1. Georgetown University
Habitat for Humanity
Bylaws and Constitution Revisions

2. Preamble Original Updated
We, the members of Georgetown Habitat, do hereby establish this Constitution on 13 October 1993 in order that our purpose be realized to its fullest extent. This purpose will be first and foremost an avenue for students to 1) actively involve themselves in an attempt to alleviate the homelessness crisis via renovating and building housing with DC Habitat for Humanity so as to create affordable housing for the homeless; 2) to give students the opportunity to “experience homelessness” via the program Urban Plunge which arranges students to spend 24 hours in the streets as a homeless person with the help of a homeless guide arranged by Michael Stoops from the National Coalition for the Homeless; and 3) also to sponsor a homelessness awareness week.
We, the members of Georgetown Habitat, do hereby reestablish this Constitution on 28 October 2009 in order that our purpose be realized to its fullest extent. This purpose will be first and foremost an avenue for students to 1) actively involve themselves in an attempt to alleviate the homelessness crisis via renovating and building housing with DC Habitat for Humanity so as to create affordable housing for the homeless; 2) to give students the opportunity to “experience homelessness” and increase community awareness of homelessness via programs such as the “Urban Plunge,” “Alternative Spring Break,” and local builds; and 3) also to sponsor a homelessness awareness or “ACT!SPEAK!BUILD!” week.

3. Article I Original Updated Name
The name of the organization will be Georgetown Habitat, henceforth referred to as Habitat.
Name
The name of the organization will be Georgetown Habitat, henceforth referred to as Habitat.

4. Article II Original Updated Purpose
Habitat is established for the purpose of developing an awareness of the situation of people who are homeless and creating opportunities to enact a change in the community to better that situation.
Habitat understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by Georgetown University’s policies.
Purpose
Habitat is established for the purpose of developing an awareness of the situation of people who are homeless and creating opportunities to enact a change in the community to better that situation.
To advocate the need for simple, decent, affordable housing
Increase community awareness of our local affiliate goals and activities
Raise funds for local projects and tithing to international builds
Work with other organizations that share similar objectives
Habitat understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by Georgetown University’s policies.

5. Article III Original Updated Membership
Active membership shall be limited to persons officially connected with the University as enrolled undergraduate students. In addition, the following requirements are necessary to constitute voting membership.
Attendance at 75% of all meetings during a given semester.
Active participation in at least one event per semester sponsored by Habitat.
Habitat openly admits undergraduate students to its membership and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation.
Membership
Active membership shall be limited to persons officially connected with the University as enrolled undergraduate students. In addition, the following requirements are necessary to constitute “active,” voting membership.
Attendance at least half of all meetings during a given semester.
Active participation in at least one event per semester sponsored by Habitat.
Habitat openly admits undergraduate students to its membership and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation.

6. Article IV Original Officers
Officers of Habitat must be full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Georgetown University. Habitat will be governed by the following means:
An elected board of six members will be in attendance at all meetings of Habitat. The board will maintain the power to appoint all committee chairpersons, shall be present at all motions to the body present, and shall be present in full at 90% of the meetings of Habitat. The Chairperson is responsible for communication between Habitat, its advisory board, and the Office of Student Programs.
The Habitat Board is composed of six members: a Chairperson who presides at meetings, a Secretary-Treasurer, a Project Blueprint Coordinator, CUT OFF, and a Homelessness Awareness Week Coordinator.
The Secretary-Treasurer will take attendance at meeting, keep the lists of voting and active members, handle all accounts, expenditures, new members, rule observances at stated meetings, protocol, etc.

7. Article IV
Updated
Officers Officers of Habitat must be full-time undergraduate students enrolled in Georgetown University. Habitat will be governed by the following means: An elected board of six members will be in attendance at all meetings of Habitat. The board will maintain the power to appoint all committee chairpersons, shall be present at all motions to the body present, and shall be present in full at 90% of the meetings of Habitat. The Habitat Board is composed of six members: a President and Vice President (or, alternatively, Co-Presidents) who presides at meetings, a Secretary-Treasurer, a Marketing Coordinator, a Build/Event Coordinator, and a Student Group/Community Relations Coordinator The President and Vice President (or Co-Presidents) are responsible for communication between Habitat and its local affiliate, its advisory board, and the Office of Student Programs (as liaisons). The Executive will also provide vision and motivation for the chapter, serve as an ex officio member to all committees, and will delegate responsibilities to chapter leaders.

8. Article IV
Updated
The Secretary-Treasurer will take attendance at meeting, keep the lists of voting and active members, handle all accounts, expenditures, new members, rule observances at stated meetings, protocol, etc.
The Marketing Coordinator will work to educate the chapter, campus, and community about Habitat’s work and the need for affordable housing, while serving as the front for all public relations.
The Build/Event Coordinator will schedule and coordinate chapter workdays with the affiliate volunteer coordinator, while also working to organize at least one Habitat awareness week each semester and at least one related speaker a year.
The Student Group/Community Relations Coordinator will create and implement fundraising plans on campus and in the Georgetown community. This coordinator will identify potential sponsors and work to organize mutual relationships and cosponsored events.
In addition to the six primary, elected Board positions, the position of “Chair Emeritus” will be filled by the most recent chapter president following the end of their term and only adhering if the former-president is still an active student. The “Chair Emeritus” will serve as an advisor, sitting in on meetings and providing advice for the new Board without any formal voting capacity.

