Article I: Name &  Purpose

Section 1: Name

This club shall be known as Global Health Affairs.

 

 

Section 2: Mission

The mission of Global Health Affairs is to increase the awareness of  CSB/SJU students on global health issues. A major component of this club will raise awareness of the mission of Global Brigades and the needs of community members in Central America and Ghana. Moreover, issues such as AIDS, multi-strain tuberculosis, mental health, and maternal-child health will be addressed in the greater context of the world. This differs from similar entities on campus in that we will focus on a broad and comprehensive overview of all health related issues. Students will have the opportunity to educate themselves on contemporary issues, which will prepare them as they apply to graduate school, volunteer

after graduation, and enter the workplace.

Our aim for the Global Medical Brigades trip is to improve equality of life by participating in the largest student-led social responsibility movement on the planet. We seek to empower under-­resourced communities and ourselves to resolve global health and economic disparities and inspire all involved to collaboratively work towards an equal world.

Section 3: Affiliation

This club will serve as an affiliate of the umbrella non-­profit organization Global Brigades. This club will operate under the rules and regulations of both the University/College and Global Brigades. Article   II: Membership   Section 1: Eligibility & Member   Status

Global Health Affairs members may claim one of three membership classifications—voting, non-­voting, and affiliate—each having unique responsibilities. Voting Member Status: To hold voting member status, the following criteria must be met:

1. Full time undergraduate enrollment at either The College of Saint Benedict or Saint John’s University.

2.Attendance at 60% of GHA meetings.

3. Attendance at 80% of GHA events.

 

Non-­Voting Member Status:

To hold non-­voting member status, the following criteria must be met: 1. Full-time undergraduate enrollment at either the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John’s University. Affiliate Member Status: To hold affiliate member status, one of the three following criteria must be met:

1. Part-­time undergraduate enrollment at either The College of Saint Benedict or Saint John’s   University.

2. Graduate enrollment at either aforementioned institution.

Section 2: Removal of Members

The protocol for member removal is outlined below:

1. A petition, holding 2/3 of voting member signatures, must expressly state the desire to remove a member, and be handed to an executive board member.

2. Upon receiving the petition, the officer must notify the club president immediately. The club president will then appoint a special committee, comprised of the executive board and the club faculty advisor.

3.The committee will notify the ill-­standing officer immediately and issue a date for a special meeting regarding the removal of that member. Club members must be notified of the meeting no later than one calendar week before it is to be held.

4.Before the meeting can begin, a quorum (2/3 of voting members) must be established. If a quorum is not established, the committee will postpone the meeting to a later date.

5. The chairperson of the special committee will read aloud the petition and a statement on the behalf of the executive board.

6. The member in question will issue a statement in person. In the event that the member cannot attend, a written statement is discouraged but acceptable.

7. A vote representative of a quorum will take place, ultimately issuing a verdict.

Section 3: Member Appeal Process

If a member is removed and feels as though the procedure above was not followed, they may request an appeal in writing to the board. Upon which, the executive board will re-­review the case and offer a final decision.  

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications      

The following criteria must be satisfied for an individual to be eligible for candidacy:

1. Satisfaction of voting member criteria for one academic year either immediately prior to or during the year when candidacy is announced.

Section 2: Elected Officers & Officer Duties

Officers will lead and serve GHA members through a hierarchical leadership framework—thereby establishing an understood order. Each officer will have unique duties, for which they are solely responsible.

Officer positions of the executive board are listed below in descending order of succession.

1. President – serves as the executive officer, presides all meetings, oversees general and special elections, reserves the power to make special appointments as granted by the club constitution, appoints committees and committee chairs, and serves as the primary ambassador to parent organization, Global Brigades serves as the primary ambassador to the JCB.

2. Vice President – assumes presidential duties in absence of the president, serves as the primary ambassador to the JCB serves as the primary ambassador to parent organization, Global Brigades, reserves the power to appoint committees, and functions as a liaison to the colleges when required.

3. Secretary – records and distributes club minutes, and serves as a liaison between the executive board and club members by directing correspondence.

4. Treasurer – is responsible for all financial interactions and their record, submits audit statements to CFB contact, prepares and releases reports regarding club finances, oversees budget requests and aids special committees and officers tasked with fundraising.

Section 4: Vacancy in Office

In the circumstance that an office is left vacant, it should be temporarily filled with respect to the successional order (established in Article III Section III) until filled following special elections protocol (see Article IV Section III).

Section 5: Removal of Officers      The protocol for officer removal is outlined below:

1. A petition, holding 2/3 of voting member signatures, must expressly state the desire to remove an officer, and be handed to any officer sitting on the executive board.

2. Upon receiving the petition, the officer must notify the club president immediately. The club president will then appoint a special committee, comprised of the executive board and the club faculty advisor, but excluding the officer petitioned for removal.

