Criminal Justice Club (CJC)

CONSTITUTION

Adopted September 21, 2007

Article I. - Name

Section 1: This society shall be referred to as the “Criminal Justice Club.”

Section 2: The recognized short form of this society is the “CJC.”

Article II. Purpose

Section 1: The purpose of the CJC is to provide students with educational and networking opportunities in the academic, criminal justice and law enforcement communities.

Section 2: The CJC also exists to facilitate training opportunities for law enforcement personnel.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Membership status shall be granted to students, who are registered in a Criminal Justice program at Austin Community College, and who do not have any felony convictions.

Section 2: Honorary membership status is granted to CJC Alumnus and law enforcement personnel, who are actively engaged in CJC programs.

Article IV. Officers and the Executive Committee

Section 1: The CJC shall have the following officer positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Community Relations Chair.

Section 2: All officers make up the Executive Committee, which is responsible for managing all club activities and objectives.

Section 3: The Executive Committee may create bylaws and other positions, as needed.

Article V. Advisors

Section 1: The CJC will have at least one advisor, who is a full-time staff member, a full-time faculty member or an adjunct faculty member at Austin Community College.

Article VI. Amendments

Section 1: The Constitution may be amended (or an entirely new version adopted) at an Executive Committee meeting by more than two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee and approval by an Advisor.

BYLAWS

Adopted September 21, 2007
Amended April 19, 2009

A. Name

   (a.) This society shall be referred to as the "Criminal Justice Club. The recognized short form of the Criminal Justice Club is the CJC

B. Purpose

   (a.) The purpose of the CJC is to provide students with educational and networking opportunities in the academic, criminal justice and law enforcement communities.

   (b.) The CJC also exists to facilitate training opportunities for law enforcement personnel.

C. Membership and Dues

   (a.) Membership status shall be granted to students, who are registered in the Criminal Justice program at Austin Community College, who do not have any felony convictions, and who apply for membership using the adopted form

   (b.) The CJC Executive committee may grant hHonorary membership status to CJC Alumni and law enforcement personnel, who are actively engaged in CJC programs.

   (c.) No person shall be considered for membership whose occupation or activities are inconsistent with the purpose of the CJC.

   (d.) CJC members shall be removed from membership, including officer or committee status, when accused of violations of the law. A committee made up of the Advisors, President, and Vice President shall investigate the allegations and a hearing may be held to consider continued membership status.

   (e.) There shall be no dues to active members.

      i. Active membership is defined as attending no less than one meeting, one community service activity, and one fundraising event per school year.

   (f.) The Executive Committee may require assessments or fees from members for certain Club events

   (g.) To remain active, members must submit a new membership form at the beginning of each fall semester

D. Officers and the Executive Committee

   (a.) The CJC shall have the following positions: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary / Communications Chair, Volunteer Chair and Community Relations Chair.

   (b.) All officers make up the Executive Committee, which is responsible for managing all Club activities and objectives.

   (c.) Bylaws shall be reviewed and / or revised at least once a year. Revision of the Bylaws requires a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee and approval of the Club Advisor.

   (d.) Each officer shall follow the guidelines set forth in Officer Commitment Form. All officers must maintain 2.0 GPA and not may not serve while on scholastic / disciplinary probation or Suspension

   (e.) Officer positions are one-year terms, and last from June 1st - May 31st of the following year.

   (f.) At minimum, the duties of each officer are as follows:

      i. The President is responsible for:

         1. Serving as the Club representative in dealings with the college and club advisors

         2. Monitoring and overseeing officers, committees and Club activities.

         3. Coordinating and running the business portion of Executive Committee meetings and any Club Meetings.

         4. Filing the Renewal Application and Semester Reports on time and ensuring that the Executive Committee and the Club complies with ACC and Student Life policies, mission statements, and values.

         5. Ensuring that at least two CJC members or officers attend a Student Life "Nuts and Bolts" session each semester. Ensuring that at least one CJC Officer attend all Interclub Council meetings; two per Semester. Ensuring that CJC Officers attend Risk Management Training as required.

