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American Humanics Student Association

Mission

The AHSA/SDSU is an organization dedicated to providing its membership with academic, cultural and community co-curricular opportunities with the intent of enriching the students’ professional leadership potential through networking in the field of nonprofit administration in conjunction with American Humanics and South Dakota State University.

American Humanics arrives on the SDSU Campus

The Kick Off Event

AHSA President Alyson Dufault and Barbara Keener, American Humanics Vice President for Academic Programs from Kansas City hold the ribbon, while Provost Carol Peterson cuts the ribbon.

The SDSU American Humanics Student Association receive the affiliation plaque from National American Humanics.

American Humanics Student Association

2007-2008 Officers

For information on how you can get involved contact one of the following:

• Advisor- Cindi Penor Ceglian

• President- Kelli Carstensen

• Vice President- Jenny Lenz

• AH Representative- Molly Fendrich

• Treasurer- Molly Fendrich

• Secretary- Katie Jensen

• Events Chairperson- Tori Boomgaarden, Sara Stauffer, Aislinn Edwards

• Publicity Chair –

• Historians-

Working on the United Way Campaign

Members get experience working with local nonprofits

Fundraising

Raising funds for special events and to attend the American Humanics Management Institute

R

Constitution

CONSTITUTION

Of

American Humanics Students’ Association

South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD

Article I. Name of this organization: The organization shall be known as the American Humanics Students’ Association of South Dakota State University, hereafter known as AHSA/SDSU.

Article II. Statement of Purpose:

Section 1. It is the responsibility of AHSA/SDSU to uphold the Student

Code and the educational mission of South Dakota State University.

Section 2. The AHSA/SDSU is an organization dedicated to providing its membership with academic, cultural and community co-curricular opportunities with the intent of enriching the students’ professional leadership potential through networking in the field of nonprofit administration in conjunction with American Humanics and South Dakota State University.

Article III. Membership:

Section 1. The AHSA/SDSU must accept new members without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Section 2. Regular membership is limited to enrolled students of SDSU.

Regular membership (see Bylaw I., Section 1., A)

B. Associate membership (see Bylaw I., Section 1., B)

Section 3. Students must comprise 50% plus one of the total membership.

Article IV. Finances:

Section 1. The ultimate responsibility for financial obligations of the AHSA/SDSU rests with the membership.

Section 2. Dues will finance the AHSA/SDSU.

Off-Campus Account

Section 1. All funds shall be deposited though First National Bank following Office of Student Activities guidelines.

Section 2. All funds shall be expended only with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section 3. All checks must be signed by the Treasurer and President.

Section 4. The fiscal year shall be August 1 to July 31.

Section 5. At least two months prior to the end of each fiscal year, the President shall appoint an Audit Committee of at least two members. This committee shall examine and verify the records of income, expenditures, and current balance, and shall report to the membership regarding the financial status of the organization.

Section 6. The Advisor(s) shall work with the officers of the organization to monitor the financial transactions of the organization.

Section 7. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for filing any necessary tax information, including an annual return.

Section 8. In the event that the organization becomes inactive, all funds shall be returned to the Office of Student Activities to be deposited in Activity Account #719350-5151-Special Programs, Student Activities. The student organization’s Advisor or the Director of Student Union & Activities may authorize this transfer.

Article V. Officers:

Section 1. The elected officers are the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Publicity Chair, American Humanics Student Representative, and Event Chairs.

Section 2. Any regular member of the club is eligible to hold office except for

students graduating before the term of office expires.

Section 3. Duties (see Bylaw III., Section I.)

Article VI. Executive Committee:

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected officers and shall be the voting members.

Section 2. Ex-officio members shall consist of the faculty advisor(s)

and shall be non-voting.

Section 3. The Executive Committee shall establish the amount of annual dues. (see Bylaw II., Section 1.)

Article VII. Advisor(s):

Section 1. The Advisor(s) will be registered with the Office of Student Activities.

Section 2. The Advisor(s) shall be the Campus Executive Director of the American Humanics Program at South Dakota State University.

Section 3. If the Campus Executive Director is unable to serve, the advisor shall be nominated by any regular member at the fall annual meeting.

The Advisor(s) will be approved by a 2/3 vote of regular members

present.

Section 4. The length of term for the Advisor(s) will be one academic year and may be renewed.

Section 5. Duties (see Bylaw IV., Section I.)

Article VIII. Meetings:

Section 1. The AHSA/SDSU will meet monthly during the academic year.

Section 2. The Executive Committee will meet monthly during the academic year.

Section 3. The President may call special meetings.

Regular members will be notified by phone or e-mail at least 48 hours in advance.

Article IX. Method to Amend the Constitution:

Section 1. All proposed amendments must be submitted in written form to the

Secretary.

Section 2. All proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary no later than September 31^st of the academic year.

Section 3. The proposed amendment will be posted by the Advisor(s) door and by e-mail two weeks prior to vote.

Section 4. Two-thirds vote of the regular membership is needed to amend the

Constitution.

Article X. Succession of Officers:

Section 1. In the event that an officer is unable to complete his/her term, a special

election will be called by the President.

