Connection Club Charter

I. Name of the Club/Organization

The Connection Club  

II. Purpose of the Club/Organization

The purpose of the Connection Club is to strengthen the continuing bond between the students and the Deaf community. Each semester, the Connection Club comprised of students enrolled in the Interpreter Training Program and sponsors support a series of events related to the Deaf community issues. These activities provide students opportunities to develop their language skills, as well as to enhance their understanding of Deaf Culture.

III. Statement of Relationship

The Connection Club is not affiliated with any off-campus organization.

IV. Membership

Members must be enrolled in the Alamo Community College District with a minimum of three semester hours, maintain a good academic standing, passing all coursework, and must not be on academic or disciplinary probation. All members are required to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the college bulletin. All members including officers must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. To become a member, students must attend one meeting per semester and pay the minimum of a one semester $5.00 dues. 

V. Officers

A. Connection Club currently offers officer positions as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Powers and duties of such officers are as follows:

1.        President - duties include completion of the club renewal packet, confirmation of event dates and locations, setting of club meeting times, date and location of meetings, supervision of club funds, maintaining events book with Secretary and account summaries. Overseeing of club meetings and events, making final details for volunteers, vendors or guest speakers for all club functions.

2.        Vice President – duties include obtaining a donation letter for use through the semester, attendance at meetings, events and any club function, maintaining powers of club in the absence of the President.

3.        Secretary – duties include maintaining minutes for club meetings, keeping and updating member database and communication with all members, meeting with treasurer to confirm paid members, checking mailbox and/or selecting a member/officer to check mail, updating the Connection Club events book and being present at all club functions.

4.        Treasurer – duties include meeting with sponsors regarding monies received or used, tracking account balance and donations. Working with sponsors on annual account summary, communicating to club expenditures and paying and maintaining any club bills.

B.  Qualifications for becoming an officer

Officers and chairpersons must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

C. Officer terms of office

All officers serve a one semester term and are nominated and elected within the first month of the fall/spring terms. All officers must be nominated by themselves or any member of the existing Connection Club and nomination announcements and Election Day will stand 5 days apart. Election will be open to all Connection Club members on the Friday following the nomination decision in a silent ballet vote.

D. Removal of an Officer

Instruction for officer removal will include a sponsor/officer meeting to discuss the problem, an officer vote to remove or continue the position and a final club vote if the first two methods fail to repair the problem.

E.  Filling Officer Vacancies

If an officer is removed within the semester and duties can't be filled by the remaining officers, a full nomination and member election process will repeat from prior instruction.

VI. Meetings

The Connection Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 12:00 noon in a room that is reserved through the sponsors.  All events are voted on through a majority basis from members who attend the meetings.

VII. Ratification

The Connection Club Charter may be ratified through a majority vote from all members and officers called in for a special ratification meeting.

VIII. Amendments

Amendments can occur at anytime throughout a semester during a formal meeting including all members, officers and sponsors.  The amendments must be signed off on by the President or Chairperson in the department.

VIIII. Ratifications

            The charter was ratified on September 25, 2005.