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Constitution

Amended 10-31-07

Preamble:

Konichiwa, let it be heralded to the four corners of the Known World the purpose of this merry band of honorable folk: "this band is devoted to the study of pre-seventeenth century culture, and members work to re-create the arts and skills of the Middle Ages and early Renaissance and demonstrate to all who would watch and learn what life would have been like during the age of chivalry."

Let it also be known, that these folks are a lawful folk and their activities will not conflict with the laws of the national and state governments and with the policies of this university.

Article I: Name

The name of this group shall be Falcon's Gate.

Article II: Member Requirements

Falcon's Gate shall be open to all who wish to join and no regard shall be made to the members' age, race, creed, religion, color, handicap, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

The only requirement for the Falcon's Gate, as a whole, is at least five students of good academic standing (Cumulative GPA 2.0 or above) must be members of the group.

Article III: Leadership

The following positions of leadership shall be held by members of Falcon's Gate, with the requirement that one of the officers notify other members of when and where meetings will take place before the meeting.

Seneschal: (otherwise known as president)

The Seneschal is the representative of the group to the university and any other people or organizations.

The responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Organize and run meetings.

2. Act as a liaison between the campus organization and the university and our mother group Falcon's Keep.

3. Keep members current of new university regulations as they pertain to student organizations.

4. Act as main representative for Falcon's Gate when other people or organizations need information on Falcon's Gate.

5. Be a positive source of leadership and chivalry to the rest of the organization.

Qualifications for the position of Seneschal shall include the following:

1. Be a student of UWSP in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above).

2. Attend meetings regularly and contribute to the organization.

3. Possess excellent leadership and communication skills.

4. Possesses a great deal of patience and an open mind.

Deputy Seneschal: (otherwise known as vice-president)

The responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Act as assistant to the Seneschal.

2. Act as Seneschal in the event of the seneschal's absence.

3. Coordinate leaders of the commitati and keep the rest of the members informed.

Qualifications for the position of Deputy Seneschal shall include the following:

1. Be a student of UWSP in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above).

2. Consistently attend meetings and contribute to Falcon's Gate.

3. Possess good leadership and communication skills.

The Exchequer: (otherwise known as a treasurer)

The responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Maintain accurate records of dues and monies accumulated by Falcon's Gate.

2. Keep the Gate informed on financial success or failures of fundraisers.

3. Maintain the accounts of Falcon's Gate with SGA and be present at any budget meetings.

Qualifications for the position of Exchequer shall include the following:

1. Be a student of UWSP in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above).

2. Possess good book keeping skills.

3. Consistently attend meetings and contribute to Falcon's Gate.

Chronicler: (otherwise known as a secretary)

The responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Maintain accurate records of meetings.

2. Lead the sage Comitatus.

3. Pass on the information of the Gate of past meetings and current goals.

4. Post minutes of the Gate meetings to the e-mail list.

Qualifications for the position of Chronicler shall include the following:

1. Be a student of UWSP in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above)

2. Possess good writing and organizational skills.

3. Consistently attend meetings and contribute to Falcon's Gate.

Technology Wizard: (otherwise known as Web Weaver)

The responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Maintain and update Falcon's Gate web site

2. Gather member information for member's web page (including preference not to be on the site)

3. Send messages to be posted on UWSP Message of the Day.

Qualifications for the position of Technology Wizard shall include the following:

1. Be a student of UWSP in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above)

2. Possess good computer skills

3. Consistently attend meetings and contribute to Falcon's Gate.

Elections

A: Time

1. Elections shall normally be held in the spring of the academic year.

2. Fall semester elections shall be held if:

a. An officer no longer meets the qualifications of their office

b. An officer is forced to leave office for unforeseen reasons

c. During the spring elections there are no candidates able to hold the position for more than one semester

B: Voting Process

1. Nomination Process

a. Any member of Falcon's Gate may nominate themselves or another member for office

b. Candidate must consent to nominations for an office

c. The nomination process shall begin one week before scheduled elections and end at the 'call to order' of the election meeting

2. Officers and committees will be elected by a majority vote of the Falcon's Gate.

3. Removal of officers from office

a. A challenge may be made against any member currently holding office by any other officer or member with more than one semester's participation within Falcon's Gate.

b. This challenge must be upheld by majority at the meeting

c. A nomination must be made for a replacement officer (see nomination process)

d. A majority vote is to be made one week after the challenge and all members alerted.

Article IV: The Comitati

A Comitatus (also known as an executive committee) will be organized on the basis of need as determined by a two-thirds majority of the members present at the time of the vote.

Any chiefs that are deemed necessary by the comitatus will be elected by the comitatus. The length of office held will last for as long as the comitatus is in existence.

Comitatus size will be determined on the basis of members willing to work on said comitatus.

Comitatus do not have the authority to make any decisions for Falcon's Gate as a whole, nor do they have the authority to override the Constitution.

Article V: Meetings

Falcon's Gate shall meet on a weekly basis. If a special meeting is requested, the Seneschal must authorize the meeting and is responsible for alerting the rest of the members. Fighter practices shall be held on a weekly basis.

Article VI: Treasury

Falcon's Gate shall not require dues to be paid by members.

Falcon's Gate will accept donations from the members of the Gate. Any other monies accrued shall come from fundraisers and any other funds allocated by SGA. All monies gained will be placed into a student account with the University in accordance with university policies. Any access to this money will be in accordance with university policy.

In the event that Falcon's Gate should dissolve, any money in the account that was allocated by SGA shall return to SGA. Other monies, from fundraisers, shall be given to the Shire of Falcon's Keep, in accordance with SCA policies.

Article VII: Amendments

In order to amend the Constitution, all members of Falcon's Gate must be alerted one week in advance, in writing, by the seneschal as to what the new amendment constitutes and when the cote will occur. It will be the responsibility of each member to be present at the meeting of the vote.

In order for an amendment to be ratified, a three-fourths majority vote will be required. A member may submit a write-in vote, in the event they are unable to attend the meeting.

Article VIII: Date of Constitution

Let it be known that this constitution of Falcon's Gate was written and reviewed in the month of September during the year 1997 C.E.; And last in September 2001, A.S. 36; And amended April 2002; amended April 2005, and amended October 2007.

Article IX: By-Laws

I All members will respect other members, and treat each other with the highest ideals of Chivalry, Honor, and Virtue.

II Members who are not students of UWSP shall be accorded honorary status. Honorary members cannot hold office, handle finances, ride in university vehicles, or act as agents of the state in any way for Falcon's Gate. In addition, they need to carry their own insurances in instances where activities might be involved.

III Members who willingly display wanton disregard for the ideals of the SCA or act in a churlish fashion shall be expelled by the Gate in the same manner as outlined for amending the constitution. The person in question first must receive an official warning from the Seneschal. The person also has the right to an appeal before the vote for expulsion.

IV Any charges of additions to these by-laws shall be made by a simple majority vote by the members present at the time of the vote. There needs to be a week's notice to all members before the vote may take place.

V Any who wish to view the records of the Falcon's Gate shall be free to do so, with the permission of the seneschal, or in accordance with current university policy in regards to access of organizational records.