StudentsAlliedforFreedomandEqualityConstitution

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

30

32

34

36

38

40

42

44

46

Mission

StudentsAlliedforFreedomandEquality(SAFE)isagroupofstudentactivistsorganizedtopromotesocial
justice,humanrights,liberation,equality,andselfdeterminationforthePalestinianpeopleasthefundamental
principlesforajustresolutionoftheIsraelioccupationofPalestine.

CodeofConduct

SAFEupholdsitselfanditsmemberstoahighstandardofconductinordertoengageinpositivestudent
activismthatpromotesthestatedmission.Individualsorgroupsactingasmembers,representatives,or
sponsorsofSAFEagreetoabidebytheguidingprinciplesoftheorganization.

GuidingPrinciples

Asanadvocacygroup,SAFEiscommittedtoacoresetofprinciplesgroundedininternationallaw,universal
humanrights,andjustice.Theseincludebutarenotlimitedtothefollowing:

1.EndingitsoccupationandcolonizationofallArablandsanddismantlingtheWall.
2.RecognizingthefundamentalrightsoftheArabPalestiniancitizensandallotherinhabitantsofIsraelto
fullequality
and
3.Respecting,protectingandpromotingtherightsofPalestinianrefugeestoreturntotheirhomesand
propertiesasstipulatedinUNresolution194.

JustasSAFEcondemnstheracismanddiscriminationresultingfromIsraelipoliciesandlaws,SAFErejects
anyformofhatredordiscriminationagainstanyreligious,racial,orethnicgroup.SAFEsupportsoppressed
andexploitedpeoplesintheirstrugglesforfreedomandbasichumanandcivilrights.SAFEwelcomes
individualsofallethnicandreligiousbackgroundstojoininsolidaritywiththestruggleforjusticeandpeace
inPalestine.

ArticleI.Name

ThenameoftheorganizationisStudentsAlliedforFreedomandEquality(SAFE).

ArticleII.Purpose

SAFEwasestablishedinorderfulfillthemissionstatedabovethrougheducationanddiscourseandvarious
formsofactivismwithintheUniversityofMichiganAnnArborcampuscommunity.SAFEshallalso
activelyengagetheUniversityadministration,otherstudentgroups,andresponsiblecommunityorganizations
inourcollectiveattempttocontributetoachievingtheaforementionedguidingprinciples.

ArticleIII.Membership

Section1.Eligibility

48

50

52

54

56

58

60

62

64

66

68

70

72

74

76

78

80

82

84

86

88

90

92

94

96

SAFEmembershipisopentoallfaculty,staff,communitymembers,andstudentsattheUniversityof
MichiganAnnArbor.Executiveboardmembershipisrestrictedtocurrentlyenrolledundergraduatestudents.

Section2.MembershipType

Therearetwodifferentkindsofmembershipavailabletostudents,staff,communitymembers,andfacultyat
theUniversityofMichiganAnnArbor:

A. ActiveMembership:
a. Activemembersattendatleast3meetingsweeklymeetingspersemester,andareexpectedto
attendorassistwithSAFEsponsoredevents.Attendancewillbetakenatallmeetingsand
eventsviawrittenrecord.
b. ForthesafetyofallSAFEmembersonlyactivememberswhohavebeenvouchedforbyan
executivememberwillhaveaccesstothecoreTeamSAFElistservandCToolssite.
B. GeneralMembership:
a. Generalmembersarethosewhodonotfulfillthecriteriaforactivemembership,but
nonethelessshowdedicationandinterestinSAFEbyoccasionallyattendingmeetingsand
events.
b. Generalmemberswillhaveaccesstotheiheartsafelistservonlyuntiltheyareconsideredan
activemember.

