LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance

Bylaws

Article I. Organization Name

The name of this organization shall be the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance at George Mason University.

Article II. Mission

The mission of the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance is to support the University’s mission and vision through the promotion of an inclusive and affirming campus climate for all faculty, staff, and students.

Article III. Goals

  1. To provide LGBTQ+ faculty, staff, and allies a forum to exchange ideas and develop programming aimed at encouraging academic engagement, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
  2. To serve as a conduit through which ideas and concerns of LGBTQ+ staff and faculty are communicated to the University administration.
  3. To serve as an active resource for University, Division, College and Unit administrations regarding issues impacting LGBTQ+ faculty and staff at Mason.
  4. To advocate for the consistent review and equal application of university policies in service of all faculty, staff, and students, inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression.

Article IV. Membership

Section 1. Membership

Membership in the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance shall be open to all faculty and staff currently employed at George Mason University on a part-time or full-time basis, including graduate assistants. The LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance agrees to adhere to the University non-discrimination statement: No university Faculty or staff member may be denied membership on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status or genetic information. Membership in the group is strictly voluntary.

Section 2. Active Membership

Active voting members in good standing will be defined as those members who have registered through the membership process and are currently employed at Mason.

Article V. All Alliance Meetings

The LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance shall convene for an All Alliance Meeting at least once a semester during the academic year (Fall and Spring). All Alliance Meetings during the summer term will occur on an as-needed basis.

Article VI. Socials

The LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance shall organize a Social each academic semester, including summer. Additional socials can be organized on an as-needed basis.

Article VI. Executive Committee

Section 1. Eligibility

Executive Committee officers of the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance shall be employed by George Mason University. They must also be in good standing with the University.

Section 2. Titles and Duties

The Executive Committee within the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance shall include: Immediate Past Chair, Chair, Chair-Elect, Community Engagement & Outreach Officers, and Website & Technology Officers.

The duties are as follows:

  • Immediate Past Chair – serve as the elections officer (create nomination form for chair and intent-to-return form for the officers), work with Web & Technology Officers, be a resource/advisor for the other two chairs as the most experienced among the Chair Trio.
  • Chair – chair Alliance meetings, send out organizational emails about the Alliance, coordinate with the other chairs to schedule Alliance meetings, liase with Human Resources, co-coordinate retreat with chair-elect. These responsibilities are framed in that this is the most visible leader and the “face” of the organization while you are in this portion of the Chair Trio.
  • Chair-Elect – take minutes at meetings, co-coordinate retreat with chair, work with Community Engagement & Outreach Officers, liaise with the LGBTQ+ Resources Center. These responsibilities are framed as such to assist the newest member of the Chair Trio in their learning and development.
  • Community Engagement & Outreach Officers (ideally at least two) – duties include outreach to regional campuses and graduate assistants, organize community engagement opportunities, and collaborate with other affinity groups.
  • The Website & Technology Officers (ideally at least two) are responsible for the web presence and technology-based infrastructure of the organization.

Executive Committee officers in the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance will ideally meet once a month during the academic year (Fall and Spring) as a group to discuss the group’s operation or a particular issue, in-person or virtual. Meetings in the summer may be held as needed. These meetings are open to all members and advanced notification should be sent out when possible.

Section 3. Term of Office

The Chair Trio shall serve three-year terms. These officers’ term begins the summer semester following their election and ends at the end of the spring semester three years later as indicated by Article VII, Section 2. Officer positions are appointed by the Chair Trio and can serve indefinitely but may be removed by a consensus of the other members of the Executive Committee. At the end of the spring semester, officer positions will fill out an intent to return form.

Section 4

An individual may run for re-election in the same role up to three terms, consecutively or non-consecutively. Term limits reset after 10 years.

Section 5.

If one of the Executive Committee members resigns, the Chair Trio can appoint an appropriate replacement for the remainder of the term. If the Chair Trio cannot come to an agreement, the Executive Committee will be asked to vote on a replacement.

Article VII. Elections

Section 1. Election Procedures

Elections for the Executive Committee in the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance shall be held in the spring semester of each year. Elections will take place virtually. Information regarding candidates will be circulated prior to the election. The Immediate Past Chair will determine the balloting procedure. A simple majority of those voting will determine the winner of contested elections.

Section 2. Election Cycle

LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance chairs will be elected on a cyclical basis to ensure organizational knowledge and functionality. Each year the election will be for a new Chair-Elect. The current Chair-Elect will then move into the Chair position, and the Chair will move into the Immediate Past Chair position

Article IX. Amendments

Amendments to this document should be proposed to the Chair Trio, in writing. A discussion of proposed amendments and voting will take place virtually with appropriate advance notice. Changes to the amendments require affirmative votes from ¾ of those voting. If the Executive Committee cannot attain a majority, the membership body will be asked to vote on changes.

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Established:  March 2021

Amended: July