Our Constitution
Constitution of the Carleton Equal Voice Chapter
Passed: August 2010
ARTICLE I: THE CHAPTER
I.1. The Chapter shall be known as the “Carleton Equal Voice Chapter”
I.2. The acronym “CEVC” may be used in this document to refer to the chapter
I.3. Carleton Equal Voice Chapter shall operate as a multi-partisan club within the system of
‘Clubs and Societies’ as outlined by the Carleton University Student Association (CUSA)
I.4. The Carleton Equal Voice Chapter shall act as a representative body of Carleton students as part of the National Youth Chapter of the Equal Voice organization
I.5. The term Constitution herein stated shall refer to the CEVC Constitution
I.6. CEVC has previously operated under other names and is bound by all agreements
and references to the following terms:
I.6. a) Equal Voice – Carleton Chapter
ARTICLE II: AIMS
II.1. The aims of CEVC are:
II.1.1. Changing the face of Canadian politics at all levels of government. That is, to provide equal opportunity, and to promote balanced representation for both sexes while not enforcing set quotas and/or targets.
II.1.2. Providing young students with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in Canada’s political environment.
II.1.3. Supporting the election of more women to all levels of Canadian government.
II.1.4. Assisting in maintaining an environment free of prejudice, exploitation, or abuse on the
basis of, but not limited to, sex, race, language, religion, age, national or social status, political
affiliation or beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or marital status.
II.1.5. Strengthening dialogue with other student organizations, faculties, and departmental
boards at Carleton University.
ll.1.6. Conducting political research on gender equality, human rights, and women’s participation
within the political process.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
III.1. Membership shall be granted to the following persons who have paid the membership fees:
III.1.a) Any registered Carleton University student.
III.1.b) Any Carleton University Administrator, Faculty, and Alumni (Honourary Members).
ARTICLE IV: CAUCUS
IV.1. Authority
IV.1.1. The CEVC Caucus shall maintain sole authority of its composition, Bylaws, and policies.
IV.1.2. Carleton Equal Voice Chapter (CEVC) shall be accredited as a club by the Carleton University Student Association (CUSA).
IV.1.3. The Composition and rules pertaining to Carleton Equal Voice Chapter are laid out in Bylaw I of the Bylaws.
IV.1.4 The powers and duties of the Executive Branch of Carleton Equal Voice Chapter are
laid out in Bylaw II of the Bylaws.
IV.2. Composition
IV.2.1. The CEVC Caucus shall consist of the following members:
IV.2.1.a) The CEVC President;
IV.2.1.b) The CEVC Vice-President Internal;
IV.2.1.c) The CEVC Vice-President(s) Finance;
IV.2.1.d) The CEVC Vice-President(s) Communications;
IV.2.1.e) A representative from the Equal Voice organization selected by the Executive Director;
IV.2.2. The CEVC executive shall also include the following members:
IV.2.2.a) Secretary
IV.2.2.b) Events Coordinator;
IV.2.2.c) Workshops Coordinator
IV.2.2.d) Director of Sponsorship and Fundraising
IV.2.2.e) Director of Promotions and Advertising
IV.2.2 f) Director of Social Media Liaison
IV.3. Terms of Office for CEVC Caucus Members
IV.3.1. A Caucus member’s term begins on the first day after the CUSA Clubs and Societies Exposition (after the first week of September) and ends on the first day after the completion of the CEVC election the following year.
IV.3.2. Each Caucus member is required to confirm their attendance at CEVC caucus meetings, committee meetings, workshops, events, and conferences.
IV.4. The President of CEVC (President)
IV.4.1. The President shall be responsible for the productive operations of CEVC.
IV.4.2. The President shall aid CEVC Caucus Members in their fulfilling their duties.
IV.4.3. The President shall encourage good attendance records of all CEVC members at General Caucus Meetings, Workshops, Events, and Conferences.
IV.4.4. The President shall keep an up-to-date record of all Caucus resolutions.