ArticleIV.ExecutiveBoardOfficers

Section1.CoChair

A. TheSAFECoChairsareresponsibleforholdingotherchairsaccountabletotheirrespectiveduties.
SAFECoChairsshouldbecomfortablespeakinginpublic,workingwithmediaoutlets,andhavean
intimateknowledge/understandingoftheoutlinedmission.Theyareresponsiblefortheoverall
wellbeingofthegroupincluding,butnotlimitedto:
a. Workingdirectlywithallotherexecutiveboardmemberstoassistwithandensurethattheir
dutiesarefulfilled
b. KeepingupconstantcommunicationwithUniversityAdministration
c. Mediatingconflictasitariseswithintheorganization
d. Maintainingahealthybalancebetweeninternaldevelopment(retreats,socials,etc.)andexternal
visibility(throughevents,demonstrations,workshops,teachins,etc.)
e. MaintainingallofSAFE'srespectivelistservs
f. MaintainingaclearvisionforSAFE,motivatingmemberstotakeonpositionsofleadershipand
toremainactivelyengagedwitheventsandrelatedactivities

Section2.AdministrativeAffairs

A. Formerlyknownassecretary,theAdministrativeAffairsAhairisresponsiblefordealingwithlogistics
necessaryforvariousSAFEfunctions.Theseresponsibilitiesinclude:
a. Writingmeetingminutes.
b. MaintainingourSAFECToolssite

98

100

102

104

106

108

110

112

114

116

118

120

122

124

126

128

130

132

134

136

138

140

142

144

c.
d.
e.
f.

Updatingourhistoricalarchivewithnewevents
Contactinginvitedspeakersandcommunicatingwiththemforallnecessaryaccommodations
BookingroomsforSAFEevents
CommunicatingwithallcommitteechairsofSAFEinordertoensuretheyhaveallnecessary
informationforgivenevents/functions
g. Inaddition,theAdministrativeAffairsChairwillensurethenecessarydocumentationforthe
successesandfailuresofeacheventiscompleted,forthereferenceofcurrentandfutureSAFE
members.

Section3.ChiefFinancialOfficer

TheChiefFinancialOfficerperformstwoprimaryjobs:

A. Coordinatingand/orheadingfundraisingeffortsandmaintainingourfinancialaccount(currently
throughSOAS).Specificresponsibilitiesinclude:
a. Applyingforfundingwhenevernecessary
b. Obtainingthatfundingbyfollowingproperprocedure
c. KeepingtrackofallofSAFE'sexpenses.
d. WorkwithCoChairsindevelopingsemesterbudgetforallevents
e. Accuratelydocumentallexpensesand/ortransactionsofSAFEfunds
B. Comingupwithfundraisingideasanddelegatingroleswhennecessaryinordertoputthesecampaigns
on.
C. Inaddition,thenatureofmanySAFEeventsincludesinvitingspeakers,whichoftenrequirefunds.The
CFOisthusresponsibleforcommunicatingwiththeAdministrativeAffairsAhairindeterminingthe
appropriatepaperworkisfinalizedforthesearrangements.

Section4.Boycott,Divestment&Sanctions(BDS)Chair

TheBDSChair'sresponsibilitiesinSAFEwillincludeleadingandfacilitatinganyoftheBDSinitiativesthat
SAFEwillengageinandensuringattemptstowardsprogresswithrespecttoBDSarebeingmade.

Section5.MediaChair

A. Responsibilitiesinclude:
a. Workingwithothercommitteesindeterminingproperadvertisingforparticularevents
b. Creatingflyersandonlineinvites
c. Coordinating,recording&publishingofmediafromSAFEevents
d. MaintainingthedesignofDiagDissent.com
e. ComingupwithcreativeadvertisingcampaignsforSAFEanditsrespectiveinitiatives
f. MakingsureSAFEhasastrongpresenceintermsofmarketing,socialmedia,andonthe
campuscommunity.
g. UpdatingFacebookandTwitteraccounts

Section6.EducationChair

146

148

150

152

154

156

158

160

162

164

166

168

170

172

174

176

178

180

182

184

186

188

190

192

194

A. Integraltoourgroupasanorganizationiseducationalempowerment,bothinternallyandexternally,to
thecampuscommunity.
B. TheresponsibilitiesoftheEducationChairinclude:
a. Comingupwithcampaignsofawarenessandeducationalinformation
b. CoordinatingSAFEinternal/externalteachins.
C. Additionalformsofeducationsuchasbutnotlimitedto,educationalpamphlets/quartersheetstopass
outatrespectiveevents/functionsaSAFEbookclubetc,willbeusedifdeemednecessarybythe
EducationChair.
D. TheroleoftheEducationChairisessentiallytoensurethatSAFEmemberscontinuetobe
knowledgeable.

