Constitution

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***a. Coordinator Council Appointments: Upon the notification of a vacancy for Coordinator Council positions, applications will be submitted to and reviewed by the VIC or COS before forwarding to the IC. The reviewing authority will discuss selection options with the IC and a nominee selected from the applications. The nominee's name will be forwarded to the voting members of the CC to confirm the nomination. The nominee will be confirmed by a three-fourths (3/4) vote. Any New CC member will serve under the direct supervision of the IC during a 6 month probationary period. During this probationary period, the new CC member will not participate in any voting and will have an appropriate Brevet rank suitable to the position being held. Once the probationary period is successfully completed, the member would advance to their Full Title, Gain their Full Rank and Voting Rights.  
 
***a. Coordinator Council Appointments: Upon the notification of a vacancy for Coordinator Council positions, applications will be submitted to and reviewed by the VIC or COS before forwarding to the IC. The reviewing authority will discuss selection options with the IC and a nominee selected from the applications. The nominee's name will be forwarded to the voting members of the CC to confirm the nomination. The nominee will be confirmed by a three-fourths (3/4) vote. Any New CC member will serve under the direct supervision of the IC during a 6 month probationary period. During this probationary period, the new CC member will not participate in any voting and will have an appropriate Brevet rank suitable to the position being held. Once the probationary period is successfully completed, the member would advance to their Full Title, Gain their Full Rank and Voting Rights.  
 
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***b. Force Admiral VOC - Every two years, Jan (odd year), the membership will be polled for the purpose of a Vote of Confidence (VOC) for the position of FADM ensuring that the membership wishes to maintain the current leadership. The VOC will be held via the mail list with a member of the Coordinator Council other than the International Coordinator serving as the pollster. A member in support of the Coordinator Council may also be appointed provided the Coordinator Council approves the delegation by three-fourths (3/4) vote. If the VOC determines that elections need to be held, nominations for the office of International Coordinator will be taken and a general election held. <font color=red>If the current FADM decides that he or she wishes to retire, elections will be held for the position of FADM.  
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***b. Force Admiral VOC - Every two years, Jan (odd year), the membership will be polled for the purpose of a Vote of Confidence (VOC) for the position of FADM ensuring that the membership wishes to maintain the current leadership. The VOC will be held via the mail list with a member of the Coordinator Council other than the International Coordinator serving as the pollster. A member in support of the Coordinator Council may also be appointed provided the Coordinator Council approves the delegation by three-fourths (3/4) vote. If the VOC determines that elections need to be held, nominations for the office of International Coordinator will be taken and a general election held. If the current FADM decides that he or she wishes to retire, elections will be held for the position of FADM.  
 
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***c. Force Admiral Election Procedures - Elections for the position of FADM will only be held in the event of the retirement of the current FADM or a FADM who fails a Vote of Confidence in the odd numbered years. Elections are a special thing for MFI and if at any time they one is conducted, the CC shall have the sole authority to determine the voting process and the process in which the votes are tallied from the Chapter Commanding Officers. If any candidate for FADM objects to the process in which votes are tallied, they assume total financial responsibility for hiring an independent party to tally the votes. The CC will generally use a method that is free for the membership and MFI.  
 
***c. Force Admiral Election Procedures - Elections for the position of FADM will only be held in the event of the retirement of the current FADM or a FADM who fails a Vote of Confidence in the odd numbered years. Elections are a special thing for MFI and if at any time they one is conducted, the CC shall have the sole authority to determine the voting process and the process in which the votes are tallied from the Chapter Commanding Officers. If any candidate for FADM objects to the process in which votes are tallied, they assume total financial responsibility for hiring an independent party to tally the votes. The CC will generally use a method that is free for the membership and MFI.  
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***e. The Elections phase will begin immediately following the Campaigning phase. Details of how the Election will be conducted, how Chapter CO's will vote, and how the results will be tallied before the Elections phase begins. The elections phase shall end at a time that the CC designates in a failed FADM VOC or at least two weeks prior to the date in which the current FADM will retire. The results must be tallied and presented to the CC at least 7 days following the election of a failed VOC and at least one week prior to the date in which the current FADM will retire.  
 
***e. The Elections phase will begin immediately following the Campaigning phase. Details of how the Election will be conducted, how Chapter CO's will vote, and how the results will be tallied before the Elections phase begins. The elections phase shall end at a time that the CC designates in a failed FADM VOC or at least two weeks prior to the date in which the current FADM will retire. The results must be tallied and presented to the CC at least 7 days following the election of a failed VOC and at least one week prior to the date in which the current FADM will retire.  
 
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***f. The new FADM will take office no later than 3 days following the announced results of an election. The outgoing FADM is responsible for transferring all materials related to the office of FADM and MFI in general to the new FADM at least 10 days after having taken office. It is hoped that this transition (if one was to occur) is a smooth and timely process without delays.</font>
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***f. The new FADM will take office no later than 3 days following the announced results of an election. The outgoing FADM is responsible for transferring all materials related to the office of FADM and MFI in general to the new FADM at least 10 days after having taken office. It is hoped that this transition (if one was to occur) is a smooth and timely process without delays.
 
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*Section 2:  DEPARTMENT HEADS  
 
*Section 2:  DEPARTMENT HEADS  
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**PURPOSE OF CHAPTERS: A local fan club providing structure for individual members. The individual chapter is the focus of all activities for MFI. What this document and the organization itself is centered on is the Chapter and members which comprise it. Chapters are charged with maintaining contact with the organization be it with their Zone Coordinator, or the CC itself. They provide a forum for members to congregate, participate in activities, provide presence within MFI and a sense of team.  
 
**PURPOSE OF CHAPTERS: A local fan club providing structure for individual members. The individual chapter is the focus of all activities for MFI. What this document and the organization itself is centered on is the Chapter and members which comprise it. Chapters are charged with maintaining contact with the organization be it with their Zone Coordinator, or the CC itself. They provide a forum for members to congregate, participate in activities, provide presence within MFI and a sense of team.  
 
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===== ARTICLE V: Dues =====
 
===== ARTICLE V: Dues =====
 
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Revision as of 20:39, 5 February 2007

MAQUIS FORCES INTERNATIONAL CONSTITUTION
(Ratified as Amended by the Coordinator Council 31 Mar 2003)
(Amended 17 February 2004) (Amended 1 September 2004)
(Amendments Shown In Red)

Contents

ARTICLE I: Name


Maquis Forces International: An Alliance of Independent Star Trek Clubs

ARTICLE II: Mission Statements


  • Section 1: Philosophy - Maquis Forces International is an alliance of Maquis clubs and individuals around the world for the purpose of the free exchange of ideas, information, and friendship. Like our fictional counterparts on Star Trek who went renegade from Starfleet, most of our membership left established fan organizations in search of a better banner to fly under. Our chapters left such organizations feeling dissatisfied and not all together comfortable with the politics and infighting that plague many fan organizations. Maquis Forces International is much different. Being Maquis gives us the freedom to act and play as we choose without an organization dictating how we run our chapters and eliminates the need for politics. MFI is a breed apart from the standard cookie cutter Star Trek organization in that we are here for fellowship and fun rather than politics and money. As each chapter joins, members are encouraged to broaden their horizons by making new friends and building upon old friendships.


  • Section 2: Involvement in the Organization - MFI is strictly a "hands off" organization. Involvement in the mother organization is strictly voluntary and up the discretion of the individual chapter or member. We do however require Commanding Officers to turn in at least one out of every three Monthly Status Reports to keep their records up to date. Commanding Officers are required to join the Members Listserv, and encouraged to have their members sign up as well. Like our "real" Maquis counterparts, Maquis Cells operate independently of other Cells or the Centralized Headquarters, however if we don't hear from a cell on a Quarterly basis (every three months), said chapter will be assumed lost. Our operation is similar...


Involvement in MFI matters may range from simple participation in discussions on the mail listserv, writing a Newsletter Article or Convention Report, to serving as a position on the Coordinator Council or Support Staffs.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP


  • Section 1: Membership shall be open to all Star Trek and science fiction fans without regard to race, religion, sex, age or national origin.


  • Section 2: Members have the option of enlisting as active duty members or associate members. The difference being that active duty members may be assigned ranks and fictitious positions aboard various Listening Posts, Shuttles, Runabouts, Ships or Stations.


  • Section 3: Members choosing active duty membership are assigned the rank as deemed by the chapter chairpersons or MFI as set forth in ARTICLE V.


  • Section 4: Membership of any Chapter may be canceled at any time by written request (private email or correspondence) to the Chief of Operations.


ARTICLE IV: ORGANIZATIONAL / COMMAND STRUCTURE


  • Section 1: COORDINATOR COUNCIL (CC):


    • 1. PURPOSE OF THE CC - The coordinator body of MFI. The function of the CC shall be to propose policies, coordinate the various departments assigned within, and serve as advisors to chapters and members alike. The CC shall be an advisory authority in the interpretation of the Constitution and of the policies and procedures of the organization. Policies and issues voted on by the CC require a three-fourths (3/4) vote for passage of those members voting. All votes must have at least a quorum present to vote on any polices or issues involving MFI. The CC has no authority over individual chapters beyond the enforcement of MFI policies and violation of said policies. The internal affairs of said chapters are their own in regard to make up, involvement in MFI and other organizations, activities, and promotions up to the rank of said chapter chairperson.


    • 2. OFFICERS.


      • a. MFI International Coordinator (IC)/Force Admiral (FADM) The FADM is the head of the CC and is in charge of all meetings of the CC, unless absent or delegated. The FADM is charged with ensuring that all information pertaining to organization policy changes is delivered to the CC members in a timely and reasonable fashion and shall serve as a reference for all CC members and organization members. The FADM is by virtue the "Commander-in-Chief" and upon taking office, the Flag of the Force is transferred to the ship upon which the FADM is a member. The FADM is the President of the organization, and is responsible in every way for everything that occurs.


The FADM presides over the entire organization and is responsible for the well being of everyone connected with the organization.

      • b. Vice International Coordinator (VIC). The VIC is the second in command of MFI and shall preside over the CC in the FADM's absence. The VIC is responsible for the smooth operation of the organization as a whole, including the commissioning and decommissioning of new and special interest departments.


The VIC will be responsible for all issue resolutions beyond the purview of the Chief of Staff. The VIC is to represent the idea's of the FADM to the organization, to the CC; and shall represent the club as a whole to the international community and to other fan clubs. The VIC will preside over CC meetings and serve as moderator.

      • c. Chief of Staff (COS) is the third in the chain of command of the organization and serves as the FADM, in the absence of the FADM and the VIC. The COS serves as an advisor to the FADM and VIC and represents the views of the organization to the CC. The COS also coordinates the various departments of MFI and oversees their smooth operation through liaison with the CC, Department Heads and the Vice International Coordinator.


      • d. Chief of Operations (COO)

The CoO is responsible for making a report on all MFI chapter activity and is responsible for commissioning all chapters of MFI and for launching all chapter-in-training of MFI.

      • e. Chief of Computer Operations (COCO).

Coordinates and maintains all electronic data and services employed by Maquis Forces International. The COCO is responsible for the support, maintenance and updating of the Maquis Forces International website.

      • e. Chief of Communications (COC).

Overall responsible for communications within the organization. Provides a Moderator for the MFI Mail Listserv, shall announce vacancies of positions in MFI, serve as liaison with chapter Comm Officers, and will head the team which publishes the quarterly newsletter and coordinates the inputs from the chapters for addition to the publication.

      • f. Maquis Academy Commandant (ACAD).

Coordinate and maintain the Maquis Academy web page, will oversee all the Deans of the various colleges and the administering of academy courses, the grading, and assignment of pass/fail certificates.

