The rules we run on: purpose, membership, officers, and elections. Draft pending ratification.
We, the students of Saddleback College, in order to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government, and to foster open debate and civic engagement on our campus, do hereby establish this constitution for the Saddleback College chapter of Turning Point USA.
The name of this organization shall be Turning Point USA at Saddleback College, hereafter referred to as the Chapter.
The Chapter is a student-led affiliate of Turning Point USA, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Chapter is not officially affiliated with or endorsed by Saddleback College.
The purpose of the Chapter is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.
The Chapter shall pursue this purpose through regular meetings, campus tabling, guest speakers, open debate events, voter registration drives, and participation in national Turning Point USA programming.
Membership is open to all currently enrolled Saddleback College students regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
Active members are those who attend at least half of the Chapter's regular meetings in a given semester. Only active members may vote in Chapter elections.
Membership carries no dues. The Chapter may not collect funds from members without approval from Turning Point USA headquarters.
The Chapter shall be led by an executive board consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The President shall be the chief executive of the Chapter, preside over meetings, serve as the primary liaison to Turning Point USA field staff, and represent the Chapter on campus.
The Vice President shall assist the President, direct chapter programming, and assume the President's duties in their absence.
The Secretary shall record minutes, maintain the membership roster, and manage Chapter communications.
The Treasurer shall maintain financial records, prepare budgets, and ensure all financial activity complies with Turning Point USA and campus policy.
Officers shall be elected each spring semester by a majority vote of active members present at a designated election meeting, and shall serve a term of one academic year.
Any active member in good standing may run for office. Candidates shall be announced at least one meeting before the election.
Vacancies shall be filled by special election within four weeks. The remaining officers shall assign interim duties until the vacancy is filled.
The Chapter shall hold regular meetings during the fall and spring semesters at a time and place announced to all members.
A quorum for conducting official business shall be half of active members. Routine decisions are made by majority vote of members present.
The President may call special meetings with at least 48 hours notice to all members.
Amendments to this constitution may be proposed in writing by any active member.
Proposed amendments shall be read at one regular meeting and voted on at the following regular meeting, requiring a two-thirds vote of active members present to pass.
The Chapter shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or campus policy in membership, programs, or activities.
This constitution shall take effect upon a two-thirds vote of the founding membership and acknowledgment by Turning Point USA field staff.
This is a working draft. The final text takes effect once ratified by the founding membership.
