Augustana Advocacy Team Constitution

Mission - The mission of the Augustana Advocacy Team is to promote awareness on the campus of Augustana College and the surrounding community about advocacy issues consistent with the Basic Principles of Advocacy Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America [Advocacy is a public witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ where the church speaks with and on behalf of others in need, articulating positions consistent with our faith. We are committed to supporting individuals; the ministry of advocacy provides information and communication about current justice-related policy issues, using many communication technologies and strategies. Working in coalitions with other faith-based, secular, and service organizations with common commitments is a priority of the advocacy ministries associated with the ELCA in its many settings. We believe that such partnerships strengthen the church’s voice for increased effectiveness. Our policy base consists of the ELCA social statements, messages, social policy resolutions and statements or actions of predecessor church bodies. We use these documents to review, analyze and evaluate all issues. We also take into consideration the view of ecumenical and international bodies in which the ELCA holds membership.]. To this end, the group is committed to creating and perpetuating a healthy dialogue concerning advocacy issues among students. Additionally, the Augustana Advocates will provide constructive information about various advocacy topics, as well as promote issues deemed pertinent by the group to the college community.

The group’s main goal is to provide Augustana students with an education about these issues, a variety of means for advocacy participation, and leadership opportunities on campus and in the Sioux Falls community.

Article I. Membership - All Augustana students, faculty, staff, and administrators are welcome to join the Augustana Advocacy Team. The Augustana Advocates encourage diversity among their members and do not discriminate on the basis of sex, income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, religion, or disability.

Article II. Executive Structure - The Augustana Advocacy Team will consist of two student leaders. The creation of other needed positions or planning committees may be created on an ad hoc basis with the approval from the leaders.

The leader’s duties include: providing active and encouraging leadership to all group members, planning meetings and monthly events, overseeing all subsequently formed committees, recording minutes at each meeting and disseminating this information to group members, managing the finances of the organization, representing the group to the media and to the school administration as needed, and serving as the group’s spokespeople for the Office of Student Affairs and the Augustana community.

Article III. Appointments - Leaders shall serve a renewable term for one school year. Appointments of leaders, by Augustana Campus Ministries, will occur in the spring semester, allowing newly chosen leaders to plan for the upcoming year throughout the summer months. Any leader who fails to fulfill these duties of his or her office may be removed by Augustana Campus Ministries.