The

San Beda Debate Society

Constitution and By-laws
~2011~

PREAMBLE
We, the Filipino Bedan Debaters imploring the aid of the Lord of History; in order to establish
an organization that promotes a culture of debate thus molding students to become eloquent,
excellent and critically-minded speakers inculcated with the principles of social responsibility,
meritocracy and equity that shall establish themselves as leaders for the society, the
community and the world, do promulgate this constitution and bylaws.

ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSES

Section 1 - Name
This organization shall be called as the San Beda Debate Society and is referred to in this
Constitution and Bylaws as the Organization.
Section 2 - Purposes
The San Beda Debate Society is a non-profit varsity and membership organization exclusively
for educational and professional purposes. The purposes for which it is organized are as
follows:
2.1 As a Varsity Organization
A. To be the sole organization that can represent San Beda College Manila in all National
and International debate-related competitions.
B. To be the one and only San Beda College Manila organization that can host national
and international collegiate debate tournaments.
C. To be the only organization that can accredit students who can represent SBCM in all
National and International collegiate debate-related competitions.
D. To be one of the organizations in San Beda College Manila that can represent or host
National and International Public Speaking-related competitions.
2.2 As a Membership Organization
A. To be an organization that accepts membership from all colleges of the San Beda College
Manila (SBCM) Educational Community.
B. To be an organization that promotes advocacies towards societal development thru
collaboration with various organizations.

Section 3 Vision
The San Beda Debate Society envisions itself to be an organization that molds the Bedan
community to be aware of the political and social issues affecting national and international
levels thru the promotion of debate culture and the spreading of English proficiency in the
college.
Section 4 Mission
In pursuit of its stated vision, the San Beda Debate Society aims to be one of the best
Debating institutions in the national and international level thus producing debate champions
in all of its endeavors.

Section 5 Organizations Maxim

The organization adopts for its maxim:

Honor, Victoria et Gloria

HONOR, VICTORY AND GLORY.

Section 6 Organizational Emblem

The logo epitomizes the long tradition of Bedan excellence in debating and public speaking.
The shield of red and white symbolizes the color of San Beda and the cherished values of Fides
(Faith), Sciencia (Science), and Virtus (Virtue). The lion represents the members of the
organization who should at all times covet for excellence and eloquence in all aspects of the
persons life as a debater and a student. The logo shall always bear the Organizational motto
of Honor ~ Victoria ~ et ~ Gloria (Honor ~ Victory ~ and ~ Glory) as a representation of the
resolve of the great Bedan debater to be catalysts in the transformation of the society and the
world.

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP & ELIGIBILITY

Section 1 Eligibility and Membership
1.1 General Membership and Eligibility
Any Student in San Beda shall be eligible for application upon his or her enrollment in any
program offered in the institution. Upon application, the students shall be given an
orientation seminar and shall undergo a screening process conducted by the executive
board headed by the Team Captain. Only the applicants who shall finish the screening
process set by this constitution shall be considered as members of the organization
thereof.
1.2 Varsity Accreditation and Eligibility
Only the members pursuant to the preceding provision (Art. II Section 1.1) shall be
considered eligible for varsity accreditation. Varsity hopefuls shall undergo series of
trainings conducted by their respective House heads as designated by the team captain
and the coach. After completion of the training program, the applicants shall undergo a
try-out system which shall determine their fitness for varsity membership. The
accreditation process shall be done once a year every summer after the summer training
program and in accordance with the discretion of the existing organization varsities.
For the varsity members, a re-accreditation shall be required every end of the summer
semester via try-out system headed by the coach and selected members of the alumni.

1.3 Varsity Debaters and Adjudicators

Debating and Adjudicating are two different disciplines. In view of, the members shall have
the liberty to choose their own field of discipline. The authority to develop a training
program for varsity debaters and adjudicators shall be vested upon the coach of the San
Beda Debate Society. With respect to the development of a training program for nonvarsity debaters and adjudicators, the team captain shall be vested with such powers.

