Constitution
Article I: Name
The name of the organization shall be the Activities Council of Bradley University (ACBU).
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be:
A. Develop and maintain a variety of programs and activities worthwhile to students both socially and academically.
B. Develop and maintain a cohesive organization.
C. Promote good relations with the campus and community.
D. Provide programming assistance to other student organizations.
Article III: Membership
A. Membership in ACBU is open to all undergraduate and graduate students at Bradley University.
B. Membership shall be maintained by constant and competent participation in the various areas of ACBU.
C. A member must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of election/selection to a position. The member must also maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout his/her second semester of membership.
Article IV: Meetings
A. The General Council shall meet at least once per week per semester.
B. The General Council meetings shall be open to any Bradley student.
C. Attendance is required of all officers and coordinators.
D. An agenda shall be distributed to all members of the General Council prior to or at General Council meetings.
E. A majority of General Council members must be present at the General Council meeting to transact business. A majority shall be defined as one more than half of the voting members of the General Council, excluding the President.
F. The Executive Council shall meet at least once per week.
Article V: Executive Council
A. ACBU officers constitute the Executive Council and shall include President, Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of Programming, and Vice President of Communication.
B. The Executive Council shall be responsible for the following:
- Assist the General Council.
- Select the new General Council (See Article VI, Section F).
- Collectively sit twelve (12) office hours weekly, with a minimum of three office hours per officer.
- Each officer must check in daily on weekdays for messages.
- Each officer must attend the majority of ACBU events, even if not for the entire performance.
- Each officer is to be responsible for the supervision of the coordinators as assigned by the President.
C. Duties and privileges of the Executive Council:
- The duties and privileges of the President shall be:
- a. Work as an agent of ACBU, in conjunction with Bradley’s registered organizations.
- b. Act as the official representative of ACBU.
- c. Preside over the General Council and Executive Council meetings.
- d. Call special meetings of the General Council.
- e. Vote on the General Council, only in the case of a tie vote.
- f. Prepare an order of business prior to each meeting.
- g. Communicate daily with the Student Activities Office.
- h. Assign committee supervision responsibilities to members of the Executive Council.
- i. Organize and coordinate all membership recruitment activities, including the booth at the Activities Fair and one (1) recruitment night per semester.
- j. At the beginning of the spring semester, lobby SABRC for flat percentage of Student Activities Fees.
- The duties and privileges of the Vice President of Internal Affairs shall be:
- b. Facilitate group development and interpersonal relationships of ACBU through training, workshops, and social activities.
- c. Visit each committee’s meeting at least once per semester, to encourage committee development, and act as a liaison between the Executive Council and Committees.
- d. Coordinate the selection process of delegates to conferences and conventions attended by ACBU.
- e. Remedy any conflicts that arise within the General Council.
- f. Serve on the General Council as a voting member.
- g. Create, prepare and evaluate coordinator binders.
- h. Facilitate evaluation of the organization, its programming and its leadership at least once per semester.
- i. Preside over the General Council and Executive Council meetings in the absence of the President.
- The duties and privileges of the Vice President of Programming shall be:
- a. Represent ACBU on financial matters.
- b. Advise the General Council members on budget preparation and management.
- c. Serve on the General Council as a voting member.
- d. Create and distribute programming timeline and calendar of deadlines.
- e. Organize fund-raisers for ACBU.
- f. Assist coordinators in all aspects of programming, including but not limited to: facility reservations and set-ups, completing forms, meeting deadlines, etc.
- g. Preside over the General Council meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President for Internal Affairs.
- h. Assist the President in preparation and presentation of the request for a flat percentage of SABRC funds.
- The duties and privileges of the Vice President of Communication shall be:
- a. Keep a record of all proceedings of the General Council, as well as its membership roll.
- b. Coordinate all correspondence involving ACBU.
- c. E-mail meeting minutes to General Council and Executive Council members and post the minutes in the ACBU Office within 48 hours after the General Council meeting.
- d. Serve on the General Council as a voting member.
- e. Maintain the monthly ACBU wall calendar, message board and office hour log in the ACBU office.
