Texas A&M University Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor Constitution. Mission Statement

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1 Texas A&M University Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor Constitution Mission Statement Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor (FLASH) is a freshman led organization that is committed to developing its freshmen into leaders dedicated towards serving the greater good by instilling excellence, friendship, service, leadership and honor in all its members. FLASH seeks to fully integrate freshmen at Texas A&M into its organization and develop a network through which they can establish a foundation for success in their career at Texas A&M. Article I Name and Membership This organization will be formally known as Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor. All male and female freshman students at Texas A&M University and Blinn Team are allowed to apply for admittance into Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor. The leadership of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor is comprised of one Director, an executive team comprised of an Executive of Finance, an Executive of Logistics and Planning, an Executive of Public Relations, an Executive of the Big Program (collectively the five shall be referred to as Executive Board), a group of Mentors, and a FLASH Big Program. All members of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor, upon entering the organization, are subject to pay membership dues, of which the amount is up to the Executive of Finance, the Director, and the advisor s discretion. This amount must be decided before the revision of the constitution before the fall semester of the school year. The dues amount for the school year is $130, to be paid in full at the beginning of the fall semester. Discrimination and harassment based on the age, ethnic background, social standing, gender, disability, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status of individuals or any other subgroup will not be accepted. Article II Purpose and Goals To create a well organized group of freshmen based on relationships and bonding through the use of support groups and peer mentoring focused mainly on leadership, honor, professionalism, and a successful college experience. To provide an enjoyable and safe environment for incoming freshmen to become accustomed to Texas A&M University. To provide an avenue by which lifelong friendships can be built through both social and service events. Article III Core Values LEADERSHIP Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor is a freshman led organization that bases its activities on the value of leadership. The staff members want each freshman to grow in their leadership, and exhibit the qualities that they each hold within themselves to the campus and community. Our organization wants to provide assistance in furthering their skills for tomorrow in any way they are in need. AMBITION Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor wants each of the freshman members to strive to do more for their campus and community. Our organization wants the freshmen to be able to identify and utilize the resources on campus to support personal and organizational development. We want to express the importance of connecting skills learned in the classroom and organizations, and how to apply them to outside experiences. HONOR Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor strives to uphold and contribute to the reputation of Texas A&M University in all its activities. All members of the organization are expected to serve as model representatives of the university and characterize all that Texas A&M stands for as a university. Members will comply with the Aggie Honor Code in both the organization and all their college activities. ACCOUNTABILITY Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor wants to convey a sense of responsibility within each freshman, so maintaining a specific GPA and upholding the Aggie Code of Honor are requirements for membership. Our group of Mentors and Bigs wants to make sure the freshmen understand the impact and consequences their actions can have on

2 themselves, their peers, and their community. We want to provide an easy transition to college by being role models of ethical and responsible behaviors with this new found independence. SERVICE Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor seeks to develop its members into leaders committed to the betterment of society. Members are expected to engage in service events that aid in the development of the College Station/Bryan area, which will hopefully translate to a desire to serve on a grander scale past organization involvement. All members are required to participate in a set number of service events per semester to achieve this goal. COMMUNITY Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor is a community of peers, made up of freshmen, Bigs, Mentors, and Executive Board members, creating a network of support. All staff members want to create an inclusive environment where each individual freshman can connect with others from both similar as well as different backgrounds. Our organization strives to give back to the community through involvement and service events that will positively impact the community, but at the same time help the freshmen grow as leaders. Article IV Organization The leadership of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor will be comprised of the advisor, followed by the Director, Executive Board, then FLASH Mentor and FLASH Big Leaders. Finally, the freshmen members every member of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor will have a voice. The Mentor team will be divided into groups of three mentors each to head a leadership committee. The freshmen members of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor will be split as evenly as possible among each of the committees. The Mentors will help guide, plan and participate in activities to build relationships between themselves and their freshmen. The FLASH Big Program will include a number of Big Leaders chosen at the Director and executive team s discretion. The Big Leaders will be assigned a group of 4 6 freshmen to guide through their freshman year in college by facilitating individual and group bonding activities and ensuring that members stay involved in FLASH events. Article V Advisor The advisor to Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor shall have approval power for all full group social and service activities. Should any particular event be disapproved, the activity will halt and other activities that have been approved will replace it. The advisor shall be available for consultation by holding regular office hours and posting these office hours on the office door. The advisor is allowed to participate as much or as little as he or she likes in order to promote involvement, and is permitted to contribute as any member of the organization. Article VI Executive Board As stated before, there will be an Executive Board in Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor comprised of one Director and an executive team comprised of a Finance Executive, a Logistics and Planning Executive, a Public Relations Executive, and a Big Program Executive. The Executive Board will select the following year s Director. The new Director chosen by the Executive Board will select the executive team with assistance from the past Director. The Director will serve as Chief Student Leader and select a member from the executive team to hold the position of Treasurer. This process will be held at the end of the academic school year. The responsibilities and duties of the Director are to: (a). Select the Mentors along with the executive team (b). Select the Big Leaders along with executive team (c). Be the official voice for the organization to the university and other organizations (d). Assess and perform risk management (e). Establish goals for FLASH and each member of the executive team and execute plans to accomplish these goals (f). Be accountable to and hold all of FLASH Staff accountable (g). Create and maintain group unity (h). Be a resource and voice for the entire team (i). Select the following year s Director and assist the future Director in selecting the future executive team (j). Approve budgets drafted by the Finance Executive

