Constitutional Amendments

November 18, 2013

At our meeting this evening, we discussed the following changes to our MIT OCF Constitution. We plan to vote on these amendments on December 2, 2013. Lines stricken out would be removed and bold text in the body of a section would be added, replacing previous text in some cases. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, be sure to attend the vote, or email the MIT OCF officers list at ocf-exec@mit.edu with any questions, etc.

 

 

CONSTITUTION OF THE

MIT ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (OCF)

 

 

PREAMBLE

 

We, the members of the MIT community wishing to establish a profound and lasting fellowship among Orthodox Christians (including American, Greek, Antiochian, Russian, etc.), Oriental Orthodox Christians and other interested university students of MIT and elsewhere, and seeking to commit ourselves to the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ do ordain and establish this Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF).

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

 

The name of the organization shall be "The Orthodox Christian Fellowship of MIT".

 

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

 

Section 1. To lead Orthodox Christian students to a deeper understanding of the Orthodox Faith as revealed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and as expounded by the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and to offer an opportunity to Orthodox Christian students to become more fully acquainted with and informed about their Orthodox Tradition.

Section 2. To strengthen ties between students of the Orthodox Christian Faith and to develop a sense of community among them and to further cooperation with other religious organizations on campus.

Section 3. To promote the welfare of the students in body, mind, and spirit, in ways which are consistent with the group's Christian ideals.

Section 4. To enrich campus life in general.

Section 5. To sponsor activities such as study groups, talks, and lectures, by specialists on topics of interest to the group.

 

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1. Membership in the Orthodox Christian Fellowship of MIT shall be open to all university students who share the interests, goals, and ideals of the organization without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin, in accordance with the MIT Non-Discrimination Policy.

Section 2. At least one-half of the defined membership and at least five (5) members shall be MIT students.

Section 3. Members shall be categorized by their level of participation.  Only active members shall have the right to vote. All other members shall have the privilege of attending meetings and other activities and participating in discussions, but not of voting.

Section 4. Active members of the Fellowship shall be those who have participated in three or more activities of the Fellowship, and for whom no more than two (2) years has passed since graduation from the Institute.

 

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

 

Section 1. The officers shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. Any active MIT student member is eligible to run for office.

Section 3. The President will perform all the duties usually pertaining to that office. He/she shall have such authority in appointing committees and carrying on the work of the

Fellowship. He/she shall be ex officio of all the committees.

Section 4. The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of that office. He/she shall be the liaison between the committees and their chairman and the officers.

Section 5. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all business transacted at meetings. He/she shall conduct all correspondence of the Fellowship.

Section 6. The Treasurer shall collect all money due the Fellowship and keep accurate records of all receipts and disbursements. He/she shall pay any bills approved by the officers.

Section 7. The offices of President and Treasurer shall not be held by any one person.

Section 8. Whenever a vacancy in office shall occur, the President shall fill that vacancy by appointment. An officer thus appointed shall serve until the vacancy shall be filled by an election arranged by the Officers.

Section 9. An officer may be removed from his/her office by a three-fourths vote of the members present at any meeting provided that this number comprises at least one half of the total membership and that the secretary has sent notice of the proposed removal to all members of the Fellowship at least ten days before the meeting is scheduled. Recall proceedings may be initiated by a written petition signed by ten percent of the active membership stating reasons why such a recall is desirable.

Section 10. The religious advisor to the Orthodox Christian Fellowship shall be an ex officio member of the Officers.

 

ARTICLE V - ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS

 

Section 1. The fellowship shall meet at least biweekly during the school year.

Section 2. The Officers shall meet at least twice each month.

Section 3. The President can call an emergency meeting with at least three (3) days notice.

Section 4. Meetings shall be constituted by a quorum of five (5) active members.

 

ARTICLE  VI - ELECTIONS

 

Section 1. The nominating committee shall be appointed by the President from the active graduating members and they shall nominate at least two candidates for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. All officers shall be elected by secret ballot in December of each academic year, and shall assume their responsibilities following installation which shall take place at the first meeting of the Spring semester.

Section 3. A quorum of one more than one-half of the active membership shall participate in an election.

 

ARTICLE VII - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1. Constitutional amendments to be considered shall be announced on the website at least two (2) weeks prior to the anticipated vote.

Section 2. In order for a constitutional amendment to be considered it must have the identified support of at least five (5) active members. A quorum of one more than one-half of the active membership must be present to vote on a constitutional amendment.

Section 3. Any active member may propose a constitutional amendment and solicit the required support for it.

 

ARTICLE VIII - ASA 'GOD' CLAUSE

 

The MIT Orthodox Christian Fellowship agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Association of Student Activities, its executive

committee, and the finance board. This constitution, amendments to it, and the by-laws of this organization shall be subject to review by the

ASA Executive Committee to ensure that they are in accordance with the aforementioned rules and regulations.