BEST BUDDIES CANADA:
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, SCARBOROUGH CHAPTER
CLUB CONSTITUTION

(Date Modified: September 2002)

ARTICLE 1: NAME
Official Club Name: Best Buddies Canada: University of Toronto, Scarborough Chapter.

ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE
Best Buddies Canada Mission Statement: Best Buddies Canada is a non-profit organization committed to changing attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities. By creating friendships between individuals with intellectual disabilities and volunteers in our community, Best Buddies Canada provides an opportunity for participants to enrich their lives while encouraging tolerance and diversity in Canadian Society.
The goal of Best Buddies Canada is to provide an opportunity for college and university students, (Student Buddies), in this case students attending the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, and persons with developmental disabilities, (Buddies), to become friends. The most important part of the Best Buddies program is friendship. Student Buddies and Buddies make contact with each other at least once a week by telephone. One-to-one outings occur two to three times per month. Group activities are another vital part of the Best Buddies program. These take place four times a year, and are a great opportunity for Student Buddies and Buddies to get together in a larger social group.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP
Membership in Best Buddies is open to all members of the university community without restriction on the grounds of national origin, race, religion, colour, sex, or sexual orientation. Chapter members will include Student Buddies, Buddies, and Associate Members.

Student Buddy: A college or university student who is a member of a Best Buddies chapter, paired with an adult with a developmental disability. To be eligible for membership in a Best Buddies chapter, a Student Buddy must:
(a) be a student in good academic standing with the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus
(b) be 18 years of age, or older
(c) attend the mandatory Information Session
(d) complete and submit an application form
(e) undergo an interview and sign a pledge form
(f) have 2 reference questionnaires submitted on her/his behalf
(g) submit a police records check to the Campus Coordinator or Host Site Coordinator

Buddy: An adult with a developmental disability who is a member of a Best Buddies Chapter, and who is paired in a friendship with a university or college student. To be eligible for membership in a Best Buddies Chapter, a Buddy must:
(a) be a client or member of the Host Site, (in this case: Extend-A-Family)
(b) be 18 years of age or older
(c) complete and submit an application form
(d) sign a pledge form
(e) submit a reference

Associate Member: A chapter member who is not paired with a Buddy or Student Buddy. Associate Members assist with activities and events, and attend group activities. To be eligible for membership in a Best Buddies Chapter, an Associate Member must:
(a) be a member of the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus community, affiliated with the Host Site, (in this case: Extend-A-Family)
(b) attend the mandatory Information Session
(c) complete an application form
(d) sign a pledge form

** The current membership fee is $5.00. All members will then receive a Best Buddies lanyard, supplied by Best Buddies Canada Head Office, for the same price of $5.00 per lanyard. For each lanyard sold with membership, $1.00 will be returned to Best Buddies Canada Head Office, and $4.00 will go to the Best Buddies Canada: University of Toronto, Scarborough Chapter. With less funding expected from Best Buddies Head Office, the initiative was taken to charge a membership fee, and be more self-sufficient.

All members will have equal opportunity to vote upon particular group activities that members will be engaged in throughout the year, and will have the opportunity to vote certain executive members, (if there are more than one individual interested in a position), into office.

ARTICLE 4: EXECUTIVE

Campus Coordinator:
Purpose:
Organize, manage, and lead a Best Buddies campus chapter during 1 academic year. The Campus Coordinator seeks to fulfill the mission of Best Buddies.

Qualifications:
(a) be a matched Student Buddy during the academic year of tenure
(b) have completed 1 year of post-secondary studies, and be a registered student
(c) possess strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills
(d) be committed to the Best Buddies mission

Duties:
(a) attend the Best Buddies Canada Leadership and Training Conference
(b) recruit a diverse group of student volunteers committed to Best Buddies
(c) plan and conduct an Information Session within 30 days of the 1st day of classes
(d) review each student's application and police record check
(e) with the Buddy Advocate and Host Site Coordinator, match students and Buddies
(f) with the Buddy Advocate and Host Site Coordinator, host a Meet-and-Greet for all chapter members
(g) hold regular executive meetings
(h) attend all Buddy Rap Sessions, (sessions offering Student Buddies an opportunity to discuss their experiences, fears, failures, and successes)
(i) hold a minimum of 2 Rap Sessions throughout the academic year
(j) maintain regular contact with the Best Buddies Canada Head Office, and submit required documentation in a timely manner
(k) maintain regular contact with the Host Site Coordinator
(l) maintain regular contact with the Buddy Advocate

**The Campus Coordinator has the right to take on a Co-Campus Coordinator if she/he deems necessary.
**The Campus Coordinator has the right to take on the role of Treasurer, if she/he believes it would be more convenient for the chapter.


Treasurer:
Purpose:
For at least one full academic year, act as the chief financial officer of the chapter.