- f. Prepare and maintain coordinator and Executive Council office hour schedule.
- g. Preside over the General Council meetings in the absence of the President, VP for Internal Affairs, and VP of Programming.
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a. Plan a fall retreat and spring transition program.
D. Nominations for ACBU officers shall be submitted one (1) week prior to the election of officers. Candidates should be prepared to present and discuss their qualifications at the time of elections.
E. The election process shall be as follows:
- Election of executive officers will be prior to the selection of General Council members.
- The order shall be President, Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of Programming, and Vice President of Communication.
- After each candidate gives his/her presentation, the General Council will be given the opportunity to ask questions.
- After all candidates for each position have given their respective speeches and answer questions, they will leave the room and a secret ballot vote will be taken.
- The vote required for election to the Executive Council is simple majority.
- After one position is filled the candidates for the next position in order (see Article V, Section E, Part 2) will follow the same process.
- An ACBU advisor must be present.
F. In case of vacancies in office, the following process shall occur:
- When a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice President of Internal Affairs shall assume the position of President.
- When a vacancy occurs in the offices of the Vice Presidents, the General Council shall elect the successor(s).
- The successor(s) shall serve the new position(s) for the remainder of the term(s).
Article VI: General Council
A. The voting membership of the General Council shall consist of the four executive officers and coordinators for the following areas: Campus Carnival, Comedy Afterhours, Lectures, Special Events, Visual Arts, Coffeehouse, U. Spirit, Siblings Weekend, Performing Arts, SERF and Marketing.
B. The duties and privileges of all General Council members:
- Check messages daily in the ACBU office.
- Attend at least one event sponsored by every committee, even if not for the entire performance.
- Sit at least two (2) office hours per week and notify the Vice President of Communication if there are any problems with present office hours. In the event of co-coordinator appointment, members should sit at least one hour together per week.
- Develop committees to aid in the fulfillment of the coordinator’s responsibilities.
- Inform the committees of their responsibilities at least four (4) weeks in advance of a program and to make sure they are carried out.
- Maintain the confidentiality of ACBU business.
- Attend and participate in all mandatory events - SERF shows, retreats, Homecoming, Siblings Weekend, Campus Carnival, Activities Fair, Recruitment Night and fundraisers.
- Responsible for following programming timeline established by the V.P. of Programming.
C. The individual job responsibilities of the General Council members shall be as follows:
- Duties and responsibilities of Comedy Afterhours (1 Coordinator):
- a. Research, plan, implement and evaluate a minimum of two (2) comedy shows per semester.
- b. Submit suggestions to the General Council for various comedy acts.
- c. Responsible for all aspects of Comedy Afterhours, including but not limited to: hospitality, room set-up, technical needs, etc.
- d. Prepare budgets for review by the General Council (see Article VIII).
- Duties and responsibilities of Performing Arts (1 Coordinator):
- a. Research, plan, implement and evaluate a minimum of two (2) performing arts shows per semester.
- b. Submit suggestions to the General Council for dance troupes, spoken word, theatrical performances and other performing arts acts.
- c. Responsible for all aspects of Performing Arts, including but not limited to: hospitality, room set-up, technical needs, etc.
- d. Prepare budgets for review by the General Council (see Article VIII).
- Duties and responsibilities of Lectures (1 Coordinator):
- a. Research, plan, implement and evaluate a minimum of one (1) lecture per semester.
- b. Submit suggestions to the General Council for various lecturers and presenters.
- c. Responsible for all aspects of Lectures, including but not limited to: hospitality, room set-up, technical needs, etc.
- d. Prepare budgets for review by the General Council (see Article VIII).
- Duties and responsibilities of Special Events (1 Coordinator):
- a. Research, plan, implement and evaluate a minimum of three (3) shows per semester.
- b. Submit suggestions to the General Council for various events, such as casino night, trips, hypnotist, etc.
- c. Research, plan, implement and evaluate the following events: at least two (2) Battle of the Bands (1 per semester).
- d. Search for Bradley talent to be used in performances.
- e. Responsible for all aspects of Special Events, including but not limited to: hospitality, room set-up, technical needs, etc.
