This is a copy of the constitution held by the RPI Union. The most up-to-date version can be found at the following web address: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/union/rca/public/Constitution


Constitution of the Rensselaer Christian Association - October 20, 1993

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be Rensselaer Christian Association (RCA).

Article II - Purpose and Goals

Section 1

To provide an open and relaxed atmosphere for members of the RPI community to explore the person and deity of Jesus Christ and their relationship to him.

To deepen and strengthen the spiritual life of members by the Study of the Bible, by prayer, and by Christian fellowship.

To provide information and opportunities regarding the world mission of the church.

To show the love of Jesus Christ through service to the RPI community.

Article III - Membership

Section 1

In compliance with policies of the Rensselaer Union, membership of this organization shall be open to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual preference, or handicap for all aspects of club activities.

Section 2

At no time will the reckless or intentional endangerment to health or forced consumption of alcohol for the purposes of initiation into or affiliation with this organization be permitted.

Section 3

To be eligible for regular membership, a person must be a currently registered RPI student or a spouse of such a student who has paid the Rensselaer Union activity fee.

To be considered a regular member for the purpose of voting, a participant must have attended at least three of the last eight regular meetings in addition to the stipulations defined above.

Section 4

RPI faculty, staff, and alumni (and their spouses); and Russell Sage and Hudson Valley Community College students shall be eligible for associate membership.

Associate members may participate in club activities; however, they may not hold office except with special approval of the Rensselaer Union Executive Board.

Associate members are eligible to vote if they have attended at least three of the last eight regular meetings.

Section 5

An accurate membership list, compiled by the vice president of this organization, will be kept on file in the Rensselaer Union Administration Office.

Requirements for membership as stated in this constitution and a copy of the current membership list will be available on request to the RCA vice president.

Section 6

All members must adhere to all Rensselaer Union guidelines and be subject to all Union and Institute standards and disciplinary procedures.

Article IV - Officers and Duties

Section 1

The governing body of RCA shall be an executive committee currently consisting of six officers: a president, a vice-president, a large group coordinator, a small group coordinator, an outreach coordinator, and a prayer coordinator. These offices are subject to change by a majority vote of the regular members at a regular business meeting. The offices of president and vice-president are an exception to this rule and are not subject to change without amendment to this constitution. The duties, responsibilities, and level of authority if these officers are as follows:

The president shall be the Chief Executive Officer and spokesperson for RCA and shall preside over all meetings. He/She shall be responsible for guiding RCA within its stated purpose and for appointing, with the advice of the executive committee, any committees, chairpersons, program areas within RCA, or representatives of RCA to any other organization. He/She shall lead the executive committee and keep the chapter focused on its goals. The president shall continually pray for the chapter and provide spiritual leadership.

The vice president shall be responsible for keeping the records of RCA and its activities, including minutes of RCA and executive committee business meetings and copies of all official publications and correspondence. He/She shall also be responsible for the custody and administration of all RCA funds under the direction of the executive committee and according to a budget that the vice president will draw up with the president at the start of each calendar year. The vice president will fulfill the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence or incapacity. The vice president shall assume the office of the president should such become vacant.

The outreach coordinator shall be responsible for initiating and overseeing all aspects of evangelistic outreach including but not limited to: campus outreach, publicity, special events, and church activities. He/ She shall encourage the chapter to participate in these endeavors. This officer is also specifically responsible for organizing and overseeing a program of new student outreach at the beginning of each term.

The large group coordinator shall be responsible for planning and organizing weekly chapter meetings. This includes, but is not limited to: contacting speakers, gathering a worship team, putting together activities when appropriate, and advertising the meetings.

The small group coordinator shall be responsible for organizing small group Bible studies for RCA. He/She shall find capable leaders for these small groups, and also seek to prepare leaders for the future. The small group coordinator shall also be responsible for maintaining communication between small group leaders and encouraging chapter members to attend the small groups on a regular basis.

The prayer coordinator shall be responsible for encouraging the chapter to pray. This shall be accomplished through, but is not limited to: daily prayer meetings, concerts of prayer, and any special prayer events that arise. He/She shall also organize a prayer chain and oversee its use.

Section 2

The president shall appoint a nominating committee and its chairperson with the advice of the executive committee. The nominating committee shall review RCA's past activities and future and present needs and shall seek out those members of RCA with gifts of leadership.

