Sample Constitution
Preamble
- The preamble is the introduction to the constitution. It usually begins, "We, the members of ______ House do establish this constitution...
Article 1: Name and Affiliation
- This article identifies the organization's name, and also identifies affiliations with other groups (e.g., RCA, UDA, IRHA)
Article II: Purpose
- This article states briefly and succinctly why the organizations exists. What is your house's mission?
Article III: Membership
- Section A: Active members
This section indicates who are qualified to be active members of the house (generally it is all residents of the house). - Section B: Associate members
This section indicates who can be selected as associate members (house members who do not reside on the house).
Article IV: Legislative Body
- Section A: Purpose
- Section B: Members
In a house situation, the legislative body is everyone eligible to vote on the house. - Section C: Procedures
Discusses procedures for bringing forth legislation. How do members propose a bill or idea? - Section D: House Meetings
Discusses the expectations and frequency of house meetings. Also discusses the process for having an emergency meeting. - Section E: Voting
Discusses what constitutes a quorum and how voting will be handled.
Article V: House Cabinet
- Section A: Names
Indicates which offices are parts of the house cabinet. - Section B: Eligibility
Discuss who is eligible to hold a house cabinet position (e.g., GPA and/or residency requirement). - Section C: Terms
Discusses how long the officer terms will be. - Section D: Offices and Responsibilities
Describes each officer position, and the basic responsibilities for each. - Section E: Removal of Officers
Discusses the procedure for removing an officer from his/her position.
Article VI: Committees
- Section A: Names
Indicates what standing committees will exist on the house, and the procedure for establishing a new committee. - Section B: Membership
Describes who can serve on committees. - Section C: Committees and Responsibilities
Lists each committee and outlines the specific duties for each. - Section D: Offices and Responsibilities
Describes each officer position, and the basic responsibilities for each. - Section E: Removal of Officers
Discusses the procedure for removing an officer from his/her position.
Article VII: Elections
- Section A: Candidates
Indicates who is eligible to be a candidate for a house cabinet position, and how a candidacy is announced. - Section B: Procedures
Discusses campaign rules and regulations. - Section C: Selection of Officers
Discusses how elections take place.
Article VIII: Finances
- Section A: Budget
Discusses the procedure for determining a house budget. - Section B: House Dues
Indicates how house dues are determined, maximum amounts, differences between mandatory and social dues, etc. - Section C: Expenditures
Discusses the procedure for spending house dues money.
Article IX: House Policies
- This article would list the special designations for the house (alcohol-free, incense policy, noise policy, etc.) and how those designations are determined each year
Article IX: Amendments to the Constitution
- Discusses the procedure for how the constitution can be changed.
Article X: Ratification
- Discusses how the constitution is approved.
**NOTE - Many houses combine their constitution and by-laws, while others have two separate documents. If your house wants separate documents, then each might have these elements:
Constitution
- Preamble
- Name and Purpose
- House Cabinets (position names, composition, and authority)
- House Legislation (composition, bringing forth legislation)
- Amendments
- Ratification
By-laws
- House Cabinets (officer positions, descriptions, eligibility, compensation)
- Removal of Officers
- Election Procedures
- Meeting Procedures
- House Legislation (voting procedures)
- Finances
- Attendance Policy
- House policies (alcohol, noise, incense, etc.)
- Ratification, Amendment, Suspension of By-Laws
Department of Residence, (515) 294-2900