The aims and objectives of this organization shall be:

1. To promote scholarly activity in the field of linguistics and teaching English as a second/ foreign language (TESL/TEFL) as well as other related areas such as education, psychology, English, and modern languages.

2. To provide opportunities for group study and discussion of topics and items of interest regarding linguistics and TESL/TEFL.

3. To act as a vehicle for bringing professional speakers in to assist in the study of linguistics and TESL/TEFL.

4. To promote collaboration and social interaction among individuals interested in linguistics and TESL/TEFL.

Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Linguistics Society of Ohio University (LSOU).

Article II: Membership

Section 1. The majority of the membership of this organization shall consist of enrolled Ohio University students.

Section 2. This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individuals for reasons of race, national origin, color, religion, gender, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or ability status.

Section 3. Membership in this group shall be open to all who are interested and:

A. Have a genuine interest in the aims and objectives as listed in the Preamble of this Constitution.

B. Participate in at least one of the standing committees.

C. Maintain current payment of dues.

Article III: Organization of the LSOU

Section 1. The society shall be an organization that is run and organized by all members in the form of committees.

A. The organization and operation of these committees shall mirror that of the LSOU.

Section 2. There shall be several permanent committees in place to facilitate the functioning of the organization.

A. Activities Committee

It shall be the duty of the Activities Committee to be responsible for supervising the planning and conducting of all activities such as guest speakers, panel and group discussions, social and academic meetings, etc. A member of this Committee should be present at General Meetings in order to report Committee activity to the group at large during General Meetings and to facilitate the voting of issues decided on by the Committee.

B. Communications Committee

It shall be the duty of the Communications Committee to be responsible for the publication of all correspondence and official publications of the Society, to maintain the Society’s web site and e-mail, and to coordinate the publication and promotion of individual member papers. A member of this committee should be present at General Meetings in order to report Committee activity to the group at large. A member of this Committee is also responsible for keeping accurate records of all activities of the Society, including minutes and roll of all Meetings.

C. Advocacy Committee

The purpose of this committee is to act on behalf of the interests of students in the Linguistics Department. This committee’s responsibilities include student-faculty liaison relations, complaints, curriculum issues, and Graduate Student Senate Representative (GSSR). The GSSR shall reflect the interests of the Linguistics Department to the Graduate Student Senate. The GSSR is responsible for reporting back to the Advocacy Committee.

Section 3. Treasurer

A. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to be financial overseer of all finances and dues as described in Article VIII. The volunteer for this position shall be registered with Ohio University.

Section 4. Meeting Facilitators

A. A Facilitator for the subsequent General Meeting shall be put into place at the end of each General Meeting.

B. In order to volunteer to facilitate a meeting the member must be present at the meeting preceding the one they will facilitate.

C. Duties of the Meeting Facilitator will include acting on the Society’s behalf until a new facilitator is selected by soliciting ideas for the agenda, developing a General Meeting agenda and facilitating the business of the Meeting they have volunteered for, and posting the agenda and issues that will be voted on at upcoming Meetings.

Section 5. Other ad hoc groups shall be put into place for projects as needed.

Section 6. The members of the Committees, Treasurer, and Meeting Facilitators shall not be elected but instead volunteer and commit themselves to work on a project for the duration of that project.

Section 7. If there are more volunteers than are needed for any position, a simple majority vote of members present at the General Meeting decides the outcome.

Section 8. Decisions made by a Committee that involve funding and require participation by LSOU members outside of that committee shall be put up for a vote before taking effect.

Section 9. Each Committee shall select a member to represent and present ideas of the Committee at the General Meetings. The Meeting Facilitator should be informed who the representatives are prior to the Meeting.

Section 10. It shall be the responsibility of each Committee to keep the current Meeting Facilitator informed as to their activities and items requiring attention on the General Meeting agenda.

Section 1. This organization will not have officers and will instead be organized by committees of volunteers. (See Article III above.)

Article V: Faculty Sponsor

Section 1. The Society must have one or more sponsors who may be chosen from the Linguistics Department at Ohio University.

Section 2. The duties of the Faculty Sponsor shall be to assist in the maintenance of the aims and objectives as indicated in the Preamble and to give supervision to the financial affairs of the Society.

Article VI: Functions

Section 1. The Activities Committee shall supervise the planning and conducting of all Society Functions.

Section 2. Scheduled functions shall be quarterly or as deemed necessary by the membership and shall be held at a time convenient to the majority of the LSOU members.

Article VII: Dues

Section 1. Dues of this Society shall not exceed $50 per year and shall be paid in quarterly installments.

Section 2. Treasurer shall supervise the payment of dues.

Article VIII: Publications

Section 1. The Society will maintain a Web Site updated with current information concerning the Society and the field of linguistics.

Section 2. The Society shall support and facilitate the publication and promotion of

individual member’s papers.

Article IX: General Meetings

Section 1. The Agenda of a General Meeting and what will be voted on during a Meeting shall be announced and posted at least 48 hours before the scheduled Meeting.

Section 2. All members present at a Meeting may vote on issues raised.

Section 3. Two thirds of members present must vote in favor of an item in order for it to be approved and put into action.

Article X: Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution shall be made by a two-thirds vote of a quorum of members.

Section 2. The Advisor of Student Organizations must approve all Amendments within seven days after ratification by members.

Article XI: Quorum

Section 1. A simple majority of members shall constitute a quorum.