Socratic Society Constitution

BY-LAWS

 

PREAMBLE

 

The Socratic Society, an organization of students of The University of West Florida, is dedicated to the discussion of philosophical, social, and moral ideals. The Socratic Society is particularly interested in promoting discussion of the philosophical ideals in their relation to the vital issues of contemporary society.

 

Article I

Organization

The Socratic Society shall consist of a membership of registered students of The University of West Florida. There shall be three officers elected for yearly terms: President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer.

 

Article II

Section 1. The membership shall have the power to formulate such rules and procedures as it deems necessary for the proper functioning of the organization.

 

Section 2. The membership shall have the power to alter the By-Laws by a two-thirds(2/3) vote of attending members at an official meeting.

 

Section 3. The membership shall have the power to impeach officers and/or remove any member from his membership by a two-thirds(2/3) consensus of attending members at an official meeting. Members or officers charged with misconduct shall have the right to defend themselves against all charges and confront their accusers.

 

Section 4. An official meeting shall be:

1. Held at least once in each academic semester, excepting summer.

2. Held at a reasonable time for students.

3. Be adequately advertised to the full membership.

 

Section 5. The membership shall elect its officers at the first meeting of the Fall semester. This meeting is to be held not later than the third week of classes. An officer may be elected for a second term.

 

Section 6. The Socratic Society's purpose and activities are legal.

 

Section 7. The Socratic Society does not illegally

discriminate in membership practices on the basis of sex and its membership is open to all regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, martial status, or handicap.

 

Section 8. The Socratic Society agrees to abide by The University of West Florida's policy on hazing.

 

Article III

Definition of Officers

Section 1. The President shall act as the official representative of the Socratic Society and shall preside over all official meetings, have the power to call special meetings, enact the discussions of the membership, appoint such persons he/she deems necessary to aid him/her in the execution of his/her office and sign all official expenditures in conjunction with the Secretary-Treasurer.

 

Section 2. The Vice President shall serve as President in the absence of the President and shall have such added functions as the President shall designate.

 

Section 3. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep records of all official proceedings of the Socratic Society, act as financial accountant over official financial matters, report the full conditions of the organization at each official meeting, and sign for all official expenditures in conjunction with the President.

 

Article IV

The By-Laws shall become effective when they shall be approved by a two-thirds(2/3) vote of the initial membership, present at the organizational meeting.