Our Constitution
Constitution of Aggie Guide-Dogs and Service-Dogs (AGS)
Article I. Name
The name of this student organization shall be known as the Aggie Guide-Dogs and Service-Dogs. The organization will also be known by its acronym, AGS.
Article II. Purpose and Goals
Section I. Purpose
The purpose of AGS will be to educate about, fundraise for, and promote the training and use of guide dogs and service dogs and to increase awareness about how these animals help the individuals with disabilities who use them throughout the campus, community and beyond.
Section II. Goals
The major goals of AGS shall be the following:
1) Increase campus and community awareness about guide dogs and service dogs and how these animals help the individuals with disabilities who use them.
2) Raise funds for the AGS puppies in training.
3) Recruit future members for AGS.
4) Develop student leadership on the Texas A&M University campus.
5) Raise puppies that are suitable for formal training by nationally recognized guide dog and service dog organizations.
Article III. Membership
Membership into AGS will be open to all Texas A&M University students, faculty and residents of the Bryan/College Station community. Members and officers must pay dues and attain 12 AGS points per semester to maintain active membership. Allotment of points will be determined per event by the AGS officers. Dues are to be paid in the spring semester for all persons not maintaining an active membership in the fall semester as well as any new members. Spring dues will equal half of the amount paid per individual in the previous fall semester. Any member who is found misrepresenting AGS shall be notified and offered the chance to speak at an officer meeting. The officers will review the member’s situation and a majority of the officers must vote to dismiss a member from the organization. The member, in turn, will be notified of the officer’s decision.
Article IV. Officers
Section I. Requirements
The officers of this organization must meet the following requirements:
a) Have a minimum grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum GPR in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office.
1) For undergraduate students, the minimum GPR is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s).
2) For graduate level students the minimum GPR is a 3.00. In order for this provision be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least four credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree.
b) Be in good standing with the University and enrolled:
1) at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and
2) at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirement as prescribed in a) and b).
Subsection A. Special Provisions
The positions of Senior Puppy Raiser Supervisor and Director of Communications are open to all Texas A&M University students and residents of the Bryan/College Station community. Students must meet the requirements listed in Article IV, Section I of this constitution.
Section II. Officers and Duties
Presidential duties include but are not limited to:
1) preside at all meetings.
2) act as a liaison to the Texas A&M University campus, the Bryan/College Station community, guide dog and service dog organizations, and any other groups deemed necessary.
3) oversee all operations of the organization and committees and delegate responsibilities to members and officers.
4) have the authority to call meetings.
5) call for a vote among all of the officers when there is disagreement between two or more officers. If a tie occurs the president will carefully decide what is best for the organization and implement his/her decision.
6) have authority to overtake responsibilities of other AGS officers when necessary.
Director of Administration’s duties include but are not limited to: 1) serve as treasurer and secretary of the organization. 2) check attendance at functions and meetings.
3) keep accurate records of membership information.
4) pay bills. 5) oversee other monetary transactions, including fundraising activities.
6) not allow funds to be used without a signature from both an Advisor and the Administration or Presidential officer.
Director of Programs’ duties include but are not limited to:
1) help in scheduling of guest speakers and programs to educate and increase campus and community awareness about guide dogs and service dogs and how these animals help the individuals with disabilities who use them.
2) conduct all general membership meetings.
3) serve as head of the programs committee.
4) receive approval of programs from the President and at least one other officer before allowing them to be presented in order to prevent unclear, harmful or incorrect statements under AGS name.
Director of Publicity’s duties include but are not limited to:
1) be responsible for publicizing AGS meetings, events and programs.
2) organize phone calling and email list of current members
3) serve as head of the publicity committee.
4) receive approval for publicity flyers, interviews, etc from the President and at least one other officer before allowing them to be presented in order to prevent unclear, harmful or incorrect statements under AGS name.
Puppy Raiser Supervisors’ duties include but are not limited to:
1) supervise selection of puppies from humane organizations. 2) supervise puppy raiser selection process.
3) supervise training and socialization of puppies.
4) make recommendations to officers for removal of puppy from assigned Puppy Raiser if problems arise and remain problematic.
5) make final evaluation of puppy between 12 and 18 months of age to determine placement options.
6) work in conjunction with other Puppy Raiser Supervisor on all issues and tasks related to this position.
7) receive approval from the President, the Advisor and at least one other officer to add a dog to the program in order to prevent overtaxing AGS resources; to prevent dogs from entering the program, except under the proscribed methods; and to insure the officer's knowledge of each new dog.
8) supervise placement of retired (VIP) dogs into loving homes.
Director of Communications’ duties include but are not limited to:
1) maintain and update the AGS website
2) act as Historian by keeping a scrapbook of all AGS events as well as a
historical record of all AGS puppies.
Director of Fundraiser’s (co-position when needed) duties include but are not limited to:
1) organize and coordinate AGS fundraising events.
2) ensure all funds are handed over to the Director of Administration for deposit.
3) receive approval for events, locations, etc from all officers before allowing them to be presented in order to prevent unclear, harmful or incorrect statements under AGS name.
4) preside over fundraising events.
All officers shall work as a team to promote unity throughout the organization and support the other officers in carrying out their duties.
Section III. Election Process
Elections shall be held for all officer positions at the end of each spring semester. Special circumstances may require an election to take place at a different time during the fall and spring semesters. All officers, with the exception of the president, shall be elected from the general active membership. Only active members may vote on the director positions, and a simple majority vote of those present will win. The newly elected President and Puppy Raiser Supervisors shall count the ballots. Newly elected officers shall assume responsibilities after the last general meeting of the spring semester.
