SHORT FILM CLUB CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of this organization shall be: Short Film Club.

The organization is a student organization at the University of North Texas.

ARTICLE II – Objectives

The Objectives of the organization shall be:

I. To promote interest and education in short films and filmmaking.

II. To provide fellowship among students and faculty.

III. To represent student needs and wants in regard to short films.

IV. To provide a forum for the presentation of innovative ideas to the benefit of the university community.

ARTICLE III - Governing Rules and Regulations

I. This organization shall comply with all University Policies (including the Code of Student Conduct) and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal laws.

II. The most current version of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by this constitution.

ARTICLE IV - Membership

I. Membership in this organization is limited to any student service fee paying student who is currently enrolled at the University of North Texas.

II. Membership is open to all students without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, political affiliation, disability, marital status, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, or veteran status.

III. Active members are defined as those who participate in Short Film Club activities including but not limited to meeting attendance, Short Film Club events or productions.

IV. Only active members are eligible to vote.

ARTICLE V - Officers

I. Eligibility

a. To be eligible to serve as an officer of the organization, an active member shall possess (at the time of election and during their term of office) at least the minimum requirements regarding enrollment, GPA, and disciplinary standing as stated in UNT Policy 07.019 (Student Organization Policy).

b. An active member who fails to meet any one of the requirements is automatically ineligible to serve as an officer until all criteria are met.

II. Election and Officers

a. The nomination and election of officers shall occur annually at the membership meeting held in April.

b. The officers of this organization are President, Vice President, Treasurer, Records Officer, Social Media Coordinator, and Outreach Coordinator.

c. Officers will be elected by anonymous written ballot, with each present active member casting a vote. A plurality of votes will constitute a victory.

d. Election of the officers will take place at the last general meeting of the Spring semester.

e. Officers will assume office for the period of one year.

f. Any position can have two (2) active officers if a majority vote constitutes it so.*

III. Officer Titles and Duties

a. President

i. Serve as the official representative of organization.

ii. Supervise and coordinate the activities of the organization. Organizes special committees.

iii. Serve as the liaison between the organization and University community.

iv. Call regular and special meetings and presides over meetings of the organization.

v. Presides at meetings.

vi. Prepares agenda for meetings.

vii. Maintain communication with Student Activities and ensure that all organizational information, including registration, is current.

viii. Ensure that all officers are performing their duties as defined in this Constitution.

ix. Keep advisor informed of activities and functions of the organization.

x. Be familiar with UNT policies (especially 07.019 Student Organization Policy and the Code of Student Conduct) as they relate to student organizations and communicate them to the organization as needed.

xi. Provide all documents and records pertaining to their responsibilities to the newly-elected President.

xii. Assign special projects to officers.

xiii. Liaison to Eagle’s Nest Inter-Organizational Council.

b. Vice President

i. Assume the President’s responsibilities in their absence.

ii. Assist the President in their duties.

iii. Keep accurate records of all meetings in the Records Officer’s absence.

iv. Plan and be responsible for all retreats and training of the organization.

v. Performs other duties as directed by the President.

c. Treasurer

i. Maintains accurate and current account of all organizational funds.

ii. Responsible for dispensing of funds in accordance with goals and programs established by cabinet vote.

iii. Serves as the primary signatory on financial accounts.

iv. Seeks out other income or fundraising opportunities.

v. Performs other duties as directed by the President.

d. Records Officer

i. Maintains accurate and current information of the organization and membership.

ii. Documents meetings and events through various mediums.

iii. Collects and archives educational material created by officers, leadership, and members.

iv. Keeps accurate minutes of special meetings and forwards copies to officers.

v. Keeps attendance records for all Short Film Club meetings.

vi. Responsible for maintaining and updating Short Film Club website.

vii. Performs other duties as directed by the President.

e. Social Media Coordinator

i. Notifies all members of meetings.

ii. Recruits new members.

iii. Maintains all social media outlets.

iv. Assists President and Vice President to coordinate social media activity.

v. Assists Records Officer in providing content and maintaining the Short Film Club website.

vi. Performs other duties as directed by the President.

f. Outreach Coordinator

i. Recruits new members.

ii. Assists President and Vice President to coordinate events.

iii. Assists Social Media Coordinator to coordinate social media activity.

iv. Assists Records Officer in providing accurate attendance of outreach events.

v. Performs other duties as directed by the President.

IV. Recall for Officers

a. Officers are subject to recall for malfeasance in office.

b. Recall procedures will be initiated at the request of five active members.

c. A preliminary hearing will be conducted at a leadership meeting with all of leadership in attendance for the presentation of evidence from all concerned parties. Both parties will receive equal time not to exceed 30 minutes each. Immediately afterwards, all ballots must be cast without debate. The minutes and ruling from the hearing must be publicized at the next scheduled general meeting.

d. A majority of those active members voting in a recall at the end of the hearing is necessary to remove any officer.

e. If a consensus is not reached at the preliminary meeting, an appeal will be conducted at the next scheduled general meeting with the same procedures and guidelines as the preliminary meeting.

f. The officer in question reserves the right to forego a hearing at the cost of their current position.

g. An Election for the vacant position must be held no later than 10 days after dismissal.