3. The committee will notify the ill-­standing officer immediately and issue a date for a special meeting regarding the removal of that officer.   Club members must be notified of the meeting no later than one calendar week before it is to be held. 

4. Before the meeting can begin, a quorum  (2/3 of voting members) must be established. If a quorum is not established, the committee will postpone the meeting to a later date.

5. The chairperson of the special committee will read aloud the petition and a statement on the behalf of the executive board.

6. The officer in question will issue a statement in person. In the event that the officer in question cannot attend, a written statement is discouraged but acceptable.

7. A vote representative of a quorum will take place, ultimately issuing a verdict.

Section 6: Appeal of Removal  of Officers    

If a member is  removed and feels as though the protocol above was not followed, they may request an appeal, in writing, to the board. Upon which, the executive board and faculty advisor will re-­review the case and offer a final decision.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination Process

Club members who meet the criteria necessary to hold office and are interested in holding executive board positions must share their intent to run with the sitting President. They will be invited to share their qualifications for office during a private meeting with the executive board and will then be included on the ballot.

Section 2: Election

The election for executive board positions will be held annually during the first week in April. Any individual who meets voting member status will be notified via email and asked to submit an electronic ballot provided by Global Health Affairs. There is no limit to the number of terms a single member may hold any office.

Section 3: Special Elections      Special elections will be held in the event that an office is found vacant. Elections will occur within two calendar weeks of the date at which the office was vacated. Those who wish to run for the open seat must share their intent to run with the acting president. They will be invited to share their qualifications for office with the executive board during a private meeting and will then be included on the ballot. Voting members will be asked to submit an electronic ballot to fill the vacant seat by the end of the two-­‐‑-­‐‑ -­‐‑-­‐‑week period. After the votes have been compiled, the newly elected will be notified and assume their respective office immediately, thereby terminating the interim officer.

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection

The executive board will select club advisors. Club advisors must be faculty of The College of Saint Benedict or Saint John’s

University.  Section 2: Duties

 

 

As agreed upon in the advisor contract, the club advisor is expected to annually review club funds and ensure the executive board is maintaining the mission of the club and operating in a sustainable manner.

Article VI: Meetings

Section  1:  Regular Meeting/Club Activities    

Global Health Affairs meetings will occur bi-­monthly with members being notified via campus email.

Section 2: Special Meetings  

The executive board can call special meetings. Special meetings should only be called in the event that time-­sensitive  issues need to be addressed by the clubs voting  members.  

Section  3: Parliamentary Authority                                                  

Business meetings will follow Roberts Rules of Order save for voting, which will not follow  Roberts Rules or Order regarding voting but will follow protocol established in Article IV.  

Section  4: Quorum                                                                                

A quorum is defined  as 2/3 of  voting  members present.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure

Global Health Affairs committees will be led by directors and overseen by executive board members. Committee on Finance (Overseen by Treasurer) Director of Fundraising Assists in finding fundraising opportunities and attends fundraising events. Works with VP and CSB/SJU to gain fullest possible support for chapter. Assists President with grant writing and donation requests from corporate sponsors.

Committee on Marketing & Outreach (Overseen by Secretary)

Director of Sustainability

Coordinates follow up, year-­round communication, and smooth transitions from one year to the next to ensure the sustainability of this chapter. Committee on Medicine & Dentistry (Overseen by President & Vice President)   Director of  Medicine

Coordinates all aspects of obtaining medical grants and donations, including the maintenance of good relations with the organizations and appropriately follows up with necessary updates.

Director of Dentistry

Responsible for all dental preparation, collecting dental supplies, recruiting dentists, and preparing dental education station for patients.

Committee on Education (Overseen by President & Vice President)

Director of Education

Responsible for preparing group for the education workshops during the brigade, maintaining communication with President and Vice President regarding progress, and leading members during workshop presentation during brigade.

Director of Language Education

Leads presentations on local political, economical and social culture. Leads Spanish language workshops in preparation for brigade.

Section 2: Special/Ad-­Hoc Committees                                      

Special/Ad-­Hoc committees may be formed at the discretion of the executive board.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-­Funding Board

Global Health Affairs will annually apply for Co-­Funding Board monies and will follow CFB and institutional regulations.

 Section 2: Outside Fundraising

Global Health Affairs will not rely solely on CFB and/or Senatorial support. Outside funding from local businesses, charities, and foundations will be sought after to help with the cost of the global medical brigades project.

Section 3: Honorariums

No officers will receive honorariums or stipends for personal expenses.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification

To amend this constitution, a motion must be made explicitly stating the rationale for amendment and the amendment itself. The motion will then be voted upon by at least 2/3 of voting members and will be adopted after approval by the club advisor.

Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board

Any changes made to this constitution must be submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the JCB.