By Laws

Article 1: Name & Definition

The name of this organization is the PRIDE Faculty & Staff Association (formerly the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender* Queer and Ally Faculty and Staff Association) of Cal State San Marcos, hereinafter referred to as the PRIDE FSA. PRIDE FSA acknowledges and accepts the responsibilities associated with formal recognition by (Affiliation to) the California State University San Marcos and will comply with University policies and regulations in the course of affiliation activities. * The FSA recognizes the continued growth of the letter representation of our community.  For this FSA, the “T” recognizes the Trans Umbrella, including any and all identities that fall under the label “Trans.”

Article 2: Mission & Purpose

The mission of the PRIDE FSA is to address the needs of Lesbians Gays Bisexuals Transgender People Queer People and Allies (LGBTQA) on campus, to serve the LGBTQA community, and to promote the various LGBTQA cultures. The purpose of these bylaws is to provide guidelines to promote and preserve the objectives of the PRIDE FSA.  We encourage all members to take an active role in the organization by volunteering for committee work, community involvement, and sharing of expertise.

Article 3: Membership

Membership in the PRIDE FSA is open to all California State University San Marcos faculty and staff who support the spirit and intent of the association's mission statement. PRIDE FSA will not tolerate nor permit unlawful discrimination and harassment based on gender, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (including HIV and AIDS), veteran status, age, or marital status.

Article 3.1: Voting Members

The annual dues are $20.00 per fiscal year from July to June.  Members that are current with their membership have voting rights for association business and annual elections.

Article 3.2: Friends of the PRIDE FSA

Individuals from the University and community who subscribe to the spirit and intent of the Association’s mission statement, but who do not wish to become voting members may elect to be affiliated with the PRIDE FSA.  Such individuals may become a “Friend of the PRIDE FSA” by contributing to the FSA during Giving Day.  A “Friend” is not eligible to vote and is welcome and invited to all PRIDE FSA meetings and sponsored events.

Article 4: Officers

Elected officers are the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  These officers make up the Executive Board of the PRIDE FSA.  The officers in collaboration with membership shall propose a yearly calendar of events, such as educational activities, political forums, and social gatherings.

Article 4.1: Terms of Office

Terms of executive officers shall be one fiscal year from July to June.  No one individual can serve more than three consecutive one-year terms as President. There is no term limit to the number of times a person can serve as another executive officer (Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer).

Article 4.1.1: President

The president is the chair of the organization and presides over the PRIDE FSA meetings.  The president is charged with ensuring that a meeting agenda is set and that meetings are called in a timely fashion.  The president shall also ensure that the decisions of the PRIDE FSA membership are carried out.  The president shall appoint all leaders of special committees with the approval of the membership. In addition, the president serves as the spokesperson of the organization. The president is responsible for the association’s affiliate status with the university.

Article 4.1.2: Vice President

The vice president is the president-elect and presides over PRIDE FSA meetings in the absence of the president.

Article 4.1.3: Secretary

The secretary shall maintain the minutes and proceedings of all meetings and shall record all votes of the organization.  Documentation shall be passed on to the new officers at the end of term.

Article 4.1.4: Treasurer

The treasurer will account for all funds and maintain the financial records, to be shared with the executive officers and membership at least twice a year. Financial records shall be turned over to the new officers at the end of the term.

Article 4.1.5 Vacating Office

If at any time during the fiscal year an officer needs to resign from office, a letter of resignation needs to be submitted to the president. In the case of the President’s resignation, a letter needs to be submitted to the Vice-President. Volunteers will be sought from the active voting membership to fulfill the vacated officer position (the Vice-President will assume the responsibilities of the President).

Article 4.1.6 Removal of Officers

Removal of officers must be made by simple majority (51%) of voting members. 

Article 5: Elections Procedures

Nominations for officers may be taken from the floor of the PRIDE FSA meetings, by self-nomination or by recommendation of the voting membership.  Nominees shall be PRIDE FSA dues paying members in good standing only.  Nominations shall take place two weeks prior to the scheduled election date.

The Office of Inclusive Excellence facilitates elections that will occur via confidential electronic means.  Ballots shall be available for a one-week period prior to the scheduled election.  Elections shall take place no later than the last week of the spring semester.  Executive officers are elected by a simple majority (51%) of the voting members.

Article 6: Meetings

A regular Association meeting shall be held at least once a month during each academic term.

Quorum will be defined as 1/3 of dues paying members.  All decisions are made by a simple majority (51%), unless otherwise noted in bylaws.

The time and place of all regularly scheduled meetings shall be established annually at the first meeting. When committees are established, committee membership will determine the time and place for regularly scheduled meetings.

Article 7: Committees

Committees will be formed when the association’s membership has grown to a size that deems it necessary to complete work prior to the general membership meetings. All committees shall be composed of at least three members of the organization.  Ad-hoc committees will be determined by the membership of the PRIDE FSA as needed.

Article 7.1: Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws committee reviews and recommends revisions of the bylaws to the membership on a periodic basis.

Article 7.2: Membership/Nominations/Elections Committee

The Membership/Nominations/Elections committee has two main functions: First, it maintains the roll of the current membership and serves to recruit new members.  Second, it shall ensure that the nominations for PRIDE FSA Officers reflects the diversified nature of the organization while carrying out the nominations and elections procedures.

Article 8: Amendments

The bylaws may be amended by a 2/3-majority vote of the PRIDE FSA voting membership.  At least one meeting of the PRIDE FSA each year shall feature a discussion of the bylaws.

Article 9: Indemnity Clause

PRIDE FSA shall indemnify and hold harmless the State of California, the Trustees of the California State University, the University, including California State University San Marcos, their officers, employees, representatives and volunteers from and against all claims, damages, losses and expenses including attorney fees arising out of the activities described herein, caused in whole or in part by any negligent act or omission of the PRIDE FSA, any contractor, any subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable, except where caused by the active negligence, or willful misconduct of California State University San Marcos.

Last revised Spring 2024.