Constitution

Article I – Name, Purpose, and Non-Discrimination Policy

Section 1: Name

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (also known as oSTEM) is a chapter of the national Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics organization.

Section 2: Purpose

oSTEM will provide support for GLBT and straight ally students, faculty and staff by educating peers and connecting students, faculty and staff with professionals in industry.

Section 3: Non-Discrimination Policy

Any member affiliated with oSTEM shall not discriminate against individual(s) for reasons of age, color, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Article II – Membership

Voting membership should be defined as limited to currently enrolled Ohio State students. Others such as faculty, alumni, professionals and staff are encouraged to become members but are not allowed to vote or run for E-board.

Article III – Organization Leadership

Organization leaders (also known as the E-board) represent the general membership and are elected members from the organization’s voting membership. All E-board members (President, Vice-President and Treasurer) are expected to attend all oSTEM E-board meetings, general meetings and all oSTEM-sponsored events.

Section 1: President's Term and Duties

The President's term is for 1 academic year, from one month after an election to the one month after the next election. The President is determined by majority votes during an election in which any member who has attended at least 3 meetings is a valid candidate to vote and to be elected. Members running for an office on the E-board may not vote for that office. The President is responsible for speaking on behalf of oSTEM, being the face of the organization, increasing and retaining membership, and helping the Vice-President find contacts for programs and events.

Section 2: Vice-President's Term and Duties

The Vice-President's term is for 1 academic year, from one month after an election to the one month after the next election. The Vice-President is determined by majority votes during an election in which any member who has attended at least 3 meetings is a valid candidate to vote and to be elected. Members running for an office on the E-board may not vote for that office. The Vice-President is responsible for ensuring event planning and meetings are on task and to ensure that company needs are met at oSTEM events.

Section 3: Treasurer's Term and Duties

The Treasurer's term is for 1 academic year, from one month after an election to the one month after the next election. The Treasurer is determined by majority votes during an election in which any member who has attended at least 3 meetings is a valid candidate to vote and to be elected. Members running for an office on the E-board may not vote for that office. The Treasurer is responsible for all monetary transactions, scheduling space for events, administering the website and posting event details to various University websites.

Article VI – Adviser Qualification Criteria

Advisers of oSTEM must be full-time members of the University faculty or administrative and professional staff. The individual may serve as adviser for an unlimited duration of time, until they no longer want to or cannot fulfill the duties that are assigned to them, or if the majority of the group believes it is in the group’s best interest to find a new adviser. The group must have a majority vote on this measure in order to relieve the person of their advising duties. The adviser is responsible for working closely with the President and Vice-President to make sure they are on task, act as a tie breaker vote in any election, provide direction for the group and provide advice for anything that is asked from the organization.

Article VII – Required meetings and their frequency

oSTEM must hold one general meeting and hold one event involving a company or third party that will uphold the purpose of the organization every quarter except during Summer.

Article VIII – Amending the Constitution

Proposals must be sent to the mailing list by the President, Vice-President or Treasurer one week prior to a general meeting notifying the general body. The proposal may be voted on at the next meeting.

Article IX – Method of Dissolution of Organization

All assets must be donated to the Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics national group. Any debts must be paid off by the standing E-board.

By-Laws

Article 1: Method of Amending the By-Laws

By-laws can be amended by sending the proposed change(s) to the mailing list. A 2/3 majority vote is required at the following general meeting for the by-law(s) to be amended. Only voting membership of the organization, who is present at the meeting in which the vote is taken, may vote on any amendment(s).