Article I - Name of Organization

DECA at The Ohio State University
Chapter Bylaws
Last Revised: September 12, 2013

Article I - Name of Organization

Section 1. The official name of this chapter of DECA shall be “DECA at The Ohio State University” and may be referred to as “DECA”.

Article II - Purpose of Organization

Section 1. The DECA chapter at The Ohio State University is a local chapter of DECA Inc. The DECA Chapter is established at The Ohio State University in order to give all students the opportunity to be a central part of the essence of DECA spirit, education, and overall experience that DECA offers. In this organization, we will create close ties with the business community providing essential opportunities for members and an appreciation of the American free-enterprise system. Participation in the highest quality of competitive events and programming available to college students is a key factor to our personal career development.

Section 2. The specific goals of DECA at The Ohio State University are as follows:

1)  To nurture competent, entrepreneurial, self-reliant cooperative leadership in the fields of marketing, merchandising and management.

2)  To help students make informed career choices by providing opportunities to explore fields in the following: Business Administration & Management, Communication & Technology, Entrepreneurship, Finance & Accounting, Hospitality & Tourism, and Marketing & Sales.

3)  To foster high ethical standards in business.

4)  To encourage business activity that demonstrates civic, social, and moral responsibility.

5)  To recognize the importance of career education and to promote a willingness to use the training facilities provided by corporations to continually improve skills and knowledge in college and throughout life.

Article III - Membership

Section 1. Membership in this organization is open to all Ohio State students and will not be restricted on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or political affiliation.

Section 2. DECA at The Ohio State University prohibits any type of hazing. Any incidents of hazing will immediately be taken to the Executive Committee. A vote to determine eligibility will occur by Article 3, Section 3.

Section 3. Members and officers can be removed from DECA at The Ohio State University at any time with just cause. The Executive Committee will vote to decide if/how to handle the incident brought before the Committee.

Article IV - Officers

Section 1. Election of officers will begin by nomination and informal speech followed by a majority vote (51%) from the general membership, of which at least 1/2 must be present to have a quorum. If a candidate fails to receive a majority of votes, a run-off election will be held within the top two candidates that received the most votes. The term of office will be one full year (fall and spring semester). New officers will be elected in September for the proximate school year.

Section 2. All officers shall comprise the Executive Committee of the organization. The Executive Committee shall meet in addition to regular organization meetings. The Executive Committee shall appoint such committees that are needed to carry out organization goals.

Article V – Duties of Elected Officers

Section 1. The president shall:

·  Preside over all meetings

·  Represent the organization on campus

·  Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the standards set forth by The Ohio State University

·  Ensure no member be denied his/her rights of membership

·  Maintain communication with organization advisor

Section 2. The vice-president shall:

·  Preside over meetings in the absence of the President

·  Schedule meetings/events with appropriate University offices

·  Coordinate organization promotion and publicity of events

·  Prepare a report to be given at meetings

Section 3. The secretary shall:

·  Maintain an accurate record of all organization meetings and post for members

·  Prepare agenda for meetings

·  Maintain attendance of meeting

·  Maintain membership directory

·  Correspond when necessary with University administration and other recognized organizations

Section 4. The treasurer shall:

·  Maintain accurate record of organization transactions

·  Collect dues & coordinate State/National Membership

·  Develop organization budget and present to membership for a vote

·  Arrange fundraising opportunities for the organization

·  Solicits additional funding if needed in conjunction with the President

Article VI - Meetings

Section 1. The organization shall hold regular (weekly) meetings during the academic term except when holidays, examination periods or other events make meeting times impractical. Organization meeting day/time will be determined in the beginning of each semester by a ¾ vote of the Executive Committee. Attendance at organization meetings is expected. If a member must miss a meeting, correspondence with the secretary is appreciated.

Article VII - Finance

Section 1. The organization may establish reasonable dues that must be paid by all members. The amount of the dues will be determined in the beginning of the academic year by the Executive Committee which will include National DECA dues. Dues must be paid by a reasonable date determined at the beginning of the academic semester. The treasurer shall maintain all financial records and shall countersign with the president for all organization transactions.

Article VIII – Advisor

Section 1. The advisor of DECA at The Ohio State University shall be a faculty or administrative professional staff member at The Ohio State University. Preferably, the advisory shall be a staff member of the Fisher College of Business in order to provide the best guidance for active members of the organization.

Article IX- Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the organization. Said amendment(s) will be voted on at a subsequent meeting. In order to adopt the amendment, a vote of 3/4 of the Executive Committee is necessary.

Article X – Methods of Dissolution of the Organization
Section 1. Should any organization assets and debt exist, appropriate means for disposing of these assets and debts should be specified that any funding not utilized upon dissolution will be at the discretion of the advisor.