AAF Mission Statement
"Our primary goal is to provide an open forum for the discussion of a wide range of controversial issues of philosophical, social and political interest. Our secondary goal is to raise awareness of various issues related to Atheism, Agnosticism and free thought."
AAF Constitution
Article I. Name
The name of this student organization shall be the Atheists, Agnostics and Freethinkers of Hamilton (AAF).
Article II. Purpose
Our primary purpose is to provide an open forum for the discussion of a wide range of controversial issues of philosophical, social and political interest. Our secondary purpose is to raise awareness of various issues related to atheism, agnosticism and free thought including the separation of church and state.
Article III. Membership
- Section I. Selection Process
Membership is open to any student, faculty or staff member, or member of the community regardless of his or her political or religious views. We are an equal opportunity/non-discrimination organization. We will not exclude anybody on the basis of age, sex, race, nationality or political or religious affiliation.
- Section II. Anti-hazing
Hazing in any form is prohibited by AAF and shall not be used as a method for gaining membership of AAF.
Section III. Attendance
Attendance, while not mandatory, is strongly encouraged. Any member who is absent from more than one quarter of the meetings during a given semester may not run for an officer's position in AAF.
- Section IV. Removal Procedures
Any officer with more than two unexcused absences a semester may be removed from his or her office by a unanimous decision from the other officers and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active membership. A member may only be removed by a unanimous decision from the officers or Advisor(s) and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active membership.
Article IV. Officers
- Section I. Requirements
The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements: a) have at least a 2.00 overall GPA at the time of their election and post at least a 2.00 GPA for the preceding regular semester or the two preceding summer terms at the time of the election and during the term of office; b) be in good standing with the College and enrolled in at least 4 credit hours in a regular semester during the term of office. Officers are subject to removal from office by the organization and/or the organization official college advisor should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).
- Section II. Officers and Duties
President - shall preside over regular and executive meetings, coordinate group activities, and communicate with the officers and advisor on all matters.
Vice-President - shall assist president, preside over meetings in the absence of the president, check attendance at functions, and receive and review excuses for absences.
Treasurer - shall collect dues, pay bills, oversee other monetary transactions including fund raising and social activities, and prepare and maintain annual budget.
Secretary - shall take notes, in a log book, at each meeting on what is discussed.
Faculty Advisor - shall be a member of the Hamilton College faculty. The Faculty Advisor shall have the same (no more, no fewer) privileges than the student officers. The Faculty Advisor shall have voting privileges and shall help act as a go-between when the AAF needs to communicate with the college.
- Section III. Election process
Elections shall be held at the last regular meeting during the month of May, a simple majority vote will win. Newly elected officers shall assume responsibility at the first meeting of the following semester. Elections to fill a vacancy will be held immediately and the newly elected official will assume responsibility at the next meeting.
- Section IV. Removal of an Officer
Refer to Article III. Section IV.
Article V. Meetings
- Section I.
The initial meeting of a semseter will be held when the officers deem appropriate, and no later than one month following the first day of classes for the semester, at which time, a vote may be called to determine the schedule of meetings for the rest of the semester.
- Section II.
Meetings shall be held once per week for 1 to 2 hours in duration or at the discretion of the President.
- Section III.
Meeting topics will be decided by the President and Vice-President. The topics should be related to atheism, agnosticism and free-thought.
- Section IV.
At the beginning of each meeting the purpose of the club as stated in Article II. shall be read aloud to the club to remind the members why the group meets.
Article VII. Amendments and Revisions
- Section I.
This constitution may be amended at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active membership, subject to the approval of the Director of Student Activities.
- Section II.
This document must be reviewed every two (2) years and resubmitted to the Student Activities Office.
Article VI. Finances
- Section I.
Dues shall be determined at the begining of each semester by a simple majority vote by the officers, and will be collected from all members of the organization.
- Section II.
All money belonging to this organization shall be handled by the treasurer. The President of this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.
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