Section 2. During the time an office is vacant, the President will fulfill the

duties of the officer.

Section 3. In the event the President is unable to complete his/her term, the Vice-

President will become President and a new Vice-President will be

elected at the next meeting.

Article XI. Statement of National Affiliation with Extra-Mural Organization

Section 1. The organization shall be affiliated with the National American Humanics Program.

Section 2. In the event of a conflict between National American Humanics Students’ Association Constitution and SDSU Policies and Procedures, SDSU Policies and Procedures shall supercede.

Bylaws

BYLAWS

Of

American Humanics Students’ Association

South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD

Bylaw I. Membership:

Section 1. Types of members

A. Regular members shall:

1. Be enrolled SDSU students

2. Enjoy all rights and privileges of the club, including voting and holding office

3. Honor all limitations and restrictions imposed by the constitution of the club

4. Pay dues

5. Attend all regular business meetings on a regular basis and cannot miss more than two of these meetings per semester unless approved by the American Humanics Advisor.

6. Participate in at least two activities per semester.

B. Associate members shall:

. Be those individuals having University

faculty/staff status and executive directors of nonprofits in partnership with the AHSA/SDSU

2. Enjoy all rights and privileges of the club, except voting or holding office

3. Honor all limitations and restrictions imposed by the club constitution

4. Can voluntarily pay dues

Section 2. Provision for the expulsion of a regular member

A. Any member, who is in violation of the Constitution or Bylaws, may be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee.

B. The Executive Committee will present the issue, in writing,

to the members at least fourteen (14) days prior to

bringing it to a vote.

C. The accused member’s rebuttal will be put in writing by the

Executive Committee and be presented to the members

prior to the vote.

D. A 2/3 vote of regular members present is needed to expel a

member.

Section 3. Appeal process for reinstatement of a regular member

A. An expelled regular member may appeal to the Executive

Committee within one year following expulsion.

B. A 2/3 vote of the regular members present is needed

to reinstate a member.

Bylaw II. Dues:

Section 1. The amount of the annual dues will be determined by the

Executive Committee at the first meeting of the academic year.

Section 2. Dues will be paid by the end of October.

Section 3. All dues shall be deposited and expended through First

National Bank with the signature of the Treasurer and President.

Section 4. If a regular member does not pay his/her dues within the determined deadline, he/she will no longer be a member. Payment of dues will reinstate membership.

Bylaw III. Officers:

Section 1. Duties and powers of the officers

A. The President shall:

1. Call and preside at all executive, regular and

special meetings.

Oversee all offices and committee chair activities and ensure that each leadership. position and its function is being performed adequately.

Sign all checks along with the Treasurer.

4. Represent the AHSA/SDSU as a member of the

American Humanics Advisory Board at South Dakota State University.

7. Fulfill duties of the vacant officers. (see Article V)

8. Work with the AHSA/SDSU vice president on matters related to bills and budgets for the fall and spring semesters.

B. The Vice-President shall:

1. Serve as a member of the AHSA/SDSU Executive Committee.

2. Assume the role of President in his/her absence

3. Assist the President with the general development of the association.

4. Serve as a primary representative in positively representing AHSA/SDSU to other organizations.

5. Work with the Treasurer in preparing an annual operating budget.

C. The Secretary shall:

1. Serve as a member of the AHSA/SDSU Executive Committee.

2. Respond to correspondence and requests for information from external organizations

3. Maintain a complete roster of all AHSA/SDSU students

4. Work with the President in preparing all meeting agendas to be typed and ready for distribution prior to every meeting.

5. Record the minutes of the regular, special, and Executive Committee meetings

6. Submit a list of club officers to the Office of Student Activities annually or when there is a change in officers

7. Report any special meetings or events to the AH Publicity Chair

D. The Treasurer shall:

1. Serve as a member of the AHSA/SDSU Executive Committee.

2. Deposit and expend all funds through First National Bank

3. Sign all checks along with the President.

4. Keep a record of all funds collected and expended and make a report of this information at all meetings

5. Maintain a list of all dues paying members

6. Works with the AH Management Institute Representative with regard to deposits and withdrawals pertaining to the AH Management Institute.

7. Assumes financial responsibilities as specified by the President.

E. The Historian shall:

1. Serve as a member of the AHSA/SDSU

Executive Committee.

2. Take photographs to record organization events.

3. Prepare and update a scrapbook to maintain an ongoing record of organizational activities and events.

F. The American Humanics Representative shall:

1. Serve as a member of the AHSA/SDSU Executive Committee.

2. Act as a representative of the student group during the planning of the AH Management Institute.

3. Reports general information from the AH Management Institute regularly to the AHSA/SDSU.

4. Organizes student AH Management Institute responsibilities with the students that plan to attend the Institute.

5. Works with the treasurer in regard to deposits and withdrawals pertaining to the AH Management Institute.

6. Sends any necessary thank you notes following the AH Management Institute.

G. The Publicity Chair shall:

1. Serve as a member of the AHSA/SDSU Executive Committee.

2. Make and distribute publicity methods to notify students of upcoming meetings and events.

3. Send out an e-mail to members on the list-serve notifying them of upcoming meetings at least 3 days prior to the meeting.

