Constitution of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus at the Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County
Preamble
We the members of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus of Community College of Allegheny County do hereby constitute ourselves an organization adhering to the following provisions, and to the protected freedoms of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the PA Constitution in all matters.
Article I: Name ( Community SCCC )
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be Students for Concealed Carry on the Allegheny Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County, shortened to Community SCCC. All official documents shall bear the name Community SCCC.
Section 2. Students for Concealed Carry on the Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County shall be the recognized affiliate of the national and state organization of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus and shall be subject to and abide by the Constitutions, Bylaws and Resolutions thereof.
Article II: Purposes and Intent
Make known the current rules, regulations, and laws regarding, and promote advocacy of, the right of concealed handgun license holders to carry concealed handguns on college and university campuses.
To examine the college’s “No Weapons” policy and discuss and debate its value, the possible or perceived danger it poses to students, and to discuss changing or eradicating it; and taking steps to accomplish the goals Community SCCC decides upon by actions including but not limited to the introduction of model legislation to the Student Government.
Be vigilant in promoting the idea that those who disagree with CCAC’s broad “no weapons” policy adhere to the policy (i.e. not bring weapons to campus) giving them an outlet to voice their discontent with the issue by protest and other approved group action.
Recruit - students who are subject to the policy; parents of students who are interested in being involved; faculty who are subject to the policy; members of the community whose tax dollars partially fund the college; and other staff as members of SCCC.
Provide aid and support to local and state legislators promoting concealed carry on campus. This may be accomplished by fundraising, petitioning, visual displays, organized political canvassing, and by word of mouth.
Provide a source on campus for accurate information relating to the concealed carry laws of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Provide members and interested parties an internet forum at
communitysccc.proboards.com, a facebook page, access to SCCC National web resources, and any other resources for information and communication that we gain access to.
Promote firearms safety by acting as a local source of free public information as to how and where individuals can obtain firearms instruction such as safety & basic handling; give information as to locations and possible discounts for range/galleries to practice these safety and competency skills; informational/educational events to raise awareness. The club will also endeavor to provide and bring to campus the best possible literature, conversational information, and speaking guests in order to raise awareness answer questions and concerns regarding firearms safety, legality, and other related expression both in general and in response to any specific requests made by students.
To have non-intrusive silent protests for the sake of raising awareness of the issue, one example would be a “patriot blue t-shirt day” on which we would announce ourselves in some way (perhaps by signage) and every person on campus who supports the ideals of SCCC can choose to wear a “patriot blue t-shirt” to get a visualization of the level of support of the club.
Article III: Membership
Community SCCC reserves the right to extend membership privileges to anyone interested in pursuing the goals of Community SCCC who are in fundamental agreement with the goals of Community SCCC; or advocate the pursuit of a better understanding of the college’s weapons policy and how it affects the student body, who hold any opinion or point of view, as long as their pursuit/argument is academic and founded in facts, statistics, or reasoned argument.
Community SCCC reserves the right to deny membership, by a vote of at least two thirds of the active members, to any individual who shows a strong emotional bias about firearms from any perspective and does not show interest in the intellectual pursuit of the weapons policy.
General Members -
Membership in the Students for Concealed Carry on Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County is open to all CCAC students, faculty, staff, parents of students, and other concerned members of the community. This organization will not deny membership to any person on the basis of race, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical handicap, color, marital status, national origin, language or creed. It will not even deny membership based on opinion regarding SCCC’s core values as we welcome all input to this important debate and wish for every enlightened thinking voice to be heard on this subject.
Voting Members -
A.) Voting Members of the Community SCCC shall consist of all active student members determined by having attended at least one meeting per semester or a telephone or live internet discussion with the campus leader or assistant campus leader and who have signed the current membership roster.
A.) Each voting member will have only one vote.
B.) Executive officers are appointed from the club membership and will retain voting privileges.
C.) Voting membership status will be revoked in the event that any voting member’s GPA drops below 2.0
Article IV: Meetings
The Students for Concealed Carry on Campus of Community College of Allegheny County will meet during Fall and Spring semesters as determined by the group time constraints and availability.
Special meetings may be called by the campus leader or the advisor, allowing for a 24 hour period of advance notice.
The election and voting quorums shall consist of 2/3 of voting membership. A disciplinary quorum consists of all executive members. A quorum may pass an issue with simple majority vote (51%)
The Voting Process –
Voting shall be done at the first meeting after the proposed issue up for vote and shall consist of each voting member anonymously writing their vote on an unsigned piece of paper, votes on non-controversial issues may take place by live internet chat by a simple count of YES’ and No’s. Non controversial voting matters include anything that does not involve either the election of Board Officers, the status of any member, or any proposed activity that does not require funding. If a paper ballot is cast it will be counted first by the campus leader and then again by the assistant campus leader who will confirm independently and then compare their numbers.
