Health Organization for Promotion and Education

CONSTITUTION

I.    PREAMBLE

We, the school and community health education issue students, of Winona State University in order to enhance our academic experience, promote the study of health education issues and the problems involved in attaining a healthy lifestyle, to monitor changes in the social, political and technical nature of health education, and to organize professional opportunities, hereby establish this constitution of the Health Organization for Promotion and Education (HOPE).

II.   NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Health Organization for Promotion and Education, herewith referred to as HOPE.

III.  MEMBERSHIP

Membership in HOPE shall be open to any WSU student, regardless of physical disability, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, veterans status, sexual or affectional preference, or by any other basis, who is carrying at least 1 credit, interested in health education issues and the prevention of morbidity and mortality.

IV.  OFFICERS

1. The officers of HOPE shall consist of a president, a vice president,  a treasurer, a secretary, a conference coordinator, and an ASO representative.
2. An officer of HOPE must have been a member in good standing of  HOPE prior to election.
3. Duties of Officers
1. PRESIDENT -- The president shall run all club meetings, maintain close contact with HOPE advisors an represent HOPE in an official capacity. The president shall oversee all HOPE activities and be in charge of the HOPE bulletin board and record the yearly events (HOPE scrapbook).
2. VICE PRESIDENT -- The vice president shall oversee the membership, special projects and the meetings of ad hoc committees.  He/she shall assume the duties of the president if the president is unable to attend.
3. TREASURER -- The treasurer shall oversee HOPE's finances, budgets, and fund raising events. Shall maintain a close working relationship with the WSU Business Office.
4. SECRETARY -- The secretary shall keep or organize all written correspondence, keep minutes of all club meetings, and keep record of all community service projects. He/she shall assume the duties of the president if the president and vice president are unable to attend.
5. CONFERENCE COORDINATOR -- The conference coordinator shall oversee all functions related to conferences and conventions; plan travel, housing, and any special request of those conferences. He/she shall assume duties designated by the president.
6. ASO REPRESENTATIVE -- The ASO Representative shall attend all ASO meetings, and shall be an active participant in them.

V.   ELECTIONS

Officers shall be elected in the Spring semester of every academic year, with a ballot prepared by the present officers and with nominations taken from the floor on the day of elections. Any individual wishing to be an officer in HOPE must be a voting member of HOPE. At least two-thirds of the voting members of HOPE must be present for an election to be valid (can be done on-line).

VI.   VACANCIES     

Vacancies will be filled by the order of succession. The vice president shall become president, with open election being held for the position of vice president. Electiona shall be held in accordance to the election rules provided in Section V.

VII.  IMPEACHMENT

VIII. MEETING

1. Club meetings shall be held at least once per month during the regular academic year.
2. Special meetings can be called at the request of the executive board or by a consensus of at least 5 members.
3. At least two-thirds of the voting membership must be present in order or an issue to be voted upon.

IX.   DUES     

In order for a member to become a voting member or hold office he/she must pay a due, the amount of which will be set by HOPE each academic year.

X.   FINANCES     

1. This club shall request funding from the Student Activity Fund Committee, which shall be placed in a Winona State University account.
2. In the event of the dissolution of this club, all Student Activity Fund money will be returned to that fund. Any remaining monies will be forwarded to the Director of the Health Education program for the purposes of a scholarship fund.

XI.   COMMITTEES     

The president of HOPE shall at his/her discretion, appoint ad hoc committees in order to handle a specific issue such as membership, fund raising, special projects, etc.

XII.   APPOINTMENTS     

1. Executive officers may appoint assistants to help them in their official duties. Assistants must be approved by the rest of the Executive Board by majority vote.
2. Officers are responsible for the actions of their assistants.

XIII.  AFFILIATIONS     

The Health Organization for Promotion and Education is an academic club that will affiliate itself with Winona State Univesity by maintaining a representative with the Alliance of Student Organizations (ASO). It shall also explore and locate state, national and international organizations with similar interests to affiliate with.

XIV.   ADVISORS     

1.       HOPE shall maintain at least one advisor from the faculty.

2a.     A student advisor may be appointed by the executive board, with student approval of the membership.

2b.     This person must have senior status, and must have been active in HOPE for more than two years.

2c.     The student advisor shall advise HOPE in any capacity that is necessary and proper.

XV.    BY-LAWS     

HOPE shall institute by-laws by a two-thirds vote of the voting membership, at such time that the members feel the existence of such by-laws is necessary.

XVI.   AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the voting membership, whereupon a passing amendment will be presented to the ASO and the Winona State University Student Association for their approval.

XVII.   RATIFICATION     

This constitution was ratified by a two-thirds vote of the members of the Health Organization for Promotion and Education.

Last Update: 2/1/06