Constitution and Bylaws for the University of Florida Chapter of Graduate Assistants United

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CONSTITUTION

Preamble

In accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the United Faculty of Florida, we, the members of Graduate Assistants United (GAU) at the University of Florida, have established this Chapter in order to achieve the objectives which are of importance to the graduate assistants at the University of Florida.

Article 1. Name.

This organization shall be known as the University of Florida Chapter of the Graduate Assistants United (UF-GAU).

Article II. Objectives.

Section 1. To bring graduate assistants of the University of Florida into a cooperative relationship to protect the rights and privileges to which they are entitled under the constitutions of the United States and the State of Florida, and the Graduate Assistants United/Board of Regents (UFF/BOR) Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Section 2. To promote the democratization of the University to serve better the people of the State of Florida.

Section 3. To insure responsible management of the University and accountability for policies developed and actions taken by University administrators on behalf of the University, faculty and professional employees.

Section 4. To achieve and safeguard due process and academic freedom.

Section 5. To combat all forms of discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, national origin, political belief or sexual orientation at the University of Florida and in the State University System.

Section 6. To promote academic excellence in research, teaching and service at the University.

Section 7. To help graduate assistants realize their professional and human potential.

Section 8. To promote economic security and humane working conditions within the University.

Article III. Membership

Graduate assistants at the University of Florida who are within the bargaining unit shall be eligible for membership in the UF-GAU Chapter, according to the bylaws, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution of the United Faculty of Florida (Article III).

Article IV. Officers and Senators

Section 1. The membership of UF-GAU shall elect every two years by open nomination and secret ballot the following officers: Two Co-Presidents, Treasurer, and Grievance Officer. A position of Secretary will be created and an individual will be appointed to that position by the Executive Committee, subject to the approval of the membership, at the first membership meeting of the Fall 1997 semester. In the Spring of 1999, the position of Secretary shall become an elected position, and the Secretary shall be elected in the same manner as UF-GAU's other elected officers. These officers shall conduct the business of and act as spokespersons for the Chapter. No individual may hold more than one office at the same time.

Section 2. The membership shall elect the appropriate number of senators to the UFF Senate.

Article V. Executive Committee

The elected officers, chairs of the standing committees, and the Chief Steward shall constitute an Executive Committee to advise the Co-Presidents in the operation of the Chapter. The Executive Committee shall confirm the appointment of the Chairs of the Standing Committees and the Chief Steward.

Article VI. Standing Committees

There are four standing committees: Bargaining Committee, Grievance Committee, Organizing Committee, and Publications Committee.

Article VII. Rules of Order, Voting, Constitutional Ratification, and Constitutional Amendments.

Section 1. All Chapter business shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 2. All decisions of the Chapter shall require a majority of the votes of the members present and voting.

Section 3. Ratification of this Constitution shall be by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a Membership meeting or by a mail ballot. The Constitution shall be made available to the members two weeks prior to the vote.

Section 4. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a Membership meeting or by a mail ballot. The amendment(s) shall be made available to the members two weeks prior to the vote.

Amendment I

In addition to the four standing committees named in Article VI, the International Issues Committee shall be the fifth standing committee.

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BYLAWS

Article 1. Membership Meetings

Membership meetings will be held at least once during the Fall and once during the Spring semesters or whenever summoned by 10% of the Membership by petition. Members will be given no less than two weeks notice of regular meetings and as much notice as possible of any emergency meeting. 

Article 2. Election and Recall of Officers, Standing Committee Chairs and Senators

Section 1. All officers, standing committee chairs and senators shall begin their terms of office on April 30 of the election year.

Section 2. Failure to carry out prescribed duties and actions or to adhere to Chapter policies shall constitute grounds for recall. Recall of a Chapter Officer, Standing Committee Chair, Chief Steward, or GAU Senator may be initiated by a petition signed by 20% of the Chapter membership. An emergency Membership meeting shall be called to discuss the motion before further action. A recall election by the membership shall be held within 30 days of the emergency Membership Meeting by mail ballot.

Article 3. Duties of Officers and Standing Committee Chairs

Section 1. Duties of Co-Presidents. The Co-Presidents shall call and preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and Membership. They shall appoint the Standing Committee Chairs and the Chief Steward, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. They shall be ex-officio members of all committees, sign all necessary documents and papers and represent the Chapter internally and externally. They are members of the UFF President's Council. The Co-Presidents shall report to the membership annually on the activities of the Chapter . The Co-Presidents supervise the work of any employees of the Chapter. Significant correspondence and documents shall be deposited in the Chapter records at the end of the Co-Presidents' term of office.

Section 2. Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall maintain the records of the Chapter, shall record the minutes of all Membership meetings, Executive Committee Meetings or consultations with the University President or Provost. Copies of these minutes shall be distributed to all Executive Committee members.

Section 3. Duties of Treasurer. As chief financial officer of UF-GAU, the Treasurer shall exercise supervision over the receipt and disbursement of all moneys, properties, securities and other evidences of financial worth of the organization. S/He shall prepare an annual financial statement and shall prepare a proposed budget for approval at UF-GAU's first membership meeting of each Fall semester. S/He also shall submit the approved version of the budget to the UFF office in Tallahassee. The Treasurer shall report regularly to the Executive Committee and the membership on the financial status of the Chapter.