3 (k). Send out weekly s to freshmen and staff The responsibilities and duties of the Finance Executive are to: (b). Keep all finances in order and in accordance to the university (c). Draft budgets for each committee and event for approval by the Director (d). Assess and perform risk management (e). Manage the collection of dues and apparel money (f). Keep up with day to day activities involving the SOFC (g). Select the future Director along with the rest of the Executive Board The responsibilities and duties of the Logistics and Planning Executive are to: (b). Assess and perform risk management (c). Maintain an up to date attendance record of all freshmen (d). Keep an entire Staff Calendar of Events up to date (e). Assist the Director in day to day activities of bookings, correspondence and Staff notifications (f). Select the future Director along with the rest of the Executive Board The responsibilities and duties of the Big Executive are to: (b). Assess and perform risk management (c). Plan and run weekly meetings for Big Leaders (d). Delegate and maintain the accountability of all Big Leaders (e). Maintain active communication with all of the Big Leaders (f). Plan a summer retreat for the Big Leaders (g). Coordinate the end of the year banquet along with the Big Leaders (h). Select the future Director along with the rest of the Executive Board The responsibilities and duties of the Public Relations Executive are to: (b). Assess and perform risk management (c). Communicate with other Texas A&M University student organizations to build a supportive relationship with them (d). Attend meetings with representatives of another organization to discuss important topics and strengthen FLASH s relationship with said organization (e). Plan and coordinate possible events that could be executed by the two organizations collectively (f). Maintain social media sites or designating another Staff member to do so in their stead (g). Select the future Director along with the rest of the Executive Board If a disagreement arises between the Director and any member of the executive team, a voting process shall be held, with the Director maintaining a tie breaking 2 vote majority. If the conflict cannot be resolved or dropped, the Executive Board will meet with the advisor and each member of the Executive Board will be allowed to present his/her view on the matter. After hearing the details of the disagreement, the advisor will make the final decision based on what is best for the organization. If a member of Executive Board is not fulfilling their leadership duties or has acted in a way that reflects poorly on the organization, the advisor will be consulted on the matter. If the advisor believes that removing the Director or member of the executive team from their position is in the best interests for the organization, he/she may be removed from the Executive Board. Article VII Mentors The Mentors will be composed of sophomore students who had been involved in Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor the previous year. They must go through both an application and interview process put on by the Executive Board for the upcoming academic school year. Mentors will be notified of the Executive Board s decision by the end of the academic school year. After the members of the Executive Board for the following academic school year have been chosen, they will choose the new Mentor team at their discretion. The responsibilities and duties of the Mentors are to: (a). Oversee the planning of and attendance of social, service, fundraising, campus related, and public relations events (b). Run the organization s weekly meetings (c). Find guest speakers for the weekly meetings

