Constitution of the STEM Education Graduate Student Association

Article I.    NAME AND PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

Section 1.01   Name of the Organization

1. The name of this organization shall be the STEM Education Graduate Student Association, hereinafter referred to as “STEM Ed GSA”.
2. STEM Ed GSA is a graduate student organization in the College of Education at NC State and is affiliated with the Department of STEM Education.

Section 1.02   Purpose

1. The purpose of the STEM Ed GSA is to support the STEM Education department graduate students through academic and social interactions.

Section 1.03   Non-Discrimination Policy

1. The STEM Ed GSA recognizes that discrimination based upon race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation is in violation of federal and state law and NC State policy and will not be tolerated.

Article II.      MEMBERSHIP

Section 2.01   Definition of Membership

1. A voting member of STEM Ed GSA must be enrolled as a Certificate, Master’s, or Doctoral student enrolled in a program of study within the Department of STEM Education and actively working towards degree completion.

Section 2.02   Procedures for Becoming a Member

1. Membership is automatic for Certificate, Master’s, and Doctoral students who are enrolled in a program of study within the Department of STEM Education.

Section 2.03   Expectation of Members

1. Members shall attend regular meetings, participate in STEM Ed GSA sponsored activities, and represent their programs interests, as well as the general interest of graduate students, in all business proceedings.
2. Regular in-person attendance is expected but accommodations can be made for those with extenuating circumstances (as approved by the STEM Ed GSA Leadership).
3. Members are expected to engage and contribute to the success of the STEM Ed GSA at all events, meetings, and special programs.

Article III.     LEADERSHIP

Section 3.01   Board of Directors

The STEM Ed GSA Board of Directors should possess and commit to the following:

1. Be willing and committed to leading the group in a positive, empowering, and innovative manner
2. Be timely and organized with facilitating business meetings and event planning. 
3. Have an effective level of interpersonal competence, particularly in dealing with administration, graduate students, and faculty. 
4. Be comfortable with representing the board and the college at public functions in an articulate and engaging way. 
5. Be willing to meet with the staff advisor on a consistent basis to ensure adequate planning and leadership guidance. 
6. The Board of Directors represents a commitment above and beyond that of a regular organization member
7. Other characteristics of effective STEM Ed GSA leadership: patience, initiative, communication, active listener, facilitator skills, relationship builder, openness, innovation, and creativity.

Section 3.02   Official Duties of the President

1. The President shall act as the official spokesperson for STEM Ed GSA and maintain final authority on issues relevant to the STEM Ed GSA (along with staff advisor), until these issues can be brought to the attention of the STEM Ed GSA. If immediate action on an issue is necessary, the President shall solicit assistance from the Vice President and other STEM Ed GSA Board of Directors members.
2. The President shall be responsible for calling meetings of STEM Ed GSA, establishing the agenda for said meetings, and presiding over the meetings of STEM Ed GSA. The President shall vote during such meetings only in the event of a tie.
3. The President shall serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of all committees of STEM Ed GSA.
4. The President shall ensure that action is taken on all decisions and resolutions of STEM Ed GSA.
5. The President shall give oversight to events and activities sponsored by STEM Ed GSA for the Department of STEM Education graduate student community.
6. The President shall serve as a liaison for graduate students through the establishment of positive, collaborative relationships with the University administration, graduate departments, student organizations, and graduate student community.
7. The President shall manage the annual STEM Ed GSA bylaw review with the assistance of the Vice President.

Section 3.03   Official Duties of Vice President

1. The Vice President shall assist the President with their aforementioned duties.
2. Shall discharge the duties of the President in the President’s absence and assume the duties of the President in the event the position becomes vacant.
3. The Vice President shall assist the Treasurer in the management of the STEM Ed GSA budget.
4. The Vice President shall serve as the overseer and the point of contact for all STEM Ed GSA committees other than those falling within the purview of other board members.
5. The Vice President shall serve as a liaison for graduate students through the establishment of positive, collaborative relationships with the University administration, graduate departments, student organizations, and graduate student community.

Section 3.04   Official Duties of Secretary

1. Maintain records of STEM Ed GSA including minutes, attendance reports, programming reports, and correspondence.
2. Distribute materials to the appropriate students, faculty, administration, and staff.
3. Send out reminders or updates to members and other appropriate students, faculty, administration, and staff as deemed necessary.
4. Oversee communication within the organization, including contact lists and emails.
5. Coordinate with the STEM Ed GSA Advisor to distribute electronic materials in a timely and appropriate manner.