The nominating committee shall prepare an endorsement for each office which it will present one week prior to the regular election meeting. These endorsements shall be made only by a consensus of the nominating committee.

Nominations for offices will be accepted from voting members. Nominations will be open from the time of the selection of the nominating committee until one week prior to the election meeting. Any made in this period will be on the election ballot if so desired by the candidate. Nominations to be considered for endorsement by the nominating committee must be received by a date before the election meeting to be determined by the chair of the nominating committee. The ballot will be presented at the meeting one week prior to the election meeting.

Additional nominations from voting members shall be accepted at the election meeting. These candidates may be "written in" on the ballot.

Nominating committee meetings shall be open only to members of the nominating or executive committees who are not being considered for endorsement. Exceptions may be made only with the consent of the chairperson and a majority of the nominating committee. Any member of the nominating committee who wishes to be considered for endorsement must resign from the nominating committee. All discussions of the nominating committee are to be considered confidential.

Section 3

Any regular member of RCA who adheres to the doctrinal statement may be elected to any office by a majority vote of the regular members of RCA present at a regular election meeting at which quorum is reached.

The list of current officers of RCA shall be maintained in the Rensselaer Union Administration office.

Section 4

The term of offive for each office shall be one year, consisting of the spring and subsequent fall academic sessions.

Article V - Disciplinary Action and Suspension

Section 1

If a person has violated club rules or Rensselaer Union/Institute regulations, partial or total membership benefits and rights can be removed by a vote of at least a majority of the regular mambers of RCA present at a regular business meeting at which quorum is reached.

Section 2

Grounds for impeachment of an officer include blatant disregard for the doctrinal statement of RCA, more than three unexcused absences from executive committee meetings during their term, failure to abide by Union guidelines, and failure to hold regular member status.

An officer of RCA shall be removed from office by a unanimous vote of the executive committee (with the exception of that officer). In order forsuch a vote to be held, a motion must be made and seconded by a member of the executive committee.

A vote of impeachment can be called for by the regular members of RCA with the submission of a petition containing the signatures of at least one third of the regular members of RCA. An announcement for such a vote shall be given at the regular business meeting preceding the voting meeting.

If any office shall become vacant before the regular election meeting, the president of RCA shall temporarily assume the duties of the vacant office. The president shall appoint a regular member for this office which must then be ratified by a unanimous vote of the executive committee (excluding the president). The president shall have the power to choose a search committee to assist in the selection of this appointee.

Article VI - Meetings

Section 1

Regular business meetings of RCA in support of its purpose shall be held at least weekly during regular academic sessions at such times as shall be determined by the executive committee. Written notice of regular meetings shall be given in the campus newspaper in the week prior to each meeting.

Section 2

The executive committee shall meet at least weekly during regular academic sessions for planning, conducting administrative duties, prayer, and Bible study. Executive committee meetings shall be open to any RCA member or other interested persons unless closed by unanimous agreement of the executive committee. Executive committee meetings shall only be closed for the discussion of personal or private issues directly affecting the committee.

Section 3

A regular election meeting shall be held during the fall semester at a atime and place to be determined by the president and the executive committee. Written notice of regular election meetings shall be given in the campus newspaper at least two weeks prior to the date of the election meeting.

Section 4

For executive committee meetings, quorum is reached when three fifths of the RCA officers are present. For all other meetings, quorum is reached when 50% of the total voting membership of RCA is present.

Article VII - Ratification and Amendment

Section 1

This constitution shall be effective immediately and supersede all others upon ratification by the membership of RCA and subsequent approval by the Rensselaer Union Executive Board. Ratification by RCA requires a vote by two-thirds majority of those regular members present at a regular business meeting at which quorum is reached. Written notice of consideration of this constitution shall have been given in the campus newspaper at least two weeks prior to the vote.

Section 2

Amendments to this constitution and the RCA doctrinal statement shall be accepted by a two-thirds majority vote of the regular members of RCA present at a regular meeting where quorum is reached, and subsequent approval by the Rensselaer Union Executive Board. Written notice of consideration of amendments shall have been given in the campus newspaper at least two weeks prior to the vote.

Article VIII - Finances

Section 1

RCA shall be financially independent of the Rensselaer Union and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Section 2

Funds and supplies may be generated through donations and fund raising activities.

Section 3

All finances shall be in the trust of the governing body of this organization and shall be used as decided by the members of this organization to aid in the fulfillment of its purposes.