1.4 Retention System

The retention of the members of the organization shall be grounded on attendance in all the
trainings and meetings of the organization except if it is in conflict because of academic and
humanitarian reasons to be determined by the Secretary-General and the Internal VicePresident to be submitted for approval to the President through a formal communication.
All members who incur more than three absences in trainings and two absences in meetings
as determined by their respective training pool heads and the president respectively shall be
given a notification of the termination of his or her membership in the organization. It shall be
subject to appeal through a formal dialogue with the President.
In the case of the varsity members, their retention to their status shall be subject to a
semestral evaluation by the Team Captain, The President and the Internal Vice-President.

ARTICLE III AUTHORITY OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1 Executive Board
The Executive Board shall control the administrative business and affairs of the Organization
and may exercise all such authority and powers of the Organization as provided for in this
constitution.

ARTICLE IV EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1 - Number and Selection of Officers
The executive board shall be composed of the administrative officers consisting of seven (7)
people as decreed by this constitution except in exceptional circumstances pursuant to Article
V Section 1 of this constitution.
Section 2 - Term of Office
The Executive Board shall serve office for one Academic Year, except the Team Captain which
shall only end its term by resignation, impeachment, or graduation.

ARTICLE V OFFICERS
Section 1 - Administrative Officers
The Administrative Officers of the Organization will be composed of the Team Captain,
Executive Vice President, Vice President for Varsity Affairs, Vice President for Administrative
Affairs, Vice President for External Affairs, Vice President for Finance and Auditor.

Section 2- Team Captain

The Team Captain has the primary responsibility of ensuring that the quality of debating will
be in accordance with the schools vision of academic excellence and shall perform the
following duties:
a.) Shall facilitate the training for Non-Varsity Debate and Accreditations
b.) Shall spearhead the accreditation of Varsity pools
c.) Shall compliment the duties of the Coach
d.) Shall assume the duties of the Coach in case the former is not
available
e.) Shall be in charge with the cross trainings with other schools
The Team Captain shall also be in charge of signing, with the Secretariat or any other officer of
the Organization authorized by the Board, any documents or other instruments which the
Board has authorized with the consent of the Moderator to be executed, except in cases where
the signing and execution thereof is expressly delegated by the Board or by these bylaws or
by statute to some other officer or agent of the Organization; and in general the President will
perform all duties incident to the office of the President and such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Executive Board.

Section 3 Executive Vice President

The Executive Vice President shall be the secondary executive officer of the Organization and
shall have the subsidiary general powers of supervision and management over the business
and affairs of the Organization. The Executive Vice President will also be in charge of the overall coordination of its subordinating vice presidents. The Executive Vice President will also be
the primary representative to the Student Organization Circle of San Beda College.

Section 4 The Vice President for Administrative Affairs

The Vice President for Administrative Affairs will have charge of all matters within the
organization such as working with Student Organization Circle, Student Council, the Office of
the Prefect of Student Activities, and in general, the Internal Vice-President will perform all
duties incident to the office of the Internal Vice-President and such other duties as may be
prescribed by the President or the Executive Board.
Under the office of the Administrative Affairs are two Directorates. The Office of the
Secretariat and the Office of the Director for Logistics, both offices shall be directly
accountable to the Office of the VP for Administrative Affairs.
Section 5 The Vice President for Varsity Affairs
The Vice President for Varsity Affairs will have charge of all matters that are related to training
and workshops as directly mandated by the Team Captain and Coach of the Organization, in

addition, the Vice President for Varsity Affairs shall also be the one who will conduct research
and other related matters pertaining to the development of the Varsity Team.
Under the office of the Varsity Affairs are two Directorates: the office of the Director for
General Membership and Director for Research, both offices shall be directly accountable to
the office of the Varsity Affairs.

Section 6 The Vice President for External Affairs

The Vice President for External Affairs will have charge of all matters outside the organization
such as looking for tournaments, sponsorships and establishing connections in the corporate
and public domain in the advancement of the Organizations interests; and in general, the
External Vice-President will perform all duties incident to the office of the External VicePresident and such other duties as may be prescribed by the President or the Executive Board.
Under the office of the External Affairs are two Directorates. The office of the Director for
Corporate and Public Relations and the office of the Director for Marketing and Sponsorships,
both offices shall be directly accountable to the Office of the VP for External Affairs.

