Students for Life
Constitution

Preamble

Students for Life at the University of Michigan is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, and non-profit organization committed to promoting and defending the dignity and protection of all human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. We endeavor to fulfill this mission by developing and maintaining educational programs on the issues of abortion alternatives, euthanasia, infanticide, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty.

Article I: Name

Section 1:

The name of this organization shall be Students for Life at the University of Michigan, herein referred to as Students for Life

Article II: Purpose

Section 1:

As an organization committed to promoting the dignity and protection of all human life, from the moment of conception until natural death, the primary purpose of Students for Life is to present detailed and factual information upon which individuals and the general public may make an informed decision about the various topics of fetal development, abortion, alternatives to abortion, euthanasia, infanticide, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty. This purpose will be accomplished primarily by:

  1. Providing educational materials and programs that factually depict the growth and development of the unborn child
  2. Developing and maintaining educational programs on the issues of abortion, abortion alternatives, euthanasia, infanticide, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty.
  3. Providing educational materials such as films, books, slides, and pamphlets to all interested University of Michigan students, faculty, and staff.
  4. Providing knowledgeable individuals to participate in community forums, school classes, and in radio and television programs on the above topics.
  5. Sponsoring educational booths, seminars, and conferences for our membership, the University of Michigan school community, and the general public.
  6. Providing information to the general public, and in particular to women who may be faced with untimely or problem pregnancies, concerning support systems and services available to provide assistance to them.

Article III: Membership

Section 1:

Any current University of Michigan student who subscribes to the common goals of Students for Life, as set forth in Article II, shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2:

Students interested in becoming a member of Students for Life need to attend any biweekly meeting or ask to be added to the list serve for the group e-mail.

A member in good standing is a member who attends one meeting every month and participates in two activities each semester.

Section 3:

A student can withdraw from Students for Life through an oral or written statement to the President expressing a wish to withdraw.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1:

The officers shall be a President, a Vice President, a Treasurer, and a Webmaster. The duties of each officer are as follows:

  1. The President:
    1. Shall oversee all activities undertaken by Students for Life and ensure that they are in line with the group's goals and objectives as set forth in the Students for Life Constitution as well as the rules and regulations set forth by the University of Michigan.
    2. Shall preside at all meetings
    3. Shall appoint, or oversee the appointment of committees, and shall be an ex-officio member of each committee.
    4. Shall delegate tasks to other officers and members
    5. Shall act as the official spokesperson for Students for Life
    6. Shall be responsible for the annual registration of Students for Life with the Michigan Student Assembly
    7. Shall oversee the preparation of applications for funding proposals
  2. The Vice President:
    1. Shall exercise the powers and perform the functions that are from time to time delegated to the Vice President by the President.
    2. Shall exercise the powers and duties of the President whenever the President may be absent or otherwise unable to act.
  3. The Treasurer:
    1. Shall have the responsibility of overseeing the use of the funds of Students for Life
    2. Shall oversee the preparation of financial reports and fulfill bookkeeping responsibilities.
  4. The Webmaster:
    1. Shall oversee updates of the Students for Life website
    2. Shall assist with the organization and management of the e-mail list.

Section 2:

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Webmaster, Speaker Chair, and Publicity Chair. The Executive Committee shall meet once a month, or more at the discretion of the President, in addition to the regular biweekly meetings of the student group at large. The Executive Committee meetings are open to any members of Students for Life.

Section 3:

The Speaker Chair shall be responsible for contacting possible speakers to be invited to programs and conferences hosted by Students for Life, and assisting in the planning of programs, events and conferences.

Section 4:

The Publicity Chair shall be responsible for the coordination of the advertisement for events and programs sponsored by Students for Life. The Publicity Chair shall oversee the planning of Diag boards, and the printing and distribution of flyers.

Article V: Operations

Section 1:

Any University of Michigan student who is a member in good standing of Students for Life and subscribes to the common goals of the group as stated in the Students for Life constitution is eligible for office.

Section 2:

Officers and Executive Committee members are elected annually at a special meeting for that purpose near the end of the winter term. Nominations for officers shall be made and seconded by the general membership. Nominees shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present at the meeting. Members shall vote by an anonymous ballot.

Section 3:

The newly elected officers do not assume their positions and responsibilities until the end of the winter term.

Section 4:

In the event of a vacancy on the Executive Committee, the remaining officers and Executive Committee members shall elect a successor at any Executive Committee meeting by a majority vote of the remaining Committee Members. An officer elected to fill a vacancy shall serve out the unexpired term.

Article VI: Finances

Section 1:

Students for Life will finance its activities through the use of funds collected through fundraisers and donations. The group will also apply for funding through the Michigan Student Assembly and the LSA Student Government to assist in financing programs and activities.

Section 2:

The Treasurer of Students for Life has the primary responsibility of managing the organization's finances. The President and Vice President shall also participate in overseeing the use of funds.

Article VII: Amendments

Section 1:

Amendments to the constitution may be proposed both by the general membership of Students for Life and by the Executive Committee. Any proposed amendment shall be filed in writing with the Executive Committee at least two weeks before being presented for adoption at any meeting.

Section 2:

Amendments to the constitution shall be adopted upon a two-thirds vote of the members.

Article VIII: Removal of Membership

Section 1:

Officers shall be removed from office if the officer engages in any action that is contrary to the rules and regulations for student groups as set forth by the University of Michigan, illegal or unethical, or contrary to the goals and objectives of Students for Life as set forth in the constitution.

Section 2:

Officers shall be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Executive Committee.

Section 3:

The process of removal shall be presided over by the President excepting in the situation where the President is the officer in question. In this case, the removal process shall be presided over by the Vice President.

Section 4:

Members of Students for Life shall be removed from the organization if a member engages in any action that is contrary to the rules and regulations for student groups as set forth by the University of Michigan, illegal or unethical, or contrary to the goals and objectives of Students for Life as set forth in the constitution.

Section 5:

Members shall be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Executive Committee.

Article IX: Statement of Compliance

Section 1:

The Students for Life understands and fully adheres to the policies, rules, and regulations for student clubs and organizations as set forth by the University of Michigan.