ORGANIZATION OF PART TIME AND MATURE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

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CONSTITUTION OF OPTAMUS U.N.B.S.J. Inc.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ARTICLE ONE -- NAME

1. The name of this committee shall be the Executive Committee of Organization of 
   Part Time and Mature University Students, U.N.B. Saint John Inc. herein referred to 
   as OPTAMUS Executive Committee.

ARTICLE TWO -- OBJECTIVES

2. The aims, objects and purpose of OPTAMUS Executive Committee shall be:
1. To provide support and assistance for all part-time and mature students at
    University of New Brunswick, Saint John.
2. To promote the involvement of part-time mature university students in 
   academic committees and university governing bodies.
3. To provide a channel of communication between part-time and mature
   students and the university administration.
4. To take action to bring about access to any and all degrees by part time 
   study, especially graduate, professional and honours degrees not presently 
   offered on campus.

ARTICLE THREE -- MEMBERSHIP

5. All part-time university students registered at University of New Brunswick,
   Saint John, for one or more credit courses, are regular members of OPTAMUS.
6. Any mature, full time university student registered at U.N.B.S.J. may become
   an associate member of OPTAMUS on application to, and approval by, the Board 
   of Directors.
7. Upon payment of OPTAMUS fees ($8.00 per year), associate student members 
   may become regular members of OPTAMUS.
8. Regular Membership in OPTAMUS permits a student seek office and to vote in 
   ANNUAL OPTAMUS ELECTIONS.
9. Only regular members may hold elected office in OPTAMUS.
10. Associate members may serve on committees.

ARTICLE FOUR -- BOARD of  DIRECTORS

12. OPTAMUS shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of eight elected 
    members from the eligible student body and two advisors, representing the 
    interest and common good of the teaching and administrative bodies of UNBSJ.
13. The Board shall meet at least on a monthly basis.
14. A QUORUM of the Board shall consist of five members.
15. The Annual election shall be held prior to March 31 of every year on at least 
    two weeks notice.
16. Newly elected board and executive will take office at the regular annual meeting 
    of members immediately following the annual election. The Annual Meeting of 
    members shall be held in March following the Elections of officers in March of 
    each year. 
    NOTICE OF MEETING stating the day, hour and place of the meeting, the general 
    nature of the business to be transacted thereafter shall be given to each regular 
    member by E-mail and to the auditors of the Corporation at least 10 days before 
    the date of every meeting in writing, and published for the benefit of all other 
    members and the general public through the most accessible public news media.
17. EMERGENCY MEETINGS OF THE BOARD may be held at any time and place 
    determined by the President OR by any two members the board, provided that 
    48 hours notice of such meeting shall be afforded to each member of the Board, 
    either by phone, electronic mail, or in person.
18. Board Meetings may be held upon a 5 day notice specifying the time and place and
    purpose of the meeting.
19. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS of the members may be convened by the Board upon a 
    10 day notice specifying the time and place and purpose of the meeting.

ARTICLE FIVE -- THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - OFFICERS

20. There shall be the following officers elected annually:
1. President
2. Vice-President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
21. There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the Officers.
22. The Executive shall be responsible for the administration of the policies 
    established by the Board and such other duties, as the Board shall delegate.
23. No monies of OPTAMUS shall be expended without authorization of the 
    Executive Committee. If expenditures in excess of ($500.00) Five Hundred 
    Dollars are contemplated, approval of the Board is required. 
    (revised: 2001. limit reduced to $300).
24. In case of vacancy in an office, the Board of Directors may appoint a student
    member to fill the vacancy for the rest of the term or until a special election 
    is held.

 ARTICLE SIX -- STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

3. There shall be the following standing committees:
1. Social - which shall be responsible for arranging appropriate social events for
   the members of OPTAMUS.
2. Constitution - which shall be responsible for reviewing any recurring changes
   in the Constitution.
3. Nominations - which shall be responsible for arranging for the annual election
   by the last day of February in each year; and which shall be responsible for 
   accepting nominations of students for election to Executive and or Board 
   Positions of OPTAMUS, and Organizing and running said elections in March of
   each year.
4. Finance - which shall be responsible for preparation of Budgets and 
   recommending expenditures, as well as an annual audited financial statement
    that shall be available for the annual meeting each year.
5. The Executive at the first meeting of the Executive following the annual 
   election shall appoint Standing Committee Chairperson.
6. The Council may establish special committees from time to time and 
   establish their terms of reference and appoint the members.

