Preamble

We, the members of the Fayetta Paulsen Chapter of Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society, in order to provide for the effective management of legislation in the operation of this chapter, do hereby adopt this constitution. This constitution is consistent with all local, state, and national legislation, and is written within the guidelines of the National Constitution of Mortar Board, Inc.

Article I: Name of Society

The name of the society shall be Mortar Board, Fayetta Paulsen Chapter.

Article II: Affiliation

The Fayetta Paulsen chapter of Mortar Board shall be affiliated with Mortar Board, Inc.: National College Senior Honor Society and shall abide by its constitution and by-laws accordingly. The constitution and by-laws of the Fayetta Paulsen Chapter shall not be in conflict with Bowling Green State University policies or procedures. Bowling Green State University policies and procedures shall take precedence over the constitution and by-laws of Mortar Board.

Article III: Membership

Section 1. Undergraduate Membership: Membership in Mortar Board shall be restricted to undergraduate students with a senior class standing who are enrolled full-time at Bowling Green State University. Membership shall not be restricted by gender, race, color, creed, religion, or sexual orientation. Members shall be subject to the laws of Bowling Green State University as well as local, state, and national laws. All undergraduate members are expected to commit themselves to the betterment of the society and to be actively involved within the chapter as well.

Section 2. Alumni Membership: The alumni membership shall include all members who were initiated into the Fayetta Paulsen Chapter and are no longer attending Bowling Green State University, through graduation. All alumni are expected to remain active in their support of the chapter, both financially and in a public relations standpoint.

Section 3. Faculty Membership. The faculty membership shall be restricted to members of the faculty and administration of Bowling Green State University, and are entitled to the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as alumni members. Initiation as an honorary alumnus shall be conducted at the time of the initiation of the new Mortar Board membership, upon approval by the chapter.

Article IV: Executive Officers

Section 1. President: The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the society. The President shall preside over all general and special meetings of the society. The President shall also be the society’s representative to the National office and to the Bowling Green State University Administration. The President will also be responsible for attending the Mortar Board National Conference during the summer. In regards to the Executive board, the President is the chairman of this committee, and will perform all duties given and implied as being the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 2. Vice President: In the case of the President’s absence or at the President’s request, the Vice President shall perform the duties of President. The Vice President will assist the President and be a member of the Executive Board. The Vice President will be responsible for the progression of all cabinet positions’ duties and oversee the development of all committees within the society.

Section 3. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds and financial records of the society. The Treasurer shall file reports as required by the Executive Board, of which he/she is a voting member. The Treasurer shall manage the treasury and the budget in accordance with the decisions of the Executive Board and in the name of the chapter.

Section 4. Membership Co-Chairman: Two members shall serve in this position and be responsible for organizing and executing the society’s selection process. With the assistance of the other officers, the co-chairman shall establish the requirements for applicants to become members of the society. They shall be responsible for informing the society of the selection procedure and will be voting members of the Executive Board.

Section 5. Term of Office: The term of office for the five Executive Officers shall be one (1) academic year. The term will begin with officer installation at the date as designated by the President.

Section 6. Qualifications for Executive Officers: Any member of the society who has paid their chapter and national dues in full will be eligible to run for President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Membership Co-Chairman.

Section 7. Removal from Office: Any officer may be removed from their position by means of impeachment that any member of the chapter may initiate. Approval by two-thirds (2/3) of the society’s members is required for an officer to be impeached. Any officer is subject to impeachment proceedings and the officer must be granted the chance to confront his/her accusers before the chapter. An officer may also be removed for failure to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Section 8. Vacancy of an Office: If an officer vacancy occurs, for any reason, the President has the authority to appoint a new person to that office, provided the appointee meets the qualifications to hold such an office. The only exceptions to this would be for the office of Vice President and Treasurer. The person appointed to a position will hold that office until the President calls for a special election. The President has two (2) chapter meetings for the time of appointment for a special election to fill the vacant office.

Article V: Cabinet Officers

Section 1: Secretary: The Secretary shall be charged with taking and keeping the minutes for each meeting of the society and insuring that a copy is distributed to all members. The Secretary shall also be the officer charged with taking roll at the beginning of each meeting and aiding the President with informing the society of the time and place of meetings. The Secretary shall also be charged with reviewing and maintaining the files of the society throughout their term.

Section 2: Historian: The Historian is charged with keeping a record of the events and activities of the chapter in order to be reserved for posterity. This shall include taking pictures of events and activities to compile a scrapbook, which shall summarize the year’s activities. The Historian is also charged with maintaining all past scrapbooks and historical archives of the society.

