CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE NATIONAL STUDENT SECTION OF THE SOCIETY FOR BIOMATERIALS

ARTICLE I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this Section shall be The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials.

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE STATEMENT

 The objectives of the Student Section shall be to enhance student research and interest in biomaterials and related disciplines, to promote the advancement of biomaterials research and education and its related aspects and to further the aims and objectives of the SFB as they relate to student research and education.

ARTICLE III.  COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

Upon approval by the Center for Student Activities and Involvement, The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials shall be a registered student organization at the University of Florida. The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials shall comply with all local, state and federal laws, as well as all University of Florida regulations, policies, and procedures. Such compliance includes but is not limited to the University’s regulations related to Non-Discrimination, Hazing, Commercial Activity, and Student Leader Eligibility.

ARTICLE IV.  NON-DISCRIMINATION

In compliance with the University of Florida Non-Discrimination Policy (Regulation 6C1-1.006), The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, and veteran status as protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

ARTICLE V.  MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this organization is open to enrolled students at the University of Florida. Non-students, spouses, faculty, and staff may be associate members; however, they may not vote or hold office. All members and associate members are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution, retaliation, or harassment.

ARTICLE VI.  OFFICERS

Section A:  The elected officers of The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials shall be President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Part 1:  The president shall in general, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Section and shall preside at all meetings of the Student Section and of its Executive Board. 

Part 2:  The Vice-President shall serve as an aide to the President and shall perform the duties of the President in her/his absence or inability to serve.

Part 3:  The Treasurer shall receive all monies of The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials; shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures; shall pay out local funds in accordance with the approved budget as authorized by the organization. The Treasurer shall present a financial statement when requested by the President or Vice President.

Part 4:  The secretary shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all records of the Student Section.  The Secretary shall also record the minutes of all Student Section meetings and Executive Board meetings, and place all advertisements or notices in SFB newsletters or for posting on Student section of SFB website. The Secretary shall also send out correspondence from the Student Section to its local chapters and act as a representative from the Student Section to the SFB and its Council.  In this capacity he/she shall be responsible for relations between the SFB and its Student Section, and work closely with the Educational and Professional Development Committee Chairman to bring student concerns to the SFB Council. 

Section B:  The appointed officers of The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials shall be the Benton Engineering Council (BEC) Representative and Committee Chairmen.

Part 1:  The Benton Engineering Council Representative shall attend all meetings held by the Benton Engineering Council.  The BEC Representative shall join a BEC committee in compliance with BEC membership requirements.  The BEC Representative shall also present all financial requests at BEC meetings.

Part 2:  The Committee Chairmen shall be responsible for the actions of their committees with respect to the National Student Section.  They shall be held accountable to the President.  All new committees must be approved by the Student Section.

Section C: Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the last general meeting of the academic year and shall serve for a term of one academic year and/or until their successors are elected/appointed.

ARTICLE VII.  ELECTIONS

Section A:  Nominations for officers shall be open at least 14 days prior to the final Student Section meeting in the month of April. Nominations will be closed on the day of the meeting.  Voting will occur by secret ballot and a simple majority vote is required to elect an officer. If there are more than two candidates running and no candidate receives a majority vote, there shall be a run-off vote between the top two vote recipients at the next general meeting.  All members are eligible to run for officer positions. 

Section B:  Any officer may be removed from office by approval of two-thirds the voting membership when a quorum is present.  Vacancies among elected officers lasting less than one month shall be filled by consensus of the Executive Board.  Vacancies greater than one month shall necessitate re-election by the general voting membership.

ARTICLE VIII.  FACULTY ADVISOR

The faculty advisor shall serve as a resource person and provide advisory support for the officers and members of the organization. The faculty advisor may attend executive and general meetings; however, the faculty advisor may not vote in any Society for Biomaterials Matters.  The faculty advisor shall be selected and appointed by the Executive Board which consists of all of the elected officers.  The faculty advisor shall be a member of the National Chapter of the Society for Biomaterials.  The faculty advisor shall be replaced whenever the current faculty advisor steps down or the Executive Board sees fit.

ARTICLE. IX FINANCE

The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials will not require membership dues; however, it will raise funds to help cover events such as travel to conferences.   Members are expected to participate in these fundraising activities. The National Student Section of the Society for Biomaterials will also apply for Student Government funding.

ARTICLE X.  DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION

In the event this organization dissolves, all monies left in the treasury, after outstanding debts and claims have been paid, shall be returned to the funding source if possible (e.g. University of Florida Student Government or the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.  Funds that cannot be returned to the funding source shall be donated as a charitable contribution to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida.

ARTICLE XI.  AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this document must be proposed as specific in Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.  Briefly, amendments to the constitution will be proposed to the general body at least 7 days before voting.  A motion to approve the amendment shall be made at a general body meeting and voting by a raise of hands shall take place.  Amendments shall be approved by a simple majority vote.