Title: Classified Senate
Subject: A
Author: Andrea Varney

College of the Canyons Classified Senate

Constitution & Bylaws

classifiedsenate@canyons.edu
College of the Canyons 
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road 
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Table of Contents 

Mission Statement                                                                  Page 3

CONSTITUTION

Article 1: Name of Organization                                            Page 4 Article 2: Purpose                                                                    Page 4
Article 3: Organization                                                           Page 5
Article 4: Committees                                                             Page 5
Article 5: Executive Officers and Senators                          Page 5
Article 6: Elections & Appointments                                    Page 5
Article 7: Meetings                                                                  Page 6 Article 8: Amendments                                                           Page 6

BYLAWS

Article 1: Bylaws                                                                      Page 7 
Article 2: Classified Senate Executive Board                        Page 7
Article 3: Roles & Responsibilities of Executive Board       Page 7
Article 4: Term of Office                                                        Page 9
Article 5: Meetings & Attendance                                        Page 10
Article 6: Dismissal & Resignation                                       Page 10
Article 7: Committees                                                            Page 11 Article 8: Elections                                                                 Page 11
Article 9: Action without Meeting                                        Page 11
Article 10: Academic Year                                                    Page 12 Article 11: Quorum                                                                Page 12
Article 12: Amendments                                                        Page 12
Article 13 Conference(s)                                                        Page 12

Mission Statement

The College of the Canyons Classified Senate is dedicated to supporting participatory governance for Classified staff within the Santa Clarita Community College district. It recognizes the value of higher education in the state of California, and devotes its efforts in: advocating the value of contributions that Classified staff provide to the campus community; providing quality service to promote student success and completion; cooperating with other organizations to enrich the educational experience of the students at College of the Canyons; serving as a liaison between the California Community Colleges senates and Organizations; p,romoting the equity and participation of Classified staff in participatory governance at the state, local, and college levels; developing and supporting classified senates throughout the state of California; and continue to grow as the District participatory governance body for Classified staff in the Santa Clarita California Community College District.

Constitution

ARTICLE 1 - NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The name of this organization shall be the Santa Clarita Community College District
Classified Senate (hereinafter referred to as Classified Senate).

ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSE
The purposes for which this organization is formed are: 
A.	Facilitate communication among the Classified Senate membership, administration, faculty, and the Governing Board.
B.	Participate in the development and formulation of policy and practices as they relate to activities and functions of the Classified. 
C.	Make recommendations to the Administration and the Governing Board on all matters deemed pertinent.
D.	Participate in College of the Canyons collegial governance structure;
a.	Appoint Classified staff to participate in college-wide standing and ad-hoc committees.
b.	Accept leadership responsibility for policy recommendations in innovation and professional growth, excluding all areas that would require collective bargaining.
E.	Provide a body representing the needs, interests and viewpoints of the Classified staff as a whole to the Santa Clarita Community College District;
F.	Provide a centralized means of communication between Classified staff and the college community.
G.	Select from its membership representatives to serve on college committees enhancing the democratic processes with and concerning collegial consultation;
H.	Articulate the professionalism of the classified staff so that it is properly recognized and valued;
I.	Provide Classified staff with a formal voice in determining institutional policies of statewide concern;
J.	Promote the involvement of the Classified staff in the development and formulation of policy and practice related to institutional planning, but not limited to the following:
a.	The selection, retention, and involvement of classified staffing in hiring of managers, directors, faculty hiring teams as appropriate, and administrators.
b.	Continuing in-service education.
c.	Related facilities and services.
d.	Student/Classified, Faculty/Classified, and management/Classified relations.
e.	Finance and budget issues

 ARTICLE 3 ORGANIZATION
Section 1. Campuses
The Senate shall consist of one council with representatives from each site:
a.	 Valencia  Campus
b.	 Canyon Country Campus

Section 2.  Membership of Classified Senate
Shall be automatic for all regular (both probationary and permanent), permanent part-time (not short-term) Classified employees and Confidential employees.

