Ag Council Constitution

Constitution of the College Council

Of Agricultural Sciences At

Colorado State University

Revised January 2006

Preamble

            We, the representatives of the clubs with a common agricultural interest, in order to promote and achieve the goals herein, ordain and establish the following constitution, for the purpose of developing leadership, opportunity, and responsibility for our member clubs.

Article I          Name

The name of this organization shall be the College Council of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University and hereafter referred to as the Ag Council.

Article II         Purposes, Goals, and Mission

The purposes and goals of this organization are as follows:

1.To encourage communication and networking among our students, faculty, and the College of Agricultural Sciences.

2.To promote agriculture, and the College of Agricultural Sciences within the University.

3.To provide opportunity to develop lifelong leadership skills for the students of the College of Agricultural Sciences.

4.To extend the outreach of the College of Agricultural Sciences to the community of Fort Collins.

5.To promote the clubs in the Ag Council and the activities they hold.

6.Encourage diversity within clubs and the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University

Mission Statement

            To be an administrative body for the clubs in the College of Agricultural Sciences and provide them and their members with opportunities to build life and career leadership skills, increase diversity, as well as facilitate networking and communication between our members, the College of Agricultural Sciences, and the University.

Article III       Organization and Members

            Section A

Ag Council will consist of any organized group, which shares a common agricultural interest, is recognized by the administration of Colorado State University, and has successfully completed the procedures for seeking representation on Ag Council as described in Article III, Section B.

1.The following clubs are recognized members of Ag Council:

1)Agribusiness Association

2)Agronomy Club

3)Alpha Tau Alpha

4)Alpha Gamma Rho

5)Block and Bridle

6)Collegiate Cattlewomen

7)Collegiate Horseman's Association

8)Equestrian Team

9)Farmhouse Fraternity

10)Collegiate Farm Bureau

11)Collegiate Farmers' Union

12)Collegiate FFA

13)Golf Course Superintendents' Association of America (Student Chapter)

14)Horticulture Club

15)Collegiate 4-H

16)Mountain Riders

17)Pi Alpha Xi

18)Polo Club

19)Rodeo Club

20)SCASLA

21)SOLDAC

22)Sigma Alpha

23)Turf Club

            Section B

The procedure for seeking representation in the Ag Council is as follows:

1. The group shall submit a written request for representation.  This request must state reasons for seeking representation, describe agricultural interest, prove recognition of Administration, and must include a copy of the group's constitution.

2.The written request and constitution will be reviewed by the Executive Committee prior to the introduction to the general group.

3.A representative for the group seeking representation shall give a brief presentation to the general membership of the Ag Council.  This presentation shall describe the group, its goals, membership and activities and will allow time for questions from the general membership.

4.The group must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present or a majority of the roll call, which ever is greater at the first reading and then ratified by the same vote at the next regular meeting.

5.The group must resubmit their constitution and club description each year.

            Section C

Ag Council shall be advised by the faculty of the College of Agricultural Sciences.  There shall be two advisors who serve two years.  The first year as a junior advisor and the second year as the senior advisor.  One advisor will be voted in each year.  Advisors are non-voting members.

Article IV       Club Representation

            Section A

1.Each member club shall be represented in Ag Council by two (2) club representatives.  Membership shall not be denied to any club on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status of the club members.

2.An alternative representative for each club is encouraged to attend all meetings and functions of Ag Council.  Upon absence of an elected representative, the alternative may fulfill his or her duties.  Each club will have a maximum of two (2) votes.

3.Clubs are required to have representation at every meeting.  Three absences of club representation within one semester will be grounds for the following actions:

a.                   The club and its advisor will be contacted in writing seven (7) days prior to the next full council meeting and asked to replace the absent representative(s).

b.If club representation does not improve at the meeting, actions will be taken to remove the group from Ag Council.

c.                   The club will be removed from Ag Council by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present or a majority of the roll-call; whichever is greater at the next regular meeting.

d.The club may seen re-representation by following the process described in Article III, Section B.

            Section B

All representatives of the Ag Council are to be elected by the member club at the time of their official officer elections or as necessary if a vacancy arises.  These elected representatives will be seated as to the date of election.  They shall continue to carry out the duties of an Ag Council Representative for the duration specified in their respective club's constitution.

            Section C

1.All representatives shall be required to attend every meeting.  In which case they cannot attend, they are required to send an alternative.  Any absences should be prearranged with the Secretary of Ag Council.  Said absences are subject to approval by the President of Ag Council.

