PREAMBLE
The Student Veterans of North Georgia, in order to continue their bond as members of the United States Armed Forces (and Coast Guard), to honor the accomplishments and sacrifices of the men and women who served before them, foster a mentor program to assist transitioning United States Armed Forces Veterans into North Georgia College and State University, as well as transitioning Cadets from North Georgia College and State University into the United States Armed Forces, with the benevolent considerations toward North Georgia College and State University, and to the State of Georgia do hereby state the conditions and bylaws of their organization.
ARTICLE I – Name
Section 1.1 - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Student Veterans Association at North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU), a member chapter of the Student Veterans of America.
Section 1.2 – Logo
For the purpose of identification the members of the Student Veterans may adopt a logo and/or an abbreviation of their choice. This identification must be agreed upon by the Board of Directors.
The name of this organization shall be the Student Veterans Association at North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU), a member chapter of the Student Veterans of America.
Section 1.2 – Logo
For the purpose of identification the members of the Student Veterans may adopt a logo and/or an abbreviation of their choice. This identification must be agreed upon by the Board of Directors.
The Student Veterans Club is managed and supported by its parent organization – The Student Veterans of America. All activities, programs and general conduct of the Club shall be in accordance with the Constitution and By-laws of the Student Veterans of America and the policies of North Georgia College and State University.
ARTICLE II – Purpose
Section 2.1 – Mission Statement
The mission of the Student Veterans Association at North Georgia (hereafter known as the club) is to provide a network of support to military veterans, their families and civilian supporters; secondly, to educate the university community about the experiences of military veterans and work with the university administration to meet the needs of student veterans and prospective student veterans; thirdly, to cultivate student veterans concerns through scheduled meetings, advocacy, social and recreational activities; and finally, to foster esprit de corps amount student veterans and promote an understanding of student veterans issues.
The mission of the Student Veterans Association at North Georgia (hereafter known as the club) is to provide a network of support to military veterans, their families and civilian supporters; secondly, to educate the university community about the experiences of military veterans and work with the university administration to meet the needs of student veterans and prospective student veterans; thirdly, to cultivate student veterans concerns through scheduled meetings, advocacy, social and recreational activities; and finally, to foster esprit de corps amount student veterans and promote an understanding of student veterans issues.
The goals and activities of the club will consist of the following:
(a) Develop, and maintain, a resource guide that includes all forms, documents, lists of service organizations and contact information useful for veterans, prospective veterans and their families.
(b) Provide a peer support network for student veterans and their families.
(c) Educate the university community about the experiences of student veterans through presentations and other related events/activities.
(d) Work with the university administration to meet the needs of student veterans
(e) Collaborate with professors to provide student veterans the opportunity to speak to classes.
(f) Ensure services for disabled veterans are provided.
(a) Develop, and maintain, a resource guide that includes all forms, documents, lists of service organizations and contact information useful for veterans, prospective veterans and their families.
(b) Provide a peer support network for student veterans and their families.
(c) Educate the university community about the experiences of student veterans through presentations and other related events/activities.
(d) Work with the university administration to meet the needs of student veterans
(e) Collaborate with professors to provide student veterans the opportunity to speak to classes.
(f) Ensure services for disabled veterans are provided.
(g) Provide outreach programs to potential student veterans.
(h) Work with deployed/deploying/redeployed/post-deployed veteran’s families to provide support.
(i) Work with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, Veterans Service Organizations, and other military associations to provide information for student veterans and their families.
(j) Acknowledge the outstanding service and contributions of Veterans, as well as Civilians.
(k) Organize/Attend/participate in campus and local military recognition events and programs (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, etc).
(k) Organize/Attend/participate in campus and local military recognition events and programs (Veterans Day, Memorial Day, etc).
ARTICLE III – Members
Membership in the club shall consist of any and all North Georgia College and State University officially registered students who are military veterans or non-veterans, along with faculty and staff who are interested in supporting student veterans within the campus community.
Section 3.2 – Limitations
There are no specific requirements that will limit student membership. Students must be registered and enrolled at North Georgia College and State University.
Section 3.3 – Voting
Voting on all matters pertaining to the club, including financial and electoral matters shall be limited to North Georgia College and State University Student Activity Fee paying members.
(a)The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the club Officers and the Faculty/Staff Advisor(s).
(b)The Board of Directors shall be responsible for establishing the administrative, legislative, and operational priorities of the club. The Board of Directors shall faithfully represent the interests of their constituent members.
The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Legislative Director.
Section 4.3 – Advisor
A Faculty/Staff Advisor shall serve as the interface to the club and the University.
Section 4.4 – Requirements for Office
(a) All officers must be in good standing, academically and behaviorally, per existing guidelines and policies of North Georgia College and State University.
(b) Any full time or part-time undergraduate student attending North Georgia College and State University and is a military veteran, may run for office.
(c) Only military veteran members of the club shall have the right to hold office. A veteran will be defined as a current or previous member of the United States Armed Forces with over 180 days of Active Duty, Active Duty Training, or has been medically discharged from their term of service. Members who were separated under dishonorable conditions will not be considered for office.
Section 4.5 – Incapacity
In the event of the incapacity of an officer, the Board of Directors shall, at its discretion, elect a replacement or establish a nomination and election procedure for so doing.
