THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
BUSINESS LAW SOCIETY
ARTICLE I
Name and Affiliation
Section 1. The name of the organization operating under this Constitution shall be known as “The University of Toledo Business Law Society,” hereinafter known as “BLS.”
ARTICLE II
Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of this organization is to acquire, develop, and apply knowledge in the areas of business and law.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. Membership shall be extended to currently registered University of Toledo students who are in good standing with BLS and have supported the functions of the Society. No currently enrolled student at the University of Toledo shall be barred from membership because of race, sex, ethnic identity, national origin, religion, age, political views, sexual orientation, or handicap, as defined by law.
Section 2. A member must follow this Constitution and all Rules set in it, and all Rules set by the Society and its committees.
Section 3. Members and officers in violation of the University of Toledo’s student code of conduct may be removed from the Society by a two-thirds vote of a simple majority of members.
ARTICLE IV
Voting
Section 1. Quorum is the minimum number of voting members who must be present at a meeting in order to conduct business. A simple majority of voting members must be present to constitute a quorum. Simple majority is defined as one-half plus one (½ + 1), for further reference in this document.
Section 2. Plurality is defined as the greatest number of votes received for a candidate, for further reference in this document.
Section 3. To be a voting member, an individual must pay annual dues to the general fund of the Society. Annual dues will be determined upon the first meeting of each school year.
Section 4. A member who has paid dues in full and is present at a meeting shall be entitled to one vote per issue on matters of concern to the Society.
Section 5. Absentee votes of due paying members can be recorded by the Secretary under the consent of the President, so long as there is either an electronic or written verification of the absentee vote done before the commencement of the meeting.
Section 6. A motion must be made by a member to vote upon any measure, and another member must second the motion before it goes to the floor for a vote. Voting of issues shall be made by a hand count, in which the Secretary will count and record the number. Elections of any persons shall be voted on by ballot, and the results shall be counted and verified by the Secretary.
Section 7. Motions may be amended. Upon a motion to amend, the first vote will be on the motion to amend and the second vote will be on the actual measure.
ARTICLE V
Officers
Section 1. BLS Officers must be members of BLS.
Section 2. The officers of the Society to encompass the executive board shall consist of: the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Alumni Representative, and Social Chair.
Section 2. Officers shall be elected on the first Tuesday in April when school is in session. Members is shall elect officers with a plurality of the vote when a simple majority of members are present. Each officer shall retain the position to which they have been elected, for a period of one year, to begin at the close of the spring semester. In the case of resignation or loss of an officer, a new officer shall be elected by the members. Until an election can be held, the President may appoint a member to fill an officer’s vacancy.
Section 3. Officer positions shall be restricted to due paying members.
Section 4. Candidates running for an elected officer position shall be allowed to make short campaign speeches on their own behalf.
ARTICLE VI
Officers’ Responsibilities
Section 1. Officers shall fully execute the duties of their office.
Section 2. The President shall preside over the majority of organizational activities; shall appoint committee and committee members with advice from the executive board; and shall endeavor to see that all projects for the year are carried out. The President shall have the right to veto any action or any committee created by BLS, provided that such veto is exercised within three days after the decision of BLS or committee thereof. Such a veto may be overruled by a two-thirds vote of a simple majority of the members at the next regularly scheduled meeting or at a special meeting prior thereto called for such purpose.
Section 3. The Vice-President shall preside over meetings and group functions in the absence of the President and shall have all the authority that the President has been granted through the Constitution. The Vice-President shall be the ex-officio chairperson of all committees and shall be responsible to the President for the business of each committee.
Section 4. The Secretary shall keep and maintain duplicate accurate records, attendance, correspondence, and minutes involved in all club meetings. The Secretary shall also be responsible for the safekeeping of all records and the transmittal of such records to his successor at the end of his term of office. The Secretary shall write up election ballots for each election and be responsible for any absentee votes.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all expenditures and receipts, including the ultimate responsibility for the receipts and expenditures of all committees. The Treasurer shall make no expenditures on behalf of the club or any committee thereof without prior approval. The Treasurer shall be responsible for a Treasurer’s Report upon each BLS meeting.
Section 6. The Alumni Representative (AR) shall be responsible for maintaining the list of BLS alumni and contact information. The AR shall work to maintain contact with alumni and promote their continued involvement with the Society. The AR shall work to bring in business law related professionals to speak on behalf of the BLS at the University of Toledo College of Law.
Section 7. The Social Chair (SC) shall help to coordinate public functions associated with or promoted by BLS. The SC shall plan, organize, and report to BLS on social activities. The SC shall be responsible for a Social Activity Report upon each BLS meeting.
Section 8. It shall be the duty of all officers to sponsor and form a committee for a revision of the Constitution when deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE VII
Advisors
Section 1. One school advisor and one out-of-school advisor shall be sought for each school year. The executive board shall nominate advisors when a vacancy occurs, and a majority vote from members shall be required to instate the new advisor.
ARTICLE VIII
Committees
Section 1. A standing committee must be voted upon by a simple majority of members with a simple majority vote. When a standing committee is created, Bylaws will be drafted to reflect the committee. Membership on standing committees shall be made up of volunteers from members of the Society.
Section 2. Members may nominate a committee chairperson of a standing committee during a meeting when there is a vacancy for the position or during the creation of a new committee. Members are entitled to nominate themselves. Nominations must be seconded.
Section 3. If only one member has been nominated as a committee chairperson, then the nominee becomes chairperson of that particular committee. When there is more than one member running for the same committee chairperson position, the committee chair will be decided by a simple majority vote of members in attendance at the meeting.
Section 4. Committee chairs have the authority to recruit members onto their committee.
Section 4. Ad hoc committees may be formed at the discretion of the President and advice of the executive board for specific functions that may become necessary for operation of the Society. Ad hoc committees can become standing committees by a simple majority vote of a simple majority of members.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
Section 1. The Constitution shall only be amended by a three-fourths vote of members at a meeting called for the special purpose of amending the Constitution. A simple majority of members must vote on the amendment, and absentee votes can be taken prior to the vote. A vote to amend must be initiated by an appropriate motion and seconded at a regular meeting or special meeting. Amendments must receive readings at two regular or special meetings before the vote can be conducted.
ARTICLE X
Bylaws
Section 1. Bylaws may be enacted with a simple majority vote at a meeting in which a simple majority of members are present. The Bylaws shall govern this Society in all cases in which they are applicable, unless they are inconsistent with the Constitution. The most recent publication of Robert’s Rules of Order shall act as the parliamentary authority for rules not stated in the Constitution or bylaws of BLS.