Theresian Communicators’Organization

Constitution and By-Laws

Mission

Create a competitive organization by buildingcompetitive leaders through their roles in theorganization

Build camaraderie and unity in the organization

Engage TCO members in workshops that wouldenhance their skills as communicators

Expose members to different society issues and statesof living

Apply one’s knowledge to good use through contestsand responses to issues

Create an organization that upholds peace, justice,freedom, and honesty through activities that requirethem

Vision

We are Theresian Communicators of St. Theresa’s

College driven to create a world of reformation.

Inspired by the three women disciples of Jesus,

Mother Mary, St. Theresa of Avila, and Mother

Louise de Meester, we commit to upholding

peace, justice, freedom, honesty in all our

endeavors.

Preamble

We, the Communications of Saint Theresa’s College,

Cebu City, consolidate our ranks to form and organization,

which will represent us, an independent-based, academic

collective. In order to carry out the commitment within the

framework of democracy and the school’s Vision-Mission, we

realize our rights and obligations in creating a harmonious

relationship among all communications students by

involvement in the intellectual, religious, moral, cultural, and

social life of our community. To advance the development of

a well-integrated personality of each individual we pledge

ourselves before God and before one another to be

governed by the provision of this constitution. By doing so, we

hereby commend this constitution to the glory of God.

Article I: Organizational Name

Section 1. The nature of this association of St.

Theresa’s College established by this Constitution

shall be Theresian Communicators’ Organization,

hereinafter referred to as TCO.

Section 2. TCO shall composed of all students taking

up Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, Major

in Corporate Communications (ABCC) and Media

Communications (ABMC), in St. Theresa’s College

Cebu City, hereinafter referred to as STC. Every

member shall fill-up the official membership form.

Article II: Purpose

Section 1. As the official organization of the ABMCand ABCC students of STC, the organization aims tofoster a harmonious relationship which is mutuallybeneficial to all communications’ students in STC.

Section 2. To provide venues for the expression ofideas and options pertaining to social issues andrealities relevant to our society, be it in the local,national, or international arena.

Section 3. To provide outlets at which they canchannel their intellectual and creative capabilitiesas students in corporate and mediacommunications.

Section 4. To serve as the mouthpiece of thesentiments and concerns of the communicationsstudents of STC regarding issues directly andindirectly affecting the organization and itsmembers. It shall effectively bring the voice of thecommunications students asserting their rights andwelfare to the St. Theresa’s College community andsociety as a whole.

Section 5. To promote the welfare and morals of thestudent body by promoting initiative, leadership,fellowship, sense of responsibility, self-control,reliance and cooperation among students.

Section 9. As one student organization in STC, to

actively participate in activities benefiting the

school community and to be an effective

linkage in the STC community to the other

sectors of the society.

Section 10. To uphold the ideals of the schools

as an institution and as a community as well.

Section 6. To enhance and develop the skills and abilitiesof students most especially related in the field ofcommunication through various activities such asseminars, workshops, and fora.

Section 7. To provide encouragement and support forevery member in the process of learning and masteringour future possessions.

Section 8. To encourage the members to develop a keensense of interest in communications and to have a betterunderstanding of the vital roles of media andcommunication. It shall cultivate genuine leadership,service, and authentic Christian postulate.

Article III: Membership

Section 1. Membership to TCO shall be limited toenrolled communications students of STC.

Section 2. All members who have alreadygraduated shall be considered honorary members.They shall, however, be prohibited from holdingoffice. They are welcome to participate in TCOsponsored activities. Honorary members have novoting powers.

Section 3. Disciplinary measure will be based on theprovisions conducted through Article XII.

Article IV: Rights and Privileges of Members

Section 1. Every member shall have the

following rights’ and privileges:

1. To be informed fully of all affairs of TCO.

2. To be informed fully of the reasons for policies,

programs, activities, projects, fora, and actions

as may be adopted by the organization.

3. To take part in discussions, open fora, and

debates held by or for the organization.

4. To have access into all the records of the

organization.

5. To avail of the services and assistance as may

be rendered by TCO.

6. To collaborate or coordinate with any

person/s, organization, within and outside the

institution, as long as the officers of the

organization are informed beforehand.