Section7.OutreachChair

OutreachChairisresponsibleforreachingouttostudentorganizations/groupsonandoffcampusinorderto
buildalliesandgainastrongsenseofcommunity.ThejoboftheOutreachChairistoinitiatethese
conversationsandmakedirectconnections,whilealsostrengtheningtieswithpreviousgroupsthatareallies.
Communicationcouldcomeintheformofspecificeventplanninginwhichacampusgroupwouldbea
suitablesponsor,reachingoutinordertofurtherSAFE'smissionviateachinsandothercollaborations.In
addition,itisthejoboftheOutreachChairtoensurethatSAFEispresentintwoothermeetingsand/orevents
fromdifferentorganizations.

Section8.CulturalChair

TheCulturalChairhasacrucialroleinhumanizingthePalestiniansasapeople.EventstheCulturalChairwill
spearheadmayincludeculturalnights,festivitiesontheDiag,eventsshowcasingpersonalPalestinian
struggles,etc.

Section9.Spokesperson

TheroleoftheSpokespersonistoessentiallybeSAFE'svoiceoncampus.Responsibilitiesincludemaking
connectionsandcommunicatingwithcampuswideorganizationssuchastheMichiganDaily,DeanofStudent
Affairs,andotherrelevantgroups,bothonandoffcampus.Becauseofthenatureoftheactivismweengagein,
issuesmayarisewhereSAFEhasbeencompromisedand/orthreatenedasastudentorganization.Inthese
cases,itisthejoboftheSpokespersontorespondappropriatelybynegotiatingmeetingswithrelevantparties
andmakingsureourvoiceisappropriatelyrepresentedthroughnewsarticles,viewpoints,andadvertising
campaigns.TheSpokespersonisalsoresponsibleforensuringthatpressreleasesforallofSAFEseventsare
published.

Section10.HumanitarianAidChair

TheroleoftheHumanitarianAidChairistoorganizecharity/donationeventsthatwillgotorelieffoundations
pertainingtoPalestineand/orPalestinians.ThisistoensurethatSAFEcontinuestomakeadirectimpacton
theimprovementandwellbeingofthePalestiniansfacingorbeingaffectedbytheoccupation.

Section11.CollectiveResponsibilities

196

198

200

202

204

206

208

210

212

214

216

218

220

222

224

226

228

230

232

234

236

238

240

242

A. Allofficersareresponsibleforkeepingtheorganizationuptodateontheirprogresswiththeirvarious
goalsandresponsibilities.
B. Officersmustinvolveactiveandgeneralmembersintheiractivitiesbysharingthemwithvolunteers
andexplaininghowtocompletethetasksvolunteerstakeon,aswellasmakingsurethosetasksare
completedintime.
C. OfficersshouldmakesurethereareclearelectronicinstructionsavailableonCToolsonhowto
completetasksrelatedtotheirpositions(suchasfillingoutgrants,meetingwithdepartmentchairs,
updatingtheblog,etc.)sothatmemberscanlearnhowtocontribute.

Officerpositionsmaybecreatedasneedarisesafterapprovalofaninitialproposalbyamajorityvoteof
activemembers.

ArticleV.NonExecutiveBoardPositions

Section1.ExOfficio

TheExOfficiohastheroletohelpthetransitionofexecutiveboards,andtobeathirdpartyconsultantif
needed(asdeemednecessarybycurrentexecutiveboard).Thispositiononlyrequiresthattheindividualhas
servedonSAFEsexecutiveboardinpreviousyears.

