ARTICLE I – Name

In the spirit of supporting the freedom of ideas and expression at Drexel University, this organization is named the Drexel Freethought Society, also referred to as DFS.

ARTICLE II – Object

The Drexel Freethought Society is dedicated to:

(1)   Defending reason and science at Drexel University.

(2)   Providing a community for atheists, agnostics, humanists, and freethinkers.

(3)   Offering a secular voice in academic discussions around the University.

(4)   Initiating debates and discussions on religion, science, and philosophy.

(5)   Encouraging the open and free exchange of ideas.

(6)   Organizing events centered on the interests of the secular community.

ARTICLE III – Membership

Section I – Definition of Membership:

Membership in the Drexel Freethought Society is open to all Drexel University students, faculty, staff, and alumni regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or ability.

To gain membership privileges students must regularly attend meetings and contribute to the community.

As per the Drexel University Office of Campus Activities’ rules for student organizations, only current full-time undergraduate and graduate students are members of the Drexel Freethought Society. Other classifications of students, faculty, and staff may participate in our organization, but are not considered members.

Section II – Rights of Members:

  1. All members have the right to vote in DFS elections; all votes are considered equal.
  2. All members have the right to hold office if qualified and elected, unless previously impeached.
  3. All members have the right to participate in DFS events and meetings.
  4. All members have the right to speak at DFS meetings.
  5. All members have the right to a copy of the DFS Constitution and any other documents.
  6. All members have the right to object to the Constitution or other DFS proceedings, and have the right to suggest revisions.

ARTICLE IV – Officers

Section I – General Officer Duties:

Officers of the Drexel Freethought Society are not executive leaders, but rather, caretakers of the DFS community. All officers must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students.

All officers are responsible for planning the annual budget. All officers should be present at all DFS general meetings, and most DFS events, unless he/she is prevented by class or coop. If an officer is going to miss a meeting, he/she should give the other officers sufficient notice.

Section II – Drexel Freethought Society Officers:

  1. The President is the main representative of the DFS, and will lead DFS meetings, activities, and events. This officer is responsible for all monetary transactions, organizing events, coordinating with other student groups and University departments/officials, filing appropriate paperwork with SAFAC and the Office of Campus Activities, and updating organizational materials. The President may delegate work, projects and events planning to volunteers.
  2. The Vice President will help the president and other officers with general duties. The vice president should be present at all meetings and events that the president is unable to attend. This officer must be prepared to take-over the president’s role in cases of impeachment
  3. The Treasurer will be in charge of maintaining the budget of the DFS, and is responsible for ensuring the financial stability of the organization. This officer should be knowledgeable about SAFAC policies and procedures, and work with the President to secure adequate funding.
  4. The Secretary is charged with keeping minutes of all general meetings; photographing and documenting all DFS activities and events; posting this material in an accessible place on the Internet.

Section III – Elections:

  1. Elections will be held during the spring term of every year.
  2. The election should be announced at least one meeting prior to voting, and allow adequate time for all interested candidates to announce their candidacy and develop platforms.
  3. Any DFS member may run for any position.
  4. Elections will be run by a DFS Election Chair, who will be responsible for organizing the election process, and counting votes. The Elections Chair may not be a member currently running for office.
  5. Voting should be conducted in a way to conceal the identity of the voter.
  6. To be elected, candidates need a simple majority to win office (50%+1).
  7. Elected officers will take office at the beginning of the summer term.
  8. Officers are elected for the period of one year (summer, fall, winter, spring terms).

Section IV – Impeachment:

Officers of Drexel Freethought Society may be impeached by a unanimous vote of DFS members. Any member of DFS may call for an impeachment vote, but the officer(s) facing impeachment must be given proper notification and allowed sufficient time to prepare a defense. The officer(s) in question may ask for the impeachment vote to be delayed to the next general meeting.

An officer may be impeached for:

  1. Neglecting his/her duties for an extended period of time without reason or attempt to secure other accommodations.
  2. Not regularly attending meetings or events for at least two months, unless otherwise prevented by class or co-op.
  3. Acting in a way that undermines the mission of the DFS.

Section V – Special Elections:

In the event of a vacancy, a special election should be called at the next general meeting. General election rules apply.

ARTICLE V – Advisors

The Drexel Freethought Society will have one main advisor that is a full time faculty member of Drexel University. This advisor must be approved by a simple majority vote during DFS annual elections. Advisors are approved for the period of one year, serving the same term lengths as DFS officers.

Any DFS member may nominate another advisor by providing the advisor’s name, department, position and contact information. All potential advisors must be contacted before voting confirms their position.

Additional advisors may be appointed to aid the organization with specific projects. These advisors may be any full time faculty or staff members.

All Drexel Freethought Society advisors must:

  1. Have basic knowledge about the history and philosophy of secular ideology.
  2. Maintain contact with DFS officers, and provide guidance to help the organization identify and attain its goals.
  3. Be knowledgeable about University policies and procedures, and any city, state, or federal laws that affect the activities of the DFS.

Under no circumstance should advisors work on projects, organize events, or have control over DFS funds. This provision has been added both to maintain student control and independence, but also to prevent officers from pushing their work onto the advisors.

ARTICLE VI – Standing Committees

The President may ask members to form special committees to oversee larger and more complicated projects and events planning. These special committees are meant for short life-spans, and will be dissolved after their specific tasks have been completed.

ARTICLE VII – Meetings

The Drexel Freethought Society should hold general meetings at least once a month, in addition to various events and activities. Meetings should be conducted in a place that is easily accessible to all members.

Officers and committees may plan meetings as needed.

ARTICLE VIII – Finances

The Drexel Freethought Society will not collect any dues from its members. All funds should be obtained through SAFAC or independent fundraising (e.g. selling t-shirts). Fundraising will be organized with the intent of funding a specific project, and members will never be required to purchase or donate anything.

Private donations to fund specific projects or events will be accepted (e.g. rotaries) as long as the donations do not require DFS to meet unrealistic demands or undermine its mission.

ARTICLE IX – Ratification

The President must introduce ratification of the Drexel Freethought Society in the general meeting for electing officers and confirming advisors. Ratification of the Constitution must happen every year. Ratification requires two-thirds vote from DFS members.

ARTICLE X – Amendments

Any Drexel Freethought Society member may propose an amendment to the Constitution at any time. All Constitutional Amendments must be reviewed by all DFS officers, and approved by unanimous vote. If the amendment fails to pass, a DFS officer may call for a vote from DFS members. An amendment voted on by the general membership needs a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

Amendments are entered into the Constitution by the DFS president.

ARTICLE XI – Dissolution

Any officer of the Drexel Freethought Society may call for the organization’s dissolution. If an officer wishes to dissolve the DFS, they must call a meeting of all Drexel University students, faculty, and staff members involved with the organization. A vote of two-thirds of DFS members will voluntarily dissolve the organization.

If the DFS has no participants through two different coop cycles (fall-winter and spring-summer) other than the officers, the President must call for the dissolution of the organization. Dissolution of the organization may, for cause, be ordered by the Office of Campus Activities.

Revisions:

Justin Gero April 10, 2009 – Constitution written.

Jamie Thomson December 14, 2009 – Officer title “Historian” changed to “Secretary”.

Obie O’Brien December 16, 2009 – Elections scheduled for the spring term.