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Constitution & Bylaws

Graduate University (of Calgary) Mathematics Society (GUMS) Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

The name of the organization shall be the "Graduate University (of Calgary) Mathematics Society" (GUMS). Members of the organization (the membership) shall be called "GUMMERS."

GUMS is dedicated to promoting and serving the academic and social interests of GUMMERS at the University of Calgary. It represents mathematics graduate students to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the Faculty of Science, the Graduate Students' Association (GSA), and the University of Calgary.

Article II: Graduate Students' Association (GSA)

GUMS acknowledges and will abide by the Graduate Students' Association's Bylaws and Policies unless otherwise approved by the GSA Internal Commission. GUMS is aware that it will no longer remain part of the GSA if a policy or bylaw is contravened without GSA Executive ratification.

Article III: Membership

Membership is strictly for those who are registered as students in the graduate program in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Calgary. Students can become GUMMERS as per the regulations set out in the bylaws.

Article IV: Executive Council

The Executive Council of GUMS shall consist of the positions as listed in the bylaws and shall be elected by the GUMMERS in accordance with the bylaws. Each member of the Executive Council of GUMS (the Council Members, or CMs), acting on behalf of and responsible to the GUMMERS, shall have vested in them certain powers detailed hereinafter, in order to perform their assigned duties.

Article IV.1: Powers of Council Members

Each CM shall:

  1. Have one vote on any matter for which a vote of the Council is needed, except the president, who will be deemed to have an additional (casting) vote in the case of a tie.
  2. Create and maintain committees to study a specific issue or seek advice on a specific issue, and dismiss these committees when necessary.
  3. Appoint members to positions on GUMS committees or the committees on which it serves, and dismiss individuals from these positions when necessary.

Article V: Meetings

Executive Council meetings shall be held regularly throughout the entire academic year (September to August). To call an Executive Council meeting, the President must give a minimum of 24 hours notice to the CMs. Only the President may call an Executive Council meeting. If other CMs wish to hold such a meeting, they must contact the President who will call for such a meeting.

General meetings at which all members may attend to diuscuss matters of concern shall be held at least once per year.

Additional general meetings may be called by any of the CMs as needed.

Article VI: Bylaws

A set of bylaws shall be maintained by GUMS and will act as regulations and policies in addition to this constitution. All proposed bylaws must be drafted and presented at an Executive Council meeting at least one week prior to a bylaw vote. Proposed bylaws must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the attending CMs. Constitutional clauses shall always override the bylaws.

Article VII: Amendments

This constitution shall comprise the operating basis of the organization. All proposed constitutional amendments must be drafted and presented at an Executive Council meeting at least two weeks prior to a constitutional vote. Proposed amendments must first be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the attending CMs. Following this ratification, the proposed amendments must be ratified at a general meeting by a two-thirds vote of the attending GUMMERS.

Graduate University (of Calgary) Mathematics Society (GUMS) Bylaws

1—The Executive Council

These bylaws shall outline the organization and responsibilities for members of the GUMS Executive Council (CMs).

1.1: Organization of the Council

The Executive Council of GUMS shall consist of a minimum of two (2) members and a maximum of seven (7) members, namely:

  • (1) President
  • (1) Vice President Academic
  • (0–5) Directors-at-Large

Directors-at-large may have a specific portfolio (and title) associated with them, as described later.

1.2: Powers of the Council

1.2.1 President

The President of the GUMS shall:

  1. Be the chief executive officer of GUMS;
  2. Act as chairperson at all executive meetings of GUMS;
  3. Represent the GUMS to organizations and at gatherings where such representation is necessary;
  4. Oversee and administer any activities of the GUMS not specifically under the control of any other member of the executive; and,
  5. Vote last during all executive votes. The President's vote will always be considered a tie breaking vote even if a tie results from the President's vote.

1.2.2 Vice President Academic

The Vice President Academic of GUMS shall:

  1. Act as chairperson at all meetings of GUMS at which the President is not present.
  2. Assume all powers and duties of the President when and while such position is vacant.

1.2.3 Directors at Large

Directors at Large of GUMS shall:

  1. Oversee and administer any activities of GUMS assigned to them in the bylaws or by the Council.
  2. Execute the duties associated with and and all portfolios assigned to them by the President, or by the Council, to the best of their ability.

1.3: Responsibilities of the Council

The following are responsibilities for each of the CMs, which may be delegated to appropriate individuals or committees at the discretion of the Executive Council Member.

1.3.1: President

  • Provide focus to meet the GUMS mandate;
  • Coordinate the efforts of the other CMs;
  • Organize and coordinate a public voice to the grad students;
  • Coordinate any volunteer(s) sitting on any non-academic/social/external committees on behalf of the GUMS;
  • Manage the assignment of duties for all portfolios that remain unfilled by Directors at Large.

1.3.2: VP Academic

  • Act as a liaison to the department on behalf of the membership for all academic-related issues;
  • Organize academic-related workshops; and,
  • Coordinate any volunteer(s) sitting on academic committees on behalf of GUMS.

