Undergraduate Genetics Association Bylaws   Mission Statement It shall be the purpose of the Undergraduate Genetics Association to promote fellowship, foster academic excellence, and enhance awareness of career opportunities for undergraduate genetic majors.  This organization is designed by undergraduates for fellow students majoring or interested in genetics.  We have bi-weekly meetings that are host to speakers, movies, debates, and over-all genetics goodness.  Article I – Name             The name of the organization shall be the Undergraduate Genetics Association (UGA)   Article II – Objective, Aims, or Purpose             It shall be the purpose of the Undergraduate Genetics Association to promote fellowship, foster academic, excellence, and enhance awareness of career opportunities for undergraduate students. Article III – Membership and Eligibility Criteria Section A: Membership is open to any enrolled University student who: 1)      Is an undergraduate student 2)      Pays membership dues Membership shall not be based on race, creed, religion, sex or national origin.   Section B: Dues and collection procedure 1)      The fiscal year of the organization shall be from Sept. 1 to Aug 31 2)      The amount of annual dues shall be determined each year by Aug. 31 3)      Dues may be paid $10/ semester and $15/ year   Article IV – Voting Section A: a quorum will be one-firth of members Section B: Each member may vote Section C: Proxy voting is allowed by email by noon on the day of the election Section D: In order to become nominated for president or vice president, a member must have held an official position in prior years. Section E: If a member is unable to attend an election meeting, yet still wants to run for a position, she/he must have another UGA member speak on her or his behalf. Section F: The incumbent president votes in officer elections only in order to break a tie   Article V – Officers Section A: The Undergraduate Genetics Association shall have an Executive Board made up of officers consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, CALS student council representative for the Genetics department and for UGA, Career, Academic, Fundraiser, Social, and a Webmaster. An advisor will also assist the Executive Board.  Section B: All officers must be members of UGA Section C: The term of office shall be from May through April Section D: Election of officers shall be held in April. At least two weeks notice shall be given before the election meeting. Nominations shall be initiated form the floor and elections done by a ballot. The person receiving the plurality vote is elected. Section E: Any officer may be remove form the membership by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board. Any officer removed may appeal to the general membership. Said officer shall be considered reinstated with two-thirds approval of non officer members. Section F: Officers are required to attend all general meetings but are allotted two unexcused absences per year. Failure to follow will be grounds for immediate removal from the executive board. Said officer can appeal and be reinstated by a two-thirds vote by the executive board. Section G: Any vacancy that may occur in an office shall be filled by appointment by the president.   Article VI – Duties of Officers Defined Section A: The president 1)      The president shall be the chief executive officer 2)      The president, with approval of the executive board, directs the budget 3)      Vacancies in offices will be filled by appointment of the President 4)      The president shall lead all general business meetings 5)      The president shall lead all executive board meetings. 6)      The president will work with the Student Organization Office to obtain university status as s student organization 7)      The president will determine date, times, and locations of all meetings   Section B: The Vice President 1)      The vice president shall assist and oversee all other officers 2)      The vice president shall assume the duties of the president should the office become vacant, or in the absence of the president.   Section C: The Secretary 1)      The secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes for all meetings and the meetings of the executive board 2)      The secretary will proved a copy of the minutes for each officer and keep a master file 3)      The secretary shall maintain a complete and accurate account of attendance, membership status, and an email list. 4)      The secretary shall send out email meeting notices at least two days before all general meetings   Section E: The Treasurer 1)      The treasurer shall keep a current record of all financial transactions 2)      The treasurer shall present the balance of money at the opening meetings of each semester 3)      The treasurer shall be responsible for checking the  accuracy of all bills and invoices and paying them correctly on time 4)      The treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of dues 5)      The treasurer shall be responsible for all purchases and will be in charge of all general t-shirts business   Section F: Career Officer 1)      The Career chair shall be in charge of organizing the fall semester career panel, which consists of individuals in fields relating to genetics 2)      The career chair shall oversee finding speakers for general meetings 3)      The career chair shall be a resource for students in the areas of career options, internships, jobs, and research opportunities on campus.     Section G: Academic Chair 1)      The academic chair will be in charge of the test bank and oversee the peer advising meeting each semester Section H: Fundraiser Chair 1)      The fundraiser chair shall be in charge of finding opportunities for UGA to raise money for the budget Section J: Social/Volunteer Chair 1)      The social chair will oversee the spring semester student faculty mixer and find opportunities for volunteer options for UGA 2)      The social chair will be in charge of providing social events for UGA to foster fellowship of students interested in genetics Section K: Webmaster 1)      The webmaster is in charge of the upkeep of the UGA website located at http://uga.genetics.wisc.edu 2)      The webmaster is in charge of posting meetings and upcoming events on the website   Section L: Advisor 1)      The advisor shall serve as a resource for UGA 2)      The advisor will be a nonvoting member of the organization that is on faculty at the University of Wisconsin Madison   Article VII – Notice of Meetings Section A: The time of regularly scheduled meetings shall be determined at the beginning of each semester. Section B: At least 7 days notice shall be given for each regular business meeting and a reminder will be sent out within two days of a meeting by the secretary. Section C: Special or emergency meetings may be called with less then 2 days notice. Section D: The meeting shall include a quorum Article VIII – Parliamentary Procedure Section A: The bylaws shall be followed by the organization in all cases included parliamentary procedure when it does not conflict with the bylaws Section B: The rules may be suspended by two-thirds vote by the present membership.http://uga.genetics.wisc.edu/shapeimage_1_link_0