PSSO Constitution

Article I - Name

Section 1 The name of the organization within Western Michigan University shall be the Professional Support Staff Organization.

 

Article II - Commitment

Section 1 Commitment should be demonstrated through attendance at meetings and active support of organizational goals. An Executive Board member, who misses two (2) meetings (with Administration, Executive Board and/or General meetings) during the year without an excused absence, will cause her/his position to be declared vacant. The Executive Board will appoint a new officer to serve for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Excused absence shall be defined as absence from work due to illness, annual leave, an emergency on the day of the meeting or with prior approval of the President and one other Board member.

Article III - Goals

Section 1 Serve as a unified representative of active non-exempt non-bargaining personnel who are benefit eligible at Western Michigan University

Section 2 Aid in resolving general concerns of the group and individual concerns of its membership.

Section 3 Seek to have representatives serve on various University committees affecting the welfare of the members of this organization.

Section 4 Seek to establish a process of consultation, with the administration, prior to implementation of new University policies and/or procedures affecting the membership.

 

Article IV - Membership

Section 1 Membership in the organization shall be open to all benefit eligible non-exempt non-bargaining employees of Western Michigan University and former PSSO member retirees. Membership dues are outlined in Article II of the PSSO Bylaws

Section 2 Only active members shall be entitled to vote and hold office. All members, active and retired, may participate in meetings, committees and functions of the organization.

Section 3 Membership shall terminate upon failure to pay membership dues, resignation, transfer to a classification other than that defined in Article IV, Section 1.

 

Article V - Officers

Section 1 The elected officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and five (5) Members-at-Large.

Section 2 Terms of office shall be for a period of one fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), Additional term(s) in elected positions shall be subject to re-election.

Section 3 Vacancies of an office occurring during a regular term shall be filled for the remainder of the fiscal year by appointment of the President, with the approval of the Executive Board.

 

Article VI - Committees

Section 1 Standing committees shall be Publicity and Membership. The chairpersons of these committees shall be appointed by the President and shall serve one-year terms.

Section 2 Each standing committee chairperson may recruit as many members as needed for a term of one year or less, expiring on June 30.

Section 3 Vacancies of chairpersons in any of the standing committees shall be filled for the remainder of the fiscal year by appointment of the President, with approval of the Executive Board.

Section 4 The President shall have the authority to appoint any special committee and shall inform the Executive Board of such appointment.

Section 5 Representatives to University committees shall be appointed by the President. Length of service shall be that which is determined by the University.

 

Article VII - Executive Board

Section 1 The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President and 5  members at-large.

Section 2 The Executive Board shall have the authority to guide and direct the activities of the organization and to fill any vacancies on the Board that may occur, until the next annual election.

 

Article VIII - Nomination Committee

Section 1 The Nominating Committee, consisting of 3 non-board members, shall be appointed by the Executive Board at the January Board meeting and announced in the February newsletter.

Section 2 Only members in good standing shall be eligible for nomination to elective offices.

Section 3 The Nominating Committee's duties shall consist of:  

             a. preparing nomination form to be sent to membership by mid-February. 

             b. collection of these forms shall be completed by the end of February. 

             c. all nominees shall be contacted for their consent to run for elective offices by mid-March. 

             d. a brief biography of candidate shall be submitted by the end of March. 

             e. a ballot containing a list of candidates and bio's shall be submitted to the board by the April Executive Board meeting. 

             f. ballots shall be mailed to membership by mid-April and returned by the end of April. 

             g. all candidates shall be notified of voting results by mid-May. Notification to the Executive Board and membership shall also be announced.

 

Article IX - Meetings

Section 1 Four regular general meetings shall be held during the year in tentatively September, November, February, and May and shall be open to members and non-members.

Section 2 Special general meetings may be called by the President. This would include ratification of Bylaws and Constitutional changes.

Section 3 Special Executive Board meetings shall be called by the President as deemed necessary.

Section 4 At the beginning of each fiscal year, one Executive Board meeting shall include the presentation of annual reports of the previous year's business.

 

Article X - Amendments

Section 1 A call for a proposed amendment change must be presented in writing twice to the membership.  A vote on a proposed change may be overseen electronically, allowing for a reasonable time interval for responses from the membership.  At least two weeks is required between the first notice and the deadline for the vote. 

Section 2 If two-thirds of the responding members vote in favor of such amendment(s), this constitution shall be so amended.

Section 3 Voting may be by electronic or written ballot.