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By-Laws

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By-Laws of the

New Mexico State University Model United Nations Team

 

ARTICLE I. NAME

Section 1.     The name of this organization shall be “New Mexico State University Model United Nations”, hereafter referred to as the “Model UN Team”.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

Section 1.    The objections of the Model UN Team shall be as follows:

  1. To increase student awareness of pressing global issues;
  2. To enhance student awareness of multiculturalism;
  3. To offer hands-on experience in international diplomacy;
  4. To represent NMSU in an international setting;
  5. To participate in regional, national and international Model UN conferences.

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.   Applicants admitted to the team must enroll in a Model UN course offered by the Department of Government in the spring semester and must be willing to abide by contracts issued by the Executive Board outlining team conduct.

Section 2. Membership shall be eligible to any main campus NMSU student of part or full time graduate or undergraduate status who submits a competitive application and interview at the beginning of the academic year. Applicants must display academic excellence, diligence and scholarship for admission. Veteran Members reapplying for Membership will be held accountable for prior behavior, and if found to be in poor standing with the organization, can be denied Membership.

Section 3. All members of the Model UN Team are required to complete at least five (5) hours of individual community service in line with the requirements provided by New Mexico State University on extracurricular activities and clubs. 

ARTICLE IV.  OFFICERS AND OTHER ROLES

Section 1.    The Model UN Team shall have four (4) officers, their duties being as follows:

  1. President
    1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Model UN Team. They may call regular and special meetings at their discretion. They shall impartially enforce the By-Laws and may appoint Pro-Tempore officers in the event of the absence of an elected officer. They shall direct officers and members in preparation for Model UN conferences and competitions. The President shall head the team in areas including but not limited to: public relations, fundraising, community service, and organizational operations. The President shall serve as Head Delegate at conferences and competitions, and shall facilitate communication with Model UN organizations, conference registration, and position paper submission.
  2. Vice President
    1. In the event of the dismissal of the President, the Vice President shall assume the office of the President and all duties associated with it. The Vice President shall otherwise perform the duties of the President in the temporary absence of the President. The regular duties of the Vice President include serving as counsel and assistant to the President, managing and coordinating fundraising efforts and community service, recording member’s community service hours, representing the Model UN Team in ASNMSU Senate for purposes such as appropriations as well as one of two Members at Large for the Arts and Sciences Council, and shall serve as the second Head Delegate at conferences and competitions.
  3. Secretary
    1. The Secretary shall maintain all regular records and minutes of the Model UN Team as well as maintain a record of membership and notify members of meetings and events. They shall arrange conference related travel and the itinerary for the team. They shall announce proposed amendments of the By-Laws pursuant to Article XII, Section 2. They shall manage communication and publicity through website maintenance, correspondence with the Department of Government webmaster, campus communications and social media outlets.
  4. Treasurer
    1. The Treasurer shall facilitate and maintain physical and digital records of all financial transactions of the Model UN Team. They shall, with the signature of the President and Faculty Advisor, dispense finances on behalf of the Model UN Team. They shall collect and record payment of member fees pursuant to guidelines set by the Executive Board before December 1st, maintain frequent contact with the university financial advisor, assist with departmental and ASNMSU reimbursement processes, representing the Model UN Team in ASNMSU Senate for purposes such as appropriations as well as one of two Members at Large for the Arts and Sciences Council, and report the financial status of the Model UN Team at meetings at the discretion of the Executive Board. They shall keep an itemized list of all receipts and expenditures and subject this account for review by the Faculty Advisor or departmental personnel at the end of the academic year.

Section 3.    The Model UN Team shall cycle through the Team Members and select a Member-at-Large biweekly who shall serve as the organization’s representative to the Arts & Sciences Council in the situation that either one or both officers assigned to attend cannot, either in person or by assuring the attendance of two (2) members at each meeting of the Council. They shall provide reports of Council activity at team meetings when necessary.

Section 4.    In the event of the resignation of any officer other than the President, or of any member-at-large from their position, the President may call an election for a replacement at the next regular meeting or appoint someone to fill that vacancy.

Section 5.     In the event of the resignation of any member after they have already paid their mandatory member dues as stated in Article X, Section 1, the Model UN Team is NOT obligated to provide a refund.

ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1.    The Executive Board shall consist of the four (4) Officers and the Faculty Advisor. They shall set the agenda of the organization, establish the designated date and times for meetings at the start of each school year based on the availability of that years Officers AND Members, make final decisions on conference participation, organize team travel and accommodations to conferences and competitions, conduct selection of the members of the team, make committee and partner assignments, review position papers and team assignments and discuss the goals and syllabus of the spring semester course.

Section 2.    The Executive Board shall have the sole discretion and power to dismiss an officer or member-at-large from their office by majority vote, with the member in question not voting.

ARTICLE VI.  DISMISSAL     

Section 1.    A member may be dismissed from the team if that member has exhibited one or a combination of the following:

  1. Excessive unexcused absences from regular meetings, spring classes or community service events which negatively impact the performance of that member as a delegate or their colleagues;
  2. Continuous failure to meet reasonable personal and team commitments, such as in writing position papers, partnered assignments and general preparedness;
  3. Personal misconduct against other delegates or team members, including but not limited to harassment, threats and assault during both formal and informal team functions;
  4. Sexual harassment and assault against any delegate or member of the team; or
  5. Otherwise displayed flagrant violation of the NMSU Student Code of Conduct while in a capacity representing the team.