Section 3: Alumni Relations: The Alumni Relations officer shall be charged with being the liaison between the chapter and alumni during their term in office. Their duties shall included keeping an accurate list of the address and contact information of Mortar Board Alumni, as well as keeping them informed of chapter activities. The Alumni Relations chair is also charge with writing a newsletter twice (2) a year through the Mortar Board Alumni Society and submitting it to the Alumni Association. This position will also have the power to organize events to invite alumni back to the Bowling Green State University Campus.

Section 4: External Relations: The position shall consist of two chairpersons that will be responsible for representing Mortar Board at the monthly Office of Campus Involvement meeting held for organizations occupying a desk in the Student Organizations Suite. They shall also submit information monthly to the Student Organization Newsletter on the activities of Mortar Board. These chairs shall also be the chapter liaisons to other student organizations and honoraries in order to plan and coordinate events with these organizations. These chairs are also responsible for communicating with other Mortar Board chapters.

Section 5: Webmaster: The Webmaster is in charge of the chapter Website and insuring that is updated and maintained accordingly. This officer is also charged with updating the chapter and executive listprocs. The Webmaster shall work with the chapter to post events, pictures, and chapter minutes on the website to inform others of the chapter’s progress.

Section 6: Communications: The Communications Chair shall be charged with contacting outside media of the chapter to establish good relations with the campus and community. This officer shall also make contributions to be published in the Mortar Board Forum and submit newsworthy accomplishments to the campus media as well. The Communications Chair shall also be charged with developing and sending out an electronic newsletter to all members, as well as collecting membership responses through e-mail or other media with the Membership Chairpersons.

Section 7: Scholarship: The Scholarship Chair shall be charged with organizing the Dean’s List Congratulatory event, the Professor Recognition Event, and any other scholarship themed programs. The Scholarship Chair shall also be responsible for implementing criteria for any monetary scholarships the chapter sponsors as well as determining the criteria for applicants to be awarded such scholarships. They shall also be responsible for informing the chapter of any scholarships or fellowships offered through Mortar Board National to the chapter membership.

Section 8: Programming: The Programming Chair will be responsible for organizing and managing the Last Lecture Series and be the liaison between the Bowen Thompson Student Union and Mortar Board when planning the event. The programming chair is also in charge of planning or organizing any other social, leadership, or general events for the chapter membership. The Programming Chair will also be charged will assisting the Service Chair in organizing the event that will fulfill the Mortar Board National Project determined at the National Convention each summer.

Section 9: Service: The Service Chair will be charged with organizing and managing any service events for the chapter membership. The Service Chair shall, along with the Programming Chair, will organize a service event that will fulfill the chapter’s requirement to meet the Mortar Board National Project. This office shall also set the amount of service hours required for members, either yearly or semesterly, and plan events to aid in members meeting this requirement.

Article VI: Advisor

Section 1: Selection: If the role of advisor to Mortar Board is vacant the executive board shall interview prospective and interested members of the Bowling Green State University faculty, staff, and administration for the position. Upon the person’s selection they will be introduced to the chapter and expected to be actively involved in assisting the members of Mortar Board to improve the chapter.

Section 2: Graduate Advisor: The faculty, staff, or administration personnel appointed to be advisor to Mortar Board may appoint a graduate student to assist him/her in their duties as advisor. The graduate advisor will be expected to take on the same responsibilities and duties of the head advisor of Mortar Board.

Section 3: Duties: The advisor and graduate advisor of Mortar Board must take an active role in assisting the members of the chapter to achieve its mission and purpose.

Article VII: Meetings

Section 1. Meeting Times: The chapter as a whole shall determine the time and frequency of meeting based on when the greatest number of members can attend. The President shall be charged will informing the chapter of the places and times of meeting at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting is scheduled to commence.

Section 2. Rules: Robert’s Rules of Order shall rule all chapter meetings and the President shall be charged with maintaining the decorum of the meeting.

Article VIII: Standing Committees

Article IX: Quorum

Section 1. Definition: Quorum shall be defined as fifty percent (50%) of the chapter’s total membership plus one.

Section 2. Voting: Quorum shall be necessary for any voting or legislative activity conducted by the chapter.

Article X: Amendments

Section 1. Proposal of Amendments: All amendments to the constitution shall be proposed during general chapter meetings. The executive board will then review the amendment and submit it for a vote at the following chapter meeting. If not approved by the executive board, the amendment may be brought directly to the floor by a two-thirds (2/3) vote by the general members.

Section 2. Adoption of Amendments: Once brought to a vote, any amendment to the constitution will be adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a majority of members present at any regular or special chapter meeting.

Section 3. Emergency Legislative Action: If at a meeting the society does not have a quorum, the members present may vote to suspend the rules with unanimous consent in order to vote on legislation. Once voted upon, the measure must achieve a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members present to be adopted.