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Lesbian Gay Transgender Bisexual Queer Positive Space

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Constitution

This Constitution was formally adopted on September 12, 2002.

The Conference By-Law was adopted on March 24, 2003.

Article VII, section 4 was amended on April 15, 2003.

Article I, section 1, Article II, section 1i, Article III, section 2i, Article IV, sections 1i, 1ii, 1iii, 1iv, and 1v, Article VI, sections 1i and 1ii, Article VII, sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and Article IX, section 1 were amended on March 31, 2006.

Article I, sections 2vii, 2viii and 2ix and Article IV, section 1viii were adopted on March 31, 2006.

Article VII, section 7 was moved to Article VI, section 1ix on March 31, 2006

Article I: Name and Definitions 

1. Name 

The association of students shall be called Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Trans People of the University of Toronto, hereinafter referred to as LGBTOUT. 

2. Definitions 

  1. The University of Toronto shall hereinafter be referred to as "the University". 
  2. An "officio member" refers to any full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate student, faculty, or staff of the University. 
  3. An "ex-officio member" refers to any alumni of the University. 
  4. The "Membership" refers to all General Members (officio and ex-officio) and Executive Members. 
  5. "Instruments" refers to any document (cheques, loans, contracts, etc.) which must be signed in order to conduct financial dealings on behalf of LGBTOUT. 
  6. The "listserv" refers to an electronic discussion board run by and for members of LGBTOUT. 
  7. The Fall Session refers to the period from September inclusive to December inclusive. The Winter Session refers to the period from January inclusive to April inclusive. The Summer Session refers to the period from May inclusive to August inclusive.
  8. The Hussihop refers to an all-ages dance/performance party for queer womyn, trans-people, their friends and allies.
  9. The Homohop refers to an all-ages party for LGBTQ students, youth, their friends and allies.

Article II: Mission 

1. This organisation exists for the benefit of all members of the University in the hope of enriching their experience at the University. LGBTOUT is committed to the development of an atmosphere that is open and equitable, specifically as that goal pertains to the needs of those who have been marginalised on the basis of their sexual and/or gender orientations and/or identities. LGBTOUT intends to achieve this goal in the following ways: 

  1. By providing a voice and forum at the University for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer students, alumni, faculty and staff who are marginalised on the basis of their sexual and/or gender orientations and/or identities. 
  2. By co-operating with other campus organisations to develop a positive atmosphere at the University for all who are marginalised on the basis of their sexual and/or gender orientations and/or identities. 
  3. By providing a positive and active social atmosphere for members by organising social activities. 
  4. By accumulating and providing information and other resources on a wide range of sexuality issues for the purpose of educating the student body and the University. 
  5. By responding to instances of homophobia, heterosexism, transphobia, biphobia, lesbophobia, and other forms of injustice within the University and the community at large. 
  6. By promoting the awareness of and providing resources regarding health and safety issues for students, alumni, faculty and staff who are marginalised on the basis of their sexual and/or gender orientations and/or identities. 

Article III: Membership

1. All members of the University shall be eligible for membership within LGBTOUT

2. Any member of LGBTOUT (either officio or ex-officio) in good standing shall be eligible to vote on any motion at a General Meeting and for any elected position pursuant to Article VII.

3. To be considered a member in good standing, either of the following criteria must be met:

  1. attendance at a General Meeting of the Membership which has occurred both (1) since the first day of classes of the Fall Session of the University of the current academic year, and (2) within the previous two General Meetings.

  2. attendance at any one General Meeting of the Membership since the first day of classes of the Winter Session of the University of the current academic year, AND permission of a majority of the LGBTOUT Executive present at the Meeting in question; this permission must be made known to the Chair of the Meeting prior to the Call to Order.

Article IV: Executive

1. All members of the Executive are members in good standing of LGBTOUT. There is no hierarchy within the Executive and each member has one vote at any Executive Meeting. While there are no mechanisms for ensuring that the Executive is representative of the organisation and the community, all members of the Executive are expected to challenge themselves and others by being dedicated to addressing and ending oppressive comments and instances in LGBTOUT spaces, both physical and virtual. Examples of oppressions include, but are not limited to: racism, sexism, classism, discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, culture and/or faith, Eurocentrism, ableism, ageism, heterosexism, genderism, homophobia, biphobia, lesbophobia, and transphobia. All Executive positions are to be elected according to Article VII.

The following is a list of Executive positions and their respective duties:

  1. Internal Coordinator
    The Internal Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and maintaining the infrastructure of the group, including overseeing the listservs, office coordination, collecting the minutes of all general and subcommittee meetings, and ad hoc publications (such as the zine). The Internal Coordinator is also responsible for overseeing the LGBTOUT website.

