Constitution

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION


ARTICLE I – NAME
Section 1.
The name of this organization shall be “The University of Minnesota Student Chapter of the
American Veterinary Medical Association.”
ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES
Section 1.
The objectives of this organization shall be:
To promote a spirit of friendly relations among the students regularly enrolled in the DVM
program in the college of veterinary medicine.
To provide an additional opportunity for the members to gain professional knowledge.
To demonstrate the virtue of organized effort.
To build character through the censorship of all unworthy actions of its members and the
commendation of all worthy deeds.
To protect the professional and personal interests of duly qualified veterinarians.
To make available to the students the opportunities offered by the American Veterinary Medical
Association to its Student Chapters.
To function as a non-profit organization following the University of Minnesota’s policies.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Only students enrolled in the DVM program at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary
Medicine may become members of this organization.
Section 2.
Members of the faculty and such others as the chapter may see fit to elect shall be honorary
members.
Section 3.
Membership is open to all students without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin,
handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1.
There shall be a business body known as the Executive Board of the Student Chapter.
Section 2.
The number of members of the board, their term of office, the method of selection, and the filling
of vacancies shall be provided in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
Section 1.
The officers of the Chapter shall consist of a president, two delegates (junior and senior delegate),
vice-president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer, (treasurer- elect) sergeant-at-arms,
parliamentarian, information officer and philanthropy chair. In addition, students from each class
are elected to be class representatives, four from the first year class, two from the second year
class, and one each from the third and fourth year classes. Each of these officers shall be chosen
in accordance with Articles I and XVII of the By-Laws, and continue in office for one term or
until their successors have been elected and installed. The eligibility, tenure, duties and method
of election shall be described in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
The constitution shall be amended only by a majority vote of both the executive board and the
members of the chapter in attendance at a regular meeting. Proposed amendments shall be
presented to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for approval at least three
months before final action is to be taken.
Section 2.
The Student Chapter secretary shall advise the executive secretary of the AVMA of any
amendments to the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VII – RELATIONS WITH THE AVMA
Section 1.
If this organization is disestablished, the funds shall be held in trust for three years after this
organization’s last regular meeting. At the end of the three year period, if the funds have not been
used, the funds shall be distributed to the Margaret Nolz Scholarship Fund.
Section 2.
The organization shall make available to students the financial opportunities available from
private funds.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE AVMA BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 1 – OFFICERS
Section 1.
The officers having immediate charge of the chapter’s affairs shall consist of a president, vicepresident,
president-elect, secretary, treasurer, treasurer-elect, sergeant at arms, parliamentarian,
philanthropy chair, information officer, two delegates (junior and senior delegates) and class
officers.
Section 2.
No student shall be a candidate for any Student Chapter office unless he or she is a member in
good standing.
Section 3.
The president, vice-president, president-elect, secretary, two delegates (junior and senior),
treasurer, treasurer-elect, sergeant at arms, parliamentarian, information officer, philanthropy
chair, and class representatives shall be members in good standing of the Student Chapter of the
AVMA. The executive board shall verify eligibility of all nominees for the various offices. This
shall be done during the interval between nominations and elections.
Section 4.
Tenure: The term of office for all officers shall be one year with the exception of delegates,
which shall be two years.
ARTICLE II – THE PRESIDENT
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws)
Section 2.
The president shall be the chief executive officer of the chapter.
Section 3.
Duties: The president shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter. He or she shall serve as a
member of the executive board, ex-officio and with the same franchise as its other members, and
he or she shall be considered as ex-officio member of all committees with the ability to supervise
and guide the committees. The president also has the ability to bring any concerns to the
executive board.
The president shall preside at all meetings of the executive board.
The president shall vote only in the case of a tie.
Section 4.
Tenure: The president’s term of office shall be one term.
ARTICLE III – VICE PRESIDENT
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws)
Section 2.
Duties: He or she shall preside at all meetings of the Chapter or executive board in absence of the
president. He or she shall aid and assist the other officers of the chapter in every way possible.
Section 3.
