Writing a Constitution
Writing or reviewing your organization's constitution allows your organization to refine your mission, officer roles and responsibilities, meeting rules, and membership requirements. A student organization's constitution is important when questions arise about the activities or mission of the group. All Northwestern registered student organizations are required to have up-to-date constitutions.
Components of a Student Organization Constitution
- Official group name/introduction
- Organizational structure
- Membership
- Executive Board election/selection process
- Meetings
- Handling of funds
- Constitutional amendments
- Constitutional review
- Not-for-profit statement
- Statement of non-discrimination
- Statement of non-hazing
- Statement of compliance with campus regulations
- Northwestern University Constitution Writing Guide (Revised Spring 2024)
- PLEASE NOTE: One the first page of the writing guide, you will see instructions, including the sections from the guide that must be reflected in your group's constitution verbatim. SOA will not approve an organization's constitution until it has this language included.
Tips for Holding a Constitution Review Meeting
- Bring all stakeholders together, including organization advisor
- Start by creating/reviewing mission statement that describes the purpose of the group, along with a list of activities that will accomplish the purpose.
- Define the composition your membership and the requirements for admission into the group
- Write officer descriptions in third person using position titles instead of pronouns, i.e., "The President will."
- Keep the document in an editable digital format (.doc), a permanent digital format (.pdf), and in print
Adapted from University Center Activities and Events at Duke University