English
Graduate Organization’s Constitution
Article I: Name of Organization
The name of this organization is the English Graduate
Organization. This organization will utilize the acronym EGO
in all publicity materials and correspondence. The website of
this organization is www.nwe.ufl.edu/ego/. The English
Graduate Organization (EGO) is the graduate student organization formed
within the English Department of the University of
Florida.
Article II: Purpose Statement
The purpose of EGO is to serve as a pre-professional and social support
group for English
graduate students, to aid teaching assistants with the development of
pedagogical skills
through open workshops, to enhance the academic resources available to
the entire University by organizing academic activities such as
lectures and national conferences focusing on interests generated by
our graduate students, and to provide student representation on faculty
committees.
Article III: Compliance Statement
Upon approval by the Center for Student Activities and Involvement, EGO
shall be a registered student organization at the University of
Florida. EGO shall comply with all local, state and federal laws, as
well as all University of Florida regulations, policies, and
procedures. Such compliance includes but is not limited to the
University’s regulations related to Non-Discrimination, Hazing,
Commercial Activity, and Student Leader Eligibility.
Article IV: Non-Discrimination
In compliance with the University of Florida Non-Discrimination Policy
(Regulation 6C1-1.006), EGO will not discriminate on the basis of race,
creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation,
marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations,
and veteran status as protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans’
Readjustment Assistance Act.
Article V: Membership
Membership in this organization is open to enrolled students at the
University of Florida. Non-students, spouses, faculty, and staff may be
associate members; however, they may not vote or hold office. All
members and associate members are free to leave and disassociate
without fear of retribution, retaliation, or harassment.
Article VI: Officers and Committees
Section A:
The elected officers of EGO shall be Co-Presidents/President,
Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Member at Large.
Part 1: The
Co-Presidents/President shall call and preside at all meetings of the
organization, serve as EGO's primary representatives to other
organizations, and coordinate the work of the officers and
committees. At the beginning of the term, one of the
co-presidents will be designated to sign all necessary documents and
papers.
Part 2: The
Vice-President shall serve as an aide to the President and shall
perform the duties of the President in her/his absence or inability to
serve.
Part 3: The
Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of EGO and shall
perform other duties as may be delegated.
Part 4: The
Treasurer shall receive all monies of EGO; shall keep an accurate
record of receipts and expenditures; shall pay out local funds in
accordance with the approved budget as authorized by the organization.
The Treasurer shall present a financial statement at every meeting of
EGO and at other times when requested by the President or Vice
President.
Part 5: The
Executive Member at Large shall commit to attending most EGO meetings
and functions. (There may be as many Executive Members at Large as are
nominated and accept the position.)
Section B:
The appointed officers of EGO shall be Historian, Webmaster, and
Chancellor. These positions may be appointed at the beginning
of Fall term by new EGO leadership or appointed by outgoing leadership
at the end of Spring term and then ratified by new leadership at the
beginning of Fall term.
Part 1: The
Historian shall record events with pictures and saves newspaper
clippings and save it in an EGO scrapbook. The Historian
should also save programs and announcements, and get pictures of EGO
conference events and parties.
Part 2: The
Webmaster shall post minutes and relevant information on the EGO
website. The Webmaster should also keep the Guide to
Gainesville updated and the EGO listserv running smoothly.
Part 3: The
Chancellor offers assistance and advice to EGO officers if needed or
requested. This position is generally given to the outgoing president.
Section C: Officers
shall assume their official duties at the close of the last general
meeting of the calendar year and shall serve for a term of one calendar
year and/or until their successors are elected/appointed.
Section D:
Any officer of EGO may be removed from office through the following
process.
Part 1: A
written request by at least three voting members of the organization
shall be submitted to either the President, Vice President, or
Treasurer. Written notification shall be sent to the officer in
question asking that officer to be present at the next meeting and
prepared to respond to the removal request.
Part 2: A
two thirds majority vote of members present is necessary to remove the
officer.
Part 3: In
the event of the removal of an officer, a special provision may be
granted to the remaining officers to appoint an interim replacement
until an election may be held.
Section E: The
President may appoint committees and committee members as necessary;
members may volunteer to serve or suggest committee to be
created. All committees must be approved by the
President. EGO committees can include the
following:
- Executive Supervisory Committee (Super-EGO) consisting of
officers and other committee chairs
- Grievance Committee
- Teaching Assistant Committee
- General Education Committee
- Computer Assisted Learning Committee (CAL)
Article VII: Elections
Nominations for all officers will take place annually from the members
at the last general meeting in November. Any member may nominate any
other voting member, including himself or herself. Nominations may also
be made during the election meeting prior to closing of nominations.
Officers will hold office for one full year. Elections will be held in
March with term of office beginning the following fall
semester. Nominations will be solicited from the members at
large, and elections will be held the following week. In the event that
one or more positions become vacant prior to a regularly scheduled
election, the remaining officers shall appoint such interim officers as
necessary. These members shall hold office until the next scheduled
election.
Co-Presidents:
If during the general election at least two people are not interested
in the position of Co-President, then the EGO Presidency can be held by
a single person.
Article VIII: Faculty Advisor
The faculty advisor shall serve as a resource person and provide
advisory support for the officers and members of the organization. The
faculty advisor should attend executive and general meetings; however,
the faculty advisor may not vote in any EGO matters. The faculty
advisor shall be nominated by the officers and confirmed by a majority
vote of the members.
The faculty advisor is the Graduate Coordinator and will change as the
Graduate Coordinator position changes. Should the Graduate
Coordinator be unable to serve as faculty advisor, active members may
nominate and vote on a new advisor. 2/3 majority vote by
active members will confirm the replacement nominee.
Article IX: Finance
EGO will not require membership dues; however, it will raise funds
through carwashes and similar activities, for t-shirts, travel to
leadership conferences, and the purchase of books on leadership.
Members are expected to participate in these fundraising activities.
EGO will also apply for Student Government funding. Other
funds shall be acquired from the English Department, and other student
organizations who share EGO's interest in promoting the humanities.
Expenditures shall require a majority vote at two consecutive meetings.
Article X: Dissolution of Organization
In the event this organization dissolves, all monies left in the
treasury, after outstanding debts and claims have been paid, shall be
donated to University of Florida English Department.
EGO members may leave and dissociate themselves from EGO without fear
of retribution or harassment.
Article XI: Meetings:
Meetings shall be held twice a month. Meetings shall be
conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order.
Article XII: Amendments to the Constitution
Amendments to the EGO constitution shall be solicited annually at the
end of the spring semester from all EGO members. Amendments
must be approved by a two thirds vote of the members present and
voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment was given and
that the proposed amendment shall be subject to approval of the Center
for Student Activities and Involvement.
Submitted to Center for
Student Involvement, June 2008.