Constitution
of the Iowa State University
Biological Sciences Club
Drafted June 22, 2005
ARTICLE I. NAME
The official name of this organization shall be "The Biological Sciences
Club."
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE & GOALS
Section 1: The objectives of this organization shall be:
(a) To encourage interest in and learning of the life sciences.
(b) To provide an opportunity for interaction between students and professionals
in the life sciences.
(c) To serve the needs of current and incoming members via study groups,
orientation, and field trips.
(d) To increase opportunities for fellowship among students and professionals
in the life sciences.
Section 2: The Biological Sciences Club abides by and supports established
Iowa State University policies, State, and Federal Laws.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership shall be open to any student currently enrolled in a life sciences
major at Iowa State University, or a currently enrolled student with an
interest in the life sciences at Iowa State University may become a member
by payment
of dues as set by the organization and by agreeing to follow the policies
of the organization. Faculty, staff, and student partners may be associate
members but may not vote or hold office. Membership shall not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation,
sex, marital status, disability, or status as a US Vietnam Era Veteran.
Additional memberships (honorary, special) may be given in special circumstance
by action
of the executive committee. Members are required to pay dues as designated
at the start of the semester by the officers and advisors, and members
should actively participate in club meetings and events.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS & ADVISERS
The officers of the organization shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary
and Treasurer. Officer positions are limited to registered students of
Iowa State University. Non-registered students, including the faculty adviser,
may not vote or hold office. Officers of this organization must have
completed one semester of coursework at Iowa State University to be eligible
for
election
and meet the following requirements:
(a) Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) as stated below and meet
that minimum GPA in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment,
the semester of election/appointment, and semesters during the term of
office. For undergraduate students the minimum GPA is 2.00. In order
for
this provision
to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken
for the semester under consideration.
(b) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half-time
(six or more credit hours) if an undergraduate student (unless fewer
credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during
the term
of office, and at least half-time (four or more credit hours) if a graduate
level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages
of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement)
during
their
term of office.
(c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain
the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).
OFFICER/ADVISER ELECTIONS
The office of President will be assumed by the Vice President at the
end of the previous President's term unless a nominating petition signed
by
greater than 50 percent of the active members identifies a member or
members interested
in challenging the Vice President for the office. In such a case, the
petition must be received and read at the beginning of at least two regular
meetings
prior to the election. The election will meet the requirements for election
of officers as stated herein. Nominations for all other officers, including
advisers (when valid as per vacancy of adviser position), will be received
and read no later than two meetings prior to the election date. Nominees
for the adviser position are to be notified of their nomination within
three days of the nomination and are to accept or decline their nomination
to the
president by the next club meeting. Elections shall be held in November
at the regularly scheduled meeting prior to the final meeting of the
Fall semester.
Elections will be coordinated by the club advisors. Officers (and advisers
when applicable) will be determined by secret ballot. The ballot will
be produced by the Secretary and a sample will be provided one meeting
prior
to the election for review by members. In the circumstance of a tie,
a second secret ballot will determine the winner.
OFFICER/ADVISER TERMS
The terms of the officers shall be for one calendar year beginning in
the spring semester. Officers may be re-elected for an unlimited number
of
terms as long as they meet the requirements above. All officers shall
comprise the Executive Committee of the organization. The Executive Committee
shall
meet in addition to regular organization meetings. The Executive Committee
shall appoint such committees as are necessary to carry out organization
goals. The terms of the advisers shall be for the length of his/her tenure
at Iowa State University.
OFFICER/ADVISER DUTIES
President -
Preside at the meetings of the organization
Authorize expenditures of organization funds
Promote in every reasonable way the interests of the organization
May sit on any committee as a non-voting member
May at any time dissolve a committee, or remove or re-appoint members
to a new or pre-existing committee
Vice-President -
Organize the club meetings
Chair committees and vote in case of a tie in those committees
Shall assume the duties of the President in the event the President is
unable to conduct the duties of the office
Will assume the office of the President at the end of the President's
term as provided for in Article 4.
Treasurer -
Enforce the collection of the organization dues
Manage the funds of the organization in a proper manner
Aid in the organization of any social or educational events such as picnics
or fieldtrips
Renew the campus organization applications
Report income, expense, and balance information at meetings when necessary
Secretary -
Record minutes from meetings for the organization
Email minutes to the organization for members not in attendance
Organize and assist in development of promotional material, Tee Shirts,
hats, etc.
Advisers -
Maintain communication and meet with officers regularly
Awareness and approval of financial expenditures
Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards
set forth by Iowa State University and Student Activities Center
OFFICER/ADVISER REMOVAL
Officers may be removed from office by at least a 50 percent vote of
the other officers and at least a 75 percent vote of the general membership
if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership. The officer is
permitted
to speak before the Executive Committee and the general membership about
the charges made concerning his/her performance. The officer is not permitted
to participate in the deliberation of the Executive Committee regarding
the
charges.
OFFICER/ADVISER REPLACEMENT
In the event that an officer or adviser wishes to leave the Biological
Sciences Club of their own accord, replacement officer or adviser candidates
must
be nominated and voted on no later than the meeting following the previous
officer/adviserís leave of office. A secret ballot will be used to
determine the officer/adviserís successor by a simple majority vote
of the general membership of the organization.
ARTICLE V. FINANCES
All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed
through a bank account established for this organization at the Campus
Organizations Accounting Office and/or approved institution/office (must
receive authorization
via Campus Organizations Accounting Office). All funds must be deposited
within 24 hours after collection. The Adviser to this organization must
approve and sign each expenditure before payment.
In the event of dissolution of the Biological Sciences Club all funds from
the club account will be passed to either a new club or divided among
existing clubs in the biological sciences area at Iowa State University as
determined
by majority vote of the final Executive Committee and with the approval
of the Advisers. In the event no new or existing clubs meet the requirements
as determined by the Executive Committee and Advisors, all funds will
be donated to the Biology Program at Iowa State University to be used for
scholarships,
speaker stipends or activities associated with educational outreach in
the biological sciences.
DUES
The organization may establish reasonable dues that must be paid by all
members. The amount of dues will be determined at the beginning of the
academic year
by the Executive Committee and presented to the general membership for
a 75 percent vote. Dues must be paid by the third regular meeting of
the semester.
The dues will not exceed $10 per semester but shall be no less than $5
per semester. Dues will be used to promote the goals of the club as stated
in
Article II. The Treasurer will be responsible for the collection and
deposit of all dues as stated in Article IV. The Treasurer shall maintain
all financial
records and shall countersign with the President for all organization
transactions.
ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS & RATIFICATION
AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of at least fifty percent
of the members of the organization on two separate occasions. Proposed
articles shall be submitted to the Executive Committee at least two weeks
in advance
of the meeting for distribution to members. New amendments must be
read/distributed to members at least one week prior to initial voting. The
final vote
will be held at least one week after the initial vote and requires at least
two-thirds vote of at least fifty percent of the members of the organization.
An amendment
may be adopted without a second reading if it was unanimously passed
by
at least 50% of the club membership on first reading. Upon ratification
of a
new amendment to the Constitution, the Executive Committee shall have
one month to produce an updated version. If a proposed amendment is defeated
twice it cannot be resubmitted for 1 semester. All proposed amendments
will remain on file with the Executive Committee. The amended Constitution
will
be submitted within 10 days to the Student Activities Center for approval.
RATIFICATION
This constitution shall become effective upon approval by a 75 percent
vote of the membership. The ratified constitution must be signed by
the President
and primary Adviser and approved by the Assistant Director of Student
Activities. A ratified Constitution will be submitted within in 10
days to the Student
Activities Center for final approval.
