The Official Constitution of the Cornell Pre-Vet Society
Article 1
This organization is the Cornell Pre-Vet Society. Although oriented towards pre-veterinary students, anyone with an interest in animals is welcome to join.
Article 2
The objectives of this organization are:
1) to improve students' knowledge of the veterinary profession and better prepare them for applying to veterinary schools.
2) to provide opportunities for the students to learn more about animals and get experience handling them.
3) to promote networking and friendship among pre-veterinary students, as well as faculty and staff members at Cornell and other Universities which provide opportunities to students interested in careers in veterinary medicine.
Article 3: On Membership
Section 1: Eligibility
Any person duly enrolled in Cornell University with an interest in the veterinary profession, animals in general, or other aspects of the club.
Section 2- Dues
No person shall be entitled to membership until he/she has paid his/her dues.
Section 3- Active Membership
To be recognized as an active member, a member must satisfy the following requirements:
a. He/she must attend 70% of the meetings.
b. He/she must participate in at least one of the club activities. (These include fundraisers, field trips, luncheons, committees, etc.)
c. A list of the Active Members will be sent to the Vet School Admissions Office after the final meeting of each semester.
Section 4- Expulsion
a. Unbecoming conduct of a member may be punished by expulsion, as determined by the Executive Committee.
b. Members who willfully obstruct the work of the Club and whose continued presence is injurious to the Club may be punished by expulsion.
Article 4: On Officers
The officers of the club shall be:
1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Publicity Chair
6. Webspace Chair
Article 5: On Advisors
The club shall have one advisor, chosen from the staff of the Animal Science Department or the Veterinary School. The advisor shall be elected for a one year term
Article 6: On the Executive Committee
The executive committee shall be comoposed fo the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Publicity Manager, and the Advisor.
Article 7: On Amendments
Amendments to this constitution may be made by a three-fourths vote of the members present at a regular meeting.
Article 8: On Necessary Deviations
Upon majority approval of a quorum of the Executive Committee, a section of Article 3 may be temporarily set aside or modified due to an extraordinary and unforeseeable set of circumstances.
BYLAWS
Section 1- NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS:
1. Elections shall be held at the regular meeting as determined by the Executive Committee.
2. Elected officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Chair and Webspace chair.
3. The club advisor will be elected at the end of the spring semester, and the club officers will be elected at the end of the fall semester.
4. Election of officers shall be by simple majority of those active members present.
5. Election of the officers shall be by secret ballot.
6. The nominees shall be allowed five minutes to speak on their behalf.
7. A nominating committee shall consist of all active senior members, and will present a list of candidates for the respective offices at least two weeks prior to the regular meeting at which nominations are taken. Nominations shall also be open from the floor at the regular meeting at which nominations are taken.
Section 2- DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings, see that all officers perform their official duties, and to enforce this constitution.
2. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to assume the duties of the President in the absence of that official and to assist in the promotion of the best interests of the Club as the President may direct.
3. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the minutes of all meetings, issue all orders and notices required, and make a list of all members for the semester.
4. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all money due to the club, keep an accurate account of all finances of the Club and collect all dues and assessments.
5. It shall be the duty of the Publicity Chair to publicize all Club meetings and events with the help of the Publicity committee as deemed by the President.
6. It shall be the duty of the Webspace chair to maintain the website and listserve. 7. It shall be the duty of the Advisor to advise the Club whenever such advice is needed.
8. All officers, excluding the President, must notify the President should it be necessary they miss a meeting.
Section 3- FILING OF VACENCIES:
1. In the event of an inability of the President to serve, his/her position shall be assumed by the Vice-President, and a special election shall be held to fill the vacancy of the Vice-President.
2. All other vacancies shall be filled by a special election.
3. Election procedure shall be the same as outlined in Section 1, but the nominations shall be from the floor.
Section 4- DUES:
Dues shall be collected each semester per member, payable to the Treasurer.
Section 5- AMENDMENTS:
Amendments to these By-Laws may be made by a 2/3 vote of the members present, providing statements of such proposed amendments have been given at least two weeks prior to the voting.