Viking Union Box 222
516 High St.
Bellingham, WA 98225
Students for Disability Awareness
Students for Disability Awareness
Associated Students
Western Washington University
CONSTITUTION
Approved on 5/12/2008
Article I. Name
The name of this organization will be Students for Disability Awareness.
Article II. Purpose/Objectives
Students for Disability Awareness is an organization meant to:
- Spread awareness and to educate the WWU community about the disability culture
- To promote equal opportunities and better accessibility for all students, faculty, and staff with disabilities, (regardless of nature).
- To empower them with the strength and tools to have a positive university experience while working with campus resources.
Article III. Membership
Membership is open to people with and without disabilities that are willing to dedicate time to the spreading of awareness and advocacy. The SDA upholds the right to provide a safe, open and accepting environment. Any member that hinders another’s ability to experience this environment will be asked to terminate their membership if the member chooses not to comply.
Article IV. Executive Board
The Executive Board is responsible for managing finances, sustaining membership, and overseeing and planning of activities. All of the organization’s expenses and activity proposals must be approved by a majority vote. The Executive Board can appoint other leadership roles by a majority vote when necessary. The Executive Board must approve any official statements or interviews, unless the President must speak on behalf of the organization in an urgent matter.
The President speaks on behalf of the organization, leads the Executive Board and the General Membership. This person oversees the Advocacy Coordinator as well as all operations of the organization. All contracts must be signed by the President after being approved by a majority of the Executive Board. The President prepares all of the Executive Board and General Membership meeting agendas.
The Vice President is responsible for assisting the President and managing public affairs. The Vice President also will oversee the Publicity Coordinator. This person will be responsible for making sure that all general correspondence get directed within the organization and will make sure that all correspondence is responded to in a timely manner. He/she will help the President draft official documents for the organization.
The Secretary provides meeting minutes, notes, and location reservations for every Executive Board meeting, and collects and keeps record of all minutes for the committees. This person writes letters on behalf of the organization when necessary. The Secretary will oversee the Resource Coordinator. The Secretary compiles and sends a Weekly Update to the General Membership.
The Treasurer is responsible for the management of finances for the organization and provides weekly reports to the Executive Board. He/she requests approved funding from the AS Board or other local and campus organizations, balances the organization’s account, and deposits any donations the organization receives into the account. The Treasurer will oversee the Fundraising Coordinator. The Treasurer will prepare an annual budget report summarizing the year’s finances and making projections for the following year.
Article V. Coordinators
The purpose of the coordinators is to focus specifically on important aspects of SDA. These jobs are in order to assure that the Executive Board members can better complete their responsibilities, rather them just focusing on one area of their specific job. When necessary, coordinators are responsible for submitting weekly reports to the Secretary.
The Advocacy Coordinator will deal with the political aspects of the SDA, assuring that the group is well informed as well as making the voice of the SDA heard throughout Western Washington University and at the state and national levels. These aspects include writing letters and meeting with internal and external stakeholders. This person will be overseen and work closely with the President. This person is required to submit an Advocacy Update to the Executive Board at least monthly. All internal and external political stances must be approved by the Executive Board.
The Publicity Coordinator will oversee the publicity that needs to happen within the SDA. This person will be responsible for making sure that the public is aware of the SDA and the events that it promotes and will work closely with the AS Publicity Center. He/she will work with the Resource Coordinator to coordinate resource tables to publicize SDA. This person will be overseen and work closely with the Vice President.
The Resources Coordinator will make sure that staff and students are aware of the resources that are available to students on campus and make sure that relevant resources are available at all SDA events. They will also make sure that the resources available on campus are aware and informed of SDA activity. He/she will work with the Publicity Coordinator to coordinate resource tables to publicize SDA. This person will be overseen and work closely with the Secretary.
The Fundraising Coordinator will be responsible for making sure that the SDA gets sponsors and funding. He/she will coordinate fundraisers and write letters to potential sponsors to meet the funding needs projected by the Treasurer. This person will be overseen and work closely with the Treasurer.
Article VI. Elections
Elections shall take place in May or June of each academic year for Executive Board and Coordinator positions. The format of the election shall be decided by the Executive Board. The officer is elected by a simple majority vote of the General Membership. If there is a vacancy after an election or a resignation during the academic year, the Executive Board shall fill the position.
Article VII. Meetings
The Executive Board is required to attend weekly meetings determined by the President.
The four coordinators will be required to attend one meeting a month. This meeting will be chosen by the Executive Board.
The General Membership meets monthly to stay up to date on the organization’s recent developments. These meetings are organized by the Executive Board.
If at any time an Executive Board officer finds it necessary to advise members the Executive Board or the General Membership, emergency meetings may be called forth to distribute needed information.
Article VIII. Finances
The SDA finances each activity organized by the organization or otherwise requests funds from other funding sources. The Treasurer and the Fundraising Coordinator are held responsible for all donated and collected funds. Upon each finance report received from the AS Finance Office, the Executive Board, with the assistance of the Treasurer and the Fundraising Coordinator, will evaluate the budget and discuss financial opportunities. Any expenses must be approved by the Executive Board. If an expense needs to be approved prior to an Executive Board meeting, the Treasurer can have the President approve and send an e-mail to the Executive Board, allowing a board member to object.
Article IX. Amendments
The constitution of the SDA may only be amended by a 2/3 vote of the general membership. Any amendments must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board and approved by a simple majority to be placed on the General Membership agenda for a vote.
Contract Amendment
All elected officials must sign a position contract each quarter within their elected year. Renewed contacts must be signed two weeks prior to the end of the previous quarter.