Club Constitution
Article I. Name
The name of this Texas A&M University student organization shall be known as Texas A&M Off-Road and as TAMOR.
Article II. Purpose
The purpose of Texas A&M Off-Road is:
A. To provide social, recreational and educational activities to members.
B. To participate in and support civic activities for the betterment of the community.
C. To render aid and assistance as needed.
D. To adhere to the principles of SWFWDA (Southwest Four Wheel Drive Association) and UWFWDA (United Four Wheel Drive Association).
Article III. Membership
Section I. Membership Process
Membership is open to students and former students of Texas A&M University as well as non-students. In order to become a member it will be necessary to fill out a membership application and pay yearly dues. The officers of Texas A&M Off-Road will approve applications for membership to TAMOR.
Section II. Removal of a Member
Any member consistently demonstrating actions that counter the purpose and goals of Texas A&M Off-Road will have their membership reviewed and possibly revoked by the officers of Texas A&M Off-Road at any time. If such a situation arises the member in question will be contacted and notified that his/her membership shall be reviewed. The member in question will then have the opportunity to speak to the administration on his/her own behalf at an executive meeting. The officers will then decide what action will be taken and notify the member in question of their decision.
Section III. Member Information
Members shall notify the Vice-President upon a change of address, mailing address, email address, or phone number in order to keep membership information current.
Section IV. TAMOR Stickers
TAMOR members will receive a Texas A&M Off-Road windshield sticker upon completion of viewing the club safety video and taking their vehicle on at least one (1) trail event. Windshield stickers must be applied to the vehicle driven on the trail.
Article IV. Officers
Section I. Eligibility Requirements
A. Officers of Texas A&M Off-Road must meet the requirements of the University as well as additional requirements specific to TAMOR. The University Student Rules, specifically Rule 41.2.2, require that a student selected, elected, or appointed as an officer of an organization, as defined by that organization must adhere to the following:
1. 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.
2. 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 (6) credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s).
3. For graduate level students the minimum GPR is a 3.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least four (4) 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 (4) credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two (2) summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree.
4. Will be declared ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed A and B/C.
B. In addition to the above requirements, the following are required of selected, elected or appointed officers:
1. Be a member of TAMOR at the time of nomination, election and for the entire stay in office.
2. Be a student at Texas A&M at the time of nomination, election and for the entire stay in office.
3. Have at least a 2.0 grade point ratio (GPR) at the time of their election and post at least a 2.0 GPR for the preceding regular semester or the two preceding summer terms at the time of election and during the term of office.
4. Be in good standing with Texas A&M University and be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours in a regular semester during the term of office.
5. Be a member of TAMOR for at least two (2) semesters prior to running for office.
Section II. Officers' Duties and Responsibilities
A. President: shall be responsible for presiding over regular and executive meetings, coordinate group activities and communicate with the officers and advisor on all matters. This person will be responsible for keeping an ongoing relationship with, and adding to the list of, club sponsors. He/She shall also be responsible for monitoring and moderating the Forums.
B. Vice-President: shall assist the President and preside over meetings in the absence of the President and be in charge of processing all new members' applications and keeping accurate records of current members. He/She shall also be responsible for monitoring and moderating the Forums.
C. Secretary: shall record minutes at all business meetings and produce the club newsletter. At least one (1) newsletter every two (2) months when school is in session during the Fall and Spring semesters. This person will also keep a log of attendance at all club functions. This includes but is not limited to meetings, trips and service projects. He/She shall also be responsible for monitoring and moderating the Forums.
D. Treasurer: shall collect dues, pay bills, and oversee other monetary transactions as well as prepare/maintain the budget. This person will be responsible for coordinating with the Vice President to keep an accurate and updated record of who has paid dues. He/She shall also be responsible for monitoring and moderating the Forums.
E. Webmaster: shall be responsible for updating the TAMOR web page in a timely manner. This will include but not be limited to updating Rig of the Month, the Constitution and the Members’ Rides page. He/She shall also be responsible for monitoring and moderating the Forums, specifically that only current members have access to post in all forums.
F. Public Relations: shall be in charge of all contacts involving merchandise and promotions. This person will maintain a constant relationship between these contacts and the membership of the club throughout his/her term. Will also be responsible for finding new club sponsors. He/She shall also be responsible for monitoring and moderating the Forums.
