VeteransSuccess Club of the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) ARTICLE I Name, Mission, Vision, Objectives, and Values Section 1. The name of this organization will be the Veterans Success Club (VSC) of University of Maryland University College (UMUC). Section 2. The Mission is to ensure that Veterans, Active Duty, Reservists, and their family members have a voice on campus and are successful at fulfilling their academic, employment, and support needs. Section 3. We Envision that all current and former military personnel will be successful in their chosen academic, employment, and social goals and transitions. Section 4. The Objectives of the Veterans Success Club are to: Section 4.1 Act as a voice for Veteran and Military; students and their families; Section 4.2 Bring awareness to the unique experiences of veterans and active duty who attend the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and the community; Section 4.3 Serve as an Advocate on behalf of veterans and active duty personnel at the UMUC; Section 4.4. Educate faculty, students, and the community on Veteran issues regarding transition, disability, policy, employment, education, and service; Section 4.5 Build service and employer partnerships within the community; and Section 4.6 Foster unity among veteran and civilian students, faculty and staff via social activities and partnerships. Section 5. We value a Quality Education, Integrity, Family, a Strong Work Ethic, and Community. ARTICLE II Membership and Dues Section 1. Eligibility: Membership in this organization shall be opened to Veterans, Active Duty, and their family members who attend or attended the UMUC. Section 2. Members: Members are considered to be in good standing if they attend at least two meetings per semester and at least one special event that is co-hosted or hosted by the University of Maryland University College Veterans Success Club. Only members in good standing are allowed voting privileges. Members may be face-to-face members and/or distance members. Section 3. Non-Discrimination Statement: No person shall, on the grounds of race, disability, creed, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, Vietnam Era Veteran status, or such other factors that cannot be considered lawfully, be excluded from participation in, be Page 1 of 7
denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity within this organization. Section 4. If dues are established, dues shall be no more than $20 per academic year. ARTICLE III Officers, Eligibility, Elections, Term, and Vacancy Section 1. Officer Composition: The Officers of the VSC shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Other officers may be added specific to the needs of the Veterans Success Club. Section 2. Eligibility: Officers must be students of UMUC carrying at least three (3) credit hours. Section 3. Elections: The Officers shall be elected by electronic and traditional ballot at the last meeting of the spring semester by a majority of the vote cast for that office. Only students will be voting members. Section 4. Term: The Officers shall serve for one academic year and their term of office shall begin at the commencement of the Fall Semester. Section 5. Vacancy: If a vacancy occurs in the Office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the office for the remainder of the term and vacancies in any other office shall be filled by special election. Removal and Succession Section 1. Removal ARTICLE IV Section 1.1 Violation of or disregard for any part of this constitution or the organization shall be grounds for removal charges against any of the elected officers. Section 1.2 The general membership shall vote on the removal resolution. Section 1.3 Removal shall be accomplished by a majority rule of those members present. Section 1.4 Removal proceedings may be initiated by any voting member, only with support. Section 2. Succession Section 2.1 In the event of removal, resignation, or vacancy of any elected officer, a special election shall be held to fill that position. Page 2 of 7
ARTICLE V Duties of Officers Section 1. It shall be the duty of the President to: Section 1.1 Preside at and conduct all meetings; Section 1.2 Act as the official host and representative of this organization in functions; Section 1.3 Vote only in case of a tie; Section 1.4 Appoint committee chairpersons subject to approval of the Executive Committee; Section 1.5. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee; Section 1.6. Serve as Representative of the Veterans Success Club, when appropriate; Section 1.7 Be responsible for implementing policy enacted by the Club. Section 1.8 Be responsible, with the consultation of the Executive Committee, to see that this Constitution is adhered to; Section 1.9. Call emergency meetings when and if necessary; Section 1.10 Turn in an Officer Update sheet to the Student Veterans of America, when necessary; Section 1.11 Communicate with the Advisor of the Club; Section 1.12 Ensure that the Advisor receives all documentation regarding the Club; Section 1.13 Update the VSC s Website; and Section 1.14 Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertains to this Office. Section 2. It shall be the duties of the Vice-President to: Section 2.1 Fulfill the duties of the President as stated in Section 5 during the absence of the President; Section 2.2 Oversee the committees of the Veterans Success Club; Section 2.3 Review all information for submission to the VSC s website; and Section 2.3 Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertains to this Office. Section 3. It shall be the duties of the Secretary to: Section 3.1 Maintain accurate Minutes of all meetings; Section 3.2. Generate meeting Agendas with the President and/or Vice-President; Section 3.3 Keep an electronic file of all of the Club s records; Section 3.4 Maintain a current roster of membership; Section 3.5 Issue notices of meetings and conduct the general correspondence of the association to other organizations and individuals; Section 3.6 Maintain an accurate record of member attendance at all meetings; Section 3.7 Provide electronic copies of VSC activities to the VP for review for website; and Section 3.8. Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertains to this Office. Section 4. It shall be the duties of the Treasurer to: Section 4.1 Keep an itemized record of all receipts and expenditures of the Veterans Success Page 3 of 7
