Constitution for the R User Group at the Harvard Data Science Initiative

Article I: Organization Name

The name of this organization shall be the R User Group at the Harvard Data Science Initiative. It can be abbreviated as the R User Group, RUG at HDSI, or just RUG.

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of the R User Group is to connect users of the statistical programming language R. We plan to provide educational workshops, lectures, networking opportunities, and R programming help.

Article III: Membership

1. Membership in this organization shall be open to all people regardless of race, creed, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or physical disability.

2. Members may join at any time and select which events they would like to attend. There is no application process in order to become a member.

3. Members must follow the code of conduct.

4. Violations of code of conduct will result in a discussion between the Steering Committee or an Organizer and the violator. Extreme or multiple violations of the code of conduct can result in the revocation of membership.

Article IV: Steering Committee

1. The Steering Committee shall be comprised of Organizers who oversee the planning of the R User Group.

2. The Steering Committee shall be elected by the Steering Committee of the prior year.

3. The Steering Committee has responsibilities not limited to:

   a. Planning and overseeing R User Group events

   b. Responding to complaints and addressing concerns from R User Group members

4. The Steering Committee members must be based at or formally affiliated with Harvard University.

Article V: Elections

1. The new Organizers will be decided by a consensus among the Steering Committee.

2. Anyone can run for an Organizer position on the Steering Committee.

Article VI: Meetings

1. At least one Organizer will be present to chair every R User Group event and to ensure that our Code of Conduct is met.

2. All R User Group meetings will seek to create a welcoming environment in which all members feel respected and able to express themselves within the limits of our Code of Conduct.

Article VII: Amendments

1. The constitution may be amended by the consensus of the Steering Committee.

2. Any member of the R User Group may propose an amendment through communication with the Steering Committee.