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Western Filmmakers Association
Western Michigan University
PREAMBLE
Western Filmmakers Association is a student organization dedicated to producing filmmaking
projects, providing hands-on educational experiences in filmmaking for its members, and
highlighting and celebrating individual films created by members.
ARTICLE I: Title
The organization shall be named the Western Filmmakers Association (WFA).
ARTICLE II: Membership
1. Types of Membership
a. Executive Board Members
i. Executive board members are the highest ranking members in the
Western Filmmakers Association. It is their responsibility to run
regular meetings, select department heads, ensure progress on group
projects, and manage the organization at large.
ii. Executive Board members are elected at the end of the Spring
Semester by the general assembly and serve one year terms.
b. Department Heads
i. Department heads coordinate and run meetings for various
subcommittees (henceforth referred to as “departments”), which
consist of Writing, Acting, Audio/Video, Design, Finance, and Public
Relations. They report to the Executive Board and manage various
elements of the creation, production, and dissemination of projects.
ii. Department heads are selected at the beginning of the Fall Semester by
the members of the Executive Board, based on résumés and interviews
conducted by the Board.
c. General Members
i. General members are any students who attend meetings of the Western
Filmmakers Association or its various departments. There is no limit
to how many departments a member may join.
ii. General members may join the organization at any time. Any general
member is guaranteed the right to vote in matters brought to the
general assembly.
2. Membership Qualifications
a. Stipulations for Membership
i. Members must be current WMU students (at least one credit hour per
semester) who value the art of filmmaking and who have a genuine
interest in promoting and participating in projects created by or
sponsored by the WFA. Members must display a willingness to
contribute to the production of various film projects.
ii. Western Michigan University prohibits discrimination or harassment
which violates the law or which constitutes inappropriate or
unprofessional limitation of employment opportunity, University
facility access, or participation in University activities, on the basis of
race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, age, protected disability, veteran status, height, weight, or
marital status.
3. Selection of Members
a. Executive Board
i. Members seeking Executive Board positions must announce their
intent to run at the meeting prior to the WFA election meeting.
Nominations must be seconded. Members can nominate other
members, but the nominee must accept the nomination to be on the
ballot.
ii. At the following meeting, nominees will be given up to two minutes
apiece to present themselves. A two minute question and answer
session for all candidates will follow.
iii. The candidate who receives the most votes will be given the office
they are running for.
b. Department Head
i. Members seeking a Department Head position must submit a résumé
listing applicable skills and experience to the Executive Board.
ii. The Executive Board will select candidates for interviews from these
submissions.
iii. Following interviews, the Executive Board will vote on each position.
The applicant who receives the most votes will be given the position
they applied for.
iv. Executive Board members may not apply for Department Head
positions. In the event that a Department Head position becomes
vacant, a member of the Executive Board may fill in until a permanent
replacement is found.
4. Voting Privileges
a. All members may vote on general issues, such as the election of the Executive
Board and the selection of pitch for project development.
b. Department Heads and Executive Board members will vote on specific issues,
such as the selection of cast members following auditions.
c. Executive Board members will vote on group issues, such as the selection or
removal of Department Heads or Executive Board members.
5. Termination of Membership
a. Executive Board members may be impeached on grounds of malfeasance,
misfeasance, and nonfeasance by other members of the Executive Board. In
this event, the Board will meet to discuss and vote on the impeachment. If an
Executive Board member is impeached, the election process will be held for
their position starting at the following meeting, to select a replacement to
serve the rest of the term.
b. Department Heads may be removed by the Executive Board on grounds of
malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance. In this event, the Board will meet
to discuss and vote on the impeachment. If a Department Head is impeached,
the Executive Board will select a replacement from the applicant pool. If no
replacement is available, an Executive Board member will perform the
Department Head’s duties until one can be found.
c. Alumni of the WFA are welcome to attend meetings and participate in
discussion and development of projects. However, they are prohibited from
voting or holding office.
