The official name of this organization shall be the Sonoma County Junior College District Classified Senate, hereinafter referred to as the Classified Senate.

The Classified Senate shall, as a representative body of the classified staff, represent classified staff opinions to the Administration of the District in a unified way outside of the responsibilities of the classified bargaining unit.

The Classified Senate shall function as a college-wide communication vehicle between the Administration, Faculty, Students, and the Classified Staff and shall enhance communication among all members of the Classified Staff.

The Classified Senate shall, in the spirit of shared governance, promote the classified staff in designing the future of the District and involve the classified staff in the ongoing activities, planning, and decision-making processes of the District.

The Classified Senate shall promote staff development opportunities for classified staff and encourage positive growth.

The Classified Senate shall represent all permanent classified staff members. A classified staff member is one who is hired as part of the "classified service" to fill a permanent classified position, including permanent employees in auxiliary organizations as adopted by the board of Trustees (Policy 2.12).

The Classified Senate shall consist of classified staff members as defined in the Bylaws hereinafter referred to as the Executive Board and Senators.

In the spirit of shared governance, classified staff will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to participate in the Classified Senate.

Regular meetings of the Classified Senate Executive Board shall be held for a period of approximately one hour, once a month during regular working hours.

Regular meetings of the Classified Senate shall be held for a period of approximately one hour, once a month during regular working hours.

Special meetings of the Classified Senate may be called at the consent of the Classified Senate Executive Board. Consent from the District Superintendent/President shall be obtained for special meetings held during regular working hours.

Classified Senate subcommittees shall be established whenever necessary. Establishment of subcommittees shall be at the discretion of the Classified Senate Executive Board. (Refer to Bylaws, Article X.)

Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by any classified staff member in writing to the member's Senator. A proposed amendment shall be placed on the agenda for consideration at the next regular meeting of the Classified Senate and shall then be referred to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee for study and report. An amendment may then be approved by a simple majority of the Classified Senate and, if approved, shall be submitted to the Classified Staff for ratification by a simple majority of the votes cast. Proposed amendments shall be posted at least five days prior to voting.

Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed by any classified staff member in writing to the member's Senator. A proposed Bylaw shall be placed on the agenda for consideration at the next regular meeting of the Classified Senate and shall then be referred to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee for study and report. An amendment may then be approved by a simple majority of the Classified Senate and, if approved, shall be submitted to the Classified Staff for ratification by a simple majority of the votes cast. Proposed amendments shall be posted at least five days prior to voting.