Constitution
Bridges International at The Ohio State University
Article l - Name, Purpose, and Non-Discrimination Policy of the Organization.
Section 1: Bridges International at The Ohio State University
Section 2 - Purpose: To help international students and scholars succeed at The Ohio
State University through the provision of spiritual growth resources, felt needs and
wellness programs, and recreational activities
Objectives:
Provide spiritual growth and development resources for internationals consisting of but
not limited to Bible studies, spiritual conversation groups, Bible study leader training,
exploratory study groups, and outreach activities to promote such.
Provide “felt needs” type programming for internationals consisting of but not limited to
conversation English classes, academic tutoring, cross-cultural learning, cultural
awareness, other programs as deemed needed and necessary to help internationals
integrate into the university environment.
Provide wellness programs for internationals consisting of but not limited to spiritual,
emotional, physical health topics, related topics, and outreach activities to promote such.
Provide recreational activities for internationals consisting of but not limited to sports,
games, trips, movies nights, parties, holiday outreaches, and other social events intended
to build relationships and help internationals integrate into the university environment.
Sponsor guest speakers and host events for internationals to meet felt needs, promote
wellness programs, encourage spiritual growth and development, participate in
recreational activities, and outreach activities to promote such.
Collaborate with other international student groups and organizations to promote
programs, events, and activities.
Collaborate with other Christian/religious student groups and organizations to promote
programs, events, and activities.
Work cooperatively with the University Interfaith Association and other campus-based
religious/spiritual groups and organizations.
Work cooperatively with the University administration and other student organizations
Bridges International At The Ohio State University, Constitution and By-laws
1
Provide training for American college students to learn how to do all of the above.
Section 3 - Non-Discrimination Policy:
This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for
reasons of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
While agreeing with the university’s non-discrimination policy Bridges International at
The Ohio State University reserves the right as a religious student organization to limit
leadership opportunities to those students who abide by the membership qualifications
established by the organization.
Article II - Membership: Qualifications and categories of membership.
Voting membership is defined as limited to currently enrolled Ohio State students.
Bridges International at The Ohio State University reserves the right as a religious
student organization to limit voting membership to those students who abide by the
qualifications established by the organization.
Voting membership shall be limited to students who affirm the Christian Cannon of Holy
Scriptures (Bible) as the inspired, inerrant (in its original text), infallible Word of God
and such is binding and authoritative in all manners in which it speaks. Voting members
shall make a profession of faith in Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and seek
to live his/her life according to the Holy Scriptures as it pertains to sexual morality and
the commands of Christ.
Non-voting associate members are identified as faculty, alumni, students, professional
students, career professionals, university staff, etc. may participate in Bridges
International activities. Bridges International at The Ohio State University agrees to
works in collaboration with non-university personnel as deemed appropriate by the
Executive Committee to achieve the objectives of the organization.
For educational and leadership development reasons, student organizations are to be
student initiated, student lead, and student run.
Article III - Organization Leadership: Titles, terms of office, type of selection, and duties
of the leaders.
The titles of organization leaders: President/Student Leader, Vice President/Assistant
Student Leader, and Treasurer
The length of terms: Terms is for the duration of one academic year, from the time the
officer assumed his/her position.
Bridges International At The Ohio State University, Constitution and By-laws
2
Organization leaders represent the Executive Committee and general membership and are
appointed from the ranks of the organization’s voting membership by a nominating
committee.
Specification as to which leaders are appointed and by whom: President/Student Leader,
Vice President/Assistant Student Leader, and Treasurer are appointed positions. A
nomination committee comprised of five persons from the Executive Committee, voting
membership, and/or any non-voting members will appoint the leader positions. The
persons comprising the nominating committee shall be appointed by unanimous consent
of the executive committee.
President/Primary Student Leader: Perform all duties and responsibilities as required by
the university as the president of a student organization. Serves on Executive Committee
and have oversight of any/all standing committees and financial accounts as maintained
by the treasurer.
Vice President/Assistant Student Leader: Assist the President/Primary Student Leader
and fulfill all duties and responsibilities in his/her absence. Serve on Executive
Committee and have oversight of any/all standing committees.
