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Constitution |
Approved
June 20, 2003 (download pdf
file)
The name of the organization shall be
Professional Hispanic Network. Article II. The mission of the
Professional Hispanic Network is to
serve as an advocate group on Hispanic concerns and issues at the University
and local community. A dynamic
network for Hispanic staff and faculty members at Section
II. Goals The major goals shall be: a) Short
Term Goals 1)
Advise
TAMU administration on Hispanic issues. 2)
Participate
actively in high-level position searches. 3)
Promote
the active role of Hispanics at TAMU end encourage PHN members, faculty and
staff, to become involved in the university administration. 4)
Support
the establishment of MALRC – 5)
Provide
networking opportunities: access to grants, fellowships, scholarships, etc. 6)
Provide
opportunities to increase awareness of Latino successes and issues on Campus:
professional development seminars and conferences, cultural and social
events, etc. 7)
Advance
interaction with other System components and other organizations. b) Long
Term Goals 1)
Assist to
enable Vision 2020 at TAMU. Enhance standing and participation of
Hispanic Professionals at TAMU and B/CS community. 2) Have members working as University
administrators and policy makers as well as actively participating in B and
CS city councils. 3) Have continuous presence and
participation in state Legislature. 4) Be
the voice of Hispanics on Campus and a Forum to discuss Hispanic issues. Article III. Organizational Structure and
Procedures The members of this organization shall meet the
following requirements: a) Any member of the Texas
A&M community with Hispanic and Latin nationality or background or any
person interested in becoming acquainted with the Hispanic and Latin social
and cultural heritage. b) Be a professional employee
of the Texas A&M University System acting as a faculty member, staff or
administrator in any of the universities, colleges, centers and affiliates. c) Be a professional
student pursuing a post-graduate level degree at any of the institutions
belonging to the Texas A&M University System, in good standing with the
university and a minimum GRP (Graduate Point Ratio) of 3.0. In order for this
provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been
taken for the semester under consideration. In
one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this
provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point
ratio prior to election/appointment, at least four credit
hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer
session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final
stages of their degree. d) Individuals of the
Bryan/College Station community may attend meetings and participate in
subcommittees, programs, and activities.
However, the membership will conduct the business of the
Organization. Section
II. Standing Committees The Standing Committees of the Network are
charged as follows: a)
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee (EC) shall
consist of the elected officers of the Network [including 3 members
elected at-large as described in Article V, Section 1, part a).] The
chairs of all standing and ad-hoc committees who are not elected officers
shall be ex officio non-voting members. The committee will conduct business
of the Network and prepare the agenda for general meetings. A majority of the
committee is required to ratify appointments of committee chairs made by the
President. The committee will review
and approve the annual budget; two-thirds majority of the committee is
required for approval. The committee
may propose to the general membership changes or additions to the by-laws of
the organization; adoption requires approval by a simple majority of members
present at a scheduled meeting. The President of the Network chairs the
committee. The President shall not have a vote except in the event of a tie. b)
Networking: The Networking Committee shall consist
of the appointed officers of this Committee. The purpose of this committee is
to build and to maintain a database of contacts currently present on campus
or that have formerly participated in any Hispanic organization at
A&M. The Networking Committee may
prepare and distribute information such as periodic newsletters, fliers,
calendar items, etc. as the needs of the organization may dictate. In
addition, the committee may assist other standing or ad hoc committees in the
preparation and distribution of advertising materials for Network sponsored
activities or programs. The EC appoints the chair to this committee. c)
Leadership and Professional Development: The Leadership and Professional
Development Committee shall consist of the appointed officers of this
Committee. The Leadership and Professional Development committee shall
develop and implement workshops, seminars, or other events that would enhance
the professional, organizational, and leadership skills of students, faculty,
staff, or community leaders. The EC appoints the chair to this committee. d)
Educational Support: The Educational Support Committee shall
consist of the appointed officers of this Committee. The Educational Support
Committee will work with local school districts to assess the particular
needs of Hispanic students within districts. The committee will utilize the
Network’s resources to address those needs both through interaction with
students and parents and with teachers and administrators. The EC appoints
the chair to this committee. e)
The Social & Cultural Events
Committee: The Social
& Cultural Events Committee shall consist of the appointed officers of
this Committee. The Social & Cultural Events Committee will plan and
conduct activities designed to facilitate interaction within the Hispanic
community at Texas A&M University and the nearby communities. The
committee will also conduct activities to promote interaction and
understanding among Hispanics and other groups. The activities of the
committee may include for example an annual picnic, a reception for new
Hispanic faculty and staff, and so forth. The EC appoints the chair for this
committee. f)
Financial: The Financial Committee shall consist
of the appointed officers of this Committee. The Finance Committee shall
submit an annual budget to the Executive Committee (EC) for approval. The committee will identify and pursue
potential funding sources for Network activities and operations. The
committee shall assist the Treasurer in maintaining financial records of the
organization. The PHN Treasurer chairs this committee. g)
Ad hoc: The Ad hoc Committee shall consist of
the appointed officers of this Committee. The President may appoint temporary
or ad hoc committees for specific purposes with the approval of the Executive
Committee. Section III.
Meetings The
Chair of each committee is responsible for scheduling meetings and notifying
committee members of meeting dates, times, and places. For committee
meetings, a quorum shall consist of a simple majority of members present at a
scheduled meeting. The President may also call special meetings
for the conduct of Network business as long as members are notified in a
timely manner. It will be mandatory that all officers attend
the meetings. Only two (2) unexcused absences per semester will be allowed.
