JAMS Club
Constitution of the Japanese Animation & Manga Society

The Japanese Animation & Manga Society is a University of Lethbridge Students' Union Club.
This HTML version was last modified January 3, 2007 by Cynthia Box.
This document was last modified February 25, 2002 by Allison Thornton.
This document was created by Joel Rigby.

This is a web version of the Constitution.  In the event of any discrepancies, the printed version is considered to be correct.  A printed copy is available from the Students' Union Office, or from the JAMS Club Office.

Article I - Name
The name of this organization will be Japanese Animation and Manga Society, here in after referred to as J.A.M.S.

Article II - Affiliation
The organization is a University of Lethbridge Students' Union Club and as such we will abide by the rules and regulations set out by the Students' Union and The Constitution, Bylaws and Policies.

Article III - Aims and Objectives
J.A.M.S shall:

  1. Promote Japanese animation as an entertainment medium as well as an art form, and to promote related forms of popular culture.
  2. Support and promote the Japanese animation industry, specifically in Lethbridge, Alberta, and Canada.
  3. Organize activities, field trips, and other excursions for the club members providing that the by-laws and Constitution of the Students' Union and the Individual Rights Act bind all activities.
  4. Act as a liaison between faculty and students, interchanging comments and criticisms with the Modern Languages Department.
Article III - Membership
  1. Membership in J.A.M.S shall be open to all students, faculty members, and public with a strong interest in the goals and purpose of J.A.M.S.
  2. There must be at least fifteen (15) active members of the Student Union in membership for J.A.M.S. to exist as a ratified entity.
  3. J.A.M.S will adhere to all guidelines specified by the Students' Union regarding membership and the expulsion of members.
  4. Membership in J.A.M.S. requires the payment of a Membership Fee and a Library Fee. The value for the fees shall be set by the Executive Committee (see Article IV). The Membership fee is due each semester.
  5. The Library Fee is due before any item is borrowed from the Society Library. This fee shall be determined by the executive committee and shall last one academic year.
Article IV - Executive Committee
An Executive Committee shall exercise the management and administration of J.A.M.S. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of Executive Officers and Appointed Officers. Executive Officers shall be voting members whereas Appointed Officers will be non-voting officers of the Executive Committee. Executive Officers shall be elected at each Annual General Assembly. Appointed Officers shall be selected at the discretion of the Executive Officers, and may be appointed or removed at any time by a majority vote of the Executive Officers.
Section A - Executive Officers
The J.A.M.S. will have four (4) executive officers, which are:
  1. The President shall:
    1. Chair all meetings of J.A.M.S and will vote only to break a tie.
    2. Co-sign with the Secretary-Treasurer on all financial matters of the J.A.M.S.
    3. Ensure the members of the executive fulfill their responsibilities.
  2. The Vice-President shall:
    1. Chair all meetings in the absence of the President.
    2. Assume the responsibilities of the President on an interim basis should the President not be physically, or mentally capable of his/her responsibilities.
    3. Aid the President in his/her duties should these become overwhelming.
    4. Shall oversee the library and confer with the chief librararian should one be appointed.
  3. The Secretary-Treasurer shall:
    1. Keep the minutes of J.A.M.S and keep all records related to J.A.M.S.
    2. Attend to All financial matters of J.A.M.S.
    3. Have Co-signing authority on all financial matters.
  4. The Events-Coordinator shall:
    1. Plan, with the other members of the executive body, functions related to J.A.M.S and its goals.
    2. Assist in the programming aspect of J.A.M.S.
Section B - Appointed Officers
In all cases, the specific duties of each position will be determined by the Executive Officers. However, in general, the principal duties of each position will be as describe below.
The J.A.M.S. Executive Committee will have four (4) Appointed Officers, which are:
  1. The Chief Returning Officer shall:
    1. Provide guidance and supervision respecting the conduct of all elections, and will adhere to the rules stated in the constitution.
    2. Determine with the President the date of the election, and be responsible for the procedures of the said election.
  2. The Public Relations Officer shall:
    1. Assist the Events-Coordinator in advertising and promoting club events, and meetings.
  3. The Webmaster shall:
    1. Help the secretary treasurer with research for club documents, maintaining the website, and assisting with technology.
  4. The Chief Librarian shall:
    1. Assist the Voting Exec in helping and maintaining the library of the club, the library catalogue, and maintaining the President's Collection.
Article V - Management and Operations
  1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the day to day running of the Society and may decide on any matter that has not been decided upon at a General Assembly. The Executive Committee shall be further responsible for:
    1. Organizing the activities of the Society in such a way as to include the greatest possible number of the Society's members.
    2. Directing the expenditure of the Society's funds in a responsible fashion and in line with the aims, objectives, and planned activities of the Society.
    3. Upholding the constitution of the Society and ensuring that its aims and objectives reflect the society actions.
  2. An Executive Committee meeting where voting decisions are made must have a minimum of three (3) Executive Officers present.
  3. The Secretary Treasurer shall be directly responsible for the administration of any grants from the Student Union and shall be responsible for the administration of any other income and expenditure from the Society's funds.
  4. Financial withdrawals from the Society's bank shall require double signature, consisting of the Secretary Treasurer and the President.
  5. Administration of the Petty Cash box shall be the sole responsibility of the Secretary Treasurer. They shall set any and all policies and procedures, subject to approval by the Executive Committee, that they see fit to ensure proper handling of the funds.
Article VI - Annual General Assembly
The Society Executive shall call at least one General Assembly a year for the purposes of electing all the Executive Officers and any changes to the Constitution of the Society. This meeting shall be called the Annual General Assembly. It will be open to all members in good standing of J.A.M.S.
  1. There must be a minimum of seven (7) club members and a minimum of two (2) Executive Officers in attendance.
  2. At least seven (7) days notice must be given in advance of the meeting to all members in good standing of the club as far as is possible. Such notice shall include details of any elections to be held or constitutional changes proposed.
  3. The Constitution may be changed by a two-thirds (2/3)-majority vote in any general assembly meeting.
Article VII - Election of Executive Officers
Only members who are in good standing of J.A.M.S and the University of Lethbridge Student Union may hold Executive Officer office in J.A.M.S. Any member of J.A.M.S. and the University of Lethbridge Student Union may seek election and serve as an executive.
The Chief Returning Officer shall administer the election.
Voting will be limited to members in good standing of J.A.M.S.
Executive Officers will be elected by a majority vote of members present.

Article VIII - Senate
The J.A.M.S shall have an advising body made up of the past Executive Committee members. This body is responsible for advising the current Executive Committee on all matters of operation of J.A.M.S. This is to be used as a means of continuity and for the passing on of lessons learned by the previous Executive Committees. Members will be appointed to the Senate by the Executive Committee based on outstanding contributions to the administration of J.A.M.S.