4. Provide a newsletter on the student link of the American Humanics website at South Dakota State University.

5. Be responsible for ongoing communication with area nonprofits.

H. The Events Chairs shall:

1. Serve as members of the AHSA/SDSU Executive Committee.

2. Recruit and maintain a committee structure that meets the purpose of the committee in question.

3. Call and conduct committee meetings as necessary.

4. Develop and maintain an operating budget.

5. Submit a written report to the Secretary after each major activity.

Section 2. Method used to fill officer vacancy(s)(see Constitution

Article X.)

Section 3. Removal of an officer may be accomplished by the following:

A. A petition must be submitted to the Executive Committee,

requesting the removal of an officer and bearing the signature of 20% of the regular membership.

B. The Executive Committee must bring the issue to a vote of

the regular members at a regular meeting or a special

meeting called for this purpose.

C. The regular members must have a fourteen (14) day notice

by e-mail or phone prior to the vote.

D. The officer in question will be given the opportunity to

present his/her case to the regular members prior to the vote.

E. A 2/3 vote of the regular membership present shall be

necessary for removal of an officer.

F. The officer may seek reinstatement by presenting a written appeal to the executive committee. The Executive Committee will discuss the appeal at the next meeting of the Executive Committee and will vote to support or deny the appeal. If the Executive Committee votes to deny, the officer can than present an oral appeal to the regular membership at the next regularly scheduled business meeting. The regular membership will then vote to accept or deny. The regular membership decision will then be final.

Section 4. Eligibility and term of office:

Must be a regular member who is not intending to graduate during term of office.

Term of office is one academic year; officers may run for re-election.

Terms of office will be limited to two academic years/four semesters.

Bylaw IV. Advisor(s):

Section 1. The duties and responsibilities of the Advisor(s) shall be:

A. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee.

B. Advise the Executive Committee.

C. Attend all meetings.

Section 2. The Advisor(s) of the AHSA/SDSU shall be the Campus Executive Director of the American Humanics Program at South Dakota State University.

A. If the Campus Executive Director of the American Humanics Program does not meet the needs of AHSA/SDSU, he/she can be removed. (see Bylaw IV, Section 4) Upon removal, another advisor will be selected by a 2/3 vote of the regular membership.

Section 3. If the Campus Executive Director is unable to serve an advisor will be selected by a 2/3 vote of the regular members present at the first meeting of the academic year.

A. The term of service shall be one academic year and may be renewed by the same selection procedure.

Section 4. Removal of an advisor may be accomplished by the following:

A. A petition must be submitted to the Executive Committee,

requesting the removal of an advisor and bearing the signature of 20% of the regular membership.

B. The Executive Committee must bring the issue to a vote of

the regular members at a regular meeting or a special

meeting called for this purpose.

C. The regular members must have a fourteen (14) day notice by e-mail or phone prior to the vote.

D. The Advisor(s) in question will be given the opportunity to

present his/her case to the student members prior to their vote.

E. A 2/3 vote of the regular membership present shall be

necessary for removal of an Advisor(s).

F. The advisor may seek reinstatement by presenting a written appeal to the executive committee. The Executive Committee will discuss the appeal at the next meeting of the Executive Committee and will vote to support or deny the appeal. If the Executive Committee votes to deny, the advisor can then present an oral appeal to the regular membership at the next regularly scheduled business meeting. The regular membership will then vote to accept or deny. The regular membership decision will then be final.

Bylaw V. Committees:

Section 1. Committees shall be appointed by the President as needed.

Bylaw VI. Elections:

Section 1. Time and method of election of officers, and terms of office

shall be as specified herein:

A. The election of officers shall be held during the spring semester, no later than the end of the academic year. The date shall be announced at least four weeks prior to the election.

B. Individuals interested in serving in an elected office shall submit their names, either orally or in writing to the president of AHSA/SDSU following the announcement of the election date.

C. The president shall inform the membership of the names of those interested in serving.

Nominations for each position shall be open and shall be accepted from the floor.

Closed ballet vote will be cast and counted by Advisor(s) and one regular member who is not running for office.

Candidates must receive a 50% plus 1 vote of the

regular members present.

G. In the event of a tie vote, a runoff election of the two (2)

top candidates shall continue until one receives a 50%

plus 1 vote by the regular members present.

H. The new officers will be announced at the end of the vote.

I. The term will be one academic year, beginning the first meeting of the fall semester.

Section 2. Transition and training of the new officers will be done by the outgoing officer during the last two weeks of the academic year.

Bylaw VII. Method to Amend the Bylaws:

Section 1. All proposed amendments must be submitted in written form to the Secretary.

Section 2. The proposed amendment will be posted by the Advisor(s) door

and by e-mail two weeks prior to the vote.

Section 3. Two-thirds vote of the regular membership is needed to

amend the Bylaws.

Bylaw VIII. Quorum:

Section 1. The quorum shall be 50% plus one of the regular

membership.

Bylaw IX. Parliamentary Authority:

Section 1. The Parliamentary Authority shall be "Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised."