Constitution of the Saint Louis University Student Dietetic Association at Saint Louis University February 2003 ARTICLE I: NAME The organization hereby established shall be known as the Saint Louis University Student Dietetic Association, herein after called SLUDA. ARTICLE II: PURPOSE The principle purpose of SLUDA shall be to bring together and build camaraderie among students interested in the field of nutrition and dietetics and further broaden the scope of educational experience through various nutrition related activities. The organization shall serve the Saint Louis University student community by bringing awareness to the importance of nutrition and the profession of dietetics. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP To hold a student membership in SLUDA, one must be an undergraduate or graduate student at Saint Louis University and have an interest in the field of nutrition and dietetics. To hold an affiliate membership in SLUDA, one must be affiliated with a college or university and have an interest in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Membership in SLUDA shall be of two types: student and affiliate. ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS The officers of SLUDA shall be as set forth in the By-laws. ARTICLE V: FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS The membership dues and other financial obligations shall be as prescribed in the By-laws. ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS There shall be a meeting of SLUDA bimonthly during fall and spring semesters. Other meetings may be called at the discretion of the officers of SLUDA or as prescribed in the Bylaws. Date and time of meetings shall be as specified in the By-laws. ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEES Executive Board and Committees may be formed as the affairs of SLUDA make them necessary or advisable. The conditions under which the Executive Board and Committees may be formed and shall function shall be as specified in the By-laws. ARTICLE VIII: BY-LAWS SLUDA shall have the authority to adopt or amend its By-laws. The By-laws or amendment of a By-law shall take effect immediately when adopted or amended by SLUDA, providing it is in compliance with the Constitution. ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS SLUDA may, at any regular meeting, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present, adopt such amendment to this Constitution as it deems necessary for the management of the affairs of SLUDA, provided that notice of motion is given to the membership in writing at previous regular meeting of SLUDA and sent via e-mail in minutes no later than seven days prior to voting. By-Laws ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP Membership Membership in SLUDA shall be of two types: student and affiliate Student Members Student members shall be persons who have an active interest in the field of nutrition and dietetics and are enrolled at least half time in an undergraduate or graduate program at Saint Louis University. Affiliate Members Affiliate members shall be those persons who have an active interest in the field of nutrition and dietetics and are enrolled in a recognized post-secondary institution. Affiliate members shall not be eligible to vote, nominate candidates for office, or hold office. Affiliate membership shall not constitute more than half of student membership and affiliates must pay dues. Procedure A person shall become a member of SLUDA the payment of his/her dues. A person shall be allowed to attend two meetings free of dues prior to removal from membership roster. Dues Dues for membership in SLUDA shall be $5 per semester, to be collected by the Treasurer on or before the fall semester's second meeting, and the spring semester's second meeting. Any change in dues structure must be approved by a majority vote of the membership at its regular meeting, providing written notice of the proposed change has been given to the membership at least one meeting prior. The Treasurer shall notify the membership one month in arrears, and those whose dues are not paid within one month shall be dropped from the rolls of SLUDA. Attendance All members shall attend at least 4 general membership or special committee meetings during the academic year. Those failing to meet these requirements shall be dropped from the rolls of SLUDA. Member Requirements If the meeting times are unavailable for any person to attend, membership to SLUDA may otherwise be attained by participation in at least 50 percent of the organization's various activities including, but not limited to: group gatherings, bake sales, community activities, fundraisers, etc., and by serving on one of the special committees. ARTICLE II: THE OFFICERS Composition The officers of SLUDA shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Powers and Functions To establish policies to govern the affairs of SLUDA To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary or desirable in the best interests of SLUDA, not in conflict with the Constitution and the By-Laws of SLUDA. Meetings of Officers Officers shall meet when necessary throughout the year. Nomination and Election of Officers Nominations Nominations shall be solicited from the membership to be placed on an election ballot for the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Consent of the nominee must be obtained in advance of the nomination being formally submitted. Elections The election of officers shall be conducted during the second to last meeting of the fall semester by secret ballot. More than half of SLUDA's roster must be in attendance for elections to be held. Each office will run in its own individual category and a simple majority will determine the winner. Terms of Office The terms of office for officers of SLUDA shall be one year, beginning in the spring semester. Limits to Officers No person shall serve in two offices in the same term, nor shall any person serve consecutive terms in the same office. Officer Resignations President: In the event of the resignation of the President, the Vice President shall resume the role of President, serving through the remainder of that President's term of office. All Other Officers: In the event of the resignation of any other officer of SLUDA, the President shall appoint a new officer to fill the vacancy, subject to an affirmative vote of two-thirds (see Appointments). Appointments The President shall have the power to appoint new officers to fill any of the vacancies of office resulting from an officer resignation, or as the result of an officer appointment. All appointments of office shall be submitted, in writing, to the members of SLUDA at any regular meeting, and subjected to a vote of two-thirds members present at the following meeting of SLUDA. Duties of Officers The President shall be the chief elected officer of SLUDA, shall be Chairperson of and preside at meetings of the officers and members. The President, subject to confirmation of the other officers, shall appoint the members of all committees, except as otherwise specified in the By-Laws, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The Vice-President shall assist the President and in the absence of the President shall assume the responsibilities of the President. The Secretary shall perform the duties customary to the office, including minute keeping, administrative functions, and others as required. The Treasurer shall assure the receipt and expenditure of funds in accordance with the directives established by the officers of SLUDA and in keeping with Saint Louis University policy and guidelines. ARTICLE III: MEETINGS OF THE MEMBERSHIP Meetings SLUDA shall hold regular meetings at the time and place fixed by the officers each semester, who shall give written notice thereof to the membership prior to the time so fixed. The President shall preside at meetings. Quorum A quorum shall consist of those members who attend the meeting Special Meetings Special meetings may be called by the President and shall be called upon the written request of 10% of membership. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, at least three days notice shall be given. ARTICLE IV: COMMITTEES Nature of Committees All Committees shall be established on an ad-hoc basis, subject to annual review and evaluation by the officers. Appointment of Committees Committees shall be appointed by the President, subject to ratification by the officers. Committee Reports Each committee shall report to the officers concerning its activities, accomplishments, and future plans, and shall keep the officers informed concerning its work. ARTICLE V: CATERING POLICY The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in the Saint Louis University School of Allied Health Professions offers catering services for events within the School of Allied Health Professions. Catering Director, Kathy Kress, and Catering Secretary, Jeanne Young, are responsible for receiving catering requests and organizing catering events. When students from the Saint Louis University Dietetic Association (SLUDA) are involved in catering the event, SLUDA receives sixty-five percent of the proceeds to contribute to their scholarship fund and twenty-five percent of the proceeds contribute to their project fund. The remaining ten percent of the proceeds is allocated to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics to cover food lab costs. If SLUDA is not involved in catering the event, the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics will receive all the proceeds from the catered event to cover food lab costs and equipment. After receiving a catering request, the catering director notifies the SLUDA Catering Chairman of the event's date and time and the number of SLUDA volunteers needed. Then, the SLUDA Catering Chairman requests SLUDA volunteers to provide assistance with the event. The Catering Chairman then provides the Catering Director with the names and contact information of the volunteers that will assist at the event. ARTICLE VI: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern SLUDA in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order SLUDA may adopt. ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of SLUDA by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at a previous regular meeting of SLUDA. ARTICLE VII: UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS AND DISSOLUTION Superior Regulations SLUDA shall act and these By-Laws shall be in accordance with any University regulation governing them, and any act of SLUDA in violation of any regulation of the University shall be null and void.