Article V: Administration

Section 1. The organization shall be composed

of the following officers:

President, External Vice-President, Internal Vice-

President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary,

Treasurer, and Auditor. The affairs of the

organization shall be under the administration

and direction of this Executive Body. Each year

level shall have two Representatives to assist the

body in its organization.

Article VI: Powers, Duties, and Responsibilities of Officers Section 1. The President

The President is the highest-ranking officer in the

organization. Being the chief executive of the

organization, the President shall:

1. Preside over all general meetings, regular or

special.

2. Call special meetings to discuss matters she

believes are necessary, important or urgent.

3. Consult with the program head regarding

decisions affecting the whole organization.

4. Act as a liaison between TCO and the

school administration or other parties within

and outside the school.

5. Act as an official representative of the TCO

in any campus and off-campus activity.

6. Ensure that the TCO constitution and by-laws,

rules and regulations are being implemented.

7. Form committees and have direct supervision

over them.

8. Sign important documents in behalf of the

organization, provided that the previous

approval is secured from its members and

chairperson.

9. Coordinate any activity sponsored by TCO.

10.Submit a progress report to the Head of

Students’ Affairs office on the state of the

organization at the end of each semester. She

shall list therein her term’s achievements and

recommendations.

Section 2. The Vice- President

The Internal Vice- President shall:

1. Act as the President during the latter’s

absence.

2. Assist in the performance of her duties, and

collaborate with the External Vice- President

in organizing programs, projects, activities,

fora, and events for TCO in and outside the

school.

3. Assume the President’s post in the

eventuality of the President’s incapacity to

fulfill her duties. This will be determined by

impeachment, resignation, or non-enrolment

of the President.

4. Act and perform such other functions

relative to her position, which the President

may delegate to her.

The External Vice- President shall:

1. Act as the President during the President’s and

Internal Vice- President’s absence.

2. Assist in the performance of her duties and

collaborate with the Internal Vice President in

organizing programs, projects, activities, fora,

events and promotion for TCO in and outside

the school.

3. Assume both the Internal and External Vice

President’s post in the eventuality of the

President’s incapacity to fulfill her duties. This will

be determined by impeachment, resignation, or

non-enrolment of the President.

4. Act and perform such other functions relative to

her position, which the President may delegate to

her to.

5. Be in charge of the documentation of all TCO

outside school activities.

Section 3. The Secretary

The Secretary shall:

1. Take notes and keep all records of all

meetings and shall update the members of

the organization regarding matters

concerning the organization.

2. Keep an official record of all transactions

made by the organization.

3. Notify and update officers, the advisers, and the

members of the organization about the programs,

projects, activities, fora and events of the

organization through oral or written

announcements.

4. Submit up-to-date records and information to the

chairperson and take care of announcements in the

CSC and TCO bulletin boards.

5. Perform such other functions, relative to her position,

which the President may delegate her to do. .

Section 4. The Assistant Secretary

The Assistant Secretary shall:

1. Act as the Secretary during the latter’s

absence.

2. Assist the Secretary in the performance of her

duties.

3. Assume the Secretary’s post in the eventuality

of the Secretary’s incapacity to fulfill her duties.

This will be determined by impeachment,

resignation, or non-enrolment of the Secretary.

4. Act and perform such other functions relative to

her position which the President may delegateher to.

Section 5. The Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

1. Collect fees and act as a controller of the

organization’s funds.

2. Be held accountable for the disbursements of

funds upon approval of the majority of the

officers.

3. Be the head of the finances of the organization;

collecting the monthly dues assigned to the

different Year Level Representatives every

Second Monday of every month.

4. Keep record of all expenditures and monetary

transactions made by the organization.

5. Sign with the President and Chairperson all papers

and documents of all financial transactions of the

organization.

6. Prepare financial reports, including documents and

papers regularly to the CSC Treasurer; financial

reports shall be given at least once in a semester.

7. Perform such other functions, relative to her

position, which the President may delegate her to

do.

Section 6. The Auditor

The Auditor shall:

1. Examine the internal controls, records, transactions,

and their underlying evidence for authority and

validity.

2. Take a list of all expenditures and transactions made

by the organization from the Treasurer.

3. Sign all financial statements prepared by the

Treasurer.

4. Perform such other functions, relative to her position,

which the President may delegate her to do.