IV.4.5. The President shall attempt to ensure all members of the Caucus have full knowledge of all background information relevant to their discussion at the meetings.
IV.4.6. The President shall ensure that all Caucus meetings are chaired.
IV.4.7. The President shall ensure that the election of Vice Presidents, Secretary, Directors, and Coordinators are done through the CEVC Caucus.
IV.4.8. The President shall report the activities and financial expenditures of CEVC to the Equal Voice Executive Director and the Communications and Membership Liaison.
IV.4.9. The President shall be elected from the CEVC Caucus for a one year term.
IV.5. The Vice-President Internal of CEVC (VPI)
IV.5.1. The VPI shall act as second to presidency, acting in Presidential office if the President is incapable of fulfilling their duties or if the President were to resign.
IV.5.2. The VPI acts as a signing authority and is thereby entrusted with the CEVC finances.
IV.5.3. The VPI is responsible for the inner workings of CEVC.
IV.5.4. The VPI is responsible for coordinating the Secretary, Workshops Coordinator (s), and Events Coordinator (s).
IV.6. The Vice-President(s) Finance of CEVC (VPF)
IV.6.1. The VPF (s) acts as the treasurer (s) and are responsible for managing CEVC’s budget
and therefore act as signing authorities.
IV.6.2. The VPF (s) are responsible for working on business proposals and presentations.
IV.6.3. The VPF (s) are responsible for working closely with the President, the VPI, the Secretary, the Events Coordinator, and the Workshops Coordinator.
IV.6.4. The VPF (s) are responsible for coordinating the Director of Sponsorships and Fundraising.
IV.7. The Vice-President(s) Communications of CEVC (VPC)
IV.7.1. The VPC (s) are responsible for contacting Guest Speakers for CEVC workshops, events, and conferences.
IV.7.2. The VPC (s) are responsible for managing the overall brand communication, marketing materials, press releases, events and workshops marketing.
IV.7.3. The VPC (s) are responsible for coordinating the Director of Promotions and Advertising, Director of Social Media Liaison, and the Graphic Designer.
IV.8. Elections
IV.15.1 The Vice President Internal runs CEVC elections at the end of the March so that the new executive may begin preparations throughout the summer.
IV.9. Meetings
IV.9.1 All Caucus meetings shall be convened by the President no less than twice in each of
the Fall and Winter terms except where otherwise stated in this document.
IV.9.2 Meetings of the CEVC Caucus may be called on a two weeks’ notice:
IV.9.2.a) By the President or the Vice-President Internal
IV.9.2.b) By two executive members (Not including Coordinators and Directors)
IV.9.2.c) By a petition of five Caucus members
IV.9.3. Emergency Caucus meetings may be called on three business days’ notice:
IV.9.3.a) By the President or the Vice-President Internal
IV.9.3.b) By four executive members (Coordinators and Directors included)
IV.9.3.c) By a petition of ten Caucus members
IV.9.4. Caucus meetings shall be open to all students, officers of the University, and invited guests, unless closed by a two-thirds majority vote of those CEVC Caucus Members present, in which case only CEVC Caucus Members and those guests invited by Caucus to attend the closed session may be present.
IV.9.5. Any student may be permitted to place a motion on the floor of a Caucus Meeting,
provided that the motion is seconded by another Caucus member.
IV.9.7. Any student and any guest (with the permission of the President) may speak at a
Caucus meeting.
IV.9.8. Only CEVC Caucus members may vote at Caucus meetings.
IV.9.9. Should a conflict of interest arise, the affected member shall declare that a conflict of
interest exists and abstain from voting on the question.
ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
V.1. Authority
V.1.1. CEVC members shall have the power to form and enact amendments to the
Constitution by a referendum (2/3 majority or 50+1 percent).
V.1.2. Amendments to the Constitution shall have full force of the Constitution and shall take
precedence over any and all rules, regulations, by-laws, or policies of the CEVC Caucus.
