Bylaws of the Society of
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
Texas A&M University (Chartered April 1992)
Preamble

We, the members of this society pledge to support endeavors that will always foster and promote the agricultural and natural resource sciences and related fields in a positive manner among ethnic minorities. We also pledge to initiate and participate in activities and programs that will ensure that ethnic minorities will always be involved and associated with these disciplines. These activities and programs will be initiated both within and outside the academic community. Members of this society are encouraged to join and participate in their individual professional societies. We pledge to work for the inclusion, achievement, and advancement of all people in the agricultural and natural resource sciences and related fields.

Article I
Name

Section 1. The name of this non-profit society shall be Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) - Texas A&M University. The National Society of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (hereafter MANRRS) is the governing body of MANRRS - Texas A&M University. MANRRS - Texas A&M University will abide by all the rules and regulations in accordance to the national constitution.

Section 2. The organization shall be governed by the bylaws, rules and policies set forth by Texas A&M University and the constitution of the National Society of MANRRS.

Article II
Objectives (Purpose)

Section 1. The overall objective of the society shall be to promote and implement initiatives which foster inclusion and advancement of members of ethnic/cultural groups underrepresented in agricultural and natural resource sciences and related fields in all phases of career preparation and participation in these areas.

Section 2. Development of leadership and professional skills and scholarly excellence among the society's student members and professional members who are in the early stages of their careers shall be among the society's highest priorities.

Section 3. The society shall promote and offer opportunities for participation in an active mutual support network to all of its members.

Article III
Members

Section 1. Class of Members -- Membership shall be designated as (a) Professional Member, (b) Student Member (undergraduate and graduate) and (c) Honorary Member.

a. Professional Member -- any person who is in an employment stage in his/her life and is not enrolled as a full time student in any educational institution.

b. Undergraduate Student Member -- any person who is enrolled full time in an accredited educational institution and/or program that leads to the award of an associate or undergraduate degree.

c. Graduate Student Member -- any person who is enrolled full time in an accredited educational institution and/or program that leads to the award of a post baccalaureate professional or graduate degree. Must also maintain a 3.0 grade point average

d. Honorary Member -- a recognition which can be conferred by the society upon any person or entity who has made significant contributions toward the promotion and improvement of the agricultural and natural resource sciences and/or the society. Honorary membership alone does not confer upon the honoree any of the rights and privileges of those who hold dues paying memberships in the society. However, an Honorary Member may concurrently hold any other class of membership for which the honoree qualifies. Upon the signed recommendation of a member in good standing, seconded by another such member, and by a three-fourths vote by secret ballot at a special meeting to be held annually, honorary membership can be conferred upon any individual who shall have rendered notable service as described above.

Section 2. Qualifications or Eligibility for Membership -- all students and faculty of Texas A&M University are eligible for membership in the Texas A&M University MANRRS Chapter, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, national origin or disabilities.

Section 3. Criteria for Active Membership - to be considered an active member, the following criteria must be met:

a. a member must pay the required dues, and
b. a member must attend at least four meetings per semester, or
c. a member must serve/participate on one committee.

Section 4. Privileges of Active Members -- Active members shall be eligible to:
a. Hold an elected office
b. Vote in all elections and any proposed amendments
c. Discuss and vote on any issues presented to the membership
d. Participate in any activities and serve on committees

Section 5. Required Fees & Dues, Date Payable - the dues of this organization shall be set by the local Executive Committee. Dues are payable on or before November 15th of the fall semester. The treasurer shall notify any member whose dues remain outstanding immediately after the due date. Individuals desiring to join the chapter in the Spring semester must pay dues by January 31 in order to be included as an official member on the national registry and to receive benefits of membership at the national conference.