Section 2.    Should any person issue a complaint alleging one of the aforementioned conducts of a member to the Executive Board, the Board shall review the complaint, or if necessary report the misconduct to appropriate University entities and authorities. Upon the completion of a confidential review or referral, the member in question shall have the opportunity to a closed hearing before the Executive Board before a final decision by the Executive Board is rendered.

Section 3.    Upon the conclusion of the hearing or referral, if necessary the Executive Board may deliberate and elect to dismiss the member in question by majority vote.

Section 4.    Should the accused and/or the individual filing the complaint be a member of the Executive Board, that person will be recused from the review and final vote but will retain all the rights of a regular member throughout the process.

Section 5.    In the event a member is dismissed from the team, no replacement shall be appointed unless the Executive Board determines a replacement is necessary for the functionality of the team, and the Executive Board shall have full discretion of the selection of a replacement member.

Section 6.    In the event of the dismissal of any officer other than the President, or of any member-at-large from their position, a new officer election shall be called or an announcement of appointment by the President at the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE VII. FACULTY ADVISOR

Section 1.    There shall be at least one (1) member of the faculty of New Mexico State University Department of Government, or any other department of the University with the consent of the Head of the Department of Government, who shall serve as Faculty Advisor.

Section 2.    The Faculty Advisor shall be appointed by the Executive Board with the consent of the Head of the Department of Government.

Section 3.    The Faculty Advisor shall provide counsel and constructive criticism necessary for the operations of the organization. They shall be the instructor of the Model UN spring semester course and accompany the team to conferences and competitions whenever possible.

Section 4.    The Faculty Advisor may cast a vote in Board, General and Special Elections should members voting be equally divided.

ARTICLE VIII.    ELECTIONS

Section 1.    The Model UN Team shall conduct a General Election of the officers within four (4) weeks of the end of the academic year. General Elections shall proceed in the order of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 2.    Candidates shall be nominated by a current member of the organization and, upon the closing of nominations, may address the members of the team regarding their qualifications for the position for which they are nominated. All candidates for an office shall receive the same allotted time, set by the Executive Board, for such addresses and to stand for questions.

Section 3.    The remaining members shall deliberate and vote for one of the candidates, with the candidate receiving the majority of votes cast elected to that position. Runoff elections may immediately occur should no candidate attain a majority.

Section 4.    The election of temporary Members-at-Large shall be held in the situation that the Treasurer, the Vice President, or neither can attend the Arts and Science Council.

Section 5.    The term for officers shall span one full academic year and the preceding summer following their election, and members-at-large the remainder of the academic year of their election.

Section 6.    Any member who will meet the qualifications of membership set in Article III for the next academic year shall be eligible to run for and hold office.

Section 7.    Students who have held nonconsecutive membership on the Model UN Team within the previous two (2) academic years who will meet the qualifications of membership set in Article III for the next academic year shall be eligible to run for and hold office with the approval of the Executive Board. Previous members of the team who have served with such a candidate may participate in deliberations with current members of the team, but will have no vote.

Section 8.    Special Elections may be called by the President to fill vacant offices provided a prior notice of one (1) week and quorum at the time of the election.

Section 9.    Quorum shall consist of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the total current membership present at any regular meeting.

ARTICLE IX.  MEETINGS

Section 1.    Regular meetings shall be held at least once per week during each semester at a time and location set by the Executive Board.

Section 2.    Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the President.

Section 3.    Regular meetings shall be open to members of the Model United Nations Team, guests approved by the Executive Board, and University faculty. Meetings of the Executive Boards are, unless otherwise announced by the President or Faculty Advisor, confidential and open to its members and guests approved by the Board.

Section 4.    At each regular meeting the President may call for reports from the officers, and members-at-large regarding their respective posts.

ARTICLE X. FINANCES

Section 1.    Members will be subject to a membership fee at a rate set by the Board in order to attend any conferences the NMSU Model UN Team will participate in.

Section 2.    Membership dues must be collected 30 days prior to any conference and before December 1st for the annual Spring Conference by the Treasurer.

Section 3.    Accounts may be secured either through the Student Accounts Business Office or an independent bank. Signatures of the President, Treasurer and Faculty Advisor are required for the withdrawal of any funds.

Section 4.    Members who withdraw from the program after the final deadline for payments are not applicable for a refund without proper documentation as defined by NMSU University Policy. 

ARTICLE XI.  PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1.    Unless otherwise announced by the President, regular meetings of the Model United Nations Team shall be conducted under the National Model United Nations Rules of Procedure.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

Section 1.    The By-Laws of the Model United Nations Team shall be amended upon the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of members constituting quorum.

Section 2.    The Secretary shall provide written notice to all members of the Model United Nations Team of proposed amendments and their effect at least one (1) week prior to the vote on the amendment.