Preamble

Our vision is a cooperative relationship between the New Brunswick public schools and Rutgers University. We are forming a learning community that will enhance the lives of those in New Brunswick and Rutgers students. Our goal is to improve elementary school education by strengthening literacy within the New Brunswick school system. We are forming in response to the pressing need for higher quality education. We seek to improve our community, our society, and the world.

Purpose

The Rutgers Readers seeks to build a literacy campaign in the New Brunswick public elementary schools. This literacy campaign will work toward the following goals:

1) improving reading abilities and the quality of elementary education,

2) fostering a love of reading in young children,

3) providing mentors and role models for young children,

4) improving the elementary school libraries with fundraising and book drives,

5) forming an on-going campaign with wide support.

Membership Requirements

Each interested college student must demonstrate a commitment to the Rutgers Readers by completing an application form with a brief essay and undergoing an interview with a Reader Leader. Each tutor who is accepted to the program after these two steps must then attend a training session before working with the children.

Each tutor must meet her/his commitment to the child and the elementary school by attending regularly scheduled sessions with the students and attending monthly Rutgers Readers meetings. Throughout the time at the New Brunswick school, s/he must follow the “Guidelines for

Appropriate Behavior” and the standards that are explained at the training sessions. By meeting

these standards, the Rutgers student’s membership will automatically be renewed for the following semester.

If these guidelines and standards are not met, the officers will handle the situation according to the following procedure:

1) discuss the deviations with the student,

2) present the student with a chance to explain the situation,

3) if needed, bring the situation to the advisor

4) decide whether the student should continue with the Rutgers Readers.

Officer Positions

There will be two co-presidents. One co-president will handle Internal Affairs, i.e. establish and build the Rutgers Readers within the university community. One co-president will handle External Affairs, i.e. foster relationships between the Rutgers Readers and the elementary

schools, public officials, and the New Brunswick community. The co-presidents shall work cooperatively themselves, with the treasurer, and with all members.

There will be a treasurer who will handle all financial matters. This officer is responsible for submitting allocation requests to the university governing associations.

There will be two public relations representatives, responsible for maintaining correspondence within the organization and overseeing publicity on the Rutgers campus.

Reader Leader positions will further maintain communication and organization within the Rutgers Readers group. Reader Leaders will aid in the interviewing and training of new members, as well as be responsible for their assigned Reading shift at the school. They will form a close relationship with their reading shift, overseeing attendance and addressing any questions or concerns which arise.

Officer Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an officer position, one must be a Rutgers Readers member for at least one semester. The potential candidate must demonstrate dedication and enthusiasm for the literacy program, as evident through her/his time commitment to the elementary school and

Rutgers Reader meetings.

Method of selection of officers

Each potential candidate must submit an application with an essay to the present Rutgers Readers co-presidents. The co-presidents will select their successors based on

1) number of semesters of participation in the Rutgers Readers

2) dedication to the literacy program

3) enthusiasm for the Rutgers Readers

4) strength of application with essay.

Selection occurs during the Fall of the officers final year at the University, or when he/she resigns from his/her position. Each officer chooses his/her successor.

Decision-Making

The co-presidents, treasurer, public relations officers and each Rutgers Readers member shall be a part of the decision-making process. In this cooperative organization, each person has the right to have her/his ideas discussed. In the case of a dead-end discussion, the ultimate decision-making power lies with the co-presidents.

Amendment Procedures

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote by the co-presidents, treasurer, public relations officers and Rutgers Readers members. Each of these people has the right to propose an amendment for debate. An amendment may be voted on with the written approval of both co-presidents.

Concluding Clauses

Membership shall be open to all Rutgers University students and must comply with federal laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, handicap, age, sexual orientation, or political and religious affiliation. Compliance with these laws means that membership, benefits, and the election of officers will not be made on the basis of these factors.

The organization shall abide by all applicable laws of the State of New Jersey and the United States.

This organization shall abide by all applicable rules and regulations of the University and under the privileges as granted by the Student Activities Office, Deans, and Dean of Students where chartered. This organization shall also abide by the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors, the University, and the Colleges as provided by the Board of Governors and the Deans of the Colleges.