2.All representatives shall report the activities and actions of the Ag Council to their member club on a timely basis.

3.All representatives shall actively support Ag Council activities by serving on committees, helping with and attending Ag Council functions and by participating at meetings.  Yearly requirements for these activities may be set forth by the Executive Committee.

            Section D

The ASCSU Ag Senators shall be voting members of Ag Council

Article V         Meetings

            Section A

Regular meeting of Ag Council shall be held bimonthly, every other Tuesday, at 5:10 PM of each month of the fall and spring semester.

            Section B

One-half (1/2) of the members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum.  A quorum is required for any vote to take place.

            Section C

Robert's Rules of Order will be used to achieve the purposes and goals of Ag Council.

Article VI       Leadership

            Section A

            The Executive Committee of the Ag Council shall be made up of the officers of the Ag Council, the ASCSU Ag Senators, and the Faculty Advisors

            Section B

            The Executive Committee shall have the power to enact any action which is consistent with these purposes, goals, and mission of the constitution, except where such action is limited by the club representative or requires unbudgeted monies.  The club representatives have the power to negate or reverse any such action.

            Section C

1.The offices of the Ag Council shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Reporter.

2.The specific duties of each officer shall be as follows:

a.                   It shall be the duty of the President to:

i.                    Preside at all meetings of the Ag Council

ii.Call special meetings

iii.                Appoint all committees

iv.                To perform such other duties as his/her office requires

v.He/she shall not make motions and shall vote only in case of a tie

vi.                The President and Vice President will also attend the Dean's Advisory Committee meeting upon such notice of such meeting

vii.              Along with the Treasurer, assemble a budget for the ASCSU Student Funding Board, requesting allocated monies when needed.

b.It shall be the duty of the Vice President to:

i.                    Assume the duties of the President in the temporary or permanent absence of that officer.

ii.Shall keep a current Ag. Directory

iii.                Serve as member-at large of each of the standing committees.

c.                   It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:

i.          Keep the minutes and other official reports of Ag Council.

ii.Conduct the Ag Council's official correspondence.

iii.                Keep all record, books, documents, and papers relating to the Ag. Council at such a place as shall be designated by the representatives of Ag. Council.

d.It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

i.          Keep account of all money transactions made by Ag. Council.

ii.Be responsible for all transactions in manner dictated by all higher judicatories.

iii.                Not pay out nor disburse money of the Ag. Council except by requisition.

iv.                Make a statement of the current financial condition of Ag. Council.

v.Along with the President, assemble a budget for the ASCSU Student Funding Board, requesting allocated monies when needed.

e.                   It shall be the duty of the Reporter to:

i.          Submit all news and information concerning the Ag. Council, its activities, and its programs, to news agencies for publication

ii.         Post notice of meetings.

3.Any officer or committee head may be removed at any time by a two-third (2/3) vote of the Ag. Council membership with notification to the officer or committee head seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

4.Resignations of officers and committee heads must be presented in writing and approved by the Executive Committee to become final.

5.All officers must be considered in good standing with Colorado State University; with a GPA of at least 2.5. the term of all officers shall be one year from the time of election, unless a special election was held to fill vacancy.

6.All officers shall be students who have completed at lest two (2) college semesters and who are not eligible for graduation in less than two (2) semesters from the beginning of their term of office.

            Section D

Election nomination shall be held during the last two weeks of the month of March. The officer elects will begin their term of office upon installation at the Agricultural Sciences recognition ceremony.

1.                  An officer elected to fill a vacancy and who served less than one half of a completed term will be exempt from this rule.

2.                  No person shall hold more than one (1) position on the Executive Committee at a time.

3.                  All officer materials need to be copied.  One copy will go to the person holding the office and one copy will be sent to Associate Dean.

Article VII      Committees

Committees shall be appointed by the President of Ag Council when deemed necessary. A report by each committee shall be given at each regular meeting of Ag. Council and weekly reports must be given to the President of Ag. Council.

Article VII      Amendments

Amendment or alteration to this constitution may be proposed by any representative at any Ag. Council regular meeting; provided that the amendment has been submitted to the membership in writing at least one week prior to the business meeting. To become effective, the alteration or amendments must be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of that semester's representatives present the first reading and must then be ratified by two-thirds (2/3) of that semester's representatives at the next regular meeting; therefore, two readings are required to ratification.