Veterinarian with a horse

Constitution

Preamble: This constitution shall provide the operating rules and guidelines for the Pre-Veterinary Society of the University of West Florida. These rules may be suspended or amended only by a 3/4 majority vote of the organization.

Article I - Name of Organization: The name of this organization shall be the Pre-Veterinary Society of UWF as voted by majority.

Article II - Purpose of Organization: The purpose of this organization shall be the following:
  1. to promote the interest in veterinary medicine among students
  2. to provide every member of this organization with information in regards to his/her chosen field in the Animal Science
  3. to encourage interaction with students of similar interests to that of this organization
  4. to provide service to this University and its surrounding community
  5. to allow for the opportunity of more experience in the Animal Science field through service and internship
  6. to assist one another in anything required to the academic success of every member
  7. to increase awareness in the well being of animals
  8. to provide social functions for the members of this organization
Article III - Membership
  1. Membership is opened to all students attending the University of West Florida regardless of race, color, creed, religion, age, physical handicap, disability, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation.
  2. Pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), this organization will ensure that all meetings, programs, services or other activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities and that reasonable accommodations are made as necessary.
  3. Membership will be given to those students who pay timely dues every semester/year.
Article IV - Officers
  1. Officers of the Pre-Veterinary Society of UWF shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Internet Chair, Fundraising Chair, and Internship/Activities Chair.
  2. Officers will serve a one year term being elected and installed no later than one month prior to the end of Spring to allow for a month of shadowing the current officers.
  3. No officer shall hold more than two consecutive terms of the same office.
  4. The duties of the President shall be:
    1. Preside over all meetings
    2. Appoint adhoc committees as needed to accomplish the goals of the organization.
    3. Must be responsible for delegation of duties of other officers
    4. Communicate with other officers about activities, duties, and other matters related to the organization
    5. Schedule speakers for meetings, with recommendation from officers or any active member
    6. Keep a calendar with all future activities
    7. Recruit students
  5. The duties of the Vice President shall be:
    1. In the President's absence, perform the presidential duties
    2. Provide direction to the standing and adhoc committees as needed.
    3. Assist President with developing meeting agendas for all regular meetings.
    4. Arrange at least two guest speakers per semester, trips, and extracurricular activities
    5. Write thank-you notes to the speakers and organizations
    6. Work with President to recruit new members
  6. The duties of the Secretary shall be:
    1. Maintain complete and accurate records of all meetings
    2. Distribute meeting agendas to all members at each meeting. Minutes will be distributed to the members on the web within a week of each meeting.
    3. Send out meeting reminders and call attendance at the beginning of each meeting
    4. Maintain records of attendance of general meetings and events
  7. The duties of the Treasurer shall be:
    1. Collect dues and keep financial records and any accounts of the organization
    2. Report on financial status at each meeting
    3. Assist Fundraising Chair
    4. In the case checks are needed, checks are signed by the Treasurer and co-signed by the President
  8. The duties of the Historian shall be:
    1. Ensure there are pictures taken at every event
    2. Keep an updated chronological album of the events and create a scrapbook at the end of each year
    3. Organize a video/slide show at the end of the year
    4. Assist Internet Chair
  9. The duties of the Internet Chair shall be:
    1. Maintain an updated website for the organization
  10. The duties of the Fundraising Chair shall be:
    1. Organize a minimum of five fundraisers per semester
    2. Work with the Treasurer to ensure the organization has funds
  11. The duties of the Internships/Activities Chair shall be:
    1. Inform members of possible internships related to the Animal Science field
    2. Work with President on creating and arranging activities of interest to the organization
    3. Ensure there are at least 5 activities done by every member by the end of each semester
Article V - Elections
  1. Nominations shall take place one meeting prior to election
  2. Those running for office shall fill out an application upon nomination. On the day of election, they must read and sign a copy of the Constitution and give a speech of two minutes or less
  3. Elections shall take place on the second to last meeting of the Spring semester
  4. The elected officers shall take full responsibility upon adjournment of the spring term
  5. Elections shall be by majority vote, eliminating the candidates with the fewest votes, leaving the one with the majority vote being the elected official
  6. Votes shall be written paper ballots. They shall be counted by the highest officer not up for election at that point.
  7. If there is a tie, a runoff election must occur
Article VI - Advisor
  1. The Faculty Advisor shall consist of at least one (1) faculty member
  2. The Faculty Advisor(s) shall advise this organization in all pertinent matters and executive decisions.
Article VII - Finances
  1. Every member of this organization must pay the required dues, as determined each year by the executive committee, before the set deadline
  2. Field trips fees are to be determined by the executive board depending on the type of transportation, cost of admission, and distance to be
  3. All members that pay their fees will be allow to vote
Article VIII - Meetings
  1. Number of meetings per month will be determined by the president and executive board
  2. There will be a minimum of one meeting per month
  3. Special meetings may be called when deemed necessary by the executive committee
Article IX - Ratification
  1. A copy of this document must be submitted to the organization at the meeting previous to ratification
  2. A 3/4 vote majority is necessary to adopt this constitution
  3. This constitution, once adopted, shall be the ruling guide for the Pre-Veterinary Society of the University of West Florida, and may be amended as necessary