Model Constitution
Article I (Mandatory, as is)
CLUB NAME
Section 1. The name of this Club shall be (name of college or university) Student Pathology Club. The Club name should not include “American College of Veterinary Pathology” or “ACVP” in its title.
Section 2. The Club shall be self-governing in all matters, not in conflict with the provisions of this Constitution.
Article II (Mandatory, as is)
OBJECTIVES
Section 1. To promote collegiality and professional development of Club members through its programs and activities.
Section 2. To encourage veterinary student involvement in the field of veterinary pathology and provide an additional opportunity for Club members to gain professional knowledge in this field.
Section 3. To make available to students the opportunities offered by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
Section 4. To contribute to the development of the field of veterinary pathology at (name of college or university) through activities involving the faculty and student Club members.
Article III (Mandatory, as is)
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Club membership shall be limited to students in good standing enrolled in the professional veterinary curriculum of the AVMA-accredited (including provisional or probational accreditation) training institutions in veterinary medicine of (name of college or university).
Section 2. Each Club may have mentors consisting of:
a. Trainees currently enrolled in veterinary pathology residency programs established by that college or training institution, who are encouraged to be ACVP Trainee Affiliate members
b. Graduate students currently enrolled in veterinary pathology graduate programs established by that college or training institution, who are encouraged to be ACVP Trainee Affiliate or full members when relevant.
Article IV (Mandatory, customizable to institution)
OFFICERS AND FACULTY ADVISORS
Section 1. To direct the activities of the Club, the following officers shall serve for the entire academic year: President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer. (The position of Secretary-Treasurer may be a combined position or a separate Secretary and a separate Treasurer role). Mentors shall be ineligible to hold office.
Section 2. The President and Secretary-Treasurer shall have held a Club membership for at least one complete year before being elected. The first officers of every individual Club shall be exempt from this requirement.
Section 3. All officers may be reelected for any number of successive terms or may be replaced before completion of their terms by a majority vote of the Club.
Section 4. Committees may be formed to facilitate Club activities. Committee members shall provide service as needed through the duration of the academic year.
Section 5. One but no more than two faculty advisors from the faculty of the college where the student Club is organized shall be elected by the Club nomination procedure as specified in the Bylaws. Advisors shall be elected to four-year terms. All faculty members designated as faculty advisors shall be ACVP members in good standing.
Section 6. Names for mentors will be submitted by the faculty advisor and elected by a majority of the membership of the Club. The number of mentors shall not exceed half the number of members of the Club
Article V (Mandatory, as is)
CUSTODY OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
Section 1. A copy of the Constitution and Bylaws shall be in the possession of the President of the Club, the Advisor(s)of the Club, and the Student Engagement Committee of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
Section 2. The School or Training Program where the Club is located may require additional copies of the Constitution.
Section 3. Each of the officers shall promptly deliver his/her copy to their successor.
Article VI (Mandatory, customizable to the institution)
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1. Any member of the Club may propose amendments to the Constitution at any regular meeting.
Section 2. Adoption of an amendment shall be by two-thirds vote of all members attending a subsequent regular meeting, provided that such two-thirds majority shall include at least half the members of the Club.
Section 3. All amendments shall be submitted to the Student Engagement Committee of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
Sample Bylaws
Article I (Mandatory, customizable to the institution)
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND FACULTY ADVISORS
Section 1. The election of the officers listed in Article IV of the Constitution for the subsequent academic year shall take place no later than the next to the last meeting of each academic year.
Section 2. Nomination for President shall be by written or electronic ballot. Choice between the two candidates receiving the first and second largest number of nominating ballots shall then be made by ballot.
Section 3. The remaining officers shall be elected by the same procedure in the order in which they are listed in Article IV of the Constitution.
Section 4. Faculty advisor(s) shall be elected no later than the last meeting of the academic year in which the current advisor’s term expires. Nomination for Faculty Advisor shall be by written or electronic ballot. Choice between the two candidates receiving the first and second largest number of nominating ballots shall then be made by ballot. Clubs with two co-advisors should provide for continuity by electing one advisor every two years; the first two co-advisors shall be nominated for two years only, and the second one for four years. Advisors may be reelected for any number of successive terms or may be replaced before completion of their terms by a majority vote of the Club. When any advisor becomes unable to serve, a new advisor shall be elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
Article II (Mandatory, customizable to the institution)
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Club, shall preside at all meetings, and shall serve as chair (or considered ex-officio member) of any committees formed in the Club. The President shall serve the duties of any other vacant office (e.g., Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer).
Section 2. The Vice-President shall assist the President in the performance of Presidential duties and shall preside in the absence of the President at Club meetings and shall succeed to the office of the President should that office be vacated.
Section 3. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be the sole custodian of the financial resources of the Club and shall collect dues and fees promptly, if any are applicable. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep adequate financial records and permit inspection by any other officer of the Club or by the Advisor upon request. Upon request of the President, or best practice as an ongoing financial report, the Secretary-Treasurer shall present an oral financial report at any meeting of the Club. The Secretary-Treasurer shall present a complete and final written report at the last meeting of each school year, and at that time shall deliver to a successor all Club records and funds in their possession. A copy of the final report signed by the President of the Club and Faculty Advisor shall be retained by the Club. The Secretary-Treasurer of the Club shall preside at meetings of the Club in the absence of the President and Vice-President. The Secretary-Treasurer shall take and keep minutes of all meetings and shall preserve all correspondence relating to the affairs of the Club and deliver the same promptly to their elected successor.
Section 4. Mentors shall not constitute more than fifty percent of the Membership of the Club. The mentor’s role shall include sharing their post-graduate learning experiences with the members of the Club and assist with the functions of the Faculty Advisor.
Article III (Mandatory, customizable to the institution)
DUES
Section 1. No dues to ACVP are required for the Clubs or their members.
Article IV (Mandatory, customizable to the institution)
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
Section 1. Amendments to the Bylaws shall be proposed and adopted by the procedure specified in Article VI of the Constitution.