Auburn University Advisors and Counselors Caucus Constitution and Bylaws

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Advisors and Counselors Caucus.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

The Advisors and Counselors Caucus shall be an organization dedicated to the overall concerns of students and to the professional development of advisors and counselors in order to offer the best possible services to all students on Auburn University's campus.

The objectives of this organization are

1. Facilitate cooperation and exchange of information between persons who perform advising and counseling functions through regularly scheduled meetings and through the maintenance and distribution of an advising and counseling directory.
2. Organize and/or sponsor regular programs for the professional development of advisors and counselors.
3. Increase and improve academic support services for underrepresented groups (racial minority, non-traditional, disabled, student athletes, international, and transfer students) through informational workshops and orientation meeting sessions.
4. Encourage and support programs intended to improve student retention.
5. Provide assistance in campus planning and policy development related to the advising and counseling of students.
6. Promote, encourage, and support the professional development--both regionally and nationally--of Auburn University's campus membership.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership in this organization shall be open to all individuals employed by Auburn University as an academic advisor, academic counselor, administrator, or person serving as faculty advisor, who is committed to the objectives outlined above--regardless of race, sex, color, creed, sexual orientation, or national origin.
2. Individuals employed by, or affiliated with Auburn University Student Affairs and Academic Affairs are eligible for membership (e.g. Financial Aid, Career Counseling, etc.).
3. Voting membership shall be comprised of those individuals serving as academic advisors and counselors.
4. All members must be registered with the Secretary.

ARTICLE IV - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND ELECTIONS

1. This organization shall include the following Executive Committee:
   1. Chairperson
   2. Chairperson-Elect
   3. Executive Coordinator
   4. Secretary
2. No person shall be elected to serve on the Executive Committee unless that person is a registered member of the Advisors and Counselors Caucus. To serve as Chairperson, a person needs to have been employed at least 2 years full-time in an advising or counseling position at Auburn University. To serve as Chairperson-Elect, a person needs to have been employed at least 18 months full-time in an advising or counseling position at Auburn Univseristy. To serve as Secretary, a person needs to have been employed at least 1 year full-time in an advising or counseling position at Auburn University. The length of service requirement must be completed prior to August when the elected member shall assume office.
3. Each Executive Committee member shall be elected to serve a term of 1 year except the Executive Coordinator who shall be appointed by the Chairperson.
4. The Chairperson-Elect shall ascend to the office of Chairperson.
5. Elections of the Executive Committee shall be held in May. Newly elected Executive Committee members shall assume office in August. Nominations may be submitted in writing or made from the floor, provided the nominee has consented beforehand to being nominated.
6. Executive Committee members may be removed by a two-thirds vote of active members present.

ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. The Chairperson shall preside over all meetings, shall appoint committee chairs, shall call and chair Executive Committee meetings, shall coordinate the work of other Executive Committee members and committees, shall serve as representative to other campus organizations,and shall perform other duties as deemed necessary by the organization.
2. The Chairperson-Elect shall preside over meetings in the absence of the Chairperson, and chair the Education and Programs Committee. The Chairperson-Elect shall arrange the location for meetings and notify the Caucus of location by e-mail.
3. The Executive Coordinator shall chair the Membership and Nominating Committee and shall maintain the Caucus web directory. The Executive Coordinator will be responsible for posting all communication with the membership. Duties will be absorbed by the Chairperson, if no appointment if made to Executive Coordinator.
4. The Secretary shall chair the Public Relations and Social Committee, record the minutes of meetings, and maintain the membership lists. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once per semester, discuss plans for the organization, and conduct other executive level business. It shall also serve in a collaborative capacity within the university system.

ARTICLE VI - STANDING COMMITTEES AND DUTIES

The Education and Programs Committee shall be responsible for planning and scheduling of programs and all matters pertaining to guest speakers, providing information on workshops, seminars, and special programs. The Education and Programs Committee is chaired by the Chairperson-Elect.

The Membership and Nominating Committee shall be responsible for all matters pertaining to the nomination and election of the Executive Committee (accepting nominations, verifying consent, preparing ballots, tallying votes, etc.). Also, the Membership Committee shall be responsible for membership drives. The Membership and Nominating Committee is chaired by the Executive Coordinator.

The Public Relations and Social Committee shall be responsible for public relations and all social activities of the organization (community relations, publicity, and entertainment). The Public Relations and Social Committee is chaired by the Secretary.

The Chairs of the following committees shall be nominated from the floor:

1. The Student Services Liaison Committee shall be the liaison with the appropriate offices on campus and shall be responsible for reporting and providing information pertaining to the recruitment, retention, and services provided to students at Auburn University (e.g. changes, policies, procedures, activities, etc.). Also, this committee will present issues and ideas to the Executive Committee that should be presented to the Vice President of Student Affairs regarding matters pertaining to advising and counseling.
2. The Academic Affairs Liaison Committee shall be the liaison with the appropriate offices on campus and shall be responsible for reporting and providing information pertaining to Academic Affairs (e.g. changes, policies, procedures, etc.). Also, this committee will present issues and ideas to the Executive Committee that should be presented to the Provost regarding matters pertaining to advising and counseling.
3. Ad Hoc Committees shall be established as needed to investigate key issues and concerns of the organization and make recommendations to the membership-at-large.

Committee chairs in consultation with the Executive Committee shall be responsible for forming their respective committees, determining the appropriate size, planning their committee activities, and reporting on these activities at regularly scheduled meetings.

ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS

1. Business meetings shall be held at least once a semester.
2. Professional development or special meetings may be called as the need exists by the Chairperson or by a petition of members.
3. Members in attendance at meetings shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting official business.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at any meeting, provided notice of proposed amendments is given to members in writing at least two weeks prior to voting.