ARTICLE 4: COMMITTEES
The President shall be empowered to form Classified Senate Standing and Ad Hoc committees, with the Classified Senate, subject to the approval of a majority of the Senate Executive Officers in attendance at the meeting in which action is taken.
a.	Nominations  and Elections  Committee
b.	Constitution and By-Laws Committee
c.	Fundraising  Committee
d.	Joint Liaison  Committee
e.	Ad Hoc committees  as needed

ARTICLE 5: Executive Officers and Senators
Section 1: Senate Executive Officers
a.	President
b.	Vice President
c.	Secretary
d.	Treasurer 
e.	Public Relations Officer/Webmaster
f.	President Emeritus
g.	Canyon Country Senator
h.	Valencia Senator

ARTICLE 6: ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Section 1. Election Rules and Procedures
A.	Elections shall be held in accordance with the specific provisions of the by-laws of this constitution, and under the guidelines of the Nominations and Elections Committee and direction of the Vice President/President Elect.
B.	Appointed positions shall be filled in accordance with the specific provisions of the by-laws of this constitution.
C.	The Nominations and Elections Committee shall develop procedures and timelines for such an election process.  Nominations and Elections Committee members shall not be nominees nor shall they be candidates in the election, in the event of a vacancy, said members shall be replaced by Vice President/President Elect forthwith.
1.	 To be elected to any Executive Board Officer position a candidate must receive a majority voting of the Electorate. Balloting is to take place according to the election procedures set by the Nominations and Elections committee.
2.	 Senate Executive Officers shall serve a two-year term of office beginning July first (1) through June thirtieth (30) of their second year.
3.	 Elections shall be conducted during the regular election cycle/period (beginning no later than the first Executive Board Meeting in April).
4.	 The election process can be conducted  with one of the following procedures:
1.	An informal survey of the area, or
2.	By ballot if more than two (2) individuals are found in the survey process.
a)	Electronic vote/E-mail
b)	Paper ballot
c)	Both of the above
5.	Vacancies: Any vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the Senate Executive Board officers, and shall be in effect until the next regular election period.
6.	President Emeritus shall be an automatic appointment at the conclusion of his/her current presidential term and/or at the time of replacement in office. They shall serve their successor and the executive board in an advisory capacity for as long as their successor holds the office of President.  After serving in that position for one (1) term they may continue to serve thereafter up to a maximum of five (5) terms.

ARTICLE 7: MEETINGS
A.	The Classified Senate shall adopt and distribute a schedule of meeting times for each fiscal year/calendar year. 
B.	Special meetings may be called by the Executive Office President. All meetings shall be open to any interested parties/persons.

ARTICLE 8: AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Amendments to this constitution shall be approved only at a regular meeting of the Classified Senate and by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

Section 2.
A.	 Amendments to the Bylaws may be enacted, rescinded, or amended only at a regular meeting of the Classified Senate and by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

B.	Any proposed changes to the Constitution shall be issued to the executive board ten (10) calendar day prior to the general senate meeting.

Bylaws

ARTICLE 1: Byla ws
These bylaws shall be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote cast by the Classified Senate membership those present at the general meeting. These bylaws shall provide for membership eligibility, regular meetings, methods of nominating and electing officers, the filling of any vacancies which may occur, and such other procedures as shall be needed to carry out the business of the Classified Senate.

ARTICLE 2: Executive Board and Term of Office
Section 1. The Executive Board: 
Shall consist of eight (8) executive officers. In the future board members may also include at-large representatives from campuses within the district, and a part-time employee representatives.

Section 2. Executive Officers of the Classified Senate:
Shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer/Webmaster, Canyon Country Senator, Valencia Senator and (non-voting) President Emeritus (this is a non-voting position; with the except in a situation of breaking a tie vote of the Executive Board as a whole).

Section 3. Elected Senate Executive Term of Office:
A.	Shall serve a two-year term of office, or until successors are elected. 
B.	A voting member of the Executive Classified Senate absent from three consecutive regular meetings in any academic year, without an acceptable explanation and timely notification, including but not limited to vacation, illness, or emergencies beyond their control, may be considered for removal from office by the Senate.

ARTICLE 3: Officers Roles and Responsibilities   
Section 1. The President shall:
A.	Serve personally or by designee as official representative of, and advocate for the membership in all functions of the College as outlined in Article: 2 of the constitution.
B.	Give direction in any development  of the Classified  Senate on its purposes;
C.	Be accountable for Classified Senate administration, and responsible for reports and recommendations;
D.	Have general authority to administer and/or maintain the affairs of the Classified Senate between meetings;
E.	Serve as coordinator of committee chairs and as ex-officio member of all committees, have charge of referral processes, and be responsible for information  on current status of work assigned  to committees;
F.	Determine the agenda for all meetings of the Classified Senate and the general membership as directed in Article: 8 of the constitution.
G.	Serve as/designate a liaison with other collegial governing entities. 

 Section 2. The Vice President shall:
A.	Assume the duties of the President during the President’s absence, at the request of the President, or for the unexpired term in the event that the President is unable to complete the term of office;
B.	Coordinate the appointment of all members of standing and ad hoc committees;
Chair the Nominating and Elections Committees and serve as Chief Election Officer for all elections conducted by the Classified Senate, except those of Classified Senate Officers;  
C.	Maintain the order and moderation of meetings; and
D.	Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary, as delegated by the Executive Office President, or assigned by the Classified Senate within the terms and limits of these bylaws.

