Preamble

We, the members of the University of Missouri-Columbia Freethought Alliance, hereby establish this constitution to outline the goals, regulations, details, and by-laws of MUFA. Furthermore, be it proclaimed that this constitution will serve as the fundamental governing document of the University of Missouri-Columbia Freethought Alliance.

Article 1: Name

The exact title of this organization is the University of Missouri-Columbia Freethought Alliance; abbreviated by the acronym MUFA.

Article 2: Purpose

MUFA is a unique, cultural organization. Its purpose is three-fold:

1. To establish a peaceful and enriching environment wherein students use logic and reason to evaluate atheism, humanism, scepticism, and freethought.
2. To plan and execute various activities to educate students and community members about atheism and other non-religious philosophies.
3. To contribute significantly, in our own way, to the diversity of the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.

Article 3: Membership

Section 1: Regular Members

1. Membership shall be open to any student, graduate or undergraduate, who supports the purposes of MUFA and is currently enrolled in the University of Missouri-Columbia.
2. Active membership shall be retained by payment of dues ($1.00) at the beginning of either the Fall or Winter semester.

Section 2: Honorary Members

1. All past officers shall be honorary members.
2. Any other persons designated by the MUFA council shall be honorary members.

Section 3

Members must be willing to actively participate in the meetings and activities of the organization, and must promote keeping a hostile-free atmosphere. People need not be official members to attend meetings and/or activities. Members may withdraw their membership on a voluntary basis.

Article 4: Officers

Section 1

The officers of MUFA include the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Media Manager. Various committee chairs may also be appointed upon the discretion of the organization.

Section 2

The President shall:

1. Preside over meetings.
2. Evaluate membership standing.
3. Organize activities, speakers, etc.
4. Act as liaison between the Student Organization, Governments and Activities (SOGA) and MUFA.
5. Attend one mandatory Officer Training Session per academic year.
6. Serve on the MUFA council.

The Vice-President shall:

1. Assist the President in all of his or her duties.
2. Preside over the meetings and activities in the absence of the President.
3. Serve on the MUFA council.

The Secretary shall:

1. Assist the President and Vice-President.
2. Type letters and other documents for MUFA.
3. File organization update forms with the Center for Student Involvement at least once annually or anytime there is a change in officers, advisors, addresses or phone numbers.
4. Serve on the MUFA council.

The Treasurer shall:

1. Assist the President and Vice-President.
2. The Treasurer shall keep all financial records in order, deposit funds, and make all expenditures as needed.
3. Prepare the budget request, with the President's input, for the Student Organization Allocation Committee (SOAC).
4. Attend one mandatory Officer Training Session per year.
5. Serve on the MUFA council.

The Media Manager shall:

1. Assist the President and Vice-President.
2. Maintain MUFA website.
3. Responsible for the production of flyers, newsletters and other advertisements.
4. Serve on the MUFA council.

The Committee Chairs shall:

1. Preside over all meetings and activities of their respective committees.
2. Serve as liaison betweem their respective committees and the organization's officers and members.

Section 3

The MUFA Council will consist of the five major officers listed in Section 2. The MUFA Council will be responsible for governing the MUFA organization. The MUFA Council will be responsible for governing itself. All MUFA Council decision shall be made by majority vote, and gquorum shall consist of the President or Vice-President and three other officer.

Article 5: Operations

Section 1

Elections of all officers shall be held during the first meeting of November. Those elected will assume office at the first general meeting of Winter semester. Election will be by secret ballot of all official members of MUFA. Terms are for one year. Officers may not hold the same position more than twice. Any Official member of MUFA is eligible to serve as an officer, as long as they are enrolled in at least six credit hours each Fall and Winter semester and maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

Section 2

Officers may be removed from office if the following criteria are met:

1. One or more official members of MUFA have filed a written, formal complaint against an officer.
2. A 4/5 majority of the MUFA Council agrees that there is a reason for the general MUFA to vote on removing the officer from his position.
3. After hearing a formal debate and allowing the official that is to be removed speak to the official members of MUFA, the official members of MUFA must vote by a 2/3 majority by secret ballot to remove the official from office.

If the President is removed, the Vice-President shall become the President. Any other officer removed, a replacement will be appointed by the MUFA Council until such time as a general election can be held to fill the vacancy.

Article 6: Amendments

Section 1

Any official member of MUFA may propose amendments to this constitution.

Section 2

Proposed Amendments must be submitted to the MUFA Council for evaluation at least one week prior to the general meeting at which the vote shall occur.

Section 3

If a 4/5 majority of the official members vote in favor of an amendment by secret ballot after a formal debate, then the amendment will be approved. All amendments to the constitution are subject to the review and approval of the Coordinator of Student Organizations and Activities. A current copy of the MUFA Constitution must be maintained at the Center for Student Involvement.

Article 7: Quorum

A quorum of 2/3 of all official members of MUFA is necessary for the election of all officers, the removal of an officer, the selection of an advisor, and the approval of an amendment to this constitution.

Article 8: Advisor

At least one faculty or professional staff member (at least 0.75 FTE) shall be selected by a majority vote of MUFA members to serve as advisor to MUFA. The role of the advisor shall be left to the discretion of the person in that position.

Article 9: Affiliation

The University of Missouri-Columbia Freethought Alliance is and shall be affiliated with the Campus Freethought Alliance. This affiliation shall in no way prohibit the organization from affiliating with any other person or organization.

Article 10: Compliance

The University of Missouri-Columbia Freethought Alliance will comply with all federal, state, and local laws as well as with all University policies.

Article 11: Non-Discrimination

MUFA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era.