Organizational Structure

Meetings: The primary mode of communication and action of the group should take place through regular meetings of the membership. The current practice has been to hold meetings approximately every other week throughout the semester and monthly social events through the summer months. The membership should adjust the frequency, length, and content of meetings as needed.

The meetings should be run by the organization's President, or Vice President if the President is unable to be in attendance. The meeting is to be run in an organized fashion, dealing both with unfinished business and new business pertaining to the RCGSA. Meetings may also include relevant discussion topics.

Meetings are generally considered "closed" to the general public, meaning that membership in the group is normally required for attendance at the meeting. Exceptions to this are interested visitors who must agree to respect the personal and sensitive topics discussed and keep confidentiality. Members are also required to keep confidentiality. If the membership at large feels that an individual has made a significant violation of this, the group may vote to censure or remove the offending individual from membership. If so desired, a meeting may be "open" to anyone by consent of the attending members.

Meetings are to be carried out in an organized fashion, with the President, or his/her designee, responsible for keeping the meetings on-task. Members should respect the rights of one another to make points, express opinions, explore ideas, etc. Rules of basic courtesy apply. For instance, not interrupting others who are speaking, not monopolizing the discussion, and not berating or belittling another's ideas are a few examples. Confidentiality is required of all people attending the meetings. Matters of a personal or private nature expressed by persons at the meetings are not to be shared outside unless specific permission is given to do so.

The decision making process shall be unanimous. Everyone who attends the meeting should agree on the decision. A person's vote shouldn't count if he/she does not attend the meeting. People are more likely to show up if they feel strongly about the issue and want to be involved in the decision making process. There is always the exception (if someone wants their voice heard but tells the group they won't be able to be there, then certain accommodations can be made.)

If the group cannot arrive at a unanimous decision, then the elected officers will vote. Majority vote of the elected officers will then determine the decision, taking the place of unanimous decision by the group.

The Riverland Community Gay-Straight Alliance may be dissolved by unanimous vote of the members or by the dissolution of Riverland Community College.