeached. A special election must be held during the following meeting to replace the impeached officer. The impeached ocer may run for their position again but must win by a two thirds majority instead of a simple majority; any other candidates only require a simple majority.
Impeachment of the president must also be done with a two thirds majority during a regular meeting with at least fteen, including the president, and the club's current faculty advisor in attendance. Election of a new president is done with a simple majority during the following meeting with the club's advisor in attendance. The impeached president is ineligible to run again.
The role of the officer positions are as follows:
- President: The President is responsible for scheduling, and managing regular meetings. The President shall appoint special committees as deemed necessary by the club.
- Vice President: The Vice President shall assume all duties in the President's absence. In addition the Vice President will serve as publicity director, promoting awareness and participation in club activities. The Vice President shall also take on the responsibilities of booth chair if the booth chair is deemed inable by unanimous vote amongst the other officers. In such a case a separate associate booth chair shall be elected as a replacement at the next general body meeting.
- Observatory Director: The Observatory Director is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Truman P. Kohman Observatory located on the fifth floor of Scaife Engineering Hall. The Observatory Director will also be responsible for the upkeep of all astronomical equipment.
- Treasurer: The Treasurer will be responsible for all disbursements administered in the form of checks drawn on the club checking account with the signature of one other elected official. The Treasurer will also write budgets, and proposals for club funds
- Secretary: The Secretary shall maintain a log of the Astronomy Club activities. The Secretary will also be in charge of the club web page, and for informing members of meeting places and times via email.
- Booth Chair: The booth chair is responsible for attending carnival committee meetings and for arranging sufficient attendance to mandatory carnival training sessions. The booth chair is also responsible for working with the president in the production of the construction details of the booth plans. If interest allows, there can be two booth chairs elected, relieving the Vice President of their responsibility to replace one in the interim until reelection of a new booth chair following a vote of inability.
> Article VI
Cancellation of Membership: A majority of the members may revoke the membership of any member who, in their judgment, is not in harmony with the precepts of the organization.
> Article VII
Amendments: This Constitution may be amended at any properly called or published meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of the active members in attendance at such meetings.