Constitution

Article I.  Name

 

  1. The name of the organization is the Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University.

 

Article II.  Purpose & Goals

 

  1. Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University shall:
    1. Promote the exchange of ideas and knowledge associated with current research in fisheries and aquatic sciences through the discussion of scientific, technical, and other information about fisheries science and practice.
    2. Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University shall serve as a mechanism for furthering the education and professional development of students in the fisheries science field and assist in the transition from an educational to a professional setting for fisheries science students.

 

  1. Student sub unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University abides by and supports established Iowa State University policies, State and Federal laws, and follows local ordinances and regulations. The Iowa State University Student Subunit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society agrees to annually complete President’s Training, Treasurer’s Training and Adviser Training.

 

Article III.  Membership

 

  1. Membership shall be open to all students at Iowa State University. Active membership is limited to students enrolled at Iowa State University.  Only active members retain voting privileges.  Faculty, staff, honorary, community, or alumni may attend meetings, but have no voting privilege and cannot hold office.

 

  1. The Student sub unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University is open to registered students at Iowa State and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran.

 

  1. Students must comprise greater than 80% of the total membership.

 

  1. Members must pay dues annually, and their membership extends through the academic year (beginning the first day of fall semester) for which dues are paid.

 

  1. Members are expect to regularly attend organizational meetings, pay dues, and actively support organization activities. Membership will be revoked by ½ vote of officers, plus ¾ vote from the general membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership.

 

Article IV.  Officers

 

  1. Elected officers of the Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University are President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers shall be active members of the Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University and shall be elected at the annual meeting (no later than April 30) by written ballot.  Election of officers will require a simple majority vote from the general membership.  If a candidate fails to receive a majority of votes, a run off election will be held with the top two candidates that received the most votes.  Members interested in becoming an officer must fulfill the following academic requirements as established by the Student Organization Recognition Policy.
  2.  
  3. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as stated below and meet that minimum GPA in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office. For undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, the minimum GPA is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration.
  4. Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half time(six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
  5. A student would be ineligible to hold an office or impeached should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (A) or (B).

 

  1. Officers shall serve for a period of one year beginning at the start of the academic year.

 

  1. Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University will have one adviser. Advisers shall serve at their own leisure. Any full-time administrative or instructional faculty may serve as an adviser.  Advisers are nominated by the Executive Committee (see below) and selected by a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee at the annual meeting.

 

  1. Adviser’s may be removed from office by ½ vote of the other officers and ¾ of the general membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership. The advisor is permitted to speak before the Executive Committee and the general membership about the charges made concerning his/her performance.  The advisor is not permitted to participate in the deliberation of the Executive Committee regarding the charges.
  2. In case of this position being vacated position, Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University members shall elect a qualified replacement to fill the unexpired term. In the event of a cancellation of an annual meeting, the officers and the members of any committees shall continue to serve until the next scheduled meeting.

 

 

 

Advisor duties include:

  1. Maintain communication and meet with officer(s) regularly
  2. Awareness and approval of financial expenditures
  3. Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by Iowa State University and Student Activities Center

 

  1. The duties of officers are as follows:
  2. President:
    1. Serve as chair of the Executive Committee and shall preside at business meetings.
    2. Be responsible for the election of new officers at the annual meeting
    3. Serve as Risk Management officer.
      1. Minimize potential risks
      2. Recommend risk management policies
  • Submit documentation to ISU’s Risk Management and ensure that proper waivers and background checks are on file.
  1. President-Elect
    1. Perform the duties of the President, in the absence of the President.
    2. Be responsible for the organization of the annual meeting.
    3. Advance to the office of President at the end of the term.
  2. Secretary
    1. Keep current the registry of Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University membership to include name, address and email of members.
    2. Notify all members at least 1 week in advance of meetings.
    3. Keep minutes of the meeting proceedings. Post minutes online and email them to current membership within two days following the meeting.
  3. Treasurer
    1. Maintain a current membership list, receive all funds, pay all bills, keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements, and present an annual report to the membership at the business meetings.
    2. Submit a financial report to the adviser and President after each meeting is held and at other times as requested by the Executive Committee.

 

  1. The Executive Committee of Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University shall consist of the four elected officers and a faculty adviser. The faculty adviser has no voting power except in the case of a split vote, where the faculty adviser shall decide the outcome.  A minimum of two officers constitutes a quorum at a meeting of the EXCOM.

 

  1. Officers may be removed from office by ½ vote of the other officers and ¾ of the general membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership. The officer is permitted to speak before the Executive Committee and the general membership about the charges made concerning his/her performance.  The officer is not permitted to participate in the deliberation of the Executive Committee regarding the charges.

 

  1. In case of a vacated position, Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University members shall elect a qualified replacement to fill the unexpired term. In the event of a cancellation of an annual meeting, the officers and the members of any committees shall continue to serve until the next scheduled meeting.

 

Article V.  Finances

 

  1. All monies belonging to Student sub-unit of the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society at Iowa State University shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the Campus Organizations Accounting Office and/or approved institution/office (must receive authorization via Campus Organizations Accounting Office and Student Activities Center). All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection.  The Adviser to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.

 

  1. Dues shall be $5.00 per semester

 

Article VI.  Amendment & Ratification

 

  1. This constitution may be amended and subsequently ratified at any time, with the unanimous approval of the President, President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer and with a two-thirds majority vote of the regular membership.
  2. Any change(s) must be provided to the membership body at least 30 days prior to a meeting where voting will take place.
  3. The amended or ratified constitution will be submitted within 10 days to Student Activities Center for approval.