ARTICLE VI – Meetings

I. Membership Meetings

a. Meetings will be open to all organization active and associate members, faculty, and the Student Activities and Organizations representatives. A notice of at least two (2)* weeks will be given prior to all meetings. The meetings are to be organized and controlled by the officers and active members.

b. Short Film Club will hold General Meetings and Production Workshops in a rotating, bi-weekly schedule. The dates and times of each meeting will be decided before the start of the regular semester by leadership. Any cancellation, change of time, or change of location must be made known to the public a minimum of 72 hours before the event would begin, with exception of emergencies.

II. Officer Meetings

a. Officer meetings shall be held bi-weekly during the academic school year.

b. Meetings are open only to officers.

c. Officers are allowed one vote per motion.

d. The quorum required to conduct business is a majority of the officers.

e. Unless otherwise stated in this constitution, a motion is considered passed with a majority vote.

ARTICLE VII – Advisor

I. Eligibility and Selection

a. The advisor shall be selected by the officers.

b. To be eligible to serve as the advisor, the person must be a full-time UNT faculty or staff member.

c. The advisor has no term limit as long as they remain eligible.

II. Expectations

a. Perform the responsibilities listed in UNT Policy 07.019 (Student Organization Policy).

b. Has no voting rights within the organization.

c. Be available to officers and members for consultation, advice, counsel, and as a resource.

d. Be familiar with and provide guidance on university policies and Student Activities procedures pertaining to student organizations.

e. Meet regularly with the President.

f. Sign and/or approve required Student Activities and university paperwork.

g. Attend the organization’s meetings and activities when necessary.

h. Keep open lines of communication with Student Activities on matters of concern, regarding the student organization.

III. Removal and Vacancy

a. If the organization wishes to remove the advisor, the advisor will be notified in writing of the possible removal at least 72 hours prior to the vote and will be allowed to address the officers in order to relate any relevant defense prior to the voting for removal.

b. Upon a majority vote of officers, the advisor will be removed from their duties.

c. In the event that an advisor is removed or resigns, a new advisor shall be elected within 15 school days. A change in advisor information should be immediately reported to Student Activities.

ARTICLE VIII – Finances

I. Dues

a. Dues and other fees, as well as the collection schedule, may be set by a majority vote of active student members.

II. Payment

a. Organizational funds may be spent on items such as office supplies, events and activities, publicity, travel expenses, and conference fees, but will not be used for anything illegal under University policy or local, state, and federal laws.

b. The Treasurer and President shall be responsible for ensuring the payment of all debts accumulated by the organization.

III. Transition

a. It shall be the responsibility of all account signers to change contact information, as well as assist in the update of new account signatures with the organization’s financial institution, after each election.

IV. Dissolution

a. In the event that the organization ceases to exist, any funds remaining in the organizations’ bank account shall be donated to the Habitat for Humanity of Denton County.

V. Out-of-Pocket Expenses

a. Any expenses incurred during any SFC productions or Independent will not be refunded by UNT Leadership, SFC Advisors, UNT, or SFC Members.

ARTICLE IX – Voting

I. This constitution and by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of those voting, a quorum being present.

II. Voting on amendments must be conducted after a minimum notice of 2 weeks.

ARTICLE X – Not-For-Profit Statement

This is a not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit does not earn profit for owners. All money earned through pursuing business activities or through donations goes right back into running the organization.

ARTICLE XI – Statement of Non-Discrimination

This organization shall not discriminate on the basis of age, color, ethnicity, gender, national origin, disability, or handicap, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status. This policy will include, but is not limited to, recruiting, membership, organization activities or opportunities to hold office.

ARTICLE XII – Financial Obligations

A majority of voting members of the organization may determine reasonable dues and fees assessed to each member at the beginning of each semester. A specific member of members, designated by the organization, shall be responsible for payment in full of all debts accumulated by the organization not covered by funds on deposit.

ARTICLE XIII – Statement of Non-Hazing

This organization will not engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or person attending the institution.

ARTICLE XIV – Compliance with Campus Regulations

This organization shall comply with all campus policies and regulation and local, state, and federal laws.

ARTICLE XV – SHORT FILM CLUB BY-LAWS

I. Additional Leadership Positions

a. Production Workshop Committee

i. The Production Workshop Committee will consist of one head and a minimum of three committee members determined by plurality vote at the last general meeting of the Spring Semester.

ii. Production Workshop Committee members will lead the Production Workshop Meetings.

iii. Production Workshop Committee members are responsible for assisting members in the technical skill associated with filmmaking, and responsible for workshopping members’ scripts and providing beneficial feedback.

b. Keep it Short Producers

i. The Keep it Short Producer(s) (2 maximum) will be determined by plurality vote at the last general meeting of the Spring Semester.

ii. Keep it Short Producers are responsible for producing content which highlights the filmmakers and their short films.

c. Resource Chair

i. The Resource Chair will be determined by majority vote at the last general meeting of the Spring Semester.

ii. Resource Chair is responsible for maintaining upkeep and growth of Short Film Club’s resources including but not limited to: equipment, prop closet, casting book, etc.

iii. Must utilize proper legal procedures regarding private information regarding rentals.