WPI Science Fiction Society Constitution. New constitution passed as of November 12, 1986. This constitution last amended or revised August 28, 2007. This most recent revision has been approved by the club. Preamble: We the Students of the SFS, in Order to form a more awesome Club, establish Socializing, insure Wedge Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote gamer Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Geekdom to ourselves and our Successors, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the WPI SFS. [The] WPI SFS is chartered by and eligible to request 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. Article I - Club Name: Section I - Proper Name The name of the organization shall be the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Science Fiction Society. Section II - Abbreviation It shall be colloquially referred to as "WPI SFS", or simply "the SFS". Article II - Purpose: Section I - Purpose The purpose of the organization will be to provide entertainment for the campus through the promotion of interest in science fiction and related genres. Section II - Library The organization will maintain a collection of books, games, videos, magazines, and other ephemeral media in a library for use by its members. These works will usually fall under the category of science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, space development, or adventure. The library will be supported via the annual budget from the SGA and from member donations. Article III - Membership Section I - Active Membership (Graduate and Undergraduate) A. Requirements are as follows: Dues are to be paid to the treasurer in the form of five dollars or five books in acceptable condition, or an equivalent substitution as determined by the officers, at the start of the school year or upon joining the club. These donations must be in fair condition, as determined by the Club Officers. All members must be currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate WPI students. Active membership is attained by paying all dues in full. Dues are considered to be paid as of the start of the current academic year, even if they are paid during a later time that same year. B. Privileges of members are as follows: all members are entitled to use the library. They may participate in voting and can participate in any and all club activities, including fundraising, conventions, trips, contests, and entertainment. In addition, the right of active members to keep and bear Nerf weapons shall not be infringed. C. Responsibilities are as follows: Active members have no responsibilities beyond adhering to club regulations and guidelines. Officers' responsibilities are listed in their job descriptions. In addition, all officers are required to attend 75% of all meetings. Section II – Alumni Membership A. Status is as follows: While only current graduate or undergraduate students are eligible for active membership in the SFS, the SFS maintains a strong non-student presence. To exclude these individuals from participating in club activities would be unfair. Therefore, they may be entitled to some privileges while not being active members. B. Privileges are as follows: The Librarian may lend materials to these individuals at their own responsible discretion. These individuals may enjoy the benefits of SFS events on the condition that they pay yearly dues to cover their expenses. Dues paying individuals may be recorded in membership rosters and lists as Alumni if they hold those positions. C. Restrictions include: Members who are not currently enrolled as graduate or undergraduate students may not vote in any elections. Their ability to pay dues in order to attend SFS events may be individually overruled by a 2/3rds vote of the permanent Officers. As they are not students they are not guaranteed the same rights as student members. D. Responsibilities are as follows: Active members have no responsibilities beyond adhering to club regulations and guidelines. Section III - Membership Cards All who pay dues will be given membership cards, these cards to be signed by one officer. Article IV - Officers and Non official posts Section I - General Officers Duties The SFS Officers are in charge of organizing meetings and fund-raising events, and keeping the club in operation. They are to see to it that the purpose of the club remains intact and fulfilled, and will promote and establish a place and time where SF fans can meet and relate their common interests. Section II - Permanent Offices The offices of the WPI Science Fiction Society are: President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Librarian Section III - Officers' Responsibilities A. The President shall run the club and fulfill all responsibilities not covered by other officers or committees. The President oversees activities, delegates responsibility, mediates and chairs meetings. B. The Vice President will run the club in the president's absence. He is responsible for seeing that the SFS is represented at the (U)SGA meeting whenever there is a need for it. C. The Treasurer shall keep track of all funds and be responsible for purchases when the money is available. He is responsible for keeping track of membership dues, and the financial status of the club. The treasurer will also represent the group at OCFC meetings. D. The Secretary will take attendance at all meetings, at the discretion of the officers. He also will mail newsletters, meeting notices, post-meeting summaries, and other information to club members as necessary. E. The Librarian(s) assumes the responsibility of updating the library list on the computer as often as need be so as to list more recent acquisitions in the proper order. The Librarian is responsible for organizing and caring for the library and is permitted to loan books to anyone. Section IV - Committees Committees shall be formed by the President whenever there is a need. They will exist as long as the need exists. At the end of this time, they will be dissolved. Section V - Non-Permanent Offices The President has the power to appoint any member to a Non-Permanent Office for as long as necessary. The non-permanent office may be revoked by the President at any time, and is not entitled to the same privileges as the present permanent officers. Section VI - Eligibility Only active members are eligible for office. A member is only eligible for officership if, at the end of his elected term, he will be in no later than his fourth year at WPI. A transfer student must be registered as a freshman, sophomore, or junior at the time of elections to be eligible for officership. Article V - Meetings Section I - Meeting Time Meetings shall be held every Wednesday during the school year, at a time deemed acceptable by a majority of active members. Section II - Quorum A quorum will be in attendance if 1/2 of the active members are present. Section III - Opening/Closing Meetings The President (or the Vice President in the President's absence) opens and closes the meeting. Any member may submit a topic for discussion. Any topic may be vetoed by the President or Vice President in the President's absence. Article VI - Election and Removal/Replacement Of Officers Section I - Nominations will be taken at the first meeting of C term for all offices except that of Librarian. Nominations must be accepted by the nominee. Elections will be held during the second meeting. A person will be elected by simple plurality of all active members voting. The Librarian is decided by a majority decision by the new officers. If the officers are divided, the President decides. All officers will then serve for a term of one year. If an office is prematurely vacated, a special election will be held. The newly elected officer will serve out the remainder of the standard term of office. If the Librarian vacates prematurely, the same officer selection process occurs. Section II - Impeachment Proceedings An officer may be impeached by a motion to impeach, a second of that motion, and a 3/4 vote of all active members. The constitutional clause on special elections then becomes operative. Article VII – Judicial Action Section I - All students are permitted active membership provided they pay annual dues. However, if a student partakes of dishonest or criminal activity, the SFS reserves the right to bar them from events, library usage, and other membership privileges. Offenses that may warrant such a punishment include but are not limited to: theft; causing a major disturbance; endangering the welfare of oneself or others; and ignoring posted guidelines. If the offenses are egregious enough, then a majority of the officers may vote to bar the active member from future employment of membership privileges. Section II - If barring a student from events proves inadequate disciplinary action for an active member the officers will go before the Campus Hearing Board or Campus Police to see a resolution. Article VIII - Finances Section I - The SFS is funded primarily through the SGA; however, it is also funded through membership dues, donations from current and former active members, and donations from businesses in exchange for advertising. Article IX - Advisor Section I - The SFS advisor is Prof. G. Phillies of the Physics Department. Article X - Library Section I - The Librarian(s) shall be in charge of maintaining the library. Depending on funding, additions and improvements may be made to the library. The club may also subscribe to appropriate magazines. Currently the library is located in Riley Hall's former Newspeak office. (In his tomb at Riley Great Cthulhu dreams). The President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and Librarian(s) shall have keys to the library. Section II - Anyone who borrows Library materials becomes responsible for the care and maintenance of those materials. Borrowers are required to sign out library materials before borrowing them, and must do so through the Librarian(s) or their designated agents as approved by the other officers. If materials become damaged or lost, it is incumbent upon the Borrower to replace them in the Library. If they do not do so, their membership becomes revoked, until such time as they do replace the materials. Article XI - Computer Account The club maintains a Unix account under the name "sfs" in which the library list is held and other information may be stored which pertains to the club. This information and its storage will comply with all rules regarding the WPI computer network and its access. This information and its storage is available on an unlimited basis for access from Unix system personal accounts. This information can only be updated by club officers with appropriate access, and shall not be tampered with by members of the club. Article XII - Constitution Revision To amend any of the club rules, a 2/3 vote of all active members, and approval of 2/3 of the permanent officers is required. Article XIII – Emergency Clause The Permanent Officers shall have Power To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the Science Fiction Society, or in any Committee or Officer thereof. Article XIV - SOC and Organizational Affirmation Clause The SFS agrees to abide by the policies of Worcester Polytechnic Institute as well as all federal, state and local laws. Any changes to this constitution and/or bylaws will follow, in word and spirit, all WPI policies and all federal, state and local laws.