Constitution
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be “Students for Special Needs” at Iowa State University.
Article II: Purpose
Section One: The purpose of Students for Special Needs is to provide a place for students who
are passionate about helping those with disabilities and for those with disabilities to gather
together. Our mission is to unite the community, those with special needs, and Iowa State
students in working towards equality and lasting friendships. We are affiliated with The Arc of
Story County, allowing the students to volunteer as coaches for the Special Olympics, and
helping students with special needs get involved as athletes and members. By working with this
organization, we hope to be part of a multitude of activities so that the students are able to
experience a more in-depth and personal journey.
Article III: Statement of Compliance
Students for Special Needs abides by and supports established Iowa State University policies,
State and Federal Laws and follows local ordinances and regulations.
Article IV: Non-Discrimination Statement
Iowa State University’s Students for Special Needs does not discriminate on the basis of race,
ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age,
marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or status as a U.S Veteran.
Article V: Membership
Membership is open to any Iowa State student, staff, or faculty member. Members are
considered ‘members’ once they have paid the established due amount. Dues will be paid once
every academic year or per semester by all members and are not required by the advisor.
Members are required to fill out a Class A Volunteer application and participate in training if
they plan to participate in any event that is affiliated with the Arc of Story County. Class A
Volunteers are required to renew this every three years. These can be found on the ISU Club
website under “Additional Documents” as well as at The Arc of Story County office and will be
regulated by the President, Vice President and Secretary (if applicable). These will be returned to
the officers mentioned so that they can submit these to the Special Olympics. In order to do so,
an officer stated above must take these to the Arc of Story County office and they will submit
them to the Special Olympics State office. If a student has mental or physical disabilities and
would like to participate in Special Olympic activities, they are required to have an up-to-date
physical and agree to a Code of Conduct outlined by the Arc of Story County.
Article VI: Risk Management
The President will serve as the Risk Management Officer.
The role of the risk management officer is to [a] help minimize potential risks for club activities,
[b] recommend risk management policies or procedures to Conservation Club [c] to submit
documentation to ISU’s Risk Management Office and [d] to ensure that Iowa State University
policies are followed at all of the organization’s events and [e] to ensure that proper waivers and
background checks are on file with Risk Management for events (if applicable).
Article VII: Officers
 Officer Duties and Term of Service:
o President
 Preside over meetings
 Attend all meetings
 Attend and finish all required training
 Work regularly and closely with the Treasurer and Adviser. Set aside any
personal issues in order for the club to succeed.
 Sign the Compliance Agreement Form and send in on proper date
 Positively represent the organization on campus and in the community
 Be prepared for each meeting with a speech and/or PowerPoint
 Schedule meetings and events with the proper University offices
 Send out information about such meetings and other events
 Run social media sites and other publicity such as Facebook, Twitter,
Iowa State Club Site, etc.
 Correspond directly with the Arc of Story County Program Coordinator(s)
 Communicate with the organization advisor
 Ensure that the organization is running properly and is abiding by all
standards set forth by Iowa State University and the Activities Center
 Maintain membership directory and Class A Volunteer directory
 Supervise and assist other officers
 Collect and deposit funds within two business days in the absence of the
Treasurer
 Review minutes
o Vice President
 Preside over meetings in the absence of the President
 Attend all meetings
 Assist the President in all publicity work
 Assist the President in supervising and maintaining all
activities/directories
 Organize events and collaborate with the other officers Create and
maintain a Program of Activities that includes but is not limited to: event
name, purpose of event, attendance, money required/made (if applicable),
what went well and what didn’t go well at the event
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Maintain membership directory and Class A Volunteer directory
Collect and review complaints and/or positive feedback and document
them in the Program of Activities
 Collect funds and deposit within two business days in the absence of the
Treasurer
 Review minutes
o Treasurer
 Attend all meetings
 Maintain accurate record of organization transactions
 Attend and finish all required training
 Work regularly and closely with the President and Adviser. Set aside any
personal issues in order for the club to succeed
 Sign the Compliance Agreement Form and send in on proper date
 Collect dues if required
 Develop a budget and present it to the organization
 Deposit funds within two business days of receiving them
 Preside over meetings in the absence of President AND Vice President
 Co-sign checks directed toward the organization in conjunction with the
Advisor
 Solicits additional funding if needed from the Government of the Student
Body
 Collect and review complaints and/or positive
 Report the organization budget and money spent at the start of each
meeting
o Advisor
 Maintain good communication and meet with officer(s) regularly
 Supervise financial expenditures, add input
 Work regularly and closely with the Treasurer and President. Set aside any
personal issues in order for the club to succeed.
