University Student Fibers Guild

Mission Statement and By-Laws

1. Statement of Program Purpose, Goals
1. University Student Fibers Guild (USFG)
2. The USFG was established in February of 2003 from students interested in fiber arts and techniques in the hope that they will be able to continue to learn and teach others about fiber arts.
3. Power for this set of by-laws can also be found in NWRSA's Bylaws and ANWG's Bylaws.
4. Our goal is to promote the continuation of knowledge about fibers and related techniques, in a relaxed and positive environment. Also, to promote learning in the community and to help those that are less fortunate than ourselves.

1. Membership
1. Membership must be open to all fee-paying students
1. Exec. R 88.1 Membership: No individual can be excluded from a program on the basis of political ideology, but every individual in a program must be sincere to the goals of the program.
2. Exec R 83.1 Elections: Membership in a program may be defined by the program as long as the membership rules allow an equal opportunity for all students to participate in the program and there is no other violation of the rules of the ASUO, the University of Oregon, or the State of Oregon.
2. Authority and Responsibility of Members

1. Pay dues
2. Attend meetings
3. Vote in annual elections.
4. Share knowledge and Skills
2. Equal Opportunity Statement
1. Exec. R 82.1 Equal Opportunity: The ASUO affirms the right of all individuals to equal opportunity in education, employment and access to incidental fee-funded programs and their funded activities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, different ability, national origin, marital status, veteran's status, or any other considerations not directly and substantially related to effective participation.
1. Officers and their Job Descriptions and Responsibilities

1. Co-Presidents

1. To organize and bring order to the group. To regulate junior officers in  their duties and one another, in order to promote the stated mission and goals of the guild.
1. Take duties of Secretary when there is not a person available to perform the duty.
2. Publicize and inform the public and fibers communities about the guild.
3. To organize and regulate events, not including workshops.
4. Secondary signers of checks.
2. Term of Office: One Year
1. Secretary:
1. To take and keep track of minutes for each guild meeting and to keep a guild roster. Also, to be a tie breaker in the case of an even vote.
2. Term of Office: One Year
2. Treasurer:
1. To keep track of all fund activity for the guild. Duties also include being the primary check signer, due collector, organizer of fundraisers, in charge of the dispersement of funds. Once a year there must be an appointed committee to audit the treasurer with at least one non-officer among them. Also, the treasurer must prepare a statement to the guild once a month.
2. Term of Office: One Year
3. Newsletter Coordinator:
1. To produce a bi-term newsletter for the guild
2. Term of Office: One Year
4. Workshop Coordinator:
1. To organize the venue for workshops and to aid the events coordinator.
2. Term of Office: One Year
5. Community Service Coordinator
1. To organize community service events and projects for the guild.
2. Term of Office: One Year
6. Guild Contact
1.  To be a contact for the guild from outside organizations. Also, to report on these outside organizations to the guild.
2. Term of Office: One Year
7. Website Manager
1. This job is based upon skill and webpage competence. The job is to produce and maintain the guilds website.
2. Term of Office: One Year
8. Member:
1. To attend meetings and contribute to the guild.
2. Elections

1. Quorum: Fifty percent have to be present.
2. In order to have voting rights a member must attend at least three meetings per term and be in good standing with the guild. 

1. To be in good standing with the guild a member must have their dues paid in full to the guild and attend three meetings per term.
2. All members must be able to vote
1. Programs may elect their directors and other staff provided the following criteria are met. All candidates must be afforded the same opportunity to disseminate information to the electorate. The electoral process must insure that every constituent has an equal opportunity to vote, and that every constituent's vote has equal weight in determining the outcome of the election. Only student members of the program may vote in an election for any position having authority in an ASUO program. Membership in a program may be defined by the program as long as the membership rules allow an equal opportunity for all students to participate in the program and there is no other violation of the rules of the ASUO, the University of Oregon or the State of Oregon. Membership rules must be filed with the ASUO Programs Coordinator prior to any election. The ASUO Programs Coordinator must be notified of any elections, and either the Programs Coordinator or the Elections Coordinator must oversee the elections.
3. Before an election the election should be announced by both the newsletter and also by email to all current members.
4. Elections will be made within the first month of Spring Term
5. In order to recall officers a majority vote must be made by the voting members.
6. The person who is responsible for overseeing elections is a non-partisan member of the guild who shall be appointed by the guild before the election.
7. When a resignation occurs the guild must hold an election to replace the resigning member, following regular election processes.
8. At least fifty percent of the guild must be present in order to vote for officers.
9. A person can hold more than one position, but not more than one senior office.
10. Turn in Program By-Laws to the ASUO Elections Coordinator before the election.
11. Notify the Programs Coordinator and Elections Coordinator before the elections.
3. Meetings

1. Every week, with one meeting a month being a business meeting
2. Decision-making process

1. Consensus by the members is required, if consensus can not be reached then a point voting system will be used. Where every member has ten points to disperse among the topics to be voted upon, unless a member decides to remain neutral, in which case they will become exempt from voting.
2. Fifty percent of the guild must be present
3. All members in good standing can vote
4. During summer, when the guild does not meet, decisions will be made by those members still present in Eugene
5. Committees will be formed if necessary, but most likely decisions will be made by the group.
4. Grievances

1. The process for resolving grievances against/between officers, staff, members, etc... will begin with mediation within the guild. If this fails, then outside mediation should be sought.
2. If an officer is delinquent in their duties, then the Co-Presidents have the duty to ask for a resignation of their office.
3. The guild interprets the rules and bylaws, though the Co-Presidents have the final say in what it means.
4. Mediation Process will begin with a non-partisan member of the guild mediating the confrontation. If this fails then an outside mediator should be found.
5. Dissolution of the Program

1. In the event that our guild is dissolved all excess materials should be divided equally among the remaining members of the guild or donated to the University of Oregon Fibers Department. Any remaining funds are to go to the University of Oregon Fibers Department.
6. Amending the By-Laws

1. To amend a by-law it must first be presented to the guild and then voted in by a majority of those present.
2. The quorum must be fifty percent of members in good standing.
3. If petitions are used signatures must be legible.
4. When there is a change all of the members and the public must be notified.
5. Amendments will take effect the next term after members are notified.