Updates to the LGBTQ+ Faculty Staff Association Constitution and Bylaws were were passed by vote of the membership in September 2025.

Constitution

I. Purpose

We, the Grand Valley State University LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Association (Association), aspire by our presence and visibility to help create a safe and supportive professional environment for all two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (2SLGBTQIA+), and other marginalized gender, sex, and sexuality identified faculty and staff at GVSU. The Association is a professional organization that serves as a resource and advocacy group for these employees and their families.

Among the functions of the LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Association are the following:

• To provide a supportive forum for the discussion of and advocacy around issues important to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at GVSU.
• To foster community and engagement with the goal of contributing to a welcoming and inclusive campus environment that encourages retention of 2SLGBTQIA+ faculty and staff.
• To advocate for and represent the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ faculty and staff in broader discussions regarding University climate and policies with University administration. 

 

II. Membership

Membership is open to all GSVU faculty and staff who affirm and actively support our mission of achieving equality, inclusion and visibility for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at GVSU.

 

III. Steering Committee

A. The Steering Committee shall be the governing body of the Association. The Steering Committee shall consist of the following five (5) positions:

• Chair: liaison between University administrators and LGBT Resource Center, leads general membership and steering committee meetings, serves as primary representative on University committees.
• Communications: communications to general membership, maintenance of website and social media platforms, FSA email and membership list management. 
• Programming/Treasurer (2 people): events, financial management, assists with administrative and logistical needs for the organization. 
• Advocacy: Advocates for and voices the broader needs and interests of 2SLGBTQIA+ faculty and staff within the GVSU campus community, including sharing and delegating advocacy efforts regarding policy development and support. This may also include supporting professional development and/or building relationships with other campus constituents. 

 

B. In the event of a vacant position on the Steering Committee for the LGBTQ+ FSA, position titles and responsibilities may be temporarily amended to ensure the continued functioning of the FSA. Any responsibilities not explicitly mentioned shall be shared across roles as needed.

C. The Steering Committee shall be elected on an annual basis by the membership of the Association to serve a year long commitment.  

D. In order to be elected to the Steering Committee, one must be a member of the Association.

E. Special appointments shall be made by the Steering Committee to fill vacancies in the Steering Committee should they occur.

F. The Steering Committee shall meet at minimum once per semester.

 

IV. Voting

Voting by the membership shall take place at Association meetings or by any other method approved by the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee shall decide the manner, date and time for voting by the Association membership. All votes shall be decided by a majority of those voting.

 

V. Meeting and Elections

The Steering Committee shall determine the dates and times for Association meetings, Steering Committee meetings, and elections.

 

VI. Sub-committees

The Steering Committee has the power to appoint and dissolve a sub-committee when it deems it necessary, based on input from and transparent communication with the general membership. The sub-committee and the members of the sub-committee shall act in accordance with the direction and supervision of the Steering Committee and shall have no authority except that granted by the Steering Committee.

 

VII. Records

The Steering Committee shall be responsible for keeping a record of all meetings and correspondence of the Association as well as a record of all financial records, reports, and transactions of the Association.

 

VIII. Amendments

This Constitution shall only be amended, repealed, or replaced by a special vote of the Association membership called for by the Steering Committee. All votes shall be decided by a majority of those voting.

 

Bylaws

Article 1: Association Meetings

Section A: Meeting Notice

1. The meetings shall be at a time and place designated by the Steering Committee with written notice provided to each member no fewer than fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.

Section B: Meeting Procedures

1. Meetings shall be conducted by the chair of the Steering Committee. If the chair cannot be present, the chair shall designate another member of the Steering Committee to conduct the meeting.

Section C: Special Meetings

1. Special meetings may be called by the Steering Committee as the need arises.
2. Written notice of special meetings must be provided no fewer than five (5) days prior to such a meeting, except in a severe crisis when the majority of the Steering Committee may order a special meeting with fewer days' notice.

Section D:  Minutes

1. A member of the Steering Committee shall record the minutes of Association meetings and make them available to the membership no later than fourteen (14) days after the meeting.

 

Article 2: Membership

Section A:  Membership is open to all GSVU faculty and staff who affirm and actively support our mission of achieving equality, inclusion and visibility for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at GVSU.

Section B: To become a member of the FSA, Grand Valley State University faculty or staff members request to be added to the membership list. 

Section C: Grad students who are employees of the university may be considered staff but may also request to participate in events and will be considered on a case by case basis by the Steering Committee. 

 

Article 3: Steering Committee Members Elections & Responsibilities

Section A: Nominations for the Steering Committee are collected annually from the general membership at least fourteen (14) days prior to the election. The Steering Committee shall then make all confirmed nominations (ballot) available to the general membership at least fourteen (14) days prior to the election.

Section B:  Elections shall be decided by a majority of those members who vote. The Steering Committee shall decide the time, manner, and date for voting by the Association membership. 

Section C: The Steering Committee meetings shall be called by the chair. A member of the Steering Committee shall keep notes of the meetings.

Section D: Steering Committee members will invite university officers and partners to meet with the Steering Committee and/or general membership in order to strengthen the reciprocal relationships of FSAs at GVSU at least once per year.

Section E: Association Finances

1. The Steering Committee shall be responsible for the Association's finances.
2. All disbursement of Association funds shall be approved by the Steering Committee and follow all University processes for disbursement. 

 

Article 4: Amendments

These bylaws shall only be amended, repealed, or replaced by a special vote of the Association membership called for by the Steering Committee. Each change must be passed by a majority of the membership voting.

 

Article 5: Programming & Events

The Association hosts programming and events, and the Steering Committee shall keep documentation about processes and engage membership in the planning, running, and evaluation of such programming and events.