Section 3. The Secretary shall:
A.	Assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President and Vice President Elect;
B.	Be the official recorder of the Classified Senate;
C.	Serve as research and resource person;
D.	Assume the responsibility for recording all minutes of the Classified Senate and general membership assemblies and distribute +copies dutifully and appropriately.
E.	Organize correspondence; disseminate notifications and reminders of appointments, meeting times, and  assemblies; be responsible for a register, or roll, of Senate attendance at regular and special meetings; and,
F.	Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary as delegated by the Senate President, or as assigned by the Classified Senate, within the terms and limits of these bylaws.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall:
A.	Be the official custodian of the Classified Senate accounts;
B.	Be responsible for maintaining all financial records and report to the Classified Senate of the College the Canyons.
C.	Advise on financial status and make recommendations to the Executive Board as well as other members of the Classified Senate.
D.	Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary as delegated by the Senate President, or as assigned by the Classified Senate, within the terms and limits of these bylaws

Section 5. The Public Relations Officer/Webmaster shall:
A.	Be the official  historian  and webmaster of the Classified  Senate;
B.	Assume the duties of the Secretary and Treasurer in their absence and fundamentally be responsible for maintaining a web presence to include a history of the organization.
C.	Act as official Classified Senate Representative on the Board of Trustees at their meetings (or may appoint a designee in their place).
D.	Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary, as delegated by the Senate President, or as assigned by the Classified Senate within the terms and limits of these bylaws.
Section 6. The Canyon Country Senator shall:
A.	Serve to represent Classified on the Canyon Country Campus;
B.	Assume role and duties, act as liaison, and disseminate information for all matters pertaining to Classified Senate on the Canyon Country Campus.

C.	Maintain in the Classified Senate calendar of standing and ad hoc committee meetings/events, classified committee appointment and other pertinent information;  and
D.	Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary, as delegated by the Senate President, or as assigned by the Classified Senate within the terms and limits of these bylaws.

Section 7. The Valencia Senator shall:
A.	Serve to represent Classified on the Valencia  Campus;
B.	Assume role and duties, act as liaison, and disseminate information for all matters pertaining to Classified Senate Members on the Valencia Campus.
C.	Maintain in the Classified Senate calendar of standing and ad hoc committee meetings/events, classified committee appointment and other pertinent information; and
D.	Perform other duties as may be deemed necessary, as delegated by the Senate President, or as assigned by the Classified Senate within the terms and limits of these bylaws.

Section 8. The President Emeritus (shall)
A.	Be an automatic appointment at the conclusion of his/her current presidential term and/or at the time of replacement in office. 
B.	They shall serve their successor and the executive board in an advisory capacity for as long as his/her successor holds the office of President. 
C.	They may opt after serving in that position for one (1) term they may choose to continue service thereafter up to a maximum of five (5) terms.

ARTICLE 4: Terms of Office
Section 1.  Terms of Office
A.	All elected members of the Senate Executive Officers shall serve for a term of two fiscal years and take office on July first (1) of the calendar year.

1.	Elections of officers shall take place on a two year alternating election cycle to ensure continuity in the makeup of the executive board.
2.	Any elected officer may choose with good reason (so long as they stipulate these  intentions in writing no later than 1 month prior to the election cycle) to opt out of fulfilling their two (2) year term of service.
a.	The first election cycle is to include the Classified Senate officer positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Canyon Country Senator, and Vice President.
b.	The second election cycle is to include the Classified Senate officer positions of Public Relations Officer/Webmaster, Valencia Senator, and President Elect.
3.	At which time any officer of the executive cabinet may choose to exercise his/her option, the necessary action will be taken by the President and/or the Executive Board pursuant to the By Laws herein to fill any vacancy.
B.	No officer shall hold more than one office concurrently.

Section 2.  Vacancies
A.	Vacancies shall be filled by any member as stipulated in Article: 6, Section: D. and E. of the Constitution.
B.	A vacancy in an unexpired term on the Senate Executive Officer Board will be filled by appointment of the President, with the approval of the Executive Board of the Classified Senate.

