Section Fifteen: Chapter Constitution

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Introduction

Your chapter's constitution or charter is an important tool for insuring the continued success of your chapter after its founders have left. It should be flexible enough for future changes but remain true to its original purpose. Click here to see an example constitution. Below are some hints and suggestions for writing your chapter's constitution. We suggest that you get your friends together and write the constitution for approval of the rest of the chapter.

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Leadership Styles

It is important, before writing your constitution, that you and the others who will help you decide on the leadership style you will employ. We suggested that you have elected officers who will take the responsibility for the group's activities. Thi s prevents a floating group of semi-detached leaders who may or may not do their job. The elected president or chair of the executive committee should coordinate the efforts of the other officers. It is important not to pile to much responsibility on on e person alone, as they may become overwhelmed and not be able to serve the chapter very well.

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Continuity

The constitution should provide for continuity within the group. The responsibility for the chapter should pass to new leaders continuously. Therefore, we suggest that your chapter have elections near December, with the officers actually taking offi ce in February or March sometime. This way, the new officers get "training" from the old officers, thus giving continuity to the leadership.

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Other Interested People

Do not discourage new members from helping out! They can be appointed to leadership positions of your chapter by executive committee vote, for example. These positions increase the ability for your chapter leadership to deliver to the needs of the r est of the chapter.

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Bylaws

Bylaws are the operating procedure as well as the distribution of power and responsibilities among your chapter's leadership. The procedures can be handled by Robert's Rules of Order for the most part. The distribution of power and responsibilities c an be handled by the constitution or your bylaws. The length of the constitution can be shortened if you put this in the by-laws.

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Other Notes

The constitution does not have to be very long, and if it is written with a lot of foresight and anticipation, it can last a long time and provide your chapter with a valuable service. Use it as a launch pad for your chapter, don't limit the good pos sibilities, just the undesirable ones. For example, limit the capability of chapter leaders to take the resources for themselves, but increase the capability for the chapter to get more resources for the chapter. Use common sense and don't be afraid of creating this document. Be sure that the spirit of the constitution does not conflict with SEDS goals.