ArticleVI.Operations

Section1.Elections

Nominations:anymembersmaybenominatedormaynominatethemselvesforanyexecutiveboardposition,
aslongastheyareanundergraduatestudentattheUniversityofMichiganAnnArbor.Nominationswillbe
submittedtoanddecideduponbytheexecutiveboard.

A. Nomineeswillbenotifiedoftheirnominationswithampletimeforthenomineestoacceptorrejectthe
nomination(s).
B. Afternominationsareaccepted/rejected,thethirdpartynotifiesallmembersofSAFEwhothe
candidatesareforeachpositionbeforetheelectionmeeting.
C. ElectionMeeting:
a. Nomineeshaveachancetoaddressthemembersandgiveashortspeechbeforevoting.
b. Eachmemberinattendancevotesforonenomineeforeacheboardpositionandtwonominees
forCoChair.Onlyactivememberspresentattheelectionmeetingcanvote.
c. Awinnerforeachpositionisdeterminedbypopularvote.
d. Intheeventofatie,itisuptothevoteofthecurrentexecutiveboardtodecidethewinner.

Section2.Meetings

Meetingsoccurweekly.AnyonemaysubmitanagendaitemtooneoftheCoChairspriortothemeeting.

ArticleVI.Finances

Section1.

244

246

248

250

252

254

256

258

260

262

264

266

268

270

272

274

276

278

280

282

284

286

288

290

292

SAFEwillfinanceitsactivitiesthroughvoluntarydonations,fundraisers,Universityandotherfundingbodies,
andpotentiallyothermeansthatwouldbediscussedanddecidedonatmeetings.

Section2.

TheChiefFinancialOfficershallberesponsibleforallfinances,withtheinputoftheexecutiveboard.

ArticleVII.Amendments

Section1.

Amendmentstothisconstitutionmaybeproposedatweeklymeetings.

Section2.

Anymember,activeorgeneral,mayproposeanamendment.

Section3.

Votingonamendmentsshalltakeplacenoearlierthantheclosestscheduledmeetingfollowingthetimewhen
theamendmentwasproposed.Onlyactivemembersmayvoteonamendments.

Section4.

Anamendmentwillpassifitreceivesmajorityvote.CoChairsmayvetotheamendmentifconsensusby
CoChairsisreached.Avetomaybeoverriddenwithatwothirdsmajorityvotebyactivemembers.

ArticleVIII.RegistrationRenewal

Section1.
RegistrationrenewalshouldbecompletedbythenextCoChairsfollowingtheconclusionoftheacademic
schoolyear.

ArticleIX.RemovalofMembership

Section1.

A. Officerswillbeconsideredforremovalif:
a. Theyfailtoattendallmeetingsandeventsofexecutiveboardmeetingswithoutanexcused
absence.
b. Theyfailtoupholdthemission,codeofconduct,andguidingprinciplesasstatedabove
c. Theyfailtoattendanyoftheweeklymeetingswithoutpropernotification

Section2.

294

296

298

300

302

304

306

308

310

312

314

Officersmaybevotedoutbyamajorityoftheexecutiveboardand/ortwothirdsvotebyactivemembers.

Section3.

A. Memberswillbeconsideredforremovaliftheyfailtocomplywiththemissionorcodeofconductas
statedabove.
B. Membersmayalsobeconsideredforremovalifthereisaconsensusamongotherexecutiveboardand
activemembersthattheirpresenceisdetrimentaltothemissionoftheorganizationatSAFEmeetings
and/orevents.

Section4.

Organizationmembersmayberemovedbyavoteofthesimplemajorityoftheexecutiveboard.

ArticleX.Bylaws

1. ResponsiblecommunitygroupsarethosecommunitygroupswhichabidebySAFE'scodeofconduct
andguidingprinciples.
2. WhileanyoneiswelcometoparticipateinSAFEasanactiveorgeneralmember,executiveboard
membershipisrestrictedtoundergraduatestudentsonly.ThisistoensurethattheintegrityofSAFEas
astudentrunorganizationismaintained.