Article I:      Organization

A.    NAME:   This organization shall be called the Global Exchange Organization or GEO Club.

B.  PURPOSE:  To provide students with opportunities to develop global awareness as well as greater awareness of their immediate cultural and physical surroundings by:

1.)      coordinating and publicizing the Japanese Exchange Program.

2.)      providing opportunities for students of varying cultural backgrounds to interact through events outside the classroom.

3.)      arranging and publicizing key events which support greater multicultural awareness.

4.)      arranging off-campus events to natural and cultural attractions.

5.)      providing hiking opportunities in the mountains, deserts and coastal areas of Southern California

6.)      encouraging attendance to museums, theater, film events and various ethnic dining experiences.

C.    SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL:  As a planning and fundraising organization for the Japanese Exchange Program, the GEO Club enhances the multicultural element on campus.   Through our efforts, students will be given the opportunity to appreciate the dynamics of international relations and universal good will.   In addition, the GEO Club provides an avenue for exploring new places, people, cultures and area attractions.

D.    HOW IT IS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED:    By providing on-campus extracurricular activities, the club will provide students an opportunity to socialize and promote the program.  By providing off-campus extracurricular activities, the club will provide students an opportunity to explore the cultural and geographic diversity of Southern California .    By organizing fundraising activities, the club will help raise money for hosting Japanese students in the spring, as well as planning and/or financing off-campus educational excursions for club members.

E.    DONATIONS: To aid with publicity of events,  donations are required for “active membership.”   Active members receive quarterly newsletters and are eligible for awards of merit.  Donations will be ten (10) dollars per year payable at the beginning of membership.    Donations are not refundable.   Honorary Members (who have served as GEO's exchange students in Japan ) pay no dues.   Highly active members from the previous year receive a discount of two (2) dollars during the September membership drive.

F.     TIME, PLACE, AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS:   General Meetings are tentatively scheduled at least once each month at 3:25 PM in Room M-1.    Executive Meetings occur each Monday at lunch or as needed.   Officers should meet with one another along with the advisor at least once weekly.  Off-Campus Meetings may be held at the discretion of the officers with the approval of the club advisor.   Emergency Meetings on campus may take place with administrative and/or advisor approval.   All GEO Club meetings are open.

 Article II:    Authority

A.    This organization hereby agrees to abide by all School, District, State and Federal rules and regulations.

B.      The functions of the GEO Club will be subject to all Student Body laws and regulations.

Article III:    Membership

A.    ELIGIBILITY:   The GEO Club is open to all WCHS students.

B.       ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP:  Active membership shall be maintained by remitting one-time donations and returning Reply Cards when distributed to all members.  Active members shall be determined by a composite record of the projects participated in and meetings attended by each individual.  Active members are eligible for activity letters, awards of merit and executive office.

C.  SUSPENSION-EXPULSION:  The advisor reserves the right to suspend a member from participating in off-campus activities as a result of dangerous or irresponsible behavior.  Any member may be expelled from the club if that member's behavior is deemed unsuitable and contrary to the purposes of the club in the judgment of the advisor and an independent student panel.

  Article IV:  Officers and Elections

A.    TITLES AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS:

1.     PRESIDENT:    Presides at all meetings, determines the official agenda for each meeting, appoints special-tasks that may be necessary, and approves changes in the calendar.

2.     VICE PRESIDENT:   Assists the president and assumes his/her duties when absent.  

3.     SECRETARY:   Assists the president at all meetings by reading and recording minutes, then types and files all official club records including agendas, club minutes, and attendance sheets to provide to ASB at the end of each month.  

4.     TREASURER:  Manages club finances, keeps a record of all club expenditures, and provides month-end reports and financial statements to ASB in accordance with school policy.

B.    TERMS OF OFFICE:    All terms of office expire at the end of the regular school year.

C.    ELECTION OF OFFICERS:  Officers must be elected prior to conducting any club business by the general membership.   If business is to be conducted over the summer, the next year's officers must preside.   Election meetings must be announced to the members in such a way that all active members are given ample warning to attend and participate.

D.    ELIGIBILITY OF OFFICERS:   Only active club members are eligible to run for office.

E.    PROBATION OR SUSPENSION OF OFFICERS:    Officers may be suspended for general neglect of duties, bad conduct, or misuse of power, but the club advisor must be present for suspension hearings.   A probationary period must precede the suspension of an officer with the terms of that probation explained to the officer, as well as the membership at a general meeting.   If an officer fails to report to three (3) scheduled meetings in a row, he/she will be placed on probation.    The Executive Board shall present terms of the probation to the general membership for a vote.   If an officer does not meet the terms of probation then he/she shall be removed from the office for the remainder of the year.

Article V:   Practical Guidelines

A.    DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS:           All general meetings shall be democratic and employ Robert 's Rules of Order to the best of the organization's ability.  Any general meetings shall have an agenda.

B.    COMMITTEES:      Committees shall be made up of volunteers and those volunteers shall be approved by the executive officers.

C.    APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS:   The general raising and appropriation of funds shall be in accordance with the purposes and intent of this organization and will be decided by majority vote of GEO Club Officers and approved by the acting advisor.   Officers may approve minor appropriations of funds related to clerical costs or publicity (paints, posters, paper, Xeroxed copies, mailings, etc.) without a majority club vote.   Major donations or appropriations of funds (especially anything over $50) must be accepted by a two-thirds majority vote of members present at a general club meeting in order to be approved.    Use club funds may not, in good conscience, for the personal gain of individual club members.   Expenditures should benefit the common good of the whole of club membership.

        The raising and appropriation of funds for the GEO Club shall be recorded accurately and made available on a monthly basis for viewing of all active members.

Article VI:   Faculty Sponsor

A.  APPOINTMENT:   The faculty sponsor shall be a certificated employee of the West Covina Unified School District .   This volunteer shall be recommended by ASB for appointment by the principal.

B.  REQUIREMENTS:   The faculty sponsor is required to be at all general meetings, fundraising events, and elections.

Article VII:  Amendments

Amendments may be added to this document as the club develops.   Changes or additions in the constitution may originate by any member or advisor of the club but must first be approved by the advisor and accepted by a two-thirds majority vote of members present at a general club meeting in order to be adopted.