SCAVMA By-laws

Article 1 Duties of the Officers
Sect. 1 The President shall:

(a) Preside at all Student Chapter and Executive Board Meetings.

(b) Represent the Student Chapter at any gatherings, other than those specifically listed, to which the President of the Student Chapter is invited.

(c) Shall appoint committee's for operation during his term of office within one month after the beginning of the new academic year which include:

1. An Election Committee composed of two representatives from each class.

2. A Public Education Committee composed of two representatives from each class.

3. A Finance Committee composed of two representatives from each class.

4. A Program Committee composed of two representatives from each class.

(d) Fill any vacancies in the Student Lounge Committee, by appointment from respective classes, to have two representatives from each class.

(e) The Student Chapter President shall assume the responsibility of explaining the function of the Student Chapter to the first semester Freshman Class. The President shall see that all freshmen are supplied with a copy of the Student Chapter Constitution and By Laws. He shall also stress the importance of electing a freshman representative to the Executive Board as soon as possible after classes begin.

Sect. 2 The Vice President shall:

(a) Preside at all Student Chapter and Executive Board Meetings in the absence of the President.

(b) Be responsible for arranging the selection and presentation of special awards.

(c) Be Chairman of the Program Committee.

(d) Publicize all Student Chapter and Executive Board Meetings.

(e) Represent the Student Chapter on the Visiting Lecturer's Committee.

Sect. 3 The Secretary shall:

(a) Record the minutes of all Student Chapter and Executive Board Meetings.

(b) Supply the Executive Secretary of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Office of the Associate Dean of Academic and Alumni Affairs, the Office of the Auditor of Student Organization Accounts and the Office of the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, with a current list of Student Chapter Officers.

(c) Conduct the correspondence of the Student Chapter.

(d) Be responsible for maintenance of Radio Pagers owned by the Student Chapter and rented by Student Chapter members and non members (required to pay double the member fee).

 

Sect. 4 The Treasurer shall:

(a) Be custodian of the monies of the Student Chapter making collections and expenditures directed by the approved budget. Collection of dues for the current academic year will be according to dates and guidelines from the National Office.

(b) Keep accurate account of the Student Chapter finances submitting the financial records of the Student Chapter annually to be audited by the University in accordance with University regulations.

(c) Be the Chairman of the Finance Committee.

Sect. 5 The Deputy Treasurer shall:

(a) Assist the Treasurer in the duties as custodian of the monies of the Student Chapter. This will include assistance in preparation of the annual Student Chapter budget and in the collection of dues for the current academic year.

(b) Be a member of the Finance Committee.

Article II
Executive Board

Sect. 1 
The Executive Board shall be the governing body of the Student Chapter.

Sect. 2 
The Executive Board function shall be composed of the Student Chapter officers, two elected representatives from each class, and the national delegate. The Student Chapter faculty advisors shall be Ex Officio members of the Executive Board.

Sect. 3 
Class representatives to the Executive Board.

(a) Shall not be officers of the Student Chapter.

(b) Shall be elected after the April meeting but prior to the summer session.

(c) Shall be elected from the first semester Freshman Class.

(d) Shall hold office for one year or until the next scheduled election of class representatives.

(e) Shall relate the text and intent of all Executive Board Meetings to their respective classes.

Sect. 4 
Should any class representatives to the Executive Board be unable to fulfill his duties and obligations, the class which he represents shall elect a new representative to the Executive Board.

Sect. 5 
The Executive Board shall meet at least every two weeks. Special Executive Board Meetings may be called by the Student Chapter President.

Sect. 6 
Duties of the Executive Board:

(a) Carry out the provisions of the Constitution and By Laws.

(b) Be responsible for the management of the Student Chapter assets.

(c) Hear all grievances concerning the Student Chapter or its associated functions, and suggest appropriate action to the Student Chapter when the Constitution, By- Laws and Special Rules are inadequate.

(d) Review the proposed budget for the following calendar year suggesting appropriate revisions to the Budget Committee before the proposed budget is presented to the Student Chapter.

(e) Consider the eligibility of all nominees for Student Chapter office.

(f) Determine the necessity of and be empowered to call special elections to fill vacancies created by the resignation of the Student Chapter faculty advisors.

(g) Shall determine annual schedule of regular meetings for the coming academic year at the meeting following the installation of new officers.

Article III
Quorum

Sect. 1 
A Quorum shall be defined as those active members present at any regularly scheduled meeting or adequately publicized special meeting.

Sect. 2 
No major policy changes, By-Laws changes or Constitutional changes shall be formally proposed or ratified while the freshman and sophomore classes are on vacation.

Article IV
Finance

Sect. 1 
The Finance Committee shall present a proposed budget for the following year to the Student Chapter. The proposed budget shall include all anticipated forms and amounts of income and expenditures.

Sect. 2 
The fiscal year for the Student Chapter shall be the calendar year running from January through December.

Sect. 3 
Any form or amount or expenditures not included in the budget and greater than $100 shall be presented to the Student Chapter for approval prior to collection or payment. Any non budgeted expenditure totaling less than $100 may be approved for payment by a 3/4 vote of the Executive Board.

Sect. 4 
The proposed budget shall be presented to the Student Chapter for tentative approval at the last regular meeting of the calendar year (December). Final action concerning the budget proposals shall be taken at the first meeting of the new calendar year.

