Constitution PREAMBLE

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Audra Barnett
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Constitution PREAMBLE We the members of NATIVe (NATIVe Americans in Tennessee Interacting at Vanderbilt), in subscribing to the regulations and policies of Vanderbilt University, establish this

Article I - Name The name of this organization shall be the NATIVe Americans in Tennessee Interacting at Vanderbilt, or abbreviated simply as NATIVE.

1 Constitution PREAMBLE We the members of NATIVe (NATIVe Americans in Tennessee Interacting at Vanderbilt), in subscribing to the regulations and policies of Vanderbilt University, establish this Constitution to govern the matters within our organization. Article I - Name The name of this organization shall be the NATIVe Americans in Tennessee Interacting at Vanderbilt, or abbreviated simply as NATIVE. Hereinafter, the term NATIVe American includes all American Indians, Alaskan NATIVes, NATIVe Hawaiian, Aboriginal NATIVes, First Nations members, and any other indigenous group member of the Americas. At this time, the NATIVe Americans in Tennessee Interacting at VandErbilt is not affiliated with any nationally- or regionally-regulated organizations or groups, nor is NATIVE entered into any formal relationships with or between local groups or organizations. If that nonaffiliation status were to change, those relationships may be addressed in this section. Article II Purpose/Mission The NATIVe Americans in Tennessee Interacting at VandErbilt (NATIVE) aspires to serve a critical role in promoting the cultural knowledge and community involvement of its members in a collaborative environment. By fostering an atmosphere that promotes social engagement and group support, we hope to cultivate a close-knit community with a collective vision to increase indigenous presence at Vanderbilt University. Additionally, we aim to serve the surrounding NATIVe and non-native public in a State without formal American Indian/Alaskan NATIVe representation. Article III - Membership Active members shall include Vanderbilt students at all levels of study, as well as Vanderbilt faculty and staff, and maintain the ability to vote in all elections. Associate members may include individuals from the NATIVe or non-native public surrounding Vanderbilt University or the Nashville area, typically spouses or invited speakers and guests of active NATIVE members. Associate members may not vote in candidacy elections. Members should have a desire to participate in the larger NATIVe American community at VU and support NATIVe American events in accordance to the overall mission of NATIVE. At this time, there are no membership dues or collection procedures. Article IV - Officers As minimum requirements, officers must be active members. Students must be in good academic standing (at least a 2.0 GPA) and be enrolled in at least one course during the Page 1

2 semester(s) in which they hold position. The officers of this organization shall consist of the following elected positions, as described: The Officers of the Council The five senior positions (hereby ascribed as President, Vice President of Community Relations, Vice President of Finances, Vice President of Marketing, and Vice President of Communications) will comprise the Council. These five positions are necessary for the formation and continuation of the Organization and its fulfillment of NATIVE s mission. President - The President shall serve as the primary contact and spokesperson for the Organization. MUST BE AN ENROLLED UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE STUDENT AT VANDERBILT. Hence, the role of President will be to recruit students within VU to the Organization, and to serve as the main advocate in creating networks and collaborations in support of NATIVE s goals. This includes meeting with other organizations outside and within VU. The President s role is largely administrative. Vice President of Community Relations The VP of Community Relations will primarily assist members and officers in networking and coordinating service opportunities and events in the community. This role is largely as the social event coordinator. Vice President of Finances The VP of Finances will serve as the primary officer in maintaining the financial records of NATIVE, and thus shall keep track of any funds raised, donated, expended, etc., in regards to the organization. In overseeing funding and balancing of the budget, the VP of Finances will act in the traditional place of supervising the treasury in support of our mission and goals. Vice President of Marketing - The VP of Marketing will act as the main proponent of advertisement design/distribution/dissemination to the general members and to the public regarding NATIVE events. This officer s role will largely consist as graphic designer and public relation management coordinator. Vice President of Communications The VP of Communications will serve to maintain communication with general members and the Council by recording minutes, scheduling meeting times and locations. Most importantly, this officer will oversee nominations and elections. As a whole, all officers of the Council must collaborate and support each other in recruitment and advertisement/promotion of the organization s goals and mission to the general members and to the public. In doing so, all officers must also be unified in fundraising and networking with outside organizations affiliated or unaffiliated with VU. Also, all officers must serve as leaders in coordinating and delegating tasks associated with events, which may also include spearheading event management and activities committees and subcommittees, should they be convened. In the event that NATIVE falls below four total members, it is permitted for an individual to hold more than one officer position but not more than two. In the event that an officer leaves the organization between election periods, a current officer may also fulfill the vacant role temporarily until a new officer may be appointed in that vacated position. Page 2