A recount shall take place for any vote where the two counts do not match, or for any vote which an active member contests based on absence during the vote in the event that another active member seconds the motion to contest the vote.
An official meeting shall not be held without the attendance of at least one of the Board Members or the Advisor. Unofficial meetings of 3 or more active members may take minutes and submit them to the secretary for documentation if they choose.
The following shall be the standard agenda for the Students for Concealed Carry on the Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County
1. Roll Call
2. Old Business
3. New Business
4. Adjournment
Minutes are to be taken by the secretary if the Campus Leader is not in attendance
Virtual Meetings – if the Campus leader and at least one other voting member of the club are logged in, synchronous web based meetings will be considered official meetings and can include a voting quorum. These meetings will be recorded and saved for any members who were not in attendance to read, as well as for future reference.
Article V: Administration
Section 1. Eligibility -
Only officially registered students with a minimum of 2.0 GPA shall be eligible to serve as elected or appointed officers of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus of College of Allegheny County. One student may hold no more than three Board positions, maintaining only one vote.
Section 2. Board Officers -
Campus Leader-
To act as the only official representative of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus to local media. The Campus Leader does not speak on behalf of the national or state organization of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus but for this chapter alone.
The Campus Leader will remain in continual contact with the State Director of Pennsylvania for SCCC and the Regional Director.
To preside over all meetings (unless special circumstances prevent it in which case at least one officer must be present and minutes will be taken) of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus of Community College of Allegheny County.
To enforce the constitution, By-laws and other regulations of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus of Community College of Allegheny County.
To communicate the needs of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus of Community College of Allegheny County to CCAC and other organizations and coordinate efforts to meet those needs.
To maintain the Club website at:
communitysccc.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=announcements&action=display&thread=13Assistant Campus Leader -
To preside in the absence of the Campus Leader.
To assist the Campus leader in whatever duties may be defined and duly delegated.
May file for removal of the Campus Leader or any of the other Officers and must also direct and maintain that other officers are fulfilling their duties.
To check, update, act as moderator, and post to the forum at:
communitysccc.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=announcements&action=display&thread=13 To ensure adherence to the constitution, By-laws and other regulations of the Students for Concealed Carry on the Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County.
To assist all committees and keep the campus leader informed of their progress.
Secretary -
To keep a record of minutes and committee reports and activities.
To keep an index of all disseminated documents and media references to Community SCCC.
To inform all active members of events & coordinate their voluntary assistance.
To keep an active roster of all voting members.
To keep an active roster of all general members.
To serve as historian for the Students for Concealed Carry at Community College of Allegheny County
.
Events Coordinator –
The Events Coordinator is responsible for planning all events for Community SCCC.
He/She will formulate a budget for each event and propose it to the board for expense approval. If the budget is approved the finances will be requested by the Campus Leader from the treasurer or the Student Government depending on availability of funds from either.
He/She is encouraged to recruit and maintain a committee in order to help plan events as well as delegate titles and responsibilities to each member.
He/she is encouraged to schedule and help plan monthly events such as:
Student Debates, Discussion, and Inquiries especially regarding the current events of Utah State Colleges who have allowed students to concealed carry since 2007.
Debates between experts on both sides of the firearms legislation dispute.
Screen documentaries about concealed carry and/or the 2nd Amendment.
Spread awareness and information to those not currently in SCCC about SCCC.
Host Concealed Handgun License classes to help facilitate the acquisition of licenses for students. This will consist of instruction as to the legal and financial requirements for a PA LTCF, a map and/or directions as to the location of the county Sherriff’s office where the application for an LTCF is to be found, and instructions for completing that application process. This event may merit, upon Board approval, a field trip to the County Sherriff’s office located in the entrance to the courtyard of the
Conduct an Empty Holster Protest or other visual display silent-protests
Request speakers from the Federalist Society, Firearm Owners Against Crime, The Pennsylvania Firearms Owners Association, Members of Government, the Leadership Institute and/or the NRA’s Speakers Bureau, etc
Letter writing campaigns
Treasurer -
To keep an accurate record of all financial transactions of the Students for Concealed Carry on the Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County and for off-campus events.
To deposit and withdraw funds of the Students for Concealed Carry on Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County or whatever account we may hold our funding in
To execute the appropriate process in order to request and obtain funds from CCAC.
To report to the Board of Officers and the general membership on the financial position of the Students for Concealed Carry on the Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County at least once a semester.
Board of Officers Attendance -
The Officers are expected to attend meetings of the Students for Concealed Carry on the Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny County if their schedule permits it. Excessive absences constitute 4 consecutive absences without communication after which a vote will be held as to whether to retain that officer.
Section 3. Removal of, and Replacement of Officers -
The Election Quorum shall vote to remove and/or replace Executive officers. The SCCC national organizers must ratify the chosen Campus Leader.
Article VI: Elections
Section 1. Elections will be held the second to last meeting of each semester.
