The name of this organization is the Unified Student Early Childhood Association.
Article II. Purpose
The primary purpose of this organization is to promote the education and welfare of young children and their families, and to promote professional development for students enrolled in Unified Early Childhood PROTEACH or affiliated educational or related programs. These goals shall be achieved through organizational meetings, local workshops, community service and travel to state and national conferences. This organization shall be not for profit or non-commercial in nature.
Article III. Membership
Full membership shall be limited to registered students of the University of Florida who have completed the specified USECA community service hours per semester, and attended the requisite number of meetings. That number of hours and meetings will be established during the spring semester prior to the next academic year. Members are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution or harassment. USECA will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, age, national origin, disability, or gender orientation. USECA accepts the University of Florida Student Guide and other rules and regulation governing students at the University of Florida; and is opposed to, and does not practice, any form of hazing.
Article IV. Officers, Executive Committee, Nominations, Terms of Office, Replacement and Impeachment:
Section 1. Composition
The officers of this organization will be elected by the membership and consist of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and delegate to the Education College Council. The officers will constitute the Executive Committee
Section 2. Officer Duties
2a. The President will be the chief executive officer of the organization and of the Executive Committee, and will preside over all Membership meetings and of the Executive Committee. The president and treasurer will sign all written contracts and obligations of the organization with approval of the Executive Committee. The President will complete all other duties as described in the approved duties.
2b. The Vice President will be vested with all powers and will perform all duties of the President in the absence of inability to serve of the latter. The Vice President will assist the President in all capacities outlined as well as complete all duties described in the approved duties.
2c. The Treasurer will receive and deposit in the name of USECA, in a bank or trust company all money; issue receipts; make all authorized disbursements; and maintain accurate records of such. The Treasurer and President will be the only persons authorized to pass checks under the name of USECA. The Treasurer will complete all other duties as described in the approved duties
2d. The Secretary will keep a true and accurate record of the USECA general and Executive Committee meetings, keep the organizational records, and keep a true and accurate record of all external communication. The Secretary will complete all other duties as described in the approved duties.
2e. The ECC delegate will represent USECA by attending ECC meetings, serving as liaison between USECA and ECC, complete all responsibilities as designated by ECC as well as described in the approved duties.
Section 3. Prerequisite to nomination and election
All officers must be members in good standing of USECA.
Section 4. Nomination
All candidates for office will be nominated by a committee established by the executive committee during the second half of the fall semester. Nominees will include representation of each cohort from the Unified Early Childhood PROTEACH program, or other members in good standing.
Section 5. Term of office
The officers will hold office for one year from March 1 to the last day of February of the next academic year. The previous Executive Committee will serve in an advisory capacity to the new Executive Committee for the duration of the spring semester of the year in which elections are held.
Section 6. Replacement of officers
Replacement of officers due to death or disability will be conducted by the Executive Committee, who will elect a successor who will take office immediately and serve until a special membership meeting for the purpose of electing a successor can be conducted.
Section 7. Impeachment of officers
Any member of the Executive Committee not abiding by the responsibilities and duties stated in Article IV or the approved list of duties, as determined by review of the balance of the Executive Committee, will be given official, written explanation and warming of such failure. Should the officer not prove to meet with the duties outlined above and in the approved duties within thirty (30) days of written notice, the officer will be asked to step down. The Executive Committee will elect a successor who will take office immediately and serve until a special membership meeting for the purpose of electing a successor can be conducted.
Article V. Finance
USECA will not levy dues for its members. All revenues will be raised from the University of Florida Student Government, or from fundraising efforts.
Article VI. Elections
Section 1: Elections of new officers will take place as described in Article IV.
Section 2: Any full club member can be nominated by self-nomination or by the nominating committee. The nominating committee will make all final nominations.
Section 3. Elections will be held during the first half of the spring semester with a thirty-day (30) written notice to all members in good standing as of the beginning of the Spring semester in which the election will take place.
Section 4. A simple majority (51%) of those members in good standing will elect officers.
Article VII. Committees
Committees may be formed at any time, according to the needs of this organization. Each committee will consist of volunteers. The volunteers shall independently nominate and elect someone to serve as chairperson for that committee. The chairperson shall serve until the project for which the committee was formed is completed. It is the responsibility of the chairperson to report, to the rest of the organization, the progress of the committee.
Article VIII. Faculty Advisor
The Faculty Advisor will be nominated by the faculty of the University of Florida Unified Early Childhood PROTEACH program, and serve for a term of at least two years. The term may be renewable. The Faculty Advisor will serve in an advisory capacity to support USECA in fulfilling its purpose, be a resource, and represent the organization to the community and the University of Florida as needed.
Article IX. Meetings
Section 1. Minimum number
At least eight (8) organizational meetings will be held during the academic year to be held at such time and place as called by the Executive Committee with electronic message and posted notice to members. Special meetings may be called by the president with the consent of the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Quorum
One-third of the membership shall constitute a quorum at a regular or called meeting.
Article X. Amendments
Amendments to this Constitution may be suggested by any member of this organization or by the Executive Committee. Approval of said amendments would be made by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the meeting at which a quorum is present.
Article XI. Dissolution and Rules of Governance
Section 1. Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of this organization, the Executive Committee, after payment of all liabilities of the organization, will dispose of all assets of the chapter by contributing them to a local non-profit organization of activity, the purpose of which is to promote the welfare and education of young children and their families or the professional development of early childhood professionals.
Section 2. Rules of Governance
The organization will be ruled by the constitutions, such by-laws as enacted, and in absence of stated rules by Roberts’ Rules of Order.
Amendment 1: Definition of Good Standing
Members are in good standing if the have all meetings and service hours completed, including make-ups. Members make-up meetings by reading the minutes online and then emailing the Secretary. They make up service hours by volunteering (the same number of hours as the organization service project) for another organization or service event.