Section 3.05   Official Duties of Treasurer

1. The Treasurer shall co-manage the STEM Ed GSA budget with the assistance of the Vice President; when needed.
2. Shall create and submit STEM Ed GSA’s budget request to the appropriations committee through the student involvement registration process.
3. Maintain accurate financial records throughout the year to be reviewed at any time by members, other officers, or administration.
4. The Treasurer will maintain and reconcile the Boards bank account in concert with the relevant College representative.
5. Understand school and club policies regarding student financial accounts relating to school organizations.

Section 3.06   Official Duties of Director of Communications

1. Maintain the structure and content of the STEM Ed GSA website.
2. Create and manage all social networks (this website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) and other marketing outlets (radio, newspapers, TV, and flyers/posters).
3. Coordinate the marketing and publicity efforts of the organization.
4. Liaise to Dean’s Office and other University departments as deemed necessary.

Section 3.07   Official Duties of Director of Member Engagement

1. Shall solicit ideas, develop consensus, and gain Board approval for member activities.
2. Upon Board approval, shall plan and manage member activities.
3. Shall establish and decommission committees of member volunteers to support member engagement activities as they see fit.
4. Liaise with other College of Education, Graduate School, and the University GSA’s.

Section 3.08   Office Term

1. Each officer may hold their respective position for up to two academic years to be served consecutively. If a position has been held for two academic years, the member cannot hold another leadership position during their service time on the Board.

Section 3.09   Nominations to the Board

1. Nominations for vacant Board of Directors positions may be solicited from the Head of the STEM Education Department as well as department faculty members at any time.
2. Nominations for vacant Board of Directors positions may be solicited from the membership at any time.
3. The following information must be provided for a complete nomination:

• Nominee name.
• The position for which the individual is being nominated.
• Please share why you are nominating this person.

Section 3.10   Appointment to the Board

1. Vacant Board positions may be filled by appointment at any time with the approval of the Head of Department, the Faculty Advisor, and the President of the STEM Ed GSA.
2. Vacant Board positions not filled by appointment will be filled by election of the membership by a simple majority of the vote.
3. The elections process will occur in a two-day voting window.

Article IV.    METHOD OF REMOVING OFFICERS

Section 4.01   Procedures for Removal

1. If an officer is not performing his/her duties, they will meet with the advisor to discuss the problem. If the problem persists then the matter will be taken to Board leadership and discussed for further actions. Any additional procedures will be performed with the latest version of Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article V.      MEETINGS OF THE ORGANIZATION

Section 5.01   Official Meetings

1. The STEM Ed GSA shall hold a General Meeting at least once per month with the expectation that all members are present. The meeting time and date will be determined by STEM Ed GSA Board after polling for availability from the greater membership.
2. The STEM Ed GSA shall hold a Board of Directors Meeting at least once per month with the expectation that all members are present. The meeting time and date will be determined by the STEM Ed GSA President after polling for availability from the Board.

Article VI.    COMMITTEES

Section 6.01   Official Committees

1. Committees will be commissioned and decommissioned based on the needs of the Board.
2. Committees will have a Chairperson appointed by the Board.

Article VII.   DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR

Section 7.01   Official Duties of the Advisor

1. The formal advisor of the committee shall be a Department of STEM Education faculty member.

Article VIII. CONSTITUTION AMENDMENTS: PROPOSALS, NOTICE, AND VOTING REQUIREMENTS

Section 8.01   Process for Amendment

1. Amendments may be made to this constitution by a two-thirds majority vote of STEM Ed GSA members present at any regular business meeting.
2. Proposed amendments must be presented one meeting prior to its approval.
3. Amendments must also be approved by the advisor of the STEM Ed GSA.

Article IX.     DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION

Section 9.01   Process for Dissolution

1. The organization will be dissolved if the following occur in tandem:
   1. Head of the Department STEM Education makes a justifiable request to dissolve the organization.
   2. There is a unanimous vote by the Board in the affirmative to dissolve the STEM Ed GSA.
2. In addition to the preceding situations occurring:
   1. A forum must be held for all graduate students in the Department of STEM Education to voice their concerns.
   2. Following the forum, the Head, Advisor, and Board of Directors will meet to formally dissolve the organization.

Article X.      DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION

Section 10.01Signatures: