The Caucus Constitution

Constitution of the Widener University School of
Law Republican Caucus (The Caucus)

Preamble

On this, the 24th day of January in the year 2001 the Widener University School of Law Republican Caucus having assembled for the first time have read and considered the following Constitution and decided to adopt it as the sole governing document of said organization. The Caucus aforementioned is committed to representing a true conservative voice on this campus and in our community. Its members and Central Committee affirm their commitment to the ideals of this democratic republic in which we live.

Article I – Name

The organization shall henceforth be known as the Widener University School of Law Republican Caucus and shall be referred to in this Constitution as simply “the Caucus.”

Article II - The Central Committee

The Central Committee of the Caucus shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Central Committee shall be the Caucus’ only standing committee and have the authority to make decisions on issues when it is not feasible to have the Caucus immediately decide the issue.

Section 1 - The President

The president of the Caucus shall be chosen for a term of one year by general election of the eligible voting members of the Caucus. A plurality is needed to select the president. The president may run for reelection.

No person shall attain the office of President who is not an eligible voting member of the Caucus.

The president shall preside over meetings of the Caucus when they shall meet in General Session, and shall have broad procedural authority.

The President may form committees as they are required and choose the chairman of any such committee.

The president shall not vote in caucus meetings except in the event of a tie, or during an election for a central committee member or an impeachment proceeding.

The president may veto any resolution passed by the caucus, except an election or impeachment of a central committee member. The veto may be overridden, however, by a three-fourths majority vote of the caucus members present that are qualified to vote in a caucus meeting.

Section 2 - The Vice President

The vice president of the Caucus shall be chosen for a term of one year by general election of the eligible voting members of the Caucus. A plurality is needed to select the vice president. The vice president may run for reelection.

No person shall attain the office of vice president who is not an eligible voting member of the Caucus.

The vice president shall preside over meetings in the absence of the president, and shall carry out duties assigned by the president.

The vice president shall assume the office of the president in case the president should choose to step down, graduate, or be impeached.

In case of impeachment proceedings against the president, the vice president shall assume the office of the president until the matter is resolved.

Section 3 - The Secretary

The secretary of the Caucus shall be chosen for a term of one year by general election of the eligible voting members of the Caucus. A plurality is needed to select the secretary. The secretary may run for reelection.

No person shall be elected to the office of secretary who is not an eligible voting member of the Caucus.

The secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings and distribute copies to all members.

The secretary shall be responsible for publicizing meeting times, location, and proceedings.

The secretary shall handle all correspondence that is sent in the name of the Caucus.

Section 4 – The Treasurer

The treasurer of the Caucus shall be chosen for a term of one year by general election of the eligible voting members of the Caucus. A plurality is needed to select the treasurer. The treasurer may run for reelection.

No person shall be elected to the office of treasurer who is not an eligible voting member of the Caucus.

The Treasurer shall faithfully administer all Caucus funds and shall regularly submit a written report of the financial status of the organization.

The treasurer shall be responsible for managing the budget of the caucus.

Article III – Membership and Meetings

Section 1

Meetings of the Caucus shall be called regularly by the president and open to the public, but in extraordinary circumstances, the meetings may be closed to all but voting members when a majority of the voting members resolve to do so.

Section 2

Any member of the Widener University School of Law community committed to the ideals of the Republican Party is eligible for membership. Those ratifying the Constitution shall be charter members of the Caucus. New members may join at any time if sponsored by a voting member in good standing and approved by a majority of voting members present.

Section 3

In cases where a member has proven unfaithful to the Caucus or the Republican ideals upon which the caucus is formed their voting privileges may be suspended by a three-fourths vote of the membership. The accused shall be notified of the charge at least one week in advance and shall have the right to speak on his/her behalf. Voting privileges may be restored after a one-month probation by a three-fourth vote.

Section 4

Any voting member or central committee member may introduce resolutions at meetings. Resolutions shall be adopted by consent of a majority of the voting members present.

Article IV - Impeachment

Section 1

Any central committee member may be impeached and removed from office for failure to perform his prescribed duties properly and in good faith, and for conduct unbecoming an central committee member of the Caucus.

Section 2

Charges of malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance may be levied by any present voting member of the caucus, and must receive support of at least one central committee member.

Section 3

Charges against the central committee member shall be presented to him, in writing, at least one week before impeachment proceedings, and he shall have the opportunity to question his accusers and to speak in his own behalf.

Section 4

No central committee member shall be removed from office unless charges have been levied against him by at least one voting member and one central committee member and without the vote of three fourths of the present voting members.

Section 5

In no case shall judgment in impeachment extend beyond removal from office.

Article V - Terms and Elections

Section 1

Elections shall be held at the first meeting of each spring term. The term of office for each central committee member in the Caucus shall end upon election of a successor at the first meeting of the spring term.

Section 2

Should an office in the Central Committee become vacant, the president shall call for a special election to fill the office.

Section 3

Written notification of elections must be given to all members at least one week prior to elections.

Article VI - Ratification

This constitution shall become the governing document of the Caucus, replacing all other by-laws and resolutions of the Caucus, except for the last selection of central committee members prior to ratification of this document, upon approval by a majority of the voting members of the caucus.

Article VII - Amendments

This constitution may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds vote of the voting members of the Caucus.