Section 7. The Year Representatives

The Year Representatives shall:

1. Collect the monthly dues from their respective year

levels.

2. Take care of disseminating information and notices

(i.e. meetings, activities, etc.) among the respective

batch mates.

3. Bring the Executive Body’s attention to the needs,

sentiments, and grievances of their batch mates.

4. Perform such other functions, relative to her position

which the President may delegate her to do.

Article VII: Adviser

Section 1. The adviser of TCO shall be, or may

be delegated by, the STC ABCC, and ABMC

program head with the proper consultation with

the STC College administration.

Section 2. The adviser shall:

1 Plan together with the Executive Body programs

of the activities for the organization.

2 Advise, guide and counsel the club o pertinent

decisions.

3 Monitor and gauge the discipline and behavior

of the communications student in and out of

campus.

4 Act as official representative of the faculty at

club meetings;

5 Approve and sign all official business forms,

including financial statements.

Article VIII: Committees

Section 1. Committees shall be comprised of

Attendance, Sponsorship, Social Media,

Documentation, Disciplinary Action.

Section 2. The Executive Body shall supervise and

oversee all activities of the above mentioned

committees.

Section 3. Every committee shall be headed by a

committee head to be assigned by the Executive

Body.

Section 4. Committee Heads have the right to ask

assistance from TCO members in accomplishing their

tasks.

Section 5. The Attendance Committee

The Attendance Committee shall:

1) Be in charge of taking the attendance for all

activities of TCO.

2) Keep record of lates and absences.

3) Submit tardiness and punctuality reports to the

Executive Body.

Section 6. Sponsorship Committee

The Sponsorship Committee shall:

1) Scouts sponsors for the activities of TCO.

2) Submit sponsorship reports to the Executive Body

4) Makes sure the sponsorship deliverables are

made.

5) Creates sponsorship reports (AVP, pictures, copies

of posters etc.) for the sponsors.

Section 7. Social Media Committee

The Social Media Committee shall:

1) Regularly update the social media accounts ofTCO.

2) Respond to the concerns of TCO members thatare raised online.

3) Post information online as requested by thepresident.

Section 8. Documentation Committee

The Documentation Committee shall:

1) Takes pictures or video clips of the activities of

TCO.

2) Uploads these pictures and video clips in the

Facebook page of TCO.

Section 9. Disciplinary Action Committee

The Disciplinary Action Committee shall:

1) Takes charge of the Blue Slip.

2) Checks if the students are able to comply the

punishments that are given to them.

Article IX: Meetings

Section 1. General Assembly meetings shall be

held once a semester.

Section 2. The Executive Body shall hold an

exclusive meeting together with the year

representatives. The schedule and venue will be

subject to the decision of the Executive Body.

Section 3. The time and place of meetings shall be

announced within the duration of the week.

Section 4. Emergency and Special meetings may

be called by the respective committee heads as

often as may be required by the urgency of the

business on hand.

Section 5. Committee meetings may be called by

the respective committee heads as often as may

be required by the urgency of the business on

hand.

• Section 6. A scheduled meeting may be

cancelled if the President, the majority of the

Executive Body, the moderator or appointed

representative.

• Section 7. Members are expected to attend all

meetings. Members shall present a letter of excuse

signed by their parent/s or guardian with or without

supporting documents three (3) days before or after

the date of absence.

Article X: Blue Slip Policy

Section 1. The Blue Slip shall be given to members

absent from TCO meetings or activities without a

formal and valid excuse letter.

Section 2. The Blue Slip shall contain a task and a

fine of Php200.00. The Executive Body shall decide

the tasks to be assigned to the members.

Section 3. Tasks contained in the Blue Slip shall be in

line with the Communication Program of STC and

shall be beneficial to the concerned member and

to the organization (e.g., research work on current

issues, oratorical pieces, movie reviews).

Section 4. The Blue slip should be approved by theprogram head before being distributed to theconcerned members.

Section 5. Upon fulfilling tasks contained in the blueslip, concerned members shall present the blue slipto the Disciplinary Action Committee.

Section 6. Clearance slips of members with noremaining blue slips shall be signed by theorganization’s Disciplinary Action Committee.

Section 7. Clearance slips of members who fail tofulfill Blue Slip/s shall not be signed by theorganization’s Disciplinary Action Committee.