Subsection A. Election of the President
Any current officer who has served as an officer for at least one full, regular semester (i.e. fall and/or spring) may be eligible to run for presidency. The office of the president shall be voted on by the current officers. This election shall take place before all other elections. The officers running for presidency shall leave the room for the counting of the ballots by the remaining officers. The Advisor shall be contacted and shall vote in the event of a tie.
Subsection B. Election of Puppy Raiser Supervisors
1. A Senior and Junior Puppy Raiser Supervisor will be elected each year. This election will take place after presidential elections and prior to all other elections. All current officers, other than those running for this position shall vote and count the ballots. A simple majority vote will win.
2. Both Puppy Raiser Supervisors are required to carry out the full range of duties expected of them. They will work together and equally on all aspects of this program. Each PRS has an equal weight with in the officer group.
Section IV. Removal of an Officer
In the event that any officer fails to perform his/her duties in a manner which benefits the organization, that officer shall be subject to review by the other officers and the advisor. Should an officer’s position be reviewed for possible removal, he/she will be given an opportunity to account for their situation to the remaining officers and advisor. These officers will review the situation after hearing from the officer in question. A decision will be made expeditiously and the officer will be contacted as to the outcome of the situation. If 2/3 of the remaining officers vote that the officer should be removed, he/she will be asked to resign, and a new officer will be elected or appointed as outlined in Article IV, Section III.
Article V. Advisors
Section I. Expectations
Advisors for Aggie Guide-Dogs and Service-Dogs have the following requirements and responsibilities:
1. They must be a Texas A&M University employee as defined by the Human Resources Department and must be a faculty member, professional or associate staff member, or graduate assistant. They must be familiar with the activities of the organization and have (or be willing to obtain) an appropriate level of experience, resources, and knowledge related to those activities and the mission of the organization.
2. They must meet with the officers or the president of AGS in order to stay connected with the organizations activities.
3. They should be aware of the University Student Rules and other institutional guidelines that establish expectations for student behavior and activities and ensure that the group and its officers are adhering to the rules. They must also be familiar with the organization’s constitution and all other governing documents, so that you may advise effectively.
Section II. Replacement
If for any reason the advisor is no longer willing and/or able to fulfill the responsibilities, they will formally communicate this to the student organization and the Department of Student Activities in writing. The organization will then determine the appropriate course of action for replacing the advisor.
Article VI. Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held approximately twice per month with committee meetings held during the weeks between the general meetings.
Article VII. Finances
Section I. Dues
Dues shall be determined per academic year and will be collected from all members of this organization.
Section II. Monies
All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this organization at the Student Organization Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.
Article VIII. Puppy Raising Program
Section I. Goals
The goal of the AGS Puppy Raising Program is to obedience train and socialize puppies from a young age until the puppies are about 12 - 18 months old. At the end of this period, the well-trained, healthy, and good-tempered puppies will be donated to a nationally recognized service dog organization for formal training and eventual placement with a disabled partner.
Section II. Supervision
The Puppy Raising Program shall be presided over by the Puppy Raising Supervisors. The Supervisors must receive approval from the President, the Advisor and at least one other officer to add a dog to the program in order to prevent overtaxing AGS resources; to prevent dogs from entering the program, except under the proscribed methods; and to insure the officer's knowledge of each new dog.
Section III. Puppy Selection
Puppies may be obtained from humane organizations, breed rescue organizations, or private donors. All puppies accepted into the Puppy Raising Program shall be free of major health problems and pass the required AGS temperament test. Puppies should ideally be a minimum of 8 weeks old to a maximum of 16 weeks old.
Section IV. Puppy Raiser Selection
Puppy Raisers will be chosen from the AGS general membership. Selection shall be based on an application, interview, and residential evaluation process. Puppy Raisers shall be chosen by the Puppy Raiser Supervisors.
Section V. Evaluation
Puppies and Puppy Raisers shall be subject to monthly evaluations by the Puppy Raiser Supervisors. If, at any point, the Supervisors determines that the puppy's progress is unsatisfactory or that the Puppy Raiser is not fulfilling his/her duties as determined by the Puppy Raiser contract, the Supervisors (with the approval of the President, the Advisor and at least one other officer) may take steps to resolve the problem, up to and including placing the puppy with a new Puppy Raiser or withdrawing the puppy from the Puppy Raiser Program.
Section VI. Puppy Raiser Contract
The Puppy Raiser and the Puppy Raiser Supervisors shall both sign an agreement laying out the expectations for the puppy and the responsibilities of the Puppy Raiser. This contract must be signed before the puppy is placed with the Puppy Raiser. The advisor shall hold all original contracts.
Section VII. Final Evaluation
When the puppy is about one year to 18 months old, the Puppy Raiser Supervisors shall evaluate it for placement options. If deemed suitable, the puppy will be donated to a nationally recognized service dog organization for formal training. If deemed unsuitable or if not permanently accepted by a nationally recognized service dog organization, the Puppy Raiser Supervisors and other officers will determine if there is another organization such as police dog network, search and rescue network etc. that the puppy would be suitable for. If not, the puppy will be retired from the program and adopted to either an approved community member that could use a well trained dog for therapy or companion work, its Puppy Raiser, or an approved community member as a pet. The new owner will be encouraged to continue the dog's training and enroll it in a therapy dog program.
Article IX. Amendments and Revisions
Section I. Amendments
This constitution may be amended by:
1) a two-thirds (2/3) vote and approval by the active membership during the Fall and Spring semesters.
2) The majority of the officers during the summer.
Section II. Reviews
This document is subject to review by the Department of Student Activities annually and/or when it is amended.
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Signature of Advisor Date
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Signature of President Date
Approved: ________________________________ ________________
Department of Student Activities Date