4 (d). Guide the freshmen through their first year of college (e). Maintain a welcoming atmosphere year round to all freshman members and their committee members Mentors will be required to attend all weekly organization wide meetings, staff meetings, and committee meetings. If the Executive Board of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor decides that any member of the Mentor team is not fulfilling their duties or has acted in a way that reflects poorly on the organization, the officer will be given notice a week in advance of their leadership hearing. At this hearing, all members of the leadership team (Mentors and Executive Board) will hear the reasons for possible removal of the officer. The officer will be able to defend themselves in this hearing, and then a vote will be conducted. If a 2/3 majority votes to remove the officer, they will be removed from their position. Article VIII FLASH Big Program The FLASH Big Leaders will be composed of former freshman members of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor members. The applicants must fill out an application and may be interviewed for the position by the Director and Big Executive. They will be notified before the beginning of the next academic school year if they have received a position as a FLASH Big Leader. After the Executive Board for the following academic school year have been chosen, they will choose the new FLASH Big Leaders at their discretion. The responsibilities and duties of the FLASH Big Leaders are to: (a). Plan individual hangouts with their freshmen and build professional relationships with their Big members (b). Plan weekly hangouts for their Family (c). Attend weekly staff meetings, a minimum of four FLASH events each month, and every general meeting (d). Provide a positive atmosphere and influence for incoming freshmen (e). Work with Mentors and the Executive Board to keep up attendance at all FLASH events (f). Collaborate with fellow Bigs to create and manage one FLASH event each month A three strike system will be in place: (a). If the minimum attendance of four FLASH events per month is not met or a meeting is missed for unexcused circumstances not communicated to the Logistics Executive, a strike will be received (b). With the first strike, a warning will be issued to the Big Leader that explains the requirements lacking and their need to improve (c). With the second strike, a meeting with the Executive Board will take place with the Big discussing the circumstances surrounding their lack of participation (d). With the third strike, the Big will be removed from FLASH Staff FLASH Big Leaders shall communicate announcements to the Executive Board on a weekly basis. They may also be required to speak at FLASH weekly meetings to communicate announcements. In addition to their group of 4 6 Littles, Bigs will be paired with another Big and group of Littles to comprise a Family. Hangouts within Families are encouraged, and both of the Bigs in the Family should make efforts to get to know all of the Littles as much as possible. Section 7 If the Executive Board of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor decide that any FLASH Big Leader is not fulfilling their duties or has acted in a way that reflects poorly on the organization, they will be given a hearing before the Executive Board where they will be given a chance to give their perspective and defend their membership in the organization. After this hearing, a unanimous decision by the Executive Board will result in removal of the member from the organization. Article IX Freshmen The freshman members must go through an application and interview process put on by the Executive Board and Mentor team for the upcoming academic school year. The freshmen will be notified within a week of their interview about the decision, unless extraneous circumstances arise. The freshmen will be evenly divided between the leadership committees based on a preference system. Freshmen who are suspected by Mentors or the Executive Board for being in severe violation of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor rules and standards will be ed a notice of their violation and will be asked a week in advance to attend a hearing before the Executive Board and the Mentors of their committee, where they will be given a chance to give their perspective and defend their membership in the organization and also have their membership defended by their committee

5 Mentors. After this hearing, a unanimous decision by the Executive Board results in removal of the member from the organization. If the freshman refuses to attend the hearing they will be removed from the organization. Article X Leadership Committees A Director will be placed at the head of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor in order to overlook all operations of the organization, as well as finalize all official paperwork and assist the Mentor team. A Mentor team for Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor will be created to guide the freshman members towards their goals in both the service and social aspects of the organization. A Community Outreach committee will be created to plan and organize service activities in which all members of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor will be given the opportunity to participate. The Community Outreach committee will be headed by a team of Mentors from the organization to assist the freshmen in ideas, paperwork, and logistics of the events. A Fundraising committee will be created to plan and organize fundraising activities in which all members of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor will be given the opportunity to participate. The Fundraising committee will be headed by a team of Mentors from the organization to assist the freshmen in ideas, paperwork, and logistics of the events. A Social committee will be created to plan and organize large social activities in which all members of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor will be encouraged to attend. These events have the intention of building stronger relationships between members. The Social committee will be headed by a team of Mentors from the organization to assist the freshmen in ideas, paperwork, and logistics of the events. A Campus Relations committee will be created to plan and organize activities happening on the Texas A&M campus and to publicize on campus events that may interest members. It is the primary goal of Campus Relations to establish a positive reputation for the organization on the Texas A&M campus. The Campus Relations committee will be required to organize organization attendance to athletic events, Silver Taps, Muster, and other events. The Campus Relations committee will be headed by a team of Mentors from the organization to assist the freshmen in ideas, paperwork, and logistics of the events. Section 7 A Give Back committee will be created to plan and organize large social and/or service events aimed at contributing to the organization s reputation and the College Station/Bryan area. The Give Back committee members will be responsible for leading Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor in the hosting of such big events. The Give Back committee will be headed by a team of Mentors from the organization to assist the freshmen in ideas, paperwork, and logistics of the events. Section 8 A Public Relations committee will be created to establish relationships with the Texas A&M community. It is the primary goal of Public Relations to maintain positive relations with other organizations on and off the Texas A&M campus. This committee is expected to collaborate and sustain a positive relationship between other organizations, working together to serve a greater purpose. The Public Relations committee will be lead by a team of Mentors who will promote FLASH and help to assist freshmen in creating ideas, maintaining paperwork, and sustaining the logistics of the events associated. Article XI Meetings and Point System A meeting of the entire organization will be held each week to discuss organizational matters, including new activities. Attendance of these meetings is mandatory for every member of the organization. An absence from a meeting must fall under the list of university excused absences or be approved by the Logistics and Planning Executive given viable proof of circumstance. For freshmen, two absences from general meetings per semester will be excused by the Logistics and Planning Executive and Mentors. Any subsequent absences will result in a meeting with the Executive Board and possible expulsion from the organization. For the leadership team, including Mentors, Big Leaders, and the Executive Board, only university excused absences will be accepted. An appeal to miss a meeting can be written and turned in to the Director and Logistics and Planning Executive by 5PM the Friday before the meeting in question. The acceptance or denial of this appeal is up to the discretion of the Director and Logistics and Planning Executive. Unforeseen circumstances and emergencies will be considered. A meeting of each committee will be held each week or as needed to discuss committee matters.