Article V 
Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics of the MVMA shall be Article V of these By Laws.

Article VI
Faculty Advisors

Sect. 1 
The Student Chapter shall have two faculty advisors. Advisors shall hold the rank of Assistant Professor or above and must be active members of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Sect. 2 
One advisor shall be elected each year at the time of Student Chapter officer elections. Term of office shall be two years and the advisor with the longer period of service shall be designated as the Senior Advisor.

Article VII
Student Publications

The contract with a publisher for the publication of the yearbook shall be approved by the Executive Board of the Student Chapter prior to its signing. The Executive Board shall also approve a budget for the publication of the yearbook prior to initial disbursement of funds.

Article VIII
Amendments

Sect. 1 
The By Laws may be amended by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the members present at a regular Student Chapter Meeting.

Sect. 2 
Proposed amendments to the By Laws may be presented at any regular Student Chapter Meeting after having been presented at an Executive Board Meeting. Final action on the proposals shall not be taken prior to the following regular Student Chapter Meeting.

Sect. 3 
The Student Chapter Secretary shall advise the AVMA Executive Vice President of any amendments to the By Laws. Such amendments must be approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association before they are effective.

Article IX
Ratification

The Constitution and By Laws become effective when ratified by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the members present at a regular Student Chapter Meeting.

Article X
Standing Committees

Sect. 1 
The Election Committee shall:

(a) Consist of two representatives from each class.

(b) Be co- chaired by the representatives from the fourth year class.

(c) Be responsible for getting ballots printed, distributed, collected and counted for all Student Chapter elections.

Sect. 2 
The Public Education Committee shall:

(a) Consist of at least two representatives from each class.

(b) Be co- chaired by the representatives from the fourth year class.

(c) Be appointed new each year if past representatives do not wish to continue.

(d) Be responsible for organizing the:

(1) Presentation of programs (on file) to interested community groups upon request.

(2) Publication of availability of programs.

(3) Construction and completion of new programs to add to the file.

Sect. 3 
The Finance Committee shall:

(a) Consist of two representatives from each class.

(b) Be chaired by the Student Chapter Treasurer.

(c) Be appointed new each year.

(d) Serve under the direction of the Student Chapter Treasurer in handling the Student Chapter's money and budget concerns.

Sect. 4 
The Program Committee shall:

(a) Consist of two representatives from each class.

(b) Be chaired by the Student Chapter Vice President.

(c) Be appointed new each year.

(d) Set up a schedule of events (meetings, social events, etc.) for the following academic year prior to the end of the regular spring or second semester.

Sect. 5 
The Student Lounge Committee shall:

(a) Consist of two representatives from each class; each representative serving for the entire duration of his/her education in this College unless specifically desiring to be relieved of duty at some time earlier.

(b) Be co- chaired by the representatives from the fourth year class.

(c) Serve to oversee the general upkeep and management of the Student Lounge Facilities.

(d) Serve to organize plans for repair or remodeling including plans for raising of funds to do such.

Sect. 6 
The Yearbook Committee shall:

(a) Consist of any students interested in the publication of a Yearbook.

(b) Be chaired by the Yearbook Editor.

(c) Be responsible for:

(1) All aspects of organizing and publishing a Yearbook.

(2) Maintaining its own budget, bank account, and financial records for sales and advertising subject to control of the Student Chapter.

Sect. 7 
The Concession Stand Committee shall:

a) Consist of three managers from the second year class.

(b) Be responsible for:

(1) The operation of the concession stand at the UMC home football games.

(2) Informing the first year class of their obligation to the stand; namely, working one football game during the regular season.

(c) Be responsible to the Executive Board of SCAVMA.

Article XI
National Delegates

Sect. 1 
Selection shall be carried out by election:

(a) Nomination shall be by self- nomination. Approval of candidates by the Executive Board shall proceed the final election by the Student Chapter.

(b) Nominees shall be from the first year class and shall serve office during the second and third years.

(c) Election shall be by simple majority vote of those active student chapter members present at the April meeting.

(d) The newly elected Delegate shall assume the responsibilities of the position immediately.

Sect. 2 
The term of office shall be two years unless a 3/4 vote of the Executive Board removes the Delegate from office after one year has been served. If such occurs, the Executive Board will call for a special election to fill the final year of the term. That nominee can be from any class.

Sect. 3 
Duties of the Major Delegate shall be to:

(a) Attend both the National Student Symposium and the National AVMA meetings to represent the Student Chapter at all Student Delegate meetings held.

(b) Report to the Executive Board and the entire Student Chapter on National Student concerns.

(c) Act as a voting member of the Executive Board.

Sect. 4 
Duties of the Minor Delegate shall be:

(a) Act as correspondent for the Student Chapter with Delegates from other Student Chapters.

(b) Attend both the National Student Symposium and National AVMA Convention along with the Major Delegate.

Sect. 5 
The SCAVMA will sponsor two Delegates to the Educational Symposium, paying their registration and transportation fees. To the National Convention the Delegate's transportation and housing will be paid in full. Meal costs within the budget allotment established for that year will be paid. The Chapter will compensate the expenses for two Delegates as long as expenses do not greatly exceed the budget. In the event that the cost of sending two Delegates greatly exceed the budget the Delegates have the option to pay partial fees or to select between themselves which one will attend.