V.2. Proposal of Amendments
V.2.1. Any Carleton University student may propose an amendment to the Constitution at any meeting of the CEVC Caucus, subject to Article V, Section 4.1.
V.2.2. In the event that Caucus fails to enact the proposed amendment, a petition signed by
at least one-twentieth of all CEVC members shall require Caucus to consider the proposed
amendment as worded in the petition; within two meetings of Caucus. Should Caucus fail to
enact the amendment as worded in the petition, the amendment shall be submitted to a
referendum to be held no less than three (3) weeks and no more than eight (8) weeks after
the receipt of the petition at a meeting of Caucus.
V.2.3. Caucus may, by a majority vote of all members of Caucus, submit any proposed
constitutional amendment to referendum.
V.3. Enactment by Referendum
V.3.1. All CEVC members shall be eligible to vote in any referendum with regards to
amendments of the Constitution.
V.3.2. An amendment shall be enacted by referendum, provided that a simple majority of
those voting in the referendum vote in favour of the amendment and over one-twentieth
(1/20) of all eligible voters cast ballots in the referendum.
ARTICLE VI: BY-LAWS
VI.1. Authority
VI.1.1. Caucus shall have the power to form and enact by-laws
VI.1.2. The by-laws shall take precedence over any and all rules, regulations, or policies
enacted by Caucus except for any provisions of the Constitution
VI.2. Enactment
VI.2.1. A by-law may be enacted at a meeting of Caucus by a two-thirds majority of all
Caucus members, provided that the wording of the by-law was distributed to the CEVC
Caucus no less than 5 days (120 hours) before the beginning of the meeting to which it is
being voted upon.
VI.2.2. A by-law shall be effective immediately upon enactment by Caucus.
VI.3. Amendments to by-laws
VI.3.1. Amendments shall be effective immediately upon enactment by Caucus.
ARTICLE VII: POLICY
VII.1. Authority
VII.1.1 CEVC Caucus shall have the authority to enact policies.
VII.1.2. Policies shall not conflict with, or attempt to vary, any provision of this Constitution,
or any Bylaw of CEVC.
VII.1.3. Policy is hereby defined as direction given to the President and Caucus staff on how
to conduct business of Caucus and/or as to what public position will be adopted by the
President and Caucus staff on any academic matter the Caucus deems appropriate.
VII.2. Enactment
VII.2.1. A Motion of Policy reported to Caucus with proper notice will require a simple
majority of those present and voting at Caucus, provided that the wording of the by-law was
distributed to CEVC Caucus no less than 2 days (48 hours) before the beginning of the
meeting to which it is being voted upon.
VII.2.2. A Motion of Policy reported to Caucus with proper notice will require a two-thirds
majority of those present and voting at Caucus if the wording was not distributed to CEVC
Caucus more than 2 days (48 hours) before the beginning of the meeting to which it is being
voted upon.
VII.3. Amendment, Proper notice and Repeal
VII.3.1. CEVC Caucus shall have the authority to amend or repeal any policies of the CEVC Caucus in the same manner that they are enacted.
VII.3.2. Amendments to or repeals of policies shall be effective immediately upon enactment
by Caucus.
VII.4. Review
VII.4.1. Caucus, at the beginning of its term shall mandate an appropriate “Governance
Review” committee to review Caucus Policies for the purpose of determining whether such
policies are relevant, workable, and consistent.
VII.4.2. Caucus may enact the recommendations of said committee by a majority vote of all
members of Caucus, present and voting, provided that all CEVC Caucus members have been
notified of the recommendations seven days prior to the Caucus meeting.
VII.5. Operation
VII.5.1 Caucus may authorize specific exceptions to a policy by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting upon meeting’s notice, provided that such exception or suspension does not conflict with or attempt to vary any provision of CEVC Caucus Constitution, CEVC Caucus Bylaws, or the CUSA Clubs and Societies By-Laws and Policies.
