Speech and Debate Club at Auburn University: Constitution and By-Laws
ARTICLE I: NAME & PURPOSE
Section 1: The name of this club shall be the Speech and Debate Club (of
Auburn University), also known as Forensics (of Auburn University).
Section 2 – Due to the variability of this activity, national affiliation shall
change at the discretion of the leadership committee detailed in Article VI.
Section 3 – The purpose of this club shall be:
1. To represent Auburn University on national speech and debate circuits to
spread the noble, scholarly reputation of the university as well as the Speech
and Debate club therein.
2. To develop participants into charismatic speakers and debaters, but also to
develop them into functioning members of society who tote with them the
beautiful essences of logic, reason, and love for community, country, and
mankind.
3. To spread the message of the importance of the spoken word, as well as
the importance of healthy debate.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP & DUES
Section 1: – Involvement within this club shall be allowed to all faculty, staff,
and students of Auburn University, regardless of major/profession. This does
not discriminate based on any other factor besides one’s affiliation with the
university, in terms of being a student or faculty/staff members.
Section 2: As of this constitution’s establishment, dues for this club shall be
nonexistent.
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS
Section 1: The club shall possess a President at all times.
Section 2: The President must be seen as qualified, by rule of the leadership
committee.
Section 3: The President shall be elected by appointment of the President
before him/her, or by forced election of the leadership committee mentioned in
Article VI.
Section 4: The President shall serve either until they graduate, resign their
position, or they are forcibly removed from office by the leadership committee.
Section 5: If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the leadership
committee shall immediately elect a new president either from amongst their
ranks or of the general membership of the club. If the president is selected
from amongst the membership of the leadership committee, a replacement
member of that committee shall immediately be selected by the newly
implemented president.
ARTICLE IV: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1: President – it shall be the duty of the President to:
Collaborate with faculty advisors as well as the leadership committee
and general membership to:
o Appoint leadership committee members
o Make final decisions on motions made by the leadership
committee
o Make decisions as to when and where meetings will take place
o Represent the entire club at tournaments
o Speak on behalf of the club at club showcases
o Act as active ambassador in recruiting new members as well as
in public and university related outreach
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Section 1: Meetings shall occur at the discretion of the leadership committee,
the president, or the advisor.
Section 2: To overrule decisions made by the president or the leadership
committee, a 2/3 majority vote must be taken to overrule said decision, where
the leadership committee does not receive a vote count.
ARTICLE VI: LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
Section 1: Responsibilities of the Leadership Committee have been entailed
in preceding constitutional articles and their coordinating sections.
Section 2: Committee members are elected based on appointment by the
President and are confirmed by a majority vote of any kind.
Section 3: This committee may meet in person at its discretion, but electron
interaction is much preferred so that members are not overwhelmed by time
commitments.
ARTICLE VII: ADVISOR
Section 1: An Auburn University faculty member (1 or more) shall preside
over the club at all times.
Section 2: The club advisors serve the purpose of:
Representing the club as a faculty representative
Advising the club as to the possible outcomes of its decisions
Occasionally, coaching the team in principles of forensics (speech and debate)
Handling matters that students are unable to take care of due to some sort of inhibiting
factor
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Amendments to this constitution may occur by a 2/3 vote.
Section 2: Every member of the club shall receive the opportunity to vote,
whether they are in physical attendance of the hearing or not. If they cannot
be contacted within 48 hours of the hearing, their vote is forfeited and the
motion will pass (or not pass), by calculating the votes that were properly
collected, either at the hearing or electronically.