Treasurer: Be accountable for all funds and provide financial reports as determined by the
university.
Article IV - Executive Committee (if needed): Size and composition of the Committee.
The role of the Executive Committee is to conduct business of the organization between
general meetings of the membership and reports its actions at the general meetings of the
membership.
The Executive Committee is represented by qualified voting and ex officio members:
Executive Committee members shall be limited to organization leaders, chairpersons of
any/all the standing committees, ex officio students, faculty, staff, and non-university
personnel who abide by the membership qualifications established by the organization
and as deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.
Executive Committee members shall be limited to those men and women who affirm the
Christian Cannon of Holy Scriptures (Bible) as the inspired, inerrant (in its original text),
infallible Word of God and such is binding and authoritative in all manners in which it
speaks. Voting members shall make a profession of faith in Christ Jesus as their personal
Lord and Savior and seek to live his/her life according to the Holy Scriptures as it
pertains to sexual morality and the commands of Christ.
Bridges International At The Ohio State University, Constitution and By-laws
3
Article V - Standing Committees (if needed): Names, purposes, and composition.
No Standing Committees are designated at this time, although they may be created at the
request and direction of the Executive Committee
Article VI – Adviser(s) or Advisory Board: Qualification Criteria.
The adviser of Bridges International at The Ohio State University is a full-time member
of the University faculty or Administrative & Professional staff.
Responsibilities and expectations of advisers:
The adviser of Bridges International at The Ohio State University shall perform all the
duties and responsibilities of the position as determined by the university and as needed
in consultation with Executive Committee.
The advisor shall be limited to qualified university faculty/staff who affirm the Christian
Cannon of Holy Scriptures (Bible) as the inspired, inerrant (in its original text), infallible
Word of God and such is binding and authoritative in all manners in which it speaks.
Voting members shall make a profession of faith in Christ Jesus as their personal Lord
and Savior and seek to live his/her life according to the Holy Scriptures as it pertains to
sexual morality and the commands of Christ.
Article VII – Meetings of the Organization: Required meetings and their frequency.
Meetings are to be weekly at 8:00 PM on Thursday nights during the academic year
(September-June) at 0100 Independence Hall.
Article VIII – Method of Amending Constitution: Proposals, notice, and voting
requirements.
Proposed amendments shall be in writing and shall be read in the general meeting in
which they are proposed and the next general meeting. Also proposed amendments shall
be read at the general meeting in which the vote will be taken. Proposed amendments
shall require a two-third majority of voting members (a quorum being present).
Article IX – Method of Dissolution of Organization
Requirements and procedures for dissolution of the student organization should be stated:
Bridges International At The Ohio State University, Constitution and By-laws
4
Dissolution of the student organization shall take place only upon the unanimous consent
of all the Executive Committee members.
Assets and debt exist, appropriate means fort disposing of these assets and debts should
be specified clearly and unequivocally: Should any assets remain at the dissolution of the
organization all remaining assets shall be transferred to the appropriate university office
after all debts are duly paid. The organization treasurer shall provide for an accounting of
all final assets and debts.
By-Laws
Article 1 – Parliamentary Authority
“The rules contained in Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern the organization in all cases
to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the by-laws of
this organization.” “Though the minority shall be heard and absentees protected, the
majority will decide.”
Article II- Membership
Procedures for becoming a member:
Students can request membership verbally or in writing.
Voting membership shall be limited to students who affirm the Christian Cannon of Holy
Scriptures (Bible) as the inspired, inerrant (in its original text), infallible Word of God
and such is binding and authoritative in all manners in which it speaks. Voting members
shall make a profession of faith in Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior and seek
to live his/her life according to the Holy Scriptures as it pertains to sexual morality and
the commands of Christ.
Non-voting associate members: Others such as faculty, alumni, professional students,
career professionals, university staff, etc. may participate in Bridges International
activities. Bridges International at The Ohio State University agrees to works in
collaboration with non-university personnel as deemed appropriate by the Executive
Committee to achieve the objectives of the organization.
