CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS CLUB OF
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY
Revised April 13, 2006
ARTICLE I.
Name
The name of the club shall be the American Red Cross Club of B.G.S.U., hereinafter "American Red
Cross Club" or "Club".
ARTICLE II.
Authority
The American Red Cross Club of Bowling Green State University is under the guidance and auspices of
the Wood County District Office of the Greater Toledo Area Chapter and is considered a branch of that
unit rather than an independent Red Cross entity.
ARTICLE III. Purpose
The purpose of this club shall be to advocate the mission, provide the services, and support the functions
of the American Red Cross to the local community and the students, faculty, and staff at Bowling Green
State University, with club members delivering these services acting in accordance with the American
Red Cross Code of Conduct.
ARTICLE IV. Membership
4.1 Members
The American Red Cross Club will consist of currently enrolled students and members of the faculty and
staff at Bowling Green State University. Members may enroll at anytime during the academic year.
4.2 Membership Requirements
a. Beginning immediately after enrollment, the responsibilities of all members shall include
participation in a minimum of two activities, service on at least one committee, and attendance at
least 50% of scheduled membership meetings.
b. All members play a role in the on-going recruitment of new members, the identification of potential
new service opportunities, and fund-raising for projects as appropriate.
c. Membership Point System: Points are awarded and recorded by the Club Secretary.
 One point will be awarded to a Club member for each meeting attendance
 One point will be awarded to a Club member for each hour of service during a volunteer event or
project
 Two points will be awarded to a Club member for each attempted blood donation
 Each semester, the Club member with the highest number of points will be recognized by the
Club
 Elected Club officers are excluded from point system awards and recognition
 The point system may be altered at the discretion of the Executive Board
d. Club officers must submit a Volunteer Application and Code of Conduct to the District Office
Director at the beginning of the academic year.
4.3 Duties
-1-
Club members will serve on at least one committee, attend regularly scheduled meetings, and represent
the American Red Cross through participating in university or community-based service projects.
4.4 Voting
Each member is entitled to one vote. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. Decisions on any questions
shall be by majority vote of members present and voting. In the event of a tie, the president will cast the
deciding vote.
ARTICLE V.
Officers and Committees
5.1 Officers
The elected officers of the American Red Cross Club of Bowling Green State University shall be the
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraising Chairperson, and Blood Drive Liaison and
will form the Executive Board. The Executive Board shall be comprised of the elected officers of the
Club and shall meet to finalize agenda items, prepare reports, and collaborate on the business of the Club.
These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by this Constitution and by the parliamentary authority
adopted by the Club. No officer shall hold more than one position, but if the club membership is not
sufficient to fill all elected positions, the offices of Fundraising Chairperson and Blood Drive Liaison may
remain vacant. In the event these positions are not filled, each elected officer will assume responsibility
for their duties.
a. Qualifications
All officers must be enrolled students in good standing at Bowling Green State University. Per the
regulations of Bowling Green State University, officers must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA.
Officers must have regularly attended Club meetings at least 2 months prior to the election.
b. Election
Officers shall be elected to a one-year term to begin on or before April 15 by a simple majority of the
members present during the regularly scheduled March meeting. All officers are eligible to stand for reelection to their current position unless leaving BGSU or academically ineligible.
Nominations for officer positions will occur 2 weeks before elections. Nominations will be open and
must be seconded by a member in good standing. Nominations will be closed no later than April 1.
During elections, candidates will receive 3 minutes to speak and 2 minutes for a question and answer
session. Time can be extended by any member in good standing through a motion seconded by a
different member in good standing. Candidates will present their speeches in the order of offices
(President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Fundraising Chairperson, and Blood Drive Liaison.)
After each office, the current members will have a 5 minute discussion of the candidates and will vote by
secret ballot for their chosen candidate. The candidate must receive a majority of the votes to be elected
into an office. In the case of not receiving a simple majority of the votes, the top two candidates will be
voted on again, after another 5 minute discussion, until a majority has been reached or a maximum of two
times. If after two attempts of voting neither candidate has received a majority, the executive board will
choose the officer. In the case of a tie between two executive board members, the current president will
cast the deciding vote. Any Executive Board officer who is not running for that position can count votes.
Election results shall be reported to the local Red Cross office no later than April 22.
In the case of a tie between two executive board members, the current president will cast the deciding
vote. Any current officer reapplying for that particular position is prohibited from casting a tie-breaking
vote.
c. Removal from Office
Any officer not acting in accordance with the American Red Cross Code of Conduct or who does not
meet or fulfill the standards or duties established for the office he/she holds (see below), may be removed
from office by a 2/3 vote by the membership.
d. Duties and Responsibilities
The President shall preside at Executive Board meetings, represent the club to the University, the Greater
Toledo Area Chapter, and others, and shall convene the Executive Board at least monthly in addition to
the regularly scheduled general membership meeting.
