WICR Constitution
Adopted: November 25, 2023
Constitution of the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans
ARTICLE I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Wisconsin College Republicans, to be also referred to as “WICR,” “WCR,” “WICollegeGOP,” “Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans,” “College Republicans,” “College Republicans of Wisconsin,” and as “the organization.” Herein referred to as the Wisconsin College Republicans, the Committee, or as the organization.
ARTICLE II – Purposes
The mission of WICRs is to support College Republican chapters at Wisconsin universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher learning. WICRs serves as a trainer, a resource, and a mobilizer for College Republicans in Wisconsin to achieve their goals on campus and in local, statewide, and federal elections.
ARTICLE III – Membership
Section 1: Student Membership
Subsection A. A student must be a member of the chartered College Republican club on said campus. A student can also be approved by the Chairman if the student’s college does not currently have a chartered chapter.
Subsection B. Be an active college student of at least part-time status within the last 365 days, be a recent graduate within the last 365 days;
Section 2: Chapter Membership
Subsection A. Each chapter must be associated with a university, college, or other institution of higher learning within the state of Wisconsin. Only one club will be recognized from each institution.
Subsection B. An organization shall be officially recognized as a WICRs chapter when the WICRs Executive Board is presented with and approves: a constitution, a university contact, and a list of five (5) charter members who are full- or part-time students at the same institution with their email addresses and phone numbers
Subsection C. The executive board and chapter chairs shall comprise the Federation Committee.
Section 3: National Credentialing
Subsection A. All chapter chairs shall be prepared to submit membership credentialing information every even-numbered year to the national federation WICRs is a member of in order to be allocated the proper delegate amount to the national federation’s convention. This duty shall be organized and carried out by the WICR Secretary.
Subsection B. The Executive Board of WICRs reserves the right to vote on the national federation this state is a member of. This shall be conducted via a 3⁄5 majority vote of the Executive Board and with the approval of the Chairman.
ARTICLE IV – Executive Board, Elections, Duties, and Removal
Section 1: Executive Board
Subsection A. The elected members of the Executive Board of the WICRs shall be the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and the Parliamentarian
Subsection B. The election of officers shall be held at the annual WICR state convention and follow the process outlined in this Constitution.
Subsection C. The Chairman may appoint up to ten other members of the executive board serving in whatever capacity the Chairman deems fitting. They serve at the discretion of the Chairman.
Subsection D. The Chairman has the discretion to make, at maximum, three of these appointed ten members alumni of the organization, and they are entitled to full rights as board members and Federation Committee members. The appointee must have attended an institution of higher learning in the state of Wisconsin.
Subsection E. The terms of these offices shall begin at the close of the Convention or after their appointment and last through the close of the following year’s Convention.
Subsection F. An Executive Board member, outside of the specifications listed in Subsection D, must be a member of a recognized WICRs chapter during his/her tenure in office and be a full- or part-time student at a Wisconsin institution of higher learning.
Subsection G.
If a chartered chapter leaves the WICRs and there are remaining Executive Board members who wish to be a part of the federation they are exempt from Subsection F. The remaining board members from that institution must charter a new organization within forty-five (45) days of the previous chapter’s departure. If there are any difficulties with the chartering of a new organization it is up to the Chairman’s discretion on how to proceed.
Section 2: Elections
Subsection A. All contested elections held by this organization shall be conducted by vote of the Federation Committee at the annual State Convention. Each member of the committee is entitled to a singular vote. Members of the committee who are also the chair of their chapter shall be required to appoint an alternate to cast the vote for his respective chapter. Each office is required to have a consensus of 60% of votes cast. If there are more than two candidates in the election and 60% has not been reached, the worst performing candidate in each round shall be eliminated until two remain. The election results will be certified by the Chair.
Subsection B. In the event of an uncontested election, a voice vote may be used as per the discretion of the sitting Chairman.
