SVO Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE BALL STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT VETERAN’S ORGANIZATION

PREAMBLE

We the members of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization, subscribing to the policies and regulations of Ball State University, do hereby establish this constitution to govern the matters within our organization.

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of this organization shall be the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization henceforth referred to as the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization and/or BSUSVO.

ARTICLE II – Purpose

The purpose of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization shall be to develop a community where all past, active duty, and future veterans will have the maximum opportunity for academic and personal growth in accordance with the Ball State University mission to “providing extraordinary access to and collaboration with professors who create scholarship to advance knowledge, improve teaching, and transform learning.” (Ball State University Mission Statement, accessed online at www.bsu.edu)

ARTICLE III – Membership

Section 1. Membership Eligibility. Membership in the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization shall be limited to Ball State University faculty, staff, and students currently enrolled at the University. Members of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization can be classified as active or associate members with active members having voting rights. Individuals may become general members by filling out the membership form obtained from any current member of the organization.
Section 2. Non-discrimination Policy. The Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization shall not discriminate against any individuals by refusing membership based on age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.
Section 3. Membership Responsibilities. Members of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization shall attend meetings monthly in order to become active members and have voting privileges.
Section 4. Resignation. Members shall be asked to resign from the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization if they are absent from three consecutive meetings. A quorum of three-fourths the voting membership must be present in order to conduct a vote to request the resignation of an officer with a majority vote needed to pass the vote. If a member wishes to resign from the organization voluntarily or resign from an officer position, they shall submit a letter in writing to the president of the organization.

ARTICLE IV – Officers/ Advisors

Section 1. Elected Officers. Elected officers of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization shall be the President, Vice-president, Secretary, and Treasurer, and Academic Chair. A quorum of three-fourths of total voting membership must be present in order to conduct a vote to select these officers with a majority vote needed to pass a vote. Elected officers shall serve a term of one full academic year, at which time new officers will be elected.


Section 2. Officer Duties.
A. President

1. Shall be responsible for the overall operation of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization.
2. Shall conduct all monthly meetings.
3. Shall make sure that the officers of the club are performing the duties pertaining to their office.
4. Shall serve as liaison between the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization and Ball State University.
5. Shall meet regularly with the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization faculty advisor.
6. Shall use the BSUSVO Facebook account to relay information to members.
7. Shall post updates to the Student Veterans of America BSUSVO page.

B. Vice President

1. Shall assume Presidential duties in the absence of the President, or in the event that the President departs from office.
2. Shall assist the President, when necessary, with organizational planning of meetings or activities, including sending regular announcements on the Student Veteran Organization Blackboard.
3. Shall serve as the chairman for all committees within the Student Veteran’s Organization.

C. Secretary

1. Shall handle all communication media association with the Student Veteran’s Organization.
2. Shall be responsible for keeping up-to-date records of all club members and any club affairs.
3. Shall be responsible for arranging and distributing meeting agendas along with schedules of events pertaining to organization events and activities.
4. Shall be responsible for recording and distributing minutes of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization meetings.

D. Treasurer

1. Shall oversee and handle all financial matters affiliated with the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization.
2. Shall keep up-to-date records of any organization accounts and will aid in the creation of the annual budget.
3. Shall be responsible for the annual MFRI Grant Competition presentation, including a proposal of all events and costs for the upcoming academic year.
4. Shall also be responsible for any and all other fundraising and future grant writing proposals.

E. Academic Chair

1. Shall be responsible for recruitment and membership of Ball State’s chapter of SALUTE Honor Society.
2. Shall be responsible for conducting annual induction ceremony.

Section 3. Executive Council. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, Academic Chair, as well as the faculty advisor, shall serve as the executive council for the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization. This board will oversee all operations of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization. All executive members will be responsible for the annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony and will serve as orientation leaders for the Student Veteran Orientation Program.
Section 4. Advisors. The advisor of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization shall attend all meetings and advise the president in overseeing the operations of the organization.

ARTICLE V – Meetings

Meetings will be held monthly. Specific dates and times will be determined by the members of the Executive Council. At least one half of the total voting membership must be present in order to conduct business in a regular meeting setting, two of which must be officers. For voting on elected officers or to expel a member, three-fourths of the total membership must be present with a majority vote needed to pass.

ARTICLE VI – Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization.

ARTICLE VII – Amendments

For meetings in which the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization wishes to amend their constitution, three-fourths of the voting membership must be present and a majority vote is needed to pass the amendment. The proposed amendment must be announced at the meeting preceding the meeting where the amendment vote will occur. The constitution shall include the date it was last revised.
Also, the constitution shall be reviewed for revision every fourth year by the Executive Council of the Ball State University Student Veteran’s Organization. The Executive Council shall decide if any amendments need to occur, but in the event that the constitution needs no revision, a majority vote of the entire executive council shall pass the constitution until the following fourth year.