Wednesday, January 6, 2010

THE GROUP Constitution


Hello Writers,

               I'm not sure if this matters much. This formality doesn't fit THE GROUP. Plus, this was adapted and revised from www.willesdengreenwriters.com/constitution.pdf -- so it's neither extremely original or creative. 
              But here it is anyway. 
             
              Sincerely,
               Seth, President THE GROUP



 
 THE GROUP CONSTITUTION:

1. Title
The group will be called THE GROUP – an Ohio University Writers' Group and, thereafter will be referred to as "THE GROUP".

2. Objectives
The group aims to provide a practical support network for aspiring writers in the
following ways:

2.1 The group will provide a regular meeting place where members can share in
and mutually support each other in the process of developing their writing.

2.2 Will provide a meeting time and place for members where they can give and receive
honest feedback on each other’s work.

2.3 Will provide members with information and advice on getting their work
published and will also share information relevant to creative writers, example:
literature events, public readings, open mic nights, competitions and courses.

2.4 Will provide members with information on techniques and ways in which they
might improve their writing ability in order to develop their work to a high
professional standard.

2.5 Will provide members with the opportunity to participate in activities such as
public readings, guest lectures, workshops, and seminars.

2.6 The group welcomes all creative writing but will not generally deal with nonfiction
such as technical writing, or the writing of textbooks. However, it does
include travel writing, feature writing, creative non-fiction, children’s literature as well as poetry, fiction and memoirs.
 The organization will not deal with helping students write 4-5 pg papers for a certain course outside creative writing, nor provide feedback for those papers.  

3. Membership

3.1 Members of the group must be 18 years of age or over or enrolled as an Ohio University student.

3.2 The group will keep a data base of members’ contact details and may
occasionally send details of competitions or other items of information. By
joining, the group members will have agreed to receive this material either by
email or by post.

3.3 Members are allowed to be removed from the email list by addressing the Secretary prior to a meeting or in an email.

3.4 Members will be expected to adhere to the group’s equal opportunities policy
at all times. No one will receive less favorable treatment within the group and its members shall not discriminate against any individual on the
grounds of sex, color, race, nationality, ethnic or racial origins, disability, marital
status, sexual orientation, trade union activity, age, political or religious beliefs. Any member violating this policy will be swiftly removed from the group.

3.5 Any Member deemed to be disruptive or not in accord with the group may be
expelled by a majority decision of members and Committee members. Disruptive members will first receive a verbal, then written warning before expulsion. We want this to be the most positive environment for writers as possible.

4. Workshop Structure

4.1 Besides taking charge of the group for the evening, it is the President’s duty
To email put workshop notices to members, to ensure that the
meeting room is available, give out any information or leaflets and to hand
‘Welcome to the writer’s workshop’ sheets to any new members. Every new
member should be handed a copy of the constitution.

4.2 The Treasurer will collect and handle any money that is given to the writer’s group and will ensure that the money is
deposited in the Writers’ Workshop bank account.

4.3 The actual workshop will be free format, creatively guided by the workshop leader, chosen by the group members, or volunteered, in
any way he or she sees fit. There will normally be readings of work brought in,
followed by feedback from the other members. There may be writing exercises
and occasionally there may be casting of dramas, improvisations etc. There may
be special types of workshop announced in advance.

4.4 The Writers’ Workshop is a not-for-profit organization. All profit is to be
reinvested in publication projects, events and group conveniences. No member will
receive any finance, except documented and approved expenses incurred with
the prior approval of the committee. All outgoings must be fully authorized in
advance by the committee, fully documented with dated receipts and
descriptions.

5. Officers

The Committee comprises of:

President - Chairs the committee meetings, appoint a new advisor if position becomes vacant, represents the group externally
and manages the other members of the committee.

Vice President – Maintaining communication with President. In absence of the President, assumes the duties and roles listed under President. 

Secretary – Handles e-mail and produces a rotation of workshop leaders.

Treasurer - Manages the bank account and group finances

Publicity/Marketing- Is in charge of taking pictures at events, recording readings for website

Webmaster- Performs maintenance and handles website

6. Election of Committee / Officers

6.1 All Committee members shall be elected from and by, the members of the
group.

6.2 All Committee members are elected for a period of one year, from the start of Fall Quarter to the end of Spring Quarter. Elections will be held in May. Committee members may be reelected
to the same office or another office the following year. Voting will take
place during a scheduled meeting where members will be given slips of paper where they’ll write who they would like to be Committee members. Those with the most votes will be given the position.

6.3 Members who would like to become Officers must state their intent during a scheduled meeting in May, TBA.

7. Committee

7.1 The affairs of the group shall be controlled by the committee and by the
members of the group. The Committee shall meet at agreed intervals and not
less than four times per year.

The duties of the Committee shall be:

7.2 To control the affairs of the group on behalf of the Members

7.3 To keep accurate accounts of the finances of the group through the
Treasurer. These should be available for reasonable inspection by Members and
should be audited before every Annual General Meeting.

7.4 Provide the best environment for writers to share ideas, network and critique each other’s work.

8. Advisor

8.1 Our organization advisor must be a member of the faculty, administration, or staff of Ohio University.

8.2 Should the position of advisor become vacant during the year, it is the President’s job to find a new advisor.

 
9. Alterations to the Constitution

9.1 Any proposed alterations to the group Constitution may only be considered at an
Annual General Meeting and should be accompanied by a written proposal. Any alteration or amendment must be proposed by a Member of
the group and seconded by another Member. Such alterations shall be passed if
supported by not less than two-thirds of those Members present at the meeting.

10. Acceptance of the Constitution

10.1 Members are expected to abide by the rules as set out in this constitution.
Anyone who persistently refuses to abide by these rules will be asked to leave the Writers' Group.


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