Constitution of the Cannabis Reform Coalition
  1. Name and Purpose: The name of this registered student organization (RSO) is the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Cannabis Reform Coalition, hereby referred to as "UMACRC." UMACRC is an organization of people who seek the repeal of the prohibition of cannabis for all purposes: recreational, medical, industrial, and religious. UMACRC will work toward this goal trough a program of nonviolent political action and community organization, in an effort to educate and expand the awareness of UMass students in regards to cannabis and its many uses. As an RSO, UMACRC is required to fulfill all university and SGA requirements. UMACRC is not affiliated with any other organization, though it may work in coordination with other groups with similar goals.
  2. Membership
    1. All interested individuals are eligible to become members
    2. There are two form of membership:
      1. Active: An active member has paid dues, is a SATF paying undergraduate, at UMass Amherst, and is on record as a member of the UMACRC.
      2. Associate: an associate member has paid dues, but is not a SATF paying undergraduate at UMass Amherst, or, for reasons of privacy, does not have their name on official records.
    3. The rights of members are:
      1. To speak at all meetings except Executive Board meetings which have been declared closed.
      2. To vote at all meetings (active members only, excluding Executive Board meetings)
      3. To examine and receive copies of the constitution and bylaws of the UMACRC.
      4. To receive a copy of UMACRC’s newsletter, "Smoke Signals."
    4. Members are encouraged to register to vote and to vote, if they are eligible. Members are also encouraged to attend rallies, write letters, and become active in the community outside UMACRC.
  3. Executive Board Officers
    1. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall comprise the executive board.
    2. All officers shall be elected to their positions at an annual election during a general meeting of the UMACRC and shall serve until replaced by a successor.
    3. A newly elected officer will assume the responsibilities of their elected position at the end of the meeting at which their election occurred. Exceptions are for the Treasurer and Vice-President, who assume their responsibilities as officers after they are confirmed as having signature responsibility.
    4. Annual elections will be held in the fourth week of the spring semester. It is the duty of the Secretary to issue a news brief which gives the date, time, and location of the election, at least two weeks prior to the election.
    5. Only active members who fulfill all RSO requirements can be Executive Board officers.
    6. Voting shall be by secret ballot, with separate ballots for each office.
    7. Duties:
      1. The President shall chair all meetings, be the liaison to all other organizations, and negotiate for the UMACRC with other offices and organizations. The President shall ensure compliance by the UMACRC with all provisions of the constitution and bylaws. The President, with the consent of the Executive Board, shall also be in charge of appointing all liaisons, committee heads, and other temporary officers as necessary.
      2. The Vice-President shall assist the President and substitute for the President in the event of the President’s absence. The Vice-President shall be in charge of organizing any events conducted by the UMACRC. As such, the Vice-President will follow this protocol:
        1. Gain the approval and financial support of the membership of the UMACRC.
        2. Procure a date and location for the event.
        3. Oversee the running of the event.

The Vice-President shall have signature responsibility.

      1. The Secretary shall be responsible for the taking of minutes at all UMACRC meetings. The Secretary shall also be responsible for publishing the group’s newsletter, "Smoke Signals." This newsletter shall contain minutes from all UMACRC meetings.
      2. The treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining all financial assets of the UMACRC. The Treasurer is also responsible for depositing all monies and dues and paying all debts. The Treasurer shall have signature responsibility.
    1. The Executive Board may provide for the continuity of UMACRC during any period of absence and may, for that purpose, delegate their individual and collective powers to temporary officers, who must be active members of UMACRC, and qualify according to RSO standards.
    2. All executive board members are encouraged to take the signature responsibility and treasurer workshops offered by the SAO.
    3. A majority vote at a general or weekly meeting is required to overturn a decision of the Executive Board.
    4. The decision of a single officer may be overturned by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
  1. Meetings
    1. There are three types of meetings conducted by the UMACRC:
      1. General Meetings will be held at the beginning of each semester, as well as when necessary for an important topic. General Meetings shall be publicized widely to get high attendance of members and potential members. General Meetings are held to spread information to the member base and to recruit volunteers. A room shall be reserved to accommodate a large attendance.
      2. Weekly Meetings will be held weekly in the UMACRC office. Attendance by the Executive Board is mandatory, and all members and interested persons are encouraged to attend. Weekly meetings shall focus on organizational matters and event and activity planning.
      3. Executive Board Meetings will be scheduled as needed. Topics shall be specific issues regarding upcoming events or policies of the UMACRC, and are to be scheduled to make time critical decisions. Executive Board meetings are open only to members of the Executive Board, and to individuals appointed by the Executive Board for a specific meeting.
  2. Financial Policy
    1. The Amount of dues to be paid to the UMACRC by members shall be fixed in the bylaws.
    2. All UMACRC expenditures of up to ten dollars must have the prior approval of an officer.
    3. All UMACRC expenditures over ten dollars must have the prior approval of the Executive Board or be approved in a general or weekly meeting.
  3. Bylaws
    1. The purpose of the Bylaws is to establish the UMACRC policy and aid in the interpretation of the constitution and conduct of daily affairs.
    2. Amendments to the bylaws shall be brought before a meeting at least one week prior to the vote. A majority vote at a weekly or general meeting including the approval of three members of the Executive Board, or the majority vote at a meeting with a minimum of 20 active members is required to pass an amendment to the bylaws.
  4. Amendments: Amendments to the constitution shall be brought before a meeting at least one week prior to the vote. A majority vote at weekly or general meeting, including the unanimous vote of the executive board, or the majority vote at a meeting whose quorum is 25 active members is required to amend the constitution.
  5. Ratification: This constitution and bylaws must be ratified every three years in accordance with RSO regulations.

 

Bylaws of the UMass Cannabis Reform Coalition
  1. Membership Duration: Memberships shall last for one year. A member’s expiration date shall be kept on record, and be printed on the membership card.
  2. The Executive Board
    1. Nominations: Annual nominations shall be opened by the end of the first week of the spring semester of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
      1. A person may nominate themselves by informing a member of the Executive Board. The secretary will post a list of nominations at the earliest opportunity, and announce the nominations at the election meeting.
      2. A person may nominate themselves for more than one office.
    2. Elections
      1. The election of new officers shall occur at a general meeting.
      2. Elections shall be the first order of business after determining quorum.
      3. Elections shall be held without any discussion except for candidate speeches. Each candidate may make a speech for no longer than five minutes. Questions may follow each speech.
      4. Any person who is nominated to more than one office shall withdraw all other nomination upon being elected to an office.
      5. Only one person may hold an office at one time.
    3. Special Elections
      1. Special elections shall be held when an officer resigns or otherwise incapable of fulfilling his or her duties for an indeterminate period of time.
      2. The date of the election shall be announced at the next weekly meeting.
        1. The date must be at least one week after this meeting.
        2. Nominations shall taken from the floor.
    4. Temporary vacancies: In the event of a temporary vacancy by a member of the Executive Board, the remaining Executive Board members shall perform the duties of the absent member. The order of succession after the Vice-President shall be as follows: Secretary, Treasurer.
  3. Dues: The cost of an annual membership is five dollars.