UW-Parkside
Graduate Business Student Association (GBSAA)
Constitution

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Graduate Business Student and Alumni Association (“GBSAAA”).

Article II. Purpose

Section 1. The GBSAA is made up exclusively of its Executive Board, members, faculty advisor(s), and any other non-voting members and committees designated in the By-Laws.

Section 2. The Mission of the GBSAA seeks to provide a voice for current students, networking opportunities for alums, assist in recruitment, and serve as a fundraising tool for the MBA program.

Section 3. The Vision of the GBSAA will seek active individuals that will assist with establishing the association and promote future initiatives that are critical for maintaining the MBA program. To promote its role as an academic partner to the campus and community, they will provide an active and accessible network of individuals. The Officers will monitor their progress toward their goals through routine meetings and email communication.

Section 4. The GBSAA is regulated by (in order of precedence): its Constitution and By-laws.

Section 5. The GBSAA is governed exclusively by the Executive Board on behalf of its members.

The purpose of the GBSAA is to:

Raising - Money & Awareness in the Community

Recruiting - Increase Enrollment of the MBA program

Representation - Provide Networking and Communication Outlets

Article III. Membership

Section 1. University acceptance and enrollment in the Graduate Business Program at Wisconsin-Parkside automatically establishes Membership in the GBSAA. Additionally GBSAA Membership is open to those students who have previously completed a Graduate degree in business and are currently enrolled at Wisconsin-Parkside as a degree-seeking student. All Members of the GBSAA must be in good standing with the University, and not on academic probation (i.e., a GPA not less than 3.0).

Section 2. GBSAA will not discriminate in its membership and operations on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, sexual orientation, or political and religious affiliation in any of its policies, procedures, or practices.

Article IV. Officers

The GBSAA Executive Board shall consist of the following: elected officers: President, VP, Membership & Communications Director, Financial Advisor, Fundraising Executive Officer, Networking Executive Officer, Student Relations/Recruiting Executive Officer, and Webmaster.

Section 1. Responsibilities of Executive Board

President (2 year term):

The President of the Graduate Business Student Alumni Association is the overall coordinator of the GBSAA. He/she is responsible for the smooth running and coordination of all executive committee meetings, general meetings, and all other activities. The President presides over all meetings (including the Executive Committee). This includes any and all phases of preparation that are necessary to have an efficiently run meeting. The President is in charge of coordinating all written agenda topics in need of discussion.

Vice President 1 Year Term- Must Have Held Previous Office):

The Vice President will preside over all general meetings in the absence of our President. The Vice-President will be in charge of collecting regular reporting for the three standing committees: fundraising, networking, and student relations/recruiting and attend committee meetings as necessary. The Vice-President is ultimately in charge of making sure the committees are successful in accomplishing their tasks.

Membership & Communications Director:

The M&C Director is responsible for the taking of minutes of each of the meetings (including executive business meetings), typing them, and presenting them at the next business meeting for review and possible further discussion. The M&C Director will also be in charge of electronic email communications/announcements to the general membership. The M&C Director is responsible for creation and update of the membership roster of GBSAA. The M&C Director is also responsible for keeping accurate attendance records at all GBSAA meetings and activities. The M&C Director will also keep a record of all professional attendees at all GBSAA meetings. The M&C Director will provide the webmaster with current minutes, roster updates, and any current announcements necessary to be posted to the website.

Financial Advisor:

The Financial Advisor will monitor the inflows and outflows of cash to the Graduate Business Student Alumni Association. The duties of the Financial Advisor include, but are not limited to, maintaining the bank account of the GBSAA, keeping the books up to date, paying bills in a timely manner, sending billing notices when necessary. As part of the system of internal controls, the Financial Advisor will perform the monthly balancing of the checkbook. The Financial Advisor shall also prepare Quarterly Reports of Receipts and Disbursements, including detail of sources of receipts and purposes of disbursements. This Report shall be made to the President, with the most current being attached to the minutes of business meetings. The Financial Advisor shall create, at the beginning of each year, a Financial Plan (anticipated revenues and expenses) and a Projected Statement of Financial Position for the end of the year. The Financial Advisor shall also prepare annual Income Statements for the organization's use. The Financial Advisor also prepares the organization's tax return.