Qualifications:
(a) be a matched Student Buddy during the academic year of tenure
(b) be a registered student
(c) be committed to the Best Buddies mission

Duties:
(a) keep financial records in accordance with university guidelines for student organizations and clubs
(b) liaise with the Best Buddies Canada office regarding monetary transfers
(c) establish/maintain a bank account at a bank branch
(d) prepare, together with the Campus Coordinator, the First Semester Financial Report and the financial section of the Annual Report
(e) attend all executive meetings


Activities Coordinator:
Purpose:
During the course of 1 academic year, plan, direct, and supervise all chapter group activities and offer suggestions and opportunities for one-to-one activities.

Qualifications:
(a) be a matched Student Buddy during the academic year of tenure
(b) be a registered student
(c) be committed to the Best Buddies mission

Duties:
(a) organize at least 4 group activities per academic year for the chapter. This includes:
(i) soliciting chapter members for ideas
(ii) choosing the most enjoyable, appropriate, economically feasible and logistically possible event
(iii) coordinating travel arrangements, organizing food, beverage, and other details
(b) prepare the chapter semester schedule and revise if necessary
(c) attend all executive meetings


Membership Coordinator:
Purpose:
During the course of 1 academic year, work to ensure the full participation of all members in all chapter activities and one-on-one activities

Qualifications:
(a) be a matched Student Buddy during the academic year of tenure
(b) be a registered student
(c) be committed to the Best Buddies mission

Duties:
(a) prepare a roster of all members at the beginning of the first semester
(b) distribute the roster to all members at the Orientation Rap Session
(c) contact members periodically to discuss chapter plans and objectives
(d) work with the Campus Coordinator to complete and evaluate roster checks
(e) assist the Campus Coordinator with the organization of Rap Sessions
(f) attend all executive meetings


Fundraising Coordinator:
Purpose:
During the course of 1 academic year, plan, direct, and supervise all chapter fundraising activities.

Qualifications:
(a) be a matched Student Buddy during the academic year of tenure
(b) be a registered student
(c) be committed to the Best Buddies mission

Duties:
(a) organize at least 1 fundraising activity per academic year for the chapter. This includes:
(i) soliciting chapter members for ideas
(ii) choosing the most enjoyable, appropriate event
(b) collaborate with the Treasurer and/or Campus Coordinator regarding finances
(c) collaborate with Media and Publicity Coordinator regarding possible sources of donations from the corporate community
(d) attend all executive meetings


Media and Publicity Coordinator:
Purpose:
During the course of 1 academic year, plan, direct, and supervise all chapter publicity, advertising, and media activities. This position will raise awareness of those within the community.

Qualifications:
(a) be a matched Student Buddy during the academic year of tenure
(b) be a registered student
(c) be committed to the Best Buddies mission

Duties:
(a) organizing and preparing all advertising and publicity for group events, meetings
(b) contacting local media to increase awareness about the Best Buddies Canada Program
(c) collaborate with Fundraising Coordinator regarding possible sources of publicity from the corporate community
(d) attend all executive meetings

ARTICLE 5: FINANCES
The Treasurer, along with the Campus Coordinator, will prepare financial reports for each semester, and an Annual Report. The budget form composed for each semester will include account balances, estimated expenses, the amount required from Best Buddies. The current membership fee is $5.00. All members will then receive a Best Buddies lanyard, supplied by Best Buddies Canada Head Office, for the same price of $5.00 per lanyard. For each lanyard sold with membership, $1.00 will be returned to Best Buddies Canada Head Office, and $4.00 will go to the Best Buddies Canada: University of Toronto, Scarborough Chapter. With less funding expected from Best Buddies Head Office, the initiative was taken to charge a membership fee, and be more self-sufficient. In addition, SCSU will maintain full control over the fiscal operations of Best Buddies, also Best Buddies agrees to adhere to the financial by-laws found in the F.P.M.

ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS
The executive needs to meet at least once every two weeks throughout January to February. During the rest of the semester, there needs to be an executive meeting prior to group activities, and the submission of progress reports. Executive meetings can be requested by petition of any member, yet she or he must give a minimum of one week's notice to members in order for a meeting to be considered valid.

ARTICLE 7: ELECTIONS
The Campus Coordinator position requires filling out an application form for Best Buddies Canada in mid-March. All other executive positions are open to all student members. The club will likely consist of approximately 30 members, including the executive. If more than one member is interested in an executive position, and all who are interested have held their responsibilities as members, then an election will be held 1 week after the position of Campus Coordinator has been filled. All members of the club can participate in the elections. The candidate with the majority of votes will be given the position for which they ran.

ARTICLE 8: AMENDMENT
Most of the constitution adheres to Best Buddies Canada rules and guidelines, and is not subject to change. However, the sections that can be amended, (election procedures, club name, meetings, and membership fees), can be amended after approval by two thirds majority of the voting members, after the appropriate notice has been given.

ARTICLE 9: FOOD HANDLING ON CAMPUS GUIDELINES
Best Buddies Canada: University of Toronto, Scarborough Chapter, will conform to Provincial and Municipal Health Regulations when events are held on the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, which includes the sale and/or service of food products.