​​Auburn Pre-Veterinary Medical Association

Constitution

The Pre-Veterinary Medical Association of Auburn University

 

ARTICLE I: Name of Organization 

This organization shall be known as the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) of Auburn University. 

 

ARTICLE II: Purpose 

The purpose of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association of Auburn University is to stimulate student interest in veterinary medicine, familiarize students with the expectations associated with pre-veterinary and veterinary education and the veterinary profession, and to build strong friendships among pre-vet students. The Pre-Veterinary Medical Association of Auburn University endeavors to improve scholarship and the quality of individuals entering the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University and beyond. 

 

ARTICLE III: Membership 

1. Membership shall be composed of any student at Auburn University who is interested in veterinary medicine and who has paid their current dues for the year.

2. Any member who is not in good conduct or is not working for the best interest of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association may have their membership revoked without refund of dues by a majority vote of the executive board.

3. Full understanding and compliance of the constitution and bylaws is expected and assumed of all members. 

4. Point System

1. Points are given for events throughout the semester. They can be given for participating in service events, coming to meetings, playing PVMA sports, participating in fundraisers, etc. One point will be awarded for each event participated in.

2. Points will be accumulated throughout the semester to determine Gold Member Status and member status in the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association.

3. Gold Members are defined as Pre-Veterinary Medical Association members who have exceeded expectations and given priority recognition. They have collected 65% of the points offered.

4. Gold Members will be announced during the Spring Semester. They will be reevaluated in May before certificates are given. If they no longer qualify as a Gold Member their status will be revoked.

5. Current Gold Members will be up for reconsideration in December of each year and will have their status revoked if they no longer follow by Gold Member status qualifications.

 

ARTICLE IV: Meetings 

Section 1. Regular Meetings

The PVMA will strive to meet twice each month or as best determined by the executive board.  Specific days and times are to be determined by the executive board and may vary.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings will be called by the executive board whenever needed. Committee meetings will be called by the committee chairperson. 

Section 3. Quorum

Business will be transacted at regular and special meetings by a majority vote of members present. 

 

ARTICLE V: Executive Board and Duties 

It shall be the duty of the executive board to plan the program for all regular meetings, appoint standing committees and to serve wherever needed for the good of the PVMA. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to uphold the status of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association by assuring regular attendance by its members and providing ample opportunity for enrichment for its student membership.

1. President 2. Vice-President 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Documentarian/Historian 6. Advisory Board

 

ARTICLE VI: Elections and Voting 

Elections of officers will be held at the end of each year. New officers shall assume their duties at the first meeting of the following year. Terms of office for all elected officers shall be for one year. 

 

ARTICLE VII: General Organization 

Section 1. Standing Committees and Duties

1. Publicity Committee: A committee composed of a chairperson and other appointed members as needed. Duties: To prepare publicity, disseminate news of the PVMA, and to encourage attendance at meetings. 

2. Social Committee: A committee composed of a chairperson and other appointed members as needed. Duties: To plan social events for the organization and to buy food, snacks, and/or drinks for meetings. 

3. Intramural Committee: A committee composed of a chairperson and other appointed members as needed. Duties: To plan intramural teams and games for the organization.

4. Service Committee: a committee composed of a chairperson and other appointed members as needed. Duties: To plan and arrange service events for the organization. The committee is also responsible for the distribution and management of safety waivers to every member participating. Every participant must meet in an assigned location on campus and leave for the service project together. Upon the completion of the project, every participant must report back to the same location on campus and check in with the service chair--or other leading committee member-- before dispersing.

Section 2. Finances 

1. Dues shall be fifteen dollars a year or an appropriate amount as determined by the executive board.

2. All moneys of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association shall be maintained in an account solely for the organization at a chartered bank.

3. All checks must have two signatures: one will be the treasurer or president and the second may from an advisor.

4. Late fees are to be determined by the Executive Board.

Section 3. Parliamentary Procedure

Robert's Rules of Order shall be recognized as the correct form for parliamentary rules by the PVMA. 

