USF's WebQuest 

Club Constitution

Author: Brian Lattin

 

Introduction

The Articles of Confederation were our nations first constitution which was followed by the United States Constitution.  Did you know that any organization or club can have a constitution?  Be it an organized chess club or a free nation, a constitution is needed so that things can run and operate efficiently.  A constitution contains the fundamental principles that outline the purpose, structure, and limits of an organization or club.
 

Task

You have been called upon to create a constitution for a new club or organization!  In groups of three, you will use the provided resources to successfully frame a constitution so the club or organization can run smoothly.  As well as researching the key components of a constitution, you will research constitutions of existing clubs and organizations to get a good idea of what yours should look like.  The constitution created by each group will be presented to the class.  In addition, a one page paper will be turned in by each individual student explaining the difficulties a nation or organization would face without having a constitution.
 

Process

As a group, choose a club or organization from the following categories:

 

Sports

Academics

Music/Arts
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Soccer
  • Running
  • Football
  • Softball
  • Etc.
  • Math
  • Chemistry
  • Government
  • Reading
  • Biology
  • Foreign Language
  • Etc.
  • Drama
  • Band
  • Chorus
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Instruments
  • Etc.

Upon choosing a club or organization, the group members will then choose a role.  Once the group members have decided on a role, each will use the resources given to complete that role's objectives.  The next step is for the group to share information found from each role in their efforts to draft a final constitution.  Be as thoughtful and creative as possible.  In the final version of the constitution, role one's objectives will be written first, followed by role two, then role three.  The resources will be of great help in letting the group see how a final constitution should be constructed.  The final version of the constitution should be typed and neatly put together for the class presentation.  Finally, you will individually compose a one page paper on the difficulties a nation or organization would face without having a constitution.

 

Role 1

Role 2

Role 3

Objectives:

Objectives:

Objectives:
  • Preamble
  • Article I- Name
  • Article II- Purpose
  • Article III- Membership

        

 

 

 
  • Article IV- Officers
  • Article V- Duties of Officers
  • Article VI- Elections of Officers
  • Article VII- Officer Removal Process
  • Article VIII- Meetings
  • Article IX- Finances
  • Article X- Amendment Process

 

Resources

About Constitutions & Constitution Templates

http://www.wpi.edu/Admin/SAO/Orgs/constitutions.html
http://gwired.gwu.edu/gwellness/ClubSports/SampleConstitution/
http://www.panam.edu/depts/dos/media/files/pdf/Student Organizations/Guidelines for Writing a Constitution.pdf
http://www4.nau.edu/stulife/Orgs/Sample Constitution.pdf
http://www.wpi.edu/Admin/SAO/Orgs/Forms/sample-constitution.doc

Constitution Examples
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/Users/groups/SpanishClub/s-constitution.html
http://www.math.tntech.edu/mathclub/constitution.html
http://www2.smumn.edu/studorg/~chemistry/Constitution.htm
http://activities.tjhsst.edu/fps/constitution.htm
http://sphs.spusd.net/clubs/computer/constitution.htm

 

Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the following rubric.

 

What to Grade

Excellent (6)

Satisfactory (4)

Needs Improvement (2)

Unsatisfactory (0)

Points Earned

Participation/ Cooperation in Group

 Full participation and cooperation.   Objectives are complete for the given role.

 Some participation and cooperation.  All objectives are complete for the given role.

 Very little participation and cooperation.  Objectives are incomplete for the given role.

 Zero participation and cooperation.  Objectives are not present in final product.

 

Presentation

 Well thought out presentation.  Everybody speaks clearly and the final product shows maximum effort and creativity.

 Presentation is pretty good.  Group members speak well.  The final product shows promise.

 Presentation is lacking.  Group members are hesitant to speak.  The final product shows little effort and creativity.

 There is no presentation because there is no final product to present.

 

Overall Groupwork

 Teamwork was excellent throughout.

 Teamwork was satisfactory.

 Teamwork could have been better.

 Teamwork was non-existent.

 
Paper Paper is a work of excellence and of outstanding nature. Paper is deemed satisfactory by the teacher. Paper is deemed unsatisfactory by the teacher. No paper is turned in by the student.  
       

Total Points

            /24

 

Conclusion

Constitutions are necessary for any organization to properly function.  Be it a nation or a club, they provide the necessary foundation for everyday operation.  You now can see the importance of having constitutions.  You now have something in common with our founding fathers.  You have played a vital role in framing a constitution!