Tenure: The vice-president shall hold office for one term. In case of any emergency not
provided for in this constitution and administrative By-Laws, he or she shall hold this office until
a successor has been legally installed.
ARTICLE IV – PRESIDENT-ELECT
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws)
Section 2.
Duties: The president-elect shall serve as a voting member of the executive board with the same
franchise as its other members. He or she shall aid and assist the other officers of the Chapter in
every way possible. He or she shall also appoint all regular and special committees created by
any cause.
Section 3.
The president-elect shall automatically assume the office of the president at the termination of the
incumbent president’s term of office.
Section 4.
Tenure: The president-elect shall hold office for one term. In case of any emergency not
provided for in this constitution and administrative By-Laws, he or she shall hold this office until
a successor has been legally installed.
ARTICLE V – DELEGATES – Junior and Senior
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws)
Section 2.
Duties: Each delegate shall serve as Chapter delegate at four national Student AVMA House of
Delegates meetings. The junior delegate shall report proceedings of national meetings to the
student chapter. The senior delegate shall function as Minnesota’s corresponding delegate for
Student AVMA matters.
Section 3.
Tenure: Each delegate shall serve for one term of two years’ duration, starting out as the junior
delegate their first year and becoming the senior delegate their second year. In case of any
emergency not provided for in this constitution and administrative By-Laws, he or she shall hold
office until a successor has been legally installed.
ARTICLE VI – SECRETARY
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws)
Section 2.
Duties: The secretary shall keep roll for each meeting. He or she shall supply the executive
secretary of the AVMA with lists and other information as may be requested from time to time.
He or she shall serve as secretary of the executive board and with the same franchise as the other
members. At the request of individual member of the executive board, the secretary shall be
responsible for official chapter correspondence.
Section 3.
Tenure: The secretary shall serve for one term. In case of any emergency not provided for in this
constitution and administrative By-Laws, he or she shall hold this office until a successor has
been legally installed.
ARTICLE VII – TREASURER
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws).
Section 2.
Duties: The treasurer shall be the sole custodian of the cash resources of the Chapter. He or she
shall receive and hold all money of the Chapter. He or she shall keep a careful account of the
same and make such disbursements as voted upon by the executive board. The repository of the
Chapter’s cash resources shall be selected by the executive board. Quarterly, the treasurer shall
balance his or her accounts and then turn the record over to a committee or agency selected by the
executive board for audit. He or she shall also serve as a member for the executive board.
Section 3.
Tenure: The treasurer shall serve for one term. In case of any emergency not provided for in this
constitution and administrative By-Laws, he or she shall hold this office until a successor has
been legally installed.
ARTICLE VIII – TREASURER-ELECT
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws).
Section 2.
Duties: The treasurer-elect shall assist the treasurer in all duties. He or she shall serve as a
member of the executive board, as a voting member, and with the same franchise as its other
members.
Section 3.
The treasurer-elect shall automatically assume the office of the treasurer at the termination of the
incumbent treasurer’s term of office.
Section 4.
Tenure: The treasurer-elect shall hold office for one term. In case of any emergency not
provided for in this constitution and administrative By-Laws, he or she shall hold this office until
a successor has been legally installed.
ARTICLE IX – CLASS REPRESENTATIVES
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws).
Section 2.
Duties: The class representatives act as liaisons between the executive board and the student body
and are responsible for the dissemination of information about SCAVMA to their class. He or she
shall serve as a member of the executive board, as a voting member, and with the same franchise
as its other members.
Section 3.
There shall be four class representatives from the first year class, two from the second year class,
and one each from the third and fourth year classes.
Section 4.
Tenure: The class representatives shall hold office for one term. In case of any emergency not
provided for in this constitution and administrative By-Laws, he or she shall hold this office until
a successor has been legally installed.
ARTICLE X – FACULTY REPRESENTATIVE
Section 1.
Election (Article XVIII of By-Laws).
Section 2.
The Student Chapter shall elect annually at least one but not more than two faculty advisors from
the faculty of the college. A new faculty advisor shall be elected each year for a two-year term.
