SUNY AT STONY BROOK CONSTITUTION OF THE UNDERGRADUATE CHEMISTRY SOCIETY This constitution is binding upon the student organization when the student organization's constitution is silent, vague or inconsistent. Where the organization's constitution is express, it shall override the provisions of this constitution, except for its provisions regarding the time period for election of organization officers, the date when the organization officers shall take office, and the minimum cumulative index requirements. ARTICLE I - NAME The name of this organization shall be the name used to register the organization with the department of Student Union and Activities. The names and charters of all outside organizations with which this organization is affiliated are attached to this constitution in the appendix. ARTICLE II - PURPOSE The purpose of this organization is described in the "Statement of purpose" filed in the Department of Student Union & Activities. ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP a. All members must be currently registered, undergraduate students of SUNY @ Stony Brook and must subscribe to, or be interested in, the purpose of this organization and have paid the Student's Activities fee. b. No person shall be denied membership or office because of sexual preference, national origin, race, sex, physical disability, political or religious beliefs. This club fully abides by the office of Civil Rights Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Guidelines. ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS Section 1 All nominees for organization board positions must have a minimum cumulative index of 2.0 and if elected, must maintain a cumulative index of at least 2.0, and must be registered for the semester(s) during which they are to serve. All officers shall serve for one year and may be re-elected to one addition year as long as they maintain cumulative index of 2.09 and are registered each semester. All officers must be undergraduates who have paid a Student Activities Fee. Section 2 a. The President shall be the official representative of the organization; he/she shall be a nonvoting ex officio member of all committees of the organization except the election committee. b. The President shall have the power to convene and preside over the meetings of the executive board and the general membership and prepare the agenda for the meetings of the executive board and the general membership. The President shall further perform such duties as may be necessary and proper in the fulfillment of his/her office, subject to the approval of the executive board. Section 3 The Vice-President shall be required to see that standing committee chairpersons are fulfilling their duties. The Vice-President shall further perform such duties as may be necessary and proper in the fulfillment of his/her office, subject to the approval to the executive board. If the President is unable to perform his/her duties (due to impeachment, leave of absence or resignation) the Vice-President shall assume the position of President. Section 4 a. The treasurer shall keep detailed record of all monies allotted to the organization. The treasurer shall also submit all payment requests with proper documentation. b. The treasurer is responsible for preparing a budget application to be considered a line budget club for the following fiscal year. c. Each month the treasurer shall perform such duties as may be necessary and proper in the fulfillment of his/her office, subject to the approval of the executive board. He/she shall ensure that the financial operations of the organization are in compliance with the FMP & P's. The treasurer shall assume the position as Vice-President in the event that the Vice-President is unable to perform his/her duties (due to leave of absence, resignation, or assumption of presidency). A new treasurer will be elected in a special election called by the president if a vacancy occurs in this office. Section 5 The secretary shall take minutes and attendance of all meetings and maintain an up to date active voting membership roster. He/she is responsible for turning in minutes to the Polity Office in a timely fashion. A new secretary will be elected in a special election called by the President if a vacancy occurs in this office. Section 6 The Co-secretary shall be responsible for informing the members of the club of meeting times and dates, and of the past meetings minutes. A new Co-secretary will be elected in a special election called by the President if a vacancy occurs in this office. ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 1 a. The members of the executive board shall be the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Co-Secretary. b. The total membership of the executive board shall not exceed four members. Section 2 All executive board meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order (latest edition), except where expressly provided for in this constitution. Section 3 The President shall be the chairperson and presiding officer of the executive board. ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS Section 1 This organization shall hold at least one general membership meeting each month. Section 2 A quorum consisting of a majority of the total active membership is necessary for the transaction of any business of all meetings. Section 3 All meetings must have an agenda, and give school prior notice of the meetings must be given to all organization members. Section 4 The President must convene a meeting within a reasonable amount of time if such a meeting is initiated: a. by a majority vote of the voting members present at a regular or special meeting or b. upon a petition signed by one third of the active voting membership. ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS Section 1 An election committee shall be elected by the general membership of March in each academic year. It shall consist of five members, none of whom may be considered for elected office. If a vacancy occurs on the committee, a special election shall be held to fill the vacant seat. The committee shall elect its own chairperson, and recommend the time, manner and place of election pursuant to the articles contained in this constitution. Section 2 No person shall seek the position of President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer unless he/she has been a member of this organization for two semesters prior to the semester when he/she would assume office. Section 3 All officers must be elected by majority vote during the annual Student Government Senate election period. Elections must be held no later than May 1st. New officers will assume their position on June 1st. a. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor at a meeting prior to the election. b. Election shall be by majority vote of the active voting members present whose names appear on the membership roster. ARTICLE VII - IMPEACHMENT Section 1 Any officer of the club may be brought upon impeachment charges if he/she is acting detrimentally to the organization or he/she has significantly disregarded the major responsibilities of his/her office. Section 2 If a list of charges, signed by three-fourths of the officers, is submitted to the president he/she must call for impeachment proceeding. If the president is being brought up on charges, the petition shall be submitted to the Vice-President. Upon receipt of the petition, the President shall suspend the officer and prevent him/her from exercising all powers and voting rights pending the outcome of the impeachment proceedings. Section 3 If a list of charges, signed by two-thirds of the active members is submitted to the President, he/she must call for impeachment proceedings. Section 4 After proper impeachment proceedings, the officer charged may be impeached by a three-fourth vote of the organization members. IF the impeachment passes, the officer shall be removed from his/her position. Section 5 Special elections: a. Upon impeachment of 1. President: The Vice-President assumes the presidency and a special election is held for Vice-President within a one month period. 2. Other officers: A special election will be held in a one month period. ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS Section 1 Amendments to this constitution may be introduced from the floor and must be submitted to the secretary in writing at a general membership meeting. Section 2 The entire voting membership shall be notified in writing at least five school days prior to a vote on a proposed amendment. Section 3 A two-thirds vote of the active voting membership is necessary for the passage of an amendment. ARTICLE X - DISSOLUTION In the event of the dissolution of this organization, all accrued funds and assets shall revert to the Student Polity Association. ARTICLE XI - CONTRACTS As members of our organization we fully understand that we are not authorized to enter into any contractual agreements. We are a club that is part of the Student Polity Association, and therefore, the Student Polity Association's designees (Executive Director and Treasurer) are authorized to sign and execute contracts.