Vietnamese Student Organization

VSO CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1-NAME

The name of this organization shall be “the Vietnamese Student Organization-School of Pharmacy and Health Professions”, hereafter referred to as the organization.

ARTICLE II-PURPOSE

The main objectives of the Vietnamese Student Organization-School of Pharmacy and Health Professions shall be to:

To network and offer opportunities for all students, to interact and to help one another on campus, as well as others in the community.
To embrace cultural diversity and and to promote cultural awareness.
To ensure that all members will follow the values and mission of Creighton University and the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP

Section 1- Regular membership shall be open to any full-time student in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at Creighton University. Only regular members shall have the right to vote and hold office.

Section 2- Honorary membership shall be open to any faculty member, staff member, or administrator at Creighton University.

Section 3- Regular members’ rights:

Regular members are required to pay a membership fee which is established and approved by the membership.
Regular members shall reserve the rights to see all documents concerning the treasury.

Regular members may propose amendments to the constitution by following the rules in Article IX.

If a regular member is not satisfied with a particular decision made by the officers, he/she may propose an alternative solution and summit it for a vote at a general meeting as described in Article V.

If a regular member is not satisfied with the integrity or capability of an officer or member, he/she may put forward a motion of no confidence regarding that person as described in Article V.

ARTICLE IV-OFFICERS

Section 1- Officers of the organization will consist of the following: President, Vice-President of Internal Affairs, Vice-President of External Affairs, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Section 2- Election of officers:

Officers of the organization shall be elected once a year, in early April, by a majority votes. Rules for election:

Each voting member will be given one ballot for each officer position.

Candidates can be self-nominated.

The results of the election will be announced at the end of meeting.

Section 3- Officers shall take office at the end of April and shall serve for a period of one year.

Section 4- Officers shall not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of their elections and throughout their terms in the office.

Section 5- Officer Integrity;

No officer shall use VSO property for his/her personal benefit.

No officer shall use VSO money for his/her personal benefit.

Any officer can be removed after a motion of no-confidence and a majority vote as described in Article V.

Section 6- If there is any vacancy among officer positions, a general meeting will be called within 2 weeks to elect a new officer by a majority vote.

Section 7- Duties of officers:

1. President:

Ensures that the organization operates in conformity with the principles set forth in this constitution.
Presides over general meetings and officer meetings.
Appoints all committee members (with approval of other officers).
Reviews amendments of the constitution.
Delegates responsibilities.
May co-sign checks.

2. Vice-President of Internal Affairs:

Second in command on request of, or during the absence of, the President.
Helps the President in conducting official organization business.
May co-sign checks.
Presides over general meetings.
Attends Pharmacy and Health Professional Student Government (PHPSG) meetings.
Plans social activities (with Vice-President of External Affairs).

3. Vice-President of External Affairs:

Serves as an official VSO representative in campus-related activities and in the Omaha community.
Helps the President in conducting official organization business.
Presides over general meetings.
Plans social activities (with Vice-President of Internal Affairs).

4. Treasurer:

Shall be responsible for keeping accurate records of all financial matters.
Oversees the usage of all VSO money and property.
Presides over general meetings.
May co-sign checks.

5. Secretary:

Shall keep official minutes and records for the organization.
Shall be responsible for distributing and processing communications among members.
Presides over general meetings.
Reserves rooms for meetings.

ARTICLE V- MEETINGS

Section 1- A regularly scheduled general meeting shall be held at least twice a semester. Additional meetings may be called by the officers when the need arises.

Section 2- A quorum shall consist of 30% of the regular members.

Section 3- A quorum shall be present in order for any official business to be conducted. Official business shall include election of officers, setting of dues, and any other major decisions affecting the organization.

Section 4- general voting among members

If a voting member is not satisfied with the outcome of a decision made by the officers, he/she may propose an alternative solution and summon for a vote on the issue.
Voting must be done by secret ballot (unless unopposed by members participating in the vote). Adoption of a motion or resolution requires a simple majority.
Only in cases where the circumstances are significantly altered may the President choose to have a re-vote.

Section 5- Motion of no-confidence

Any voting member may put forward a motion of no-confidence regarding any officer or member provided he/she has supporting signatures on behalf of ½ of the voting membership. This petition must be submitted to the President.
The President must call an extraordinary general meeting within two weeks of the notice. All voting members must be notified of the meeting.
In the case that the motion of no-confidence is served upon the President, the Vice-president of Internal Affairs shall assume the responsibility by calling the meeting and presiding over the meeting.
At the meeting, the person who moved the motion and the person whom the motion is served upon (if present) shall be allowed to speak for 10 minutes each to answer questions.
Following that, a secret vote (unless unopposed by members participating in the vote) shall be called with at least 2/3 vote supporting the motion.
If the motion is defeated, then a motion of no-confidence cannot be served upon him/her again in the future based on the same accusation.

ARTICLE VI- COMMITTEES

The officers of the organization shall have the authority to create any standing or special committees that will further the purpose of the organization (e.g., social, fundraising…)

The President shall appoint these committee members.

ARTICLE VII- FINANCES

Section 1- Membership dues shall be determined by the officers of the organization.

Section 2- If the organization dissolves all funds granted by SPG/PHPSG will be returned to the SPG/PHPSG. The remaining funds will be used to benefit Creighton students in someway, i.e., a scholarship fund given to a community service program, etc…

Section 3- All checks shall be co-signed by two officers approved to co-sign checks.

ARTICLE VIII- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The parliamentary authority shall be the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (it is available in the Leadership Library in the Student Activities Office).

ARTICLE IX- AMENDMENTS

Section 1- All amendments to this constitution require written notice of two weeks prior to being discussed and voted upon.

Section 2- All amendments to this Constitution require a 2/3 vote for adoption.

Section 3- Amendments become effective only after approval by the Student Activities Office.

ARTICLE X- DOCUMENTS

All items listed in the VSO inventory must be passed on from year to year. Any added or lost items must be reported to the treasurer.

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