Section 6. Procedures for Removal/ Dismissal - Any member who is not in good standing with the University or acts in a manner deemed unfit by the Advisors, Officers, or General Body i.e. excessive absences, disrespect, loss of ethical character, etc, may be subject to removal. Said person shall be given a written notice of their violation(s) and extended the right to a hearing. Removal is subject to a two-thirds vote by the membership and may be at the Advisors' discretion.

Article IV
Officers

Section 1. The Elected Officers of MANRRS - Texas A&M University shall be those of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Reporter and two Agriculture Council Representatives (as required by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University). The holders of these offices shall perform the duties as prescribed by Article VI of this Constitution and by the parliamentarian authority adopted by the local chapter (Article VIII).

Section 2. Advisors - In accordance with the Texas A&M University requirements, advisors shall be two Texas A&M University faculty/staff members. One will serve as the primary advisor and the other as the secondary advisor. Advisors may be appointed or selected at the recommendation of the membership. Advisors shall be non-voting members of the organization.

Section 3. Date for Elections - Elections shall be conducted at least two weeks prior to the last regular meeting of the academic school year.

Section 4. Election Procedures and Length of Term - Officers are elected through a secret ballot by a majority vote of the members in attendance. The officers shall be elected to serve for a term of one academic year. New officers shall assume their duties at the close of the last regular meeting of the academic year.

Section 5. Limitation of Officer Terms - No member shall hold more than one elected office simultaneously and no member shall be allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Section 6. Qualifications of Elected Officers - "The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:

(a) Have a minimum grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum GPR in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office.

1) For undergraduate students, have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point ratio at the time of their election and a 2.0 semester grade point ratio for the preceding regular semester or the two preceding Summer terms at the time of election and during the term of office. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) (a), (b), and (c).

2) For graduate level students the minimum GPR is a 3.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least four credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree.

(b) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled:

1) at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and

2) at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.

(c) Participation in meetings and functions is mandatory unless valid excuses are presented.
Excuses must be reported to the President and/or Advisor and are subject to discretion.
After the third unexcused absence, the officer will be subject to removal from office by
the organization and/or the organization's Official University advisor should the student
fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in

(d) Should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a), (b), and (c) he/she will be deemed ineligible to hold an office.

Section 7. Procedures for Removal/ Dismissal - Officer shall be given a written notice of their violation(s) and extended the right to a hearing. Removal is subject to a two-thirds vote by the membership and may be at the Advisors' discretion.

Article V
Meetings

Section 1. Meeting Times -- Regular meetings shall be conducted bimonthly throughout the academic school year, with the exception of the Summer Term, unless otherwise ordered by the membership or the Executive Committee (Article VII).

Section 2. The agenda for each meeting shall be prepared by the secretary after consultation with the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Each regular meeting shall allow time to address issues adequately or to receive suggestions from active members.

Section 4. All members shall be notified of a forthcoming meeting at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled time. In cases of emergency sessions, one day notice shall be given. A request for a special session of the organization may be made by any active member.

Section 5. Any number of members at a regularly scheduled meeting of the organization shall constitute a quorum for holding the meeting.

Section 6. Methods of voting shall be as outlined in the adopted parliamentary authority (Article VIII), with one exception. There shall be no voting by proxy without a 24-hour notice to the Executive Committee and written notice of their absentee vote.

Article VI
Duties of Officers

Section 1. President - Shall preside over all meetings, appoint all committees as prescribed in this Constitution, be the official spokesperson for the organization, call and arrange the places for all special and regular meetings and be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section 2. Vice President - Shall assume the duties of the President if the office becomes vacant before the end of the term, serve as an advisor to all committees and be responsible for registering the organization with Texas A&M University Student Activities and the National Society of MANRRS.

Section 3. Secretary - Shall keep the minutes of all meetings, provide minutes for all members, keep attendance and membership rosters and prepare an agenda for each meeting.

Section 4. Treasurer - Shall keep the financial records of the organization, file all necessary funding applications, co-chair the fund-raising committee, be responsible for collecting and recording the dues of the organization and make reports at officer and general meetings.

