UORDA Constitution and Bylaws

This version of the RDA Constitution regarding membership and expectations was last revised October 2023…

CONSTITUTION of the RELIGIOUS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION at the UNIVERSITY of OREGON 

I. NAME

The name of the organization shall be the RELIGIOUS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION, known also as the R.D.A.

II. STATEMENT

The purposes of the R.D.A. are to provide:

A.    An organization wherein responsible religious organizations involved on the University of Oregon Campus (the University) can join together as campus ministers, educators, advisors, or religious leaders.

B.    A forum for the participants for discussion of needs, programs, and concerns related to religious values and activities of members of the University population.

C.   A broadly-based religious resource which the University may consult regarding pending decisions and issues having religious and/or moral implications, and regarding an index of attitudes of religious elements of the University population related to University situations.

D.   A single organization for religious directors serving the University population for purposes of official interaction with the University at various levels.

III. MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING

A.    The requirements for membership in R.D.A. are:

1.    Applying organizations will provide a description of the organization, including its by-laws, as well as the contact information for its sanctioning agency or body (e.g. supervisor, Board, national affiliation) and will make an oral presentation at a regularly scheduled RDA meeting.

2.    A written petition for membership which will include the campus minister/advisor’s qualifications and experiences in campus religious activities, and examples of how the organization addresses the following criteria:

·      Counseling offered

·      Pro-University attitude

·      Non-coercive

·      Active involvement with students’ lives

·      Positive public image

·      How the applicant group is willing to abide by, letter and spirit, Oregon law regarding drugs and alcohol

·      How the applicant group understands healthy use of alcohol and/or drugs

·      Encouraging student leadership

·      Responsiveness to student input

·      Respect for the freedom of students to join or quit their organizations

·      An open and welcoming environment

3.    Two-thirds majority vote of acceptance by current membership attending a regularly scheduled meeting of the R.D.A. The applying organization shall be invited to step out of the meeting room for the vote. After the vote has been taken, a representative of the R.D.A. shall step out and inform the organization of the result of the vote. At that time, the organization is welcome to return to the meeting to ask clarifying questions regarding the vote.

In the case of a successful application, R.D.A. membership privileges will be granted for an initial two-year probationary period to be reviewed after one year. At the conclusion of the two-year probationary period, R.D.A. membership will be extended, pursuant to an additional two-thirds majority vote of acceptance by the current membership.

In the case of an unsuccessful application an organization may apply again after one year. The basis for approving a particular organization or campus minister/advisor shall be the degree of responsible service to the religious needs of the University population as outlined in section two above.

B.    Organizations and representatives shall not discriminate in Campus ministry/advising or student religious groups on the basis of race, color, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or national origin.

1.    The nondiscrimination requirement of RDA membership shall not be construed as to excuse from compliance legal obligations of adults regarding alcohol and minors.

     a.         No RDA group will serve alcohol to minors apart from sacramental use.

     b.         In no case shall an RDA group serve a minor alcohol to such an extent that the minor becomes intoxicated.

     c.         Evidence of violating III B 1 a and/or III B 2 b (above sections), may include social media postings, advertisements by alleged offending group, testimony of students and/or University personnel, and other factors. Penalties for violating III B 1 a and/or III B 2 b may include suspension and/or expulsion as stated herein, III H.

2.    The nondiscrimination requirement of RDA membership shall not be construed as to prevent any RDA group from organizing itself, electing its leaders, and defining its mission in a way consistent with its faith.

3.    Outside the limits set forth in III B 1 and 2, the nondiscrimination requirement of the RDA will be strictly applied.

C.   Membership in the R.D.A. is open to all persons in a responsible religious organization who are significantly involved in ministry or religious work at the University. Each distinct religious organization (i.e., a campus religious funding or sponsoring agency) shall be entitled to one vote in the R.D.A.

D.   Religious groups that have no organizationally appointed and sponsored ministering/advising staff person, but have a sustained interest in working with and serving the University population are welcome to attend meetings of the R.D.A. as non-voting participants.

E.    New ministers/advisors of the R.D.A. member religious organizations shall automatically become members of the R.D.A.

F.    Annual membership begins with the first meeting of the Fall Term.

G.   The Directory of the R.D.A. will list the organizations that hold current membership, the principal representative of each member organization (in multiple staff organizations), and a contact address, phone number and e-mail address. Names of additional qualifying staff will be listed as supplied by member organizations. The R.D.A. will provide this directory annually, immediately after the fall meeting, for distribution to the membership. A copy will be forwarded to the Dean of Students for the assignment of identification cards and U of O privileges. U of O privileges shall be granted to all members of the R.D.A. who are involved in at least 50% of full-time work in campus ministry or Religious Group Organization work at the University.

