LGBTQ+Interdisciplinary Health Professionals
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
LGBTQ+ Interdisciplinary Health Professionals
CONSTITUTION
Article l - NAME, PURPOSE, AND NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY OF THE ORGANIZATION.
SECTION I - NAME
The name of the organization shall be:LGBTQ+ Interdisciplinary Health Professionals
SECTION II - PURPOSE
The purpose of the organization shall be: Interdisciplinary health professionals who will carry out the three main objectives. 1) To act as a voice within the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for curriculum development. 2) Enhance and enrich members with professional development opportunities 3) Community outreach that focuses on bettering the needs of the LGBTQ+ community at large by working to address specific needs through service-related outreach.
SECTION III - NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for reasons of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Article II - MEMBERSHIP: QUALIFICATIONS AND CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP.
Voting membership should be defined as limited to currently enrolled as The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Students. Others, such as faculty, alumni, professionals, etc. are encouraged to become members but as non-voting associate or honorary members.
ARTICLE III - ORGANIZATION LEADERSHIP
1. The officers of this organization shall be:
a) President: One academic year elected position. The president shall: Preside over meetings of the organization, maintain contact with organization advisor(s), prepares and file any University Student Organization requirements, co-appoint committee chair people, represent the organization to the university and community at large, serve as a spokesperson for the organization, assist all elected and appointed executive officers, provide follow up to organizational tasks, coordinate executive board officer transitions, remain fair and impartial during the organizational decision-making processes, provide encouragement and motivation to fellow officers and organization members, and perform other duties as decided by the cabinet.
b) Vice-President: One academic year elected position. The vice-president shall: Assume the duties of the President in his/her/their absence, maintain contact with organization advisor(s), co-appoint committee chair people, represent the organization to the university and community at large, serve as a spokesperson for the organization, assist all elected and appointed executive officers, direct constitutional updating and revisions, facilitate annual election of officers, remain fair and impartial during the organizational decision making processes, provide encouragement and motivation to fellow officers and organization members, and perform other duties as decided by the remainder of the cabinet.
c) Secretary: One academic year elected position. The secretary shall: Obtain appropriate facilities for organization activities, keep records of all organization members participation, record all activities and distribute as meeting minutes, work with the President and Vice-President to set meeting agenda, notify all members of meeting dates/times/places, update and keep an organizational calendar, represent the organization to the university and community at large, handle all official correspondence of the organization, remain fair and impartial during the organizational decision-making processes, provide encouragement and motivation to fellow officers and organization members, and perform other duties as directed by the president and vice-president.
d) Treasurer: One academic year elected position.The secretary shall: Be familiar with all accounting procedures and policies, serve as the primary signatory on financial accounts, pay organization bills, keep all financial records of the organization, prepare an annual budget, prepare all budget requests for funds, maintain a financial history of the organization, provide advisor with summary of financial records at the end of the academic year, coordinate fundraising drives, coordinate solicitations, file reports on all stolen or lost equipment, maintain an inventory of all equipment and its condition, represent the organization to the university and community at large, remain fair and impartial during the organizational decision-making processes, provide encouragement and motivation to fellow officers and organization members, performs other duties as directed by the President and Vice-President.
e) Curriculum Development Coordinator: One academic year appointed position. The President and Vice-President will appoint the Curriculum Development Coordinator. The Curriculum Development Coordinator shall: Be responsible for managing the direction of the committee for areas pertinent to furthering curriculum inclusion of LGBTQ+ health-related topics in The Ohio State University’s professional programs, maintain contact with organization advisor(s), utilize the proper resources and channels to facilitate changes, delegate tasks amongst members, represent the organization to the university and community at large, remain fair and impartial during the organizational decision making processes, provide encouragement and motivation to fellow officers and organization members, perform other duties as directed by the President and Vice-President, and report directly to the Advisor, President, and Vice-President
f) Professional Development Coordinator: One academic year appointed position. The President and Vice-President will appoint the Professional Development Coordinator. The Professional Development Coordinator shall: Be responsible for managing the direction of the committee, plan and coordinate two events in an academic year, maintain contact with organization advisor(s), identify points of interest of the membership and balance that with community needs when selecting speakers or workshops, delegate tasks amongst members, represent the organization to the university and community at large, remain fair and impartial during the organizational decision making processes, provide encouragement and motivation to fellow officers and organization members, perform other duties as directed by the President and Vice-President, and report directly to the Advisor, President, and Vice-President.
g) Community Outreach Coordinator: One academic year appointed position. The President and Vice-President will appoint the Community Outreach Coordinator. The Community Outreach Coordinator shall: Be responsible for managing community outreach operations, maintain contact with organization advisor(s), identify points of interest of the membership and balance that with community needs when selecting opportunities for outreach, delegate tasks amongst members, represent the organization to the university and community at large, remain fair and impartial during the organizational decision-making processes, provide encouragement and motivation to fellow officers and organization members, perform other duties as directed by the President and Vice-President, and report directly to the Advisor, President, and Vice-President.
ARTICLE IV - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: SIZE AND COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE.
This committee represents the general membership and conducts business ofthe organization between general meetings of the membership and reports its actions at the general meetings of themembership. This Committee is comprised of the organization leaders, chairpersons of thestanding committees, advisor, and any other designated individual.
ARTICLE V - STANDING COMMITTEES: NAMES, PURPOSES, AND COMPOSITION.
1) Curriculum Development Committee: represent the organization in furthering curriculum inclusion and improvement of LGBTQ+ health-related topics at The Ohio State University. This committee shall be composed of the appointed Curriculum Development Coordinator and any interested members.
2) Professional Development Committee: represent the organization in representing the organization’s interest in planning, coordinating and hosting related events. This committee shall be composed of the appointed Professional Development Coordinator and any interested members.
3) Community Outreach Committee: represent the organization in fulfilling the organization’s interest in planning, coordinating and hosting service-related outreach to identified communities of need. This committee shall be composed of the appointed Community Outreach Coordinator and any interested members.
ARTICLE VI – METHOD OF SELECTING AND/OR REMOVING OFFICERS AND MEMBERS.
1) Officers and members meeting Article II qualifications are expected to maintain professional standards in their affairs and interactions, especially when representing the organization. It is imperative they conduct themselves in a way that reflects well on behalf of the organization.
2) Nominations for office shall occur every spring semester and newly elected officers and appointed committee chairs will assume responsibilities at the beginning of fall semester. Any eligible member may nominate or be nominated for leadership positions. Those nominated must show leadership qualities and have interests that align with the organization’s purpose.
3) Elections shall occur in a general body meeting held the spring semester. Every member and leader may cast only one vote. The officers shall be elected democratically. In the event of a tie, those parties that received equal votes shall be on the ballot again and a revote must be cast.
4) The term of office shall be for one year and shall begin fall semester and
end at the conclusion of summer semester. Following election, outgoing leadership will work to transition incoming leadership during spring semester so they are prepared to assume responsibilities in the fall.
5) In the event that a newly elected official is unable fulfill transition duties related to learning their new role, then a successor must be elected immediately. If an elected official does not wish to continue with the organization in the fall, or at any point, they have the responsibility to inform the officers and faculty advisor(s) as soon as possible. In the interim, the faculty advisor(s), under the guidance of the existing officers, may appoint an interim officer. A special meeting will be held and the officers and members shall nominate and elect a new officer.
6) Officers may be removed from office by faculty advisor or by vote of two-thirds majority of voting members, comprised of active members, and officers present (and to conduct any business an organization should have quorum present at a business meeting, which is at minimum 50% + 1 of total organization members). Officers may be subject to removal for violation of any local or federal law, as well as any violation of The Ohio State University’s student code of conduct. In addition, if an officer is not performing the responsibilities laid out in Article III then they may potentially be subject to removal.
ARTICLE VII – ADVISOR(S) OR ADVISORY BOARD: QUALIFICATION CRITERIA.
Advisors of student organizations must be members of the University faculty or Administrative & Professional staff. The Advisor(s) should: work to promote the purpose of the student organization, offer guidance and support, annually review the student organization’s governing documents (constitution & bylaws) and/or guiding policies to ensure accountability by the student organization, partner with student leaders when planning and executing organization events and activities, maintain awareness of student organization expenditures, ensuring that university funds are expended appropriately, promote co-curricular learning through organizational development, events and activities planning, and interpersonal relationships.
ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION: REQUIRED MEETINGS AND THEIR FREQUENCY
One general body meeting is required per semester, and the student leadership must meet two times per semester, one of these meetings may include the general body meeting. Outside of this requirement, each committee may set their own requirements about frequency and attendance of meetings.
ARTICLE IX – METHOD OF AMENDING CONSTITUTION: PROPOSALS, NOTICE, AND VOTING REQUIREMENTS
Proposed amendments must be formally proposed in writing, should not be acted upon immediately but instead, first read in the general meeting in which they are proposed. Members not in attendance will receive a formal email outlining the proposed amendment and a determined date when the item will be officially voted on. Then, amendments should be read again at the next general meeting. At least one-half of total active members must be present at the meeting for voting to take place. Passage of the amendment requires at least two-thirds of voting members present at the specified meeting to vote in favor. The constitution should not be amended easily or frequently.
ARTICLE X – METHOD OF DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION
If the student organization membership drops below the Ohio State University’s required 5 members or if a faculty advisor is unable to be identified, then the student organization must be dissolved. All additional assets will be used toward any debts; if no additional assets remain, the current officer(s) prior to the dissolution of the organization shall reconcile all debts. If there is a positive balance in the accounts at the time of dissolution, then the current officer(s) must donate it to a local LGBTQ+ organization or charity of the advisor(s) choice.
LGBTQ+ Interdisciplinary Health Professionals
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the by-laws of this organization.
ARTICLE II- MEMBERSHIP
To be eligible for membership one must be: an Ohio State University Graduate or Professional Student, attend at least one meeting per semester, volunteer at least 3 hours per semester for an organization sanctioned activity, and fill out the proper paperwork with the secretary. It is the responsibility of the member to terminate their membership if they do not meet any of the aforementioned criteria, this can be done through the current secretary. The secretary reserves the right to remove any member for non-attendance and non-compliance with volunteer hours. Members should remember they are representing the organization and conduct themselves in a manor that represents the organization well. Any violation of this will result in termination of membership.
ARTICLE III - METHOD OF AMENDING BY-LAWS
By-laws may be amended by a formal proposal in writing and reading the change at a general meeting, of the membership and then bring the proposed change up for a vote at the next general meeting with a two-thirds majority vote of the membership present (a quorum being present). Parallel methods of amending the by-laws exist in conjunction with amending the constitution. Refer to Constitutional Article IX for detailed explanation.