Section 5. Historian - Shall collect historical documents related to the contributions of minorities in agriculture and related sciences, and keep a current journal of all chapter and/or individual member activities, events and accomplishments.

Section 6. Reporter - Shall be responsible for informing members of activities of the committees, serve as an advisor to the Public Relations Committee and be responsible for a monthly newsletter.

Section 7. Agriculture Council Representatives - Two individuals shall be elected to serve as the MANRRS representatives to the Agriculture Council. They shall attend all meetings of the Council, represent MANRRS interests and serve as liaison between MANRRS and the Agriculture Council.

Article VII
Advisor Agreement

A. must attend general and executive meetings.
B. must inform the group of their bylaws, codes, and standing rules
C. should explain university policy when relevant to the discussion
D. must check all official correspondence prior to being sent and receive a copy of all official correspondence.
E. must keep the official files of the organization

Article VIII
Committees and Standing Committees

Section 1. Executive Committee - The elected officers shall constitute the Executive Committee. The president shall serve as the chairperson. This committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the organization between its regular business meetings. The Executive Committee shall be subject to the orders of the general body. It shall not be in conflict with the rules or regulations of the organization. Unless ordered by the chairpersons regular meetings the Executive Committee shall be conducted bimonthly through the academic school year, with the exception of the Summer Term. A special meeting may be requested by any member of the Executive Committee. The agenda for each meeting of the Executive Committee is the responsibility of the chairperson. The Executive Committee, in consultation with the Fund-raising Committee, shall be responsible for presenting a detailed budget and schedule of activities proposed for the upcoming year to the membership at the first regular Fall semester meeting. The agenda for each regular meeting of the organization shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Fund-raising Committee - It shall be the duty of this committee to (1) develop a budget, in consultation with the chairpersons of each standing committee, to be adopted by the organization at the first regular meeting; and (2) to plan and implement any fund-raising activities. All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through an account established for this organization at the Memorial Student Center Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. An authorized advisor of this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment. This committee shall include the treasurer.

Section 3. Public Relations Committee - This committee plans activities to promote the awareness of areas of study in agriculture and related fields as stated in the purpose of this organization. This committee shall include the junior and senior agriculture council representatives.

Section 4. Social Committee - This committee welcomes guests and plans and implements social activities for the organization.

Section 5. Membership Committee - This committee shall (a) be responsible for the recruitment and retention of members; (2) keep an updated roster of members; (3) review and approve candidates for honorary membership.

Article VIII
Parliamentary Authority

Section 1. Robert's Rules of Order - The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this organization in all cases for which they are applicable and in cases where this constitution and any special rules adopted by this organization are inconsistent.

Section 2. Extent of Jurisdiction - The orders of this organization shall be subject to and not conflict with the National Society of MANRRS or the rules and regulations governing student organizations at Texas A&M University, as set forth by Texas A&M University Student Activities.

Section 3. Affiliation - This organization shall be affiliated with the National Society of MANRRS, as an active chapter, and shall adhere to the rules and regulations governing local chapters, as set forth in the national constitution.

Section 4. Voting - Each active, dues-paid member of the chapter is eligible to vote and is entitled to one vote on any matter of business before the chapter in an official meeting. Chapter advisors are non-voting members of the chapter.

Article IX
Amendment of Bylaws

Section 1. This constitution may be amended at any time by a three-fourths vote of the active membership, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing to each active member at least one week prior to its consideration, and is subject to approval by the Director of Student Activities. This constitution must be amended, as needed, to insure that it is consistent with the national constitution whenever that document is amended.

Section 2. This document must be reviewed every two years and be resubmitted to the Student Activities Office, before the beginning of the Fall Semester of that academic year.

Section 3. No amendments shall be in conflict with the rules, regulations and guidelines established by Texas A&M University or the National Society of MANRRS.

Updated: 12/12/2001
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