BY-LAWS OF THE

STUDENT SECTION OF

MARYLAND PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (SMdPHA)

AT THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Student Section of Maryland Public Health Association (SMdPHA) at the School of Pharmacy at University of Maryland.

ARTICLE II – MISSIONS

The missions of this organization shall be:

To improve public health awareness in Maryland through education and advocacy.

To promote public awareness relative to healthcare disparities* among different segments of the population.

To serve as a resource for and to work collaboratively with other student organizations that perform community outreach programs.

To encourage, support and provide resources for members who are interested in learning about and/or pursuing a pharmacy, public health or allied-health career.

To provide opportunities for members to exchange ideas, to be exposed to various healthcare disparity issues, and to participate in professional development activities related to public health issues.

* Health disparities – “…among different segments of the population…various demographic groups in the U.S., which include differences that occur by gender, race or ethnicity, education or income, disability, living in rural localities, or sexual orientation.” From Healthy People 2010: Understanding and Improving Health, developed by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

The organization has an interdisciplinary membership and is open to all students at University of Maryland Baltimore, Universities at Shady Grove, and other universities/colleges. All faculty and staffs are welcome to join and support. However, the main focus is for students and thus, only students can hold executive offices. In addition, members will be expected to pay the annual Maryland Public Health Association’s membership dues.

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the Executive Board will be held at least four times per year at a time and place determined by the Executive Board.

Executive Board members will receive notice of regular meetings at least five days before the meeting. The notice will include the time, location, and an agenda. The president may call special meetings. Special meetings may also be called by the president upon written request of three members of the Executive Board. The notice will be given 24 hours before the meeting and will include the time, location, and purpose of the meeting. The notice may be given orally or by email.

In lieu of a meeting, the Executive Board may act by unanimous written or oral consent of its members.

A majority of the Board must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business that needs board approval. There will be no proxy voting.

General Body Meetings for the membership will be held at least four times during each semester. The Executive Board will determine the time and place for these meetings. Notice of the time, location and agenda will be provided to the General Body at least two weeks in advance.

ARTICLE V – RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The duties of the officers, chairpersons, and at-large committee members, will be such as usually pertaining to the office or position. The executive board officers consist of president, president-elect, vice president, treasurer, secretary, historian, webmaster, and Representative of UMB at Shady Grove. Candidacy for student officers for these positions will be limited to students in the UMB School of Pharmacy Program in keeping with the location of the Maryland Public Health central office. The at-large committee members will encompass one liaison from each college or college within a university, as defined by the executive board. The campus liaisons may appoint subcommittees at their respective college. The specific responsibilities of the officers, chairpersons, or advisor(s) will be described as below.

The President will assume the office and serve a one-year term, provided that he/she was elected and successfully served as president-elect for a one-year term. The duties of the president are as follows:

To know and carry out the missions of the organization.
To be aware of the total operations of the organization.
To preside at all Executive Board and General Body Meetings.
To enforce the By-laws and work with executive board members to amend it when needed.
To serve as chairperson of the Executive Board and appoint or remove chairpersons of all other committees of the organization, upon approval of the board.
To serve as the student representative and liaison for the Maryland Public Health Association’s executive board.
To serve as a voting member on the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy Student Government Association Executive Council for the academic school year during presidency.
To set up and preside over Annual Retreat (additions from 2010 Officer Descriptions).
To set the goals and objectives and prepare schedule of activities/events/projects of the organization for the year in which he/she is the president.
To distribute and share all information and resources available from the sponsors, various associations and support groups, and other organizations to the members.
To inform all members and Advisor(s) of all actions taken.
To serve as the spoke-person for and represent the organization at all events/activities, meetings with other organizations and/or school events.
To perform other duties as assigned by the Board or prescribed elsewhere in the Bylaws.

The President-Elect will be elected for a one-year term, where he/she serves as the president-elect. After that, he/she will automatically assume the office of the president for a one-year term. The duties of the president-elect are as follows:

To know and carry out the missions of the organization.
To become aware in all aspects of the office of the president.
To attend all functions and meetings during which the president’s attendance is required, so as to be qualified before becoming president.
To assist the president in carrying out his or her duties, particularly in the coordination of the activities of the Executive and related committees.
To serve a one-year term as president-elect and a one-year term as president.
To coordinate one event during the year of president-elect to become acquainted with theorganization and planning events.
To attend the Annual Summer Retreat, all general body meetings and executive board
meetings unless excused by the President
To ensure the successful transition between the old and incoming officers
To co-chair one committee within SMdPHA
To perform other duties as assigned by the president or Executive Board.