- f. Prepare budgets for review by the General Council (see Article VIII).
- Duties and responsibilities of Marketing (at least 2 Coordinators):
- a. Promote ACBU and its activities to the campus and Peoria communities.
- b. Organize and administer campus opinion interest surveys.
- c. Inform Bradley University and target audiences of upcoming activities through press releases, personalized letters, public service announcements, Scout advertisements and local and regional newspapers, etc.
- d. Coordinate distribution of press releases for all programs 3 weeks and 1 week prior to event. Includes notifying the Office of Public Information of all programs.
- e. Responsible for the design and printing of all printed advertising and promotion (including but not limited to posters, flyers, table tents, and mailbox stuffers) at least 2 weeks prior to event.
- f. Prepare and submit weekly program information to Scout.
- g. Responsible for any other special promotions.
- h. Responsible for distribution of weekly ACBU email newsletter informing students of upcoming ACBU events and any other pertinent information regarding the organization.
- i. Prepare budgets for review by the General Council (see Article VIII).
- Duties and responsibilities of Coffeehouse (2 Coordinators):
- a. Research, plan, implement and evaluate performances for weekend Café Bradley events to be held on a biweekly basis.
- b. All performances must abide by Café Bradley programming policies.
- c. Prepare budgets for review by the General Council (see Article VIII).
- Duties and responsibilities of U. Spirit (at least 2 Coordinators):
- a. To be responsible for all activities pertaining to school spirit.
- b. Establish theme and coordinate events for every day of Homecoming Week, including but not limited to King & Queen selection.
- c. Prepare budgets for review by the General Council (see Article VIII).
- d. Work with Alumni Affairs in coordinating a cohesive schedule.
- Duties and responsibilities of Campus Carnival (1 Coordinator):
- a. Responsible for all activities pertaining to campus carnival.
- b. Work with Siblings Weekend Coordinator in selecting a theme and creating a cohesive schedule.
- c. Plan additional activities to augment the carnival.
- d. Ensure all money raised is donated to local charitable organizations.
- e. Solicit student organizations to sponsor carnival booths.
- Duties and responsibilities of Siblings Weekend (at least 2 Coordinators):
- a. Coordinate a weekend of activities for students and their siblings.
- b. Design brochure and coordinate mailing with the SAO.
- c. To find and organize entertainment and activities for the entire weekend of Siblings Weekend.
- d. Work with the Campus Carnival coordinator in selecting a theme and creating a cohesive schedule.
- Duties and responsibilities of Visual Arts (1Coordinator):
- a. Select film series for fall and spring semesters.
- b. Responsible for obtaining volunteers to collect tickets and money at each film screening.
- c. Responsible for all aspects of projectionists for all ACBU sponsored movies, including training, evaluation, scheduling, and payment.
- d. Prepare budgets for review by the General Council (see Article VIII).
- e. Prepare and distribute student survey regarding potential movies each semester.
- f. Coordinate projectionist schedule with the Bradley Tech Crew Coordinator.
- Duties and responsibilities of Special Events Reserve Fund (SERF) (1 Coordinator):
- a. Research, plan, implement and evaluate major concerts and comedians.
- b. Be familiar with all SABRC policies and procedures regarding SERF.
- c. Solicit programming ideas from other student organizations.
- d. Oversee all aspects of concert programming.
- Duties and responsibilities of Website Design (1 Coordinator):
- a. Create and maintain ACBU website.
- b. Update website weekly according to ACBU program schedule.
- c. Website should include, but not be limited to the following:
- i. ACBU Constitution
- ii. Current event schedule
- iii. Links to movies and performers coming to Bradley
- iv. ACBU contact information
- v. ACBU member directory and description of individual coordinator's responsibilities
- vi. Anything deemed appropriate by General and Executive Councils
- d. Website will not include home phone numbers, addresses and other personal member information.
- Duties and responsibilities of Technical Crew representative (1 coordinator):
- a. Coordinate with other ACBU members, the technical needs of all programming sponsored by ACBU.