  2. University Affairs Coordinator
    The University Affairs Coordinator is responsible for representing the interests of the LGBTOUT membership to the University campus community. This entails advocacy and functioning as a liaison with other student groups, the University administration, the Students' Administrative Council, the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students and the Graduate Student Union. They shall also be responsible for overseeing the "Gaywire" radio programme on CIUT. The University Affairs Coordinator will work to maintain and promote LGBTOUT's reputation and image within the University campus community. At the beginning of their term, this person will become familiar with the relevant contact people on campus with the help of the outgoing University Affairs Coordinator.

  3. External Coordinator
    The External Coordinator is responsible for representing the interests of the LGBTOUT membership outside the University campus community. This entails advocacy on behalf of the organisation. The External Coordinator will ensure that all meetings of organisations of which LGBTOUT is a member are attended. The External Coordinator will work to maintain and promote LGBTOUT's reputation and image outside the University campus community. At the beginning of their term, they will familiarise themselves with the relevant contact people with the help of the outgoing External Coordinator.

  4. Political and Education Coordinator 
    The Political and Education Coordinator is responsible for overseeing a minimum of four (4) political or educational events per session (fall, winter, summer). This person is responsible for organising the involvement of LGBTOUT in Pride during the summer session. These must be events organised and sponsored by LGBTOUT and will not include events that are organised by other groups that are attended en masse by LGBTOUT. Variety is encouraged among these events so as to meet the needs of as diverse a community as possible. The Political and Education Coordinator is responsible for publishing a calendar of events each term in consultation with the Executive to be available no later than one month into the term. All events are to be advertised at least one week beforehand using at least one medium other than email/ listserv. 

  5. Social Coordinator 
    The Social Coordinator is responsible for overseeing a minimum of three (3) social events per session (fall, winter, summer). These must be events organised and sponsored by LGBTOUT and will not include events that are organised by other groups that are attended en masse by LGBTOUT. Variety is encouraged among these events so as to meet the needs of as diverse a community as possible. In addition, the Social Coordinator is responsible for overseeing a Queer Frosh Week at the beginning of the Fall Session and an end of year social event before the end of the Winter Session. The Social Coordinator is responsible for overseeing a minimum of one Hussihop per Session (Fall, Winter, Summer), working with the Hussihop Chair and Standing Committee. The Social Coordinator is responsible for publishing a calendar of events each term in consultation with the Executive to be available no later than one month into the term. All events are to be advertised at least one week beforehand using at least one medium other than email/ listserv. 

  6. Financial Coordinator 
    The Financial Coordinator is responsible for the accounting of all funds of LGBTOUT. They are responsible for maintaining accurate and complete records of all financial transactions by LGBTOUT. In consultation with the Executive, the Financial Coordinator will prepare a budget at the beginning of each term, and will prepare monthly updates on actual expenditures made by LGBTOUT as well as revenue taken in from any fundraising events including Homohops. 

  7. Exec-at-Large 
    The Exec-at-Large is to be elected in the fall separate from the rest of the Executive. The Exec-at-Large is not to have a specific portfolio but rather is to help address the needs of the other Executive members. 

  8. Homohop Coordinator 
    The Homohop Coordinator is responsible for overseeing a minimum of ten (10) Homohops a year, working as the Homohop Chair and Standing Committee. The Homohop Coordinator must hold and chair two (2) Homohop Standing Committee meetings per term. The Homohop Coordinator may appoint a Homohop co-chair. The Homohop Coordinator is responsible for advertising and organising volunteers for the Homohop.

2. Removal from Office

  1. Any Executive member may be removed from Office prior to the end of their term according to the following process: A) A motion for impeachment of the Executive member must be made at a General Meeting. If this motion receives a majority vote in favour, the Executive member is suspended from Office until the next General Meeting, at which time an impeachment debate and vote must be held. B) At the General Meeting where the impeachment debate and vote takes place, a 2/3 vote is required to remove the Executive member from Office. 

  2. Removal of an Executive member from his or her Office should only be considered under extraordinary circumstances including, but not limited to, the abuse or inappropriate use of power, embezzlement of funds, or acting contrary to the mission or process of LGBTOUT as stated in its Constitution. 

Article V: Committees 

  1. Members of Committees 
    Membership in all Standing and Ad Hoc Committees is open to all members of LGBTOUT. 

  2. Role of Committees
    i) The Committees shall carry out the decisions of the Membership and shall have such specific powers and duties as are prescribed to them from time to time by the Membership.
    ii) Between meetings of the Membership, the affairs of the Membership with regards to specific areas shall be conducted by the various Committees of the Membership, subject to direction from, accountability to, review by, and approval of the Membership at meetings of the Membership.

