Pre-Physicians Assistant Club Constitution
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name
Pre-Physician's Assistant Club
Section 2: Purpose/Mission
Our mission, as a pre-physician's assistant club, is to spread awareness about the physician assistant profession. First, we will spread awareness through weekly or bi monthly meetings. An example of a normal meeting may involve the discussion of admission requirements, accepted student profiles, and how to improve resumes. Second, we will be in contact with schools offering pre-physician's assistant programs in hopes of having admission representatives visiting CSB/SJU or the club visiting such schools with programs. Third, we will be in contact with a representative from career services who will have resources for the club to contact CSB/SJU alums who are practicing physician's assistants and/or physician assistant students. Overall, we want to create an environment where students can discuss the process of becoming a physician assistant.
Section 3: Affiliation
No current sponsors or affiliations.
Article II: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
Any student who is interested in becoming a physician assistant or wants to learn more about the profession is welcome to attend meetings.
Section 2: Eligibility for Voting
If a student wants to become an official member of the club they must attend 2 meetings per semester held by the club. The student will sign in at the beginning of the meeting so that the executive board may keep record of those who attend the meetings.
Section 3: Removal of Members
If the members of the board feel that a member is detrimentally affecting the club the member in question will be notified in writing of his/her actions that have affected the club. Next, the individual in question will have time to present why he/she would still want to be in the club. The individual must contact the president and he/she will discuss with the board and they will pick a date in which the individual can address the club as a whole. On that same day, ⅔ of the members present will vote on whether the individual in question will remain a part of the club.
Article III: Officers
Section 1: Officer Qualifications
Any CSB/SJU student who has been a part of the pre-physician's club for 1 semester is eligible to run for an officer position.
Section 2: Elected Officers
President- 1 position
Vice President-1 position
Opportunities Coordinator-2 positions
Events Coordinator-1 position
Treasurer/secretary-1 position
Section 3: Duties of Officers
President: presides at meetings, calls special meetings, is the primary contact with institutions, appoints committee chairs, runs the election process, supervises events, and develops the professional resource catalog in coordination with the Secretary.
Vice President: aids the President appropriately in his/her responsibilities.
Opportunities coordinator: researches possible opportunities and events for the club. Provides contacts and event details for the event coordinator to act upon.
Events Coordinator: coordinates the events using the materials provided by the Opportunities Coordinator.
Treasurer/secretary: As Treasurer keeps financial records. Prepares, maintains and informs co-officer members of club monetary balance, budgets and allocations. As secretary maintains a current list of members and club history records, notifies members of meetings (emails, posters etc.) and is the official correspondence for members.
Section 4: Vacancy in Office
A vacancy in office will be addressed according to its length.
1) Temporary Absence: Officer succession/"chain of command" should be addressed (e.g., in the event that the President is sick or unable to attend a meeting, the Vice President will assume those duties).
2) Permanent Absence: An election will be held in order to replace the absent officer. (e.g. officer is studying abroad, leaves or is removed). Please refer to the special election section of Article IV for more details.
Section 5: Removal of Officers
An officer of the Pre-Physician's Assistant club who is not in good standing may be removed by the following process: The Pre-Physician's Assistant Executive Board, with assistance from the club advisor if needed, will decide whether a member's action(s) merit that member's removal from the club. A one week notice will then be given to the member indicating his/her potential removal; then at the next club meeting the person will be given the opportunity to defend his/her case. A call to vote will be made, and a blind vote of ⅔ of present members will be made to determine the removal of the member.
Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
If an officer who has been removed wants to appeal the board's decision, he/she may contact the president or vice president and he/she will notify the club advisor. Next the aforementioned member will meet with the vice president and president, and if those two determine the removed member has a valid argument, the member may present his/her case to the entire club at the next meeting. At the meeting, the removed member will present his/her case and a blind vote will be taken. For the vote to stand, ⅔ of the club members will determine the vote.
Article IV: Elections
Section 1: Nomination Process
A nomination for candidacy to an open Executive Board position will be recognized as the submission of a platform describing the candidate's qualities and intentions for office. This platform will then be read by the candidate at an all club meeting, where the election will take place. For the candidate to be elected, ⅔ of the club members must vote yes for the candidate.
Section 2: Election
All available positions will be voted for on the same ballot. The vote will be blind and take place during an all club meeting. All members of the club, including the nominees, will be able to vote. The votes will be collected and tallied by the club president. The meeting in which the voting will take place occurs during the beginning of March so that the Student Activities and Leadership Development can be notified of new board members. Each position may be held by one member for an academic year.
Section 3: Special Elections
If an officer leaves/is removed from office, their position will be filled according to sections 1 and 2 of Article IV. The meeting in which the presentation of the candidate's platform, as well as the voting in which to fill the open position, will occur at the next meeting called by the club.
Article V: Advisor
Section 1: Selection
The advisor will be from the CSB/SJU faculty, and the current club executive board will make a request to the faculty member of their choice.
Section 2: Duties
First, the advisor will meet with the executive board as often as necessary. Second, the advisor will explain institutional policy/procedure and intervene when knowledge of inappropriate activities contrary to CSB/SJU policy occur. Third, the advisor will act as a resource to the group, in which he/she will provide information regarding possible job or internship opportunities.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
The board will meet once a week to discuss upcoming meetings or events that will be held by the club. An all-club meeting will occur at least twice a month and the members/all of the CSB/SJU community will be notified by email.
Section 2: Special Meetings
Special meeting may be called by the president or vice president. These meetings should only occur under special circumstances given that all club business should be accomplished during regular bi-monthly meetings.
Article VI
The Pre-Physician's Assistant Club admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.
Article VII
The Pre-Physician's Assistant Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Pre-Physician's Assistant Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.
Article VIII
Section 1: Constitutional Changes
Any member may request changes to the constitution at any time. Voting will need to occur in order for any changes to be made. A majority vote will need to take place and at least ⅔ of the club's members must be present at the vote in order for any changes to occur. Must notify the JCB of constitutional changes and submit a new constitution with changes to be approved by the JCB.