ARTICLE I: THE CHAPTER
I.1. The Chapter shall be known as the “Carleton Equal Voice Chapter”
I.2. The acronym “CEVC” may be used in this document to refer to the chapter
I.3. Carleton Equal Voice Chapter shall operate as a multi-partisan club within the system of
‘Clubs and Societies’ as outlined by the Carleton University Student Association (CUSA)
I.4. The Carleton Equal Voice Chapter shall act as a representative body of Carleton students as part of the National Youth Chapter of the Equal Voice organization
I.5. The term Constitution herein stated shall refer to the CEVC Constitution
I.6. CEVC has previously operated under other names and is bound by all agreements
and references to the following terms:
I.6. a) Equal Voice – Carleton Chapter
ARTICLE II: AIMS
II.1. The aims of CEVC are:
II.1.1. Changing the face of Canadian politics at all levels of government. That is, to provide equal opportunity, and to promote balanced representation for both sexes while not enforcing set quotas and/or targets.
II.1.2. Providing young students with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in Canada’s political environment.
II.1.3. Supporting the election of more women to all levels of Canadian government.
II.1.4. Assisting in maintaining an environment free of prejudice, exploitation, or abuse on the
basis of, but not limited to, sex, race, language, religion, age, national or social status, political
affiliation or beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or marital status.
II.1.5. Strengthening dialogue with other student organizations, faculties, and departmental
boards at Carleton University.
ll.1.6. Conducting political research on gender equality, human rights, and women’s participation
within the political process.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
III.1. Membership shall be granted to the following persons who have paid the membership fees:
III.1.a) Any registered Carleton University student.
III.1.b) Any Carleton University Administrator, Faculty, and Alumni (Honourary Members).
ARTICLE IV: CAUCUS
IV.1. Authority
IV.1.1. The CEVC Caucus shall maintain sole authority of its composition, Bylaws, and policies.
IV.1.2. Carleton Equal Voice Chapter (CEVC) shall be accredited as a club by the Carleton University Student Association (CUSA).
IV.1.3. The Composition and rules pertaining to Carleton Equal Voice Chapter are laid out in Bylaw I of the Bylaws.
IV.1.4 The powers and duties of the Executive Branch of Carleton Equal Voice Chapter are
laid out in Bylaw II of the Bylaws.
IV.2. Composition
IV.2.1. The CEVC Caucus shall consist of the following members:
IV.2.1.a) The CEVC President;
IV.2.1.b) The CEVC Vice-President Internal;
IV.2.1.c) The CEVC Vice-President(s) Finance;
IV.2.1.d) The CEVC Vice-President(s) Communications;
IV.2.1.e) A representative from the Equal Voice organization selected by the Executive Director;
IV.2.2. The CEVC executive shall also include the following members:
IV.2.2.a) Secretary
IV.2.2.b) Events Coordinator;
IV.2.2.c) Workshops Coordinator
IV.2.2.d) Director of Sponsorship and Fundraising
IV.2.2.e) Director of Promotions and Advertising
IV.2.2 f) Director of Social Media Liaison
IV.3. Terms of Office for CEVC Caucus Members
IV.3.1. A Caucus member’s term begins on the first day after the CUSA Clubs and Societies Exposition (after the first week of September) and ends on the first day after the completion of the CEVC election the following year.
IV.3.2. Each Caucus member is required to confirm their attendance at CEVC caucus meetings, committee meetings, workshops, events, and conferences.
IV.4. The President of CEVC (President)
IV.4.1. The President shall be responsible for the productive operations of CEVC.
IV.4.2. The President shall aid CEVC Caucus Members in their fulfilling their duties.
IV.4.3. The President shall encourage good attendance records of all CEVC members at General Caucus Meetings, Workshops, Events, and Conferences.
IV.4.4. The President shall keep an up-to-date record of all Caucus resolutions.
