Constitution

The WPI Gay Straight Alliance is charted by and eligible to receive funding from the WPI Student Government. We hereby accept any financial or organizational regulations established by the Student Government. Our membership is open to all WPI undergraduate students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

The WPI Gay Straight Alliance was organized to provide a necessary voice and body for the men and women at WPI who are themselves Bisexual, Lesbian, or Gay and for others supportive or concerned with the well-being of their fellow Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay campus members.

ARTICLE I. Name

Section 1. The name of the group shall be the WPI Gay Straight Alliance (WPI GSA).

ARTICLE II. Purpose

Section 1. To provide a community for Bisexual, Lesbian, Transsexual, transgender, asexual and Gay members and allies.

Section 2. To offer a social, educational, and support network for group members, which would include:

• group meetings
• social events
• books, pamphlets, and literature
• films
• communication with similar support groups

ARTICLE III.Membership

Section 1. The membership of the WPI GSA is open to any member of the WPI community.

ARTICLE IV. Steering Committee

Section 1. Steering committee membership is voluntary and open to anyone in the group.

Section 2. The steering committee will organize programs and attend to day-to-day activities of the group.

Section 3. The committee will consist of no fewer than two members, one functioning as group treasurer.

ARTICLE V. Meetings

Section 1. Meetings will be held every week or as deemed necessary by the group.

ARTICLE VI. Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws

Section 1. Amendments to the constitution and bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the steering committee one week prior to their consideration.

Section 2. These amendments will be discussed at the next group meeting, and all amendments will require a majority vote to pass.

ARTICLE VII. Steering Committee Responsibilities

Section 1. To provide communications between group members, and also between the group and other campus organizations.

Section 2. To provide a Student Government Association representative when ever the situation arises.

Section 3. To provide a treasurer for the group, whose function will be to:

• Maintain all financial records of the group.
• Periodically present a financial report for the group at its meetings.

Section 4. To provide no less than one Open Meeting per semester in an effort to reach out to our campus community.

ARTICLE VIII. SOC Enabling Clause

Section 1. The WPI Gay Straight Alliance agrees to abide by the policies of Worcester Polytechnic Institute as well as all federal, state and local laws. This Constitution and any revisions or amendments must be approved by the student approved by the Student Organization Council prior to implementation.

BYLAWS

1. Confidentiality.
   1. The names of the group members will always be kept confidential.
   2. There will be no pressure on any member to reveal their sexual orientation.
2. Dues.
   1. Dues will be collected on a voluntary basis.
   2. Financial ability will not be a basis to bar membership, nor cause for suspension.
3. Attendance.
   1. Attendance at any group function is voluntary.
4. Officers and Elections.
   1. A. Due to the confidential nature of membership in the organization, officers need not reveal their sexual orientation. Furthermore, the club will not discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender or any other means
   2. B. The Steering Committee may appoint officers to handle various responsibilities and tasks. Positions include:
      1. President: Chairs and facilitates the steering committee meetings, organizes the agenda for steering committee meetings, facilitates the direction of the club programming, regulates and distributes necessary duties for events, represents the club to the Student Government Association or the Student Activities Office when needed.
      2. Vice President: assumes the immediate responsibilities of the other officers should they not be in attendance at meetings, assumes the responsibilities of the president if the president is away from campus for an extended period, will become president should the president not be able to fulfill the full term in the position.
      3. Treasurer: maintain budget records, communicate financial information to SGA, is in charge of reimbursement forms
      4. Secretary: in charge of recording and dispersing meeting minutes, maintaining mailing lists, schedule meetings and book rooms, handles club communications and relays them to club members including, but not limited to mail, email, etc.
      5. Public Relations Officer(s): schedules table sitting (including getting tables, and humanpower), advertises for events sponsored by the club, maintains up to date website, increases general campus awareness of club
   3. There is no maximum number of committee members.
   4. Elections are not neccessary in the essentially collective structure of WPI GSA.
   5. In the event that there is more than one person interested in holding a particular position, an election may be held to resolve the issue.
   6. The format of any election will depend on the current group activity level, interest, and availability.
   7. Positions such as that of "Mentor" may be officer or non-officer positions, as appropriate for the changing needs of the organization.