1.3.3: Directors at Large

Directors at Large may be associated with one or more portfolio (and given an appropriate title and duties). Portfolios may include (but are not limited to):

  • VP External
  • VP Events
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • GSA Representative

It is the responsibility of the President to ensure that duties of the various portfolios below are assigned to the CMs.

1.3.3.1: Secretary

  • Manage and coordinate all administrative aspects of the GUMS;
  • Maintain written accounts (minutes) of all meetings, both general and executive;
  • Manage correspondence from and to GUMS;

1.3.3.2: Treasurer

  • Manage all financial and membership records of GUMS and
  • To produce a financial or membership statement when requested;

1.3.3.3: VP Events

  • Coordinate social events for the membership;
  • Create a more social environment for GUMMERS;
  • Provide opportunities for social interaction between GUMMERS and other members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Calgary; and,
  • Coordinate any volunteer(s) sitting on social committees on behalf of GUMS.

1.3.3.4: VP External

  • Represent GUMS and GUMMERS to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Students' Association, and the University;
  • Coordinate funding from the GSA;
  • Promote GUMS to other departments and the University; and,
  • Coordinate any volunteer(s) sitting on committees external to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics on behalf of GUMS.

1.5: Term of Office

The term of office for all Executive Council positions shall commence May 1st and end on April 30th of the following year.

1.6: Impeachment

If any CM is not performing his/her required duties, the other CMs may call an impeachment. The CM in question must be given two warnings, regarding two separate events, prior to the impeachment. These warnings must be documented and kept on record. An Executive Council meeting will be held within one week of the call, where all current CMs will vote by secret ballot. At least two-thirds of the voting Executive Council must be in agreement for the impeachment to be successful.

Appeals can be made to the membership, one week after the initial ruling. A general meeting must be scheduled within one week for all appeals and attending GUMMERS must vote on the ruling at this time. If a minimum of two-thirds of the members in attendance disagree with the impeachment, the initial ruling will be reversed.

1.7: Resignations

A CM may choose to submit a letter of resignation for his/her position.

2—Membership in GUMS

All students registered with full time or part time status in a graduate program in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics are automatically GUMMERS.

Members shall pay no membership fee.

2.1: Membership Privileges

All GUMMERS are entitled to the following privileges:

  1. To attend and participate in all general meetings of GUMS;
  2. To vote in all general elections, by-elections, referendums, and plebiscites;
  3. To stand for and hold, in accordance with applicable regulations, any elected or appointed position within GUMS or the committees on which it serves;
  4. To utilize the resources of GUMS and participate in any GUMS sponsored event, in accordance with any applicable regulations.

2.2: Suspension of Membership

The Executive Council of GUMS reserves the right to suspend any membership, or suspend any/all membership privileges on the following grounds:

  1. Abuse of membership privileges;
  2. Interference of the privileges of other GUMMERS.

Appeals can be made to the Council, one week after the initial ruling. A general meeting must be scheduled within one week for all appeals and attending GUMMERS must vote on the ruling at this time. If a minimum of two-thirds of the members in attendance disagree with the suspension of membership, the initial ruling will be reversed.

3—The Elections Act

This act shall outline the procedures and regulations for elections.

3.1: General Election

The election of officers shall be accomplished by the following procedure:

  1. The past Executive Council shall choose a willing Chief Returning Officer (CRO), with duties defined below, set an election date, and set a date for the opening of nominations such that the nomination period (from the opening of nominations to 4:30 P.M. on the day preceding the elections) is at least one week.
  2. Announcements of the election and the nomination procedure must be distributed to all members by one or more of electronic mail, or posters in Mathematics building.
  3. During the nomination period, the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) shall be available to receive nominations for the Executive Council of GUMS, either in person, or by writing the nomination in a place to be specified by the CRO.
  4. A nomination shall consist of the nominee's name, and post(s) nominated for. Nominees must be GUMMERS.
  5. The election shall commence with the verification of members present, after which control of the meeting is given to the CRO who will manage the election of the President, Vice-President Academic, and all Directors at Large. Each election shall be carried out by secret ballot, in a manner to be decided on by the CRO, with the approval of the membership. An accurate count of votes for each candidate for each position must be made and recorded by the CRO. (A simple heads-down-hands-up method is considered acceptable). As soon as possible the CRO will announce the results of the election and the winner will be removed from subsequent contests. If this removal or lack of nominations results in a vacant post, this vacancy may be later filled by the Executive Council, or via a by-election held at a later date in accordance with the election procedures.

The election of a new GUMS Executive Council must take place no later than April 15th of each new year to ensure a smooth transition from old to new.

3.2: Replacement of Executive Council members.

In the case where an Executive Council office is vacant (though impeachment, resignation, or lack of interest), the GUMS Council may at any time fill the position either by a 2/3 vote of the attending CMs at a regular Executive Council meeting, or via a by-election, held in accordance with the election procedures.

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