STUDENTS OF THE WORLD CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We, the members of Miami Dade College “Students of the World” hereby associate ourselves to create a support group for current members of the Armed Forces, Veterans, former Prisoners of War, family members, significant others, and friends of individuals in the Armed Forces, contacting the currently serving individuals recognizing them through care packages and the creation of a Pen Pal program as of November 12th, 2010.
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be “Students of the World.”
ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this organization shall be to create a support group for members of the Armed Forces and their loved ones in order to reduce psychological problems such as post-war stress and other emotional disturbances. We will unite in order to break the chains of pain that many of these individuals have, and create an opportunity for them to express themselves and have friends to confide in. We will unite to demonstrate the gratitude of the American people to those who have served or are serving the country, fighting for our freedom. The organization will also work to create care packages to send to members of the Armed Forces overseas, and communicate with members deployed around the country and the world through a Pen Pal program.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership of this organization shall be open to any student enrolled in Miami Dade College that wishes to affiliate themselves to others with the common purpose of supporting the United States Armed Forces. The student must be currently enrolled in at least one course (of at least one credit) at any campus of the Miami Dade College. The organization is also open to any faculty, staff, or alumni of Miami Dade College that are still affiliated with the college. They will have to fill out the “New Member Admissions Form” (see Article X. Additional Documentation and Forms)
Section 2. A quorum of membership for voting purposes shall be reached when 2/5 of the regular members are present.
Section 3. Any member absent for four (4) consecutive meetings will be put on “probation” and will be removed from the club roster after another two (2) absences.
Section 4. Nominations shall take place December 1st, 2010. The members will be notified the week of December 22nd – 26th, 2010 who the nominees are and encouraged to make their own nominations. This will be done through the “Officer Nomination Form” (see Article X. Additional Documentation and Forms) and will be submitted to the current President and Vice President. They will have to fill out the “New Officer/Board Member Contract” (see Article X. Additional Documentation and Forms) which delineates their responsibilities and expectations as officers of this club.
Section 5. Votes shall be counted by the current President and Vice President of the organization.
Section 6. Installation of new officers shall take place during the first meeting of the following semester. The officers that are elected will serve a total term of two (2) years, for the span of two (2) Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
ARTICLE IV. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The situations and conditions that would call for such actions may include, but are not limited to an officer being:
Expulsed from Miami Dade College.
Found guilty of breaking the ethical codes of Miami Dade College.
Discovered to have problems with the law, i.e. have been tried for a crime, have been prosecuted, have been sentenced to jail, have been found guilty of committing a felony, misdemeanor, and/or anything of a greater severity.
A danger to the organization or its members.
“Danger” may be defined as an imminent threat to the well-being of the individuals in the organization, be it psychologically, emotionally, and/or physically harmful.
Disruptive and insensitive toward the members of the organization and/or fellow officers.
“Disruptive” can be defined as rude and careless, as well as specifically targeting a member’s ideas or another officer’s.
“Insensitive” may be defined as hurtful offensive. All officers are expected to treat members of the organization as well as other board members with respect and civility. All ideas are to be heard and spoken about, regardless of each individual’s agreement or disagreement, or their personal biases.
Section 2. The procedures for such actions will be the following:
The officer will be called to attention.
The board of officers will meet with the faculty advisor and the officer that is being expulsed.
The situation will be discussed and the reasons for expulsion will be clearly explained and outlined for the officer to be removed.
An “Officer Removal Contract” (see Article X. Additional Documentation and Forms) will be signed by all the board members, including the officer to be removed, and the faculty advisor, recognizing the formal removal of the individual from the organization.
A provisional officer will be placed in the position of the other, until elections are carried out.
For the President, the Vice President shall temporarily serve.
For the Vice President, the Secretary shall temporarily serve.
For the Secretary, the Treasurer shall temporarily serve.
ARTICLE V. SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
Section 1. The situations and conditions that would call for such actions may include, but are not limited to a member being:
Expulsed from Miami Dade College.
Found guilty of breaking the ethical codes of Miami Dade College.
Discovered to have problems with the law, i.e. have been tried for a crime, have been prosecuted, have been sentenced to jail, have been found guilty of committing a felony, misdemeanor, and/or anything of a greater severity.
A danger to the organization or its members.
“Danger” may be defined as an imminent threat to the well-being of the individuals in the organization, be it psychologically, emotionally, and/or physically harmful.
Disruptive and insensitive toward the members of the organization and/or officers.
“Disruptive” can be defined as rude and careless, as well as specifically targeting a member’s ideas or an officer’s.
“Insensitive” may be defined as hurtful offensive. All members are expected to treat other members of the organization as well as officers with respect and civility. All ideas are to be heard and spoken about, regardless of each individual’s agreement or disagreement, or their personal biases.
Section 2. The procedures for such actions will be the following:
The member will be called to attention.
The board of officers will meet with the faculty advisor and the member that is being expulsed.
The situation will be discussed and the reasons for expulsion will be clearly explained and outlined for the member to be removed.
A “Member Removal Contract” (see Article X. Additional Documentation and Forms) will be signed by all the board members and the faculty advisor, including the member to be expulsed, recognizing the formal removal of the individual from the organization.
ARTICLE VI. FACULTY ADVISOR
This group will have a regular faculty advisor who will attend meetings and advise the organization. The officers of the organization will be in close contact with the advisor and hold meetings with them intermittently.
ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS AND DUES
Section 1. Meetings shall be held regularly at a time specified by the organization, according to the availability of the advisor and to the convenience of the officers and members. Members will be notified three (3) to five (5) days in advance before a meeting through e-mail, and reminded regularly.
Section2. There will be no initiation fee for any members due to the fact that this is intended on being a non-profit student organization based on a support system.
Section 3. Members are not required to pay any dues in order to be a part of the organization. Members may donate to the organization’s account at their own discretion. The method by which monetary funds shall be generated will be through fund-raising activities as approved by the college. A “Member Donation Form” (see Article X. Additional Documentation and Forms) will be filled out and signed by the Donor and Treasurer.
ARTICLE VIII. ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER
Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used as a guide for the president officer in all situations not covered by provisions of the constitution.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this constitution shall be submitted to the President writing for submission to the members to vote. A 2/3 vote shall suffice adoption thereof, subject to approval by the Director of Student Life and the appropriate organizational council.