    • 3. CC SELECTIONS:


      • a. Coordinator Council Appointments: Upon the notification of a vacancy for Coordinator Council positions, applications will be submitted to and reviewed by the VIC or COS before forwarding to the IC. The reviewing authority will discuss selection options with the IC and a nominee selected from the applications. The nominee's name will be forwarded to the voting members of the CC to confirm the nomination. The nominee will be confirmed by a three-fourths (3/4) vote. Any New CC member will serve under the direct supervision of the IC during a 6 month probationary period. During this probationary period, the new CC member will not participate in any voting and will have an appropriate Brevet rank suitable to the position being held. Once the probationary period is successfully completed, the member would advance to their Full Title, Gain their Full Rank and Voting Rights.


      • b. Force Admiral VOC - Every two years, Jan (odd year), the membership will be polled for the purpose of a Vote of Confidence (VOC) for the position of FADM ensuring that the membership wishes to maintain the current leadership. The VOC will be held via the mail list with a member of the Coordinator Council other than the International Coordinator serving as the pollster. A member in support of the Coordinator Council may also be appointed provided the Coordinator Council approves the delegation by three-fourths (3/4) vote. If the VOC determines that elections need to be held, nominations for the office of International Coordinator will be taken and a general election held. If the current FADM decides that he or she wishes to retire, elections will be held for the position of FADM.


      • c. Force Admiral Election Procedures - Elections for the position of FADM will only be held in the event of the retirement of the current FADM or a FADM who fails a Vote of Confidence in the odd numbered years. Elections are a special thing for MFI and if at any time they one is conducted, the CC shall have the sole authority to determine the voting process and the process in which the votes are tallied from the Chapter Commanding Officers. If any candidate for FADM objects to the process in which votes are tallied, they assume total financial responsibility for hiring an independent party to tally the votes. The CC will generally use a method that is free for the membership and MFI.


      • c. Nominations for the position of FADM will be taken and forwarded to the Elections Supervisor, who shall be appointed by the CC, but shall not be a member of the CC who is a candidate for FADM. A minimum of five nominations from any Commanding Officer and/or Zone Coordinator must be submitted to nominate a member of MFI in good standing to the position of FADM. A nominee for FADM, must have been a member of MFI for at least 3 years and is preferred to have some command experience, this need not be necessarily from MFI, but documented experience from another fan club will work. The nominations phase will begin at a time that the CC has determined after a failed VOC or at least three months prior to the date in which the current FADM has stated he or she will retire so that a smooth transition of the office may occur.


      • d. Campaigning for the position of FADM in an election will begin following the nominations phase and may only be conducted via the official Campaigning listserv. The CC will establish this listserv for the sole purpose of campaigning and only one message containing the Nominees platform may be sent to the general Maquis MFI listserv. The Nominee will be responsible for selecting their VIC candidate and a slate of officers to serve in the other CC positions. The Campaigning phase will end at a time that the CC designates or at least two months prior to the date in which the current FADM will retire, to allow a sufficient amount of time for the voting to occur.


      • e. The Elections phase will begin immediately following the Campaigning phase. Details of how the Election will be conducted, how Chapter CO's will vote, and how the results will be tallied before the Elections phase begins. The elections phase shall end at a time that the CC designates in a failed FADM VOC or at least two weeks prior to the date in which the current FADM will retire. The results must be tallied and presented to the CC at least 7 days following the election of a failed VOC and at least one week prior to the date in which the current FADM will retire.


      • f. The new FADM will take office no later than 3 days following the announced results of an election. The outgoing FADM is responsible for transferring all materials related to the office of FADM and MFI in general to the new FADM at least 10 days after having taken office. It is hoped that this transition (if one was to occur) is a smooth and timely process without delays.


  • Section 2: DEPARTMENT HEADS


    • PURPOSE OF DEPARTMENT HEADS: To liaison between the various departments of interest within MFI and with their respective CC Member and ultimately to the Chief of Staff. Departments will be placed under the purview of various CC Members who will look out for their interests. Both the CC member and subordinate Department Head are charged with maintaining a viable department which sparks both interest and involvement of MFI members.


