ARTICLE I

Name: This organization shall be called the James Madison University Student Ambassadors.

 

 

ARTICLE II

Purpose: The James Madison University Student Ambassadors is a student organization dedicated to serving James Madison University students of the past (alumni,) present (current students,) and future (prospective students.) Student Ambassadors is a service organization working to promote the University.

 

 

ARTICLE III

Section I: General Membership 

The size of the general membership shall be determined by the executive council on an annual basis.

 

1. Selection Process
2. 1. New Members shall be solicited during the fall semester of each academic year
   2. . Membership will not be restricted on the basis of disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or political affiliation.
   3. Individuals who apply will expected to adhere to the following requirements:
   4. 1. Each applicant must be a James Madison University Student who will have at least three semesters in their undergraduate career left. This is measured from the start of their membership, in January.
      2. Each applicant is expected to be physically present during the first semester of their membership admittance.
      3. In order to be selected as a new member, the applicant must have a 2.5000 cumulative GPA.
      4. Former members of Student Ambassadors are not permitted to reapply.
   5. Each prospective member's application is subject to review by a screening committee before an interview is granted. The screening committee shall consist of the executive council, advisors, and any other Student Ambassadors appointed by the Vice President of Membership. Initial screening will be based on the application.
   6. Based upon written application scores candidates will be chosen to attend a group interview process whereby members will have the opportunity to further meet applicants. A group of Ambassadors led bya member of the executive board will interview candidates based upon decided measures.
   7. Each prospective member approved by the group interview screening committee shall be granted an individual interview. The interviewing committee consists of at least one staff representative from Admissions, Alumni, and members of Student Ambassadors.
   8. All applicants shall be notified of acceptance or denial through the multiple interview stages, in written or electronic form.

 

 

B.     Responsibilities of Membership

 

3. Term of Membership
4. 1. Membership shall continue until graduation.
   2. If a member chooses to leave the organization, they must write a letter of resignation to the executive council.
   3. A temporary leave of absence shall be granted by the executive council for a term of one semester due to studies abroad or medical leave of absence from JMU.

 

4. Removal of Members; members may be removed for the following reasons:
5. 1. The member resigns from their position as a Student Ambassadors
   2. The member fails to abide by the above stated responsibilities.
   3. The member fails to accumulate the number of points predetermined by the executive council.
   4. A majority of the executive council must be in agreement in order to remove a member.

 

 

 

Section II: Executive Council 

      The executive council shall consist of:

            

            President

            Vice President for Admissions

            Vice President for Alumni

            Vice President for Membership

             Secretary

            Treasurer

            Tour Coordinator

            Committee Coordinator

            Other appointed by the executive council

 

1. Selection Process

 

Officers:

1.) Members interesting in running for the Executive Council must:

            a. Submit a written letter of intent to the Current Executive Council

            b. Give a verbal statement of intent to the General Membership

 

2.) The executive council and advisors will submit a proposed slate of officers to the general membership at the final meeting in November

3.) Voting

•  Simple majority vote of the general membership will determine the winner

•  In the event of a tie, there will be another vote taken until one of the candidates receives the majority vote.

•  Voting is to be done by secret ballot at a general membership meeting.

4.) There shall be an induction ceremony at an the annual banquet in December.

 

2. Responsibilities of the Executive Council Members

 

President

•  Preside over meetings of the general membership.

•  Preside over meetings of the executive council.

•  Shall act as a liaison to the advisors.

•  Shall be a voting student member of the Alumni Board of Directors.

•  Shall oversee the selection process.

 

Vice President for Admissions

•  Preside over meetings in the absence of the president.

•  Maintain relations with the current population of James Madison University and its' guest visitors.

•  Serve as a liaison between Student Ambassadors and the Office of Admissions.

 

      Vice President for Alumni

" Maintainrelations with the alumni of James Madison University.

" Preparecurrent students to be alumni.

" Serve as a liaison between Student Ambassadors and the Office of Alumni Relations.

 

Vice President for Membership

" Oversee Membership Board.

" Oversee membership process.

" Oversee new member orientation.

 

Secretary

" Maintain records of the general membership and executive council meetings.

·         Maintain the Ambassador website.

•  Act as the main administrator on Blackboard.

" Keepattendance records.

" Maintain points for members.

" Post point notification periodically throughout the semester.

 

Treasurer

" Manage Student Ambassador finances.

" Prepare a fiscal year budget at the beginning of the term and any other financial reports when necessary.

" ObtainStudent Ambassador name-tags and polo shirts.

           

Tour Coordinator

" Schedulecampus tours and related events.

" Maintainrelations with the Office of Admissions.

" Conduct tour training each semester for the general membership.

" Update the campus tour guide manual.

 

Committee Coordinator

" Oversee the duties and activities of the standing and seasonal committees.

" Assign each general member to a specific standing or seasonal committee.