The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President when in his or her absence. The VicePresident serves as parliamentarian for the Club. The Vice-President serves as an ex-officio member of all
committees. The Vice-President has primary oversight of the two committee chairpersons. ****VP runs
meetings of GA****
The Secretary shall keep all records of official business, being sure to transmit copies of minutes to the
club officers, the faculty advisor, and the Wood County District Office of the American Red Cross. The
Secretary is also responsible for creating a roster each semester, notifying members of general meetings,
and collecting nominations and creating the ballot for the annual election. The Secretary will also provide
notification to members whose attendance and participation have dropped below membership
requirements, and be in charge of the “point” system.
The Treasurer shall keep records of any financial transactions and prepare such reports as are required by
Bowling Green State University or requested by the Executive Board and manage club relations with the
Bursar’s Office. The Treasurer must attend required University workshops and meetings and will
coordinate Student Budget Committee Funding requests for the next academic year. The Treasurer shall
provide a current report of the Club finances at each regular meeting.
The Fundraising Chairperson shall oversee the fundraising committee and supervise related activities of
the Club. The Fundraising Chairperson will work closely with the Treasurer to account for monies raised.
The Blood Drive Liaison shall coordinate Club support for the annual BGSU blood drives. The Blood
Drive Liaison will collaborate closely with the Western Lake Erie Blood Region. Responsibility for the
coordination and scheduling for the blood drives rests with the staff of the Western Lake Erie Region and
its university interns. The Liaison provides support prior to and at the blood drive through the
recruitment of donors and volunteers in conjunction with the blood services interns. This individual will
also coordinate and work closely with those individuals planning community service.
5.2. Standing Committees
a. The American Red Cross Club is comprised of two committees. They are Blood Drive Committee
and Fundraising Committee. Club members must serve on at least one committee of their choice.
Committee members meet monthly and perform at least one committee-related service project per
semester. The Co-Presidents may appoint others to committees as needs arise.
b. Committee Chairs are appointed by the Executive Board.
c. Committees will work closely with the Greater Toledo Area Chapter in their activities through the
District Office Director or his or her designee.
5.3 Committee Chairs
****Per 5.2.b above, committee chairs are appointed by the Co-Presidents and confirmed by the
Executive Board. Persons interested in serving as a committee chair should signify their interest to the
Co-Presidents in writing or via e-mail by the March membership meeting for possible appointment to a
one-year term to begin in the succeeding academic year. Committee chairs may stand for re-appointment
in consecutive years. Elected officers may serve as committee chairs.
ARTICLE VI. Advisor
6.1 Advisors
a. A Bowling Green State University faculty or staff member shall serve as the university’s advisor for
the Club and does not have voting rights.
b. The district office director for Wood County shall serve as the American Red Cross’ off-campus
advisor for the Club and does not have voting rights.
6.2 Terms ****
a. The university advisor shall serve a minimum term of one full academic year; however, there is no
term limit. The outgoing Executive Board will nominate a university faculty or staff member to serve
as advisor whose selection will be subject to a majority vote of the membership. This process will
coincide with the annual spring election of officers.
b. The district office director for Wood County shall serve as the American Red Cross advisor for the
duration of his or her tenure.
6.3 Duties
a. Duties of the advisors will comply with the Student Organization Resource Guide.
b. The university advisor is invited to attend meetings of the Executive Board and at least one regular
club meeting per semester as scheduled.
c. The American Red Cross advisor is invited to attend meetings of the Executive Board and at least one
regular club meeting per semester as scheduled.
d. If the club violates fundamental Red Cross procedures and policies, this advisor has the ability to put
the chapter on review, suspension, and dissolution if needed.
ARTICLE VII. Meetings
7.1 General Meetings
General meetings will be at the discretion of the Executive Board while school is in session during the
regular academic year.
a. Notice ****
Notice of all meetings of the Club shall be given by posting of notice or electronic mail via listproc at
least three days before the meeting to each member of the club.
7.2 Executive Board Meetings
Executive Board meetings will be held regularly while school is in session, at a time when all required
individuals can attend.
7.3 Special Meetings
The President and Vice-president each have the authority to call special or emergency meetings of the
club members. Special meetings may be called upon written request of one-third of the members.
ARTICLE VIII. Quorum
8.1 Quorum
a. A quorum shall constitute a minimum of 50% **** (plus one) of the membership in attendance at a
scheduled meeting. The process for general decision-making, including the expenditure of funds,
shall be a simple majority of a quorum unless otherwise specified in this Constitution.
b. The Executive Board may, with a majority vote, authorize expenditures of up to $50 for routine
operational expenses. Expenditures over $50 require the approval of a quorum.
ARTICLE IX. Parliamentary Authority
9.1 Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall roughly govern
this Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Club may adopt. The Vice-President shall act as the primary
parliamentarian and will act to ensure the by-laws
ARTICLE X.
Amendments
10.1 Amendments
Amendments to these by-laws not inconsistent with the policies of Bowling Green State University may
be adopted at any meeting of the Club in which a quorum is present, provided that a statement setting
forth the substance of such proposed action is included in the notice of the meeting.
a. Any member may propose an amendment to the Club's Constitution in order to ensure that the club is
administered properly.
b. At the meeting, proposals will be read aloud and all members will vote on the proposal.
c. A two-thirds majority vote of a quorum of all members present is required to approve an amendment.