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MANRRS Constitution and Bylaws


Article I: Name
Section 1.
The name of this non-profit society shall be Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources Association, The Pennsylvania State University Chapter of the national society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State). The national society for Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) is the governing body for MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State. MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State will abide by all the rules and regulations in accordance with the MANRRS national constitution subject to adherence to the policies, rules and regulations for student organizations of The Pennsylvania State University.

 

Article II: Purpose
Section 1.
The purpose of this society shall be to provide a framework for the academic, professional and social development of minority students within the fields of agriculture and related areas.

 

Article III: Members
Section 1.
Each individual member shall be classified as regular, affiliate or associate depending upon the member's disciplinary association as defined by the national society.

  1. Individuals whose disciplines are usually included in agricultural and natural resource sciences shall be classified as regular members of the society.
  2. Individuals whose disciplines are related fields shall be classified as affiliate members of the society.
  3. Individuals not included in the regular or affiliate member classifications who are granted membership in the society shall be classified as associate members.

 

Section 2.
Registered undergraduate and graduate students, currently employed faculty and staff, individuals who have previously held membership or who are The Pennsylvania State University alumni and all others interested in furthering the purpose of the society may be admitted to membership.

 

Section 3.
Each member shall also be classified as an Undergraduate Student Member, a Graduate Student Member or a Professional Member.

  1. An individual enrolled full-time in a program that leads to the award of an associate, baccalaureate or other undergraduate degree shall be designated as an Undergraduate Student Member.
  2. An individual enrolled full-time in a post-baccalaureate professional or graduate degree program shall be designated as a Graduate Student Member.
  3. All other persons granted membership shall be designated as Professional Members.

 

Section 4.
All members whose financial obligations to MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State as stated in Article X, Section 3 and to MANRRS are current shall be considered as active members. Only active members may vote, hold office, preside, officiate, or solicit funds on behalf of the society.

 

Article IV: Officers
Section 1.
The officers of MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by this constitution and by the parliamentary authority, Roberts Rules of Order.

 

Section 2.
Officers shall be elected annually at the first business meeting after March 15. Elected officers shall take office at the first business meeting after April 15. The term of office for all regularly elected officers shall be one year from the date when they assume office.

 

Section 3.
The current elected officers, one member at-large and the advisor shall constitute the Executive Board of the society. The at-large member shall be selected by other members of the Executive Board.

 

Section 4.
No member shall concurrently hold more than one elected office, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms of office in the same office.

 

Section 5.
In the event of an elected office vacancy, a special election may be called by the Executive Board at any regular meeting to fill the position of the vacated office. The term of office for officers elected between elections shall end when officers assume office after the next regular election.

 

Section 6.
Written notice shall be mailed to all active members at least one week in advance of any meeting at which an election of officer(s) will take place.

 

Section 7.
All full-time, registered, active student members of the society are eligible for office in the society. Any limitations on eligibility for office will be subject to Supreme Court approval.

 

Article V: Meetings
Section 1.
Regular meetings of MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State shall be held at least monthly during the fall and spring semesters with a minimum of four (4) regular meetings each semester. The schedule of meetings shall be determined by a majority vote of the active members at the beginning of each semester.

 

Section 2.
Special meetings can be called at the request of the President or the Executive Board.

 

Section 3.
All active members will be given adequate notice prior to all regular and special meetings.

 

Article VI: Duties of Officers
Section 1.
The President shall preside over meetings, serve as an ex-officio member of committees, represent the society when necessary, and appoint committees with the approval of the Executive Board.

 

Section 2.
The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President when the President is unable to preside.

 

Section 3.
The Secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence and for recording and maintaining reports and minutes of the society.

 

Section 4.
The treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining all financial records, collecting and disbursing funds, and preparing financial reports. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Fund Raising Committee.

 

Article VII: Committees
Section 1.
Annually MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State shall select at the meeting when elected officers take office a Program Committee, a Budget Committee, and a Fund Raising Committee

  1. Program Committee members shall be nominated from the floor and approved by majority vote of the active membership. The Committee shall have responsibilities for planning and coordinating implementation of all society activities and for promoting public relations for the society.
  2. The Budget Committee shall consist of the Executive Board. The Budget Committee shall oversee the fiscal responsibility of the society.
  3. Fund Raising Committee members, other than the Treasurer, shall be nominated from the floor and approved by majority vote of the active membership. The Committee shall have the responsibility for all solicitations and other activities to provide the finances to support the society's programs, activities, and other fiscal duties.

 

Section 2.
The President, with the approval of the Executive Board may appoint members for other committees on an ad hoc basis. The Executive Board's charge shall assign the responsibilities and terms of service for ad hoc committees.

 

Article VIII: Voting
Section 1.
Only active members of MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State shall vote in election of officers and conduct of the society's business.

 

Section 2.
For all elections and conduct of business, a quorum shall consist of thirty-three (33) percent of the active members.

 

Section 3.
For all elections and conduct of business, a majority shall consist of fifty (50) percent plus one (1) of those voting with a minimum of fifty (50) percent plus one (1) of the society's quorum.

 

Article IX: Elections
Section 1.
Nominations for office shall be made from the floor with the consent of the nominee. Voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.

 

Article X: Finances
Section 1.
All funds of MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State shall be deposited in and handled through the Associated Student Activities Office (ASAO). Transactions shall be approved by the society's Treasurer and President in addition to such approval as may be required by ASAO. Checks shall be signed by the society's President, Treasurer or faculty adviser.

 

Section 2.
Expenditures of greater than fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be presented by the Treasurer at a scheduled business meeting and shall be subject to active membership approval as an item of business.

 

Section 3.
Dues assessment shall be determined annually by the Executive Board with an amount, not to be excessive, approved as an item of business at the first business meeting of the fall semester. Payment of dues shall be a condition of active membership.

 

Article XI: Adviser
Section 1.
The College of Agricultural Sciences Director of Minority Programs or another currently employed full-time member of the University's faculty or staff chosen by the society's membership under the rules for election of officers shall be the Adviser for MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State.

 

Article XII: Parliamentary Authority
Section 1.
The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State in instances not covered by the society's constitution.

 

Article XIII: Amendments
Section 1.
This constitution, and any By-Laws thereto, may be amended at any meeting of MANRA/MANRRS - Penn State, providing the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to all active members at least fifteen (15) days prior to voting on the amendment.

 

Section 2.
The quorum needed for voting on amendments to this constitution, or any By-Laws, shall be that specified in Article VIII, Section 2.

 

Section 3.
The majority needed to approve amendments to this constitution, or any By-Laws, shall be that specified in Article VIII,

 

Section 4.
Copies of this society's constitution shall be made available to anyone upon request.

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