2. How to write a constitution?

A constitution is a tool to help an organization and its members understand how they will govern themselves. It is not a weapon to be wielded over people, it is not a device to limit the effectiveness of your organization, and it is not the reason your organization exists. It is just a tool. As you write it or amend it, keep in mind that its purpose is to give you and your members a shared sense of how things work in the organization.

A constitution ought to be general and not too specific. If you want specific procedures or regulations, use your constitution as a guiding force and write by-laws or operating procedures. Remember that the United States ' Constitution has averaged an amendment every decade, so if you are changing yours every year, perhaps you are getting into too much detail.

A constitution ought to be clearly understood by anyone reading it. He or she should be able to answer the following kinds of questions upon reading it.

• What is the name and purpose of this group
• Who can be members and what are their rights and responsibilities
• Who can be officers and what are their duties
• Generally, when and how are members and officers selected or re-elected
• If the need arises, how are officers or members removed
• How are meetings called and how are they run
• Will there be standing committees How will they be established and what are their duties
• Are there by-laws or operating procedures
• How can the constitution, By-laws and operating procedures be amended.

Your constitution -- as well as the constitution of any external organizations with which you are affiliated -- must conform to University policies and regulations, and local, state, and federal laws. For example, your constitution must indicate that you will not riot, discriminate in membership elections or other decisions on the basis of sex, race, age, etc., as otherwise would be a violation of University policy and, in several cases, state and federal laws. It must also state that only current registered USC students may vote or hold office.

The constitution must be approved by your organization in the manner described in the constitution itself (for example, two-thirds vote of all members). However, we also recommend that you seek out input from your membership or potential membership throughout the constitution writing process. Your members will be more invested in their constitution and theoretically, the entire organization itself, if they have helped structure it.

Sample Constitution

Please download the Microsoft Word format of a sample constitution.