IV.4.5. The President shall attempt to ensure all members of the Caucus have full knowledge of all background information relevant to their discussion at the meetings.
IV.4.6. The President shall ensure that all Caucus meetings are chaired.
IV.4.7. The President shall ensure that the election of Vice Presidents, Secretary, Directors, and Coordinators are done through the CEVC Caucus.
IV.4.8. The President shall report the activities and financial expenditures of CEVC to the Equal Voice Executive Director and the Communications and Membership Liaison.
IV.4.9. The President shall be elected from the CEVC Caucus for a one year term.
IV.5. The Vice-President Internal of CEVC (VPI)
IV.5.1. The VPI shall act as second to presidency, acting in Presidential office if the President is incapable of fulfilling their duties or if the President were to resign.
IV.5.2. The VPI acts as a signing authority and is thereby entrusted with the CEVC finances.
IV.5.3. The VPI is responsible for the inner workings of CEVC.
IV.5.4. The VPI is responsible for coordinating the Secretary, Workshops Coordinator (s), and Events Coordinator (s).
IV.6. The Vice-President(s) Finance of CEVC (VPF)
IV.6.1. The VPF (s) acts as the treasurer (s) and are responsible for managing CEVC’s budget
and therefore act as signing authorities.
IV.6.2. The VPF (s) are responsible for working on business proposals and presentations.
IV.6.3. The VPF (s) are responsible for working closely with the President, the VPI, the Secretary, the Events Coordinator, and the Workshops Coordinator.
IV.6.4. The VPF (s) are responsible for coordinating the Director of Sponsorships and Fundraising.
IV.7. The Vice-President(s) Communications of CEVC (VPC)
IV.7.1. The VPC (s) are responsible for contacting Guest Speakers for CEVC workshops, events, and conferences.
IV.7.2. The VPC (s) are responsible for managing the overall brand communication, marketing materials, press releases, events and workshops marketing.
IV.7.3. The VPC (s) are responsible for coordinating the Director of Promotions and Advertising, Director of Social Media Liaison, and the Graphic Designer.
IV.8. Elections
IV.15.1 The Vice President Internal runs CEVC elections at the end of the March so that the new executive may begin preparations throughout the summer.
IV.9. Meetings
IV.9.1 All Caucus meetings shall be convened by the President no less than twice in each of
the Fall and Winter terms except where otherwise stated in this document.
IV.9.2 Meetings of the CEVC Caucus may be called on a two weeks’ notice:
IV.9.2.a) By the President or the Vice-President Internal
IV.9.2.b) By two executive members (Not including Coordinators and Directors)
IV.9.2.c) By a petition of five Caucus members
IV.9.3. Emergency Caucus meetings may be called on three business days’ notice:
IV.9.3.a) By the President or the Vice-President Internal
IV.9.3.b) By four executive members (Coordinators and Directors included)
IV.9.3.c) By a petition of ten Caucus members
IV.9.4. Caucus meetings shall be open to all students, officers of the University, and invited guests, unless closed by a two-thirds majority vote of those CEVC Caucus Members present, in which case only CEVC Caucus Members and those guests invited by Caucus to attend the closed session may be present.
IV.9.5. Any student may be permitted to place a motion on the floor of a Caucus Meeting,
provided that the motion is seconded by another Caucus member.
IV.9.7. Any student and any guest (with the permission of the President) may speak at a
Caucus meeting.
IV.9.8. Only CEVC Caucus members may vote at Caucus meetings.
IV.9.9. Should a conflict of interest arise, the affected member shall declare that a conflict of
interest exists and abstain from voting on the question.
ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
V.1. Authority
V.1.1. CEVC members shall have the power to form and enact amendments to the
Constitution by a referendum (2/3 majority or 50+1 percent).
V.1.2. Amendments to the Constitution shall have full force of the Constitution and shall take
precedence over any and all rules, regulations, by-laws, or policies of the CEVC Caucus.
