Constitution

Drafted April 7, 2003
Revised May 21, 2009

Article I. Definitions

  • MISA: Abbreviation of name of this organization, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Management Information System Association
  • Officer Core: Board consisting of the current MISA President, and all MISA Vice Presidents
  • Executive Committee: The Officer Core and all MISA Chairmen
  • Member: A member, other than an honorary member, of MISA
  • Bylaws: The Bylaws of this organization

Article II. Name

  • The name of the organization shall be the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Management Information System Association (MISA).

Article III. Objective

  • The purpose of the organization shall be:
    • To enhance and complement the MIS curriculum at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
    • To help foster communication and interaction between WPI MIS students, alumni, faculty, and relevant organizations.
    • To maintain a positive image of the MIS Major and MIS students at WPI.

Article IV. Membership

  • Section I – Membership Requirements
    • He/she is a Full Time WPI Student.
    • He/she is in good academic standing.
    • He/she pays dues as decided upon for the organization by the Executive Committee.
    • He/she adheres to all rules and regulations in the MISA bylaws.
    • He/she is required to attend all required meetings and more than 50% of all events and activities.
  • Section II – Application
    • Any interested student may apply for membership by filling out an official MISA Membership Application
  • Section III -  Suspension or Expulsion
    • Members who fail to comply with the rules and regulations outlined by the MISA constitution, bylaws, WPI or its community will be brought up for review by the Executive Committee.  Any member that has been suspended must complete a new application after the set suspension period is over in order to continue membership.
  • Section IV -  Renewal or Discontinuance
    • Membership will be automatically renewed each year in which a student remains enrolled at WPI and the requirements are met.
    • Members are free to voluntarily discontinue membership by contacting the Executive Committee.
  • Section V – Hazing
    • MISA will not tolerate any forms of hazing, intentionally or unintentionally.
    • If suspicion of hazing occurs, membership of the offending party will be brought up for review by the Executive Committee. 
  • Section VI – Honorary Membership
    • If a person does not meet the requirements of MISA membership, they can be granted honorary membership by a two thirds vote by the MISA Executive Committee, or as otherwise stated in the bylaws.

Article V. Officers, Duties and Requirements

  • Section I – Election of the Executive Committee
    • The Executive Committee will consist of the following five officers:  President, Vice President of Operations , Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Membership, and Vice President of Finance
    • All members shall be eligible for nomination to any of the officer position with the exception of President, who must be majoring in MIS.
    • Elections and removals shall be followed as outlined in the MISA Bylaws
    • Any Officer can create any chairmanships they deem necessary to aid in their responsibilities. These chairmanships shall be outlined in the Bylaws under chairmanships.
  • Section II – Responsibilities
    • The President:
      • Serves as a head figure for the organization, serving as a representative when needed;
      • Sets goals and leads organization;
      • Calls and leads meetings;
      • Ensures communication between V.P.s and oversees all V.P. operations.
    • The Vice President of Operations:
      • records minutes of all meetings; and
      • is in charge of membership and all operations that are required to maintain recognized status and track members.
    • The Vice President of Operations:
      • Maintains and updates both the MISA Constitution and Bylaws
      • Serves as Interim President in absence of President
      • Absorbs any responsibilities of Officers that are unfilled
    • The Vice President of Finance:
      • Keeps books on any accounts;
      • Files for reimbursements, if applicable;
      • Collects dues, if applicable;
      • Works with Executive Committee to create a yearly budget; and
      • Spproves or denies expenditures of MISA accounts.
    • The Secretary:
      • Records minutes of all meetings
      • Calls roll at each meeting
      • Keeps record of all minutes
    • The Vice President of Marketing:
      • Creates and maintains the MISA image;
      • In charge of promoting events and activities;
      • Maintains contact with relevant faculty, staff, alumni and organizations;
      • Oversees the website content and appearance; and
      • Maintains the technical aspects of the website, mailing list
    • The Vice President of Membership:
      • Holds members to MISA standards
      • Keeps current list of all active and non-active members
      • Recruits new members
      • Runs membership application process
      • Nominates Honorary members

Article VI. Meetings

  • Section I – Frequency
    • General meetings will be held biweekly starting on the first week of each term.
    • Officer and Executive meetings will meet and alternate each week at a time to be agreed upon, or stated in the Bylaws.
  • Section II – Calling Meetings
    • Special meetings may be called by the President or by a two thirds vote at any time. Attendance is required if the meeting is called 48 hours in advance.
  • Section III – Conduct
    • The President shall conduct the meetings in accordance with Roberts Rules.

Article VII. Judicial Action

  • Section I –  Campus Hearing Board
    • MISA will abide by decisions of the Campus Hearing Board in dealing with charges brought against the organization.
  • Section II – Review of Membership
    • Should a member be up for review, that member will present his/her case to the Executive Committee in a formal private meeting.

Article VIII. Finances

  • Section I – Dues
    • The decision to collect dues and their amount is reserved by the Executive Committee.
  • Section II – Fund Raising
    • Fund raising shall be the primary form of funding events and activities.
  • Section III – Student Government Association(SGA)
    • If more funding is needed and MISA is eligible for SGA funding, the Executive Committee will generate a budget requesting additional funds from SGA for the following year.

Article IX. Advisor

  • Section I – Qualifications
    • The advisor will be a full-time WPI faculty or staff member.
  • Section II – Selection
    • The advisor will be selected by the Executive Committee.
  • Section III- Voting
    • The advisor is a non-voting honorary member.

Article X. Amendments

  • Section I – Proposition
    • Any officer may make a motion for amendment to the constitution or bylaws.
  • Section II – Amendment
    • A proposed amendment must be approved for discussion by a majority of the officers.
    • If approved, the proposed amendment must be discussed and voted on by members at the following general meeting where two-thirds of the members present must vote in favor to pass the amendment.

Article XI. SOC & Organization Affirmation Clause

  • The Management Information Systems Association agrees to abide by the policies of Worcester Polytechnic Institute as well as all federal, state and local laws. Any changes to this constitution and/or bylaws will follow, in word and spirit, all WPI policies and all federal, state and local laws.


 

© copyright 2009 MISA