We, the members of the MIT community wishing to establish a profound and lasting fellowship among Orthodox Christians (including American, Greek, Antiochian, Russian, etc.), Oriental Orthodox Christians and other interested university students of MIT and elsewhere, and seeking to commit ourselves to the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ do ordain and establish this Orthodox Christian Fellowship (the "Fellowship").

Section 1. To lead Orthodox Christian students to a deeper understanding of the Orthodox Faith as revealed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and as expounded by the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and to offer an opportunity to Orthodox Christian students to become more fully acquainted with and informed about their Orthodox Tradition.

Section 2. To strengthen ties between students of the Orthodox Christian Faith and to develop a sense of community among them and to further cooperation with other religious organizations on campus.

Section 3. To promote the welfare of the students in body, mind, and spirit, in ways which are consistent with the group's Christian ideals.

Section 4. To enrich campus life in general.

Section 5. To sponsor activities such as study groups, talks, and lectures, by specialists on topics of interest to the group.

Section 6. To promote and participate in national programs offered by Orthodox Christian Fellowship, a religious corporation, which is a national organization authorized by and affiliated with the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas.

Section 1. Membership in the Orthodox Christian Fellowship of MIT shall be open to all university students who share the interests, goals, and ideals of the organization without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin, in accordance with the MIT Non-Discrimination Policy.

Section 2. At least one-half of the defined membership and at least five (5) members shall be MIT students.

Section 3. Members shall be categorized by their level of participation. Only active members shall have the right to vote. All other members shall have the privilege of attending meetings and other activities and participating in discussions, but not of voting.

Section 4. Active members of the Fellowship shall be those who have participated in three or more activities of the Fellowship, and for whom no more than two (2) years has passed since graduation from the Institute.

Section 1. The Orthodox Christian Fellowship of MIT shall be governed and managed by Officers as provided for in the Bylaws.

Section 2. The officers shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 3. Any active MIT student member is eligible to run for office.

Section 4. The President will perform all the duties usually pertaining to that office. He/she shall have such authority in appointing committees and carrying on the work of the Fellowship. He/she shall be ex officio of all the committees.

Section 5. The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of that office. He/she shall be the liaison between the committees and their chairman and the officers.

Section 6. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all business transacted at meetings. He/she shall conduct all correspondence of the Fellowship.

Section 7. The Treasurer shall collect all money due the Fellowship and keep accurate records of all receipts and disbursements. He/she shall pay any bills approved by the officers.

Section 8. The offices of President and Treasurer shall not be held by any one person.

Section 9. Whenever a vacancy in office shall occur, the President shall fill that vacancy by appointment. An officer thus appointed shall serve until the vacancy shall be filled by an election arranged by the Officers.

Section 10. An officer may be removed from his/her office by a three-fourths vote of the members present at any meeting provided that this number comprises at least one half of the total membership and that the secretary has sent notice of the proposed removal to all members of the Fellowship at least ten days before the meeting is scheduled. Recall proceedings may be initiated by a written petition signed by ten percent of the active membership stating reasons why such a recall is desirable.

Section 11. The Orthodox Christian Fellowship of MIT shall have at least one religious advisor approved by the North American Orthodox Christian Fellowship. The religious advisor(s) to Orthodox Christian students shall be ex officio Officers of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship of MIT. Prior to seeking approval from the North American Orthodox Christian Fellowship organization, each religious advisor must have obtained the blessing and endorsement from the diocesan bishop of the archdiocese with whom he or she is affiliated as to his or her service as a religious advisor to the Fellowship

Section 1. The fellowship shall meet at least biweekly during the school year.

Section 2. The Officers shall meet at least twice each month.

Section 3. The President can call an emergency meeting with at least three (3) days notice.

Section 4. Meetings shall be constituted by a quorum of five (5) active members.

Section 1. The nominating committee shall be appointed by the President from the active graduating members and they shall nominate at least two candidates for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2. All officers shall be elected by secret ballot in December of each academic year, and shall assume their responsibilities following installation which shall take place at the first meeting of the Spring semester.

Section 3. A quorum of one more than one-half of the active membership shall participate in an election.

Section 4. Contact information for all new officers must be submitted by email [info@ocf.net] to the North American Orthodox Christian Fellowship office within 7 days of election.

Section 1. Constitutional amendments to be considered shall be announced on the website at least two (2) weeks prior to the anticipated vote.

Section 2. In order for a constitutional amendment to be considered it must have the identified support of at least five (5) active members. A quorum of one more than one-half of the active membership must be present to vote on a constitutional amendment.

Section 3. Any active member may propose a constitutional amendment and solicit the required support for it.

The MIT Orthodox Christian Fellowship agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Association of Student Activities, its executive committee, and the finance board. This constitution, amendments to it, and the by-laws of this organization shall be subject to review by the ASA Executive Committee to ensure that they are in accordance with the aforementioned rules and regulations.

Section 1. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Constitution, this Fellowship shall not carry on any activities not permitted by an organization exempt from federal income tax under IRC Section 501 (c) (3), or contributions to which are deductible under IRC Section 170 (c) (2). All references herein to “IRC” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

Section 2. This Fellowship is organized and is to be operated exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes within the meaning of IRC Section 501 (c) (3). This Fellowship is not organized, nor shall it be operated, for any pecuniary gain or profit, and it does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits, or dividends to the members thereof (if any) or to any private individual or private shareholder, as the latter is defined for purposes of IRC Section 501 (c) (3).

No substantial part of the activities of this Fellowship shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, except as provided in IRC Section 501 (h), nor shall this Fellowship participate or intervene in any political campaign (including the publication or distribution of statements) on behalf of any candidate for public office except as provided in IRC Section 501 (h).

The money and property of this corporation are irrevocably and exclusively dedicated to charitable, religious, and educational purposes, and no part of the net income or assets of this corporation shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, trustee, officer, shareholder, or member (if any) hereof, or to the benefit of any private individual.

Upon dissolution of this Fellowship, its assets remaining after payment of, or provision for payment of, all debts and liabilities of this corporation, shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, trust, or corporation which is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, or educational purposes which has established its tax exempt status under IRC Section 501 (c) (3).

Section 1. The Fellowship shall not affiliate with any outside organization whose mission is not in accord with the stated aim of the Fellowship.

Section 2. Any Section 2. Any affiliation with an outside organization shall be authorized by a three-fourths vote of the active members present at a meeting (so long as notice of the vote on the proposed affiliation has been posted at least 10 days prior to the meeting) and by the approval of the North American Orthodox Christian Fellowship office.

Section 3. Any affiliation with an outside organization shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions applicable to tax-exempt organizations organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as provided in the Constitution.