Section 7 Vice President for Finance

The Vice President for Finance will have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds
and securities of the Organization; receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to
the Organization from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the
Organization in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as are selected by the
Board; and in general perform all the duties incident to the office of the Vice President for
Finance and such other duties as may be assigned to the Vice President for Finance by the
Team Captain or by the Executive Board.
Under the office of the Finance is a Deputy Finance Officer who will be working together with
the Vice President for Finance for a more secured and transparent holding of the
Organizations money. The Finance Office shall be directly accountable to an independently
elected Auditor.
They shall be in charged with processing the Budget Proposal for every activity that the
Organization will engage in. They shall also transmit the payments for events, competitions
and the likes.
Section 8 - Auditor
The Auditor will have charge and custody of and be responsible for the auditing of all funds of
the Organization; verify reports and financial statements, certify the correctness of the
Treasurers report; and in general perform all the duties incident to the office of the Auditor
and such other duties as may be assigned to the Auditor by the President or by the Executive
Board.

Article VI- VARSITY AFFAIRS

Section 1- Officer-in-Charge

The training officer in charge shall be the coach/coaches and the team captain of the
organization together with the Vice President for Varsity Affairs.

Section 2-Coach
Upon the recommendation of the Executive Board and subject to the approval of the Office of
the Prefect of Student Activities, the Coach shall perform the following duties:
a.) Shall establish the training program for the Varsity Debaters and Adjudicators
b.) Together with the Team Captain and the Varsities, he shall determine the team-ups for
tournaments.
c.) Shall facilitate the reaccreditation for the Varsity members
d.) Shall be allowed to represent and accompany the contingent in activities related to
debate and public speaking
e.) Shall facilitate the internal conflicts with regard to tournaments or other related
organizational activities

Section 3- Term of Office

The term of office of the coach shall be determined by the Office of the Prefect of Student
Activities

ARTICLE VIII DIRECTORATES

Section 1- Directors
The Directors shall be in charged with coordinating with their Vice Presidents in the pursuit of
doing a more defined job allocation for the interest of the organization. As the grass root
executive officers, they shall have the responsibility to coordinate with other Offices.
Section 2- Office of the Secretariat
The Secretariat shall keep the minutes of all meetings; see that all notices are duly given in
accordance with the provisions of these bylaws or as required by law; be custodian of the
official records; and in general perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary and
such other duties as may be assigned to the Secretary by the President or by the Executive
Board. The Office of the Secretariat shall have at least one Associate Secretariat for a more
organized and efficient management of the organizational papers. They will report directly to
the Office of the VP for Administrative Affairs.
Section 3- Director for Logistics
The Director for Logistics will be the one in charge of coordinating and managing the rooms,
venues, and other related matters that pertains to the logistical needs of the Organization. The
Director shall report directly to the Office of the VP for Administrative Affairs.

Section 4- Director for Membership

The Director for Membership shall be in charge of creating programs that will advance the
Organizations recruitment strategy, shall also have a detailed archive of all the general
members and varsity members with their records of accomplishment for the organization. The
Director shall report directly to the Office of the VP for Varsity Affairs.

Section 5- Director for Research and Development

The Director shall be in charge of creating programs that will advance the Research and Matter
Filing of the Organization aimed at developing the Varsitys Debating Skills, shall also have an
archive of all approve Matter Files for the Organizations future use. The Director shall report
directly to the Office of the VP for Varsity Affairs.

Section 6- Director for Communications

The Director shall be in charge of communicating for the Organization in tournaments, letter of
correspondence and other related communication matters that will advance the interest of the
Organization. The Director shall report directly to the Office of the VP for External Affairs.

Section 7- Director for Marketing and Sponsorship

The Director works hand in hand with the VP for External Affairs to gather sponsorship for the
Organization, shall have an archive of all the possible corporate and public partners. The
Director shall report directly to the Office of the VP for External Affairs.

Section 8- Deputy Finance Officer

The Deputy Finance office works hand in hand with the VP for Finance in relation to procuring
financial documents, paying registration fees for tournaments and related events, and
collecting funds for the advancement of the Organization. The Director shall report directly to
the VP for Finance.

ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES

Section 1 - Committee
The President or the Board may designate and appoint one or more committees, each of which
shall consist of two or more credible members or non-members as approved by the majority of
the members of the Executive Board, which committees, to the extent defined by the Board,
shall have an exercise the authority of the Board in the management of the Organization.
Actions of these committees shall be ratified by the Superior Officer and or by the Board as a
whole. The designation and appointment of any such committee and the delegation thereto of

authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of any responsibility imposed upon the Board
by the constitution of the organization.
Section 2 - Vacancies
Any vacancy in the Committees may be filled by appointment from the President with the
advice of the moderator and consent of the Board for the unexpired portion of the term.

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION

Section 1 Regular and Special Meetings
Regular meetings of the Board shall be held once a week.
In case of Special meetings, the Board may be called when situations arise.
Section 2 Authority to Call for a Meeting
Regular and special meetings of the Organization shall be held whenever such a meeting is
authorized by:
A. The Board; the President of the Organization, or in his or her absence, the Internal Vice
President; or the Activity Chair in the case of special meetings, or
B. A written petition to the Board signed by not less than 1/4 of all the voting members of the
Organization. The petition shall state the purpose of such special meetings.
Business conducted at Special meetings shall be identified in the call of the meeting and
limited thereto.

Section 3 - Notice of Meetings

Notice of all meetings except those that are considered as special meetings shall be notified to
the members at least 24 hours before the date of the meeting and shall state the purpose,
place, date, hour and all the details that are deemed important.
Section 4 - Place of Meeting
The Board may hold its meetings at such place or places as the Board from time to time may
determine or as shall be specified or fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice.
Section 5 - Quorum and Ethics
5.1 General Membership Meetings
At any general membership meeting, the quorum shall consist of those members present. The
act of a majority of the members present at meetings at which there is a quorum will be the
act of the Organization, unless a greater number is required by law or by these bylaws.

5.2 Executive Board Meetings

Majority of the members shall constitute a quorum to transact business, hold meetings and
other matters with respect to the meetings conducted by the Executive Board.
In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the Administrative Officers present may adjourn any
meeting from time to time until a quorum can be achieved. However, it must not exceed (3)
three consecutive meetings of adjournment without quorum. In case it exceeds the tolerable
number adjournment, the officer in charge may have the liberty to find other means of
conducting the meeting.
Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be given, other than by announcement at the
meeting at which such adjournment shall be taken.
Non-attendance by any officer shall be properly sanctioned under Article II of these by-laws.

ARTICLE IX ELECTION
Section 1 - Eligibility
Any accredited member of the organization in good moral standing with at least 1 year
service to the San Beda Debate Executive Board is eligible for the election to the Presidency
while for the Internal Vice-Presidency, any accredited member of the organization in good
moral standing and with a year of experience in any organizations Executive Board provided
that in both cases the applicants shall be a member of the varsity member of the organization.
For the remaining positions in the Executive Board, any member of the organization is
eligible for candidacy provided that he or she is in good moral standing.
For the position of the Team Captain, any accredited Varsity debater of the
organization who has at least participated in no less than two National tournaments provided
that he/she is in good moral standing.

Section 2 - Procedures
The organization shall adopt a democratic electoral process for the Administrative Officers
and an appointment for the Team Captain position.
All eligible members may apply for any position subject to the limitation of the prior
section and such application as prescribed by the Executive Board shall be submitted to
the out-going members of the Executive Board.
The voting population shall be divided into four charters as sanctioned by Section 4 of this
Article. Each charter shall vote separately through a secret-balloting procedure.
For the Team Captain position, the Outgoing Team Captain shall have the privilege to
appoint his/ her successor unless a complaint arises from the Executive Board. In case a
protest happened during the appointment, the Outgoing Team Captain and the Executive
Board shall resolve the issue. But if a complaint arises during the term of the newly appointed
team Captain, the complaint shall be resolved by the Executive board pursuant to the Article X
of this Constitution.

Section 3 Power to Vote

All of the rights and powers to vote in an election shall be vested in the Executive Board,
varsities and the general membership with 2,1 votes respectively. For the President of the San
Beda Debate Society College of Nursing and the Team Captain of the said organization, they
shall be given the power to vote with 5 and 3 votes respectively in honor of the unity of the
two institutions.

