Journalists for Human Rights

The Constitution for 2009-2010 is currently being drafted and will be posted in September 2009.

Ryerson’s chapter of Journalists for Human Rights (JHR-Ryerson) Constitution 2008-2009

I.    Name of Organization
Ryerson Chapter of Journalists for Human Rights (JHR-Ryerson)

II.    Objective of the Organization
•    The purpose of JHR-Ryerson is to give youth the opportunity to spread awareness of international and domestic human rights issues while giving students opportunities to develop and practice reporting skills.
•    The organization shall be run without the motive of gain for members, but only for the accomplishment of JHR’s mandate.

III.    Relationship to RSU
•    RSU will not normally interfere in the activities and operations of the organization. It does however, have the power to investigate complaints made by any member of the organization concerning alleged violations of this constitution

IV.    Membership
•    Membership is open to all RSU members (full and part-time students registered in a degree program at Ryerson).
•    Student Groups may not charge levies or membership fees to RSU members.
•    Non-RSU members who are part of the Ryerson community, specifically Continuing Education students, staff, faculty and alumni, may become non-voting members of a RSU student group by paying a $5 per semester membership fee. All fees must be given to the Campus Groups Administrator for deposit to the Group’s Trust fund. Such members are bound by all RSU policies and the executive is responsible for all of these members.
•    No non-RSU member may hold executive office.
•    No faculty of staff may be a voting member.
•    All members will be placed on JHR-Ryerson’s mailing lists.
•    Members will be eligible to vote, run for executive positions, and travel overseas with JHR through international internships.

V.    Structure
•    Executive officers will be elected annually who are responsible to the membership of the organization.
•    Elected executive officers: Chapter President, Chapter Vice-President, Chapter Treasurer, Chapter Secretary/Communications, Chapter Fundraising and Events, and IT Co-ordinator

VI.    Meetings
•    Meetings will be held once a week, with both the executive and the general members.
•    A majority of the executive and members will form quorum.
•    All executives and members will be allowed to vote at all meetings.
•    Proxy votes will be allowed at meetings.

VII.    Role of the Executive
•    The executive is responsible for planning activities and projects and ensuring that RSU and Ryerson University policies are adhered to.
•    JHR-Ryerson has six executives, each serving a one-year term.
•    All six members of the executive shall be signing officers for the organization.
•    No faculty, staff or non-RSU members may be on the executive.

Chapter President
•    Represent the JHR and act as a liaison between the Chapter and JHR’s head office
•    Act as chairperson for all general and executive meetings
•    Assume the duties of any absent executive member
•    Co-sign all financial/legal transactions with the Treasurer
•    Is responsible to RSU and members of the organization for all monies allocated to the organization by RSU
•    Is responsible to RSU and members of the organization for all other monies, i.e., fund raising, donations and sponsorship revenues.

Chapter Vice-President
•    Assist the President in administrative matters
•    Assume the duties of the President whenever he or she is absent
•    Serve the remainder of the President’s term in the event that he or she resigns, is recalled or is no longer able to serve

Chapter Treasurer
•    Prepare monthly financial statements and monthly progress reports to be submitted to JHR’s head office
•    Prepare a budget for the year
•    Collect receipts for out-of-pocket expenditures and issue reimbursements
•    Keep all receipts/statements for the incoming treasurer
•    Co-sign all financial/legal transactions with the President

Chapter Secretary/Communications
•    Maintain a detailed list of Chapter members
•    Provide notice of meetings
•    Keep minutes and distribute upon the request of members
•    Co-ordinate publicity for events together with the executive of Fundraising/Events
•
Chapter Fundraising/Events
•    Shall take the lead in organizing events and co-ordinating fundraising projects
•    Shall work with Secretary/Communications to co-ordinate publicity for events

IT Co-ordinator
•    Maintain the chapter website and Facebook group
•    Regularly post upcoming events, minutes and news on the Chapter website

VIII.    Elections
•    All RSU sponsored groups/course unions are responsible to conduct a general election, open to all members, once every academic year.
•    Executives must be elected by the membership at large.
•    Elections must take place by the last Friday in March.

IX.    Election Procedures
•    The executive elections will be held at a general meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2008
•    Every effort will be made to ensure that all Chapter members attend the meeting
•    The president in office will nominate an outgoing executive member to act as Chief Returning Officer (CRO) for the election five weeks before the date
•    All members will be notified by the president in office about the date of the election and the open executive positions one month before the election
•    Members will have three weeks within which they can submit applications for executive positions to the CRO
•    The CRO will circulate the applications to all members for voting purposes
•    Votes will be cast by secret ballot
•    Ballots will be kept by the CRO for five weeks, in case a recount is necessary
•    The CRO will notify the Campus Groups Administrator of the new executive

X.    Removal from Office
•    Executives may be removed from office for serious offenses in terms of financial mismanagement, sexual harassment, or ethical breaches.
•    Removal from office is a gravely serious matter and should only be undertaken in cases of extreme wrongdoing.
•    In the event of such an offense by an executive member, a petition for a general membership meeting and vote to impeach must be circulated and signed by more than 50% of the members; that must be followed by a vote at a general meeting in which more than 60% of the general membership votes for a removal from office.

XI.    Amendments
•    Executives and members wishing to amend the constitution must give two weeks’ notice to the membership regarding the proposal to amend the constitution. A two-thirds vote in favour of the amendment is required for it to pass.
•    The notice and vote must be done at a general meeting.

XII.    Adoption of the Constitution
•    The constitution must be approved by RSU
•    For it to be in effect, it must be ratified by a majority of the members in attendance at a legally constituted general meeting.