Constitution Guidelines for Registered Student Organizations The purpose of the constitution is to guide a registered student organization in its operations and activities and, accordingly, are intended primarily for the organization s benefit and use. The constitution contains the fundamental principles and structure of the organization, and the bylaws outline the basic rules of procedure by which a group s membership govern its organization. The constitution and bylaws should be carefully formulated, clearly worded, and kept up-to-date so that the needs of the organization can be met. An approved constitution is necessary to become a registered student organization at Miami Dade College and must be submitted electronically via SharkNet anytime the constitution is amended. In order to be considered for approval, the student organization constitution must comply with the following format. ARTICLE I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION The name of this organization is Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Kendall Chapter. ARTICLE II. PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION PBL provides students in business and related fields opportunities for leadership experience, team work, internships, and competitive events. Members can compete against other institutions in over 50 events. The specific goals of FBLA-PBL are as follows: Develop competent, aggressive business leadership. Strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship and foster patriotism. Encourage and practice efficient money management. Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty. Assist students in the awareness of occupational goals. Facilitate the transition from school to work.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP Section A. Membership in Phi Beta Lambda is open to all enrolled students at Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus. All members are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution, retaliation, or harassment. Section B. Phi Beta Lambda shall be in full compliance with all Federal and State nondiscrimination and equal opportunity laws, orders and regulations. Phi Beta Lambda] shall not discriminate against a Student Officer, member or prospective member on any basis identified in MDC Procedure 1665 (Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Process), except if specifically exempted by law. Phi Beta Lambda shall be open to all currently enrolled MDC Students, except if specifically exempted by law. Section C. Membership will be conferred immediately upon filling out the application and paying their dues. Section D. Membership for purposes of this club only apply to those who have paid their dues and are in good academic standing. *All groups except those exempt by law must have opportunities for membership of all genders. ARTICLE IV. COLLEGE REGULATIONS Section A. Phi Beta Lambda will abide by all Federal, State and Local Laws and MDC Procedures and Policies, including but not limited to the MDC Student Code of Conduct Procedure 4025, Student Rights and Responsibilities, Academic Dishonesty Procedure 4035, Alcohol and Drug Policy, and all requirements as outlined in the Registered Student Organization Manual. Section B. Phi Beta Lambda agrees to abide by the Florida AntiHazing Law in the Student Code of Conduct and Procedure 4028 (Hazing). ARTICLE V. OFFICERS Section A. The officers of this organization shall be President, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President of Competitions, Vice President of Communications, Vice President of Fundraising, Vice President of Community Service, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Public Relations, Vice President of Special Events, and Vice President of FBLA. Part 1: The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and shall coordinate the work of the officers and committees, and maintain communication with college administrators, student organizations, and SGA.
Part 2: The Vice-President shall serve as an aide to the President and shall perform the duties of the President in her/his absence or inability to serve. Part 3: The Treasurer shall manage all chapter financials, prepare monthly reports, budgets travel, and notifies advisor, VP of Membership, and President of paid members. Part 4: The Secretary records minutes of the meetings, reports on monthly emails from the State and National Leaders. Collects the information for the Annual Report. Part 5: The Vice President of Competitions is responsible for maintaining and distributing all event guidelines, collects competition applications, and maintains an up-to-date excel spreadsheet with information and competition grid. Part 6: The Vice President of Communications shall maintain the email list organized and send out notifications of upcoming events or meetings to the members. Part 7: The Vice President of Fundraising is responsible for planning and organizing all fundraising events for the PBL Kendall Chapter. Part 8: The Vice President of Community Service is responsible for organizing the Community Service Project and relaying the purpose to all members and getting all involved. Part 9: The Vice President of Public Relations shall prepare all posters and other announcements of events. Part 10: The Vice President of Special Events is responsible for putting on the academic events of the chapter, coordinating with speakers, and arranging the location of the event. Part 11: The Vice President of FBLA shall organize the District 25 Competitions, and work with new opportunities for high school interaction. Section B: Any officer of Phi Beta Lambda may be removed from office due to not fulfilling their officer responsibilities, and/or missing more than 3 unexcused member/officer meetings. ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS Officers of Phi Beta Lambda shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall hold office for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. Officers shall assume their duties at the close of the meeting at which they were elected. Election ballots are only to be taken by PAID members of the Kendall Chapter.
