Rules and Amendments - This section outlines the guidelines for changing the constitution. The procedure of changing the constitution is important because it should be a reflection of the organization, and a thriving organization is always changing!
Ratification - This section lists the requirements for ratifying (and abolishing) the constitution. This ensures that each constitution is actually fully binding and formal: a constitution without rules for ratification is simply unprofessional. It’s equally important that each constitution provides for its abolishment: at some point your chapter might need to simply start over again if your constitution becomes out-dated enough.
Now for some VJCL Constitution trivia!
• The VJCL Constitution has 12 Articles!
• There are only 2 types of VJCL membership provided for in the Constitution!
• Believe it or not, a chapter that’s not in good standing can still nominate a candidate for office and can still vote! They just need the approval of the Executive Board first.
• You only need to have attended a JCL convention (VJCL or NJCL) to be able to run for VJCL office!
• The President may have to sign all rules and amendments, but they don't have the power of veto!
• A chapter that’s had a VJCL officer removed from office can’t vote or nominate a candidate at VJCL convention - period.
• The Executive Council consists of 2 delegates from each chapter, but only one delegate for the members-at-large! The President chairs the Executive Council.
• As you may have surmised, the VJCL Constitution can actually be abolished by a ¾ vote of all chapters.
• The Second Vice-President can become President if both the First Vice-President and President can’t perform their duties!
• Also, the Second Vice-President is the only office that is supposed to “endeavor to submit articles to the VJCL Forum”, whatever that means.
• The Historian is actually supposed to “update the written VJCL history by adding one page containing the officers, sponsors, and activities of the VJCL during their term of office,” - they don’t just make the scrapbook!
• The President, not the Parliamentarian, is the one who certifies all election and voting results!
How much do you really know about the VJCL Constitution? Take this Buzzfeed quiz made by VJCL Parliamentarian Ethan Robertson to find out! Click on the yellow leaf to access the quiz (not the red leaf, you don't want to click on the red leaf).
6.
7.
23