Student Organization Constitution

Created 2021-2022

Accessible Futures DePaul may also be referred to as Accessible Futures, AFD, or Futures. More nicknames, acronyms, and abbreviations may come into use as the organization grows.

Article I: Mission, Purpose & Values

This organization seeks to create a safer and more inclusive environment for Disabled students at DePaul University. We will achieve this with programming, advocacy work, and through the community we create together. We seek to serve Disabled students by creating a community that prioritizes the lived experience of Disabled students and by advocating for widespread accessibility and social change. Our organization is rooted in values of community-building, advocacy, change, and justice. This organization reflects the Vincentian belief that every human is inherently worthy of community and support and similarly rejects the notion that societal power structures dictate human worth. Addressing the social inequality that is rooted in ableism is imperative to the Vincentian mission.

Article II: Non-Discrimination

Membership, leadership, and activities will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, family relationship status, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information or other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

Article III: Amendments

An amendment to the organization constitution may be proposed at any point throughout the academic year by members of the general body who have been active participants for at least one academic quarter, any active officer, or the organization advisor. An “active member” is a member that displays interest and participates in a variety of ways. This includes attending virtual or in-person meetings, interacting in online forums such as our Facebook group, contacting leadership for updates on the organization, and more.

The amendment proposal should include: 1) current constitution article in question or issue at stake 2) detailed description of the proposed change 3) substantive reason for the change as it relates to the organization’s mission. The amendment proposal should be submitted via email or presented verbally to the president and advisor.

A 2/3 vote of the active officers is required to pass an amendment. Ratification of the amendment shall be enacted as soon as feasible, by the beginning of the following academic quarter at the latest. The general body should be notified of any change to the organization’s constitution via DeHub announcement and/or email.

Article IV: Officer Titles and Duties

The leadership shall consist of the President, Treasurer, Vice-President, and Secretary; all shall share equal power and status. All officers are expected to work together respectfully, constructively, and effectively. When representing the organization, officers are expected to exhibit and model behavior that supports the mission of the organization.

1. Duties and Responsibilities
   1. President
      1. Preside over leadership and/or general body meetings
      2. Complete annual DeHub renewal
      3. Serve as a liaison between the organization and the faculty advisor
      4. Contact Student Involvement should the need arise, ensure the organization is completing all requirements necessary
      5. Help other leaders with their respective tasks if needed
      6. Oversee and assist with event planning
   2. Treasurer
      1. Create and manage budget and financial accounts
      2. Present analysis of financial position to other e-board members and the general body if necessary
      3. Apply for SAF-B funds with the assistance of the president
      4. Lead fundraising efforts
      5. Fund events
   3. Vice-President
      1. Complete tasks of the president in their absence
      2. Assist the president in various tasks
      3. Lead recruitment efforts
      4. Provide smooth transition and training for officers
      5. Preside over elections
      6. Organize event logistics such as location, accessibility measures, timing, etc.
   4. Secretary
      1. Record notes and distribute meeting recaps to all members of the general body and e-board
      2. Provide quarterly updates on organization goals, objectives, and actions to all members
      3. Communicate with other student organizations and University departments as needed
      4. Advertise events
   5. All E-Board
      1. All members are expected to work together to plan events, set organizational goals, assess progress towards goals, set deadlines, and plan future actions. Although each member has stated duties, it is imperative that leadership is willing to be flexible. Leadership must be understanding of how disabilities may affect one’s ability to participate and recognize that we must be interdependent. Leadership also must be communicative with access needs and requests for help with tasks.
2. Elections & Appointments

   To be eligible for an officer position, the candidate must be a current student at DePaul University, support the mission of the organization and support liberation for Disabled people. Although one does not need to disclose disability status to join this organization or serve on the e-board, we ask that all members be mindful that we seek to prioritize the lived experience of Disabled people and wish to see this reflected in both our advocacy work and leadership. The general body must be notified of all leadership changes.

   1. Elections
      1. Elections will take place during the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd week of the Spring Quarter. Candidates will express their interest to the current e-board and the general body. All general body members will have the opportunity to vote and there will be several ways to vote, both in-person and remotely for accessibility reasons. The candidate that receives the most votes will serve in the position after Spring Quarter ends. Their official start date will be June 15th.
   2. Appointment
      1. In the case of a sudden and/or unexpected office vacancy, each remaining officer shall nominate a current general body member of the organization for consideration and with that person’s prior approval The remaining officers must all agree on who should fill the vacancy
3. Resignation

   Officers may choose to resign at any point for any reason including but not limited to academic success, change of major, relocation, physical/mental health, family obligations, personal reasons, etc. The resigning officer must provide a resignation notification to the remaining officers and organization advisor. They need not disclose the reason they are resigning.

4. Discipline & Impeachment

   If an officer has been found in violation of the organization’s requirements or acts against the mission/values of the organization, disciplinary action may be taken. All efforts towards reconciliation will be made, assuming the officer in violation is willing to participate in that process. Any consequences will be logical and non-punitive.