G. Head of Safety: shall ensure that every member has viewed the safety video before driving his/her rig on the trail. This person shall be in charge of turning in a list of names and emergency contacts of persons attending each trip to Student Activities prior to the departure date of the trip. Will also appoint all trail bosses for each trip and has the responsibility of making sure that the trail boss understands expectations. Another primary responsibility shall be to promote general off-roading safety throughout the club at all times. He/She shall also be responsible for monitoring and moderating the Forums.
Section III. Election Process
Elections will be held at the end of the Spring semester and the terms shall last for one (1) year.
Candidates will be selected by open nomination and officers selected by a plurality/majority of members voting at a regular meeting.
Section IV. Removal of an Officer
A. An officer's failure to perform delegated tasks will permit impeachment proceedings as follows:
1. A majority vote of a quorum at a regularly scheduled meeting will be required to bring impeachment against an officer.
2. The officer in question will be notified of the impeachment proceedings and that he/she will have the opportunity to speak on his/her behalf at the next general meeting before his/her status is put to a vote.
3. At the next meeting following the initiation of the impeachment proceedings, a two-thirds vote by ballot of a quorum shall be required.
B. Another election will be held immediately to fill the vacancy.
Section V. Activity Chairs
The officers have the authority to appoint activity chairs to oversee regular club activities. Removal and appointment to these positions shall be vested solely in this board.
Article V. Advisor(s)
An advisor must be a Texas A&M University employee as defined by the Human Resources Department and must advise at a level consistent with the categorization of the organization you advise. To advise an affiliated organization, you must be a full-time university employee (faculty or staff) with the skills and/or training necessary to advise the organization. It is critical that you 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.
Advisors will be expected meet with the officers of the organization you advise to discuss expectations for roles and responsibilities. In order to stay connected with the organization, advisors should regularly attend executive as well as general meetings and be available outside those meetings for advice and consultation related to the operations of the organization. Additionally, advisors should assist the organization in developing realistic goals for the academic year. This will contribute to the educational and personal development of the students involved.
Advisors shall facilitate opportunities for students to exercise initiative and judgment within a proper measure of autonomy when coordinating events and activities. In keeping with this approach, advisors should participate in event planning and attend events when possible or when identified as necessary through the planning process.
Advisors will regularly receive statements from the SOFC and should be aware of the organization’s financial status via review of these statements and approval of expenditures.
Advisors should be aware of the University Student Rules and other institutional guidelines that establish expectations for student behavior and activities. Advisors should also ensure that the group and its officers know where rules and guidelines are published, what the rules are, why they exist, and the consequences for choosing to operate outside their parameters. As an employee of Texas A&M University, advisors are expected to report all rule violations or potential violations to the appropriate university official. Advisors should be familiar with the organization’s constitution and all other governing documents, so that he/she may advise effectively.
Article VI. Meetings
Section I. General/Regular Meetings
A. Will be held every other Wednesday of every month at 8:30 PM when classes are in session during the Fall and Spring semesters.
B. Will be held at a location agreed upon by the executive board.
C. Will have an agenda that is at the discretion and presided over by the highest-ranking officer present.
Section II. Quorums
A quorum shall be declared when four (4) officers and at least one-fifth of the members are present at a regularly scheduled meeting.
Article VII. Amendments and Revisions
Section I. Amendment Process
The constitution may be amended at any time by:
A. Reading of a motion at a regular meeting.
B. Distribution of the motion in print to members attending the next meeting.
C. Two-thirds majority vote by ballot of a quorum attendance at a meeting after which motion is distributed.
D. All amendments are subject to approval of Student Activities.
Section II. Revision
This document must be reviewed every year and resubmitted to the Student Activities Office.
Article VIII. Finances
Section I. Dues
Dues shall be determined per academic year by the officers and will be collected from all members of this organization.
Section II. Use of Moneys
Club moneys will be distributed in the following manner:
A. To cover any outstanding debts.
B. To renew club membership to the Southwest Four Wheel Drive Association.
C. All remaining moneys will be included in a yearly budget.
D. All expenditures will be approved by a majority of the officers.
Section III. Deposits and Expenditures
All moneys belonging to this organization shall be deposited and dispersed through a bank account established for this organization at the Memorial Student Center Student Organization Finance Center and/or Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within two (2) business days after collection. The advisor to this organization must approve and sign for each expenditure before payment.