 Co-sign checks directed toward the organization in conjunction with the
Treasurer
 Sign the Compliance Agreement Form and send in on proper date
 Ensure that the organization is running properly and is abiding by all
standards set forth by Iowa State University and the Activities Center
 Review complaints against officers
o Secretary
 Attend all meetings
 Help schedule meetings and plan events
 Type up and hand out the prospective meeting minutes
 Type up and review the meeting minutes with the President
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Report the previous minutes at the start of each meeting
Record attendance for meetings and other events
Assist the President in maintaining the directory of membership and Class
A volunteer sheets
 If possible, take photographs and create albums of events
The term of office will be one full year: this will last from the end of spring until the
following spring, when elections will take place again. It is required that all officers keep
in close contact with each other. If any feud has arose, it is imperative and required that
the two (or more, if applicable) offices resolve the situation within a week’s time to
ensure the success of the organization. They are required to work regularly together, and
discuss the organization at least once a week. It is required that at least two of the above
officers mentioned attend the Club Fest annually. It is also required that the officers be
members that have been in the organization for one full semester, aside from the
founders, who will be appointed as leaders at the start of the organization. All officers
shall comprise the Executive Committee of the organization. The Executive Committee
shall meet in addition to regular organization meetings. The Executive Committee shall
appoint such committees that are needed to carry out organization goals.
Method of election of all officers:
o The initial officers, those founding the organization, will be delegated as the
President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary (if applicable). After the first
academic year, interviews followed by elections will be held at the end of the
Spring semester. This process will be held every year.
o An interview is required of each member running for office. These interviews will
include members of the community that are associated with or involved with
Students for Special Needs. This will be called the “Election Committee” and
these volunteers are not required to be members. These people include (if
applicable) but are not limited to, a member of the Arc of Story County (ie,
Director, Program Coordinator or Board members), the Students for Special
Needs Adviser, any official representing the Student Leadership Services Center,
members of the community that have disabilities (ie., Arc athletes) and previous
officers. No member running for office is allowed to be on the Election
Committee. These interviews will consist of questions presented by the
interviewers (number decided by the committee). If such interviewers decide, a
speech of no more than five minutes may be required. The overall questionnaire
time will not exceed thirty minutes and the overall interview time for each
member running for office will not exceed forty minutes. The committee will
decide who goes on the ballot for election. The decision will be based on (not
limited to) dedication, attendance, passion, and teamwork skills. At least two
member’s names must be placed on the ballot for each office (if applicable) and
they are allowed to overlap with other offices.
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o These ballots will then be handed out for elections at a general meeting
designated by the current officers. Election of officers will require a majority vote
from the general membership. If such candidate fails to receive the majority of the
votes, a second election will take place. If this again ties, the decision will be
based on who has the higher attendance. Members interested in becoming an
officer must meet academic requirements as established by the Student
Organization Recognition Policy.
Warning/Impeachment/Removal of officers/advisor:
o Officers may be removed from office by 100% vote of the other officers and
advisor if actions are deemed inappropriate. Before the removal of such officer,
the rest of the offices are required to warn this officer two weeks in advance to his
or her removal. During this time, the officer is permitted to speak before the
Executive Committee and the general membership about the charges made
concerning his/her performance. The officer is not permitted to participate in the
deliberation of the Executive Committee regarding the charges. If after two
weeks, the officer’s actions have not changed or the Executive Committee has
deemed they are still not fit for this organization, they will then be removed.
o General membership may file complaints directly to the President or the Vice
President and the receiver shall take the complaint directly to the other officers
and/or Advisor as applicable.
o Advisor may be only be impeached by a unanimous, 100% vote from the officers
o Inappropriate: Non-supportive of club or its members, no longer a
student/employee/family member of either student or employee of Iowa State
University, actions do not reflect club views, consistently negative attitude toward
club ideas, projects, officers, advisor or members.
Minimum Cumulative GPA for Officers: 2.20
The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:
o (a) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half time (six or
more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required
to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and at least
half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits
are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous
Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
o (b) Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as stated below and
meet that minimum GPA in the semester immediately prior to the
election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during
the term of office. For undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, the
minimum GPA is 2.20. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours
(half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration.
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o (c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the
requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).
Advisor Replacement/Officer Replacement:
o In the instance of need for replacement of either an officer or advisor not during
election time, new officers/advisor must be appointed by officers
o New Advisor will require 100% officer vote during time of election/annual
assessment
o New officer will require a majority membership vote during time of election
o Advisors and officers may be nominated by club members
o Advisor will be reassessed by the officers annually for reappointment or removal
Article IX: Finances
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The organization may establish reasonable dues that must be paid by all members. The
amount of the dues will be determined in the beginning of the academic year by the
Executive Committee and presented to the general membership for a majority vote. Dues
must be paid before any individual participates in club activities outside of campus, or
any activity that requires funding.
Dues shall not exceed $30.00 for an academic year. Dues may be requested each semester
or once a year for a discounted price.
The treasurer shall maintain all financial records and shall countersign with the president
for all organization transactions.
All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a
bank account established for this organization at the Campus Organizations Accounting
Office and/or approved institution/office (must receive authorization via Campus
Organizations Accounting Office). All funds must be deposited within two business days
after collection. The Advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure
before payment. Should this organization dissolve, monies will be given to the Arc of
Story County as a donation.
Article X: Amendments and Ratification
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Amendments can be motioned by any member of Students for Special Needs. This
motion will be presented along with a 2-3 minute speech outlining what the purpose of
the amendment is and what it entails.
This constitution may be amended and subsequently ratified at any time, with the
unanimous approval of the President, Vice President and Treasurer with a simple
majority of the due paying membership. Members will be given one month to consider
amendments.
Ratified amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Student Activities
Center within (10) days.