Constitution Draft

From CGEU

The following is draft language for a CGEU Constitution. This document is a work in progress. The original draft was authored by the CGEU Constitution Committee (originally Eric Freedman, Rob Henn, Jason Pramas, and Mikael Swayze), based on previous discussions of broad principles, for discussion at the 2007 CGEU Conference. The 2007 CGEU conference was unable to agree to take action on the constitution draft, and the draft was tabled for future consideration.

The 2011 CGEU Conference passed the following resolution to revive the constitution draft and ratification process:

2011 CGEU Constitution Resolution: Be it resolved that the CGEU re-form a committee to draft a constitution for the organization. This Committee will begin the process with the draft constitution and other materials created by the previous Constitution Committee, which are archived on the CGEU wiki. The Committee will complete a Draft of the Constitution and Ratification Process by February 1, 2012 and post it on the CGEU wiki for comment. The Committee will encourage comments by publicizing the Draft Constitution and Ratification Process through the CGEU listserve and facebook page. The comment period will last until May 1, 2012. The Committee will then develop a revised Draft of the Constitution and Ratification Process, which will be presented to the 2012 CGEU Annual Conference. The 2012 CGEU Conference will vote at its Closing Plenary to adopt or refuse the Constitution and Ratification Process.

Please go to the discussion page in order to comment, ask questions, etc. You can do so by clicking on the "discussion" tab at the top of the page.

Contents 1 I. Preamble 2 II. Ratification 3 III. Membership 4 IV. No Dues 5 V. Meetings 6 VI. Voting 7 VII. Resolutions 8 VIII. Officers and Elections 9 IX. Working Groups 10 X. Amendments

I. Preamble

We, the Coalition of Graduate Employee Unions (CGEU), believe in democratic decision-making; in collective action for the common good; in local autonomy and the preservation of existing democratic unions; and in the right of all workers to unionize and to collectively bargain on behalf of their members.

We believe that enrollment at an educational institution has no bearing on the universal human right to form a union, that one’s status as a graduate in no way detracts from the paid work that one does.

In furtherance of these beliefs, we hereby form this Coalition, whose purpose is to facilitate communication and collective action between its members and to advance the aims of the graduate employee unionization movement.

II. Ratification

1. The ratification of this constitution by a minimum of 10 graduate and/or undergraduate employee unions or organizing committees will launch the Coalition of Graduate Employee Unions (CGEU) as a formal organization.

III. Membership

1. A Member of CGEU shall be an individual graduate and/or undergraduate employee union or organizing committee.
2. To become a member of the CGEU:
   1. The designated representative of a graduate and/or undergraduate employee union or organizing campaign shall write to the Membership/Financial Secretary requesting membership.
   2. The Membership/Financial Secretary shall determine if the group is a legitimate applicant.
      1. CGEU Meetings may overrule the Membership/Financial Secretary's decision on applications with a majority vote.
   3. The Membership/Financial Secretary shall then announce the union or campaign's new membership over the main CGEU listserv, and at the next CGEU Meeting.
3. In order to withdraw from the CGEU, the designated representative of the Member shall write to the Membership/Financial Secretary announcing that the group is leaving. The Membership/Financial Secretary will then announce the departure at the next meeting.
4. Each Member shall have voting power at all CGEU Meetings.
5. No Member shall be required to participate in any action sponsored by CGEU.
6. A Member shall be considered Inactive if absent from 3 consecutive CGEU Meetings.
   1. Inactive Members may not cast votes at CGEU Meetings.
   2. Inactive Members may reactivate their Membership by contacting the Membership/Financial Secretary as in Point 2 above.

IV. No Dues

1. No dues shall be levied on any Member by the CGEU.
2. Individual motions may call on Members to supply funds for specific collective actions. Like all CGEU resolutions, such motions are not binding on Members.

V. Meetings

1. CGEU shall convene a minimum of four times per year; once at an Annual Conference and at least three times at Regular Meetings.
2. All CGEU Meetings shall be open to all graduate and undergraduate student employees, and their supporters.
3. All CGEU Meetings shall be run using Roberts Rules of Order.
   1. CGEU shall use a standard simplified version of Roberts Rules of Order whenever possible.
4. Meeting Chairs shall not carry a vote except to break a tie.
5. The Annual Conference shall take place in July or August of each year for two days, and shall provide space for democratic pedagogy and sharing of skills between Members and others in attendance.
   1. A business meeting scheduled for no less than two hours in length shall occur towards the end of the Annual Conference, to be chaired by the Parliamentarian.
   2. The date and location of the Annual Conference shall be announced to Members at least four months in advance.
6. Regular Meetings shall occur by phone or electronic means at least once each in the following three periods: September through December, January through April, and May through June.
   1. The Parliamentarian shall announce each Regular Meeting at least two weeks in advance, and shall chair these meetings.
7. In the event that two week advance notice is not possible, Emergency Meetings may be called by a majority vote of the CGEU Officers or by a petition submitted to the Press and Recording Secretary signed by at least one-third of the Members.
   1. Emergency Meetings shall be announced with as much advance notice as circumstances permit.
   2. Emergency Meetings shall be chaired by the Parliamentarian or by another CGEU Officer chosen by a majority vote of the CGEU Officers in the event of the Parliamentarian's absence.
8. For the purposes of this constitution, the Annual Conference, Regular Meetings and Emergency Meetings shall be collectively referred to as CGEU Meetings.

