Constitution of the Student Veterans Organization. Community College of Rhode Island

Transcription

1 Constitution of the Student Veterans Organization At Community College of Rhode Island Article I: ORGANIZATION NAME The name of the organization shall be the Student Veterans Organization of Community College of Rhode Island. Also referred to in these constitutions as CCRI SVO or SVO Article II: PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES The purpose of the organization shall be to provide support for military veterans and their families. Secondly, the SVO will serve as an advocate for Veteran issues with the Institution Administration, faculty, and the community while building awareness of the Veteran needs and experiences. Ensure an effective transitioning to student life through any resources available through the organization, institution, and Veterans Affairs. The SVO will provide a fellowship of like-minded individuals in order to create a network of students and successful alumni focused on professional and leadership development. Goals: 1. Develop procedures and programs to facilitate transitioning process for current students, returning students and guides for new students. 2. Establish an influential membership body, to partake in college and community activities and events while creating a positive image in the surrounding area through community service. 3. Provide a support group and mentorship program for student Veterans and their families. 4. To develop and maintain an active relationship with our local communities, community leaders, and local businesses. 5. Build awareness within the college and community of the challenges, experiences, and related needs of the student Veteran. 6. Act as an advocate for student Veteran related issues. 7. Execute successful awareness and fundraiser events to aid local Veteran and service member organizations within the guidelines of Internal Revenue code 501(c)(3). 8. Provide outreach to potential student veterans, local schools and youth organizations. Pg. 1

2 9. Give support to local programs that are already in place to aid families of deployed veterans. 10. Be accessible to students on campus, offering benefit and entitlement information. 11. Collaborate with offices of Veterans Affairs to offer up to date and accurate information to the Veterans and their families. 12. Procure a location on campus to be used by Veterans for group sessions, meetings, and academic assistance, mentorship and camaraderie. 13. Collect data of all college student Veterans and future potential students to prepare faculty and administration with growing veteran presence, needs and accommodation. 14. Promote camaraderie through social events and activities, encouraging discussion of ways to grow and better the organization. Article III: MEMBERSHIP 1. Membership for the Student Veterans Organization will be open to all registered students at any campus of the Community College of Rhode Island who are currently enrolled for at least 1 Credit and who are veterans, active duty personnel, reservists or family members of the aforementioned. Veteran supporters and Non-military students may hold membership, however, they will not participate in voting, administrative meetings, or hold any office positions. 2. The CCRI SVO is an equal opportunity organization, and no application will be denied based on race, sex, religion, disability or age. 3. Membership of a student may be suspended or terminated by a majority vote of the organization officers and advisors for the following reasons but not limited to: -Member does not hold successful academic progress -Does not maintain at least 1 credit per semester -Is convicted under the UCMJ or any Civilian felonies -No active participation in organization meetings, events, and activities. 4. Membership suspensions and terminations may be appealed, and all cases will be reviewed by the organization officers and advisors. Article IV: OFFICERS 1. To be eligible for office, candidates must be regularly enrolled students at the Community College of Rhode Island and be veterans, active duty, National Guard/reservist. Pg. 2

3 2. Nominations for office shall occur approximately three weeks before the scheduled final of each fall semester. Members can either nominate themselves or be nominated by another member or faculty advisor. A nomination and a second are required for a nomination to be official. Elections shall occur approximately one week prior to the first scheduled final of the fall semester and new officers will take command after break. 3. The term of office shall not exceed two school years and will begin from the first day of appointment. The newly elected officers will decide near the end of the spring semester if they will function during the summer session. Organization will remain active during the summer semester under the guidance of no less than one Sr. Officer. 4. Vacancies in office will be filled by other active officers at the discretion of the highest ranking officer and the faculty advisor until the standing officers or advisor select another member via nomination and vote. 5. Officers can be removed from office by completion of their term or by unanimous decision of the standing officers and faculty advisors. Student members may recommend, in writing, the removal of an officer at a scheduled group meeting. The partition will be reviewed by the remaining officers and board, and a decision will be presented at the following scheduled meeting. All appeals, removals, and appointments must take place within 30 days of receiving notice. Duties of Officers: President: Shall be the presiding officer of all general meetings and shall oversee all activities; Represent the organization on campus; Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by Community College of Rhode Island and the Student Veterans of America; Maintain communication with the organization Advisor; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office. Vice President: Shall preside at all meetings if the President is absent; Succeed to the presidency in the event of the incapacity or resignation of the President; Assist the President in representing the club to internal and external constituencies; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office. Secretary: Shall maintain an accurate record (minutes) of the organization s transactions; Maintain a membership directory; Correspond when necessary with College administration and other recognized organizations; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office. The responsibilities of the organization Treasurer and Secretary may be held by one person.

4 Treasurer: Shall Oversee the receipts and disbursement of the funds of the club, while keeping an accurate and itemized account thereof; Prepare the annual budget request of the organization for submission to the student government; Shall follow the funding policies of CCRI; Assist in arranging fundraising opportunities for the SVO; Solicit additional funding, if needed, from CCRI; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office. The responsibilities of the organization Treasurer and Secretary may be held by one person. 1. Facilitate meetings and events. 2. Advocate student Veteran affairs. 3. Manage organization budget, expenses, fundraising. 4. Collaborate with faculty advisor(s). 5. Maintain community relationships and group image. 6. Growth of organization membership and retention. Duties of the faculty advisor(s) 1. To advise and council the officers of the CCRI SVO on any matters relating to school policy, these bylaws, or any other issues they deem as pertinent to the growth and/ or sustainability of the organization. 2. Participates in voting for Office positions, withdrawals, and appeals. Article V: MEETINGS 1. Regular meetings of the organization shall be held once monthly on the day designated by the Executive Officers 2. Special meetings may be called by the president or acting president when the need arises. Pg Agendas for meetings shall be prepared and provided to all officers no later than seventytwo hours prior to the meeting via and/or hard copy. 4. A quorum for any regular or special meeting with agenda of voting, appeals, removals, or event production shall be twenty-five percent plus two officers present. Presence can be achieved by teleconference. Article VI: POWERS This organization will have the following Board of Advisors accessible by the organization officers with professional experience in the following:

5 Budgeting/Accounting Business Administration Legal Counsel Marketing/Communication Family Affairs Mental Health/Services Public Affair/Community Services Web Development/Computer Sciences 1. Additional committees may be created by majority vote by the officers. 2. The organization shall operate as a non-profit association under Federal Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) guidelines and no profits may accrue to any individual within the organization. 3. Unless otherwise provided in these bylaws decisions of the organization shall be made by a simple majority of those present and voting, with those abstaining from the vote not figuring into the determination of the majority required. 4. For purposes of any vote, apart from nomination and selection for officer positions, all officers present will have one vote per issue. During nomination and voting for the officer positions, all active members of the Veterans Club and advisors have one vote. Article VII: FINANCES Budget: The budget and finances will be governed by the President and treasurer and overseen by the financial advisor. The proposed budget, to be determined at the beginning of each office term and each academic semester, will be negotiated with the college Dean of Student Activities. Pg. 4 Article VIII: AMENDMENT and ADHERENCE OF THESE BYLAWS These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. Any direct violations of these bylaws will be means for suspension, removal from any leadership or office position, or termination from the group. Anthony J. Paolino President or Chief Executive Officer Student Veteran Organization at Community College of Rhode Island Pg. 4

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