History

The Student Veterans Association was created in the Fall of 2006 under the leadership of a small group of highly motivated individuals: Richard Denny Dietz, Seth Abernathy, Craig Ellis, and Brandon Carroll.  In the Fall of 2007, it was picked up by a new board of leadership, but the focus of the Association remains the same.

As quoted by SVA’s current president, “SVA is created for veterans, by veterans, to reach out to other veterans and the community as a whole.  In other words, there is personal involvement with each other, and involvement with the community.”
“The Student Veterans Association wants to reach out to these veterans; we want to let them know that we are here; the phrase "I got your back" did not cease to have meaning when we stopped wearing our uniform. Whether enlisted or officer, airman, sailor, soldier or marine, we all wore green, we want to help you, the veteran, and we need your help, to be able to benefit from what we so rightfully earned,” as SVA’s internal VP, Georgina Toro-Lugo, put it.

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Student Veterans Association Constitution

Article One     NAME OF ORGANIZATION

  • The name of this organization will be the Student Veterans Association

Article Two     PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION

  • To provide a social group and support structure to help Veterans adjust to and become successful in civilian and college life
  • To provide mentorship to DUINS and ROTC students as well as anyone interested in military service
  • To provide guidance and counseling for members of the military reserve
  • To raise awareness for Veterans issues and facilitate the dissemination of information to Veterans
  • To promote community service and volunteerism as well as to organize worthwhile projects and events pertaining to Veterans and their needs and issues
  • To promote college spirit and integrate Veterans and students into social and campus activities
  • To establish professional networks of former military leaders to aid in Veteran career goals.

Article Three   MEMBERSHIP

  • Membership in this organization will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, Veteran status, sex, or age
  • Must submit an application form to the Secretary of the Student Veterans Association
  • Must attend at least one meeting during the current semester to be placed on the membership roster, or participate in any Student Veterans Association sponsored event, or can waived at the discretion of the Executive Board
  • Active Membership
    • Must be a currently enrolled George Mason University student and able to present student ID
    • Must be in good academic standing with George Mason University
    • Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0
    • Must pay Active Membership dues for the current semester if applicable
    • Entitled to cast one vote during each vote called by the Executive Board in matters of the Student Veterans Association affairs including: elections, amendments to this constitution, and other motions brought forth during any business meeting
    • Entitled to fair and equal treatment by the Executive Board and the membership at large regarding all affairs of the Student Veterans Association
    • Entitled to hold office, serve in any leadership position, or serve on any committee
    • Entitled to an invitation to all Student Veterans Association activities and functions
    • Entitled to bring formal grievance against any other member of the Student Veterans Association, active or otherwise, that has allegedly committed a violation of federal, state, or local law, or George Mason University policies and procedures during an organizational activity or whenever Student Veterans Association affairs are concerned
  • Associate Membership
    • May be any member of George Mason University faculty or staff
    • May be any member of the community or student from other schools
    • Must pay Associate Membership dues for the current semester if applicable
    • Entitled to attend and participate in all activities, with the exception of official voting, of the Student Veterans Association. Supplemental charges may be required of Associate Members attending specific functions or events
    • Entitled to bring formal grievance against any other member of the Student Veterans Association, active or otherwise, that has allegedly committed a violation of federal, state, or local law, or George Mason University policies and procedures during an organizational activity or whenever Student Veterans Association affairs are concerned
  • Honorary Membership
    • May be alumni of George Mason University
    • May be a member of the community
    • May attend Student Veterans Association meetings
  • Revocation of Membership
    • May be revoked if grade point average falls below 2.0; a one semester probation period will be granted to the member in which the GPA must be raised to at least 2.0; exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the Executive Board
    • May be revoked if member is no longer in good academic standing with George Mason University; a one semester probation period will be granted to the member
    • May be revoked as a punitive measure resulting from the outcome of the formal grievance process
    • Revocation of membership must have Executive Board support and ¾ vote of Active Members in attendance

