Texas A&M University-Commerce
Constitution of the Golden Leos

 

Article I. Name and Purpose

 

Section 1.01 Name

The name of this organization shall hereby be the Golden Leos at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Section 1.02 Purpose

The purpose of the Golden Leos shall be to serve as Ambassadors for the President’s Office as well as other Offices at the Golden Leo members’ discretion, to recruit students, to promote the university, and to facilitate events for Texas A&M University-Commerce while holding educational and leadership opportunities as a number one priority.

 

Article II. Membership Composition

Section 2.01 General Composition

Membership shall include no less than 20 and no more than 30 members during the Academic School Year. The Golden Leos shall determine the exact number of members each year, dependent upon the biannual selection process, which includes an application and interview process conducted by the Selection Committee.

Section 2.02 The membership shall last as long the student:

(a) Is enrolled as a full time Undergraduate or Graduate student of Texas A&M University-Commerce and has completed one full semester at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

(b) Remain in good standing with the university and is not found in violation of the Code of Student Conduct.

(c) Members must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75

Section 2.03 Membership Information

(a) Probationary Membership

Members who fall below membership requirements as specified by Article II Section 2.02 shall be placed on probation and given one academic semester to fulfill the requirements, before membership will be terminated.

(b) Inactive Membership

A Golden Leo member can take inactive membership after one full academic semester of being active, by submitting a formal written response within 7 calendar days from the last meeting or event attended. Inactivity shall be limited to one academic semester and must be approved by the executive officers. Inactive members can appeal to the executive officers in order to extend inactivity for a specified period of time by a majority vote. Inactive members will not be considered voting members.

(c) Resignation of Members

A member may resign from the Golden Leo Membership by submitting a formal written response to the executive committee, within 7 calendar days from the last meeting attended.

(d) Alumni/Honorary Members

Any member who has graduated from the university as an active member of the Golden Leos may be considered Alumni, who may participate with retreats, act as a general resource, and as a supporter for the organization. Any member who has been designated as an honorary member shall act as a general resource and supporter for the Golden Leos. Alumni/Honorary members shall have no voting privileges and does not count toward the membership quota.

Section 2.04 The Golden Leos are an equal opportunity organization and shall not discriminate against any person based on any race, religion, creed, color, national origin, gender, age, veteran status, or handicap.

Section 2.05 The Golden Leo Selection Committee shall complete membership selection before October 1 for the fall semester and before March 1 for the spring semester.

 

Article III. Advisor

Section 3.01 Advisor

The advisor of the Golden Leos shall be the director of the Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center and/or the designee selected by the Dean of Students Office. The advisor should be employed to the University at least ¾ time.

Section 3.02 Duties/Responsibilities

(a) The advisor will have no voting privileges, but will assist as a resource person and information source for the organization.

(b) The advisor will serve as a liaison between administration and the organization.

Section 3.03 Removal Procedure

Any advisor shall be removed by a majority vote of the general assembly. Once voted on the executive committee will submit a letter to the advisor, informing him/her about the decision that has been made.

Section 3.04 Filling Position

The executive committee will set up a meeting time with the Dean of Students Office to discuss a new advisor.

 

Article IV. Budget

Section 4.01 The operating funds of the Golden Leos originate from the Golden Leo Budget, which is predetermined each fiscal year by the Dean of Students Office.

Section 4.02 The Golden Leo Treasurer and the Advisor shall monitor the budget. A report of funds shall be given at each general meeting.

Section 4.03 The officers and the Dean of Students Office must approve all expenditures from the budget. The Advisor will aid in finalizing expenditures.

Section 4.04 Expenditures from the budget will be transacted by university purchase orders.

Section 4.05 The Golden Leos reserve the right to sponsor events or to fundraise.

 

Article V. Contact Positions

Section 5.01 Certain university offices shall have a contact person from the Golden Leos. Such offices include, but are not limited to:

(a) President’s Office
(b) Admission’s Office
(c) Development Office
(d) Alumni Office
(e) Dean of Students Office
(f) Memorial Student Center
(g) Athletic Department

Section 5.02 Certain university events shall have a contact chairperson. Such events include, but are not limited to:

(a) Family Day
(b) Homecoming
(c) FLC Get Together
(d) University Day
(e) End of Year Banquet
(f) Web Page
(g) Food and Housing

Section 5.03 Such contact person or chairperson shall volunteer at the beginning of each fall and spring semester.

Section 5.04 All of the above contact positions may be co-chaired by more than one Golden Leo member if desired.

Section 5.05 The duties of the contact person/chairperson shall be as follows:

(a) To serve as a liaison between the office, committee, and/or event and the Golden Leo Membership.

(b) To report to the Golden Leo membership at Golden Leo meetings.

(c) To conduct all events in a reasonable and timely manner.

(d) To make decisions pertaining to the area of responsibility at their discretion.