ARTICLE SEVEN -- FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES

7. Faculty or Division Representatives may be appointed from eligible students 
   taking courses registered in the Faculty.
8. The Faculty Representative to the Board shall be appointed at the first 
   meeting of the Board following the annual election.

ARTICLE EIGHT -- DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS

9. The President shall:
1. Act as the spokesperson for OPTAMUS UNBSJ Inc.
2. Develop and be responsible for the maintenance of a supportive 
   working relationship with the university administration, and represent
   the organization on all matters that concern the membership of 
   OPTAMUS UNBSJ Inc.
3. Provide direction and guidance, in cooperation with the Board of 
   Directors for the Organization. The President should at all times try to 
   seek suggestions from the membership and Executive Committee when
   mapping out the direction of the Organization.
4. Chairs all meetings of the Board and Executive Committee and all other
   committees in the absence of the designated chairperson.
5. Schedules weekly Executive Committee Meetings, if necessary and 
   Monthly Board of Directors meetings for a semester at a time. All 
   meetings in the summer may be scheduled according to the availability
   of the Directors.
6. Works towards creating an environment that is supportive and 
   productive for the Directors in the carrying out of their duties.
7. Works towards developing and maintaining a friendly and productive 
   relationship with the Executive Members of SRC.
3.  
10. The Vice-President shall:
1. Assume the duties of President should the President be unable to fulfill
   his/her duties.
2. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the OPTAMUS business office.
3. Sit on Senate Committees.
4. Act as the contact person for Faculty, Staff and Administration.
5. Act as the go between for the General Membership and the Executive.
11. The Treasurer shall:
1. Act as the legal custodian of the funds of the Corporation.
2. Maintain all necessary ledgers - posting of all monies received and all
   cheques issued. To be balanced monthly and yearly. Have custody of all
   receipts and disbursements of OPTAMUS.
3. The Treasurer and one other Executive Committee or Board member 
   must sign all disbursements.
4. Prepare deposits, deposit monies and designate another Executive 
   Committee Member to make deposits.
5. Prepare, record and remit any payroll expenditures.
6. Prepare the annual budget in co-operation with the Financial Council 
   Committee.
12. The Secretary shall:
1. Be responsible for the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors,
   Executive Committee Council, General Meetings and all meetings of 
   joint OPTAMUS-SRC.
2. Be responsible for correspondence except such as is within the function 
   of the other offices.
3. Be responsible for the minutes and any other documents or registers of 
   the organization for the term of office.
4. Act as custodian of the corporate seal.
5. Send out all notices of the organization.
6. Maintain a record of all correspondence of OPTAMUS.
7. Act as a signing officer for OPTAMUS.
8. Help prepare any necessary reports for meetings of the organization.
9. Be responsible for the preparation of meeting rooms and organization of
   Board of Directors' Meetings.
10. Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE NINE -- BANKING BY-LAWS

13. OPTAMUS may establish a Bank Account in a Chartered Bank or registered 
    Trust Company. The standard Banking By-Laws of the Royal Bank are adopted 
    as if fully set out hereinafter.

ARTICLE TEN -- NOTICES

14. Notice of meetings shall be given by E-mail, on the OPTAMUS Web Site and 
    posting such notice on the bulletin boards at the library, student building, 
    Ganong Hall, and Hazen Hall.
15. In the case of an election (see By-Law # 18), or annual general meeting, notice 
    must be given at least 2 weeks prior to the election or meeting.
16. In the case of meeting of OPTAMUS, notice must be given at least 2 weeks 
    prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE ELEVEN -- CONSTITUTION

17. The Board of Directors may make Amendments to this Constitution when 
    deemed necessary.

The foregoing adopted by the Board of Directors of OPTAMUS July 30, 1997. This "Constitution" is put in place to be the guideline for the day-to-day operation of OPTAMUS. It is not intended to replace in any way the  Incorporating Documents (Letters Patent) and Bylaws of OPTAMUS UNBSJ INC. that provide OPTAMUS UNBSJ Inc. to operate as a legal non-profit organization in the Province of New Brunswick.
 

For information about OPTAMUS please write to: OPTAMUS
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This Web Presence for OPTAMUS was created by Anne Walling using Front Page 2000. 

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Revised March 27, 2003