ARTICLE VII. STUDENT ORGANIZATION ADVISOR Phi Beta Lambda Kendall Chapter will have a regular faculty advisor of Professor Maria C. Mari for the 2016-2017 academic year. Section A. All Registered Student Organizations must have least one advisor who is a full-time faculty or staff member at MDC. Section B. The student organization advisor shall serve as a resource person and provide advisory support for the officers and members of the organization. The student organization advisor should attend executive and general meetings; however, the student organization advisor may not vote in any organization matters. Section C. The student organization advisor may be nominated by the officers and confirmed by a majority vote of the members. Section D. The student organization advisor will serve a term of one (1) academic year. Section E. In the event that the student organization advisor is unable to continue in their position, officers may nominate a replacement at any time, to be confirmed by a majority vote of the members. ARTICLE VIII. FINANCE This article must include information about how the organization will be funded. If an organization requires membership dues, the maximum dollar amount and/or other financial obligations of members, as well as when payment is due, must be clearly stated in this article. If an organization does not require membership fees or other financial obligations, a statement to that effect should be included in this article. Section A. Dues. National dues shall be based on fiscal reports by the National Center and on recommendations by the National Executive Council and the Board of Directors and shall be determined by a majority vote of the local voting delegates at the National Leadership Conference. National dues of members shall be forwarded directly to the FBLA-PBL National Center or shall be submitted through state chapters at the discretion of the state chapter. Membership dues are unified on local, state and national levels and are not available separately. Part 1: The membership dues in Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda shall be $40 a year, of which $10.00 shall be remitted to the FBLA-PBL National Center in payment of the national dues, and $5 to the FBLA-PBL state chapter in payment of state dues. Part 2: The membership year of the Future Business Leaders of America shall be August 1 through July 31.
Part 3: This fee covers the cost of t-shirts, travel to leadership conferences, and other operational expenses of the organization. ARTICLE IX. DISSOLUTION/SUSPENSION OF ORGANIZATION Section A. Per MDC Procedure 4073 (Suspension of Student Organization), a recognized organization may lose its official recognition and be suspended if, as a result of the actions of its officers or members, or as a result of an activity of the organization as a whole, the organization violates College policy and procedures or applicable laws. Section B. In the event this organization dissolves, all monies left in the treasury, after outstanding debts and claims have been paid, shall be donated to Better Way of Miami. Article X. EMBLEMS, INSIGNIA, AND COLORS Section A. The Chapter emblems shall be the emblems of the national organization. Section B. The official emblem and insignia items and designs are described and protected from infringement by registration in the U. S. Patent Office under the Trademark Act of 1946. The manufacture, reproduction, wearing, or display of the emblem shall be governed by the Board of Directors. Section C. Emblems and insignia shall be uniform in all local and state chapters and within specialemphasis groups; they shall be those of FBLA-PBL. Only members in good standing may use official emblems and insignia. Section D. The official colors of FBLA-PBL shall be blue and gold. ARTICLE XI. PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY Section A. The rules contained in Robert s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the chapter in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the rules of FBLA-PBL, Inc., these Bylaws, or any special rules of order the chapter may adopt. ARTICLE XII. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER Section A. Roberts Rules of Order shall be used as a guide by the president officer in all situations not covered by provisions of the constitution.
ARTICLE XII. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING Section A. Shall be conducted by the President with the meeting time and date set by him at the beginning of the year Section B. Executive Board meetings are to among other things discuss absences and executive level items of business ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION Section A. Amendments to this constitution may be made at any regular meeting of Phi Beta Lambda provided notice of the proposed amendment was given one week prior to a vote. Amendments require a two-thirds vote of the officers and advisors in attendance at the meeting, and are subject to final approval by the office of Student Life.