  3. Committees
    There shall be two types of committees:
    a) Standing Committees
    Standing Committees continue from year to year. These committees are:
        i) Homohop Committee
        ii) Visibility Committee
        iii) Anti-homophobia Committee
        iv) Discussion Group Committee
    Additional Standing Committees may be established at a meeting of the Membership.
    b) Ad Hoc Committees
        i) Ad Hoc Committees continue in existence only for such term as may be determined at the time of establishment, provided that the mandate of all such committees shall expire no later than the first Annual General Meeting after establishment.
        ii) Ad Hoc Committees may be established by the Membership.
        iii) Ad Hoc Committees shall be established for such purposes and with such powers and duties as the Membership may delegate to them at the time of establishment.
        iv) The membership and chair of such Committees shall be determined by the Membership that established it.

Article VI: Meetings

1. General Meetings

  1. A General Meeting of the Membership must be held at least once a month during the Fall and Winter Sessions of the University, and as required during the Summer Session.

  2. The first General Meeting of the Membership following the first day of classes in the Fall Session shall not conduct any substantial business.

  3. All General Meetings of the Membership require at least one (1) week's notice (of date, time and place) to be considered valid. Notice is to be given over the listserv and on the office information board. The agenda of the meeting, and any motions to be voted on, shall be posted on the listserv no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.

  4. At least half of the Executive must be at a General Meeting of the Membership for quorum to be reached.

  5. A General Meeting must be called to order within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled time.

  6. Only members in good standing shall have the right to vote upon motions during the General Meetings.

  7. A General Meeting of the Membership may be called at any time by a petition of no less than fifteen (15) LGBTOUT members, given no less than one (1) week's notice (of date, time and place). 

  8. The minutes of all General Meetings shall be posted on the listserv and a copy placed in the Minutes Binder in the office no later than one (1) week after the General Meeting.

  9. Proxies
    Every member entitled to vote at a meeting of the membership may, by means of proxy, appoint another member as their nominee to attend and act at the meeting to the extent and with the power conferred by the proxy. The proxy shall be in writing executed by the member and shall contain:
        1) their printed name
        2) their signature
        3) the name of the member being authorised to exercise their vote
        4) the date of the meeting for which the proxy will be valid.
    The proxy must be deposited with a member of the Executive no later than twenty four (24) hours before the appointed time of the meeting. No member shall wield an excess of five (5) proxy votes at any given meeting.

2. Executive Meetings

  1. An Executive Meeting must be held at least once a month during the Winter Session of the University, and as required during the Summer Session, separate from the General Meetings. 

  2. If any Executive member is absent from three (3) consecutive Executive Meetings, that member shall be deemed to have resigned from the Executive. At the following Executive Meeting, the member may present reasons for their absence, and a vote will determine if the member shall be reinstated.

3. Annual General Meetings

  1. An Annual General Meeting shall be held no earlier than the first General Meeting of the Membership in March and no later than the final day of scheduled lectures for the Winter Session at the University.

  2. The minutes of the Annual General Meeting shall be posted on the listserv and a copy placed in the Minutes Binder in the office no later than one (1) week after the Annual General Meeting.

4. Joint Meetings

    A Joint Meeting of the outgoing and incoming Executive shall be held no later than April 30.

Article VII: Elections

  1. Elections
    An election shall be held at the time of the Annual General Meeting for the Offices of the Executive. A further election shall be held within the first two months of the Winter Session of the following academic year to fill the office of Exec-at-Large.

  2. Vacancies
    All vacant positions shall be elected no later than the third General Meeting of the Fall Session of the University, to be held no later than October 31.

  3. Eligibility and Nominations
    All officio members of LGBTOUT shall be eligible to run for office. A candidate may self-nominate. The nomination period shall be opened one (1) month prior to the Annual General Meeting and shall be closed two (2) weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting. 

  4. Voting Procedure
    (a) All members of LGBTOUT shall be eligible to vote in any LGBTOUT election. Voting shall take place by secret ballot.
    (b) On each ballot, for each position being elected, a vote may be cast for any one of the candidates running for that position, or for "none of the above".
    (c) The result of the election shall be decided by plurality of votes.
    (d) In the event that the choice of "none of the above" receives the plurality of votes cast for a position, then that position shall remain open and unfilled until such time as a by-election can be held.

  5. Chief Returning Officer
    The Chief Returning Officer shall be chosen from among and by the Membership to oversee the election. The CRO shall maintain impartiality throughout the election campaign and may not endorse candidates. The CRO shall not release the names of candidates until the nomination period has closed. The CRO is barred from running for an Executive position in the particular election in which the person acts as CRO.

