Lehman Debate and Speech Club Constitution

Article l. Name
The name of this club is titled the Lehman Debate and Speech Club. Members of
this club are selected to participate in Lehman College’s Debate Team.

Article ll. Purpose

The purpose of this student organization is to prepare students with excellent
skills in public speaking and effective debating. Students further participate in
formal debates and engage in political discussions in a civil and constructive
manner. Selected students are further trained to become members of Lehman
College’s Debate Team participating in tournaments.

Article lll. Eligibility

All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to join Lehman’s Debate and
Speech Club. A student must register with the Office of Campus Life to gain
membership in this club and must further abide by the club members’
responsibilities provided in Article 5 of this Constitution. On campus tournaments
are welcome to all students of the debate and speech club. Tournament eligibility
with other colleges are reserved for members of the Debate team.

Article lV. Meetings

The Debate and Speech club will meet once to two days a week for training
purposes, fellowship, and mock trials. The schedule of our meetings can change
every semester based on the schedules of our students and advisors

Article V. Membership
Love, Liberty and Justice must be promoted, preserved and demonstrated in
every meeting by every member of this club.
Every member must be dedicated to our weekly meetings during each
semester.

Every member must make a significant effort to be active and effective in

group training, group discussions, group projects, group tournaments and
campus fundraising.

Every member must conduct themselves in a respectful civil manner during

our meetings. Foul language, quarreling, abusive behavior and discrimination
will not be tolerated in the Debate and Speech Club.

This club has a religious affiliation standing on Biblical principles. The

founders (first officers) of the club have a strong faith in GOD and believe that
all justice, strength, peace and liberty come from Him. Prayers will be said
before every meeting. Each member is encouraged to join the beginning
prayer but is not and cannot be forced to join by any member or officer of the
club or team.

Officers and Duties

President

The President will serve as the overseer of all meetings and activities of the
debate and speech club. The President along with the Academic advisors must
create an effective agenda for each meeting and must fulfill the goals set in place
for each semester. The President must remain in fellowship with the advisors and
directors of student programs to further establish the success of the club.

Vice-President

The Vice-President will serve as the overseer in the absence of the President. The
Vice President is responsible for maintaining effective communication with all
members of the executive team and must work closely with the President to
ensure the success and expansion of the Debate and Speech Club.

Secretary

The Secretary will serve as the communications manager of the Debate and
Speech Club. The Secretary must effectively communicate to the members of the
club the time, location and agenda of each meeting. The Secretary must further
take effective notes on each meeting with recommendations of members for
future meetings, submitting all notes to the President.

Treasurer

The Treasurer will serve as the manager of finances for this club. All fundraising
proposals and activities must be reviewed, approved and presided over by the
Treasurer. The Treasurer must appropriately document all funds and report the
financial status of the club each semester to the President and Vice-President.

Article Vl. Elections

The first offices of the club (President, Vice President, Treasurer and
Secretary) must remain in office until the officers resign or graduate from
Lehman College. The process for selecting new positions into the executive
team are as follows:

President - The President of the Debate Club's position will be reserved for
the Vice President if the President resigns and/or graduates from Lehman
College. Upon the Vice President's resignation and graduation, students from
the Debate Team along with the club's advisors must elect a member of the
Debate team into office within the period of two weeks. The process remains
for the office of Vice President.

The secretary and treasurer will be chosen by election by members of the

Debate and Speech Club within a time period of two weeks.

Article Vlll. Constitutional Amendments

Amendments can be made to the Constitution by the following process:

A written proposal can be created by any member and must be signed by

two-third of the members of the club and further put into effect upon the
review and approval of the club advisors.

Example - If there are 25 members, 17 members of the 25 must sign the

proposal to further be approved by the club advisor(s)