ARTICLE X RESIGNATION, SANCTIONS AND VACANCIES

Section 1 -Resignation
Any Officer may submit a written notice of resignation from their office at any time to the
President of the Organization. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified after the
approval of the President, or if no time is specified, at the time of receipt subject to the
approval also of the President. In cases when the President or the Team Captain wishes to
resign, the written notice shall be submitted to the Moderator of the San Beda Debate Society
subject to the ratification of the executive board.
Section 2 -Sanctions
Any officer of this Organization may be expelled from the office at any time through a
resolution by the majority of the Executive Board members in the presence of the Moderator
without voting power or undergo suspension or any sanction imposed by the Board and
Moderator through the following reasons: a) inability to perform his/her duties and obligations
in the organization, b) for using the name of the organization without the permission of the
Board, c) Violation of internal rules and regulations set by the Board and serious violation of
the Constitution and by Laws of the Organization, and d) does acts that are unbecoming of a
student leader.
Section 3 - Vacancies
A vacancy in any office other than the President or the Team Captain, because of death,
resignation, removal or any other cause, shall be filled by the Board pursuant to Article IX for
the unexpired portion of the term. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President, the
Internal Vice President shall assume that office whereby, the office of the Internal VicePresident and External Vice-President shall be consolidated into one hence forming the office
of the Vice President. In a case of a vacancy in the office of the Team Captain, the Outgoing
Team Captain shall recommend a number minimum of three and maximum of five individuals
subject to ratification of the Executive Board. In case of death, the President shall recommend
the name of individuals to assume the position of the deceased Team Captain subject to
ratification of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XI CONTRACTS AND LETTERS

Section 1 - Contracts
The Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Organization, in
addition to the officers so authorized by these bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute
and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Organization, and such
authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 2 - Checks, Drafts, etc.

All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of
indebtedness issues in the name of the Organization, shall be signed by the Executive
Treasurer of the Organization.
Section 3 - Gifts
The Board may accept on behalf of the Organization any contribution, gift, bequest or devise
for the general purpose or for any special purpose of the Organization.
ARTICLE XII FINANCE
Section 1- Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Organization shall be determined by the schools administration.
Section 2 - Budget
The Budget of the Organization shall primarily come from the Seed fund determined by the
number of enrollees as may be provided by the School Administration and the membership fee
as may be allowed by the said authority.
Section 3 - Expenditures
No part of the net earnings of the Organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed
to its officers, or other private persons, except that the Organization shall be authorized and
empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and
distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I.
Section 4 - Audit and Inventory
The Executive Board shall make financial statements of the expenses and disbursements of all
the activities of the organization. For the inventory of all the assets acquired by the
organization, the auditor shall verify all the aforementioned documents on a semestral basis.
All reports concerned in auditing shall be transparent for public viewing.

ARTICLE XIII - GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1 - Avoidance of Political Activity
No substantial part of the activities of the Organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda,
or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Organization shall not participate in,
or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign
on behalf of any candidate for public office.
Section 2 - Relations with Other Organizations
The Organization shall have no financial interest in the property, assets, or liabilities of any
other organization in which it may hold membership or with which it may be affiliated.
Section 3 - General Activities

Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the Organization shall not carry on any
other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization and in accordance with the
purposes of its existence.

ARTICLE XIV NONDISCRIMINATION

It shall be the policy of the Organization to provide equal membership and service
opportunities to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national
origin.

ARTICLE XV AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended at any annual or special meeting of the Organization by the
assembly elected by the majority of the Organization. The assembly shall be tasked to make
amendments to the constitution subject to the ratification of the affirmative vote of two-thirds
(2/3) of the members of the Organization present in a meeting duly called for the said purpose
subject to the voting requirements of Article IX, Section 3. Notice of the meeting and proposed
amendment, together with the text of the proposed amendment, shall be delivered to the
members at least three (3) days before the ratification.
ARTICLE XVI - RULES OF ORDER
Meetings of the Organization shall function under the Parliamentary Procedures only if
necessary for the orderly conduct of meetings, or the request of any one member and or the
concurrence of a majority of the voting members attending such meeting.
ARTICLE XVII - APPROVAL OF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
These Constitution and Bylaws shall become binding and effective when they are duly
accepted through an approval by the incumbent Executive Board at a date provided for, signed
by the President, Secretary and Moderator of the Organization with the consent of the Prefect
of Students Affairs.