Section 4.2. Collect the stated dues from each member; Section 4.3 Receive all funds and process Request for Payment, Deposit Slip, and Officer Signature Forms; Section 4.4. Give a financial report at each meeting; and Section 4.5 Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertains to this Office. ARTICLE VI Meetings Section 1. Regular meetings shall be held monthly during the academic school year, one meeting per month. Meetings can be held alternately via teleconference and face-to-face, or on-line. Section 1.1. Special Meetings may be called by the President with the Approval of the Executive Committee. Section 1.3. Parliamentary Authority-Robert s Rules of Orders shall govern this Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws. ARTICLE VII Executive Committee Management and Members Section 1. Management of the Veterans Success Club shall be vested in an Executive Committee responsible to the entire membership of its Constitution and By-laws. The specific purposes of the Executive Committee are to: Section 1.1 Serve as the planning and policy body; Section 1.2 Fulfill the policies enacted by the Veterans Success Club; Section 1.3. Initiate programs and activities for all members; and Section 1.4 Direct grievances and resolutions to the members. Members Section 2. The Executive Committee of the Veterans Success Club (VSC) shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Faculty Advisor. Section 3. This committee shall meet at least once between regular meetings of the VSC to organize and plan future activities. Advisor ARTICLE VIII Section 1. There shall be a faculty/staff advisor who shall be selected each year by the developing team or an established membership. Page 4 of 7
Section 2. The responsibilities of the faculty/staff advisor are to: Section 2.1. Maintain an awareness of the activities and programs sponsored by the Association; Section 2.2. Meet on a regular basis with the President of the Club to discuss upcoming meetings, long range plans, goals, and problems of the Club; Section 2.3. Attend regular meetings and executive committee meetings as often as schedule allows; Section 2.4. Assist in the orientation of new officers; Section 2.5. Explain and clarify campus policy and procedures that apply to the Club; Section 2.6. Maintain contact with the Center for Student Success; Section 2.7. Provide direction in the area of parliamentary procedure, meeting facilitation, group-building, goal setting, and program planning; Section 2.8. Assist the Club s treasurer in monitoring expenditures, fundraising activities, and corporate sponsorship to maintain an accurate and up-to-date account ledger; and Section 2.9. Inform Club members of those factors that constitute unacceptable behavior on the part of the club members, and the possible consequence of said behaviors. Committees ARTICLE IX Section 1. A Program Committee composed of the Vice-President as chairperson and other Committee Chairs, whose duty shall be to plan the overall program of the Club. Section 2. Committees will be developed as needed, such as a Social, Marketing, Membership, Recruitment, Educational, Community Service, Policy, and Partnership Development Committees. Section 3. The President shall have the authority to appoint any special committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee, from time to time as need demands. Handling of Funds ARTICLE X Section 1. The Veterans Success Club account will be managed, primarily, by the Treasurer; Section 2. The Registration Form will indicate to UMUC s Center for Student Success Staff which Officers are authorized to sign what types of documents concerning funds; Section 3. All monies collected on campus MUST BE DEPOSITED into the Club s account. Amendments ARTICLE XI Section 1. Any amendment to this constitution must be approved by a majority vote of those members present and voting. Page 5 of 7
Section 1.1 Any amendment(s) must be reviewed by the Center for Student Success of the University of Maryland University College for submission to the Center for Student Success to become a part of the recognized student organization s official constitution. DATE APPROVED Page 6 of 7
By-Laws for the Veterans Success Club of the University of Maryland University College ARTICLE 1. DUES Section 1. Individual Students are responsible for Membership Dues. The Veterans Success Club of the University of Maryland University College will not be responsible for individual membership dues. Dues will not exceed $20 per academic year, if they are established. Funding resources may come from donations, fundraising, and grants. ARTICLE II. MEETINGS Section 1. General membership meeting will be held monthly, virtually and/or face-to-face. Section 2. Officers will have consistent monthly meetings beyond the general meetings at specific times, virtually and/or face-to-face. ARTICLE III. COMMITTEES Section 1. Committees will be managed by the Vice President on a need-be basis. ARTICLE IV. AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS Section 1. Amendments to the By-laws may be presented by any member in good standing. Section 2. Amendments to the By-laws shall be adopted by a majority vote of the voting body. The Student Life and Development Committee should receive a copy of the revised document. The By-laws were approved as printed above on (date). Page 7 of 7