Amount of dues: none
Termination of membership: Any member may voluntarily request termination at any
time. Voting members that fail to comply with the qualifications of a voting member
may be terminated by a majority (quorum) vote of the Executive Committee. Any voting
member subject to termination deservers a hearing before a majority (quorum) of the
Executive Committee prior to a termination vote. Such members may request transfer to
Bridges International At The Ohio State University, Constitution and By-laws
5
a non-voting member status—with approval of a majority (quorum) vote of the Executive
Committee —should he/she desire to work towards restoration of fellowship and
membership “in good standing” in Bridges International at The Ohio State University.
Article III- Election / Appointment of Government Leadership
Appointment rules and procedures: Government leaders (President/Student Leader, Vice
President/Assistant Student Leader, and Treasurer) are appointed. A nomination
committee comprised of five persons from the Executive Committee, voting membership,
and/or any non-voting members will appoint the leader positions. The persons
comprising the nominating committee shall be appointed by unanimous consent of the
executive committee.
Eligibility for office: Government leaders shall be limited to students who affirm the
Christian Cannon of Holy Scriptures (Bible) as the inspired, inerrant (in its original text),
infallible Word of God and such is binding and authoritative in all manners in which it
speaks. Government leaders shall make a profession of faith in Christ Jesus as their
personal Lord and Savior and seek to live his/her life according to the Holy Scriptures as
it pertains to sexual morality and the commands of Christ.
The nominating process: A nomination committee comprised of five persons from the
Executive Committee, voting membership, and/or any non-voting members will appoint
the leader positions. The persons comprising the nominating committee shall be
appointed by unanimous consent of the executive committee.
Design of ballots and balloting procedures: Since Government leaders are appointed
ballots and balloting are not required.
Appointment and ratification procedures: The President/Student Leader, Vice
President/Assistant Student Leader, and Treasurer shall confirm new appointments and
the annual slate of organization leaders in writing and produce such for the Executive
Committee. Results of appointments shall be made known publicly to the general
membership.
Officers: organization leaders represent the Executive Committee and general
membership and are appointed from the ranks of the organization’s voting membership.
The titles of organization leaders: President/Student Leader, Vice President/Assistant
Student Leader, and Treasurer
The length of terms: Terms is for the duration of one academic year, from the time the
officer assumed his/her position.
Bridges International At The Ohio State University, Constitution and By-laws
6
Any resignations or impeachment of an appointed officer shall result in the appointment
of a replacement by a majority (a quorum being present) of the Executive Committee
Article IV- Executive Committee (if needed)
Specific duties of the Committee and its responsibilities to the membership:
The Executive Committee shall lead, guide and direct the organization. All meetings will
require the taking of notes that are open for public review. The Executive Committee
shall approve all financial transactions and invoices. Specific expenditures may be
approved in advance and authority granted to a designee of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee shall oversee all the business of the general meeting, elections,
and participate in strategic planning to determine the course for the organization.
Article V- Standing Committees (if needed)
None at this time
Article VI - Adviser/Advisory Board Responsibilities
Expectations of the adviser in the organization:
The advisor shall attend as need and opportunity presents to attend regularly scheduled
general meetings, executive committee meetings and other functions as needed.
The advisor shall fulfill all the duties and responsibilities as assigned by the university.
Article VII - Meeting Requirements
Meetings are to be weekly at 8:00 PM on Thursday nights during the academic year
(September-June) at 0100 Independence Hall.
Executive Committee may meet as needed to address issues or conduct business. A
minimum of 72 hours notice is needed before calling a special session of the Executive
Committee. A majority (a quorum being present) is required to conduct business.
For general meetings a majority (a quorum being present) is required to conduct business.
For standing committee meetings a majority (a quorum being present) is required to
conduct business.
Bridges International At The Ohio State University, Constitution and By-laws
7
Article VIII - Method of Amending By-Laws
Proposed amendments to the by-laws shall be in writing and shall be read in the general
meeting in which they are proposed and the next general meeting. Also proposed
amendments shall be read at the general meeting in which the vote will be taken.
Proposed amendments shall require a two-third majority of voting members (a quorum
being present).
Constitution Rev. 6/30/2005
Bridges International At The Ohio State University, Constitution and By-laws
8