St. George’s University
School of Veterinary Medicine
Alumni Association
CONSTITUTION
Article I – NAME
The name of this organization shall be the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association, hereinafter referred to as the “SGUSVM Alumni Association.” It shall forever remain a non-profit organization in fact.
Article II – OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this Association shall be:
Section 1 To promote cooperation and communication among the alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Section 2 To support the education mission of the University, and be a philanthropic foundation for the enhancement of veterinary education and veterinary care.
Section 3 To promote activities which acquaint the public with the opportunities and values of veterinary medicine as a profession and career.
Section 4 To encourage participation of all alumni in activities of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Article III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 Active membership shall be open to all graduates of the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, upon payment of dues to the SGUSVM Alumni Association. Current and former faculty and administrators of the School of Veterinary Medicine may also be admitted to membership by the Executive Committee but shall not be eligible to hold office.
Section 2 Honorary membership may be granted by the Executive Committee. Honorary members shall not have the right to vote or hold office.
Section 3 Associate members are currently enrolled veterinary students in good standing with the St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine who have been admitted to membership by the Alumni Relations Office. Such members will not have the right to vote or hold office.
Section 4. Members who have resigned in good standing may be readmitted by paying present dues as approved by the Executive Committee on a case-by-case basis.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
Section 1 The officers of this Association shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President.
Section 2 The term of office for officers shall be two years. An individual may not spend more than two terms in any one office, or more than four terms as an officer.
Section 3 No member may be an officer unless he or she has been an active member in good standing for at least one year.
Section 4 Nominations for officers can be made by Alumni Association general membership. Officers shall be elected by a majority of Association members, conducted by balloting every two years. The duly elected officers shall be installed during the graduation ceremony of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. Elections for Alumni Representatives shall be offset from other officer elections by one year.
Article V – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1 The Executive Committee serves as the primary decision-making body of the alumni association.
Section 2 The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the elected officers and the following non-voting members: Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty Representative and Class Representatives.
Section 3 The Faculty Representative shall be nominated and elected annually by the SVM faculty for a term of one year. He or she may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Candidates will be nominated and elected by current full-time faculty at the January faculty business meeting. Election requires a majority vote of faculty members present
Section 4 The Class Representatives shall comprise of four students from the 5th and 6th terms, two elected by their class and two appointed by the Executive Committee. They shall be nominated and elected annually for a term of one year. The representatives must be in the 3rd year of schooling when they take office, and may only serve one term in office. In the event of poor academic standing on the part of any of the representatives, the Executive Committee shall select replacement representatives.
Section 5 The Executive Committee may act and ballot by mail, telephone, electronically or otherwise as necessity demands.
Article VI – MEETINGS
Section 1. An Annual General meeting of the SGUSVM Alumni Association shall be held each year. The date and location will be established by the Executive Committee. Notice of the meeting shall be sent to all alumni members stating the meeting date, time and location electronically and via the association website at least 6 months in advance, with a reminder notice 3 months before the meeting. The annual report prepared by the Executive Committee will be presented at this meeting.
Section 3. An annual meeting of the Executive Committee will be held in conjunction with this annual member meeting. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Official business transactions require a minimum of 2/3 participation by the voting members of the Executive Committee.
Article VII – AMENDMENTS
Proposed amendments to the Constitution must be submitted in written form. The secretary shall notify all voting members by electronic mail of the proposed amendments at least seven (7) days before the annual meeting. An amendment shall require a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the membership.
BY-LAWS
Article I – DUES
Section 1. Life membership dues, payable only once, shall be an amount determined by the Executive Committee
Section 2. Payment schedules and dues for all other classes of membership shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Annual dues will be in effect from July 1 through June 30 of each year and will be due 2 weeks prior to July 1.
Article II - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The President is the chair of the SGUSVM Alumni Association Executive Committtee and shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and the Association and shall, with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee, appoint all committees necessary for the transaction of the affairs of the Association. He or she will also present a report at the Association’s annual general meeting, as well as the Association’s formal annual report to the SGU Alumni Coordinating Board.
Section 2. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence or at his/her request, and to fill an unexpired term. He or she will assume Parliamentarian duties in the absence of the immediate Past President.
Section 3. The Secretary shall attend the meetings of the Association and Executive Committee, and shall arrange appropriate meeting announcements not less than seven (7) days prior to each meeting date.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall monitor the processing of all fees, dues, contributions and other monies due the Association, shall keep an accurate account of all receipts and expenditures, and deliver annual reports at the general and Executive Committee meetings.
Section 5. The Alumni Representatives shall be present at the Annual General Meeting.
Section 6. The immediate Past President shall serve as Parliamentarian at all meetings.
Article III - ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1. The order of business for meetings of the SGUSVM Alumni Association Executive Committee shall, at the discretion of the President, be as follows:
1. Call to Order
2. Introduction of guests
3. Approval of minutes
4. Special announcements
5. Treasurer’s report
6. Reports from committees
7. Unfinished business
8. New business
9. Reports from the SVM
10. Other
11. Adjournment
Section 2. The order of business for the annual meeting shall be prescribed by the President, using the order in section 1 as a guide.
Article IV - FUNDS/FINANCES
Section 1 The Treasurer in compliance with the University rules will keep accounting of all monies received. An annual account shall be rendered for the fiscal year beginning on …and ending … Interim financial statements shall be given upon request of the officers of the Association and/or the Chancellor of the University.
Section 2 All monies paid into the Association by way of dues shall be placed in a general fund to the credit of the Association and shall be for the sole use of the Association. Any monies received as gifts, contributions or donations shall be placed in special funds and must be used for the purpose designated.
Article V - ANNUAL REPORTS
The Executive Committee of the SGUSVM Alumni Association, through its President, at the conclusion of each financial year (June 30) shall formally provide an annual report to the St. George’s University Alumni Coordinating Board. This report shall include the accomplishments of the previous year and future planning.
Article VI - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern all meetings in matters not covered by the Constitution and By-Laws of the SGUSVM Alumni Association. The Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President.
Date adopted:
Date revised:
Amended:
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