Sec. 1 The officers of the Association shall consist of the member colleges elected to the seven offices listed in Article IV of the TJCSGA constitution and the individuals chosen as State Advisor and State Advisor-Elect.

Sec. 2 The election of officers shall be conducted at the final general assembly of the state convention. Votes will be counted by the Judicial Committee and verified by the State Advisor before being announced.

A. A majority vote is required for election. No announcement of results may be made until all voting has been conducted. Upon certification by the Judicial Committee and State Advisor and announcement by the President, all results are final, even if the absence of a majority vote should later be discovered.

B. The office of State Advisor-Elect shall be appointed by the Advisors' Association and ratified by the Assembly prior to the election of officers. Should the individual serving as State Advisor no longer be affiliated with a member school, the State Advisor-Elect shall assume the office of State Advisor and a State Advisor-Elect pro-tem shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the president of the Advisors' Association. Should the State Advisor-Elect no longer be affiliated with a member school, a State Advisor-Elect shall be appointed. The State Advisor-Elect pro-tem shall be granted preference in appointment to the office of State Advisor-Elect at the subsequent state convention.

C. Newly elected officers shall take the following oath immediately after their election. The oath shall be administered by the State Advisor to the designated representatives of elected schools and the new State Advisor-Elect.

Sec. 3 Officers of the Association shall be responsible for the duties listed in Article IV, Sect. 3 of the TJCSGA Constitution.

A. The Executive Board may, by majority vote, compel the completion of certain duties by a set date.

B. Publication dates for the TJCSGA bulletin shall be set at the First Executive Board meeting.

C. In the failure of an officer school to meet obligations, allegations may be filed with the Judicial Committee on behalf of the Executive Board. If these allegations are substantiated by the Judicial Committee, the offending school is disqualified from holding office for the following year.

Sec. 1 The fiscal/record year of the association shall run from May 1st until April 30th of the following year.

Sec. 2 The following records will be maintained and updated at least yearly:

Sec. 3 Outgoing officers have until April 30th to present a completed set of records and reports to the State Advisor and to the new officers. Failure to do so will result in disqualification from office for the next election and/or immediate removal from current office, at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Sec. 4 There shall be a central depository for all records of the TJCSGA, to be located in Austin, Texas.

Sec. 5 Any member may petition the Secretary to review Association records at any time during the year.

Sec. 6 The Secretary and State Advisor shall work in conjunction with the Parliamentarian to update and revise the TJCSGA Student Uniformity Book, to be distributed by the Parliamentarian school by December 1st of each year.

Sec. 1 There shall be an annual convention of the Association to be held in March or April of each year.

Sec. 2 In odd-numbered years, the convention shall be held in Austin, Texas.

Sec. 3 In even-numbered years, the location of the convention shall be determined by the Host school.

Sec. 1 When necessary, votes may be conducted between general assemblies at the State convention. Votes may be conducted by mail or by fax, provided the following information is included:

B. The names of the maker of the motion and the member seconding it (or author and supporter);

E. A place for the signature of the Student Government President and number of votes yea and nay.

Sec. 2 Propositions to be voted on must be submitted to, distributed by, and reported by the TJCSGA President.

Sec. 3 Votes must be completed and reported within three (3) weeks of the proposition's receipt by the President School.

Sec. 4 Mail votes will only be considered valid if more than ½ of current members return completed votes.

Sec. 2 To attempt to solve problems and provide means for discussing problems of the membership relating to student government and student activities.

Sec. 4 To provide an association of junior/community/technical college student governments in the state of Texas, which shall protect the interests of the colleges and students of this association.

Sec. 5 To actively represent the needs and interests of two-year college students before the Texas legislature.

Sec. 6 To provide ways of uniting the two-year colleges' student leadership in such a way that their influence may be felt in their local communities, in the state of Texas, and in the nation.

Under a student government association president and other

executive officers;

4. Each local SGA should select at least three (3) legislative topics to communicate with officials during the year. The local SGA must report the progress of at least one topic to the region President. Local SGA’s must keep all communication to turn into the Legislative Research Committee at their request.

No one college administration (as defined by the presence of a college

president) may be represented in the TJCSGA by more than three independent student government associations as defined in Article III, Sec. 2, Sub-sec. A of this constitution.

C. Members in good standing shall have four votes on all matters presented before the TJCSGA General Assembly.

D. Members shall be responsible for the payment of all dues by March 1 of each year. Members who are unable to pay their dues by the deadline may request an extension from the TJCSGA Treasurer. Failure to pay dues by the specified time may result in the forfeiture of the right to vote, at the discretion of the assembly. New members have until the first General Assembly of the annual convention to pay dues.

A. Executive membership is granted to the duly elected officer schools of the association and the individuals serving as State Advisor and State Advisor-Elect. The member schools elected are responsible for the conduct of the office. The State Advisor and State Advisor-Elect shall serve as participating, non-voting members of the executive membership.

B. Each executive member shall designate one individual who will act on their behalf as a member of the executive board. This individual shall serve at the discretion of the member college and shall hold the title of the office to which the school has been elected. Unless otherwise specified, the duties and injunctions of each office shall apply only to the designated representatives and not the delegations.

C. After the start of the annual convention, officer schools may only change representatives with the consent of the executive board. Before the annual convention, officer schools must notify the President and State Advisor within 48 hours of their decision to change the individual designated as representative.

A. Advisor membership is granted to the designated advisors of all TJCSGA member schools. Membership in the Advisors' Association is automatic with advisor membership.

B. The advisors shall be responsible for submitting two nominations for the office of State Advisor-Elect and State Advisor at the annual convention.

C. The advisors shall elect a President and Vice-President of the Advisors' Association to facilitate working with the TJCSGA executive board. This election shall take place at the annual convention.

1. To preside over all General Assemblies and executive board meetings.

2. To appoint committees, unless otherwise specified by this constitution or the resolution creating the committee.

5. To fill vacancies by appointment, when necessary. In the case of a vacancy in the executive board, a 2/3 vote of the executive board is required to ratify that appointment.

6. To serve as an ex officio member of all committees, except the Nominations Committee.

9. To enforce all provisions of this constitution, the parliamentary authority, and any other standing rules this organization may adopt.

3. To make arrangements for workshops and forums at the state convention pertinent to issues affecting student governments and appoint individuals to facilitate each group.

4. To organize and schedule speakers, programs, and entertainment for the state convention.

1. To act as an advisor to the chair on all questions of parliamentary procedure.

3. To have in his or her possession at all meetings: the constitution, the parliamentary authority, and any standing rules the association may adopt.

5. Prepare and distribute to all members a copy of the constitution with all amendments and resolutions submitted by the deadline, two weeks prior to the first TJCSGA General Assembly at the annual state convention.

6. Prepare and distribute a revised Student Uniformity Book to all members by December 1st of each year.

1. To keep an accurate record of the convention proceedings as well as executive board meetings and to send a copy to all executive board members.

2. To call the roll at the state convention and determine the presence of a quorum.

5. To maintain a dual set of records for the association. One set shall be turned over to the State Advisor at the conclusion of the annual convention. The second set shall be completed and sent to the newly elected Secretary prior to the end of the fiscal year of the association.

6. To maintain a list of all honorary and alumni members, along with dates of induction and offices held, if any.

7. To work with the Parliamentarian in the compilation of the Student Uniformity Book.

1. To be responsible for the collection of all dues and fees throughout the year and at the annual convention.

2. To prepare financial statements prior to the executive board meetings and at the conclusion of the fiscal year.

4. To pay all debts upon approval of the executive board, and to deposit all funds within two business days of receipt.

5. To prepare a budget for the coming year and submit it at the first executive board meeting.

7. To maintain a dual set of records for the association. One set shall be turned over to the State Advisor at the conclusion of the annual convention. The second set shall be completed and sent to the newly elected Treasurer prior to the end of the fiscal year of the association.

8. To forward names and address of paid alumni members to the executive board.

2. To research and present to the executive board at its first meeting availability and fees for three hotels in the selected host city.

3. To petition the executive board for reimbursement of expenditures.

4. To work with the executive board to set convention fees, theme, and dates.

5. To furnish office materials and reproduction equipment to members at the annual convention.

6. To provide all members with all necessary information concerning the annual convention by December 1st of each year.

1. A committee composed of one member from each region and the chair shall meet at the annual convention to certify at least one school for each office and identify these schools at the General Assembly.

2. Nominees shall be certified if they have complied with all campaign guidelines and requirements established by this constitution or the executive board.

3. This committee must nominate all candidates who have met the requirements to run for an office.

5. The advisor of the school serving as chair shall serve as an ex officio member of this committee.

1. A committee composed of one member from each region and the chair shall meet at the annual convention to review allegations of misconduct by any member school or region and to propose any necessary changes to the TJCSGA Disciplinary Policy.

Each region shall be responsible for designating the member who

3. This committee shall determine if disciplinary action shall be taken against any accused party and shall recommend to the General Assembly the action to be taken. The General Assembly may impose a less severe penalty or none at all, but may not impose a more severe penalty than the one recommended by the Judicial Committee.

4. This committee shall be guided by the TJCSGA Disciplinary Policy and Article XI of this constitution in determining misconduct and penalties.

5. The chair of this committee shall be the TJCSGA Parliamentarian, unless a grievance is heard against the Parliamentarian, in which case the President shall assume the chair.

6. The State Advisor-Elect shall serve as an ex officio member of this committee.

1. A committee composed of one member from each region shall meet at the annual convention to review resolutions submitted by the deadline established by the executive board and report on them to the General Assembly.

2. This committee shall have the authority to amend any resolution and then report on it in its amended form.

3. Only resolutions which have been submitted to the President of the association by the deadline established by the executive board and which include the name of the author and of the member school to which he or she belongs will be considered.

4. Unless specified in the body of the resolution, resolutions passed by the TJCSGA General Assembly are binding and will constitute the official position of the association.

5. The advisor of the school appointed as chair shall serve as an ex officio member of this committee.

1. A committee composed of one member from each region shall meet at the annual convention to judge the competition entries and select other awards established by the TJCSGA General Assembly.

2. Each region shall be responsible for designating the member who will represent them on this committee. Regions should attempt to choose a member that has not entered any of the competitions being judged by the committee.

3. This committee shall elect a chair from the members chosen by the regions.

4. The committee shall be responsible for judging each competition. The guidelines will then be presented in the last meeting of the General Assembly for approval. Once approved the guidelines will be published in the registration packet prior to the following state convention. The committee shall use a scorecard system to ensure that each college competing fulfills the criteria requirements of each competition. The committee may also recommend changes in the number of competitions to the General Assembly.

5. The advisor of the school serving as chair shall serve as an ex officio member of this committee.

1. A committee composed of one member from each region shall meet at the annual convention, prior to the first General Assembly, to review any proposed amendments to the TJCSGA Constitution and bylaws.

2. This committee shall meet with the TJCSGA Parliamentarian to report on their findings prior to the first General Assembly of the annual convention.

The chair of this committee shall be granted the right to speak in debate an unlimited number of times with regard to proposed amendments when the proposed amendments are considered by the TJCSGA General Assembly.

This committee is authorized to alter amendments submitted by the deadline or to propose new amendments, provided notice is given of the new amendments prior to the first General Assembly of the annual convention.

5. The advisor of the school appointed as chair shall serve as an ex officio member of this committee.

A committee composed of two members of two different schools per region shall communicate between annual conventions about proposed legislation and issues relating to the TJCSGA.

The chair of this committee shall be appointed by the incoming President should communicate frequently with the President the findings of the committee as they develop.

This committee should communicate a minimum of four times prior to the state convention; at least twice in the fall term and twice in the spring term.

The committee will report their findings of each school to the general assembly during the annual state convention.

Sec. 1 The membership fees of this association may be changed at the state convention as decided by 2/3 of the members present.

Sec. 2 Registration fees for each individual delegate shall be paid to the Treasurer before or at registration for the convention.

Sec. 3 All funds received in the name of the association shall be sent to the Treasurer within two business days of receipt.

Sec. 5 No member may claim to represent the association as a whole when dealing with outside entities or incur expenses on behalf of the association without express authorization of the executive board. For this purpose, express authorization shall consist of duly approved minutes from the executive board meeting authorizing the action or a letter from the President and State Advisor attesting to the authorization. TJCSGA shall not be held liable for expenses incurred by a member school without this authorization. Membership in the association constitutes acceptance of these terms.