ARTICLE 5: Meeting s and Attendance
Section 1. 
A.	Regular meetings of the Classified Senate will be as set forth in the proposal by the Senate Executive Officers as deemed necessary (or once per month). 
B.	The time and place of the meeting shall be arranged by the Classified Senate Executive Board. 
C.	The Executive board may elect to meet as needed thirty minutes prior to regular or special meeting. Special meeting may be called by the President or any three (3) Executive Officers of the Classified Senate Board.
D.	Any member of the Classified Senate Executive Board not able to attend the meeting shall contact the Secretary, Treasurer or a representative prior to the meeting.

E.	At the first meeting, following elections, all new officers will be given an orientation to the Classified Senate’s Constitution and Bylaws.

F.	Electronic attendance, designated teller, or verification email.

G.	Roberts Rules of Order will govern the meetings.

ARTICLE 6: Dismissal and Resignation
Section 1. 
Dismissal of a member (including the Senate Executive Officers, committee members, and ad hoc committee members) may be considered with a majority of the complete Classified Senate, save the member in question, due to excessive absenteeism from meetings without notification, or general ineffectiveness to perform duties assigned to them. The member should be informed by the executive board in writing prior to any such actions; with detailed outline of expectations to be met, a general guideline to remedy the situation, and a deadline to do so. After which the Senate will reassess the standing and proceed according with a revised declaration of good standing or a majority vote for dismissal.

Section 2. 
Any member of the senate may resign by written notice to the Senate Executive Officer Board.

Section 3.
Procedures for filling the vacancy made are outlined in Article: 4, Section: 2.A. and B. of the By-laws.

ARTICLE 7: Committees
Section 1.
A committee may be either a “standing committee” appointed for a specific time frame, reason or purpose, such as one session or for a period of one year’s time; or it may be an “ad hoc” committee appointed for a particular end or specific purpose such as research.

Section 2. 
A.	It shall be the duty of each committee to receive and analyze referred matters, to prepare resolutions or amendments, and to make reports and recommendations through appropriate channels to the Classified Senate. 
B.	It shall be the responsibility of members to provide the Classified Senate with an oral or written report/update on campus-wide committee activities upon request.

ARTICLE 8: Elections (Two Year Alternating Cycles)
Section 1.
The Nomination and Elections Committee shall present a slate of candidates to the Senate upon the Executive Board upon the acceptance of candidates. Any member may make nominations (including self-nomination) at a regular meeting where issues of elections are on the agenda. Election structures and procedures shall be established before this takes place, and approved by the Senate Executive Board.

Section 2.
Elections shall be held in the final quarter of each year. Elections will follow structures and procedures set forth by the Nomination and Elections Committee and approved by the Senate Executive Board. Runoff elections procedures, proxy voting procedures, and provisions for off-site voting locations, should also be set forth by the Nominations and Elections Committees.

Section 3.
The Nomination and Elections Committee shall tally the ballots cast and be responsible for announcing the results, an official sign-in document shall accompany the official results to prevent any member voting  twice (except the provisions set forth if proxy votes are allowed).

Section 4.
Nominations for Senate Executive Officer positions shall be open to any full-time, permanent part-time classified employee, including Classified confidential.

Section 5.
Elected Senate Officers shall serve for two (2) year terms and be sworn in by the next general meeting.

ARTICLE 9: Action Witho ut Meeting
The Senate Executive Officer Board may take action(s) that are within its powers and responsibilities as required or needed without a formal meeting. Action(s) taken without meeting can only be initiated with written majority approval by the Senate, including via electronic mail notification and response. Such approval shall be noted in the minutes of the next regular Classified Senate meeting.

ARTICLE 10: Academic Year
Section 1.
The Classified Senate academic year shall be from July first (1) through June thirtieth (30), and all terms of officers and members shall coincide with the academic year, as stipulated herein.

ARTICLE 11: Quo rum
Section 1. 
Half of the current voting membership plus one (1) additional member at any meeting of the Classified Senate shall constitute a quorum authorized to transact any business duly presented.

Section 2.
 A majority on any and all committees shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE 12: Amendments
Section 1. 
Amendments to the by-laws may be enacted, rescinded, or amended only at a regular meeting of the Classified Senate and by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present. In the event of a tie the chair can vote, in accordance with Article 2: Section: 2 of these Bylaws.

ARTICLE 13: Conference(s)
 Section 1. Attendance:
A.	Any such member of the Executive Board may be authorized to attend annual conference or related Senate gatherings with the approval of the President and Treasurer.
B.	Notice to attend the above events in Section 1: A of this article must be given in a reasonable amount of time to secure accommodations for the event.

Section 2. Responsibilities:
A.	Any and all receipts must be given to the Senate Treasurer within five (5) business days following the attended event.  Any expenditures which have not been authorized, may not be reimbursed.
B.	A report on the attended event shall be given at the following Executive Board meeting.