Community Gardening Club Constitution
Article I- Name
The name of this organization shall be Community Gardening Club.
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of this organization is to secure a perennial patch of earth on campus where students can practice horticulture. This organization aims to encourage community building and provide means of social interaction among the people and the land. Additionally, this organization aims to foster a sense of appreciation, responsibility and love for the local environment through actively pursuing a variety of environmentally sustainable and socially conscious practices including, but not limited to, organic horticulture and campus-wide composting program.
Article III – Communal Property
The organization must apply all communal property and income of the organization towards the promotion of the objects or purposes of the organization. No part of that communal property or income shall be paid or otherwise distributed, directly or indirectly, to members of the organization, except in good faith in the promotion of those objects or purposes. A patch of earth has been secured by Garrett Kelly, since the year 2001 on campus as a part of his St. Mary’s Project in philosophy, located next to Parking Lot P between Daugherty-Palmer Commons and Lewis Quadrangle. This site shall be recognized by the St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) Student Government Association (SGA), the college administration, and the college service organizations as a perennial patch of earth where anybody of the community can practice horticulture.
Article IV – Powers
The organization has the power to acquire, hold, deal with, and dispose of movable property and structures; to build, construct, erect, maintain, alter and repair horticulture structures and to furnish, equip, and improve the same for use by the organization on the secured patch of earth; accept donations and gifts in accordance with the objects of the organization; and print and publish information agreed by at least 2/3 of the active participants through any media including newspapers, articles or leaflets. All powers shall be used in good faith for pursuit of the purpose of the organization.
Article V – Participation
All full-time students of SMCM are eligible to be voting participants of this organization, without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin. Only full-time degree seeking students who attend at least one out of every two meetings may vote. Staff, faculty, and neighbors of St. Mary’s College cannot vote nor participate in decision-making for this organization because SMCM SGA funds this organization.
Article VI – Officers
Section A: Titles
The Executive Board, also known as The Order of Green Thumbs, is the representative body for the organization. The active participants who are elected to these leadership roles have the responsibility of implementing the decisions agreed on by the body. They are also held responsible to the wishes and concerns of the organization and are removable by the organization (at least 2/3 vote by those present) at a meeting publicly announced at least one week in advance. The Executive Board must consult with the general participants before making any major policy decisions or changes within the organization. The Executive Board shall consist of the offices of President, also known as Sachem; Vice President, also known as Sagamore; Treasurer, also known as Pauwau; and Secretary, also known as Kachina; with the duties outlined below.
Section B: Duties
1. President / Sachem
a) Presides over meetings
b) Represents the organization at all appropriate Student Government Association meetings
c) Is the representative voice for the Community Garden
d) Reserves the right to call and schedule all meetings within 48 hours notice
e) Reserves the right to delegate responsibility for certain projects or topics to any member of the Executive Board
f) Is responsible for coordinating all Community Garden conferences.
2. Vice President / Sagamore
a) Reserves the role of President in case of an absence of the President
b) In charge of fundraising events
c) In charge of publicizing the organization’s activities
3. Treasurer / Pauwau
a) Handles the financial accounts of Community Garden
b) Keeps a permanent record of all transactions
c) Will report monthly on the financial status of the organization
4. Secretary / Kachina
a) Keeps an official record of meetings
b) Is responsible for looking after the proper uses and storages of organization’s materials
Section C: Elections
Officers shall be elected one month and a fortnight prior to the end of each semester. Elections shall be announced prior to the date on which they will occur, and all active participants will be allowed to vote. Officers for the following semester shall be chosen by a plurality of the members attending that meeting. Interim elections may be called to fill a vacancy by a majority of the active participants.
Article VII – Meetings
There will be meetings at least biweekly. The meetings will be called by the President with at least 48 hours of notice at a given date, time and place. The schedule of the meetings should be made to match the convenience of the members, with a minimum of two meetings a month.
Article VIII – Amendments
Amendments to this Constitution shall be ratified by at least 2/3 of the active participants of the Community Garden pending approval by the Student Government Association Senate.
Article IX – Special Elections
Special elections will be held for all officers’ positions upon ratification of this Constitution by the Student Government Association Senate.
