Globally Minded Student Association Constitution

 September 9, 1999

Article I

This Association shall be called the Globally Minded Student Association (GMSA).
The purpose of this Association shall be to promote and broaden international awareness at the University of St. Thomas and the Community.
Changes or additions in the constitution shall require a 2/3 majority of the board.

Article II Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of the Association shall be as follows:

Promote interaction among United States and International students.
Promote the internationalization of campus activities by sponsoring speakers, programs, and social events.
Provide International and returning United States students with a forum for voicing their special needs and discussing their unique experiences.
To provide the opportunity to communicate with current and former members of the Association.

Article III Membership

This Association shall be open to all St. Thomas students, faculty, and staff.
The general members of the Association shall convene in a general meeting called by the board at least twice a semester.
The members of the board may set the fee for membership in the beginning of the fall semester.
Each member will be required to participate in one club activity per semester (this may include meetings, on-campus activities, off-campus activities but does not include service projects) and one service project per semester. If members cannot fulfill these obligations, they will be removed as members from the membership roster.
The membership roster will be reviewed by the board at the end of each semester.

Article IV Officers

The general members of the Association shall elect the following officers who will constitute the board.

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
International Student Representative to the ACC

The term of the officers shall run from the second week of May of the current year to the second week of May the following year. Elections for new officers shall be held during the month of April.

The board shall determine whether all officers will be elected in April. If not all or none of the positions are filled by the second week of May, elections shall be held within the first two weeks of the fall semester.
It is strongly recommended to elect the International Student Representative to the All College Council (ACC) during the month of April.

The officers shall constitute the board. The officers shall convene a meeting of the board within the first two weeks of each semester, at which the responsibilities of the officers shall be analyzed and discussed. Additional meetings of the board shall be convened at the request of any officer.

Article V Faculty/Staff Advisors

The Association shall have one or two faculty/staff advisors chosen by the board

Article VI Position of the GMSA on campus

The Association shall work closely with the International Student Services (ISS) and the International Education Center (IEC).
The Association shall collaborate with the University committees promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and internationalization.

Bylaws of the Constitution

Procedures of Officers and Chairs

President

The President will represent GMSA to the larger campus community.
The President, with the support of the board, shall appoint one Public Relations Chair, one Social Activities Chair, one Education Chair, and one International Dinner Chair.
Compile the agenda for the GMSA meetings.
Chair the meetings of the GMSA.
The chair of the meetings shall only vote in case of a tie.
The President shall assign additional responsibilities to board members when necessary.
 

Vice President (VP)

The VP shall assume all duties in the absence of the President.
The VP shall work in conjunction with the President in planning the agenda for the GMSA.
The VP shall be a voting member.
The VP shall present report in the absence of a board member.
The VP shall assume the duties of the ACC representative in his/her absence.
The VP shall assume all duties in case of the President’s resignation or dismissal until the new President is elected.
 

Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the general GMSA meetings and meetings held by the board.
The Secretary shall be responsible for sending out meeting notices to all members and advisors.
The Secretary shall be responsible for distributing the minutes of board meetings to the officers. In addition, the Secretary shall make copies of the minutes available to the public upon request.
The Secretary shall keep an accurate membership list.
 

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the fiscal operations of GMSA.
The Treasurer shall submit the GMSA budget to the Finance Committee of the ACC.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting membership fees.
The Treasurer shall be a co-signer on all GMSA checks in addition to one advisor’s signature.
The Treasurer shall submit a written financial report for the board meeting at the President’s request.
 

International Student Representative to the ACC

The International Student Representative to the ACC will represent all International students at the University of St. Thomas.
The International Student Representative to the ACC will make All College Council aware of International student issues as the University of St. Thomas.
The International Student Representative to the ACC will make International students aware of his duties as well as ACC issues.
 

Public Relations Chair(s)

The Public Relations Chair shall be responsible for any type of promotion/advertising for GMSA and its events.
The Public Relations Chair shall be responsible for any type of communication with non-St. Thomas organizations.

Social Activities Chair(s)

The Social Activities Chair shall be responsible for developing, organizing, and coordinating all GMSA’s social events.

International Dinner Chair

The International Dinner Chair shall be responsible for planning, developing, and coordinating the International Dinner.

Procedures for all Board members and Chairs

Each Board member and Chair shall attend board meetings and in case of absence submit a report to the VP.
Each Board member and Chair shall submit a report at each GMSA meeting.
Each Board member and Chair shall submit a report at the end of each semester, outlining and evaluating the duties and activities they undertook for the past semester.