Section 4.6 – Vacancies
The Vice President shall succeed to the presidency in the event of the death, disability, or resignation of the President. Vacancies in other offices, including the Vice President office, due to voluntary or involuntary resignation, expulsion, impeachment, or death of the incumbent shall be filled at a special election called by the President and or the Board of Directors.
In the event qualified personnel cannot be found to fill the role of one or more of the officers roles a single individual may temporarily hold the title and duties of more than one office. The secondary title may only be held so long as there is no qualified person to fill the office.
ARTICLE V – Duties of Officers
Section 5.1 – President
The President shall be the presiding officer of all general meetings and shall oversee all activities;Represent the organization on campus; Ensure that the club is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by NGCSU and the Student Veterans of America; Maintain communication with the organization Advisor; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to office.
The Vice President shall preside at all meetings if the President is absent; Succeed to the presidency in the event of death, disability, or resignation of the President; Assist the President in representing the club to internal and external constituencies; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office.
The Secretary shall maintain an accurate record (minutes) of the organization’s transactions; Maintain a membership directory; Correspond when necessary with University administration and other recognized organizations; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office.
The Treasurer shall oversee the receipts and disbursement of funds of the club, while keeping an accurate and itemized account thereof; Prepare the annual budget request of the club for submission to SGA; Shall follow the funding policies of SGA; Collect Due, if required; Arrange fund raising opportunities for the Club; Solicit additional funding, if needed, from SGA; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office. At the en of the academic year, a financial statement shall be compiled and submitted to SGA at the last general meeting of the year. The financial statement will be signed by the Treasurer and the President.
The Media Director shall keep the membership informed of all legislative activity that affects the Rights and Benefits of Veterans; Develop educational/awareness programs for the public and campus students; Prepare and transmit legislative updates and alerts; Respond to club members inquiries on legislative activities; and Discharge the responsibilities normally adhering to the office.
ARTICLE VI – Election of Officers
Election of officers will require a majority vote from the general membership. If a candidate fails to receive a majority of votes, a run off election will be held with the top two candidates that received the most votes.
Election of officers will be held during the last scheduled meeting in April. The new officers will take office on the first of July.
The term of office will be one full year coinciding with the university’s fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30.
ARTICLE VII – Meetings
Section 7.1 - Scheduled Meetings
The dates and times of the regular meetings of the club shall be determined at the first meeting of the new semester.
Section 7.2 – Quorum
A quorum shall consist of the presence of the majority of the voting members.
7.3 - Agendas
Agendas for meetings shall be prepared, by the member calling the meeting, and provided to all officers seventy-two hours prior to the meeting electronically and/or by hard copy.
Section 7.4 - Irregular Meetings
Irregular meetings may be called by the Board of Directors, or by the Advisor.
Section 7.5 - Announcement
Meetings must be announced 2 weeks prior to the meeting to the entire membership.
Section 7.6 – Special Meetings
Special meetings shall be called by the President when need arises, these meetings are to be announced immediately and held as soon as possible.
ARTICLE VIII – Amendments
Section 8.1 – Proposal
(a)Amendments to the Bylaws of club may be proposed during the ‘new business’ portion of any club meeting.
(b)Amendments may be proposed by any member of the club, in writing at the prescribed time.
(a)Amendments to the Bylaws of club may be proposed during the ‘new business’ portion of any club meeting.
(b)Amendments may be proposed by any member of the club, in writing at the prescribed time.
Section 8.2 - Review
Upon proposal of a new amendment the Board of Directors will be given two weeks to review and suggest changes to the amendment, after which the proposed amendment will be put to a vote by the members of the club during the next scheduled meeting. A special meeting for the purpose of voting for the passing of a proposed amendment may be called under the guidelines outlined in section 6 of the bylaws.
Upon proposal of a new amendment the Board of Directors will be given two weeks to review and suggest changes to the amendment, after which the proposed amendment will be put to a vote by the members of the club during the next scheduled meeting. A special meeting for the purpose of voting for the passing of a proposed amendment may be called under the guidelines outlined in section 6 of the bylaws.
A proposed amendment will be ratified by a two thirds vote by the members of the club.
ARTICLE IX – Committees
The Club shall establish such Standing and Ad-hoc committees as necessary to accomplish its purposes.
Section 9.2 – Chairperson
(a)The chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by the President.
(b)The chairperson of each committee is responsible for organizing regular meetings of that committee, and for the timely delivery of progress reports at the general meeting.
(c)The chairperson is responsible to keep the club officers informed about any major developments in their planned activities.
Section 9.3 – Committee Management
Committees may adopt such policies and procedures as they determine necessary for the proper and responsible management of their duties and powers with the approval of the membership.
ARTICLE X – Funding
Section 10.1 – Banking
All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. Each expenditure must be approved and signed by both the President or the Treasurer.
Section 10.2 – Dues
The organization may establish reasonable dues that must be paid by all members. The amount of the dues will be determined in the beginning of the academic year by the Board of Directors and presented to the general membership for a ¾ vote.
Section 10.3 – Fund Raising
In addition to dues, the club may conduct fund raising initiatives of its own choosing the support local activities. Individual donations in support of the club’s purposes may be solicited.
Section 10.4 – Budget
The President, along with the Treasurer, shall propose an annual budget for adoption and shall also arrange for an annual audit by a committee of at least two club members, the Treasurer and the Advisor.
Section 10.5 – Quietus
In the event that the club is idle, or inactive, for a time span of more than one fiscal year all funds held in the clubs bank account shall be removed and donated to the Student Veterans of America.