Section 2. To be eligible to vote, a SCCC member must fulfill all requirements in Article 5, Section 1 of this constitution.
Section 3. To be eligible to run for elected office, a SCCC member must:
be in good standing with SCCC;
have a 2.00 GPA or higher at Idaho State University
submit a statement of candidacy to run for office to the SCCC Secretary at the meeting prior to the Executive Committee Election. This statement of candidacy must include the member’s name, telephone number, office sought, and must be signed by at least two SCCC members who are eligible to vote (one to nominate and the second to second the nomination); be prepared to speak before the organization on election day, explaining why they are seeking their perspective office.
Section 4. Any member of SCCC may run for the office of Campus Leader.
Section 5. The term of office for elected officers shall extend from the adjournment of the meeting at which they were elected to the adjournment of the next annual election.
Section 6. The term limit of the Campus Leader position shall be limited at a maximum of two terms, equaling two academic years. All other SCCC Executive Committee positions shall not have a term limit.
Section 7. Each candidate may affiliate themselves with other candidates running for other positions, but each candidate will be elected individually if possible.
Section 8. SCCC members must be present at the annual election meeting to vote. Members who arrive after candidate speeches have commenced shall be considered absent and will not be permitted to vote unless all candidates present agree to let them vote.
Section 9. All voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.
Section 10. An unbiased monitor shall count the ballots publicly and the newly elected SCCC Executive Committee shall be announced before the adjournment of the annual election meetings
Article VII: Finances
The treasurer will be responsible for the collection/disbursement of funds and the opening of a student organization account in the CCAC office. If there is no Treasurer this job falls to the Campus Leader. Major expenditures will be authorized by the voting membership. Major expenditures are defined, for this constitution, as one hundred dollars, or more. Major expenditures will be authorized by at least one half of the voting members, and may take place online or during a regularly called meeting. The Campus Leader will authorize minor expenditures, defined as less than fifty dollars. The Assistant Campus Leader may authorize minor expenditures in the absence of the Campus Leader. All expenditures shall require the signature of one of the officers and the Campus Leader, if the Campus Leader is unavailable then the signature of Community SCCC’s Advisor will suffice.
Article VIII: Advisor (Requirements and Removal)
The advisor shall be a full-time faculty or staff employee of Community College of Allegheny County.
The Students for Concealed Carry on Campus of Community College of
Allegheny County Board of Officers can recommend an advisor for removal from the position of advisor if the advisor is not interested in pursuing the goals of Community SCCC and is in fundamental disagreement with the goals of Community SCCC and cannot remain viewpoint and content neutral as regards the club’s activities.
Article IX: Dissolution and Disbursal of Organization's Assets
Section 1. In the event that Community SCCC should become defunct, assets shall be turned over to the national chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. Indefinite inactivity of this organization does not constitute defunct status.
Section 2. To dissolve Students for Concealed Carry on Campus of Community College of Allegheny County, there must be a unanimous vote by both the SCCC Executive Committee and the SCCC membership. Quorum for this vote shall require two-thirds of the active members.
Section 3. Should the organization dissolve; the Campus Leader record shall immediately contact the State Director of Pennsylvania for Students for Concealed Carry on Campus.
Article X: Amendments
Section 1. Any voting member of the Students for Concealed Carry on the Allegheny Campus of Community College of Allegheny Campus may sponsor any amendment. If another voting member seconds the proposed amendment, the proposed amendment must be considered.
Section 2. New amendments must be proposed at an official meeting where either the campus leader or the advisor is present.
Section 3. New amendments must be approved by two thirds of the voting members and may be ratified online or at a club meeting. The proposed amendment is not ratified until approved by CCAC.
1st Amendment - Given that this group's intention is to discuss, debate, and have an intellectual pursuit regarding the broad "no weapons" policy of the college and not to engage in activities involving the use of firearms; any circumstance or occasion during which members of the student organization Students for Concealed Carry on Campus are engaged in the use of, practice with, training (excluding possible safety training with okastic "blue guns" which are not actual firearms), carrying of, or handling of firearms shall not be considered a CCAC activity, though it may be considered a "Students for Concealed Carry on Campus" activity as per our affiliation with the national SCCC group. With consideration for the liability concerns of the college no incident regarding or involving firearms and CCAC SCCC members shall be considered to be related to the college in any way. These activities, should they occur, will only be considered either non-college related off-campus activities or SCCC National activities
2nd Amendment - No Activities of the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus group at CCAC shall be considered to be endorsed or agreed with by the administration or Student Government of Community College of Allegheny County, though we reserve the right to equal treatment of our group with any other recognized student group at Community College of Allegheny County as regards the use of resources including but not limited to funding; use of school property for events including but not limited to group meetings, debates, or activities
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That is the Constitution which the Student Government voted on, and our official SCCC at CCAC Constitution ;D