During the last year of his or her term, each elected faculty advisor shall be designated as senior
faculty advisor. If two co-advisors are elected, continuity would be provided by electing one
advisor every year. Advisors may be reelected for any number of successive terms by a majority
vote of the chapter. When a faculty advisor resigns, becomes unable to serve, or otherwise leaves
office, a new advisor shall be elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. All faculty
members designated as faculty advisors to the Student Chapter shall be active members in good
standing of the AVMA.
Section 3.
Duties: The faculty advisors shall assist the student chapter and its officers in promoting
understanding of the veterinary medical profession and its relationship to the general public; to
assist the student chapter in its deliberations; and to provide information on the program and
policies of the AVMA.
ARTICLE XI – SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws).
Section 2.
Duties: The sergeant at arms shall check attendance at each general assembly meeting and report
total attendance. He or she shall maintain order at all meetings. He or she shall also post
membership standings twice yearly, contact those members who may be at risk for not being
members in good standing, and serve as a member of the executive board. He or she may issue
membership cards to members in good standing upon request.
Section 3.
Tenure: The sergeant-at-arms shall serve for one term. In case of any emergency not provided
for in this constitution and By-Laws, he or she shall hold this office until a successor has been
legally installed.
ARTICLE XII– PARLIAMENTARIAN
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws).
Section 2.
Duties: The parliamentarian shall advise the president and the organization in matters of
parliamentary procedure not covered specifically by the constitution and By-Laws and informs
the president and organization of any violation of parliamentary procedure.
Section 3.
Tenure: The parliamentarian shall serve for one term. In case of any emergency not provided for
in this constitution and By-Laws, he or she shall hold office until a successor has been legally
installed.
ARTICLE XIII– PHILANTHROPY CHAIR
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws).
Section 2.
Duties: The philanthropy chair shall advise the freshman community outreach committee on
fundraising contacts. The philanthropy chair acts as a liaison between the student body and the
community and outside agencies. Their role is to facilitate the servant leadership relationship and
provide continuity between the community outreach committee and the executive board.
Section 3.
Tenure: The philanthropy chair shall serve for one term. In case of any emergency not provided
for in this constitution and By-Laws, he or she shall hold this office until a successor has been
legally installed.
ARTICLE XIV– INFORMATION OFFICER
Section 1.
Election (Articles I and XVIII of By-Laws).
Section 2.
Duties: The information officer shall maintain the chapter website and assist in the annual
registration process. They shall also assist in dissemination of information to the chapter’s
members.
Section 3.
Tenure: The information officer shall serve for one term. In case of any emergency not provided
for in this constitution and By-Laws, he or she shall hold office until a successor has been legally
installed.
ARTICLE XV– EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1.
Numbers: The executive board shall consist of elected officers of the Chapter, four
representatives from the freshman class, two representatives from the sophomore class, and one
representative from the junior and senior classes.
Section 2.
Elections (Articles I and XVIII of the By-Laws).
Section 3.
Duties: The student executive board shall be the administrative body of the Student Chapter. The
board shall be charged with the duty of carrying out the provisions of the constitution and
administrative By-Laws.
Section 4.
The student executive board shall vote to pass on the eligibility of all applicants for membership
if deemed necessary and shall vote upon all charges of misconduct filed against the members.
Section 5.
The board, with the majority approval of the Chapter via voting by the SCAVMA student
members, shall determine the annual dues, not to be less than the current SAVMA dues.
Section 6.
If an officer violates the constitution, the AVMA regulations for SCAVMA, the honor code or is
determined to abuse his or her position, any executive board member may request a hearing with
the audience of the required attendance of the entire Executive Board and advisors present at the
hearing. The Executive Board member in alleged violation will be contacted in writing one week
prior to the hearing. During this hearing the Executive Board member in alleged violation will
present his or her side. During the hearing the Executive Board member will not have a vote. A
one hundred percent vote via private ballot in favor of dismissal is required to warrant dismissal.
Section 7.
If for any reason there becomes an opening on the executive board, the position shall be
temporarily filled via appointment with a majority vote from the executive board until the next
election occurs. Each nomination shall be determined by the executive board on a case-by-case
basis.