Subsection C. Any candidate for an Elected Officer Board position must be present at the State Convention unless approved by a majority of the Federation Committee or if proving their candidacy void due to their absence would be deemed illegal by an employer (such as Jury Duty or military obligations). If the absence is approved, the candidate may submit a written statement to be read.
Section 3: Duties
Subsection A. Chairman
The Chairman shall call and preside over all meetings and conventions. The Chairman shall supervise the day to day operation of the organization, execute the will of the Executive Board and Federation Committee, and act as a direct representative of the Federation Committee and reflect its stance in the national federation and other Republican organizations.
Subsection B. Vice Chairman
The Vice Chairman shall carry out specific duties assigned by the Chairman.
Subsection C. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be charged with the management of funds of the WICRs, and all financial reports and records that may be required by the Ethics Commission or other government agencies. The Treasurer must fulfill quarterly financial reporting and convention reporting duties enumerated in Article VII.
Subsection D. Secretary
The Secretary shall record and distribute minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall also collect the credentialing information as deemed necessary by the national federation. Necessary information shall be communicated to Executive Board and Federation Committee members.
Subsection E. Parliamentarian
The Parliamentarian shall guide the organization on parliamentary rules and procedures. He shall attend and act Shall attend and act as the lead voice in ensuring that all meetings are held in a manner that follows Robert’s Rules of Order. He shall assist the Chair in all committees and meetings to ensure proper procedures are being followed by all those involved with the various committees.
Section 4: Office Vacancies, Replacements, and Removal
Subsection A. If the office of Chairman becomes vacant due to death, resignation, or removal under Subsection C, the Vice Chairman shall become the Chairman.
Subsection B. For the three remaining elected positions, a vacancy shall be filled by an appointment of the Chairman, subject to confirmation by a two-thirds vote of the other members of the Executive Board.
Subsection C. An Elected Officer Board member may be removed by a simple majority vote of the Federation Committee, with the approval of the Chair. Misconduct or failure to complete duties are grounds for removal.
Subsection D. A recognized chapter may have its charter revoked by a majority vote of the Federation Committee, with the approval of the Chair. Gross misconduct or failure to act with the values and principles of the WICRs are grounds for revocation.
ARTICLE V – State Convention
Section 1: WICR shall convene to conduct business at least once each year.
Section 2: WICR will hold an annual State Convention, where they shall hear reports from the Officers of the WICRs, elect Officers for the coming year, and conduct such other business as deemed necessary. Announcement must be no later than 30 days prior to the Convention’s commencement.
ARTICLE VI – Amendments
Section 1: Amendments that are to be voted on at the State Convention must be time-stamped as delivered to the parliamentarian at least thirty (30) days prior to the State Convention, and shall be sent out to the Federation Committee at least fifteen (15) days prior to the convention.
Section 2: An amendment that is submitted outside of the State Convention timeframe must be delivered to the Parliamentarian and voted on 30 days later, with a 2⁄3 vote of the Federation Committee.
ARTICLE VII – Finances
Section 1: The Treasurer shall present an update on the financial accounts of the WICRs every quarter to the Chairman and every year to the Convention.
Section 2: The Chairman and the Treasurer are guaranteed bank account access. Other board members may be given access at Chairman’s discretion.
Section 3: The fiscal year shall be from May 1st to April 30th of the following year.
ARTICLE VIII – Endorsements
Section 1: Candidates for public office, local, state, and national, may be endorsed by WICRs provided a simple majority of the Executive Board, with the approval of the Chair. Members will be allowed to volunteer for whichever candidate they support, regardless of an endorsement.
Section 2: -The Chairman shall be allowed to endorse national College Republican candidates based on their discretion.
ARTICLE IX – Robert’s Rules of Order
All procedures not expressly outlined in this constitution shall be determined by Robert’s Rules of Order.
ARTICLE X – Ratification
Upon the approval by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Federation Committee on November 25, 2023 through the process laid out in this document, this constitution shall become the effective governing document of WICRs superseding all prior documents.