STUDENT VISUAL ARTS ORGANIZATION CONSTITUTION

Article I Organization Title: Student Visual Arts Organization

Article II Purpose and Objectives

A) Purpose: SVAO’s mission is to sponsor student run programs that provide the opportunity to take an active role in the events that shape the quality of student life in the Department of Visual Studies and the community at large.

B) Objectives-

1) Create a common bond between students through group activities. (i.e. sponsored events, fundraisers, and community service).

2) To promote student discourse and participation in planned activities throughout the department.

3) Be of service to the community.

Article III Qualification of Members

A) Any member of the UB community can participate.

Article IV Government

A) Officers must be full time students in good academic standing. Meeting attendance is required, with the allowance of 3 absences. If classes or university related activities interfere with scheduled meetings allowances will be made for missed meetings.

1) Duties:

President - Responsible for upholding the constitution, ensuring mission and democratic rules of the group are followed. Provide leadership on group programming by working with officers to delegate responsibility to coordinators on group programs. Lead group meetings. Report to Department Sponsor, Visual Studies Chair, and SA ( if necessary). Act as a liaison to the “public” representing the group’s interests.

Vice President - Fill in for the President when absent. Oversee coordinators of all major activities and events. Take leadership role in the absence of any coordinator.

Secretary - Keep meeting notes and following meeting’s agenda. Responsible for creating promotional materials and press releases announcing activities. Ensure that such material/information gets out to “public”.

Treasurer - Keep accurate accounting books and set yearly budget for activities once they are planned and accepted by group. Coordinate fundraisers, events and/or work closely with those responsible for planning, implementing, and collecting funds for such events.

B) Elections

1) Elections for officers (for the following year) are open to active members and must be held prior to May 1^st of the present year. Officers will assume new positions after May 15^th.

2) Officers will be elected during a regular group meeting. The meeting will be held at the normal time, day, and location.

3) In case of resignation active members will vote in new officers by a majority. Criteria for removal of officers- unable/unwilling to fulfil said duties. Breaking rules of the group’s constitution, misrepresentation of the group, or criminal activity that seriously damages the well being and impedes the ability of the group to function on campus.

4) Removal/Impeachment –done by vote of active members (must attend 75% of meetings for the academic year or provide sufficient documentation of transportation failure, partaking in university supported or endorsed events, illness, family emergency, or participating in religious activities). Must have 2/3-majority vote to remove/impeach.

Article V Meetings

A) Meetings will be held weekly. Day and time to be determined by group (active members) at start of each semester.

Article IV Amendments

A) Any event/activity must be planned and organized before the group can commit to it. These decisions will be made by a majority voice vote of the active members during a meeting on a set date.