CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL FINANCE,
INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
College Station, Texas

Article I - NAME 

Section 1.

We designate ourselves as the Texas A&M SAFIRE Club.  Standing for the Society of Agricultural Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate Professionals as they relate to the agricultural industry (referred to as FIRE.)

Article II - PURPOSE 

Section 1.

                               The purpose of the organization shall be:

                (1)          To introduce students to career opportunities in the fields of finance, insurance, and real estate and related areas such as law and banking.

(2)          To encourage members to build professional relationships and network with industry professionals and employers.

(3)          To enhance the education students receive at Texas A&M University.

(4)          To provide a mechanism for students of all classifications to intermingle with others who have similar professional interests and goals. 

Article III – MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1.              Eligibility for membership:

(1)           Members must be attending Texas A&M University.

(2)           Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to join.

(3)           Members must pay annual dues.

(4)           Students of any major are welcome, providing they have an interest in learning about careers in finance, insurance, or real estate.

(5)           Faculty or staff members of Texas A&M with an affiliation to the club will be considered honorary members, and are not required to pay dues.

(6)           Every member is encouraged to be a part of at least one committee. 

Section 2.              Privileges of membership:

                               The members of this organization have the privilege:

(1)           To run for office, providing they will remain students at Texas A&M throughout the time period they are to serve.

(2)           To serve on committees.

(3)           To serve as chairpersons.

(4)           To vote at all meetings of the organization. 

Section 3.              Membership dues shall be determined by an “audit committee” at the end of each school year.  The dues will be stipulated on a per semester basis.  The dues will be $15 per semester. 

Section 4.              Disruptive, irresponsible, or any other behavior deemed unacceptable by a majority vote of the six officers will result in the private dismissal of the member.  A majority vote of the officers will also be necessary for the discontinuation of any advisor’s position. 

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS 

Section 1.              The offices of this organization shall be:

(1)           President

(2)           Vice-President

(3)           Secretary

(4)           Treasurer

(5)           Representatives to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Council (2) 

Section 2.              Election of officers: All officers shall be elected at the last meeting (regular or called) of the spring semester.  They shall be nominated by a fellow club member, or be self-nominated.  Each candidate may address the club before the election.  The winner shall be elected by majority vote of the members present.  In cases where there is not a majority winner, there will be a runoff between the two candidates that received the most votes. 

Section 3.              Term of Office: The term of office shall be for one year.  Vacancies of any FIRE offices caused by resignation, removal, graduation, or other reason shall be filled at the next regular meeting of FIRE by election.  The new officers shall remain in their elected position until the end of the term that they are completing. 

Section 4.               Duties of the officers:

                The President:

(1)           Shall preside over club meetings.

(2)           Shall preside over executive committee meetings.

(3)           Shall act as a liaison between the FIRE members and its advisors.

(4)           Shall have the authority to delegate the responsibilities not specifically described in the constitution.

(5)           Shall have the power to create ad hoc committees as the need arises.

(6)           Shall withhold his/her vote in club meetings in order that the president can serve as a tiebreaker if the need arises. 

The Vice-President:

(1)           Shall preside over meetings in the absence of the president.

(2)           Shall preside over executive committee meetings in the absence of the president.

(3)           Shall be in charge of insuring the presence of a guest speaker from industry or elsewhere for each regular club meeting. 

The Secretary:

(1)           Shall keep minutes of all club meetings.

(2)           Shall be responsible for correspondence. 

The Treasurer:

(1)           Shall receive and handle all cash.

(2)           Shall expend club money after proper approval.

(3)           Shall prepare periodic financial reports including a budget for the club’s yearly activities. 

The Representative to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (COALS) Council:

(1)           Shall act as a liaison between the FIRE and the COALS Council.

(2)           Shall fulfill all duties of membership to the COALS Council. 