H.   Acting upon Issues Requiring Suspension or Expulsion of an RDA Group

1.    RDA groups that violate RDA standards as set forth herein sections III A through III C may be suspended from RDA membership for a period of one to two years or removed indefinitely.

2.    Suspension requires a motion made and seconded at a regular RDA meeting, followed by discussion and a majority vote approving the suspension.

a.         Termination of timed suspension results in the suspended group rejoining the RDA upon payment of dues and completion of the period of suspension.

b.         Indefinite period of suspension may end upon application as described in section III A 1, 2, and 3 herein.

3.    Expulsion requires a motion made and seconded at a regular RDA meeting, followed by discussion and 2/3 majority vote approving the expulsion. Expulsion results in removal from the RDA for a period of no less than 25 years.

4.    Motions for suspension or expulsion may be made by any RDA member.

a.         Whenever possible the accused RDA member shall be notified in advance. Advance notification should be at least two weeks.

b.         Where an accused RDA member has not been granted two weeks notice, a vote requiring a motion and a second and 2/3 majority is required to proceed with any motion of suspension or expulsion.

5.    The Dean of Students or a representative may request, but not make, a motion to suspend or expel an RDA group, either in person or in writing.

a.         The RDA must respond to said request at the next scheduled meeting.

b.         Response to the request for suspension or expulsion may range from a written acknowledgement to any disciplinary action cited herein.

IV. DUES

A.    Annual dues for each organization shall be determined by the voting membership of the R.D.A. Dues for membership are payable during Fall term for that year’s membership.

B.    If dues remain unpaid, membership for the following year is forfeited and the attendant privileges are lost.

C.   The privilege to vote on issues and concerns are contingent upon the organization being current with dues.

D.   New members elected during the school year are required to pay dues for the full year.

E.    Each multiple-staff organization shall pay only one dues payment per year.

F.    The membership shall be given notice prior to the first meeting of Fall term what the dues will be for the forthcoming school year.

V. MEETINGS

A.    Regular quarterly meetings of the R.D.A. shall be held during the first month of Fall, Winter and Spring terms.

B.    A quorum shall be a majority of the voting membership.

C.   Notice of regular meetings, minutes of the previous meetings and the proposed agenda shall be sent to members prior to the meetings.

D.   Meetings will normally include R.D.A. business, reports and sharing of activities of the member organizations, and conversation with a guest speaker from the University. Suggested time of meetings shall be 10:00 to 11:30 am.

E.    Each member organization shall be represented at the meetings by a ministerial staff or advisor person. If a member organization is not represented at two of the three quarterly meetings of a given year, it will be suspended from membership for the following year. Exceptional circumstances will be considered by the members at regular meetings. A two-thirds majority vote for continuing membership in the R.D.A. is required.

F.    The co-chairs may call special meetings as needed.

VI. OFFICERS

A.    The Executive Committee (Officers) of the RDA shall be composed as follows:

1.    Co-Chairpersons shall be elected for two year terms of office, with a limit of three consecutive terms, if re-elected. 

a.         In order to maintain a respectful and inclusive dialogue, the RDA will aspire to select co-chairs who represent the diversity of perspectives on the RDA.

b.         One co-chair will be elected on even numbered years, the other on odd numbered years.  If a co-chair is unavailable to serve, a replacement will be elected at the next RDA meeting and the replacement shall serve out the original term.

2.    A Secretary will be elected every even-numbered year for a term of 2 years with a limit of three consecutive terms of office.  If a Secretary is unavailable to serve, a replacement will be elected at the next RDA meeting and the replacement shall serve out the original term.

3.    A Treasurer will be elected every odd-numbered year for a term of 2 years with a limit of three consecutive terms of office.  If a Treasurer is unavailable to serve, a replacement will be elected at the next RDA meeting and the replacement shall serve out the original term.

4.    A Communications Officer shall be elected every odd-numbered year for a term of 2 years with a limit of three consecutive terms.  The Communications officer will oversee social media projects, including the website.  If a Communications Officer is unavailable to serve, a replacement will be elected at the next RDA meeting and the replacement shall serve out the original term.

B.    The officers shall be responsible to the membership and shall serve the University as directed by the membership at regular meetings.

C.   Vacancies before the term of office is completed shall be filled by the membership at the next scheduled RDA meeting.

Last Revised: October 2023