MIT-IV Constitution
Article I: Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of MIT InterVarsity (MIT-IV) is to be a diverse witnessing community seeking to see lives transformed through engaging with the Person of Jesus by growing in love for God, God’s Word, people of every ethnicity & culture, and God’s purposes in the world. We seek to develop as followers of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in response to God’s love, grace and truth. We aim to actively engage with campus as participants of the larger MIT community.
Article II: Affiliation
Section 1. MIT InterVarsity is an affiliated chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, an evangelical and inter-denominational campus ministry.
Article III: Statement of Faith
Section 1:
MIT-IV believes in:
1. The only true God, the almighty Creator of all things, existing eternally in three persons Father, Son, and Holy Spirit full of love and glory.
2. The unique divine inspiration, entire trustworthiness and authority of the Bible.
3. The value and dignity of all people: created in God’s image to live in love and holiness, but alienated from God and each other because of our sin and guilt, and justly subject to God’s wrath.
4. Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine, who lived as a perfect example, who assumed the judgment due sinners by dying in our place, and who was bodily raised from the dead and ascended as Savior and Lord.
5. Justification by God’s grace to all who repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
6. The indwelling presence and transforming power of the Holy Spirit, who gives to all believers a new life and a new calling to obedient service.
7. The unity of all believers in Jesus Christ, manifest in worshipping and witnessing churches making disciples throughout the world.
8. The victorious reign and future personal return of Jesus Christ, who will judge all people with justice and mercy, giving over the unrepentant to eternal condemnation but receiving the redeemed into eternal life.
Article IV: Membership
Section 1. Any member of the MIT community who attends at least 50% of the large group meetings, the prayer meetings, or the meetings of a small group is eligible to be a member of this organization. MIT-IV accepts membership of anyone, in accordance to the MIT nondiscrimination statement.
Section 2. The membership of this organization will at all times contain at least 3 MIT students and will be more than 50% MIT students.
Section 3. If this organization charges any monetary dues, there will be exceptions made for students that cannot afford these dues.
ARTICLE V. Officers
Section 1. The officers of this organization will comprise the Executive Team (Exec), consisting of at a minimum, two officers:
a. President(s)
1. The President(s) shall be the official representative of the organization to any other organization and to MIT.
2. The President(s) shall preside over all Exec Team meetings.
b. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the finances of the organization.
Section 2. The offices of President(s) and Treasurer must be held by MIT undergraduate students.
Section 3. The Chapter Leadership Team is comprised of the Exec Team and additional officers (i.e. small group leaders, community leaders, etc.) and the InterVarsity staff.
Section 4. Being on the Chapter Leadership Team of MIT-IV involves significant spiritual commitment. Chapter leaders are expected to indicate their agreement with the Purpose Statement and Statement of Faith (as outlined in Articles I and III) and exemplify Christ-like character, conduct, and leadership (c.f. the following relevant passages: 1 Peter 5:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Galatians 5:19-26; and 1 Corinthians 6:7-11).
Section 5. The responsibilities of the Exec Team are:
a. To carry out the purpose, general policies, and program of this organization.
b. To oversee all programs of the organization.
c. To be responsible for the continuance of this organization from year to year.
Section 6. Election of Leaders
a. Election of leaders shall occur each spring term no later than the first day of finals.
b. The election process shall be overseen by the Nominations Committee.
c. The Nominations Committee shall consist of at least three members:
i. At least the president and an additional Exec member
ii. At least one member shall be InterVarsity staff assigned to this organization.
iii. Any other members may be added as deemed useful by the Exec Team and the rest of the Nominations Committee.
e. Any member of this organization is eligible to be nominated for office.
f. Any member may nominate individuals for office.
g. On the basis of the nominations, the Nominations Committee shall prepare a proposed slate of officers. In the event that any of the individuals is not elected, and if necessary and/or desired, the Nominations Committee shall propose a new slate with another individual for each of the unfilled spots.
h. A member of the slate of officers is elected if he or she wins a majority of the members who vote.
i. Quorum for elections is two thirds of the average attendance of the regular large group meetings of the term in which the elections take place.
j. The term of office runs from the day after the last day of classes of the spring term to the following last day of classes of the spring term.
Section 7. Removal of Officers: Officers may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1. Small Groups and prayer will be held at times decided by the members, in various locations around campus. Small Groups will generally be held weekly.
Section 2. Large group meetings will usually be held biweekly. Additional meetings and events may be scheduled as deemed useful.
Section 3. Other meetings for the discussion and presentation of matters pertaining to the vitality and purposes of the organization will be held as occasion warrants.
a. Quorum for such a meeting is one-fourth of the members.
b. All decisions shall be made by a majority of all members present.
Article VII: Constitution and Amendments
Section 1. This constitution shall be adopted with a general consensus of the leadership of the organization.
Section 2. This constitution may be amended with general consensus of the leadership of MIT-IV, or a two-thirds vote of the membership, provided that no changes are made to Article III. Any member may bring forth an amendment.
Section 3. Article III may only be amended with the consent of InterVarsity, and with a two-thirds vote of the members.
Section 4. Quorum for amending this constitution shall be one-third of the members of this organization.
Section 5. Amendments to this constitution shall not become valid until a copy of said amendment has been placed with an InterVarsity staff member assigned to this organization.
Article VIII: ASA Clause
MIT InterVarsity agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Association of Student Activities, and its executive board. This constitution, amendments to it, and the by-laws of this organization shall be subject to review by the ASA Executive Board to ensure that they are in accordance with the aforementioned rules and regulations.