The
Constitution of the McMaster Association of Secular Humanists (MASH)

 

Preamble

“Isn’t it enough to see that a garden is
beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it
too?” – Douglas Adams

Mission
Statements

1. To provide a welcoming group for all atheists, agnostics,
   secularists, humanists, freethinkers, skeptics (and the like) on campus.
2. To advocate a freethinker’s oasis in order to advance human
   knowledge though scientific reasoning and logical conclusions.
3. To promote student awareness and participation on campus.

Definitions

The follow words shall have the following
meanings in the context of the constitution

1. Majority Vote: a voting result of 50% + 1
2. Campus: any campus run by McMaster University
3. Full Time Member: any paid member of MASH
4. Full Time Student: any MSU student with a course load of 18
   units of more.
5. Honorary Member: Any member who is not a fulltime student
6. MSU: McMaster Students Union
7. Quorum: The minimum number of members needed for a meeting

I. Name

The
Club shall be known as the McMaster Association of Secular Humanists (MASH) a
MSU recognized and funded club.

II. Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics shall be a guide for the club for
understanding its roles and

Duties when promoting the awareness
of this group on and off campus

1. Conduct

A)
In relationships with other
clubs, especially religious clubs, MASH will conduct it’s self in a fair and
dignified manner, and at no time shall it engage in any conduct that shall be
seen as cruel or excessive (as determined by the executive) when interacting
with peoples of religious views.

B)
No member of MASH shall break
any MSU by-law under punishment of removal from the club

2. Honesty

A)
MASH will always conduct its
self in an honest manner in its dealings with others
and be open to constructive criticism

B)
No member of MASH will conduct
themselves in any manner which would prevent the club’s honest operation

3. Respect

A)
As MASH wishes to break down commonly held stereotypes about
atheists, et cetera, all members and exec will respect other clubs and
members of the religious community and
will accept the fact that some people simply do not desire to hear MASH’s views
or statements

4. Trust

A)
All members of MASH will trust
each other and their elected executive committee

B)
Any disagreements or objections
within the club shall be forwarded to a member of the executive committee or
raised during a general meeting

C)
If a member feels that a trust
has been broke, the MASH executive shall provide a method of confidential
advancement for such complaints/concerns either to be heard by the club as a
whole or dealt with by the executive panel

D)
MASH will always maintain an
open and enjoyable social environment within the parameters of it’s goal
statement

III. Memberships

1. Membership to the club shall be open to all members of the MSU
   who support the purpose of the club, regardless of religious affiliation
   or lack there of.
2. Honorary Membership shall be granted to an interested party
   outside the MSU upon approval by the executive committee
3. Honorary members will not hold executive positions, expend
   funds, or have voting status at meetings

IV. Member’s Rights

1. Each full time member of MASH is:

A)
Granted one vote in all manners
of constitutional referendum

B)
Able to attend all executive
meetings, social events, or other club functions

C)
Able to run for executive
positions

D) Able to promote MASH on and off campus within the guidelines of this
constitution and MSU by-laws

2. Each honorary member is:

A)
Able to attend all executive
meetings, social events and other club functions

B)
Able to promote MASH on and off
campus within the guidelines of this constitution and MSU by-laws

V. Executive Members’ Rights

1. Each member of the executive committee of MASH is:

A)
Granted one vote on all matters
brought before the committee

B)
Able to propose, second, and
approve amendments to the constitution

C)
Able to present motions,
including introduction of Honorary members

D)
Able to nominate paid members
for positions on the executive committee

E)
Can speak at all meetings and
make statements

F)
Able to vacate their seat at
anytime

VI. Executive Member’s Duties and Responsibilities

1.
The President:

A)
Will be responsible for the
club’s overall direction and management

B)
Will call all executive and
general meetings

C)
Will preside over all club
meetings

D) Will be the key speaker/representative for MASH to the MSU and the
public and represent the clubs best interests.

2. The Vice President of Administration

A)
Will perform duties of the
President in the latter’s absence and assist the President when required.

B)
Will work to support all other
executive positions whenever possible

C)
Will perform other duties that
are occasionally assigned by the President

3. The Vice President of Finance

A)
Will supervise the expenditure
of the clubs funds

B)
Will disburse or reimburse
funds for club-sanctioned events

C)
Will give a report on the
status of the clubs finances at each executive meeting

D)
Will balance club finances and
make club operations transparent to all club members and the MSU

E)
Will perform other duties that
are occasionally assigned by the President

4.
The Vice President of
Communications

A)
Will provide an agenda for
every executive meeting and ensure that the agenda is followed as closely as
possible

B)
Will record the minutes of all
official meetings and make them available to the general membership

C)
Will draft all club
correspondence to third parities

D)
Will ensure that all members,
honorary members and outside clubs and institutions are aware of the clubs
activities

E)
Will perform other duties that
are occasionally assigned by the President

5. The Vice President of Social Affairs

A)
Will plan, prepare and
coordinate all club activities

B)
Will coordinate with the
Vice-President of Communications to arrange all guest speakers

C)
Will work closely with all
executive members to ensure MASH is one of the most active clubs on campus

D)
Will create all event posters
and ensure their distribution

E)
Will perform other duties that
are occasionally assigned by the President

6.
New Positions

A)
The President reserves the
right to create new executive positions as the need arises

B)
When a new executive position
is created, the President may nominate a full time member of MASH

C)
The appointment will stand for
one week, during which the general membership will be notified of the
nomination

D)
Any full time member may object
to the nomination of a person to a new position

E)
In an objection occurs, then a
vote of the general membership shall take place during the next scheduled
meeting

F) If no objections occur then the nominated person shall be appointed
to the position for the duration of the club year

VII. Elections

1. All executive officers shall be elected from the club
   membership and shall be MSU members.
2. Election of officers shall be by secret ballot and require a
   simple majority vote
3. In the case of a tie, the executive committee shall cast the
   deciding vote, in the exception of a person on the committee who is
   seeking re-election
4. If another tie occurs then the lowest candidate will be dropped
   and a revote will occur, ad infinum until a simple majority is reached
5. Elections shall occur at a general meeting held by March of
   each year
6. The term of office shall be from September 1^st to
   August 31^st of each year, with the executive council that is
   exiting in August working closely with the executive council that assumes
   office in September.

VIII. Meetings

1. General Meetings

A)
At least one general meeting
will be called by the President per academic term.

B)
Upon reception by the President
of five (5) signatures from club members requesting a general meeting, a
meeting will be called by the President at the earliest possible date

C)
Voting procedure for regular
business at a general meeting will be by simple majority vote

2. Executive Meetings

A)
At least one executive meeting
shall be called by the President every other week.

B)
Upon reception by the President
of written request for an executive meeting signed by 50% of the executive, the
President will call an executive meeting at the earliest possible date.

C)
Voting procedure for regular
business at an executive meeting will be by simple majority.

3. Quorum

A)
Quorum for a general meeting
will be 1/3 of the total membership

B)
Quorum for an executive meeting
will be 1/3 of the executive committee

IX. Amendments

1. Passage of amendments to the constitution will be 50% plus 1
   affirmative vote at a general meeting
2. Each amendment will be referred to the MSU speaking for
   approval, then to the SRA for it’s acceptance

X. Governing Laws

1. MASH will be governed by the laws of the Government of Canada,
   the Government of Ontario, the Municipality of the New City of Hamilton,
   and the MSU

XI. Disclaimer

1. The views and actions of MASH in no way reflect the views of
   the McMaster Student Union Incorporated