ARTICLE III: Officers
1. Elected Officers
a. President
i. The President shall direct the weekly general meetings of the WFA.
ii. The President shall direct the weekly Executive meetings of the WFA.
iii. The President shall represent the WFA to WMU administration and
other external groups.
iv. The President shall serve as head of the associated LLC under which
the WFA’s activities are registered.
b. Vice President
i. The Vice President shall attend weekly general meetings of the WFA.
ii. The Vice President shall attend weekly Executive meetings of the
WFA.
iii. The Vice President shall hold Executive Board members and
Department Heads accountable.
iv. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President if the
President is unable to perform them.
c. Treasurer
i. The Treasurer shall attend weekly general meetings of the WFA.
ii. The Treasurer shall attend weekly Executive Meetings of the WFA.
iii. The Treasurer shall be responsible for managing and documenting all
fund of the WFA and any associated LLCs.
iv. The Treasurer shall serve as de facto head of the Finance Department.
d. Secretary
i. The Secretary shall attend weekly general meetings of the WFA.
ii. The Secretary shall attend weekly Executive meetings of the WFA.
iii. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings.
2. Department Heads
a. Writing Department
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
i. The head of the Writing Department shall attend weekly general
meetings of the WFA.
ii. The head of the Writing Department shall direct regular meetings of
the Writing Department.
iii. The head of the Writing Department shall serve as final editor for any
scripts produced by the WFA.
Acting Department
i. The head of the Acting Department shall attend weekly general
meetings of the WFA.
ii. The head of the Acting Department shall direct regular meetings of the
Acting Department.
iii. NB: A position as head of the Acting Department does not
automatically guarantee a member a role in a project.
Audio/Video Department
i. The head of the Audio/Video Department shall attend weekly general
meetings of the WFA.
ii. The head of the Audio/Video Department shall direct regular meetings
of the Audio/Video Department.
iii. The head of the Audio/Video Department shall coordinate technical
aspects of production on group projects.
Design
i. The head of the Design Department shall attend weekly meetings of
the WFA.
ii. The head of the Design Department shall direct regular meetings of the
Design Department.
iii. The head of the Design Department shall oversee costume, makeup,
and set design for group projects.
Finance
i. The head of the Finance Department shall attend weekly meetings of
the WFA.
ii. The head of the Finance Department shall direct regular meetings of
the Finance Department.
iii. The head of the Finance Department is strongly encouraged to work
with the RSO Financial Advisor in the office of Student Activities and
Leadership Programs, as well as take advantage of any opportunities
offered by the university.
iv. NB: The Treasurer shall serve as the head of the Finance Department
except in extraordinary circumstances.
Public Relations
i. The head of the Public Relations Department shall attend weekly
meetings of the WFA.
ii. The head of the Public Relations Department shall direct regular
meetings of the Public Relations Department.
iii. The head of the Public Relations Department shall organize marketing
and advertising for any events held by the WFA.
iv. The head of the Public Relations Department is strongly encouraged to
work with the RSO Designs Center, as well as take advantage of any
opportunities offered by the university.
ARTICLE IV: Finances
1. On-campus Accounts
a. The WFA shall follow and be subject to all University policies, procedures,
and practices regarding student organization accounts and finances.
2. Off-campus Accounts
a. Banking for non-university funds shall be done at a location designated by the
current Treasurer.
3. Financial Policy
a. The financial books and records shall be audited at least once a year.
b. Officers designated as responsible for financial matters shall attend University
financial workshops as required.
4. Disposition of Non-University Funds in the Case of Inactivation
a. If the WFA dissolves or becomes inactive, The money will be donated to the
Western Michigan University school of communication to support Western
Michigan’s University’s Film/Video/Media Studies Program.
ARTICLE V: Statement of Compliance
The organization shall comply with all SALP and University policies, procedures, and practices,
as well as all local, state, and federal laws.
1. Registration and Reactivation
a. The President and Vice-President shall be responsible for completing and
following through with the requirements of the annual reactivation process as set
forth by SALP.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
1. Frequency of Meetings
a. Regular meetings shall be held Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. in a standard location. If the
location of the meeting changes, it is the responsibility of the Executive Board to
inform all members.
b. Executive meetings shall be held Monday at 2:00 p.m. in a standard location.
2. Special Meetings
a. Frequency and location of department meetings will be left up to department
heads. However, departments are required to meet on a regular schedule and to
inform interested members of their meetings.
b. Special meetings to discuss various ad hoc projects or issues will be planned as
the need arise.
ARTICLE VII: Amendments
1. Constitution
a. Any active member may propose an amendment to the constitution.
b. Once an amendment is proposed, another member must second the proposal. If
seconded, the amendment shall move to the floor for debate and discussion
between present active members.
c. A 2/3 vote is required for the amendment to pass.