Article XI: Financial Policies

Section 1. All students must contribute Php200.00

per semester

Section 2. Fund Raising - The organization may

conduct different fund raising activities to

generate funds for the organization’s use. These

activities however, are subject to the school

policies.

Section 3. Disbursements - All disbursements ofany fund available will be pursuant toappropriations as approved by the treasurerand the auditor. In the absence of thePresident, the Vice-President may approve inher behalf.

Section 4. Financial Reports Liquidation or areport of receipts, expenditures, and expensesof the organization’s activities will have to bepresented during the regular assemblies. Allfinancial reports will be kept in file.

Section 5. Vouchers - All monetary transactions

must have vouchers or receipts signed by the

treasurer. Copies or vouchers shall be checked by

the auditor.

Section 6. Penalties - Members who fail to pay

dues and other activity fees after the deadline

shall pay additional 50% of the original amount as

a penalty for late payment.

Article XII:

Election and Term of Office

Section 1. TCO shall hold its election of officersfor the next academic year on the month ofFebruary. The organization shall conduct itselection of officers through secret balloting.

Section 2. Any member of the organization iseligible to run for any position in the Executivebody. However, a candidate must have spentat least two academic years in the case of thepresidency and one academic year for the restof the Executive Body.

Section 3. The candidate for presidency and all

the other positions may be open to any TCO

member regardless of her academic standing.

Section 4. An officer shall hold office for a

term of one academic year.

Section 4. All students who want to run for office

must file a certificate of candidacy.

Section 5. All students running for office must

undergo Miting de Avance. In case of re-election,another Miting de Avance must be conducted.

Section 5. An outgoing officer, other than the

President may be elected into the office in the

succeeding election.

Section 6. In the event of vacancy of the President

by reason of removal, resignation, shifting of

course, transfer of school, death, or in any other

way which incapacitates her to fulfill her duties,

the Internal Vice-President shall automatically

take her place. And the

Section 7. The outgoing Executive Body shall

appoint members for the organization’s Commission

on Election (COMELEC) as soon as their academic

term begins. The COMELEC shall:

1. Determine a slate of candidates for all executive

position by the 1st week of February.

2. Verify that candidates meet the qualifications for

office as established by this constitution.

3. Have the exclusive rights and duties to facilitate the

election process.

4. Be composed of three (3) senior members,

and one (1) member from the 2nd and 3rd

year batches. The COMELEC Chairperson will

be elected by the COMELEC members.

5. Be stripped off its voting power during the

election process

Article XIII: Removal and Discipline

Section 7. The outgoing Executive Body shall

appoint members for the organization’s

Commission on Election (COMELEC) as soon as

their academic term begins. The COMELEC shall:

1. Determine a slate of candidates for all executive

position by the 1st week of February.

2. Verify that candidates meet the qualifications for

office as established by this constitution.

3. Have the exclusive rights and duties to facilitate

the election process.

4. Be composed of three (3) senior members, and

one (1) member each from the 2nd and 3rd year

batches. The COMELEC Chairperson will be

elected by the COMELEC members.

5. Be stripped off its voting power during the

election process

• Section 8. Resignation. An officer may remove his

or herself from office by giving at least two weeks’

notice in writing to the organization’s adviser and

Executive Body. The program head and the

Executive Body must immediately convene to

discuss the resignation. In the meeting they are to

decide whether or not the resignation is voluntary

or genuine. It is required therefore, that majority, if

not all, accept the organizations provided that

they have thoroughly examined the reasons for

the officer’s resignation.

Article XIV: Quorum

Section 1. One-half of the total resident members

of the organization shall constitute a quorum to

transact business. Their vote shall be sufficient to

make any decision valid.

Article XV: Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution may be

proposed by any member of the organization

through a written letter.

Section 2. Upon submission and review, the President

shall be the one to call for a session;

Section 3. Any provision within this Constitution can

be amended by a vote of approval from two –thirds

vote of those members present provided that the

amendment/s has/have been submitted in writing

to the Executive Body and to read to the members

at the previous meeting.

List of Fees and Contributions

Absence Fee

- (with excuse letter) P50

- (without excuse letter) Php200 w/ task/s

Late Fee – Php30

Semestral Organization Contribution – Php200