- b. Attend all ACBU programs requiring technical equipment and set up before the show. A Technical Crew representative must be at all necessary shows.
- c. Attend ACBU meetings as an ex officio member.
- d. Further responsibilities will be decided by the Executive Council and the Technical Crew representative.
D. The Executive Council and/or the General Council may form special committees to perform specific functions. The President shall appoint the members to these committees with the approval from the General Council. The creating body shall define the authority, responsibility, and term of appointment. The chairman of the special committee shall have no vote at General Council meetings unless otherwise qualified.
E. The process by which coordinators are selected shall be:
- All newly elected Executive Council members and former Executive Council shall interview candidates. An advisor is required to sit in on interviews.
- The president-elect shall serve as the selection committee’s chairperson.
- The selection committee shall choose a coordinator by consensus.
- Coordinators shall be selected for one-year terms.
- All coordinator selection proceedings are to be closed and confidential.
- The beginning of spring break shall conclude all coordinator selection proceedings.
- Additional coordinators may be assigned to a committee as deemed necessary by the Executive Council.
F. In the case of a General Board vacancy:
- Executive Council will fill position for the remainder of the term vacated.
- If vacancy occurs during fall semester, position will be filled as outlined in Article VI, Section E.
- If vacancy occurs during spring semester, the newly elected coordinator for the position will assume duties.
Article VII: Removal from Office
A. Procedure for Removal from office:
- In the event that a coordinator or executive member has three (3) unexcused absences from General Council meetings, mandatory events or office hours, a letter of warning will be issued and a meeting between an advisor, a member of the Executive Council and the offender will be held.
- If improvement is not demonstrated in a reasonable period of time, then removal proceedings will begin.
B. Removal proceedings shall occur as follows:
- Written charges must be submitted and signed by an ACBU General Council or Executive Council member.
- The accused shall be entitled to a fair hearing before the General Council, and allowed to plead his/her case.
- a. The President shall act as judge.
- b. The General Council shall act as the jury.
- c. In the case where the President is on trial, the Vice President of Internal Affairs shall act as judge.
- d. An advisor must be present at all hearings.
- A four-fifths (4/5) vote by the General Council shall be required for removal. This vote shall be taken by secret, written ballot.
Article VIII: Budget Procedures
A. General Budget Guidelines
- All General Council members shall be responsible for preparing budgets for their respective committees.
- All forms are to be reviewed by the Vice President of Programming and ACBU Advisor before presentation to ACBU and SABRC.
- Standard SABRC forms will be used as the required format.
- Presentation to ACBU and SABRC should include budget form, biography of performer or description of the event and video/audio (if applicable).
- All coordinators are responsible for presenting their respective budgets to ACBU and SABRC.
B. SABRC Budget Guidelines
- Proposals must be completed, presented to ACBU, and approved by General Board at least one (1) week prior to the SABRC deadline.
C. ACBU Budget Guidelines
- ACBU proposals should be completed at least six (6) weeks prior to the event.
- ACBU allocation procedure will include the following:
- a. Budgets will be judged on the following criteria:
- i. Fulfills a programming need
- ii. Does not duplicate currently existing programs sponsored by ACBU, other studentorganizations or university departments.
- iii. Dates desired do not conflict with previously scheduled events.
- iv. Event represents the purpose (see Article II) of ACBU
- b. A simple majority approves ACBU budgets. The president will vote in the event of a tie.
- c. Generally, committees will receive the following allocations: U. Spirit (3%), Comedy Afterhours (15%), Lectures (20%), Special Events (20%), Performing Arts (15%), Coffeehouse (10%), Siblings Weekend (5%), Marketing (2%), and other expenses (10%)
- d. Committee allocations are subject to change based on SABRC allocation and needs of the campus.
- e. ACBU will not use SABRC allocation to completely fund another student organization's event.
- f. All monetary co-sponsorships by ACBU will follow ACBU budgeting guidelines.
Article IX: Parliamentary Procedure
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern ACBU in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules ACBU may adopt.
Article X: Amendments
These by-laws may be amended at any time, provided that the amendment is submitted to the General Council in writing, and approved by the General Council by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.