Sec. 1 The constituent association shall consist of six Regional Associations.

Sec. 2 The organization of the Regional Associations shall be specified geographically by the executive board.

Sec. 3 The purposes of the Regional Associations shall be to more effectively carry out the purposes of the association.

Sec. 4 The Regional Associations may conduct business within the guidelines of an independent constitution such that:

A. The Regional Association's constitution is endorsed by the executive board if the document is consistent with the policy of the TJCSGA.

B. The Regional Association's constitution is adopted by 2/3 of the Regional Association to which it applies upon the endorsement of the executive board.

C. The Regional Association's constitution includes reference to the constitution of the TJCSGA as a superior document.

D. The executive board must be notified of any amendments to the Regional Association's constitution, at which time the executive board re-establishes the amended documents consistency with the policy of the TJCSGA.

E. Any amendment of the Regional Association's constitution which is found to be inconsistent with the policy of the TJCSGA is reason for withdrawal of the executive board's endorsement of the amended document.

F. Regional Associations deemed to have unacceptable constitutions have until the close of the final General Assembly of the state convention to present a revised document to the executive board.

Sec. 4 New members shall be placed in regions by the executive board at the beginning of the state convention. Preference for placement is granted to the region, which recruited the new member.

Sec. 1 Disciplinary procedure shall be carried out according to the parliamentary authority.

Sec. 2 Any member serving on the Judicial Committee may not initiate allegations.

Sec. 3 Individuals shall be required to follow the standards of conduct of their home colleges.

Sec. 4 House standards of conduct may be enforced to benefit the association. These standards shall be enforced while individuals are participating in convention activities, and shall originate from the facility, independent of the executive board.

Sec. 5 Any member school against whom discipline proceedings are brought is presumed innocent until the allegations are substantiated.

Sec. 6 All allegations shall be filed with the Judicial Committee, which in turn shall investigate and determine the disposition of the charges.

Sec. 7 Members may not face the exact allegation once cleared of that allegation.

Sec. 8 The Judicial Committee shall be under a strict code of silence in regard to any matters under investigation until such events are disclosed to the membership. Any member violating this code of silence shall face disciplinary action.

Sec. 9 This organization shall only discipline members and does not have the right to intervene on any other kind of disciplinary matters outside itself.

Sec.10 The Judicial Committee shall be empowered with all authority to obtain any information necessary about any allegations, so long as it does not violate any member's rights. This committee shall be empowered to call witnesses to appear, provided that it does not violate this organization's constitution or the rights of the member.

Sec.11 All allegations must be filed with the Secretary school, Parliamentarian school, and State Advisor.

Sec.12 All findings of the Judicial Committee must be filed with the Secretary school and State Advisor.

Sec.13 The TJCSGA General Assembly may impose the punishment recommended by the Judicial Committee, a less severe punishment, or no punishment at all by a 2/3 vote of the assembly.

Sec.14 The TJCSGA General Assembly may, subsequent to the imposition of punishment, vote to commute the sentence of a member to a lesser sentence by a 2/3 vote of the assembly.

Sec.15 The executive board reserves the act of clemency for any member. Clemency must be decided by unanimous consent.

Sec.16 All requests for acts of clemency and commuting must be by written petition by the member in question and two other members of this organization. This request must be submitted to the State Advisor, Secretary school, and the President school.

Sec. 1 This constitution may be amended at any regular or called meeting of the association by 2/3 of the General Assembly, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to the Parliamentarian and Secretary at least thirty days prior to the meeting.

Sec. 2 All amendments submitted for consideration must be titled with the full name of the principal author and of the member school to which he or she belongs.

Sec. 1 Upon ratification by 2/3 of the TJCSGA General Assembly, this constitution shall become the superior document of the association.

Sec. 2 The TJCSGA shall not infringe upon the rights, which are reserved to those individual member schools.

Sec. 3 The members shall not infringe upon those rights reserved to this organization.

Sec. 4 The organization shall defend and maintain the rights for its members to have their own separate identity and autonomy.