BYLAWS OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION WATTS SCHOOL OF NURSING

Transcription

1 BYLAWS OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION WATTS SCHOOL OF NURSING ARTICLE I: NAME This organization shall be known as The Student Government Association of Watts School of Nursing. The Student Government Association shall also be known as SGA. ARTICLE II: PURPOSE The purposes of the SGA shall be: To encourage self-governance and through the use of parliamentary procedure, increase the student's knowledge of organizational practice. To encourage in each student an awareness of professional standards and instill in him/her the desire to maintain these standards. To achieve closer interpersonal relationships among the students and faculty. To develop individual responsibility for participation in various activities. To encourage total development and participation in professional activities through selected programs. To develop attitudes of power and strength through an active voice in the affairs of the school. ARTICLE III: MEMBERS All students of Watts School of Nursing shall be members of the Student Government Association. ARTICLE IV: VOTING All students shall have a voice in the deliberations of this association. Any student present at any SGA meeting shall have voting privilege. Majority rule of those present and voting shall govern any decision. Voting shall be done by secret ballot or show of hands at scheduled SGA meetings. ARTICLE V: SGA DELEGATES Class officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Honor Court Representative, Journalist, and Historian) are elected at the beginning of each semester and will serve as SGA delegates for that semester. SGA delegates are required to attend two SGA meetings during each semester. There shall be two delegates from each class present at each SGA meeting. Failure to comply results in a written warning issued by the SGA President to the class President. The second absence results in the payment of a $5.00 fine from the semester that was not represented appropriately. If failure to submit the fine within the allotted time (by the next SGA meeting), the involved delegate(s) (the

2 officers that didn t represent their semester) will not be allowed to continue as class officer(s). ARTICLE VI: ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE SGA President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for one year (November election). Election of SGA officers and representatives shall be done by written ballot of all students present at the November, April, and July/August SGA meetings. Nominations for SGA Officers and representatives shall be obtained by the SGA Vice-President. Nomination sheets shall be posted in each classroom and student lounge two weeks prior to elections. Nominations shall also be received by the Vice-President from the floor during the monthly meeting. In case of more than one nominee, nominees shall attend the monthly meeting to accept the nomination and speak for approximately one minute, explaining their interest and experience related to the office. Current SGA Officers shall monitor elections. Newly elected SGA Officers shall assume responsibility for their office the Monday following the election. At that time, and prior to the end of the semester, the outgoing officers will meet with the newly elected officers to orient them in regard to their roles and responsibilities for the upcoming year (term). ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS The officers of the Association shall be elected based on the following criteria: President: a member of the rising second semester or third semester class. Vice-President: a member of the rising second or third semester class. Secretary: a member of the rising second or third semester class. Treasurer: a member of the rising second or third semester class. ARTICLE VIII: ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES The elected representatives from the Student Government Association shall be elected in March or April of each year and serve for one academic school year. The elected or appointed representatives from the Student Government Association shall be: Two student representatives and an alternate to serve on the Curriculum Committee. One student representative to serve on the Outcomes Committee. One student representative from each semester (4 members) to serve as class journalist on the Newsletter Committee. Each representative will contribute to the monthly newletter. Two faculty members to serve on the Committee on Academic Standing.

3 ARTICLE IX: FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICERS A. President To call and preside over all meetings of the SGA. To direct the work of all officers and committees of the SGA. To be responsible for making recommendations for organizing, compiling, and revising the SGA bylaws yearly in conjunction with the faculty advisors. To see that all elections are carried out in the proper manner. To be responsible for notification of all meetings at least one week prior to each meeting. To act as student representative to the Faculty Organization and Curriculum Committee (as necessary). To preside at the black banding ceremony and marshal at the graduation ceremony. (An alternate will be selected from among other SGA officers to preside or marshal as needed.) To serve on Honor Court. B. Vice-President To assist the president and assume the duties of the president in his or her absence. To be responsible for obtaining nominations for SGA Officers, SGA Faculty Advisors, and representatives to Committee on Academic Standing and Curriculum Committee. To meet with the first semester class, initiate and conduct elections of class officers and faculty advisors. To announce the need to obtain class motto and class flower, and nomination(s) for SGA Secretary. To take responsibility with the President and the Faculty Advisors, for making recommendations for organizing, compiling and revising the SGA Bylaws. C. Secretary To record all proceedings of the Student Government Association. To conduct all correspondence. To keep an accurate, classified by semester, list of all students for purpose of attendance at Student Government Association meetings and for payment of fees from SGA delegates in conjunction with the treasurer. Keep a roster of class delegates attending SGA meetings and to notify the SGA President when class delegates have missed more than the allotted amount. To distribute copies of the minutes of each Student Government Association meeting via to the Director of Nursing Education, Faculty SGA Advisors, the President of the Association within (10) days of the meeting. In addition, a hard copy will be posted in the student

4 lounge and a copy will be placed in the permanent minute file in the Medical Library. D. Treasurer To keep an accurate, classified by semester, list of all current students for the purpose of record keeping of payment of penalty fees in conjunction with the SGA Secretary. To handle all finances of the Student Government Association and to prepare book for annual audit in December. To give a report at each meeting and be prepared to furnish a report of the state of the treasury to the Student Government Association, faculty advisors, or Watts School of Nursing Administration at any other time requested. ARTICLE X: FUNCTIONS OF SGA CLASS DELEGATES Represent their respective class during all SGA meetings. Participate in discussions and votes brought before an SGA meeting. Report back to their respective class, all SGA business within two weeks of an SGA meeting. ARTICLE XI: FUNCTIONS OF REPRESENTATIVES Faculty Advisors shall serve as parliamentarians and advisors for one year. At least one faculty member must be present at each meeting in order for business to be conducted. Two faculty representatives shall attend the Committee on Academic Standing. SGA President shall present requests of majority of the student body, as needed, to the faculty at regularly scheduled Faculty Organization Meetings. Student Representatives to the Curriculum Committee shall attend all meetings of the Curriculum Committee. If not in attendance, must submit a written report on curriculum activities. Student Representative to the Outcomes Committee shall attend all meetings of the Outcomes Committee. If representative is not able to attend, a written report on outcomes must be submitted. Student Journalist Representatives to the Newsletter Committee shall attend all meetings of the Newsletter Committee. If a representative is unable to attend, they are responsible for obtaining newsletter business discussed during meeting. ARTICLE XII: MEETINGS

5 The November meeting shall be known as the annual meeting. Regular meetings of the Student Government Association shall be held monthly while school is in session, with notice concerning the meetings posted at least one week in advance. Additional meetings may be called or meetings may be canceled by the President in consultation with the Vice-President and Faculty Advisor(s). ARTICLE XIII: ATTENDANCE All SGA meetings shall be open to the student body. Meeting attendance is optional to all students except for SGA Class Delegates/Officers, as set forth by Article V. ARTICLE XIV: COMMITTEES Bylaw Review Committee The bylaws will be reviewed annually by the Bylaw Review Committee. The Bylaws Review Committee is composed of the President, Vice-president, one Faculty Advisor and at least one delegate from each semester. Faculty will be consulted for suggestions prior to finalization of the bylaws. Special Events Committee A special events committee shall be formed to propose, plan, and oversee SGA sponsored student functions that take place throughout the school year. A representative, not a current officer, will be elected from each class to serve on this committee. Elections will take place in the SGA meeting at the beginning of each semester. (Representatives will serve for one semester.) Any proposals, plans, and budgets for special events will need to be discussed and approved in the monthly SGA meetings. Final approval will come from school administration. Ad Hoc Committee An ad hoc committee shall be formed at the discretion of the SGA president on an as-needed basis to ensure timely research and/or completion of SGA business. ARTICLE XV: ORDER OF BUSINESS Student Government Association meetings shall precede as follows: 1. Call to order 2. Reading and approval of the minutes of the previous meeting 3. Treasurer s report

6 4. Report of standing and special committees 5. Unfinished business 6. New Business 7. Special reports 8. Announcements 9. Adjournment ARTICLE XVI: QUORUM A quorum at any meeting of the Student Government Association shall consist of one SGA officer, and at least two class delegates from each semester. A quorum is required at any meeting of the Student Government Association to legally transact business.

7 ARTICLE XVII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The rules of the Parliamentary Procedure as laid down in Robert s Rules of Order- Newly Revised (2000, 10th ed), shall govern all meetings of the association, except those specified. ARTICLE XVIII: AMENDMENT OF THE SGA BYLAWS These bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a majority vote of the members of the Student Government Association present, providing the amendments have been presented in writing to all members at least two weeks prior to this meeting. ARTICLE XX: SGA LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP Students awarded this scholarship will be second semester students who exhibit leadership as evidenced by interaction with peers and participation in class, school, and nursing organizations. Two students will be nominated and selected for this award. In addition, the recipients must be individuals possessing high standards of professionalism and integrity and be active in the SGA. Scholarships of $ each will be presented at the black banding ceremony. ARTICLE XXI: SGA LEADERSHIP AWARD Any student in fourth semester is eligible for this award. The student, who is awarded the SGA Leadership Award, must have exhibited an active role in SGA and have maintained high standards of professionalism and integrity. The student body will make nominations for the award. The award is a plaque presented by the SGA President at the graduation ceremony.