Article Four     OFFICERS

  • All members of the Executive Board must be a Veteran and able to present a DD-214 or a DoD active, reserve, retired ID card, a current Active Member of the Student Veterans Association, possess a valid George Mason University student ID, possess a 2.5 cumulative grade point average at the time of election and maintain it during the duration of the term, hold office for one academic year, attend at least 75% of all meetings (absences will be considered excused at the discretion of other Executive Board members), and adhere to the Student Veterans Association constitution
  • A member of the Executive Board may be removed from office if the member fails to continue to meet the aforementioned criteria of office, or if the member fails to meet the duties of their office as determined by fellow Executive Board members; remaining board members must be unanimous in their decision to remove a fellow board member
  • If the office of the President is vacated due to graduation, transfer, moving, or failure to meet office criteria, the Vice President will become President
  • If a vacancy occurs in any other office excluding the Presidency, the President will appoint a member to temporarily assume the duties of the vacated office until the next election is held
  • President
    • Presides over the Student Veterans Association and business meetings
    • Installs new officers into the Executive Board
    • Schedules special meetings of the Student Veterans Association
    • Recommends measures for consideration that may be relevant in extraordinary occasions
    • Makes decisions/changes in situations where a vote cannot be obtained
    • Only permitted to vote in the case of a tie
    • Serves as the public representative for the Student Veterans Association
  • Vice President
    • Adheres to the instructions of the President
    • Performs all presidential duties in the absence of the President
    • Assists in the installation of new officers
    • Assists the President in the execution of presidential duties
    • Coordinates volunteers
  • Secretary
    • Follows the instructions of the President or Vice President
    • Records accurate minutes of all business meetings and makes a copy available to each member (active, associate, and honorary) via email within one week of the last meeting
    • Maintains accurate minutes of all business meetings archived on disk, and maintain log of history of meetings
    • Maintains a accurate roster of all members and sponsors
    • Maintains a record of member participation at each business meeting, function, or event
    • Reads the minutes of previous business meetings aloud at all subsequent business meetings
  • Treasurer
    • Follows the instructions of the President or Vice President
    • Maintains accurate records of Student Veterans Association funds (showing deposits, withdrawals, expenditures, etc.)
    • Accounts for Student Veterans Association funds
    • Presents records and budget of the Student Veterans Association funds to the President and Vice President for approval before filing
  • Public Relations Officer
    • Posts all fliers on campus bulletin boards one week before each business meeting
    • Acts as liaison between members and officers
    • Serves as door keeper or greeter at all Student Veterans Association meetings
    • Sends two reminders to members by email, phone, or letter of functions and events
    • Takes and files photographs of meetings, functions, and events
    • Maintains and updates the Student Veterans Association website monthly
  • Advisor
    • The primary advisor must be a member of the faculty or staff at George Mason University
    • May be selected by majority decision of Executive Board
    • The Student Veterans Association may have additional advisors not affiliated with George Mason University
    • The advisor may offer guidance and support for the Student Veterans Association, but may not have a vote
    • If the advisor’s views conflict with the Student Veterans Association views, the advisor may be removed by majority decision of Executive Board and ¾ vote of Active Members
    • In the event the primary advisor position becomes vacant, a new primary advisor must be chosen as soon as possible to maintain a connection to George Mason University’s administration

Article Five     ELECTIONS

  • The election will be held between the last two meetings of the academic year
  • Nominations for officers must be submitted to the Secretary between the third and second to last meetings of the academic year (we need to state how nominees will accept their nomination and present their qualifications)
    • Only active members can nominate a candidate for office
    • Only active members can be candidates for office
    • Final submissions of nominations are due prior to the beginning of the second to last meeting of the academic year
  • Campaign speeches should be made to the other members in attendance at the second to last meeting of the academic year. If the position is uncontested, giving a campaign speech is at the candidate’s discretion
  • Only students listed on the active membership roster of the secretary will be permitted to cast a vote. All active members have one vote
  • A secret ballot vote will be conducted and tallied by the Secretary and six volunteer members at the closing of the second to last meeting of the academic year
  • In the event of a tie, a runoff vote will be conducted at the beginning of the final meeting of the academic year. A majority vote by show of hands will decide the winner
  • The newly elected will be announced at the beginning of the final meeting of the academic year
  • Transition of current and new officers will take place following the final meeting of the academic year. Familiarization of operating procedures and policies will take place during this time

Article Six       MEETINGS

  • The Student Veterans Association will meet at least once a month during the academic year
    • Meeting dates and times are at the discretion of the membership
  • The President or an officer must preside at the meeting
  • The meeting will be conducted using Robert’s Rules of Order
  • Scheduled Meetings
    • The minimum number of members required to conduct business consists of one officer and three active members
    • The officer must take accurate minutes
  • Specially Called Meetings
    • The minimum number of members required to conduct business consists of two officers and three active members
    • The officer must take accurate minutes
  • Executive Board Meetings
    • All officers must be in attendance or absence excused by the Executive Board
    • Minutes of the meeting will be submitted to the membership within one week of the meeting

Article Seven  FINANCE

  • The amount of dues and the method of collection will be decided by a majority vote of the Executive Board at the beginning of each semester for semi-annual dues or at the beginning of each academic year for annual dues
  • Fund raisers may be conducted
  • Donations may be accepted

Article Eight   AMENDMENTS

  • The Office of Student Activities must review all amendments in the same manner as a completely new constitution
  • Amendments to the constitution can be proposed by the membership, and require a vote of two-thirds of the active membership for approval

Article Nine    RATIFICATION

  • This constitution will become effective upon approval by a ¾ vote of the membership, the Council of Student Umbrellas and the Assistant Dean of University Life / Director of Student Activities