The Vice President will be elected for a one-year term. The duties of the vice president are as follows:

To know and carry out the missions of the organization.
To serve as the program director of all activities and events.
To assume the duties of the president in his or her absence.
To oversee committee chairs and actions.
To ensure all procedures and policies follow the organization’s by-laws.
To serve as the constitutional authority and parliamentarian, and assist in amending all by-laws as necessary.
To serve as the Nominating Committee Chairperson and work with the other Nominating Committee Members to supervise and conduct all elections.
To attend the Annual Summer Retreat, all general body meetings and executive board meetings unless excused by the President
To co-chair one committee within SMdPHA
To perform other duties as assigned by the president or Executive Board or prescribed
elsewhere in the Bylaws.

The Treasurer will be elected for a one-year term. The duties of the treasurer are as follows:

To record all cash receipts and disbursement from organization account.
To maintain all forms regarding membership and finances, including a balanced checkbook and treasury transaction book.
To assist in all activities that involves organization monies including School of Pharmacy Student Government Association’s fund requests and MdPHA proposals.
To serve as the purchasing agent for the organization, including the ordering of supplies.
To give a projected budget for the academic year and update president monthly regarding the current status of budget.
To develop and help coordinate fundraising programs and events.
To collaborate with the vice-president on finding sponsorships for the organization
To attend the Annual Summer Retreat, all general body meetings and executive board meetings unless excused by the President
To co-chair one committee within SMdPHA
To perform other duties as assigned by the president or Executive Board, or prescribed elsewhere in the Bylaws.

The Secretary will be elected for a one-year term. The duties of the secretary are as follows:

To record complete minutes and all organization meetings including attendance.
To submit minutes to all members of the organization, including advisors within 10 7 days of after the meeting.
To make hard copies of minutes available to members upon request.
To keep all members informed of upcoming meetings and events.
To publicize all organizational activities and events to the campus community.
To assist the vice president with posting election results.
To assist with management of member listservs.
To work with webmaster to submit all spin slides for organizational events
To attend the Annual Summer Retreat, all general body meetings and executive board meetings unless excused by the President
To co-chair one committee within SMdPHA
To perform other duties as assigned by the president or Executive Board, or prescribed elsewhere in the Bylaws.

The Historian will be elected for a one-year term. Incoming first year historian(s) at UMB School of Pharmacy will also be appointed by Executive Committee. The duties of the historian are as follows:

To attend all organizational events and take pictures.
To submit pictures and complete the SMdPHA yearbook page by the given deadlines.
To maintain the organization board in Pharmacy Hall.
To assist in the production of the newsletter
To Co-Chair one committee within SMdPHA
To assist the webmaster in maintaining the blackboard site, the organizational webpage, and the online calendar
To attend the Annual Summer Retreat (excluding first year historian(s)), all general body meetings and executive board meetings unless excused by the President
To perform other duties as assigned by the president or Executive Board, or prescribed elsewhere in the Bylaws.

The Webmaster will be appointed for a one-year term. The duties of the webmaster are as follows:

To create and maintain the organizations web presence including pages at School of Pharmacy, google site, and UMB blackboard.
To maintain calendar(s) of events
Coordination of social media in collaboration with members of the executive board
To assist with publicity of upcoming events, including the monthly newsletter
To work with the technology of staff of the University regarding logistical issues associated with maintaining the webpage.
To coordinate with the historian.
To attend the Annual Summer Retreat, all general body meetings and executive board meetings unless excused by the President
To co-chair one committee within SMdPHA
To perform other duties as assigned by the president or Executive Board, or prescribed elsewhere in the Bylaws.

The University of Maryland Shady Grove Representative will be elected for a one-year term. The duties of the Shady Grove liaison are as follows:

To work with the Baltimore campus and the other executive officers to bridge the two campuses and to increase membership at the SG campus
To help with the advertising, fundraising, and events that pertain to Shady Grove
To assist the historian by taking pictures of Shady Grove events.
To attend the Annual Summer Retreat, all general body meetings and executive board meetings unless excused by the President
To co-chair one committee within SMdPHA
To perform other duties as assigned by the president or Executive Board, or prescribed elsewhere in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI-RESPONSIBILITIES OF AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS AND CHAIRPERSONS.