6 A meeting of the Executive Board, Mentors, and Bigs will be held each week, before the general meeting, to discuss leadership matters. Announcements from the Executive Board will be made and progress on upcoming events will be reported by Mentors. Discussion will be held about the next meeting for the entire organization, to ensure planning has been made. A point system will be enacted and enforced by the leadership of the organization to ensure participation of the freshmen within the organization. A minimum of 10 points are required each semester (20 for the entire year), to be gained by attending: (a). 4 Fundraising events (b). 4 Community Outreach events (c). 4 Social events (d). 4 Campus Relations events (e). 2 Give Back events (f). 2 Public Relations events Section 7 If the freshmen do not have at least 4 points at midterm, a meeting will be held with the Executive Board. If the minimum 8 points are not met by the end of the current semester, the violating party will no longer be in good standing with the organization and must attend a meeting with the Executive Board and their Mentors. The violating party must meet all point requirements to apply for a staff position for the next year. Section 8 Mentors are required to attend all organization events unless a valid excuse is submitted to and approved by the Director or Logistics and Planning Executive. If this requirement is not met, then the Executive Board reserves the right to revoke their membership. Section 9 Points are to be reported by the Mentor team in charge of the event. The Logistics and Planning Executive will keep track of the points for the freshmen and Mentors, reporting each member s totals monthly. Article XII By Laws All members of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor must: Have a minimum grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below. For the Executive Board, Mentors, and Big Leaders, this minimum GPR must be met in the semester immediately prior to the selection and the semesters during the term of office. (a). For undergraduate students, the minimum GPR is 2.00, excluding the Executive Board, who must maintain a minimum GPR of 2.5. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited provision, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a GPR prior to selection, at least six credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s). Be in good standing with the university: (a). enrolled at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the fall or spring semesters) during the term of office. Student enrolled in the Blinn Team program are also eligible to hold an office, as long as the student is meeting all applicable Blinn Team requirements and is in good standing with the program. Meet the point system requirement and abide by the attendance policy to remain in good standing with the organization. There will be no alcohol consumption or drug use between the staff members and freshmen during or outside any Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor sponsored events. If the respective point requirements are not met by any member, that member will not be able to list FLASH on their resume as an activity or experience. Article XIII Finances All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the Student Organization Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment. Whenever a member of the organization is responsible for collecting money, they are also responsible for giving that money to the Director or Finance Executive (Treasurer) by midnight on the day that the money was collected. The member and Director or Finance Executive will be required to sign off on the exchange of money.

7 Any member desiring a reimbursement for an expense benefiting Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor will be required to fill out a check request form. Article XIV Alumni Program The FLASH Alumni Program shall be coordinated by the Public Relations Executive and Public Relations committee. An Alumni is described as a ex member of FLASH that is no longer a freshman or on FLASH Staff. Acceptance into the FLASH Alumni Program requires 1) submission of Alumni Application, 2) being in good standing with FLASH s policies and expectations in the year prior, 3) a membership fee that will be decided under the discretion of the Finance Executive, but exceeding no more than $30. All applicants that fulfill these requirements will be accepted into FLASH s Alumni Program at the Public Relations Executive s discretion and the Public Relations committee s discretion. Alumni will have the opportunity to network and attend certain FLASH wide events that are specified by the Executive Board. Membership in this program will have the requirement of attending a minimum of 1 approved event every 2 months. All Alumni must maintain and abide by FLASH s behavioral policy agreement. Violation of these policies will result in removal from FLASH s Alumni Program. If the Executive Board of Freshman Leaders Advancing in Service and Honor decide that any FLASH Alumni has acted in a way that reflects poorly on the organization, they will be given a hearing before the Executive Board where they will be given a chance to give their perspective and defend their membership in the organization. After this hearing, a unanimous decision by the Executive Board will result in removal of the member from the organization. Though not officially classified as Staff members, all members of the Alumni Program are required to follow the same policy as all FLASH Staff. Article XV Additions and Amendments If at any time this constitution needs to be amended, all of the Executive Board will be notified and the changes will be discussed in an open discussion with the Executive Board. The final decision will be subject to the Executive Board through a majority vote for each amendment in question. This constitution must be revised annually and is subject to approval by the Department of Student Activities. Article XVI Conformity No provision of this Constitution shall be presented contrary to the rules and regulations of Texas A&M University, and the Department of Student Activities.