         6. Performing other duties that would further the purpose of the CJC.

      ii. The Vice-President is responsible for:

         1. Assisting the President.

         2. The oversight of duties assigned to the President, in the absence of the President.

      iii. The Treasurer is responsible for

         1. Creating a budget for the CJC

         2. Maintaining an accurate and verifiable record of all transactions, account balances, and inventories

         3. Identifying and coordinating at least one Club fundraiser opportunity each semester

         4. Ensuring that no outstanding balances are carried with ACC or the Office of Student Life, inclusive of equipment or supplies.

         5. Providing financial reports directly to the Club Advisor(s) at least once a semester

      iv. The Community Relations Chair is responsible for:

         1. Planning and coordinating educational and networking opportunities with external groups.

         2. Identifying and scheduling speakers and facilities for the Club Meetings

         3. Ensuring that the CJC participates in at least one Club Fair per semester

         4. Leading the Community Relations committee

      v. The Secretary / Communications Chair is responsible for:

         1. Recording Club Meetings and events. At a minimum, the record should be in written form.

         2. Identifying and coordinating opportunities for communication to members. This includes the use of Club flyers, emails, Club website and other forms as deemed appropriate

         3. Identifying and sustaining relationships with the ACC Accent and local media

      vi. The Volunteer Chair is responsible for:

         1. Coordinating CJC participation in Project Build a Park, or a Student Life approved substitute, during the fall semester

         2. Identifying and coordinating at least one volunteer opportunity during the Spring Semester

         3. Recruiting volunteers from CJC Membership

E. Vacancies

   (a.) A vacancy may be declared by the President and Vice-President when any officer of the Executive Committee is absent without sufficient cause from two consecutive meetings or fails to fulfill his or her duties

   (b.) A vacancy will be declared upon resignation of an officer. In the event of a vacancy, the Vice President will ensure that duties assigned to the vacant position are fulfilled

   (c.) Vacancies shall be announced to the Club membership for at least one week from the date the vacancy is declared

   (d.) An election to fill the vacant position will be held at the Club Meeting immediately following the announcement period. A decision will be made by a simple majority vote of the Club members present at the meeting.

   (e.) The highest vacant office must be filled before the nominations committee decides on the next vacant office.

   (f.) A vacancy will be filled for the remainder of the term of that office.

F. Elections

   (a.) Expiring positions shall be announced to the Club membership for at least three weeks, beginning on April 1st.

   (b.) Elections to fill the vacant position will be held at the Club Meeting following the announcement period. A decision will be made by a simple majority vote of the members present at the meeting.

   (c.) The person elected as Vice-President is automatically nominated for President.

   (d.) The highest vacant office must be filled before membership elects that next open position.

G. Voting

   (a.) With the exception of amendments to the constitution, amendments to By-Laws and the election of officers, all Club decisions are made by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee. However, the Executive Committee may bring matters to the club membership and take a poll, as needed

H. Advisors

   (a.) The CJC will have at least one advisor, who is a full-time staff member, a full-time faculty member or an adjunct faculty member at Austin Community College.

   (b.) The CJC will also have an Alumni Advisor. This position will be automatically filled by the outgoing President on June 1st.

   (c.) Advisors shall follow responsibilities set forth in the Advisor Commitment Form.

I. Committees:

   (a.) The CJC will have the following committees:

   (b.) Community Relations Committee - This committee will be led by the Community Relations Chair. The committee will plan and coordinate educational and networking opportunities for Club members

   (c.) Volunteer Committee - This committee will be led by the Volunteer Chair. The committee will identify and coordinate at least one volunteer opportunity each semester.

   (d.) Special committees may be established by the Executive Committee as needed to carry on and serve the purpose of CJC.

J. Activities and Club Meetings

   (a.) Club Meetings are formal gatherings of Club members and the Executive Committee.

   (b.) At minimum, the agenda for each Club Meeting will include a business portion led by the Executive Committee

   (c.) There will be a minimum of three Club Meetings held during the both the spring and fall semesters, resulting in a minimum of six Club Meetings a year. Club Meetings may be scheduled for the summer semester, if deemed appropriate.

   (d.) All Club activities will be planned by committees, and announced to club members.

   (e.) Certain activity participation will be contingent upon signatures and agreements to liability release and TCIC / NCIC clearance.