The Campus Student Liaison will be appointed by the President for a one-year term. The duties of the Campus Student Liaison are as follows:
To work with the Executive Board Officers and the Baltimore School of Pharmacy campus to bridge the campuses and to increase membership at their respected campus
To help with advertising, fundraising, and events that pertains to their respected campus.
To assist the Historian by taking pictures of events that pertains to their respected campus.
To maintain communication with the Executive Officers monthly.
To perform other duties assigned by the president or Executive Board, or prescribed elsewhere in the Bylaws.
The campus liaisons may appoint subcommittees at their respective campuses.
Submit semester report to President regarding meetings, events, and participation to update MdPHA.
In order to receive financial support, submit proposal with current budget to Student Section Executive Board.

The Membership Committee Chairperson will be appointed by the president, upon approval of the Executive Board. The duties of the Membership Committee Chairperson will be as follows:

To recruit members for the organization.
To create and maintain records of membership.
To work with the secretary to create a member list-serve.
To perform other duties as assigned by the president or Executive Board.

The Nominating Committee Chairperson is the Vice President. The president, upon approval of the Executive Board, will appoint two other Nominating Committee Members. The duties of the Nominating Committee Chairperson and Members will be as follows:

To accept nominations for Officers at the beginning of March each year.
To present a slate of officers at the conclusion of the nomination period each year.
To supervise and conduct all elections for Officers in April each year.

ARTICLE VII-RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADVISOR(S).

The Advisor(s), appointed through the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, shall follow the guidelines as described in the UMB School of Pharmacy – Role of Faculty Advisors for Student Organizations. Specific responsibilities include:
Meet with officers periodically to conduct planning and to discuss possible issues
Outline areas of responsibility and expectations of both advisor and officers
Oversee organization finances with treasurer and president
Attend meetings and social functions as needed
Participate in leadership development activities
Act proactively to stimulate innovative planning by leadership
Serve as effective ombudsmen for the organization when interacting with faculty or administration; communicating effectively with individuals and groups
Develop relationships with individuals outside the school (alumni, campus leaders, state and national pharmacy leaders, etc.) to foster development of organization
An advisor may be removed from office, with cause, by unanimous vote of the executive board after full disclosure to the advisor.

ARTICLE VIII – REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF OFFICERS

An officer may be removed from office, with or without cause, by two-thirds vote of the total membership of the Executive Board then in office.

ARTICLE IX – COMMITTEES

The Executive Board may establish standing committees, special committees, and/or task groups as necessary.
The Standing Committees will consist of the Webmaster Committee, Healthcare Disparities Research Committee, Membership Committee and Nominating Committee, or others as seem necessary. The Nominating Committee will be chaired by the Vice President and consisted of two other Members appointed by the President. The term for all Chairpersons will be one-year.

ARTICLE X – ELECTIONS

Officers of the Executive Board shall be elected from a single slate of candidates for a term of one year.
The Nominating Committee, chaired by the Vice President and consisted of two other members appointed by the President, will supervise and conduct all elections for Officers.
Nominations may be made emailing the Nominating Committee Chairperson by the deadline determined by the Executive Board or from the floor at the election meeting, provided the nominee is eligible as determined by these By-Laws. (Eligibility includes… will establish on later date) The written consent of the nominee must be secured by the Nominating Committee Chair and submitted at the meeting by the deadline determined by the Executive Board.

Officers assume their duties at the conclusion of the April meeting.

Vacancies. Except as provided elsewhere in these By-Laws, vacancies on the Executive Board occurring by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by a vote of the majority of the remaining Executive Board then in office, though less than a quorum at any meeting of the Executive Board called for that purpose.

ARTICLE XI – Parliamentary Procedure

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be the parliamentary authority governing the meetings of the Executive Board, general body meetings, and all committees, subject to these By-Laws, and any special rules of order adopted by the organization.

ARTICLE XII – Amendments

These By-Laws may be amended or repealed by the Executive Board. Bylaws may also be amended through a petition submitted by a member of the organization and approved by majority vote of the Executive Board. After which, the amendment(s) will be presented at the next general body meeting and approved by two-thirds vote of members present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment(s) be mailed, faxed, or emailed 30 days of the meeting.

Drafted 4/09/03

Amended 04/2012

By-Laws