Name of Organization
The name of this organization shall be NMU ALLIES.

2. Statement of Purpose

The NMU ALLIES organization exists to provide visible, tangible support for members of the Northern Michigan University community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, pansexual, two-spirited and other gender and sexual minorities (LGBTQIA+).

Specifically, the group’s purposes are:

  1. To identify specific individuals, places, and forums for confidential discussion, support and resource information (the “safe places and safe people program”);
  2. To provide all faculty, staff, students, alumni and retirees with an avenue to demonstrate their self-identified support of LGBTQIA+ people;
  3. To promote educational opportunities for faculty, staff, and students as well as parents and alumni; this will enhance understanding of the diversity of individuals;
  4. To support student achievement through building a supportive environment and funding the NMU ALLIES Scholarship—awarded to students who “show documented leadership, support or involvement in organizations, activities or issues that promote awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community at Northern Michigan University;”
  5. To develop a broad appreciation for diversity and inclusiveness, promoting an understanding of LGBTQIA+ individuals and their contributions to the university community;
  6. To increase the awareness of discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression and actively attempt to overcome subtle and pervasive oppression and insensitivity;
  7. To facilitate a process that assures careful and thorough consideration by the university community of NMU ALLIES' recommendations; and
  8. To find funding opportunities for NMU ALLIES to conduct and support conferences, workshops, etc. related to ending/confronting homophobia and heterosexism.

3. Membership Requirements

Membership in NMU ALLIES is open to all members of the NMU community. Any member of the NMU community (faculty, staff, students, alumni or retirees) may join simply by requesting to be added to the email list. The expectation is that anyone making this request is committing to self-identification as an ally to members of the NMU community who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Posting the ALLIES decal is a signal to all that this individual will be supportive of a safe university environment for all individuals. The sexual orientation, gender identity or expression of members is confidential and is not disclosed.

4. Voting

Only NMU ALLIES members who are faculty, staff, students, alumni and retirees of Northern Michigan University may vote. Voting members at any meeting will be those who have attended a minimum of two regularly scheduled meetings in the twelve months prior to that meeting.

5. Elected Members

  1. The Secretary, Treasurer, Organization Coordinator (s) and Enrollment Coordinator are elected members.
    1. Elections will be held at the final meeting of the academic year for positions to begin the following academic year.
    2. All elected members shall serve a one-year term and shall take office at the first meeting in the fall semester.
    3. Elected members must be voting members of NMU ALLIES.
    4. In the event of a vacancy, another member will be elected to assume the duties of that office by special election.
  2. Secretary
    1. Records minutes of meetings and sends them by e-mail to all members.
    2. Has available at each meeting the minutes and constitution.
  3. Treasurer
    1. Records all funds received and disbursed and furnishes regular statements.
    2. Prepares and signs requests for funding with prior approval of NMU ALLIES.
    3. Has available at each meeting the financial records.
    4. Must be a member of the NMU ALLIES Scholarship Committee.
    5. Acts as a liaison between NMU ALLIES and the NMU Foundation for deposits of donations to the scholarship fund.
  4. Organization Coordinator(s) (can be more than one individual)
    1. Schedules and coordinates meetings; sets the meeting agendas.
    2. Maintains correspondence, including handling e-mail communication for NMU ALLIES and informing all members of meetings and other events.
    3. Communicates, directly or via an appointed designee, with members of the media as the official voice of the organization.
    4. Heads the NMU ALLIES Scholarship committee each winter semester, being assisted by at least two other voting members—one must be the Treasurer.
    5. Stores supplies and records.
  5. Enrollment Coordinator
    1. Acknowledges new members; sends each new member a decal and welcome letter.
    2. Maintains a current membership list.
    3. Sends out a campus-wide invitation each semester, inviting new members; updates the list each semester as members of the NMU community request addition or deletion or as emails are terminated after members have left NMU.

6. Committees

  1. Committees may be created as needed to carry on the work of NMU ALLIES.
  2. The charge to each new committee shall be documented in the minutes.
  3. All members (both voting and nonvoting members) are eligible to serve on committees.
  4. Each year a technology committee will be formed to be responsible for the upkeep of the webpage and social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, etc.).

7. Meetings

  1. A quorum for transacting business at a meeting shall consist of five voting members.
  2. All elected members have the responsibility of attending all business meetings. If unable to attend a meeting, an elected member should notify another elected member in advance.

8. Amending This Constitution

This Constitution can be amended at any business meeting by a majority vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.

 

August 20, 1998
Revised January 29, 2003
Revised May 7, 2021