CONSTITUTION OF SAWMBA
OF THE R.H. SMITH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Preamble

We, the members of the Smith Association of Women MBAs do hereby establish this Constitution in order that our purpose be realized to its fullest extent.

Article I – Name

The name of the organization is The Smith Association of Women MBAs henceforth referred to as SAWMBA.

Article II – Purpose

SAWMBA is established for the expressed purpose of promoting a healthy learning environment and supporting the interests of the female students in the MBA program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

As a chapter of the National Association of Women MBAs (NAWMBA), SAWMBA promotes NAWMBA goals as listed below.

Education:  SAWMBA works to educate students on the career opportunities available and the skills that are necessary to succeed. 

Networking:

SAWMBA provides networking opportunities for students and professionals in business with organizations that are committed to the development of women’s roles in business.

Collaboration:

SAWMBA facilitates increased communication and collaboration among graduate business school programs regarding their initiatives to educate and encourage women in business.

Further, SAWMBA understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by University of Maryland, College Park policies.

Article III – Membership
Active membership shall be limited to persons officially connected with the University of Maryland, College Park as faculty, staff or registered students. Students enrolled on a part-time or full-time basis in the fall, spring, or summer semesters are eligible for membership. Active voting membership is limited to currently registered graduate students in the MBA Program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business.

In addition, the following requirements are necessary to constitute active membership:
1)Payment in full of financial obligations as determined by the organization
2)SAWMBA openly admits students to its membership and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, nationality, sex or sexual orientation.
3)Active participation in most activities sponsored by SAWMBA unless the activity interferes with either scholastic or financial constraints.

Article IV – Officers

SAWMBA will be governed by the following officers:
1)A President or Co-President (or other designated officer) will preside at all meetings of SAWMBA.  The President will maintain the power to appoint all committee chairpersons, shall present all motions to the body present and shall be present at 90% of the meetings of SAWMBA
2)SAWMBA shall also maintain a Vice President of Finance who will handle all dues, accounts, new members, rule observations at state meetings, protocol, etc.
3)SAWMBA shall also maintain one or more Vice Presidents of Marketing and Social Events who will be responsible for organizational communications and social events.  In addition, the Vice President(s) of Marketing and Social Events shall be responsible for the announcement of all SAWMBA meetings and will distribute all publications to members and affiliated groups.
4)SAWMBA shall also maintain a Vice President of Special Events who is responsible for arranging events such as golf lessons and supporting the VP of Speaker Events. 5)SAWMBA shall also maintain a Vice President of Community Development and Speaker Events who will be create and maintain an alumni database and organize professional development events such as speaker events, workshops and career panels. 
7)The role and duties of the faculty/staff advisor shall include attending meetings, providing counsel to the organization’s officers, etc.
8)The executive officers of the organization must be currently registered graduate students.  Further, the President or Co-Presidents will be the MBAA Liaisons. All officers will be elected in the 2nd semester.

Article V – Operations
1)Voting Eligibility 

Those members meeting all requirements of active membership as set for in Article III will be granted voting privileges.

2)Election Process 
All officers shall be elected by either a group consensus or a majority vote of eligible voting members of SAWMBA.  If only two individuals express interest in the role of President, they may share the role as Co-Presidents if so decided by group consensus.   If a vote is used, candidates for the role of President must run as individuals, not in platforms of more than one individual. 

All elections will be held on an annual basis during the month of February, or within the timeframe set by the MBAA. If an election is used, the President will take nominations from the floor, the nomination process must be closed and the movement seconded.  The nominated parties will be allowed to vote. All voting shall be done by secret ballot to be collected and tabulated by the President, Faculty Advisor and one voting member of SAWMBA appointed by the outgoing President.

3)Removal 
Any officer of SAWMBA in violation of the Organization’s purpose or constitution may be removed from office by the following process:
a)A written request by at least three members of the Organization;
b)Written notification to the officer of the request, asking the officer to be present at the next meeting and prepared to speak; and,
c)A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote is necessary to remove the officer.

4)Meetings
All executive board meetings will occur at a times selected by SAWMBA. All general body meetings will occur regularly as determined and will follow the procedure set forth below.

Attendance

Report by the President

Committee reports

Vote on all committee motions and decisions

Any other business put forward by the members of the club

Dismissal by the President

Article VI – Finances

SAWMBA will finance the activities it engages in by the following means:
1)Membership dues (appropriate amount set by SAWMBA).  Dues are not required for voting, active membership.
2)SAWMBA will submit a budget to the MBA Association on an annual basis and request funding appropriate to the effective operation of the organization for each year.

Article VII – Amendments

The constitution is binding to all members of SAWMBA, but the constitution is not binding unto itself.
1)Amendments to the constitution may be proposed in writing by any voting member of SAWMBA at any meeting at which 2/3 of the voting members is present.
2)These amendments will be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the executive council or other officer grouping.
3)Proposed amendments will become effective following approval of two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of active members.

Article VIII – Registration Renewal

The Smith Association of Women MBAs will apply to the Office of Campus Programs for registration on an annual basis one month after SAWMBA new officer elections.