Creating a Constitution
Now that you have an active club, with administrative approval and a sponsor backing you up, it is important that you put everything about your JCL down in writing. This includes even the most basic things: the official name, the purposes, membership, election of officers, officer duties. There is much more, but you want to make sure that your constitution covers any and every scenario that occurs or could occur within your JCL that might result in dispute. The constitution should also lay the foundation for how the organization is run as well as outlining the duties for individuals who hold leadership positions. Once this outline has been drawn up, it is important to make sure that all of your members or “voting delegates” agree upon it. In achieving this consensus, all you have to do is ratify it!
While North Gwinnett had the Executive and Advisory Board ratify its amendment by signing the printed copy, many local chapters will take a vote, or have each voting delegate submit a form that implies they understand and agree to the conditions of the constitution.
To provide a precedent for what a functioning constitution looks like, I have included a copy of my own school’s constitution, as well as provided a link that will take you to the GJCL Constitution.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE NORTH GWINNETT JUNIOR CLASSICAL LEAGUE
CONSTITUTION Preamble
We, the members of the North Gwinnett Junior Classical League, in order to promote cooperation among the Latin students of North Gwinnett High School, to establish a basis for order, and to increase unity, promote friendship, and encourage understanding among the several members of this organization, do hereby ordain and establish this constitution.
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the North Gwinnett Junior Classical League.
ARTICLE II - Purposes
The purposes of this organization shall be to promote a more thorough knowledge of classical life, history, and literature; to impart a better understanding of the practical and cultural value of the Classics; to interest other students in the Classical languages and literature, government, and laws and rights.
ARTICLE III - Membership
All members must be currently enrolled as a North Gwinnett High School student and in a Latin course, or have completed Latin III upon payment of their membership dues.
ARTICLE IV - Election of Officers
Section 1.
The elected officers of this organization shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Certamen and Academic Chair, Spirit and Publicity Princeps, and Historian. All elected North Gwinnett Junior Classical League officers shall be required to attend the Georgia Junior Classical League State Convention immediately following their election.
Section 2.
The term of office for each officer shall be for one year only from election, terminating at the announcement of new officers.
Section 3.
To be eligible for an elected office, a student must be a member of the North Gwinnett Junior Classical League and must have attended at least one state convention. A candidate must be enrolled in a Latin class for the entire term of his/her office. Postgraduates and midterm graduates shall not be eligible for any office. A candidate for President must be a member of the senior class during his/her year in office. A candidate for Vice President must be a member of the junior class during his/her year in office.
Section 4.
All candidates wishing to run for office must have emailed the current President of their intention to run for office by the deadline set by the current President.
Section 5.
The elections of new officers shall be decided by vote of eligible club members. Specific rules of the elections procedure shall be determined by the outgoing President and the club sponsor.
Section 6.
Any officer may be impeached and removed from his/her office for not performing his/her duties as outlined in this constitution or for actions not becoming an officer of this organization. The President shall call an emergency board meeting at which the circumstances shall be explained, and the impeached officer shall give his/her defense. The decision shall then be resolved by a panel consisting of the Advisory Board, the Executive Board minus the impeached officer, and the club sponsor. Each member shall have one (1) vote, and a four-fifths majority shall be necessary for impeachment and subsequent removal.
Section 7.
Should a vacancy occur in any office other than President, the office shall be filled by a member of the Advisory Board. The club sponsor shall nominate no more than three qualified members of the Advisory Board as candidates for the vacated office. The President shall then call an emergency board meeting at which the replacement officer shall be decided by vote. The candidate who receives the most votes shall be named the replacement officer for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the vacancy occurs