The Student Performing Artists
at the University of Southern Maine
Constitution
SPA's Constitution
 | Constitution Constitution Student Performing Artists (SPA) Enacted by the Student Senate of the As of March 21, 2002 Revised November, 2006
Article I: Name The name of this Organization shall be Student Performing Artists (herein known as SPA) of the Article II: Purpose The purpose of SPA is to promote academic, personal, and social growth through the involvement of performing arts and to all students to be involved in traditional, experimental, and imaginative productions, through not only acting but design, production and directing. Article III: Membership Section 1. Membership Eligibility. Membership is open to all undergraduate students of the Section 2. Attendance. Attendance to meetings is required of all members. Being absent to more than 3 meetings will result in revocation of voting privileges within SPA. Absences may be excused with prior notification of an officer. Excused absences shall be granted at the collected officers’ discretion. *** Article IV: Election Procedures Section 1. Officers and Duties. The officers of SPA shall be two Co-Chairs, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Publicist. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by this Constitution and by the parliamentary authority adopted by SPA.
Section 2. Elections. Within the last week of April SPA shall accept nominations from its membership and hold elections for officers. If an office becomes vacant, new nominations and elections may be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting of SPA. The officers shall be elected by individual ballot to serve for one year or until their successors are elected, and their term of office shall begin at the start of the fall semester following their election. Article V: Duties of Officers Section 1. All Officers. All officers must be undergraduate students of the Section 2. Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs will preside over all meetings of SPA. They will also coordinate and oversee all events planning, and the delegation of events planning responsibilities. They shall also oversee officers meetings. Section 3. Secretary. The Secretary is the recording officer of SPA and shall keep accurate minutes of each meeting, which is available upon request to the U.S.M. Student Senate, Board of Student Organizations, and to the general public. The Secretary shall keep and update as needed a list of all members of SPA, including contact information for the purpose of informing members about upcoming meetings. The Secretary will also act as SPA’s historian, including but not limited to, collecting and organizing photographic documentation, programs, posters, etc. for all SPA events. Section 4. Treasurer. The Treasurer is responsible for keeping accurate records and accounts of SPA’s funds. The Treasurer shall be responsible for enforcing and complying with all rules and regulations set forth by the U.S.M. Student Senate regarding proper collection, holding, and dispersal of funds. The Treasurer must also complete orientation training with the Coordinator of Student Senate Operations (C.S.S.O.) as well as provide the C.S.S.O. with an annual fundraising report in the manner designated by the C.S.S.O. Section 5. Publicist. The Publicist shall be responsible for advertising and programs for all SPA events including, but not limited to, seasonal productions, fundraising events, the Cabaret, the 10-Minute Play Festival, and the SPA Awards. The Publicist shall also maintain the official website for the group. Article VI: Meetings Section 1. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of SPA shall be held at 3:30 pm on Mondays in the Make-Up room of Russell Hall. Students unable to attend regular meetings due to scheduling conflicts may request to be on SPA’s mailing list, and may take part in any group sponsored activity, but may not have voting privileges. Section 2. Officers Meetings. The officers of SPA shall hold regular officers meetings to discuss and set the agendas and calendars for meetings and events of the organization. Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Co-Chairs or upon the written request of twenty-five percent of the members of SPA. The purpose of the meeting must be stated in the call and notice must be given to the entire membership, at least three days in advance. Section 3. Quorum. Fifty percent of the membership of SPA shall constitute a quorum for holding a meeting. Two thirds of the membership of SPA shall constitute a quorum for a vote. Article VII: Substance Abuse Section 1. Use of Drugs/Alcohol. No member of SPA shall use or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances at any SPA event. Section 2. Punitive Repercussions. Any member of SPA caught using or under the influence of any substance at a SPA event shall be immediately suspended from SPA for the remainder of the school year. They will be barred from participating in any SPA production or in attending any SPA event. Suspended students returning the following year will be allowed to participate. Article VIII: Harmony All activities of SPA shall be in keeping with Student Senate Board of Student Organizations Policy & Procedures Manual, as well as all federal, state, and local regulations and the policies of the Article IX: Parliamentary Authority The rules contained in the most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern SPA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws and any special rules of the order SPA may adopt. Article X: Amendment of this Constitution
This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of SPA by a two-thirds vote, provided that the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. All amendments must also be approved by the Parliamentarian of the Student Senate as well as by a two-thirds vote of the Student Senate.
***Bolded text in sections of the articles indicate revised or new amendments as of November, 2006.***
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