DSO Constitution

Name

The name of this organization shall be Delta Sigma Omicron of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The motto of this chapter of Delta Sigma Omicron will be the motto of Delta Sigma Omicron National:

”To exercise our abilities to a maximum so as to minimize our disabilities, that we may live most and serve best.”

The colors of Delta Sigma Omicron are navy blue and gold.

Purpose

Delta Sigma Omicron, of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, advocates for a supportive and inclusive environment for students with disabilities on our university campus.
As part of our organization’s mission we are dedicated to the following goals:

  • Raising disability awareness on campus as well as participating in campus functions
  • Reshaping The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s conception of students with disabilities through participation and advocacy
  • Improve the quality and access of educational accommodations provided to students with disabilities
  • Reaching out to the community to foster relationships among members with disabilities.

We will meet these goals by providing :

  • A voice for students concerned about disability on campus and to discuss issues and ideas that are relevant to the organization.
  • Meetings will be held bi-monthly to be set by students and advisors to the organization
  • Support for faculty, staff, and students in providing knowledge about disabilities, with the intent of providing the most optimum service delivery.
  • Opportunities for students to engage in meaningful activities in advocacy, support, and education with members of our campus and surrounding community.

Membership

Any student, staff member, or faculty member in good academic/disciplinary standing at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke may become a member of Delta Sigma Omicron with voting and office-holding privileges.
Our organization is open to any student who is interested in disability issues or service learning opportunities.
Special meetings to discuss pertinent issues or committee planning may be called by Executive Committee members or by 50% of the membership.
Dues for membership to Delta Sigma Omicron are $20.00 annually.
All dues for Delta Sigma Omicron are due by the day before the first day of Fall Break.

Executive Officers:

The executive officers of Delta Sigma Omicron shall be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers are elected by majority vote in April of each spring semester prior to the annual induction banquet, and serve for one-year terms.

Duties of Executive Officers:

President – To preside at Executive Committee membership meetings: appoint special committees with the approval of the Executive Board; present an annual report; attend Interclub meetings; and perform other such duties as may be required by the bylaws or resolutions of the Executive Committee.

Vice-President – To preside in the President’s absence; plan and organize publicity for activities and special events, serve in a secondary leadership role in committee meetings and activities; attend interclub meetings; and perform other such duties as may be required by the bylaws or resolutions of the Executive Committee.

Secretary – To attend all general correspondence of the organization, and to keep minutes of all Executive Committee and membership meetings and to preserve the records of the organization; He/she will also perform other such duties as may be required by the bylaws or resolutions of the Executive Committee.

Treasurer – Supervise the financial administration of all revenue; periodically report to the Executive Committee and membership on the financial condition of the organization, and perform other such duties as may be required by the bylaws or resolutions of the Executive Committee.

Officers

Non-executive officers of DSO/ Delta Sigma Omicron shall be as follows: Publicity chairperson, Fundraising chairperson, and Historian.

Publicity – Chairperson of the publicity committee. To promote positive images of the organization throughout the campus community by organizing events that promote awareness and recruitment; provide vital information such as community projects, meetings, social events, other relevant information; assist in web-based management, as well as campus-wide publicity distribution and perform other such duties as may be required by the bylaws or resolutions of the Executive Committee.

Fundraising – Chairperson of the fundraising committee. Help develop fundraising ideas with committee members; ensure implementation of various activities put forth by the Executive committee; be committed to the task of raising funds for the organization; assist the treasurer in accounting for funds raised for the organization and perform other such duties as may be required by the bylaws or resolutions of the Executive Committee.

Historian – Chairperson of the historian committee. To gather all information, keep accurate records of events, and to provide members with historical accounts of national organizational information; maintain a scrapbook with relevant organization information and photos and assist in web-based development. He/she will also perform other such duties as may be required by the bylaws or resolutions of the Executive Committee.

Requirements to become an officer:

    • Officers must be enrolled in The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
    • Officers must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
    • Officers must follow the Code of Conduct set by the university.
    • Officers must adhere to the DSO constitution and uphold its mission at all times.
    • Officers must be paid members and all forms must be completed, such as the Membership Form, Confidentiality Contract and Grade Release Form, and any other forms that are adopted by the DSO as requirements.
    • Officers must not miss more than four scheduled meetings per semester. This includes: 2 unexcused absences and 2 excused absences.
      • If an absence occurs, an emergency situation such as a death in the family, personal illness, family member hospitalized, or a class scheduling conflict will be an excused absence.
      • For an absence to be excused, members shall notify either the advisor, President, or Vice President prior to missing any scheduled meeting or event.
      • All other absences will be unexcused unless pre-approved by the executive committee.
    • Officers must be active members, who attend scheduled meetings, community and social events of the DSO for at least one year prior to being elected.
    • Officers are required to attend Leadership retreats at the beginning of their term elected.