After second absence has occurred the officer will be notified about possible
removal from office if third (3rd) absence occurs. Other members
are encouraged, but not required, to attend all meetings. Section IV. Elections Election shall be held at an extraordinary
meeting before the end of the fall semester, a quorum must be present and a
simple majority vote will win. The vote will be conducted by ballot. Newly
elected officers will assume responsibility at the first meeting of the
spring semester. Section V. Removal Procedures for members
Any member that misuses the name and/or resources
of the Association may be removed from membership in the organization. The
procedure for removal is described in Article IV, Section II of this
Constitution. Section VI. Removal Procedures for officers Any officer having more than two unexcused
absences a semester may be removed from his/her officer position within the
organization. Officers may also be removed from membership if they fail to
fulfill their duties as outlined within the constitution or fail to abide to
the policies of the executive officer team.
The procedure for removal is described in Article V, Section II of
this Constitution. Article IV. Membership Section I. Eligibility The members of this organization shall meet the
requirements stated in Article III, Section I of this Constitution. Section
II. Removal Procedures for Members Any member that misuses the name and/or resources
of the Network may be removed from membership in the organization. Members are to be informed in advance of
these expectations. Should a member
incur in such violation of this Constitution, he/she will be given an
opportunity to account for his/her actions to the executive officer team. The Executive Committee will review the
situation after hearing from the member in question. A decision will be made expeditiously and
the member will be contacted as to the outcome of the situation. A quorum of fifty percent plus one must be
present at the meeting and a 2/3 vote must be obtained in order to remove the
individual. Article
V. Standing
Commitees Section I. Eligibility “The
officers of the Standing Committees must meet the following
requirements: a)
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall consist
of the elected officers of the Network during regular elections. President: Shall preside over
regular and executive meetings, coordinate group activities, and communicate
with the officers on all matters. Vice President: Shall assist the President,
preside over the meetings in the absence of the President and be involved in
the promotion of the different events of the organization. Secretary: shall record minutes at all meetings, check
attendance at functions, coordinate mail-functions, receive and review excuses
for absences, and assist the President and Vice-President when called upon. Treasurer: Shall collect dues,
pay bills, oversee other monetary transactions including fund raising and
social activities and prepare and maintain the annual budget together with
the Financial Committee. Communications: Shall maintain the
Network web page as well as the membership listserve. Shall facilitate the Communications
Committee and general Network marketing. b)
Networking: The Communications Committee shall
consist of the appointed officers of this Committee. c)
Leadership and Professional Development: The Leadership and Professional
Development Committee shall consist of the appointed officers of this
Committee. d)
Educational Support: The Educational Support Committee shall
consist of the appointed officers of this Committee. e)
Social and Cultural: The Social and Cultural Committee shall
consist of the appointed officers of this Committee. f)
Financial: The Financial Committee shall consist
of the appointed officers of this Committee. g)
Ad hoc: The Ad hoc Committee shall
consist of the appointed officers of this Committee. Section II. Removal
Procedures for Officers Any officer having
more than two unexcused absences a semester may be removed from his/her
officer position within the organization. Officers may also be removed from
membership if they fail to fulfill their duties as outlined within the
constitution or fail to abide to the policies of the executive officer team. The officer in question is to be informed
in advance of these expectations.
Should an officer’s position be reviewed for possible removal, he/she
will be given an opportunity to account for their situation to the remaining
executive officer team. These
officers will review the situation after hearing from the officer in
question. A decision will be made
expeditiously and the officer will be contacted as to the outcome of the
situation. In
the event of non-performance of duties, misappropriation of funds, misconduct,
or negligence, an officer may be removed in the following manner: a) Elected officers may be removed from
office by four-fifth majority of members present at a scheduled meeting or at
a special meeting. b) Appointed officers may be removed by simple
majority of members present at a scheduled meeting of the Executive
Committee. Section III. Elections As described in
Article III, Section IV, election shall be held at an extraordinary meeting before
the end of the fall semester, a quorum must be present and a simple majority
vote will win. The vote will be conducted by ballot. Newly elected officers
will assume responsibility at the first meeting of the spring semester. Section IV. Term Vacancies
If
an elected officer shall relinquish his or her position during the term year,
then the President shall appoint an interim replacement until the next
regularly scheduled meeting at which time the vacancy may be filled by
election of the general membership. If
the President shall relinquish his or her position, then the Vice President
shall perform the duties of President until a replacement is elected as
stated above. If
an appointed officer shall relinquish his or her position, the President,
with the approval of a majority of the executive committee, shall appoint a
replacement to fulfill the term. Article VI. Meetings Section I. Regularity General meetings shall be held once a month,
the fourth Tuesday of the month. Executive meetings shall be held once a month, the
third Tuesday of the month. Section II. Quorum A quorum shall consist of simple majority of
members present at a scheduled meeting and must be present to conduct
official business. Article VII. Finances Section I. Dues Dues shall be determined per fiscal year and
will be collected from all the members of this organization. Section II. Financial
Transactions All moneys 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.
The President and Treasurer of this organization must approve and sign each
expenditure before payment. Article VIII. Amendments, Bylaws and Revision Section I. Amendments This constitution may be amended at any time by
a simple majority of members present at a scheduled meeting of the active
membership. Amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing at a
regularly scheduled meeting of the Network. Section II. Bylaws The
bylaws of the organization shall serve as the official rules of the
organization unless superseded by a Constitutional provision. Bylaws may be
proposed in writing by the Executive Committee or by two members in good
standing at any general or scheduled meeting of the Network and must be
approved by a simple majority of members present. Section III. Revision This
Constitution shall become the official governing document of the Professional
Hispanic Network. It is to be reviewed every year and ratified by simple
majority of the active membership at the time of ratification. |
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Last revised: December 13, 2004. Send inquiries/recommendations to phn@tamu.edu |