VI. Voting

1. Each Member shall be accorded two votes, to be cast as it sees fit in all CGEU Meetings.
2. Only Members shall be able to vote at CGEU Meetings.

VII. Resolutions

1. Resolutions benefit from broad discussion in advance of a vote. Therefore:
   1. Any Resolutions posted on the CGEU listserv at least a month in advance for the Annual Conference, and two weeks in advance for other Meetings, shall be automatically considered.
   2. All Resolutions posted with less advance notice than required, or at the Conference or at other Meetings themselves shall require a majority vote in order to be considered.
2. No Resolution may require Members to participate in any action. However, Resolutions may require that each Member hold an internal vote, according to its preferred procedure, on an action or issue.
   1. Example: A motion proposes a National Day of Action. While the motion cannot require each Member to participate in the event, it could require that each Member vote on whether to participate or not.

VIII. Officers and Elections

1. The CGEU shall have the following officers:
   1. The Parliamentarian shall serve as chair of the Business Meeting at the Annual Conference and Quarterly Meetings and only casts a vote in the event of a tie.
   2. The Membership/Financial Secretary shall maintain a list of CGEU Members, ensure that CGEU retains up-to-date contact information for each Member, and coordinate voluntary financial contributions from Members and other organizations.
   3. The Press/Recording Secretary shall prepare press releases, act as first contact with the media, and record minutes at the Business Meeting of the Annual Conference and at Quarterly Meetings.
   4. The Organizing Coordinator shall coordinate collective action between CGEU Members, and shall report on the actions of the Working Groups at each CGEU Meeting, in the event that a representative from a Working Group is not present.
   5. The Conference Coordinator shall meet with the host union to help plan the Annual Conference.
   6. The Information Technology (IT) Coordinator shall maintain the CGEU website, wiki, email listserv, and all other CGEU electronic communication systems. He or she shall coordinate all electronic votes.
2. CGEU Officers shall be nominated in the month prior to or at the CGEU Annual Conference.
3. The Officer candidates shall be afforded time at the Conference to speak with membership so that members can cast an informed vote.
4. Election of Officers shall occur by secret electronic ballot in the two weeks following the Conference.
5. Officers shall always represent at least 3 international unions.
6. An Officer may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of any CGEU Meeting.
   1. If an Officer steps down or is removed, she or he may be replaced in a Special Election.
   2. In a Special Election, the candidate may be nominated at any CGEU Meeting, and then elected by secret electronic ballot in the two weeks following.
   3. An Interim Officer may be named by a majority vote of the CGEU Officers until a replacement Officer is elected.

IX. Working Groups

1. CGEU shall have a number of Working Groups covering key thematic areas.
2. New Working Groups can be created at any CGEU Meeting with the support of at least two Members.
3. Regular participation by a minimum of two Members shall be required to keep an Working Group active.
4. Inactive Working Groups can be merged with Active Working Groups, renamed, repurposed, or dissolved at any CGEU Meeting.
5. Working Groups should meet between CGEU Meetings by phone, by internet, or face-to-face, as needed.
6. Working Groups should operate by rough consensus of the participating Members. Email votes or similar procedures may be used for this purpose.
7. Working Groups report to the CGEU Meetings either directly or through the Organizing Coordinator.
8. Decisions of the Working Groups are non-binding on Members.

X. Amendments

1. This Consitution may be amended using the following procedure:
   1. Amendments normally shall be proposed on the CGEU listserv at least one month prior to the Annual Conference. If such advance notice has not been given, the amendment shall only be considered on a motion requiring 2/3 majority.
   2. Proposed amendments shall be debated at the business meeting of the Annual Conference and submitted to a simple majority vote.
   3. If the amendment passes at the Conference, it shall then be sent to each Member for approval. 2/3 of the Members must approve the amendment by January 1 of the following year, usuing whatever local procedures they wish, and then notify the Press/Recording Secretary.
   4. The Press/Recording Secretary shall ensure that a copy of the amended constitution is posted promply on the CGEU website and emailed to all Members.