      • a. Departments within MFI will be proposed by a member at large or a CC member and final approval of Departments lies with the Vice International Coordinator.


      • b. Departments should represent either an administrative need or an interest of the members to provide an avenue for the enjoyment of said members and the organization as a whole.


      • c. Department Heads are required to report Monthly to the COO.


  • Section 3: ZONE COORDINATORS


    • PURPOSE OF ZONE COORDINATORS (ZC): To liaison between the COO and the chapters assigned within their geographical area. ZC's are charged with apprising the COO and the CC of any changes in chapter status, contact information, or activities such as conventions or Zone Conferences. Zone Coordinators are required to submit Monthly Zone Reports to the MFI COO.


  • Section 4: CHAPTERS


    • PURPOSE OF CHAPTERS: A local fan club providing structure for individual members. The individual chapter is the focus of all activities for MFI. What this document and the organization itself is centered on is the Chapter and members which comprise it. Chapters are charged with maintaining contact with the organization be it with their Zone Coordinator, or the CC itself. They provide a forum for members to congregate, participate in activities, provide presence within MFI and a sense of team.


ARTICLE V: Dues


  • Section 1: International Dues: There are NO International Dues for individual or Family Memberships. MFI is a FREE Fan Organization.


  • Section 2: Cell's may charge local membership dues as they deem appropriate with no involvement from MFI.


ARTICLE VI: RANKS AND PROMOTIONS


  • Section 1: Promotions for local unit/chapters and members are at the discretion of the local Commanding Officer/Chairman of said local unit or chapter. CO's are authorized to make promotions up to but not including their present rank. (i.e., a Captain can promote their members up to Commander). This policy is restricted to promotions up to Captain for those CO's holding flag or general officer rank and promotion of their local members above Captain is addressed in Section 2. These provisions apply to all other Branch equilivant ranks as well.


  • Section 2: Flag Officer Promotions: All promotions over the rank of Captain must be acted upon by the Coordinator Council only and will be made one grade at a time (i.e. Captain to Force Captain, Force Captain to Commodore, Commodore to Rear Admiral, Rear Admiral to Vice Admiral, and Vice Admiral to Admiral. Only a flag officer may submit a nomination for a flag officer promotion. These provisions apply to all other Branch equilivant ranks as well.


Nominees must be a Captain over the age of 21 and in good standing with the organization. The nomination will be received by a Coordinator Council member and a vote of two fellow Council members must be made to authorize the promotion.
The Force Admiral must be made aware of the acceptance of nomination prior to promotion authorization and notification to the member of his/her new rank.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS OF CONSTITUTION


  • Section 1: Amendments will be classified into two categories and voted upon accordingly.


    • a. Procedural, grammatical, and terminology changes which do not affect the membership as a whole can be amended at a general meeting of the CC by three fourths (3/4) vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing (Email) to all CC. An online meeting of the CC members can be held in emergencies provided that there is a quorum present. Changes which fall under this category will include minor changes to the body of the Coordinator Council since the CC serves at the FADM's pleasure and is appointed by that authority. The FADM will consider these changes in the best interest of the membership on a case by case basis. Procedural changes will also include minor inconsistencies with what is proving to "work" during the day for day business of the organization and items that do not "work" (i.e. the establishment and disestablishment of positions or departments that are needed or no longer needed).


    • b. Policy changes which effect the membership as a whole will be given to the membership in an Amendment Proposal format, posted on a website and voted upon by the membership. These will include any changes that effect the status, rights, or privileges of any chapter or the organization as a whole (i.e. policies on the monthly status reports, or changes which effect the overall make-up of the organization.


  • Section 2: Amendments may be proposed by any member of MFI provided they are sponsored by a CC member. If an individual member drafts an amendment they will forward the proposal to their Zone Coordinator and then to an appropriate CC member for sponsorship. The Constitution will be open for updates or rewrites on even numbered years. Proposals for amendments will be considered June through October of the odd number years.




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HKnapp 02:45, 19 June 2005 (EST)

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