Pre-Optometry Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Pre-Optometry Club

Section 2: Purpose/Mission
The mission of the Pre-Optometry Club is to provide information, resources, and opportunities related to the field of optometry to interested students.

We will provide:

  • Information about the field of Optometry
  • Information about the Optometry Admission Test and prep courses for it
  • Contact information to professionals in the field of Optometry
  • Information on each optometry school’s admission requirements
  • Volunteer opportunities

We will promote:

  • Benedictine values through service to the community
  • Challenging students to expand their knowledge and exposure to and within the field
  • Leadership within our club, campuses, and communities
  • Working together by sharing our knowledge for the benefit of all members

The information, resources, and opportunities we will provide are for the betterment of those interested in optometry and the community.

Section 3: Affiliation
The Pre-Optometry Club is affiliated with the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
Any student, regardless of major or class standing, enrolled in the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John’s University is eligible for membership. During the first year of the club, all members will be voting members. This should be re-evaluated the following year by the Pre-Optometry Club.

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
To be a voting member, Pre-Optometry club members must make a strong effort to attend every club meeting. This is especially important in the first year.

Section 3: Removal of Members
A member considered in poor standing with the club will meet with the officers to discuss their actions, in hopes of reconciling any differences. If a resolution does not occur, the voting members of the Pre-Optometry Club will hold an anonymous vote to determine if the member should be removed. A majority of the vote is required to remove a member from the club.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications
A member will be eligible to hold the position of officer only if he/she is Pre-Optometry and intends to apply to optometry school. Those interested in becoming an officer must also be in the club for at least a semester.

Section 2: Elected Officers
The club will elect a minimum of three officers. Each of the three elected officers will be designated either Department of Student Activities, Co-Funding Board, or Joint Club Board contact.

Section 3: Duties of Officers
The elected officers will divide club duties equally. Elected officials will hold a meeting at the beginning of the academic year to determine how this division of labor will occur.

Section 4: Vacancy in Office
If an officer must vacate his/her position, the other officers will assume his/her duties until a secret ballot can be held to determine the new officer. However, the club reserves the right to keep the position open if there are three other officers.

Section 5: Removal of Officers
First, a petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. The petition must contain a majority of the voting member’s signatures. If such a petition is drafted, the officer in question will be notified and given time to prepare a defense. A meeting will be called and the officer in question can deliver their defense in person or in writing. A vote by voting members will occur and a majority vote will result in the removal of the officer.

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
In the event of an appeal, a meeting will be called consisting of the Pre-Optometry Club advisor, the officers, and the removed officer. The removed officer will have the opportunity to re-state his/her case, and the other officers will have the opportunity to explain why the officer in question was removed. The advisor will mediate and ultimately decide the status of the removed officer. The advisor’s decision is final.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination Process
The club will designate a meeting for nominations to occur. Members can nominate themselves or they can be nominated by a current officer or member.

Section 2: Election
Elections will take place during the meeting in March so that the Department of Student Activities can be notified of the new officers by the April 1 deadline. Each nominee who wants to run for office will give a brief speech. A secret ballot in which all voting members can participate will decide the new officers.

Section 3: Special Elections
If an officer vacates his/her position or is removed from office, an election to determine a new officer will be held at the next meeting. Members eligible to run for office (as specified in Article III, Section 1) should prepare a brief speech before that meeting. Majority vote by voting members will determine the officer’s replacement.

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection
A meeting by the executive board will be scheduled to discuss appropriate candidates for the advisor position. If there is disagreement, a voting session will take place to decide on the final candidate. A meeting will then be set up with the candidate to discuss duties and the advisor contract. If the candidate does not accept the duties, the process will be repeated until an advisor is found.

Section 2: Duties
The advisor will act as a liaison between the club members and faculty. They will be available for support to the executive board, but will not be required to attend any meetings. In the event of an appeal by a removed officer, the advisor will be called upon to make the final decision as to the removed officer's status (see Article III, Section 6).

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
Meetings will be held on a monthly basis. Club activities will also occur monthly with possible extra activities throughout the year. All notifications for meetings/activities will be sent via email.

Section 2: Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called for the preparation of certain activities or trips. These meetings will be arranged on as need basis with voting by the executive board to schedule them. Members will be notified via email. Special meetings will be held in the same manner as regular meetings, but will include only information related to the special meeting.

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
Robert's Rules of Order will not be used. Meetings will be run by the executive officers and will contain all relative information for the month in which the meeting is held. Members present at meetings will have opportunities to discuss issues and offer their input.

Section 4: Quorum
Two-thirds of all members must be present for official club business to occur.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure
Committees will be established as the need arises. The executive board will determine the need for committees.

Section 2: Special/Ad Hoc Committees
Special/Ad Hoc committees may be formed if needed.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-Funding Board
The Pre-Optometry Club intends to apply for CFB monies, and if allocated resources our club will follow all CFB and institutional regulations.

Section 2: Honorariums
There will be no honorariums/stipends from the organization to any officers or club members.

Section 3: Dues
There will be no club dues.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification
Constitutional amendments should be proposed at the beginning of each academic year if possible. However, if under other circumstances one wishes to amend the constitution, one must bring this up in discussion at a club meeting. The amendment should be discussed/debated and voted upon at the meeting. An amendment will pass with a majority vote.

Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board.
Any changes made to this constitution will be submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the JCB.

Article X:
The Pre-Optometry 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 XI:
The Pre-Optometry Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Pre-Optometry Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Date of recognition/revision: