Document/Organization/Constitution
From Drexel Smart House
Article I – Theme
The association shall be named Drexel Smart House, otherwise referred to as “the organization” in this document.
Article II – Mission
Drexel Smart House is a multidisciplinary group of students working to construct an urban home to serve as a “living laboratory”. Drexel Smart House will explore the research and design of environmental interactions, health, efficiency, entertainment, and communication with the ultimate goal of improving life.
Article III – Membership
Membership is open to all Drexel University students regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. Other university students, former Drexel students, and those with an occupation in any industry relevant to the smart house mission may not hold the privileges of being a member, but they may attend meetings and contribute to the organization at the discretion of the members. An active member is defined as an individual who has attended at least two meetings in the two quarters prior to the Fall term.
Article IV – Officers
Only active members may hold office. The offices are president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Officers are required to be full-time undergraduate or graduate students. Officers are elected by the active members annually on the first week of the fall term. Members may only run for and hold one office at a time. Members become officers when they win an election with a simple majority, or when they run uncontested. There is no limit to the number of consecutive terms that an officer may run for or hold. Officers who do not fulfill their responsibilities may be removed from office if a vote of no confidence receives a two-thirds majority vote of the active members. Vacancies resulting from removal or any other instance will be filled by conducting an impromptu election in the same manner as a normal election. Other necessary offices may be added or removed in the future through an amendment to the constitution.
Article V – Advisors
An advisor to Drexel Smart House should be selected by the active members through an election requiring a simple majority. The advisor should be someone whose interests are similar to those of the organization, and who can offer educated advice or professional knowledge. The advisor must also be a full time faculty or staff member. There is no limit to the term served by the advisor, however, a new advisor may be elected to replace the previous one.
Article VI – Executive Board
The president is responsible for arranging meetings, creating agendas for the meetings, overseeing coordination between teams, maintaining the scope of projects carried out by the organization, and making decisions where voting is not possible or necessary. The president shall pass a deciding vote in the case of a split vote.
The vice president is responsible for overseeing subcommittees, and for performing the duties of the president when they are not present or able to.
The secretary is responsible for keeping a record of meetings, correspondences inside and outside the organization, and reviewing documents produced by the organization.
The treasurer is responsible for maintaining records of all funds owed to, owed by, or in possession of the organization, and for overseeing the efforts to acquire funding for the organization. Approval of the treasurer is required to utilize any organization funds.
The chairpersons of each committee are responsible for overseeing the tasks of their committees and reporting back to the executive board. Chairpersons will hold non-voting positions on the executive board
In order to preserve the original vision of the project and to ensure forward movement, the group’s “founders” will form an advisory board to the executive board until such a time as they are no longer students at Drexel University. The definition of a group “founder” is a member who has been with the group since Spring quarter 2006. A “founder” may also hold office or head a committee, however, they will still only cast one vote. The sum of the “founders’” votes will total four.
Article VII – Standing Committees
Standing committees will be formed when the need arises each focusing on a different aspect of the project research. The current committees are: Sustainable Design, Health, Structure, Communication, Marketing, and Finance. A chairperson is responsible for representing the will of their constituent members to the executive board. The chairperson will ensure forward progress and maintain communication with the executive branch. Committees may be created and dissolved at the discretion of the active members through a simple majority vote.
Article VIII – Annual Meetings
Meetings of the entire organization should be held at least bi-annually, prior to the elections. In order for the meeting to be valid, a quorum of the organization must be present. A quorum is defined as two-thirds of active members.
Article IX – Finances
The organization will seek funding from grants and other sources. No member is expected to pay dues to the organization.
Article X – Ratification
This constitution may not be validated until seen by all current members. It is passed when it receives a two-thirds majority vote from the active members.
Article XI – Amendments
An amendment may be proposed by any member. A proposed amendment should be seconded and then voted on by the active members. An amendment is passed when it receives a two-thirds majority vote.
Article XII – Bylaws
The addition of bylaws is carried out in the same manner as an amendment.
Article XIII – Dissolution
The organization, if decided to be not fulfilling its purpose, may be dissolved. The decision must receive a two-thirds majority of votes from the executive board. Dissolution of the organization may, with cause, be ordered by the Office of Campus Activities.
Revision Dates:
1/29/07
2/19/07