(e) To form committees and conduct committee meetings when necessary.

Article VI. Executive Officers

Section 6.01

(a) Executive positions are:

(i) Chairperson
(ii) Vice Chairperson
(iii) Secretary
(iv) Treasurer
(v) Selection Chair

(b) Terms of Office

(i) Each officer shall be elected to a one-year academic term.
(ii) No officer may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position.
(iii) The New Officers shall take office at the Golden Leo End of Year Banquet.

(c) Election Procedures

(i) Nominations will be taken from the members at large in a called meeting designated for officer nominations. A member that is on probationary or inactive status cannot be nominated for any office.
(ii) Voting will take place at the next regular scheduled meeting, by a secret ballot vote.
(iii) Elections will be held before February 15 th of each year.
(iv) The officers will then work under the mentorship of the previous officers.

Section 6.02 Duties

(a) One member shall be elected as Chairperson for one academic year. The duties shall be:

(i) To conduct all meetings.
(ii) To serve as a liaison between the University and the Golden Leos.
(iii) To be a leader for the organization.
(iv) To accomplish any other assigned duties.

(b) One member shall be elected as Vice-Chairperson for one academic year. The duties shall be:

(i) To conduct meetings in the absence of the chairperson.
(ii) To assist the chairperson in any duties.
(iii) To accomplish any other assigned duties.

(c) One member shall be elected as Secretary for one academic year. The duties shall be:

(i) To keep accurate minutes and distribute them in a timely manner.
(ii) To maintain a record of attendance of members throughout the academic year at all events and meetings.
(iii) To accomplish any other assigned duties.

(d) One member shall be elected Treasurer for one academic school year. The duties shall be:

(i) To keep an accurate account of budgets and report it to the membership.
(ii) To authorize all spending from the budget as a representative of the general membership to the advisor who aids in finalizing expenditures.
(iii) To fill in at meetings in the absence of the secretary.
(iv) To serve as a co-signature for organization expenditures.
(v) To accomplish any other assigned duties.

(e) One member shall be elected Selection Chair for one academic school year. The duties shall be:

(i) To develop advertising
(ii) To plan selection activities and interview process
(iii) To update and distribute application packet
(iv) To maintain and oversee applicant information
(v) To inform applicants of the selection decision
(vi) To accomplish any other assigned duties.

 

Article VII. Members at Large

Section 7.01 The duties of the Golden Leos within the organization shall be as follows:

(a) Attend general meetings.

(b) Attend all required events unless:

(i) The member is ill
(ii) The member has class
(iii) Is involved in another unavoidable university function on or off campus.
(iv) A family emergency occurs.

Section 7.02 Absences

(a) Any member shall contact the secretary, chairperson, or advisor prior to any missed event. Then they shall follow up with a formal written response for the excuse of the absence within 3 calendar days of the missed event. Emergency situations will be handled on a case by case basis. Written responses shall be reviewed by the Chairperson and Advisor to determine if it is excused or unexcused. The Chairperson shall have 7 calendar days to inform the individual of the decision concerning the absence.

(b) A member will be allowed two unexcused absences per academic semester. Three or more unexcused absences may result in the dismissal of the member upon decision by the executive officers and approval by a 2/3 majority vote of quorum.

Section 7.03 Dismissal

(a) A member may be dismissed after documented and consistent disregard for the organization based on:

(i) Lack of attendance
(ii) Poor performance
(iii) General Misconduct such as:

1. Inappropriate behavior
2. Vulgar language
3. Inappropriate attire

(b) Any member put up for dismissal in the organization must be given 7 calendar days notification before action is taken.

(c) Individuals will be given 7 calendar days after notification of dismissal to appeal and provide an explanation of why they should be readmitted.

 

Article VIII. Quorum and Meetings

Section 8.01 All decisions pertaining to the actual procedures of the Golden Leos as an organization are to be made by democratic vote of the membership. A ¾ quorum of the current membership must be present at general meetings in order to pass a motion for the organization. Decisions should be made with guidance of the Advisor.

Section 8.02 Golden Leo general assembly meetings shall be held twice a month. These meetings can be canceled as deemed necessary by the executive officers with approval of the advisor. The meeting times may be changed as deemed necessary by the executive officers along with the approval by the general membership.

 

Article IX. Amendments

Section 9.01 The Leos reserve the right to make amendments to this document at any time.

Section 9.02 Any decisions made by the Golden Leos must not conflict with University policy.

Section 9.03 A 2/3-majority vote of the voting membership is necessary to approve amendments to this document.

Section 9.04 Upon approval by the Golden Leo membership a revised copy must be submitted to the Office of Student Organizations for final reviews and approval.

 

Revised 07/08/03 – Connie Mears, Jerri Harris, Derek Baker, Kelli King, Alexandra Hernandez, and Betty Hernandez

© 2004 The Golden Leos, Texas A&M University-Commerce