Section 4. Chair of the Grievance Committee. The Chair of the Grievance Committee shall direct the administration of grievances at UF, coordinate the activities of the Grievance Committee as described in the UFF Constitution and report regularly to the Chapter . S/He shall serve as the Chapter representative to the State UFF Contract Enforcement Committee unless otherwise determined by the Chapter.

Section 5. Chair of the Bargaining Committee. The Chair of the Bargaining Committee shall represent the Chapter to the statewide Graduate Assistants United Bargaining Team unless otherwise determined by the membership. The Bargaining Chair shall coordinate the activities of the Bargaining Committee as described in the UFF Constitution and report regularly to the membership on the progress of bargaining.

Section 6. Chair(s) of the Organizing Committee. The Chair(s) of the Organizing Committee shall coordinate the activities of the Organizing Committee as described in the UFF Constitution and report regularly to the membership. The Chair(s) shall serve as chapter representative(s) to the State UFF Membership Committee unless otherwise determined by the Chapter membership.

Section 7. Chair(s) of the Publications Committee. The Chair(s) of the Publications Committee shall coordinate the activities of the Publications Committee.

Section 8. The Chief Steward. The Chief Steward shall coordinate the activities of department stewards and shall report regularly to the Executive Committee and to the Membership on recruitment activities and membership concerns at the department level. In conjunction with the Organizing and Publications committees, the Chief Steward shall contact new bargaining unit employees and prepare materials that can be used in recruiting.

Section 9. Chair(s) of the International Issues Committee. The Chair(s) of the International Issues Committee shall serve as a liaison between GAU and the various international student groups and representatives on campus. The Chair(s) shall coordinate the activities of the International Issues Committee as described in the UFF Constitution and report regularly on international issues and related projects to the Executive Committee and the Membership.

Article 4. Executive Committee

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall meet upon the request of the Co-President(s) or other member(s) of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall monitor the operations of the Chapter and shall make recommendations to the membership.

Article 5. Standing Committees

Section 1. Committee members shall be appointed by the Chair of the Committee in consultation with the Co-President(s) except as provided otherwise in the Chapter Constitution or Bylaws.

Section 2. All committees shall report regularly to the Executive Committee and membership on their activities.

Section 3. Committees shall submit reports on current activities at membership meetings. By a date set by the UF-GAU Treasurer, a proposed budget for the coming year shall be submitted to the Treasurer.

Section 4. The Bargaining Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the GAU Bargaining Council. They will plan and analyze bargaining surveys and develop position papers as needed. The Committee shall meet at least once per semester during the academic year to discuss issues of concern to Collective Bargaining at UF.

Section 5. The Grievance Committee consists of the Chapter's certified grievance representatives. The Grievance Committee shall keep records of and supervise all grievances and make sure that the bargaining unit is fully represented in informal resolutions and in formal grievance procedures. They shall also insure that the Executive Committee is fully informed on progress in enforcing and expanding the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Committee shall meet at least once per semester during the academic year to discuss issues of concern to contract enforcement at UF. Grievance training sessions shall be scheduled once per year.

Section 6. The Organizing Committee shall carry out organizing drives among graduate assistants. In conjunction with the Chief Steward and Publications Committee, it shall contact new bargaining unit employees and prepare materials that can be used in recruiting. The Committee shall meet at least once per semester during the academic year to discuss the progress of recruiting efforts at UF.

Section 7. The Publications Committee shall publish a newsletter at least once a semester, maintain the chapter's site on the World Wide Web, and shall produce or assist in producing texts for other UF-GAU committees. In conjunction with the Chief Steward and Organizing Committee, it shall contact new bargaining unit employees and prepare materials that can be used in recruiting. The Committee shall meet at least once per semester during the academic year to plan and produce a newsletter. The Executive Committee and the Co-Presidents hold ultimate authority over the approval of the contents of the Newsletter.

Section 8. The International Issues Committee shall address issues and initiate projects that are of specific importance to international graduate assistants. The Committee shall communicate and work in conjunction with the various international student groups and representatives on campus. The committee shall meet at least once per semester per academic year to discuss international issues and plan related projects.

Article 6. Stewards

Each department in the University of Florida that employs graduate assistants is entitled to at least one UF-GAU department steward. Department stewards must be enrolled in the department they represent. It shall be the goal of UF-GAU to recruit at least one steward for every department in the University employing graduate assistants. Stewards shall work to recruit members for UF-GAU at the department level, shall represent the concerns of graduate assistants in their department to the Chief Steward, and shall keep current records of UF-GAU membership within their respective departments.

Article 7. Amendments

Section 1. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be submitted to the membership two weeks prior to the date scheduled for a vote on the amendments.

Section 2. Adoption of an amendment requires a vote of a simple majority of the membership present and voting on the amendment.

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[Amendments concerning the International Issues Committee (Amendment I, Bylaws 3.9 and 5.8) were approved at the 10/20/2003 General Membership Meeting.]