The Writers' Society

Writers' Society Constitution

Article I: Organization Name and Usage

The Maple Woods Writers' Society is the official name of this student organization; however, when appropriate, the organization Officers, advisor, and members may also use the name Writers' Society.

Article II: Mission Statement and Philosophy

Mission StatementThe Writers' Society works to engender a comfortable community atmosphere for students who seek expression through creative writing. We promote the richness of all expression, awareness, and knowledge by hosting and participating in events, fundraisers, seminars and other activities.

Our PhilosophyWriting is often personal, taking on many different forms, sometimes rendering the writer vulnerable. We support our members in finding their "voices," offering hope and encouraging fearlessness. We give individuals a safe place to explore their talents, a "home" to which they belong. Those involved in The Writers' Society create stories socially – living life, laughing, and learning from others. Some members later transcribe their experiences into text, offering it to the world for consumption, while others take their experiences and create life opportunities. To us, writing happens in many ways and in many forums, and we celebrate them all.

Article III: Society Member versus Community Member

For the purposes of creating a community of people who seek expression through writing, awareness, and knowledge, The Writers' Society has developed a proprietary way of using language that welcomes inclusivity for all of MCC students, both past and present. Therefore, it is important to define our use of "member," "society member," and "community member."

"Society member" is defined, in this student organization, as a currently enrolled MCC student. "Community member" is defined, in this student organization, as an alumnus of MCC who is not currently enrolled at MCC. "Member" is defined as all MCC students, both past and present, who have been accepted into this student organization.

The definition of "community," in this student organization, is not synonymous with "society." (Please see Section Article IV, Section II for more clarification.)

Article IV: Membership

Section I: General Member Eligibility

A student should express a sincere interest and enthusiasm for the group and its mission, and must follow the Student Code of Conduct as well as the policies and procedures established by MCC during all approved activities, meetings, and functions sponsored by the student organization.

Section II: Society Membership

According to the MCC-Maple Woods Student Clubs and Organizations Manual, an eligible society member must be enrolled as a MCC student, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0, and meet standard MCC Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. Student leaders must be currently enrolled as MCC students and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.

Section III: Community (Alumni) Membership

An alumnus of MCC can be inducted into the club and participate in club activities; however, the status of an alumnus will be that of a community member.

Section IV: Member Selection

All students and alumni who fulfill the requirements of membership eligibility are welcome as members to the organization.

Section V: Membership Category and Requirements

In order to better understand different levels of club participation, while ensuring that all needs of the organization are met, club membership has been broken down into different terms. However, no one term or "level" of participation is greater than another. They only hold different restrictions or requirements. All members retain the right to vote and to participate in committees, events, and activities.

Active Membership "Active" membership is defined as a current MCC student who has been granted a society membership into the student organization. An active member is eligible to serve as one of the organization's office seats if nominated and elected. An active member retains all rights and responsibilities as a society member. This membership requires consistent attendance to meetings, events, and activities.

Community Membership "Community" membership is defined as an alumnus of MCC who has been granted membership into the student organization, but who is not a society member, rendering the community membership ineligible for nomination or election or service of an office seat. Community membership does retain the right to vote, the eligibility to serve on a committee, and to participate in meetings, events, and activities. However, a community member cannot hold a Chair position within a committee. A community member is still bound by the policies and procedures established by the student organization and MCC. However, a community member is not subject to "active" or "inactive" status, as those status definitions are assigned only to society members and pertain to the eligibility of office seats.