ARTICLE 1: THE ASSOCIATION

• The name of this organization is the Political Studies Graduate Student Association. Herein referred to as the PSGSA or the Association.
• The objectives of the Association shall be:

1. To contribute to the intellectual growth and cultural development of the Department of Political Studies and the Queen’s University community.
2. To represent the interests of its membership within the University.
3. To promote and co-ordinate the interests of its membership.
4. To serve as a medium of communication between its members and other University organizations.

ARTICLE 2: MEMBERSHIP

• All students in the Department of Political Studies currently registered with the School of Graduate Studies and Research at Queen’s University shall enjoy all of the rights and privileges of membership in the PSGSA.

ARTICLE 3: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

• The Annual General Meeting of the PSGSA shall be held on the third Thursday of January.

ARTICLE 4: SECRETARY-CHAIRPERSON

• The members present at the Annual General Meeting shall elect a Secretary-Chairperson from among the membership of the Association.
• In the event of his or her absence, the Secretary-Chairperson shall designate an alternate Secretary-Chairperson. In the event that such a designation is not made, the Association shall elect an alternate Secretary-Chairperson.
• The duties of the Secretary-Chairperson or alternate Secretary-Chairperson shall include:

• Chairing all meetings of the Association 
• Setting the date and time of all meetings of the Association 
• Circulating notices of all meetings of the Association o Recording and filing minutes of meetings of the Association or appointing a minute taker
• Corresponding with other University bodies as instructed by the Association
• Control and responsibility for any financial assets of the Association in coordination with the Association’s Social Committee

• In the event pf the resignation of the Secretary-Chairperson a by-election shall be held to fill the position pro-tem.

ARTICLE 5: MEETINGS

• The Association shall meet at least once a month immediately prior to regular Departmental or Graduate Studies Committee Meetings.
• Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
• There shall be an Orientation Meeting each September.

ARTICLE 6: QUORUM

• The quorum for all meetings of the Association shall be nine on-campus members of the Association.
• The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be equal to one-third of the on-campus membership of the Association.
• IF at any meeting of the PSGSA (including the Annual General Meeting) quorum is not attained, then another meeting of the Association shall be held one week later, with proper notice given to all members. This second meeting shall be treated as valid irrespective of any quorum requirements.

ARTICLE 7: ELECTIONS

• At its first regular meeting in September the Association shall elect delegates and alternates for terms of one (1) year to:

• The Graduate Student Society (1)
• The Graduate Studies Committee (3 MA, 3 PhD) 
• The Departmental Meeting (1 MA, 1 PhD)
• The Graduate Students Complaint Committee (2)
• The Equity Issues Committee (2 – 1 male, 1 female)
• The appointments and Staffing Committee (1)
• The Personnel Committee (Tenure, Renewal, Promotion) (1)
• Any other body requiring or requesting representatives of Graduate Students of the Department of Political Studies
• As well as selecting members of the Association’s Social Committee (2-4).

• In the event of the resignation of any delegate or alternate, by-elections shall be held at the first possible meeting.

ARTICLE 8: INSTRUCTIONS TO DELEGATES

• Persons elected to positions by the Association shall:

• Act as delegates of the Association to the bodies to which they are elected
• Express the wishes of graduate students as established by the Association in accordance with its Constitution
• Report to the Association as fully as possible the issues and concerns raised on those bodies
• Seek instruction from the Association on all matters affecting its membership
• Notwithstanding any of the above, when instructed by the Association, present only the views authorized by the Association.

• Any persons elected by the PSGSA may be recalled at any time by a two-thirds vote of members attending a meeting of the Association
• Any PSGSA delegate absent without cause or having failed to notify their alternate of their absence from two consecutive PSGSA meetings or to consecutive meetings of the body to which they are delegate shall be understood to have relinquished their responsibilities as a graduate student delegate and a by-election held to fill the vacated position(s).

ARTICLE 9: MINUTES

• Minutes of all decisions made at all meetings of the Association shall be made available to any member of the Association

ARTICLE 10: NOTICE OF MEETINGS

• Notice of all meetings of the Association must be circulated in writing (e-mail or hard copy in Departmental mailbox) to every on-campus member of the Association as indicated by the Department On-Campus Graduate Student list at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of each meeting.

ARTICLE 11: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

• Amendments to this Constitution shall be made by two-thirds majority vote at the Annual General Meeting or by Referendum.
• All proposed Constitutional Amendments shall be circulated in writing to each member of the Association at least one week prior to the Annual General Meeting or by Referendum.
• Constitutional Referendums shall proceed as follows:

• A two-thirds majority vote at a regular or special meeting of the Association shall be required for a Referendum to be held.
• Amendments to the Constitution by Referendum shall be adopted if they receive a two-thirds majority vote in favour, providing at least one-half of the membership has cast ballots.

ARTICLE 12: BYLAWS AND POLICY

• From time to time the Association may adopt bylaws and policies at its meetings
• Bylaws shall be approved or amended only upon two-thirds majority vote of those members attending a meeting of the Association
• Policies shall be approved or amended upon simple majority vote of those members attending a meeting of the Association
• In the event of a conflict between a bylaw or policy and the Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail
• In the event of a conflict between a policy and a bylaw, a bylaw shall prevail

ARTICLE 13: SPECIAL MEETINGS

• Upon receipt of a petition signed by at least five (5) members of the Association requesting a special meeting of the Association, the Secretary-Chairperson shall call such a meeting
• Notice of any Special Meeting shall be circulated to each member of the Association at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of said meeting