Fundraising Executive Officer:

The Fundraising Executive Officer is responsible for a committee of his/her peers that are charged with the planning and facilitation of all fundraising events (for the GBSAA and the University) for our organization. This includes, but is not limited to: finding sponsors, direct solicitations for University projects, setting dates for fundraising events, coordinating with the networking VP for social fundraising events, all communication to sponsors, reserving locations for meetings, and ordering supplies for events.

Networking Executive Officer:

The Chairperson of Networking is responsible for a committee of his/her peers that are charged with the planning and facilitation of all networking events (social and professional) for our organization. This includes, but is not limited to: contacting potential sponsors and speakers, setting dates, all communication to speakers and guests, reserving locations for meetings, and ordering all supplies for events.

Student Relations/Recruiting Executive Officer:

The Student Relations/Recruiting Executive Officer is the liaison between the current UW-Parkside MBA students and the College of Business, Economics, and Computing. The Student Relations/Recruiting Executive Officer is to keep the Dean of the College of Business, Economics, and Computing and the organization's advisor apprised of any GBSAA activities or issues that should be brought to the attention of the University. The Chairperson is also in charge of recruiting initiatives coordinated through the GBSAA and driven by the university.

Webmaster:

The Webmaster's primary job is to keep the chapter's website up to date. This includes keeping the calendar of events and activities current, as well as other items of interest to members. (Check with other members, officers, and the Faculty Advisors.) The Webmaster is also responsible for placing all valid GBSAA information on the website. The Webmaster should discuss all large changes with the executive committee.

Article V. Executive Board

General Responsibilities: Each officer shall aid the other officers as needed. The Executive Board shall rely upon the Wisconsin-Parkside Webmaster to keep the student body apprised of GBSAA activities.

Section 1. The GBSAA shall maintain a faculty advisor(s) selected by the GBSAA and approved by the Chair of the Department of Business (“DOB”), MBA Program Director, and the Assistant Dean of the College of Business, Economics, and Computing (“CBEC”).

Section 2. Decisions of the Executive Board are made by majority vote of those voting, a quorum consisting of at least 4 members. In case of tie the President shall cast the deciding vote. If there is no quorum the decision may be brought to the table at the next meeting where a quorum is present by any member of the Executive board for a second vote.

Section 3. The responsibilities of the President are passed to the Vice President in the absence, removal, or incapacity of the President. In the case of the incapacity of the VP, responsibility passes through the Executive Board in order of succession:

a. Membership & Communications Director

b. Financial Advisor

Section 4. In the event of the removal or permanent absence of the President, the Vice President immediately succeeds to the Presidency.

Section 5. All vacant offices shall be filled by appointment of the President subject to majority approval of the Executive Board.

Section 6. Each Executive Board is empowered to create a set of procedures for its own governance pursuant to this constitution.

Article VI. Meetings

Section 1. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at least bi-monthly (6 per calendar year).

Section 2. Meetings of the Membership shall be held at least once per quarter (4 meetings per calendar year)).

Section 3. Either the Executive Board or the Membership, in accordance with their voting requirements, may make petitions on the behalf of the student body.

Section 4. All day-to-day decisions and powers not specifically mentioned in this Constitution or the By-Laws shall be made by the Executive Board in accordance with Article IV.

Section 5. Ad-hoc committees may be formed by majority vote of the Executive Board.

Article VII. Quorum

Decisions of the Executive Board are made by majority vote of those voting, a quorum consisting of at least 7 members. In case of tie the President shall cast the deciding vote. If there is no quorum the decision may be brought to the table at the next meeting where a quorum is present by any member of the Executive board for a second vote.

Article VIII. Elections

Section 1. The Executive Board shall hold office from October 15 of the inaugural year to October 15 of the following year, with exception of the President (2 year term).

Section 2. Election for all Officers of the Executive Board for the following year must be held during a time period no sooner than September 1 and no later than October 1 of the academic year.

Section 3. In the event of an absence or vacancy on the Executive Board, the President may appoint an officer to fill such position.

Section 4. All members (as defined in Membership) may cast a vote.

Section 5. Nominations for office can be submitted to the GBSAA board by any member.

Article IX. Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to the by-laws shall be made by majority vote of the voting membership.

Section 2. Amendments to the Constitution shall be made by two-thirds majority vote, not less than fifty percent of the membership casting a ballot.

Section 3. Amendments must be publicized through reasonable channels at least one month before enactment.

Section 4. This Constitution shall take effect upon its passage by simple majority of those members of the GBSAA present at time of vote.