Section 8.
A quorum of the executive board shall be considered 50% of the board. A quorum is required to
hold a meeting.
ARTICLE XVI – ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1.
In all cases where both the constitution and the By-Laws are found insufficient, the chapter shall
employ Robert’s Rules of Order as a guide.
Section 2.
The standard order of business shall be:
Call to order
Agenda
Approval of the minutes
Committee reports
Unfinished business
New business
Nomination and election of officers
Appointments
Adjournment
Section 3.
The president with the approval of the members present may modify this order of business as he
or she shall deem necessary or expedient.
ARTICLE XVII – GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
Section 1.
Frequency: At least one regular general assembly meeting shall be held each month during the
school year. Each SCAVMA member will receive one point for attendance at a meeting.
Section 2.
The executive board shall decide as to the time, location, and frequency of regular meetings in so
far as it does not interfere with Section 1 of the article.
Special meetings may be called at any time by the president with the approval of the executive
board. Special meeting shall be well advertised at least twenty-four hours in advance.
Section 3.
Quorum: Twenty-five percent of the student SCAVMA membership shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE XVIII – ELECTIONS
Section 1.
All officers shall be elected by ballot in accordance with customary parliamentary procedures.
Section 2.
A majority vote shall be required for election.
Section 3.
The president shall appoint an election committee to supervise the voting. Absentee ballots shall
be obtained from the faculty representative(s) and after election returned to him or her in a sealed
envelope.
Section 4.
Nominations shall be announced at the meeting preceding elections or via e-mail not less than
five days before the election by a nominating committee appointed by the president. It shall also
be possible to make nominations from the floor at this meeting. The secretary shall post the
names of the nominees following this meeting.
Section 5.
Nominations of Student Chapter officers and delegates shall be made the end of January.
Election of these officers shall be held the first week of February and installation of these officers
shall take place in March. The change over meeting for the officers shall take place in March,
prior to SAVMA symposium. The executive board may modify this time schedule if deemed
necessary.
Section 6.
The freshman class representatives shall be elected by ballot of the class as early as possible after
the beginning of the school year.
Section 7.
Other class representatives to the executive board shall be elected by ballot of the representative
class in April in order to attend the last executive board meeting of the school year.
Section 8.
Only members in good standing shall be privileged to vote.
ARTICLE XIX – ASSESSMENTS
Section 1.
All assessments necessary to meet the expenses require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the
student chapter members present.
ARTICLE XX – AVMA JOURNAL
Section 1.
Students receiving the Journal of the AVMA at the student rate must be members in good
standing.
ARTICLE XXI – MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING
Section 1.
To qualify for membership in good standing of the Student Chapter the student must:
Pay chapter dues for that year and attend 12 general assembly meetings before entering clinical
rotations.
Gold members must be an active member of one Chapter committee and fulfill the required
number of volunteer hours during his or her freshman year of veterinary school.
Section 2.
In order for a student to graduate as a member in good standing he or she must have been a
member in good standing for at least three years, two years of which must be the junior and
senior year.
Section 3.
Upon graduation, a member in good standing of the Student Chapter is entitled to:
Membership in the AVMA, exempt from paying dues until January 1st of the year following
graduation. New graduates pay reduced dues for the next two years following graduation.
Special consideration in acquiring insurance through the AVMA Group Liability Insurance Trust
and AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust.
Section 4.
Students who leave the DVM program to participate in the combined PhD/DVM program or
students who leave the DVM program and return in a different class can still be members in good
standing by meeting the above requirements during the time they are enrolled in the DVM
program. Any cases other than the above will be handled by the executive board on a case-bycase
basis.
ARTICLE XXII – MINNESOTA DELEGATES TO NATIONAL STUDENT AVMA.
Section 1.
The Minnesota Student Chapter shall send two delegates to the House of Delegates meeting at the
spring Student AVMA Symposium and two delegates to the House of Delegates meeting at the
summer AVMA Convention.
Revised 2008
Revised December 2009