These requirements for officers shall become active on May 9, 2005.

Committees

The committees of Delta Sigma Omicron shall be as follows: community service and ways and means.

  • The Vice-President is automatically the chairperson of the ways and means committee.
  • Committees must meet twice a month following scheduled DSO meetings.

QUORUM

No business shall be transacted in the absence of a quorum. During regularly scheduled meetings, a quorum must consist of 30% of the members. When special meetings are designated, to conduct business a quorum shall consist of 50% of the members.

Conducting Meetings

Meetings shall be conducted in an informal manner with an agenda and a voting system based upon making motions and seconds to approve or disapprove items.

Amendments

Amendments to this constitution may be proposed to the voting membership by majority vote of the Executive Committee or by petition signed by 1/10 of the voting membership. Amendments shall be declared adopted which are presented at two general meetings and receive a majority favorable vote at both meetings by the voting members present.


By-Laws

By-Laws, not inconsistent with this constitution, may be adopted or amended by 2/3 vote of the regular members present at any regular or special meetings, providing the bylaws are submitted in writing at least one week previously at either a regular or special meeting of the general membership.

  • Committees: Fundraising, Publicity, Ways and Means, Community Service and Historian.
  • Elections: Elections are to be held every April. The winner will be adopted by at least a 50% vote of the regular members who have abided by the constitution and bylaws.
  • Treasurer Amendment-Receiving Funds:
    • When an individual purchases material and/or supplies for DSO that has been voted on by the members during a scheduled meeting, the following procedure will be implemented to receive a refund.
        • The individual must turn in a copy of a highlighted receipt to the treasurer after purchase.
        • The treasurer will meet with the advisor to approve or disapprove the refund.
        • Once the refund is approved, the treasurer will provide the funds within one week to the individual and record the transaction by receipt and log into the Treasurer’s Book.
        • If the refund is denied, the individual will receive a statement as to why the funds will not be reimbursed. If the individual would like to appeal this decision, he/she will bring a letter to the Treasurer, advisor, and President stating their case. The committee will meet to discuss the concern and decide a course of action. All decisions after the appeal will be final.
  • Probation or Removal of an Officer
    • Probation - the member will be suspended for the semester in which the violation occurred, or if the violation occurred at the end of the semester, the suspension will be active the following semester.
    • Removal - The member will be removed from the office immediately after the panel has voted to remove the individual and will not be able to run for office for one year.
      • If the member violated one or more of the minimum requirements for an officer then he/she will not be removed from DSO/ Delta Sigma Omicron.
      • If a member violates the university code of conduct or other relevant policies the review panel may choose to remove the person from DSO and/or Delta Sigma Omicron.
    • The Review Panel for probation and removal of officers and members shall consist of the Advisor, President, and Vice President.
      • If the President or Vice President is in question, another officer will be appointed by the advisor to review the case.
  • President-elect changed to Vice-President
      • Starting with the April 2006 elections there shall be an election for a Vice President.
        • Starting in the April 2007 elections there shall be separate elections for the President and Vice President.
      • The President-elect elected during the April 2005 elections shall fulfill his/her intended term as President during the 2006-2007 academic year before the election change is made.
  • Election procedures
      • Any member eligible to run for an office shall be notified by the final March meeting.
      • At the first April meeting any member who wishes to run for an office shall announce his/her candidacy. Nominations are not required.
        • Following candidacy announcements members may nominate other members to fill other positions.
      • At the second April meeting voting shall take place to elect those who ran for office or were nominated for office.
        • All candidates (running opposed or unopposed) must present a brief description of what they hope to achieve while in office the next year prior to voting.
      • Any member who ran for office or was nominated for an office and was unopposed automatically is elected to that office.
      • Any member who ran for office or was nominated for an office and is opposed shall be voted on by the members in an election to choose the winner.
  • Membership
    • Alumni and former faculty and staff of UNCP may retain membership in DSO and/or Delta Sigma Omicron by paying full membership dues as set by the Executive Committee.
    • The attendance policy does not apply to the above-mentioned groups.