Constitution
JHU Society for Ethics in Science and Medicine Constitution
Drafted: December 3, 1993
Revised: February 17, 2000
Article I: Name, Purpose, Description
This
organization shall be known as the Johns Hopkins University Society for
Ethics in Science and Medicine, an affiliate chapter of Student Pugwash
USA.
Student
Pugwash USA is a nonprofit, educational association, involving students
and professionals in industry, academics, and government. The
organization's purpose is to provide individuals with programs to help
them better understand the social and ethical implications of
scientific and technological advances, as well as to promote the
socially responsible application of science and technology in the 21st
century. Student Pugwash programs help students acquire the analytical
skills necessary to translate their concerns about the future into
viable solutions. Consensus is neither sought nor expected, and Student
Pugwash USA does not advocate policy in any way.
JHU
Society for Ethics in Science and Medicine has Class B financial status
in the Johns Hopkins University Student Activities Commission.
Article II: Membership
Membership
shall be open to any student, faculty member, administrator, or staff
person with an interest in ethical issues. To be considered a member
requires attending one meeting or activity throughout the year. Active
voting membership is limited to undergraduate students who have
attended at least three Pugwash meetings in one semester, not including
an election meeting. No membership dues will be collected.
Article III: Organizational Structure
There
shall be four officers constituting the executive council. The council
shall consist of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
The primary duties of the President are as follows:
- Direct and maintain the focus of the chapter in accordance with the objectives of the chapter's purpose.
- Preside over all meetings and events, or delegate authority to do so as necessary.
- Coordinate meetings pertaining to general business of the chapter and any necessary elections.
-
Serve as a contact to the Student Pugwash USA national organization and
supervise informational transactions with the national office. - Represent the chapter, along with the treasurer, at all SAC meetings.
- Handle general Chapter correspondence.
- Abide by the rules of this constitution.
The primary duties of the Vice President are as follows:
-
In conjunction with the President, direct and maintain the focus of the
chapter in accordance with the objectives of the chapter's purpose. -
Serve as event coordinator for publicly announced meetings,
conferences, and large scale activities, or delegate authority to do so
as necessary. - Coordinate publicity for all chapter events, or delegate authority to do so as necessary.
- Arrange a discussion schedule in advance of each semester.
- Reserve rooms for all meetings and events.
- Communicate with and assist the President in all responsibilities and decisions.
- Abide by the rules of this constitution.
The primary duties of the Secretary are as follows:
- Keep legible minutes of all meetings, or delegate authority to do so when unavailable.
- In collaboration with other members of the executive council, prepare agendas for all general meetings.
- Maintain membership records.
- Maintain the chapter history.
-
Maintain organizational files and records pertaining to the chapter
business and history. The files should include copies of the chapter's
current constitution, publicity items, and informational packets
supplied by Student Pugwash USA and Pugwash affiliated organizations. - Maintain and update JHU Student Pugwash web site and electronic mailing list, or delegate authority to do so if necessary.
- Abide by the rules of this constitution.
The primary duties of the Treasurer are as follows:
- Maintain budget ledger to assure that financial resources are properly managed.
- Oversee all fund-raising activities of the chapter.
- Generate and submit funding requests as needed.
- Represent the chapter, along with the President, at all SAC meetings.
- Submit budgets to the SAC and other applicable funding sources as necessary.
Article IV: General Meetings
General
membership meetings must be held at least once every month, unless
deemed otherwise by the executive council. General membership meetings
must be publicized prior to the meetings.
Article V: Election Guidelines
Elections
will take place during the spring semester; newly elected officers will
take office immediately. Announcements of upcoming elections must be
posted at least one week in advance and made at the previous general
meeting, at which time nominations will be opened. Any active voting
member is eligible to run for office; a candidate cannot run for more
than one office. A quorum of fifty percent of the active voting
membership must be present in order for elections to take place.
A
person may express his or her intent to run for elected office by
submitting his or her name on the floor before or between voting, as
well as by accepting seconded-nominations for a specific office prior
to or on the floor during elections.
Prior
to the vote, each nominee may make a brief statement, and members may
ask questions. Each active voting member may cast one vote for each of
the four offices. All votes must be conducted via secret ballot. Votes
must be tallied independently by a non-voting participant. In the event
of a tie, runoffs between the tied candidates will be held until the
tie is broken.
The
executive council will hold elections under the guidelines listed in
this section in order to fill any vacancies. In case of temporary
vacancy, the chain of succession of the executive council is President,
Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary; leadership will be delegated
in this structure.
Article VI: Impeachment Procedures
Any
member may raise concerns regarding one or more officers to the
specific officer(s) involved or to the executive council as a whole. If
concerns or accusations are not cleared with an officer individually,
then the executive council must convene a general membership meeting to
hold impeachment vote. In such a vote, the general assembly may decide
whether or not to impeach the officer(s) in question. This vote must be
presided over by a non-accused officer, and a three-fourths majority
vote of fifty percent quorum is necessary for removal.
Individuals
accused are granted the right to refute any charges. They must be
notified of the charges brought against them within one week of the
charges being presented, and they must be given at least one week to
prepare a defense.
Article VII: Amendments, Ratification, Annulment
Amendments
to this constitution may be proposed during a general meeting by any
member of JHU Student Pugwash; if seconded, the change may voted on
following sufficient discussion. Successful passing of the said
proposals shall require a two-thirds majority vote of fifty percent
quorum. Constitutional revisions must be dated with the date of
approval.
The
executive council must make copies of the JHU Student Pugwash
constitution and other relevant documents available upon request to any
person.
The JHU Student Pugwash by-laws are considered to be binding. By-law violations will be handled as outlined within the by-laws.