V.2. Proposal of Amendments
V.2.1. Any Carleton University student may propose an amendment to the Constitution at any meeting of the CEVC Caucus, subject to Article V, Section 4.1.
V.2.2. In the event that Caucus fails to enact the proposed amendment, a petition signed by
at least one-twentieth of all CEVC members shall require Caucus to consider the proposed
amendment as worded in the petition; within two meetings of Caucus. Should Caucus fail to
enact the amendment as worded in the petition, the amendment shall be submitted to a
referendum to be held no less than three (3) weeks and no more than eight (8) weeks after
the receipt of the petition at a meeting of Caucus.
V.2.3. Caucus may, by a majority vote of all members of Caucus, submit any proposed
constitutional amendment to referendum.
V.3. Enactment by Referendum
V.3.1. All CEVC members shall be eligible to vote in any referendum with regards to
amendments of the Constitution.
V.3.2. An amendment shall be enacted by referendum, provided that a simple majority of
those voting in the referendum vote in favour of the amendment and over one-twentieth
(1/20) of all eligible voters cast ballots in the referendum.
ARTICLE VI: BY-LAWS
VI.1. Authority
VI.1.1. Caucus shall have the power to form and enact by-laws
VI.1.2. The by-laws shall take precedence over any and all rules, regulations, or policies
enacted by Caucus except for any provisions of the Constitution
VI.2. Enactment
VI.2.1. A by-law may be enacted at a meeting of Caucus by a two-thirds majority of all
Caucus members, provided that the wording of the by-law was distributed to the CEVC
Caucus no less than 5 days (120 hours) before the beginning of the meeting to which it is
being voted upon.
VI.2.2. A by-law shall be effective immediately upon enactment by Caucus.
VI.3. Amendments to by-laws
VI.3.1. Amendments shall be effective immediately upon enactment by Caucus.
ARTICLE VII: POLICY
VII.1. Authority
VII.1.1 CEVC Caucus shall have the authority to enact policies.
VII.1.2. Policies shall not conflict with, or attempt to vary, any provision of this Constitution,
or any Bylaw of CEVC.
VII.1.3. Policy is hereby defined as direction given to the President and Caucus staff on how
to conduct business of Caucus and/or as to what public position will be adopted by the
President and Caucus staff on any academic matter the Caucus deems appropriate.
VII.2. Enactment
VII.2.1. A Motion of Policy reported to Caucus with proper notice will require a simple
majority of those present and voting at Caucus, provided that the wording of the by-law was
distributed to CEVC Caucus no less than 2 days (48 hours) before the beginning of the
meeting to which it is being voted upon.
VII.2.2. A Motion of Policy reported to Caucus with proper notice will require a two-thirds
majority of those present and voting at Caucus if the wording was not distributed to CEVC
Caucus more than 2 days (48 hours) before the beginning of the meeting to which it is being
voted upon.
VII.3. Amendment, Proper notice and Repeal
VII.3.1. CEVC Caucus shall have the authority to amend or repeal any policies of the CEVC Caucus in the same manner that they are enacted.
VII.3.2. Amendments to or repeals of policies shall be effective immediately upon enactment
by Caucus.
VII.4. Review
VII.4.1. Caucus, at the beginning of its term shall mandate an appropriate “Governance
Review” committee to review Caucus Policies for the purpose of determining whether such
policies are relevant, workable, and consistent.
VII.4.2. Caucus may enact the recommendations of said committee by a majority vote of all
members of Caucus, present and voting, provided that all CEVC Caucus members have been
notified of the recommendations seven days prior to the Caucus meeting.
VII.5. Operation
VII.5.1 Caucus may authorize specific exceptions to a policy by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting upon meeting’s notice, provided that such exception or suspension does not conflict with or attempt to vary any provision of CEVC Caucus Constitution, CEVC Caucus Bylaws, or the CUSA Clubs and Societies By-Laws and Policies.