CNS

Central Neuroscience Society

Constitution of

Neuroscience Society

March 24, 2002

Preamble

The purpose of this organization is to increase student awareness of current research in the field of neuroscience and to facilitate interdepartmental participation in neuroscience research.

ARTICLE I

Name

This organization should be known as the Neuroscience Society.

ARTICLE II

Membership

Section A.                    Membership

1.      Active:  Must complete application process to be accepted.  They are entitled to full voting privileges and are entitled to attend all on- and off-campus functions.  These members can run for any executive position provided they fulfill all requirements for executive board membership.  These people are required to pay dues.  Only active members can receive funding acquired through the Society.  Also, only active members who have participated in at least one fundraising activity can apply for funds through the Society. 

2.      Associate:  Those who have not completed the application due to number of credit hours attained or those on probation.  These people do not have any voting privileges and cannot run for any executive board positions.  These people do not pay dues. 

3.      Honorary:  These members are non-students, i.e. part-time, full-time, tenured, non-tenured, and visiting faculty members as well alumni.  These members will be required to pay dues and are allowed to vote. 

Section B.                    Membership Qualification

1.      Membership in the Neuroscience Society shall not be denied because of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, marital status, veteran status, handicap, sexual orientation, or other irrelevant criteria. 

2.      At the time of initiation, each prospective member must have at least 26 credit hours (a sophomore) and at least a 2.5 GPA during the previous semester.  This GPA must be 3.0 or above after 2 semesters of membership.

Section C.                    Selection of Members

1.      New members will be selected during the third week of each new semester.

2.      In order to become a member, 75% of the active members must concur.

3.      New members will be notified of selection one week after selection by a formal letter.

Section D.                    Voting Privileges

1.      Voting privileges are reserved for active and honorary members only.  These members are entitled to vote on all issues.  Absentee ballots can only be counted if they are filed before the group vote.

Section E.                     Termination of Membership

1.      Those who want to voluntarily terminate their membership can request termination from any executive board member.

2.      An individual whose GPA is not 3.0 or above after 2 consecutive semesters of membership will be notified of their probationary status, in person, by the President.  These individuals can reapply after one semester, if and only if, their GPA for that semester is 3.0 or above.  Terminated individuals can be associate members during one semester on probationary period. 

3.      In extreme case of flagrant abuse of policy, a 90% affirmative vote is needed to expel a member.  The member will be notified by the Faculty Advisor, in person, and with a letter of termination.

ARTICLE III

Officers

Section A.                    Elected Officers

1.      Duties and responsibilities of the President and Vice President:

a.       To be familiar with and execute the policies and procedures of the Office of Student Organizations and the Neuroscience Society in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

b.      To review the Constitution and Bylaws annually and recommend any changes to the Society.

c.       To delegate projects to other executive board members and member of the Society.

d.      To form sub-committees within the Society to deal with issues and projects within the Society.

e.       To be responsible for posting any vacant executive board positions and conduct new elections.

f.        To review any purchases or expenditures and budgetary expenses of the Society.

g.       To suspend any program or decision for the Society if deemed necessary. 

h.       To be actively involved in recruitment of new members and to nurture student participation.

i.         To meet bimonthly with all committee members.

j.        To sign and understand a copy of the Constitutions and Bylaws upon taking office.

k.      To evaluate members of the executive board at least once per semester.

l.         To seek out and propose grants to the Society for research, presentation, and publication purposes, and possible scholarships that pertain to members.

m.     To keep a calendar of deadlines available to all members in Rowe 204.

n.       To keep an updated file of all available grants in Rowe 204.

2.      Duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer:

a.       To have the custody of the funds and securities of the Society subject to the direction of the executive board.  To issue checks that the President and Faculty Advisor have signed for the Society.

b.      To deposit the funds of the Society to the credit of the Society in the Society bank account.

c.       To submit at the Annual General Meeting an audited statement of the financial condition of the Society whenever required by the executive board and to make and render a statement of the Treasurer’s.

d.      The Treasurer shall keep in books of the Society a full and accurate account of all money received and paid by the Treasurer on account of the Society.  The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the Treasurer by the Society.

