Article 1: Preamble
1. Name of the Organization
a. The name of the organization shall be named the University of Calgary Sociology
and Law and Society Student’s Association (UC_SLSA), hereinafter referred to as
the UC_SLSA (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
2. Purpose of the Charter
a. This document serves as the mandate for all club activities and affairs for which the
executives must be committed as part of the University of Calgary Sociology and
Law and Society Student’s Association (Constitutional Amendment, November
2021).
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Article 2: Objectives
1. The objectives of the UC_SLSA Shall be:
a. To bring together University of Calgary undergraduate students within the Sociology
and Law and Society programs (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
b. To provide University of Calgary undergraduate students with information and
opportunities for development within their undergraduate studies (Constitutional
Amendment, November 2021);
c. To engage students in academic and occupational network building opportunities
wherein students may develop competitive networking and communication skills
conducive to their respective fields of study (Constitutional Amendment, November
2021);
d. To retain channels of communication between University of Calgary departmental
staff and undergraduate students (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
e. To represent University of Calgary undergraduate students with a vested interest in
Sociology and Law and Society within the various channels of communication at the
university (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
f. To support University of Calgary undergraduate students to develop an understanding
of their interests and how that may be translated in the competitive job market
(Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
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Article 3: Membership
1. Membership within the UC_SLSA shall be governed by the following provisions:
a. All University of Calgary students, faculty and staff are eligible to be members of the
UC_SLSA (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
b. Individual membership within the club will be granted by a fee of $5 upon security of
the old bank account or we open a new account (Constitutional Amendment,
November 2021);
c. Membership with the UC_SLSA will last from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022;
d. Members are eligible to make use of UC_SLSA services including but not limited to,
seeking promotional interests of Sociology and Law and Society students which may
be presented to departmental staff. And, members may participate in club activities
and initiatives (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
e. Members are entitled to (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021):
i. Receive notice of any and all changes to the Club Charter pertaining or
effecting their membership within the club (Constitutional Amendment,
November 2021);
ii. Attend and participate in all UC_SLSA club events and initiatives
(Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
iii. Submit items for discussion of Sociology And Law and Society students
interests which will be forwarded to departmental representatives
(Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
iv. Be eligible to serve as a future UC_SLSA Executive in the following year
(Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
f. Purchases of memberships are non-refundable but members can revoke or withdraw
their membership through request via email, UC_SLSA1ucalgary@gmail.com
(Constitutional Amendment, November 2021);
g. Membership may be withdrawn by an executive of the club, and with deliberation of
all club executives, if a member has violated the club’s charter or harmed the
reputation, function, or unity of the club through deliberate action or inaction
(Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
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Article 4: Student Union
1. The UC_SLSA acknowledges and will abide by the bylaws and policies outlined by the
Students Union, unless otherwise approved by the club’s committee.
2. The UC_SLSA will revoke their status as a Students’ Union sanctioned club if any Union By
Law or policy is contravened without Club Committee ratification.
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Article 5: Officers and Duties
1. President
a. Oversees the operation of the UC_SLSA and delegates tasks to the other executives;
b. Arranges and facilitates executive meetings;
c. Takes meeting minutes or delegates this task to another executive;
d. Takes meeting minutes or delegates this task to another executive;
e. Maintains a formal relationship with the Department of Sociology;
f. Submits the Annual Report to the Students’ Union by the yearly due date;
g. Contacts the appropriate authorities for conflict resolution amongst executives and
members (will be outlined in future correspondence in Club Conflict Resolution
Guide shared amongst members).
h. Annual check and update co-curricular record roles on UCalgary Club Hub page.
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2. Vice-President Finance
a. Maintains financial records;
b. Maintains the membership list;
c. Creates budgeting recommendations;
d. Attends Departmental and Undergraduate Studies Committee Meetings;
e. Holds signing authority for the UC_SLSA bank account.
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3. Vice-President Communications
a. Responsible for all email and correspondence with members on social media dna teh
UC_SLSA Mailing list;
b. Maintain formal communication with the Department of Sociology for administrative
matters;;
c. Updates the UC_SLSA content on Department of Sociology website;
d. Oversees the use and creation of the club’s social media media and logo;
e. Attends meetings (or engages in correspondence) with the Communications
Committee of the Sociology Department.
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4. Vice-President Events
a. Recommends the creation and scheduling events;
b. Coordinates the necessary tasks to schedule venues and create invitations;
c. Attends Departmental and Undergraduate Studies Committee meetings;
d. Arranges fundraising activities.
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5. Vice-President Internal
a. Maintains members list and volunteer hours;
b. Mobilizes members for events and volunteer opportunities;
c. Organizes and updates the club space and bulletin board;
d. Attends Departmental and Undergraduate Studies Committee meetings;
e. Takes notes at executive meetings and other club related meetings;
f. Contacts the appropriate authorities for conflict resolution amongst executives and members (please see Appendix C).
6. Vice-President External
a. Spokesperson for the club to the business community, to the Students’ Union, and
other governmental bodies;
b. Seeks out and maintains business and organizational sponsorships for UC_SLSA;
c. Attends Departmental and Undergraduate Studies Committee meetings;
d. Seeks out and maintains club relations with other campus groups on behalf of
UC_SLSA.
Article 6: Terms of Office
1. The term of office for all elected positions shall be for one year, commencing May 1 and ending
April 30.
