THE CONSTITUTION OF GLOBAL MEDICAL/DENTAL BRIGADES- THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization shall be The Global Medical/Dental Brigades – The Ohio State University Chapter
ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE
The objectives and purposes of the organization are to:
A. Improve global health by empowering student volunteers, local professionals, and community members in a collaborative approach to sustainable development.

B. Plan, recruit, and provide a dental/medical mission annually in various countries in need of easier access to health care.

C. To increase global health awareness by fundraising and mobilizing student volunteers to actively contribute to the health care system in under-resourced communities on a global scale.

ARTICLE III. NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for reason of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP: QUALIFICATIONS AND CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP
THERE WILL BE TWO LEVELS OF ACTIVITY WITHIN THE CLUB
Volunteer Member: A volunteer member is any active OSU student willing to donate their time, effort and resources to advance this organization. They are not required to attend the International trip. Each member must complete an application for organizational purpose.
Officers (Executive Board): This includes the Executive Board members, and committee chairs.
A. The rights of the ALL members including executive board are to:
1. Attend all meetings and special events of the organization to be held in the manner provided by the bylaws (includes fundraising, and other social events)

B. All members are subject to removal from the organization based upon:
1. Inappropriate or disrespectful behavior
2. Lack of attendance at mandatory meetings.
ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
A. The office policy-making body of the organization shall be the Executive Committee.
B. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Recruitment Chair, Medications Chair, Fundraising Chair, Education Chair, and Dental Chair(s)

Responsibilities of Each Officer:
President:
- In charge of maintaining focus on the mission of the organization and direct all potential issues, conflicts, and opportunities towards the betterment of our goals.

- Attend President training through Ohio Union.
- Primary communicator with advisor and overseas contacts.
- Help to organize the trip and maintain deadlines for fundraising.
- Be available and prompt with answering questions and communicating details about the trip. Available for help, problem solving, and collaboration.

- Entrust responsibilities in the group but keep up necessary communication and organization.

Vice-President:
- In charge of keeping up active communication between committees and amongst group members.
- Take meeting notes and send out immediately.
- Work with each group to send out comprehensive mass e-mails.
- Assist other groups and leaders in their tasks and be available and knowledgeable in answering questions about details of the trip/organization.
Treasurer:
- In charge of organization’s finances and budget.
- Attend Treasurer training through Ohio Union.
- Help with setting up Empowered account and mastering the system.
- Update and communicate with group members about pricing, fees, etc.
- Looking for possible sponsorship opportunities from other relevant organizations.
- Learn about relevant policies in the country and how they apply to our mission. (Insurance, doctors’ liability, etc.)
Recruitment Chair:
- In charge of finding creative ways to share our purpose, market the trip, and get students involved.
- Talk to classes and other organizations to engage interested students.
- Create application process and form.
- Help recruit physicians and other health care professionals to join on the trip.
- Plan recruitment events such as involvement fair, etc.
Fundraising Chair:
- In charge of seeking out fundraising opportunities in or around the Ohio State and Columbus community.
- Be primary organizer of fundraising events and communicate necessary marketing strategy to the group.
- Be knowledgeable on using the Empowered system.
- Possible ideas to keep in mind: Relays, Tailgating, Collaboration with other organizations, Sending e-mails containing link to friend/family members, Summer opportunities, etc.
Medications Chair:
- In charge of collecting medications to take with us to our destination.
- Learn about what the people need, why, and how much.
- Try to educate group on how it will help and ways to reach pharmacies, doctors, hospitals, clinics, etc. for donations.
Education Chair:
- In charge of learning as much as possible about the destination, conditions, culture, language, etc.
- Communicate knowledge to the group to enhance our work during the brigade.
- Become familiar with what to expect and continuously seek out innovative ways to improve and become more understanding and helpful as volunteers and global leaders.
- Help group with adopting Spanish medical terminology
Dental Chair:
- Oversees collection of dental supplies for the brigade
- Forms a committee that works towards the implementation of dental health care during the brigade
- Help the rest of the group to better understand the dental aspect of the brigade
Article VI – OFFICER/ADVISOR ELECTION
A. Leadership Team Officers and President will be elected using an application and interview process. The interview will be conducted by the current President, current holder of position and current Vice President. General members and elected or appointed officers will be expected to maintain academic and professional standards as detailed by the Ohio State University. If at any time a member or officer does not meet those expectations, the leadership team will place said member/officer on probationary status for one semester. If after that one semester the leadership team deems the member/Officer to be in compliance with said standards, he or she may be reinstated. Probationary members may not attend the brigade while on probationary status. The Non-Discrimination Policy as detailed above protects members from removal based on those listed statuses.

B. The advisor should be a member of the University Faculty and will be determined by the incoming executive board during Spring Semester. The advisor will be expected to provide all necessary documentation for bank accounts, Student Organization status, and attend the Advisor Training every other calendar year. The advisor will be a non-voting member, but will be consulted if needed by the executive board.

ARTICLE VII.AMENDMENTS
A. A proposed amendment to this constitution shall be presented to the Executive Committee at least thirty (30) days prior to its proposed adoption.
B. The text of the proposed amendment shall be read to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to its consideration.
C. This constitution shall be amended only by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting by secret ballot.
D. Unless otherwise provided, all amendments shall take effect at the beginning of the membership year following their adoption.
ARTICLE VIII: BYLAWS
SECTION I. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

  1. Members shall have the right to vote and to hold elective office or appointive position.

SECTION III. MEMBERSHIP DUES

  1. The annual dues will be a one-time fee of $10 and will be collected at the beginning of each semester.

SECTION IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  1. Any member may be elected to the Executive Committee.
  2. The terms of office shall be for 1 calendar school year.

Constitution Established: 2/2013