Bylaws of Valdosta State University Chapter of Habitat for Humanity
Table of Contents:
ARTICLE VII: Renovations/Amendments
Habitat for Humanity
International, Inc., a nonprofit corporation is an ecumenical Christian housing
organization that works in partnership with people in need to improve the
conditions in which they are forced to live.
For purposes deemed worthy, a service organization, affiliated with Habitat for
Humanity, is hereby established to assist Habitat for Humanity by working with
any local affiliated or sponsored projects or the international headquarters and
by submitting itself to be governed by and dedicated to upholding these Bylaws
and any codes of social responsibility as outlined by the campus student
government association.
The name of the organization shall be "Valdosta State University Chapter of Habitat for Humanity." The organization is a student organization at Valdosta State University.
It shall be the primary purpose of the Campus Chapter to provide opportunities for its members to participate in all aspects of the work and ministry of Habitat for Humanity. In furtherance of this primary goal, the Chapter shall endeavor:
Section One - To assist and work with the local affiliated or sponsored project.
Section Two - To raise money for the overall work of Habitat for Humanity and the local affiliated or sponsored project.
Section Three - To spread the work while on campus about the habitat organization and raise the level of awareness regarding the need to provide decent shelter for everyone, and to encourage Chapter members to continue their support of Habitat's ministry after leaving the university.
Section Four. To embrace and promote the overall purposes of Habitat for Humanity.
Section One - The foundation of the Campus Chapters program is based on I John 3:18 (KATAI UNNHA III.XVIII in Greek): “Our love should not be just words or talk, it must be true love, which shows itself in action,” and on the phrase “Building in Partnership” (“Aedificare in Societate” in Latin).
Section Two - Habitat for Humanity is unashamedly an ecumenical and inter-faith (all faiths working toward cooperation) Christian movement, but it is not a church or a doctrinal organization. All people are welcome to join Habitat for Humanity’s work.
Section Three - Although Habitat for Humanity openly receives the involvement of people from all religious backgrounds, secularization (i.e. the removal of Christ's name or the Christian principles on which Habitat is based) of these Bylaws or the work of a Campus Chapter, is explicitly prohibited.
Section Four - The campus Chapter will serve as an autonomous organization and is not to be established in conjunction with or aligned exclusively with any particular denominational ministry, church, club, or other campus group. The Campus Chapter cannot operate as a project or single agenda item of any one group; it must be a separate organization representative of and open to the entire campus.
Section One - Any student at Valdosta State University is eligible to be an active member and may hold office. Membership requires payment of dues.
Section Two - Non-students may act as associate members, but may not vote or hold office.
Section Three - Membership in the Campus Chapter shall not be denied on the basis of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religious beliefs, citizenship or physical disability.
Section Four - The Campus Chapter shall hold a meeting at least once a month during the fall and spring school terms to receive and communicate information and to transact other business.
Section Five - Committees shall be formed by the board as necessary for development and support of all aspects of the organization (i.e. membership, fund raising, projects, social activities, community outreach).
Section One - Recall of Officers- A. Officers are subject to recall for malfeasance in office. B. Recall procedures will be initiated at the request of five active members. C. A hearing will be conducted at a regular meeting for the presentation of evidence from all concerned parties. D. A majority of those active members voting in a recall at the end of the hearing is necessary to remove any office.
Section Two
- Election of Officers- A. The officers of
this organization are the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
B. Officers will be elected by written ballot, with each active member eligible
to cast a vote. A majority of votes will constitute a victory. C. Election of
officers will take place at the final meeting of spring semester. D. Officers
will assume office for a period of one year.
Section Three – Responsibilities of Officers-
President – The president, who must be a full-time student and active member, shall preside at all meetings of the organization and shall serve as the chief operating officer of the organization. President approves all activities of the organization and oversees the operation of the other committees. President serves as official representative of the organization.
Vice President – The vice president, who must be a full-time student and active member, shall take over the responsibilities of the president in his or her absence, and also be responsible for supervising all committees within the organization. Vice-President attends all required VSU organizational meetings as representative of VSU Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
Secretary – The secretary, who must be a full-time student and active member, shall keep the minutes of all board and organizational meetings. The secretary shall send all notices of the board and organization meetings to organization officers and is responsible for keeping the membership informed about all upcoming events. The secretary will keep a permanent roster of membership with contact information. The secretary will compile a written activities report for the Campus Chapter office in Americus once every three months. The secretary is responsible for checking the Chapter’s VSU mailbox at least once every two weeks.
Treasurer – The treasurer shall be a full-time student and active member, responsible for all funds of the organization, shall give a report at each meeting of the board and at one meeting of the organization each semester. Treasurer is responsible for collecting dues and fundraising proceeds. The treasurer is responsible for the Chapter’s bank account and must review and keep all bank statements. All funds will be deposited in the Chapter’s bank account and dispensed in accordance with the goals and programs established by the organization.
The following representatives will be appointed by the President and approved by the officers of the Chapter:
Fundraising Representative – The fundraising committee head shall be a full-time student and active member, and shall be responsible for leading a committee and the organization in at least two fundraising projects per semester. Fundraising representative is responsible for all aspects of organization and execution of fundraising projects and ensures dissemination of fundraising issues to the rest of the organization.
Building Representative – The building representative shall be a full-time student and active member, and responsible for coordinating all work events, including attendance and transportation to work site. Building representative coordinates builds with local affiliates and ensures dissemination of building-related issues to the rest of the organization.
Webmaster/Historian – The webmaster/historian shall be a full-time student and active member, responsible for the upkeep of the chapter’s webpage, as well as keeping up to date records of the activities of the organization and maintaining a scrapbook each school year.
Public Relations Representative – The public relations representative shall be a full-time student and active member in charge of all advertisements for projects, fundraisers, and events. They shall work with the fundraising representative in fundraisers and the building representative in build events in order to successfully advertise such events. PR Representative shall be responsible for educating others both on and off campus in regards to the purpose of Habitat for Humanity and ensuring dissemination of Public Relation issues to the rest of the organization.
Section Four - Executive board meetings shall also include one (1) campus faculty, administrator or staff member who is asked to serve as advisor for a term to be no less than one year. The faculty advisor may serve as a resource and liaison between the Habitat Campus Chapter and the administration and faculty.
Section One. The Campus Chapter shall hold and manage property and funds received by it in accordance with the general purposes of the Habitat for Humanity and with the designed or announced purposes of such property and funds. The Campus Chapter shall not use or disburse the property of funds received by it in any way that injures the welfare of a private person or that is contrary to the purposes of Habitat for Humanity. In the event of the dissolution of the Campus Chapter, all funds or property of the Chapter shall be transferred or assigned to Habitat for Humanity or a local affiliated or sponsored project.
Section Two. Any specific fundraising project of the Campus Chapter shall have an announced or designated purpose. The funds or monies raised by such projects shall be used solely for such announced or designated purpose.
Section Three. The advisor shall co-sign the Chapter bank account with the authority to add a new treasurer to the signature card. The advisor shall not have the authority to access Chapter funds.
ARTICLE VII: Renovations/Amendments
Section One. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the membership present at a duly convened meeting of the Campus Chapter, and should be reviewed annually by a committee which includes the President. Upon review, the Bylaws shall be distributed and voted on for acceptance.