Constitution
Palo Alto Community College
Forensic Science Club
Founded 2006
Mission Statement
The purpose of the forensic science club is…
-To provide a forum for all students and interested community members to advance the understanding of forensic science. This will be achieved through guest speakers, field trips, and interactive laboratories.
-To promote greater awareness of forensic science to the school and community and to educate others about forensic science.
-To serve the needs and interests of PAC students and community members interested in forensic science.
-To encourage students in their educational pursuits
-To strengthen the presence of forensic science students on campus and their participation in campus activities.
-To maintain ties between the campus forensic science students and local personnel involved in forensics and criminalistics.
ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership shall be open to any student of the college interested in the purpose of the club.
Section 2. Membership dues shall be set forth by the active executive board, but not to exceed $20.00 per semester to be paid one month following the first meeting of each semester.
Section 3. Meetings will be held once a week on Thursdays at 6:00 PM. Changes in meeting times and locations shall be passed with a majority vote of current members.
ARTICLE II – OFFICERS AND ADVISORS
Section 1. The Officers of this club shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Sergeant of Arms.
Section 2. The duties and powers of the officers of the club shall be as follows:
PRESIDENT: The president shall preside at all meetings of the club, call special meetings, appoint all committees and committee chairpersons or special positions as needed, and perform such other duties that his/her office shall require. He/she shall make no vote on any question or motion, unless there is a need for a deciding vote to be cast.
VICE-PRESIDENT: In the absence of the president, the vice-president shall perform the duties of that office, as well as any duties that are delegated to him/her by the president.
SECRETARY: The secretary shall see that the books, reports, and certificates required for the club be properly kept and shall assume responsibilities for any and all duties assigned to him/her by the president. The secretary shall also keep the minutes and provide emails to each paid member.
TREASURER: The treasurer shall receive and be held responsible for all money belonging to the club and shall keep an account of all receipts and expenditures. He/she shall report the state of the treasury at weekly meetings. The treasure must also sign all club checks.
SERGEANT AT ARMS: The sergeant at arms shall keep order at all meetings. He/she shall also assist the president in interpreting and enforcing the constitution as well as any duties delegated to him/her by the President.
HISTORIAN: The historian shall ensure that any and all landmarks in the history of the club are properly documented. He/She shall also make known to the club members of any dates (i.e. functions with the school of other clubs) that must be kept.
Section 3. Officer names are to be updated upon finalization of elections.
Current officers:
President – Vacant
Vice president – Vacant
Secretary – Vacant
Treasurer – Vacant
Sergeant at arms – Vacant
Historian – Vacant
Section 4. Any officer not fulfilling his/her obligation to his constitution and club may be asked to resign by a collaborative request made by the executive board.
Section 5. The club must have one faculty advisor from the Forensic Science department.
ARTICLE III – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. All elections of officers shall be held at the second to last schedule meeting before final exams of the fall semester. The terms of the elected officers shall begin the conclusion of the fall semester. In the case of a vacancy occurring in any office other than the presidency, the club shall go into immediate election to fill this vacancy. The officer elected shall take his/her seat immediately after this election. In case of a vacancy in the presidency, the vice-president shall become president and assume full responsibility of the club.
Clause 1: In the case of a vacancy of any office other than the presidency, a present officer may seek for the office. This officer must forfeit his/her present office to run for the new office. A separate election must be held for the two offices – the one being sought and the one being forfeited. Section 2. All elections of officers shall be made by a ballot and be determined by majority of the vote cast. Said elections must be open to all active members of the club. Active members must be notified of said meeting two weeks in advance, in writing.
ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS
Section 1. Club meetings shall be held once a week at a time scheduled by the executive board.
Section 2. If the scheduled meeting time is in conflict with 1/3 of the club members, the meeting time will be changed.
Section 3. Special meetings may be called as the president sees fit.
ARTICLE V – VOTING
Section 1. All active members must be notified one week in advance of any vote excluding time sensitive issues and treasury expenditures under twenty dollars.
Section 2. A quorum shall consist of 2/3 of active members present at a meeting.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1. Every proposed alteration, amendment or addition to this constitution and by-laws, hereto annexed must be handed to the president who shall have it published. After two weeks at the next scheduled meeting, it may be adopted by a 2/3 vote of the active members present.
Section 2. Every proposed alteration of this document must be deemed proper to purpose of the organization.
Section 3. All amendments to this constitution shall be incorporated into the corresponding article for which the amendment was made.
