The following is the outdated 2/25/07 constitution for AAFSA was amended from the 1998 version adopted by HASA. If you want the new GF version, click here.
Grove pages: AAFSA Constitution, Word 2007 .docx, .pdf format
(rev. 2/25/07)
Article I: Name
The name of this organization is the Atheist, Agnostic and Freethinking Student Association, hereafter abbreviated by the acronym AAFSA. AAFSA is a special interest group at the University of Florida. AAFSA is a not-for-profit and non-commercial student organization.
Article II: Purpose
The purposes of AAFSA are the following:
1. To provide an open and supportive environment for, and enhance the educational experiences of, local atheists, agnostics, deists, humanists, skeptics, and other freethinkers.
2. Dedicated to examining, discussing, advocating, presenting, and improving the image of: atheism, agnosticism, freethought generally, skepticism towards supernatural claims, and the nontheistic worldviews.
3. To promote ethics through secular humanism, responsibility, science, rational thought, critical inquiry, and the worth of the individual.
4. To ensure the separation of church and state.
Activities consistent with our purpose and sponsored by AAFSA may include:
1. Discussions and presentations
2. Visits from guest speakers from local and national secular organizations
3. Organized debates
4. Demonstrations and lobbying
5. Coordination and affiliation with like-minded organizations
Article III: Membership
Official membership shall be limited to registered students of the University of Florida. Membership is automatically granted to any registered student who requests it. A private record of the membership of AAFSA shall be kept by the secretary of AAFSA. Our meetings and activities are open to the public at large, however, non-registered students at UF, including the faculty advisor, cannot vote in elections. Faculty, staff, the spouses of members, and other students may be associate members. Associate members may not hold office or vote on matters concerning this organization. Members are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution or harassment.
Article IV: Nondiscrimination and No Hazing Statement
AAFSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation. AAFSA does not support any induction requirements for members, nor does AAFSA sponsor or condone “hazing” in any form. Consistent with University policy and our own ethical principles, no member will be pressured or forced to participate in any hazing, or degrading initiation ritual, nor any process to disengage from AAFSA. Members are free to leave and dissociate without fear of retribution or harassment.
Article V: Meetings
Regular official meetings will be held at least once a month. The frequency of meetings may be changed by a hand-vote decision of a simple majority of the members present at any official meeting of AAFSA.
Article VI: Finance
No dues, "hat-passing", or membership fees of any kind will be imposed on AAFSA members at any time.
Student government funding may be sought as a concurring decision of the President and Treasurer.
Article VII: Officers
Elected officers and their duties include:
1. President -- shall be the official representative of the group to other organizations and UF; preside over regular and executive meetings; act as the liaison between members and the faculty advisor; coordinate group activities.
2. Vice-President -- shall assist the president; preside over meetings in the absence of the president; work with the Secretary in keeping a record of members and attendance; perform the duties of the president in his or her absence.
3. Secretary -- shall record minutes of each meeting, to be used as an historical record.
4. Treasurer -- shall have custody of all funds and items of value possessed by the organization; keep complete records of funds; pay bills; oversee other monetary transactions including fund raising and social activities; prepare and maintain an annual budget; be present at student government meetings as necessary to aid in the procurement of funding.
All of the officers must be willing to fill in for the duties and responsibilities of the other officers should the need arise.
Article VIII: Election Procedures
Elections shall be held at the first regular meeting during the month of February.
Officers are elected by a simple majority of all members during the first official meeting in February. The election will be conducted by secret ballots, and the counting will be openly conducted by and confirmed by all of the officers present at that time. The results of the election will take effect the next day. Thus, the terms for officers run from the day after the election until the day of the next election, a term of one year. There are no rules of any kind surrounding nominations, nor who may run for election. Any member of AAFSA may nominate herself/himself for any officer candidacy and is eligible for election to any position. Any officer may be re-elected to any office an unlimited number of times.
Temporary appointments may be made, at the discretion of the President, in order to fill a position, if a vacancy occurs. A special election would then be held at the next meeting to elect a new officer to the vacated office using the same guidelines as the general election − a simple majority vote by the members using secret ballots.
Should the members choose to impeach an officer, impeachment may occur by a 3/4 majority vote of all of the members present at an official meeting of the organization. A special election would then be held at the next meeting to replace the impeached officer using the same guidelines as the general election − a simple majority vote by the members using secret ballots.
Article IX: Faculty Advisor
The duties of the faculty advisor include:
1. Support the club members in fulfilling the purpose of the club
2. Be an academic resource for the club
3. Represent the club to the community and the University of Florida as needed.
The faculty advisor will be chosen by the President. Once the faculty advisor accepts, she or he will continue to hold the position until the advisor (any of the following):
1. No longer wishes to hold the office
2. Can no longer fulfill the requirements of office
3. Is voted by a 2/3 majority of the members to be replaced during the general election. Thus, the term of the faculty advisor runs from the first official meeting in February until the next election. The new faculty advisor will be chosen by the President in all cases.
Article X: Adherence to Student Regulations
Members of AAFSA are willing to adhere to the Student Guide and other laws, bylaws, rules, and regulations governing the University of Florida and its students at all times.
Article XI: Amendments
A 2/3 majority of members present at an official meeting may amend this constitution or rewrite it. The new constitution must then be ratified before the old one is retired and replaced. A review of this constitution must occur yearly, during the session of general elections (first regular meeting in February).
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