SOCIETY CONSTITUTION
I. Purpose

1. To establish a student organization committed to promoting excellence in scholarship, service, and leadership among Regents Scholars and the UCLA community;
   
   
2. To establish an organization through which Regents Scholars at UCLA can meet, exchange thoughts, and interact in both social and intellectual environments;
   
   
3. To provide resources to Regents Scholars including, but not limited to, support and direction as they make the transition to campus life; a means by which they can become involved in campus activities and events; opportunities to develop leadership skills; preparation for post-graduate opportunities and careers; and academic resources.
   
   
4. To promote interaction among Regents Scholar organizations at all University of California campuses.

II. Organization

1. Membership Eligibility: All UCLA students who have been awarded a Regents Scholarship are eligible. Continued membership relies upon the maintenance of the academic standards set forth by the University of California Regents for continued scholarship eligibility. Students who graduate from UCLA as Regents Scholars in good standing become alumni members.
   
   
2. Executive Board
   
   
   1. The following student members compose an Executive Board which arrives at the decisions for events and procedures of the Society in light of the concerns and interests of all members. The Board members and their respective responsibilities are:
      
      
      1. President
         This officer presides at all Executive Board and general meetings, oversees all organizational programs and activities, and directs the organization towards its goals. The President unifies the diverse projects of the Society and identifies areas for improvement and growth. He or she ensures that Board members are on task and that the needs of members are met. The President acts as the chief spokesperson and contact person for the Society and consults with the Society's advisors. In consultation with the Board, the President prepares a State of the Society Address for each general meeting and a written agenda for the Executive Board meetings.
         
         
      2. Internal Vice President
         This officer assists the President with his or her duties and leads the Executive Board meetings in the event that the President is abent. The Internal Vice President organizes and directs general meetings, including planning the food, venue, and agenda. The Internal Vice President helps to monitor the progress of each officer and oversees the Internal Affairs/Banquet/Publicity Committee. He or she also creates and disperses a weekly email bulletin to active members that summarizes the week's events. Additionally, this officer must approve the appointment of an incoming Newsletter Editor on the recommendation of the outgoing Newsletter Editor. The Internal Vice President appoints the following supporting officers: Internal Affairs Assistants, Banquet Directors (at least two), Historians (at least two), Retreat Coordinators (at least three per retreat) and a Yearbook Director.
         
         
      3. External Vice President
         The External Vice President directs the Society's external relations both on- and off-campus. He or she seeks opportunities to share resources and collaborate on projects with other campus groups. Along with the Educational Programs Director, the External Vice President oversees the External Affairs/Educational Programs Committee. The External Vice President is responsible for communicating with other UC campuses, other UCLA organiations, UCLA faculty, and the UC Board of Regents. This officer maintains these relationships by planning the following annual events: Dinner with the Faculty, Dinner with the Regents, and State Conference. The External Vice President also oversees the Luncheon Directors in planning the quarterly Luncheon series. The External Vice President appoints the following supporting officers: a UC Liasion, Conference Coordinators, Luncheon Directors (at least two), "Dinner with the Faculty" Directors (at least two), and "Dinner with the Regents" Directors (at least two).
         
         
      4. Treasurer
         This officer manages and disperses the Society's funds appropriately and compiles a quarterly financial report. The Treasurer is responsible for repaying members for club-related expenses and submitting receipts to corporate sponsors for reimbursement. The Treasurer also c-chairs the Funding Committee with the Corporate Relations Director.
         
         
      5. Secretary
         This officer records minutes at meetings, maintains the RSS Test File, and manages all documents arising from Society affairs. The Secretary provides sign-up sheets and hand-outs, collaborates with the Communication Director to maintain a database of members, and maintains document templates, rosters, and mailing lists. The Secretary appoints an Academic Resource Director to help manage the Test File.
         
         
      6. Activities Director
         This officer organizes and supervises the Activities Committee. With the aid of this committee, he or she provides activities that offer members opportunities for social interaction and participation in community service. Such events include social outings, bonfires, a Welcoming Social, volunteering events, and Society fundraisers. The Activities Director appoints at least two Community Service Coordinators.
         
         
      7. Communications Director
         This officer organizes and maintains electronic forms of communication in order to publicize Society affairs and facilitate communication between members. The Communications Director maintains a list of members' e-mail addresses and processes messages and form submissions sent to the Society's e-mail account. He or she updates the Regents Scholar Society Web Site and seeks ways to improve its resources and increase its appeal to members. He or she often works in cooperation with the Publicity Director. The Communications Director appoints at least two Technical Advisors.
         
         
      8. Corporate Relations Director
         This officer is responsible for fostering and maintaining relations with corporate sponsors. Along with the Treasurer, the Corporate Relations Director oversees the Funding Committee and organizes fundraising events. He or she also appoints a Resume Book Director to facilitate the publication of the Resume Book. The Corporate Relations Director appoints Funding Coordinators to assist in acquiring new sponsorships.
         