2. Current executives are permitted to continue their position with the UC_SLSA, providing
that they continue to satisfy all requirements outlined in the Constitution. (Constitution
Amendment - November 2021).
3. An executive may resign from his or her position by providing written notice to the President.
4. The UC_SLSA shall abide by the procedures outlined in Article 7 when electing a new
president and Article 8 when appointing new executives. (Constitutional Amendment -
November 2021).
5. An executive may be removed from his or her position by a majority of vote of the other
UC_SLSA executives if they:
a) Demonstrate an ongoing conflict of interest that cannot be resolved;
b) Demonstrate unethical behaviour;
c) Fail to fulfill the duties and responsibilities assigned;
d) Fail to follow the policies and procedures of the club; or
e) Are absent from three consecutive meetings without a valid excuse.
Article 7: Elections
1. Please see Appendix A. (Constitutional Amendment - November 2021).
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Article 8: Appointments
1. Please see Appendix B. (Constitutional Amendment - November 2021).
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Article 9: Transition of the Executive
1. From April 1 to April 30 it shall be the responsibility of the departing executive(s) to orient the
newly elected executive(s) to their responsibilities including:
a) Teaching about SU policies and procedures;
b) Setting up new Club Hub Accounts;
c) Transferring custodianship of club records and materials including office and mailbox
keys, locker combinations, passwords to email accounts, etc.
2. It is the responsibility of the outgoing executive(s) to ensure that all SU requirements including
the submission of a complete Annual Report have been fulfilled before the incoming
executive(s) assume office.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the outgoing executive(s) to bring all accounts up to date to the
end of the fiscal year and to prepare any required financial statements with the club.
4. The outgoing President and/or VP Finance shall arrange with the incoming executive(s) for the
transition of the club bank accounts by April 30.
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Article 10: Meetings
1. Executive meetings:
a) Announced , scheduled and chaired by the President as needed with reasonable notice;
b) Includes all executives in the discussion and decision-making process of running the
UC_SLSA;
c) Substantial decisions and votes require a minimum of four executives in attendance;
d) Agendas and minutes are not available to the public.
2. General meeting:
a) Held once per year (announced, scheduled, and chaired by the President);
b) Advance notice of at least one week shall be given;
c) An annual report is presented to the general members;
d) Constitutional amendments are approved as needed;
e) Agendas and minutes are available to general members.
Article 11: Dissolution (Constitutional Amendment - November 2021).
1. The club shall not pay any dividends or distribute its property among its members.
2. If the club is dissolved, any funds or assets remaining after paying debts are to be paid to a
non-profit organization to receive the assets by two-thirds majority at an Annual General
Meeting. At no time shall any members receive any assets of the club.
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Article 12: Amendments
1. This constitution shall comprise the operating basis of the UC_SLSA.
2. All amendments to this constitution must be ratified by a two-thirds majority vote of the club
membership at an Annual General Meeting.
3. A copy of the amended constitution shall be submitted to the Students’ Union.
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General Apprentices
Appendix A
The following procedures must be followed for the appointment of a new President:
1. The Election of a new President should take place no later than April 30 of the following year
to ensure for the smooth transition of all positions (Constitutional Amendment, November
2021).
2. Prior to the election, all previous executives of the UC_SLSA will participate in an interview
process organized with all prospective presidential candidates (Constitutional amendment,
November 2021).
a. Any executives that wish to run in the upcoming election will not be permitted to
participate in the vetting process (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
3. In addition, the UC_SLSA may appoint a Chief Returning Officer (CRO) to administer and
oversee the upcoming election (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
a. The CRO will not be eligible to run in the election.
4. The current executives and general members can nominate themselves and others in the club
to run.
5. General members will be given a period of two weeks to express interest in any vacant
position(s).
a. An election shall be announced to the general members through social media and all
discussion channels, as appropriate (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
b. Candidacy is to be communicated to the UC_SLSA by providing all relevant
application materials (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
6. UC_SLSA Executives are eligible to vote if they are not going for the President executive
position (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
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Appendix B
The following procedures must be followed for the appointment of new Executives:
1. Advertisement and promotion of the open or vacant position will be disclosed within all social
and communication networks (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
a. General members shall be given a period of at least two weeks to prompt interest to and
vacant position(s).
2. Current UC_SLSA Executives are responsible for designing an application form and interview
questions.
a. Current executives that wish to apply for a future executive position will need to
indicate their interest and will be asked to step back from the design of the application
(Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
3. Current UC_SLSA President and Executives, who will not be participating in the upcoming
academic year, are responsible for electing the new UC_SLSA Executive (Constitutional
Amendment, November 2021).
a. If the future club president has been chosen they may participate in the selection of all
future club executives.
4. Hazing is prohibited, especially if it causes bodily or psychological harm and distress.
Appendix C
The following procedures should be followed for Club Conflict Resolution:
1. Current UC_SLSA Club Executives should work together to create a mandate for the Club
Conflict Resolution (Constitutional Amendment, November 2021).
2. Executives have a right to schedule a meeting with the Coordinator of Student Organizations
at the Student Union to facilitate conflict resolution between parties.
3. All Executives have a responsibility to adhere to Club Conflict Resolution mandates and to
facilitate a complete resolution with all parties for the proper functioning of the club.
a. Any other forms of resolution including the removal or resignation of an executive
must require the correspondence of all Executive members (Constitutional
Amendment, November 2021).