 

3. Term of Office
4. 1. Office tenure shall be from January to December.
   2. Any member is eligible for election or re-election whilean undergraduate student of James Madison University provided that they will remain at the University for the entire term of office.
   3. If a position becomes vacant, a new officer will be appointed by the executive council and advisors.

 

4. Removal of Officers
5. 1. An officer shall be dismissed from office when he/she brings discredit to him/herself and/or Student Ambassadors. Officers may be removed from office by a ¾ vote of the general membership and at least ½ of the officers and advisors.

 

Section III: Advisors

1. The Advisors shall consist of representatives from the Alumni and Admissions offices.
2. The executive council may select additional faculty advisors at their discretion. A majority vote by the executive council is required for the acceptance of a new advisor.
3. The Advisor shall be a full-time faculty/staff member of JMU. The advisor will assume those responsibilities as outlined in this constitution and/or found in University Policy No. 3101 entitled "Faculty Advisors to Student Organizations."
4. An Advisor shall be removed from their position if he/she fails to abide by the above stated responsibilities. Advisors may be removed by a ¾ vote of the general membership and a ½ vote of the executive council.

 

Section IV: Standing Committees 

1. The standing committees shall be:
2. 1. Community Service
   2. Madison P.R.I.D.E. (Proud Representatives Initiating Dynamic Enrollment; formerly recognized as Home High School Connection)
   3. Outreach
   4. Scholarship
   5. Social
   6. Spirit
3. Each standing committee shall be led by two (2) committee chairs to be appointed by the Committee Coordinator.

 

Section V: Seasonal Committees 

1. The seasonal committees shall be:
2. 1. Emeritus
   2. Operation Santa Claus
   3. Outstanding Parent of the Year
3. Each seasonal committee shall be led by two (2) committee chairs to be appointed by the Committee Coordinator.

 

Section VI: Appointed Minor Offices 

1. Committee chairs will preside over their respective committees for one semester.
2. The ASAP Network Liaison shall be in charge of keeping in contact with the ASAP network, and submitting any applications necessary for conventions, awards, etc. This office lasts for one year.
3. The Historian will be appointed by the executive council. The historian will be responsible for memorabilia activities and presentations.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Section I: General Meetings 

1. Student Ambassadors shall meet at least once per week during the academic year and any other times deemed necessary by the executive council.
2. The president shall preside over all meetings. In his/her absence, the Vice President for Admissions shall preside.

 

Section II: Executive Council 

1. Executive Council shall meet at least once per week during the academic year, once during winter vacation, and any other times deemed necessary by the executive council.
2. The president shall preside over all meetings. In the absence of his/her absence, the Vice President for Admissions shall preside.

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

Amendments: Amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing at a regular or special meeting of the organization. Said amendment(s) will be voted on at the subsequent meeting. In order to adopt the amendment(s), a vote of 2/3 of the membership is necessary. All amendments to this constitution must be approved by Student Organization Services.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

RATIFICATION: This constitution shall become effective upon approval by the membership, Student Organization Services, and the President of James Madison University.

 

BYLAWS

 

1. General membership meetings shall be deemed by the executive council.
2. Executive council meetings shall be held weekly.
3. The Vice President for Admissions shall be responsible for:
4. 1. Admissions Relations
   2. Receptions
   3. Special Visitation Days
   4. Any special events 

4. The Vice President for Alumni shall be responsible for:
5. 1. Homecoming
   2. Alumni Events
   3. Commencement Activities
   4. James Madison Week

 

5. The Vice President for Membership shall be responsible for:
6. 1. General Interest Meeting
   2. Membership Application
   3. Interviews
   4. Notification of Membership
   5. New Member Orientation

 

6. The Secretary shall be responsible for:
7. 1. Meeting Minutes
   2. Mailings
   3. Newsletter
   4. Points
   5. Website

 

7. The Treasurer shall be responsible for:
8. 1. Finances
   2. Fund Raising

 

8. The Tour Coordinator shall be responsible for:
9. 1. Tour Scheduling
   2. Tour Guide Training
   3. Tour Guide Manual
   4. Tour Incentives

 

9. The Committee Coordinator shall be responsible for:

a.      Assigning all members to a committee each semester

b.      Seasonal Committees

c.      Standing Committees

 

10.   Points
11. 1. Points can be awarded and deducted as seen fit by the executive council and committee heads. Members will be required to accumulate 30 points per semester as determined by the executive council with a minimum of three points to be acquired through each of the following areas: alumni events (past,) committee participation (present,) and through the office of admissions (future.) In addition to the above breakdown, members are required to earn a minimum of 15 points received by attending meetings or reading the minutes.
    2. Other points may be assigned to activities as deemed necessary by the executive council. Double points will be deducted for unexcused absences.
    3. New members will be required to accumulate 25 points during their first semester in the organization.

11. Members will be given incentives at point intervals determined by the executive council and Advisors in recognition of their outstanding service. The executive council will decide what the incentives will be for the members.

 

12. Proper dress shall be required for any university event in which ambassadors are serving or volunteering.