3.      Duties and responsibilities of the Secretary:

a.       To maintain on file (in Rowe 204) a complete copy of all meeting minutes from all Society and executive board meetings.  These notes are due in file no later than one week after the meeting.

b.      To post meeting notes is designated areas.

c.       To compile lists of materials needed by the Society and present these lists to the executive board and Faculty Advisor.

d.      To notify all members of special meetings via phone or e-mail

Section B.                                Standing Committees

1.      All committees will be created as needed.

2.      Committee heads will be selected by the executive board.

3.      Committee members will be assigned as needed.

Section C.                                Qualifications for Holding Office

1.      All active members are eligible.

2.      Active members must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

3.      Active members must be in good standing with dues.

4.      Active members must be a junior or higher (56 credit hours or higher) in class standing.

5.      The Vice President will become the President after the term President is up.

Section D.                                Selection of Officers

1.      Election of officers will take place at the meeting during the 12^th week of the spring semester.

2.      Votes will be cast by secret ballot and counted by the Faculty Advisor and the President.

3.      Nominations will be made by public announcement at the meeting and they require a second by any active member.

4.      Elected officers begin the term during the first week of August.

5.      Term length will be one year.

Section E.                                 Filling Vacancies

1.      Vacancies will be posted by the President and Vice President.

2.      Voting will take place for all vacancies two weeks after the position is posted.

Section F.                                 Recall of Officers

1.      Offices will be vacated if the individual fails to perform duties, is excessively absent, or misconduct or wrong doing as determined by the Faculty Advisor and the Society.

2.      The executive board will vote first to impeach.  The vote must be unanimous.  The board will then present this information to the Society with reasons for impeachment.  The officer under question will be 5 minutes to make a case and answer any questions.  The Society will then vote.  The vote to impeach must be 75% of the Society.

ARTICLE IV

Advisors

Section A.                                Advisor

1.      The Faculty Advisor will be the Director of the Brain Research Laboratory.  The term of office will be the duration that person is the Director.

Section B.                                Special Meetings

1.      Special meetings will be called fro when an emergency situation arises, when large events are upcoming, or when deemed necessary by the executive board.

2.      Special meetings can be called by the Faculty Advisor, President, or when 25% of the active members request so.

3.      Members will be notified by telephone or e-mail of a special meeting by the Secretary.

Section C.                                Quorum

1.      There will be quorum when 51% of all active members are present.

Section D.                                Parliamentary Authority

1.      Robert Rules of Order

ARTICLE V

Dues

Section A.                                Due and Assessments, Initiation Fees

1.      Dues are sent at $5 per semester.  They are due by the 2^nd meeting of the year to maintain active membership standing.

2.      The executive board will vote to change dues by a 75% majority vote.  They will suggest this increase to the Society.

3.      Dues may be changed by the Society by a majority vote.

Section B.                                Banking

1.      Off-campus banking will be at the Mt. Pleasant Chemical Bank.  All fundraisers will be deposited into this account.  To withdraw money, the Faculty Advisor and the President must both sign the check.

2.      To receive University Funding, this Society will comply with the S.B.A.C. guidelines.  The University account for the Society will be for project money allotted by the University.  This Society will cover any spending deficits with funds from the off-campus account.  The Faculty Advisor and the President must both sign the check to withdraw funds from the University account.

Section C.                                Disposition of Funds in the Event of Inactivation

1.      All proceeds go to the Brain Research Laboratory at Central Michigan University.

ARTICLE VI

Amendments

Section A.                                Amendments and Revisions of the Constitution

1.      Any member, at any regular meeting, may propose a written amendment, final action on which will be delayed until the next regular meeting.  An affirmative vote of 75% of the active and honorary membership shall be required for adoption of an amendment.

Bylaws

1. Initiation Procedures:  Applicants are notified of admission into the Society by a letter form the Society and are introduced at the following meeting

2. Detailed notations of powers and duties of officers are explained in Article III, Section A.

3. There will be a committee for Brain Awareness Week which is responsible for planning and preparing activities during the month of March.

4. House rules, duties, and disciplining of members:  members and associates are expected to maintain professionalism while representing the Neuroscience Society.  Members are responsible for attending the bi-monthly meetings.  Members are also responsible for attending the weekly seminar meeting in Row 204 to discuss a current journal article.  Members are responsible for nay undertaking they commit to as part of the Society.  Any violation of these rules, this Constitution and Bylaws will result in disciplinary action.  Members receiving disciplinary action will be notified by the President and given a letter of reprimand.  Upon the third incident, membership is terminated and the individual is notified by the Faculty Advisor and given a letter of termination.

5. Order of business to be followed at bi-monthly meetings:

   1. Announcements

   2. President and Vice President Report

   3. Treasurer Report

   4. Secretary Report

   5. Amendment Proposal

   6. Member Questions Period

   7. Adjournment

6. There will be a Neuroscience Society Social once a month.  There will be a weekly meeting in Rowe 204 to discuss journal articles.  There will be bi-monthly Society meetings the first and third week of every month.  There will be bi-monthly executive board meetings also on the first and third week of every month.  If these meetings are at an inconvenient time, alternative arrangements can be made with the Faculty Advisor or President. 

BRAIN Center

Central Michigan University

Rowe Hall 204

Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859

TEL: (989) 774-3988