3 The qualifications to serve in an officer position shall be: 1. Be an active member of NATIVE. 2. If a student, currently enrolled in at least one credit at VU. (However, if an officer is elected to serve during the fall of an academic year and graduates during that year s Fall Commencement, that officer may continue in his or her elected position for the remainder of that academic year until the next election period. At that point, that person will no longer be eligible for election in the next academic year, unless their number of credit hours re-qualifies them for re-election. The exception to this rule is the position of President). 3. Must have knowledge and understanding of current American Indian issues. 4. Voted into the position with a majority vote by a quorum of active members. The term of office for all elected positions shall be one academic year beginning in June and lasting through the end of the following May. Unless an officer has graduated, at the end of the academic year, he or she is eligible to run again in accordance to stipulated eligibility and election procedures. Election of officers shall be held at the end of the academic year. In the case that positions are left unfilled during elections, necessarily elections may be held at a later date to fill said positions. Candidates must adhere to the goals and mission of the organization and be an active member to run for a position. Section 4 Section 5 The procedures for voting shall be a call for nominations among the active membership at a general meeting and through electronic notification with a set deadline, after nomination deadline has passed, a date will be set for elections either in person at a meeting or in electronic form with a specific voting deadline. The VP of Communications shall be responsible for officiating the election process. The following details the proper protocol to remove or dismiss an officer, how to proceed in filling the vacated officer position, and the process for appeal (if needed). However, in any of the following situations, a written record must be kept as to why each officer was removed (either by self-removal or dismissal). In the Event of Voluntary Self-Removal An officer may elect to leave the organization at the discretion of his or her own decision at any point; however, for ease of transferability, it is advised that at least one month notice is given to facilitate training of a new elected officer. In the event that an officer leaves the organization, his or her elected position may be advertised to active members and to the eligible public for fulfillment. Hence, voluntary self-removal of an officer position will then result in referral to Article V regarding Elections to fill the newly vacated position. In the Event that the Council Elects to Dismiss a Fellow Officer In the event that the Council decides to remove a fellow elected officer, the situation must be assessed and evaluated before permanent action. If a current, existing officer consistently fails to abide by the roles and responsibilities stipulated in Article IV, (outlining officer positions), the other officers must first approach the Faculty sponsor for consultation prior to action. An overwhelming consensus of the Council (not including the disputed officer position) for dismissal must be reached before asking for the resignation of the disputed officer position. After the position has been vacated, then refer to Article V regarding Elections. Page 3

4 In the Event that the General Members Call for Dismissal of an Officer Again, similar to the procedure noted directly above, the situation must be assessed and evaluated before permanent action, with the advice and discretion of the Faculty sponsor. Provisions for removal of an officer shall be initiated by active members with a motion for removal, a required second, and a majority vote among the membership. Section 6 Provisions for filling vacancies. Special elections to fill vacant positions may be held as needed. Membership shall be notified via or at a meeting regarding nominations, elections may occur via , social media, or in person at a specified meeting. All active members who have attended at least one meeting prior to elections are eligible to vote (except in the event that the election is held in the first meeting of the semester). A majority vote is required for a legal election. Section 4 Article V - Meetings Regular meetings of this organization shall be held at least once a month or as determined by the officers and/or membership in accordance to the needs of the organization. The Faculty advisor or any of the officers may call a special meeting provided they give the other officers advance notice (preferably 24 hours). Officers will jointly share the responsibility for notifying the membership of upcoming meetings in person or via electronic communication, though this responsibility can be assigned to the VP of Communications or other officer. A quorum shall consist of four voting active members or a percentage of voting active members present at any meeting. Robert s Rules of Order shall be used in deciding questions of parliamentary procedure. Article VI Council The officers of NATIVE shall comprise the Council. They shall meet as needed to direct the administrative authority and responsibilities of the organization. Voting within the Council is democratic. If there is a tie among officers, then the Faculty advisor or another party familiar with the cause will be called into vote. Article VII - Committees A committee comprising of active and associate members may be convened at any time at the discretion of the Council. Such a committee may be formed to perform a collective purpose (i.e, for fundraising, events, etc.) in support of the officers roles and responsibilities, for the benefit of the organization. A majority vote of the Council is compulsory for approval for the formation of such a committee. Selection for the committee members can either be voluntary, voted by the general members, or appointed with approval of a majority vote by the Council. A Council member must oversee the activities of each Committee. Page 4

5 Article VIII - Advisors There shall be at least one faculty/staff advisor who shall be an active member with no voting privileges. Advisors shall be nominated and approved by majority of each year during the first or second meeting. The advisor shall adhere to the requirements and responsibilities outlined by the Office of Student Organizations and Governance. This advisor will also support, encourage, and help direct the individual members and overall pursuits of this organization. Article IX - Amendments The Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the current membership at the time of said vote along with the guidance of the Faculty advisor. AlterNATIVely, changes to the Constitution may be made by a vote of all officers, who may be called to represent the vote of the active members. In the latter case, the proposed change must be approved by all officers before enactment. Proposed Amendments that do not obtain a majority of support may be tabled to a later time in the single semester but may not be voted on more than twice in a semester. Article X Approval of the Constitution All Council members must approve the Constitution. If there are less than five officers, then approval can still be executed by all existing officers though the Council is incomplete. Page 5

CONSTITUTION OF THE LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION OF THE LATIN AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION Preamble We, the members of the Latin American Student Association do hereby establish this Constitution on 9/15/96, in order that our vision to cultivate