Section 5.              Requirements: (officers may be undergraduate or graduate classification)

In order to be eligible to be elected to office, and to hold office, the officers of FIRE shall fulfill the requirements of the University Regulations, Texas A&M University: Paragraph 69 (2) minimum requirements for students selected as officers in officially recognized student organizations and clubs including classes shall be as follows:

(a)           Undergraduate: Have at least a 2.0 grade point ratio at the time of election or elections and at least a cumulative 2.0 grade point ration for the preceding regular semester or the two preceding summer terms, at the time of the election, and during the term of office.

Graduate: Have at least a 3.0 grade point ratio at the time of the election or elections and at least a cumulative 3.0 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.

(b)           May not be on scholastic or conduct probation during the time or term of office.

(c)           Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in a regular semester. 

Section 6.               The officers and chairpersons shall collectively make up the executive committee. 

Section 7.               Officers failing to perform the above-described duties may be removed after a minimum of two advisors and the remaining officers privately discuss and have a majority vote on the questionable officer’s performance. 

ARTICLE V – ADVISORS 

Section 1.               There shall be a minimum of two and a maximum of three advisors for FIRE.

Section 2.               Term of Office:

(1)           Officers have equal authority. 

Section 3.               Election of Advisors:

(1)           Advisors shall be elected by a majority vote of the members present. 

Section 4.               Advisor Expectations:

(1)           Shall be a Texas A&M University faculty, professional, or associate staff employee and must advise at a level consistent with the categorization of the organization.  The advisor will be familiar with the activities of the organization and have an appropriate level of experience, resources, and knowledge related to those activities and the mission of the organization.

(2)           Shall regularly attend executive as well as general meetings and be available outside those meetings for the advice and consultation related to the operations of the organization.

(3)           Shall facilitate opportunities for students to exercise initiative and judgement within a proper measure of autonomy when coordinating events and activities.  The advisor should also attend events and activities when possible or identified as necessary.

(4)           Shall regularly receive statements from the SOFC and be aware of the organization’s financial status via review of these statements and approval of expenditures after completion of the on-line SOFC education process.

(5)           Shall be aware of the University Student Rules and other institutional guidelines that establish expectations for student behavior and activities.  The advisor will report all rule violations or potential violations to the appropriate university official. 

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES 

Section 1.               Club members shall chair committees.  The executive committee shall appoint chairpersons.  Committee chairperson vacancies occurring during the course of the academic career shall be filled from the existing committee membership by majority vote of the committee.  The committees’ selection is subject to approval by the executive committee. 

Section 2.               Committees should be formed on a voluntary basis at the first regular meeting of the school year. 

Section 3.               Standing Committees:

                                The following committees are classified as standing:

(1)    Special Events

(2)    Fundraising

(3)    Membership

(4)    Speakers

(5)    Social

(6)    Intern Program

(7)    Public Relations and Communications 

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS 

Section 1.               “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall govern the meetings of this organization. 

Section 2.               Number of meetings:

A minimum of one general meeting and one special event shall be held each month during the fall and spring semesters. 

Section 3.               Special meetings shall be called by the President. 

Section 4.               Committee meetings shall be held when deemed necessary. 

ARTICLE VIII – FINANCES 

Section 1.               The finances shall be handled by the treasurer. 

Section 2.               The treasurer shall prepare a summary statement at the end of the year, which will be presented to the new treasurer. 

Section 3.               All monies belonging to FIRE shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for the organization at the Student Finance Center, Memorial Student Center, and/or the Fiscal Office.  All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection.  The advisor to the organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment. 

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS 

Section 1.               Any member may present amendments to this constitution. 

Section 2.               A two-thirds vote of members present at any meeting shall be necessary to amend the constitution. 

Section 3.               This constitution will be reviewed annually by the Texas A&M University Department of Student Activities. 

 

Signature of Advisor:_____________________Date_________________ 

Signature of Organizing Officer:_________________Date_________________ 

Approved:_____________________________