The Veterinary Technology Club at The Ohio State University Founded February 2008 Official Constitution of the Veterinary Technology Club at The Ohio State University ARTICLE I NAME The name of this organization shall be The Veterinary Technology Club at The Ohio State University. ARTICLE II PURPOSE Section 1 The Veterinary Technology Club exists to provide a network of support for the students participating in, or interested in, the integrated animal science/veterinary technology program at Ohio State. It provides a source of peer based academic support, as well as transitional support as students go between the animal science and veterinary technology programs. Section 2 The club will also serve as an outlet to explore different aspects and opportunities available in the field of veterinary technology while in school, and after graduation from the program. Section 3 The club will facilitate the development of professional and personal ties among those interested in the profession, and a sense of fellowship for those involved. Section 4 The club will devote time to those organizations who strive to improve public education and awareness of issues concerning animal welfare and treatment, as well as those who aim to help animals in situations of need. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP Section 1 Membership shall be open to any person interested in the field of veterinary technology, who is in good standing with The Ohio State University. This includes students, faculty, administration, and all department members of the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Science. Discrimination Policy: This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for reasons of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Section 2 Active members are those who are eligible under Article III, section 1 who attend a minimum of 70% of club meetings, at least 1club function per quarter, complete at least 5 hours of service in programs created by the service committee, and who pay dues in full for the current quarter or year by one week after the first club meeting of the quarter.
Section 3 If a member wishes to discontinue their membership in the club, and presents a letter stating so to the secretary before the fifth Friday of the academic quarter, they are entitled to half of that quarters due which they paid to be refunded. If a member presents a letter stating their desire to discontinue their membership after the fifth Friday of the academic quarter, no portion of the fees paid for that quarter will be refunded. Section 4 If a new member wishes to join the club and it is before the fifth Friday of the academic quarter, they will be responsible for paying the club dues in full when they officially become a member. If a new member joins the club after the fifth Friday of the academic quarter they will only be responsible for paying half that quarters dues at the time their membership becomes official. Section 5 Quarterly dues will be set by the executive committee at the beginning of the academic year. Section 6 Membership will be suspended for those members who are delinquent on current dues, as well as those who did not fulfill the previous quarter attendance requirements. Suspended members will not be permitted to attend club functions. Section 7 Suspension can be lifted by petition to the executive committee by the suspended, provided that an agreement is made to make up neglected required time. ARTICLE IV EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND DUTIES Section 1 Officers for this organization will include a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary of Records, Secretary of Correspondence, and Service Coordinator. Section 2 Executive meetings will be held on a biweekly basis. Additional meetings will be scheduled if deemed necessary by the executive committee, namely the President and Vice President. Agenda for each meeting will be determined at the previous meeting. Section 3 The President shall preside over meetings and, along with other executive officers, approve all proposals for club activities and costs. The President shall organize (with the Vice President,) events for club participation, and arrange speakers and tours. The President shall attend Department of Animals Science meetings on a quarterly basis to ensure communication with departmental figures and members, and report back to the club executive committee on relevant issues. The President will also attend scheduled meetings of the Ohio association of Veterinary Technologists and report pertinent information to executive committee and club members. Section 4 The Vice President shall preside over meetings in absence of the President, and shall assume presidential responsibilities in the event the President is not present. The Vice President shall co-organize events with the President, and attend meetings of the Department of Animal Science, and The Ohio Association of Veterinary Technologists with the President. Section 5 The Secretary of Records shall be responsible for keeping minutes for all club meetings both general and executive, and in keeping written record of meeting/function attendance and eligibility, as well as voting status. He/she will provide a recap of previous weeks minutes to be read at each general meeting and a written agenda for each meeting to all executive club meetings. Section 6 The Secretary of Correspondence will dispense all important information to club members via email, newsletter, or website. He/she will also be responsible for posting information pertaining to club
functions and events in the form of flyers and signs and all general publicity. All forms of communication must be approved by the President and Vice president prior to publication and display. Section 7 The Service Coordinator will be responsible for creating and organizing service activities for the club. He/she will provide proposals to the executive board for approval and also provide information for approved events to the Secretary of Correspondence for distribution to members. Section 8 The club advisor will be assessed every three years and if necessary a new advisor will be put into place. The advisor will help guide the executive committee and the keep the club from straying from its purpose. ARTICLE V EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELIGIBILITY AND ELECTION Section 1 The positions of President, Vice President, Secretary of Records, Secretary of Correspondence, Treasurer, and Service Coordinator shall be elected for a term of one year, to begin the start of summer quarter following election, and ending with the close of spring quarter of the following academic year. Section 2 The candidates will have been active members for two quarters prior to the quarter of election. Candidates for President shall be seniors during their tenure in office, Vice President and Service Coordinator will be juniors or seniors during their tenure in office, and Secretary of Records, Secretary of Correspondence, and Treasurer will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors during their tenure in office. Section 3 Officers may not hold office in more than one additional organization and the President cannot simultaneously hold a Presidency in another organization. Section 4 Executive Committee members must attend 80% of meetings and may miss only one club function per quarter. If an officer fails to meet these requirements without presenting valid excuse, that person will be removed from office and the President will assume responsibilities until a formal election can be held. (A valid excuse may include illness or injury with proof of medical attention, family emergency (including but not limited to death in the family or illness that requires immediate attention,) previously scheduled event of close family nature, or unexpected transportation issues that physically prevent attendance, all for which the student will provide proof.) Section 5 Nomination for each position will be made by active club members. The top two nominees for each position (determined by number of nominations received) will be put on the ballot and active members will vote. Winners will be determined by majority vote. Section 6 Nominations will be accepted during the 6 th week of winter quarter and elections will be held during the 9 th week of winter quarter. Section 7 Those members eligible to vote shall be those that have been active members for at least one quarter prior to the quarter of election, and will have attended the two regular club meetings immediately prior to the meeting during which elections are held. ARTICLE VI SERVICE COMMITTEE Section 1 The service committee will be composed of multiple club members, number being as needed for various events, and shall include, but not be limited to, executive committee members.
Section 2 The service committee will be led by the Service Coordinator. He/she will be in charge of the committee and will report to the executive committee regarding all current information. Section 3 The service committee shall aim to create opportunities for club members to participate in fundraising for the club and as well as service events involving animal care, welfare, and humane causes. ARTICLE VII CLUB MEETINGS Section 1 Club meetings should be held on a bi-weekly basis, with some discretion left to the executive committee in regard to necessity. The time and day of the week will be determined by the executive committee at the beginning of the academic quarter. Section 2 Meetings will be presided over by the President (or Vice President in the Presidents absence) and shall proceed in the following order: Opening Roll call Review of previous meeting minutes Reading of current meeting agenda Reports of Executive Committee members Reports of Service Committee Unfinished business New business Elections Speakers Announcements Adjournment Section 3 Executive committee meetings will be held prior to the club meetings. ARTICLE VIII CONSTITUTION Section 1 Amendments to the constitution shall be submitted to or suggested by the Executive Committee for review, and then will read aloud at the following club meeting for discussion. Voting for ratification of proposed amendment will follow, and requires ¾ of the majority vote of active members. At least 2/3 of the club members should be present for voting to take place. ARTICLE IX BYLAWS Section 1 Bylaws are considered to be those set forth within the constitution and can be amended as stipulated for constitutional amendments.
ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB Section 1 If membership drops and remains below five members for four consecutive quarters, then the club shall balance all accounts, and donate remaining funds to a non-profit organization that strives to improve the live of animals, such as a humane society, SPCA, or rescue group.