Sample Lobby Corps Constitution: Sonoma

THE LOBBY CORPS OF SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Lobby Corps of Sonoma State University (SSU) is to provide concerned students with the necessary skills and experience to lobby the student perspective in local, state, and federal arenas.

This mission shall be achieved by creating campaigns to be presented before government representatives. The Lobby Corps of SSU shall communicate with its members, disseminate current information to students, and coordinate its efforts with both the California State Student Association (CSSA) and Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) of Sonoma State University.

Associated Students, Incorporated

Sonoma State University

Lobby Corps of Sonoma State University Code

Approved by the ASI Board of Directors, April 3, 2000

Purpose:	The purpose of this Code is to provide guidelines and procedures for the Lobby Corps of Sonoma State University.
Scope:	This Code applies to Officers and members of the Lobby Corps of SSU.
Effective Date:	This Code shall become effective on April 3, 2000.
Amendments:	This Code may be amended by a majority vote of the Lobby Corps of SSU with final approval from a favorable majority vote of the ASI Board of Directors.

Name

This body shall herein be referred to as the Lobby Corps of Sonoma State University or Lobby Corps of SSU.
Membership

All students of Sonoma State University shall be allowed to have membership. Each member shall have an equal vote in all functions of the Lobby Corps of SSU.
Meetings
1. General Body
  
  The General Body shall meet a minimum of once per month during the academic year. The times and places of these meetings shall be determined by the Executive Officers at the beginning of each academic year and may be modified for purposes of membership accommodation.
  1. Emergency meetings may be called by the Chair or Vice-Chair
    when it is deemed necessary.
  2. When regular classes are not in session, the Chair shall retain decision-making authority for the Lobby Corps of SSU.
Officers

The officer positions shall be Chair, Vice Chair, and Regional Officers (two per region). The ASI Vice-President of University Affairs shall also hold an executive position.
1. Chair
  1. The Chair shall be responsible for disseminating all pertinent state legislative information to the General Body.
  2. The Chair shall be responsible for organizing students to lobby officials at the state level.
  3. The Chair shall be the primary and official representative of the Lobby Corps of SSU in reaching out to other institutions in regards to state legislative issues.
  4. The Chair of the Lobby Corps of SSU shall be responsible for presiding over the meetings of the General Body.
  5. The Chair shall post the agendas prior to each meeting of the General Body.
  6. The Chair is responsible for training and updating the incoming California Student Association Representative about the previous activities of the Lobby Corps of SSU. This shall ensure continuity for the Lobby Corps of SSU as well as the sharing of prominent contacts, situations, and goals between the outgoing and incoming officers.
2. Vice-Chair
  1. The Vice-Chair shall be responsible for disseminating pertinent Rohnert Park legislative information to the General Body.
    a. The Vice-Chair shall hold the position of ASI Representative to the Rohnert Park City Council, upon approval by the ASI Board of Directors.
  2. The Vice-Chair shall be responsible for organizing students to lobby officials at the local or county levels.
  3. The Vice-Chair shall preside over the meeting of the General Body in the absence of the Chair.
3. Regional Officers
  1. Regional Officers shall be responsible for choosing a municipality and staying current with the events and legislation of that area.
    1. Officers may be responsible for areas including, but not limited to, Cotati, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and the County of Sonoma.
    2. Where available, Regional Officers shall sit upon a City Council as an ex-officio member.
  2. Regional Officers shall disseminate pertinent information to the General Body at each meeting.
  3. Each region shall have two officers to ensure adequate student representation at all appropriate government functions.
Selection and Appointment Procedures
1. The California State Student Association Representative shall hold the Chair position.
2. The Vice-Chair shall be recommended by the incoming California State Student Association Representative of that year.
  1. The term of the Vice-Chair shall begin upon approval from the ASI Board of Directors.
3. The Regional Officers shall be appointed by an Interviewing Committee consisting of the Lobby Corps of SSU Chair and Vice-Chair, and the ASI Vice-President of University Affairs.
Resignations
1. Voluntary resignations for the Lobby Corps of SSU must be submitted in writing to the Chair. Vacancies may be filled for the remainder of the term as soon as possible and in the same manner as the original appointments.
2. Involuntary resignations from the Lobby Corps of SSU shall result:
  1. if any voting member acquires three unexcused absences from regularly scheduled meetings during one academic year. An unexcused absence is one in which the member does not notify the Chair or his/her intention not to attend a meeting.
  2. when the regional officer is no longer carrying out their responsibilities as outlined in their job description. Regional officers shall first receive a verbal warning from the Chair and Vice-Chair. If further action is required, a written warning shall be sent from both the Chair and Vice-Chair. The final step shall be termination of the officer from that position.
Actions
1. Any state action taken shall be set forth by the Chair and voted upon by the General Body.
2. Any local actions shall be co-sponsored by the Vice-President of University Affairs and set forth by the Vice-Chair and voted upon by the General Body.
3. A simple majority vote (51%) shall establish any proposed action.
4. Approval from the ASI Board of Directors shall activate any proposed action.
5. As per State and Federal Laws for non-profit 501(c )(3) corporations, the Lobby Corps of SSU shall not use more than 5% of the ASI budget for political purposes.
Sponsorship

The Lobby Corps of SSU is limited to sponsoring activities and organizations, which ocus mainly upon legislation and/or policies, which affect student life. However, the Lobby Corps of SSU may give guidance, advice, information, and recommendations to organizations or groups, which offer to advance non-student related issues such as social justice, environmentalism, U.S. Constitutional Rights, and any other topics which are of concern to the students.