History & Bylaws

History

The Alliance for Veterans is a Missouri State University Presidential entity and was founded on July 1, 2005. This unique endeavor came about as an outgrowth of itspredecessor, the SMSU Staff Senate Veterans Recognition Committee. The intial focus of the Veterans Recognition Committee revolved around the contributions of past and present members of the campus community. In keeping with the University's mission in Public Affairs the scope of the Veterans Recognition committee was gradually broadened to include veterans from the greater metropolitan region. The Staff Senate's meager budget did not allow for funding of its veterans Committe activites so donations were solicited from area veterans's organizations and University public affairs grants were obtained. The membership of the new alliance for Veterans embraces the Springfield community as well as all constituencies on campus. A reoccuring budget line was also established to facilitate all future veterans' recognition efforts.

Funding

A Missouri State University budget line of $5,000.00 was established on July 1st of 2005 to fund the Alliance's basic operating expenses.

A Missouri State University foundation account was established in June of 2005 to act as a collection point for private donations.

Mission Statement

The willingness to go into "harms way" to defend our Country from those who would attempt to destroy the freedoms that the United States of America was founded upon constitutes the noblest form of engaged citizenship. As members of this alliance and of a Univeristy dedicated to a mission in "public affairs" it is our duty to ensure that the sacrifices made and the deprivations endured by America's courageous military defenders are lifted up as examples to the entire campus community as the kind of action necessary to defend and build our democratic republic.

Goals and Objectives

By sponsoring on-campus veteran's recognition activities, engaging in community veterans recognition activities and encouraging personal interactions between students and veterans, the Alliance for Veterans is uniquely positioned to contribute to Missouri State University's public affairs goal:

To produce citizens of enhanced character, more sensitive to the needs of community, more competent and committed in their ability to contribute to society, and more civil in their habits of thought, speech and action.

Goal 1. To educate our campus community and the broader metropolitan community as the contributions and key role our veterans play in maintaining our country's freedom.
Goal 2. To make our efforts an example for every other university in America.

Bylaws

Membership

Th membership of the Missouri State University--Alliance for Veterans shall be comprised of the following voting members who will each serve a five year term:

A. One administrative representative

B. One faculty representative

C. One staff representative

D. One student representative (preferably a member of the student Veterans Club)

E. One representative from the greater metropolitan Springfield area

F. Up to seven represntatives at large

An unlimited number of non-voting: Friends of the Missouri State University--Alliance for Veterans will be welcomed.

Quorum

A quorum will be considered to exist at such times as fifty percent of the voting members are present at any meeting.

Officers

Nominations will be made and an election held each year at the December meeting to fill the mosts of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer. (These officers and any other individuals that the Chair deems necessary will comprise the Executive Committee)

There is no rule preventing the re-election of any officer should that be the will of the committee.

A two-thirds majority vote will be required for the election of officers.

Meetings

Regular meetings will be scheduled at the time and place to be specified by the Chair.

The cair may call a special meeting at such time as it is deemed necessary; so long as the entire voting membership has been notified at least twelve hours in advance. No business shall be conducted at any special meeting unless a quorum exits.

Member Removal

Any member of the Missouri State University Alliance for Veterans or the Friends of the Missouri State Alliance for the Veterans whose conduct is deemed unbecoming for a representative of this body may be removed at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Bylaw Changes

Any voting member may propose a change to the bylaws.

The Cair will then empanel an ad hoc committee to examine and discuss the appropriateness of the proposed change. After due deliberation but in no event longer than three months this committee will bring forth a recommendation to either adopt the bylaw change or reject it.

The membership will then vote on this recommendation.

A motion to reject the proposed bylaw change may be carried by a two-thirds majority vote. A motion to adopt a proposed bylaw change will require a unanimous vote of the members present.

Final Parliamentary Authority

The latest revision of Roberts Rules of Order shall be the governing body of text for deciding any matters of procedure not herein exclusively covered by these bylaws.