9. Article V Original Operations
Board Decisions – The Habitat board will make decisions based on a minimum four out of six vote.
Voting Eligibility – These members meeting all requirements of active membership as set in article III by 31 January will be eligible to vote.
Election Process – All officers shall be elected by a majority vote of eligible voting members of Habitat. All elections will be held on an annual basis of February 1 each academic year, at a meeting comprised of a quorum of Habitat’s members.
The Chairperson will take nominations from the floor for each specific office, the nomination process must be closed and the motion seconded. The nominated parties will be allowed to vote if they are eligible voting members.
All voting shall be done by secret ballot to be collected and calculated by the Secretary-Treasurer and one voting member of habitat, to be appointed by the outgoing chairperson.
Newly elected officers will assume office on April 1, except in the case of a midterm election. Officers selected mid-term will assume office immediately after their elections.

10. Article V
Original
Removal – Any board member of Habitat in violation of the organization’s purpose or constitution or failing to fulfill duties as stated may be removed from office by the following process.
A written request by at least three members of the organization.
Written notification to the officer of the request, asking the officer to be present at the next meeting and to be prepared to speak in his/her own defense.
Written notification of membership.
75% of voting membership must be in attendance to vote on the removal of an officer. A 2/3 majority is necessary to remove the officer.
Replacement – Should an officer resign or be removed, a special election will be held one week after written notification to all voting members. Midterm CUT OFF.
Meetings – All meetings will occur on a bi-monthly basis or other regular basis at a time selected by Habitat and will follow the procedure set forth below:
Attendance
Report by the Chairperson
Committee
Cote on all committee motions and decisions
Any other business put forward by members of the club
Dismissal by the Chairperson

11. Article V Updated Operations
Board Decisions – The Habitat board will make decisions based on a consensus (majority) vote only when there’s a preponderance of members in attendance
Voting Eligibility –Members meeting all requirements of active membership as set in article III will be eligible to vote.
Election Process – All officers shall be elected by a majority vote of eligible voting members of Habitat. All elections will be held on an annual basis must take place in on November 18th, or a date consistent with regular member meetings as determined by a Board vote. These elections must take place within the four weeks preceding the beginning of finals. This election must be adequately advertised to the member body with at least two weeks advanced notice. The election will take place during the academic week, and the vote in a meeting comprised of a quorum of Habitat’s active members.
The President will take nominations for each specific office during the two weeks preceding the election date. The nominations will be self submitted and verified by the acting Secretary-Treasurer. The persons who declare their eligibility one week preceding the election will have their eligibility declaration form submitted to the member body for advanced consideration. Eligible candidates will be allowed to vote if they are active, voting members.
All voting shall be done by secret ballot to be collected and calculated by the President and then verified by the Secretary-Treasurer and one voting member of habitat. The outgoing President will appoint the newly elected officers to their positions.
Newly elected officers will assume office at the beginning of spring semester, except in the case of a midterm election. Officers selected mid-term will assume office immediately after their elections.

12. Article V
Updated
Removal – Any board member of Habitat in violation of the organization’s purpose, constitution, or failing to fulfill duties as stated, may be removed from office by the following process.
A written request by at least ten members of the organization.
Written notification to the officer of the request, asking the officer to be present at the next meeting and to be preparedBoard status revocation to speak in his/her own defense.
Written notification of.
75% of active, voting membership must be in attendance to vote on the removal of an officer. A 2/3 majority is necessary to remove the officer.
Replacement – Should an officer resign or be removed, a special election will be held one week after written notification to all voting members.
Meetings – All meetings will occur on a bi-monthly basis or other regular basis at a time selected by the Board. Habitat and will follow the procedure set forth below:
Attendance
Report by the President
Committee reports
Vote on all committee motions and decisions
Any other business put forward by members of the club
Dismissal by the Chairperson

13. Article VI Original Updated Finances
Habitat will finance the activities it engages in by the following means:
Habitat will submit a budget to the VFS Board on an annual basis and request funding appropriate for the effective operation of the organization for each year.
Habitat will conduct all financial activities in accordance with the University’s policy and place all funds in its university account.
Finances
Habitat will finance the activities it engages in by the following means:
Habitat will submit a budget to the CSJ Board on an annual basis and request funding appropriate for the effective operation of the organization for each year.
Habitat will conduct all financial activities in accordance with the University’s policy and place all funds in its university account.

14. Article VII Original Updated Amendments
Amendments to the constitution may be proposed in writing by any voting member of Habitat at any meeting at which two-thirds of the voting members present.
These amendments will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the board.
Proposed amendments will become effective following approval of two-thirds majority of voting members.
Amendments
Amendments to the constitution may be proposed in writing by any voting member of Habitat at any meeting at which two-thirds of the voting members present.
These amendments will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the board.
Proposed amendments will become effective following approval of two-thirds majority of voting members.

15. Voting Process
-Mark you selection on the back on the Constitution Hand-Outs
-Write “Yay” or “Nay” as your provisional vote
-We’ll notify you of the tallied vote total after the meeting