 

ARTICLE VIII: By-laws 

By laws may be adopted or changed only in the following manner: Any proposed by-law(s) must first be approved by a majority vote of the executive board. Upon approval, the proposed by-law(s) shall be brought up for a vote to the rest of PVMA. All members must be notified of this and a copy of the proposed by-law(s) made available at least seven days in advance. A majority vote of the members is required for approval. The secret ballot shall be used. 

 

ARTICLE IX: Methods of Amendment 

This constitution may be amended only in the following manner: Any proposed amendment must first be approved by a majority vote of the executive board. Upon approval, the proposed amendment shall be brought up for a vote by the rest of PVMA. All members must be notified of this and a copy of the proposed amendment made available at least seven days in advance. A majority vote of the members is required for approval. The secret ballot shall be used. 

 

BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE I: Definition of Best Interest of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association

In the best interest of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association is defined as a member who exhibits active participation defined at three points a semester unless otherwise approved by the executive board. If a member does not abide by this they are considered to not be in the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association’s best interest and will be brought up for review by the executive board. E-mails will be sent to the reviewee and after three e-mails with no response and two weeks the reviewee will be considered not in the best interest. This review will consist of a meeting with two executive board members in which the member’s participation will be discussed. A course of action will follow after this meeting. If the member in question is deemed to not be in the best interest of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association their membership will be revoked. These reviews will be made in January of the year in question. The next year a member can rejoin the club.

 

ARTICLE II: Executive Board Duties

1.President

The duties of the President are as follows: to preside over all meetings, to appoint special committees, to uphold the constitution, and to perform other duties, which are normally expected of the president. Presidents should also be responsible for making sure all other officers are performing their jobs.

 

2. Vice President

The duties of the vice president are as follows: to preside over all meetings in the absence of the president, to assume the office of president should the president need to step down or leave the club, to serve as a liaison between the committees and the executive board, and to perform other duties which are normally expected of the vice-president.

 

3. Secretary

The duties of the secretary are as follows: to keep a current list of the membership, to notify the members of meetings, and to keep all records of the PVMA. The secretary will be responsible for the upkeep of the point system roster and role at every meeting. The point roster should be kept constantly updated.

 

4. Treasurer

The duties of the treasurer are as follows: to collect, maintain, and expend, with approval of the executive board, all moneys of the PVMA, and to keep accurate records of all financial matters of the organization.

 

5. Documentarian/Historian

The duties of the documentarian/historian are as follows: to keep photo evidence of club meetings, outings, and other projects. They will also be responsible for the club's Glomerata page and the publicity boards both for Upchurch Hall and for the boards to be taken to events.

  

6. Faculty Advisory Board

1. The role of an advisor is to counsel with and render guidance to the officers and members of this association. They can check all Executive Board decisions.

2. Advisors that will be considered to fill the position should come forward on a volunteer basis and should not be obligated to by the Executive Board.

3. Advisors from all colleges, offering a pre-veterinary major, represented in the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association shall make up the Advisory Board. These advisors will act as liaisons to their specific college and provide useful contacts within the respective college.

4. If an advisor decides to step down they must provide notice to the Executive Board and assist in finding a replacement.

5. Advisors shall decide amongst themselves on their rotational schedule for meetings.

6. “Good Standing Clause”: To keep the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association in good standing the Advisory Board has the ability to overturn any decision made by the Executive Board by a majority rule if it is deemed that the Executive Board is acting in a manner that is detrimental to the image of the Pre-Veterinary Medical Association.

 

ARTICLE III: Application for Executive Board

Executive board applicants must meet a minimum of 50% of the points offered to be eligible for application. Upon receipt of the application, applicants will be approved by the Executive Board for running. The same system shall be applicable to those running for chair positions, however, not committee members.

 

ARTICLE IV: Executive Board Transition Period

At the end of the year there shall be a joint meeting between the new executive board and past executive board. This will give the new board a chance to see how the meetings are run. Also before the meeting a joint executive board meeting will be held to discuss ideas for the upcoming year and issues with the past year.

 

ARTICLE V: Awards          

1. Service Award- The “Michelle Walter” Service Award will be given in May of each year to a club member(s) who has participated in community service activities with the club and contributed a positive attitude and winning spirit to the club.

2. Certificates will be given to all Gold Members in May of each year provided they have maintained their Gold Member status since January.