  6. By-elections
    Should an Executive position become vacant during a term of office due to resignation or removal, a by-election shall be held as soon as possible to fill the vacancy pursuant to Sections 1 through 5. If the vacancy persists, a by-election shall be called once per Session until the time of the Elections that are noted in Section 1. In the interim, the remaining Executive is expected to compensate for the responsibilities of the vacant Executive position.

Article VIII: Finances

  1. Expenditures of Funds
    The funds of LGBTOUT shall only be expended pursuant to a budget approved by the Executive and General Membership. LGBTOUT's funds shall not be expended to make a grant, loan or provide other financial assistance to any group or cause except in accordance with the recommendations of the Executive, subject to ratification by the General Membership.

  2. Executive Discretion
    Notwithstanding section 1, the Executive may by resolution approve the expenditure of no more than $100 of LGBTOUT's funds pursuant to its powers and duties as contained herein. The Executive shall report any such expenditures at the next General Meeting of the Membership. This power may be suspended by the General Membership at any time. Such suspension shall be in effect until the next Joint Meeting or the time the General Membership lifts the suspension.

  3. Preparation of the Operating Budget
    Budgets shall be prepared by the Financial Coordinator based upon the information provided by the Executive and Committee Chairs concerning the proposed expenditures and financial requirements of their respective Offices and Committees. The Financial Coordinator shall submit a proposed budget to the Executive for its consideration. The Executive will then submit the budget as approved by them to the General Membership for final approval.

  4. Approval of Budgets
    The Operating Budget shall be approved by a majority vote of the Membership present and voting at a General Meeting. A budget may be amended or repealed only by a two-thirds vote of the Membership present and voting at a General Meeting.

  5. Banking Arrangements
    The banking business of LGBTOUT shall be transacted with such bank, trust company or other firm or body corporate as the Membership may designate, appoint or authorise from time to time and all such banking business, or any part thereof, shall be transacted on LGBTOUT's behalf by the Financial Coordinator and any other person as the Membership may designate, direct or authorise from time to time and to the extent thereby provided. 

  6. Execution of Instruments
    Instruments requiring the signature of LGBTOUT must be signed by: 
        a) the Financial Coordinator; and
        b) one other Executive member as designated by the Executive

  7. Fiscal Year
    The fiscal year of LGBTOUT shall end on April 30.

Article IX: Amendments

1. Amendments to this Constitution, including the By-laws, must be posted on the listserv and placed in the office for viewing by the Membership at least two (2) weeks prior to the General Meeting at which the amendment will be voted on and require the approval of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive and two-thirds (2/3) of the General Members (regardless of standing) present at a valid General Meeting.

Conference By-law

LGBTOUT Conference By-law

  1. for the purposes of this bylaw, a conference shall be defined as a meeting or gathering of persons, that is described in promotional literature as a "conference", or that includes, as a significant part of its agenda, lectures and/or workshops and/or facilitated or organized discussions.

  2. (a) Full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students of the University of Toronto are entitled to request LGBTOUT funds to fully or partially subsidize costs involved with attending conferences.
    (b) Those who are not full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students of the University of Toronto may submit a proposal to an LGBTOUT general meeting to request funds to fully or partially subsidize costs involved with attending conferences.

  3. Requests for conference subsidies may be approved by the membership at a general meeting, given that the following conditions are met:

    1. In order for attendance at a conference to be subsidized, that conference must, in some significant way, reflect or support the mission of LGBTOUT as stated in Article II of the LGBTOUT Constitution.
    2. In a given fiscal year, total conference subsidy expenditures for all members shall not exceed the lesser of $1500, or 10% of projected gross income.
    3. No single conference shall account for more than 30% of the fiscal year's total available conference subsidies, as determined in (b).
    4. No member shall receive subsidies for more than two (2) conferences per fiscal year (May 1 -April 30).
    5. No member shall receive more than $50 in total LGBTOUT conference subsidies for a given conference.
    6. Subsidy money provided by LGBTOUT must be applied to conference registration and/or transportation costs and/or lodging costs. Receipts must be provided. Subsidies shall not exceed the total cost of conference registration, transportation and lodging combined.
    7. In the event that financial support is also granted by other organizations or administrative bodies, the total amount of the LGBTOUT subsidy shall not exceed the total of conference registration, transportation and lodging combined, minus other financial support.
  4. Subsidies must be requested at a general meeting prior to the conference date. Retroactive subsidies will not be granted.

  5. Regardless of whether the conditions listed in (3) are met, members at a general meeting are free to vote against supporting any given application for conference subsidy according to their conscience.

  6. This by-law shall not affect subsidies authorized by the general membership prior to March 24, 2003.