So what exactly is S.A.G.E.?

S.A.G.E. was created in the late days of Spring Session 2000 by a group of students who thought that the campus community could benefit from a group celebrating the diversity that can be found through sexual identity.

The S.A.G.E. Mission

S.A.G.E. is a student-centered, organized, and run organization with a threefold mission. First, we are an organization dedicated to raising awareness on campus of issues  in the Queer Community*  through the sponsorship of speakers, group discussions, and recreational activities. Second, our purpose is to promote sensitivity within the Elmhurst College community to the experiences of ALL people in the Queer Community by serving as a support network to all students who may be in need of positive role models and camaraderie/friendship. Finally, and most importantly, our mission is to educate the Elmhurst College community to the realities, positive and negative, of the experiences of people in the Queer Community on campus and in the world at large.

* Queer Community is in reference to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, straight ally, asexual, and pansexual people, but stretches beyond these as well.

S.A.G.E. Official Constitution

I. Mission Statement

S.A.G.E. is a student-centered, organized, and run organization with a threefold mission. First, we are an organization dedicated to raising awareness on campus of issues  in the Queer Community*  through the sponsorship of speakers, group discussions, and recreational activities. Second, our purpose is to promote sensitivity within the Elmhurst College community to the experiences of ALL people in the Queer Community by serving as a support network to all students who may be in need of positive role models and camaraderie/friendship. Finally, and most importantly, our mission is to educate the Elmhurst College community to the realities, positive and negative, of the experiences of people in the Queer Community on campus and in the world at large.

* Queer Community is in reference to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, straight ally, asexual, and pansexual people, but stretches beyond these as well.

II. Membership

Membership of S.A.G.E. shall be open to all students enrolled in Elmhurst College, especially the members of the Queer community. As members of S.A.G.E., we commit to model a community that works toward openness and understanding, offering justice, healing and wholeness of life for all people. We affirm the dignity and worth of every person. We believe that through our diversity, all can grow and practice a unity of friendship that transcends our differences. We seek to be an organization that includes all people, embracing differences of gender, marital status, age, nationality, physical ability, mental and emotional ability, race, language, socio-economic background, faith background and particularly all sexual orientations and identities.

III. Regular meetings

Meetings shall be held weekly and announced publicly on campus.

IV. Elected Officials

The elected officials of this organization shall consist of two co-presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer. Together, these officials comprise the executive board of this organization and shall represent the entire membership. In addition to their specified duties, they have the additional duty to support the goals and objectives of this organization in every way possible.

The Co-Presidents

• Shall be elected or appointed by a majority (more than half) of the members to serve as leaders of the group
• Shall help prepare each agenda, conduct meetings and keep the group moving towards its goal.
• Shall lead orderly discussions by tactfully and politely enforcing the rules that offer every member a chance to speak for or against a motion.
• Shall explain each motion before it is voted upon
• May appoint committees to carry out specific assignments
• Shall not allow personal feelings or outside pressure to influence their actions

Secretary

• Shall take the minutes of the meeting and keep a permanent record of what transpires in said meetings
• Shall send minutes via the SAGE listserv for those who are unable to attend meetings
• Shall help the president stick to the agenda
• Shall vote to break a tie

Treasurer

• Shall be responsible for all the group's financial business
• Shall keep accurate records of all money received and/or spent
• Shall make regular financial reports to the group
• Shall reimburse expenses and provide payment as designated by the group

V. Advisors/Co-Advisors

• The organization shall at all times have either one member of the faculty as an official advisor or two members acting as co-advisors. 
• The advisor(s) shall act as a resource to the members of the group.
• The advisor(s) shall not vote during group motions.

VI. Event Chairs

Events scheduled and sponsored by SAGE will be headed by at least one chair person. The acting chair will be responsible for organizing and planning their assigned event. The Chair person is able to form a committee to assist them with the event. Chair persons shall report to the members of the organization about their activities. This is to serve the membership in every way possible.

VII. Bylaws

The bylaws act as a written dictation of the goals of this group, how it is organized, and the rules that all members have agreed to follow when carrying out routine business.

The bylaws include:

• The full name of the organization
• The purpose of the organization
•  Requirements for membership
•  When regular meetings should be held
• The number of members who must be present when a vote is taken. (This number is called a "quorum" and is defined as half plus one)
  What officers should lead the group, how they are to be elected, and their duties
•  How long members and/or officers can serve
•  When and how the bylaws are to become effective and what must be done to change them

A committee, established by the co-presidents, formulates suggested bylaws and submits them in writing to all members for consideration. The bylaws shall not be effective until members formally approve them by a vote. Bylaws are the official rules of the organization. They may be altered only through a unanimous vote.

VIII. Objectives

The entirety of the membership of S.A.G.E. shall strive to:

• Raise awareness and educate the campus and Elmhurst on GLBTQQIA issues through speakers, group discussions, and recreational activities.
• Provide support and affirmation to all students of all sexualities through role modeling and cultivating positive self-images.
• Network with available resources including GALA, SAFE, and other on campus organizations and groups from other schools to further the causes, objectives and goals of S.A.G.E.

Revised 05/13/04, 09/06/07