         
      9. Educational Programs Director
         This officer is responsible for organizing the quarterly Distinguished Lecture Seris and quarterly Seminar Series. The Distinguished Lecture Series features experts in their fields, and is presented free of charge to the general public. The Seminar Series allows students to interact with a featured guest in a smaller, more hands-on environment. Committee meetings are held in conjunction with the External Affairs Committee.
         
         
      10. Outreach Director
          This officer organizes programs that foster interaction among Society members, Regents Scholar alumni, high school students, and the University. The Outreach Director aims to increase membership by recruiting potential high school scholars. He or she oversees any projects to interact with potential scholarship recipients and incoming Regents Scholars. The Outreach Director oversees the Outreach Committee which coordinates a letter-writing campaign, mentoring program, Overnight Stay Program, and Scholars Day. The Outreach Director appoints the following supporting officers: Mentor Supervisors and OSP Tour Coordinators.
          
          
      11. Publicity Director
          This officer publicizes all Society events to members, and to the general UCLA community when applicable, by means of sign-boards and flyers. The Publicity Director is responsible for increasing the campus' awareness of the Society and seeking innovative ways to promote Society events. He or she addresses Publicity issues as a part of the Internal Affairs/Banquet/Publicity Committee. In addition, this officer is responsible for designing and commissioning RSS clothing when in demand.
          
          
      12. UC Liaison
          This officer is responsible for fostering relations with respective societies of the other UC campuses. The Liaison acts as a representative of the society in the exchange of information and ideas with other campus liaisons, and reports to the executive board on the activities of the other UC campus societies. He or she is also responsible for making arrangements for Conference with the host school on behalf of RSS, and on years that RSS host, works jointly with the EVP in putting on the event. Other duties include, but are not limited to, organizing educational and/or social activities with other societies, relaying updates of the Societyˇ¦s activities to other societies and cultivating the development of nascent societies at other schools. This officer acts as one of the co-chairs of the External Affairs committee.
      
      
   2. Executive Board members create positions under their respective offices to aid in organizing and planning their projects as defined by the Constitution and as recommended by the President. Each Executive Board member is ultimately responsible for the activities of his or her committee members and Supporting Officers. Board members may create additional committees, and should encourage collaboration between programs and committees.
      
      
   3. During the meetings of the Executive Board, events are discussed and planned for the Society, progress is updated, and attention is given to problems. Board members report on the status of their programs and committees, whose actions are subject to Board approval. Plans for two general meetings per quarter are made.
      
      
   4. During the Executive Board meetings, minutes shall be taken to keep an accurate account and provide a record of precedents set by the members.

III. Organizational Procedures

1. Terms of Offices: All Executive Board members serve a term of one year beginning at the Inauguration Ceremony at the annual RSS Banquet and concluding at the same event the following year.
   
   
2. Elections
   
   
   1. All Executive Board offices, including those vacated midterm, are to be filled by the procedures below:
      
      
      1. Election procedures are to be decided by a volunteer committee comprised of graduating Regents Scholars. This group holds the authority to address any and all questions and concerns regarding the elections process.
         
         
      2. Only a member previously on the Executive Board may announce candidacy or be nominated for the office of President.
         
         
      3. All other offices are open to the entire membership and must be filled by members.
         
         
      4. Candidates must be nominated and seconded for candidacy. Candidates may nominate, but not second, themselves.
         
         
      5. A simple majority vote is needed to win. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, a runoff election between the two candidates with the most votes will be held.
         
         
      6. A co-officer may be added if approved by two-thirds of the Board and confirmed by a majority vote of members present at the next general meeting. Responsibilities are shared equally by both persons holding teh same office.
         
         
      7. In the event of a midterm vacancy, if there exists a co-officer, that person will have sole control of the office for the remainder of the term, unless there is a need for another co-officer. If no co-officers exists or a new co-officers must be elected, the Executive Board will hold an emergency meeting and nominate a replacement given 2/3 approval by the Executive Officers. This nominee will temporarily perform the duties of the posiition until he or she is confirmed by a majority membership vote at the next General Meeting.
      
      
   2. Majority vote is determined by secret ballot of the general membership. Candidates may vote.
   
   
3. Removal from Office: Removal of any officer may be proposed by anyone, but must be approved by at least a 2/3 vote of the other Executive Board.
   
   
4. Spending Procedure
   
   
   1. No Executive Board officer may be reimbursed for expenditures exceeding those requested by that officer and approved in the annual budget. If an officer requests a higher monetary allotment than initially requested and approved, only the President has the authority to approve the request.
      
      
   2. The Treasurer is responsible for reimbursing all expenditures.

IV. Amendments to the Constitution

Any change may be proposed by any member, but most be approved by at least two-thirds majority hand vote of the Executive Board.

V. Disclosure of Financial Records

All financial records will be open to the perusal of the Administration.

VI. Non-Discrimination

The Regents Scholar Society, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University Policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a special disabled Veteran.

The Regents Scholar Society also prohibits sexual harassment. This non-discrimination policy covers organization membership, access to organization programs and activities, and the general treatment of members in the organization.

Last amended April 15, 2007.