CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 2006
PREAMBLE
We, the members of Project: H.E.A.L., in order to promote the improvement and increase the interest among students of volunteerism and animal welfare and to bring about closer relationships among interested students and animal welfare organizations, do hereby ordain and establish this, the Constitution of its Government.
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CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Principles
Section I: Name - This organization shall be known as Project: H.E.A.L. (Helping Enhance Animal Life).
Section II: Objects - The objects of the organization are:
First - To promote a higher involvement in animal welfare-related opportunities among student members.
Second - To promote animal welfare through interaction and communication with animal welfare institutions.
Third - To bring about a closer relationship among interested students and the aforementioned organizations.
Section III: No part of the net earnings of this club shall insure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, officers, or other private persons except that the club shall be authorized and empowered to provide incentives through distribution of the purposes set forth in Article I, Section II hereof. The club shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, this club shall not accept to any insubstantial degree, engage in any activities, or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the purposes of this club.
Section IV: Upon the dissolution of the club, the existing officers and advisors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the club, dispose of all the assets of the club by donation of such assets to the Yolo County SPCA or any non-profit unit or organization in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I, Section II hereof. Any such assets not so dispersed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principle office of the club is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization(s) as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated for such purposes.
ARTICLE II
Membership
Section I: Election and Initiation -
(A) Any student at an institution of collegiate rank who is interested in animal welfare and in the furtherance of the ideals and goals of Project: H.E.A.L. shall be eligible for membership.
(B) No person shall be initiated into the organization save by an active collegiate club.
(C) Honorary Membership may be conferred on any person actively identified with animal welfare interests by unanimous vote of the collegiate club. Such honorary members shall owe no fees or dues.
Section II: Resignation - No member of Project: H.E.A.L. shall be permitted to resign or honorably depart from this club except by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the collegiate club.
Section III: Expulsion -
(A) Unbecoming conduct of a member may be punishable by expulsion.
(B) Members who willfully obstruct the work of a club and whose continued presence is injurious to a club may be punished by expulsion.
(C) No expulsion shall be made without formal charges and a duly held trial by the collegiate club and the findings approved by the officers of the club. A two-thirds (2/3) vote shall carry conviction.
Section IV: Pledgings -
No pledge shall be initiated into full membership until he has paid his initiation fee.
ARTICLE III
Officers
Section I: Officers -
The Officers of Project: H.E.A.L. ranking in the order named shall be: President, Secretary-Treasurer, Fundraising and Publicity Chair, Yolo County SPCA Volunteer Coordinator, Yolo County Animal Shelter Volunteer Coordinator. These officers together with the immediate past president shall constitute the Executive Council of Project: H.E.A.L.
Section II: Election -
The Officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year by a majority vote of the delegates assembled at the Election Meeting.
ARTICLE IV
Amendments
Amendments to this Constitution may be made by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the official delegates present at the Election Meeting, providing statements of such prepared amendment have been given to the club at least thirty (30) days previously. Collegiate clubs shall submit a statement of approval or disapproval if so requested by the Secretary-Treasurer.
BY-LAWS
PARAGRAPH I: Duties of Officers -
(A) It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings, enforce a rigid observance of the Constitution and By-Laws of the organization, appoint committees not already provided for, see that officers perform their official duties, inspect the result of balloting when deemed necessary, and sign official documents of the organization.
(B) It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer:
(1) To keep the minutes of all meetings, notify all members of their appointments to committees, conduct the correspondence of the organization, and make an annual report of the work of the club.
(2) To receive all money due the organization, pay all bills signed by the President, keep an accurate account of the finances of the organization, and make an annual report thereof.
(C) It shall be the duty of the Fundraising and Publicity Chair:
(1) To collect, compile, edit, record, publish and distribute information concerning or of interest to Project: H.E.A.L. members.
(2) To organize and oversee such fundraisers as deemed necessary in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I, Section II hereof.
(D) It shall be the duty of the Yolo County SPCA Volunteer coordinator to communicate with the Yolo County SPCA and inform members of related volunteer opportunities and assist with the performance thereof.
(E) It shall be the duty of the Yolo County Animal Shelter Volunteer Coordinator to communicate with the Yolo County Animal Shelter and inform members of related volunteer opportunities and assist with the performance thereof.
PARAGRAPH II: Dues - Each student member shall pay the Secretary-Treasurer ten dollars ($10.00) at the time of his/her initiation.
PARAGRAPH III: The By-Laws of the club may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the official delegates present at the Election Meeting, providing statement of such prepared amendment has been given to the club at least thirty (30) days previously.
PARAGRAPH IV: All candidates for initiation, after they have met the requirements as set forth in the Constitution, shall be formally initiated by the use of a Certificate of Membership.
PARAGRAPH V: No student may be initiated before he has paid his initiation fee.
PARAGRAPH VI: Upon his entrance into the duties of his office, each officer shall be required to take the following oath, administered by the installing officer: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully perform the duties of (naming the office) and do all that I can to support the Constitution and By-Laws of Project: H.E.A.L."