CONSTITUTION FOR BRIDGESRandolph-Macon Woman's College

ARTICLE I: NAME

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be "BRIDGES." The name BRIDGES represents one of the purposes of the club, which is building bridges of understanding both between the homosexual and the heterosexual communities and within the lesbian community itself. The logo of the interlocking circles represents the coming together in this club of the different groups of lesbian, bisexual, and questioning women as well as their supportive friends at R-MWC.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Section 1. The purpose of BRIDGES is to support, unite, and build the self-esteem of the lesbian, bisexual, questioning, and supportive women at Randolph-Macon while focusing on a greater understanding of the issues and struggles faced by the homosexual community.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership is open to all members of the Randolph-Macon Woman's College community.

Section 2. All members are eligible to vote and shall have equal input and responsibility at organization meetings.

Section 3. Membership status may be attained by regular attendance at group meetings (at least three per semester), and attendance of at least one group activity per semester.

Section 4. Membership will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, handicap, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religious or political affiliation, age, gender, or sexual identification.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1. BRIDGES officers shall be a committee of eight: a chairwoman, a vice-chairwoman, a treasurer, a secretary/historian, and one representative from each class. The term of these offices shall be one academic year. Elections will be held at the end of spring semester to determine the officers for the next year.

Section 2. Duties of the officers:

Chairwoman-- to preside over all meetings of BRIDGES and to organize all committee meetings. This woman shall prepare an agenda for each meeting and coordinate committee appointments. She will oversee preparations for Gay Awareness Week. She will have authority to withdraw money from the account. This woman shall be a senior.

Vice-Chairwoman-- to assist the Chairwoman in the performances of her duties and to assume such duties if the chairwoman is absent. She shall be directly in charge of gay awareness week and will delegate responsibility as she sees fit. She will be at least a member of the Junior class.

Treasurer-- to be responsible for all financial transactions which include, but are not limited to, student center sales, fund-raising efforts, and reporting to Student Government. She will submit a report at each executive meeting. She will be at least a member of the sophomoreclass.

Secretary/Historian-- to be responsible for recording the on-going interaction of the group. She will read at each meeting the minutes of the previous meeting and will relate all events to the archives. This position is open all classes.

Representatives-- to keep the group attuned to the needs and wants of each particular class.

Section 3. The club has the option to have two co-chairwomen inplace of a chairwoman and vice-chairwoman. The duties of the chairwoman and vice-chairwoman would be distributed as the officers see fit. If the chair and vice-chair wish to be co-chairs, they will submit it to the club for a vote, and it will be decided by a simple majority vote.

Section 4. In an election, if there is no candidate for a certain office who meets the seniority requirements, the office will be open to the members of the next class down. For instance, if there are no seniors who wish to run for chairwoman, the office will be open to juniors.

ARTICLE V: ADVISOR

Section 1. The advisor shall be an ex-officio member of BRIDGES in an advisory capacity and shall be a member of the Randolph-Macon faculty or staff. S-He shall help provide continuity from year to year as the membership changes, help maintain college standards in all activities of the group, and oversee budgetary actions.

Section 2. The advisor shall be chosen in the beginning of fall semester, and must be approved by a simple majority vote. The term of office is one year, and the advisor may be reinstated at the end of the year. BRIDGES is encouraged to keep the same advisor from the previous year, since the advisor's familiarity with the club will be of benefit for both the club and the advisor.

ARTICLE VI: STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing committees shall be designated by the executive committee at such times as needed.

Section 2. A standing committee shall be designated to organize Gay Awareness Week and will chaired by the Vice-Chairwoman.

Section 3. A standing committee shall be designated to organize the programming for a support group for lesbian, bisexual, and questioning women.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1. BRIDGES shall meet at least once a month.

Section 2. The constitution may be amended by the members of BRIDGES by a two-thirds majority vote. All amendments must be submitted to Student government for approval.

Section 3. Any members of the executive committee may be deposed by the members of BRIDGES by a two-thirds majority vote.

Section 4. All elections will use a secret written ballot which will be tallied by the Secretary in full view of the members.

Section 5. The executive committee will meet weekly. Only members of the executive committee and the advisor may attend such meetings unless a member has an immediate concern that requires the attention of the executive committee. In such a case, the member shall present her concern to the committee and discussion will immediately follow.