Article I : Charter
The name of this organization shall be the Penn Bioethics Society. The organization was founded in 2000.
Article II: Purpose
The Penn Bioethics Society publishes the Penn Bioethics Journal, the first undergraduate peer-reviewed journal in the field. The Penn Bioethics Society is a group of undergraduates who aim to promote the understanding and recognition of ethical, social, medical, and legal issues that arise from advances in science and technology and changes in policy.Article III : Board The Society's Board will consist of the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, outreach coordinator, and webmaster:
President:
The President shall call and preside over board and general body meetings, create committees and appoint their chairs, appropriate organizational funds, oversee and approve administrative tasks, and exercise executive-authority for time sensitive issues.The President will also act as the principal contact person with the Penn Bioethics Center and other speakers. He or she will work closely with the Editor in Chief of the Journal in order to strengthen the relationship between the Society and Journal
Vice President:
The Vice President has the power to call board meetings, oversee and coordinate the efforts of the Secretary, Outreach Coordinator, and Webmaster, as well as any temporary committee chairmen. The Vice-President will also be responsible for organizing faculty lunches.
Secretary:
The Secretary shall be in charge of maintaining the listserve, sending out timely updates about events through the group email account, and keeping an updated record of the group's membership. The Secretary may also be called on to take minutes during meetings when necessary.
Treasurer:,
The Treasurer has the power to appropriate funds for organizational purposes for both the Society and Journal. However, significant transactions must be confirmed by both the President and Editor in Chief . The Treasurer is also responsible tracking financial expenditures and revenues and representing the organization before the Student Activities Council.
Outreach Coordinator:
The Outreach Coordinator shall publicize events planned by the organization to the University and community. The Coordinator will lead efforts to distribute fliers and posters throughout the campus, send emails to other listserves, and update the Penn Bioethics facebook account.
Webmaster:
The Webmaster shall maintain an up to date website by incorporating changes approved by the Managing Editor or President in a timely fashion. The Webmaster is responsible for maintaining the website for both the Society and Journal
Article IV: Removal of Board Members
Board members may be removed if their conduct is judged to be unbecoming of a Penn Bioethics Society representative. Proceedings to remove a board member must be initiated and seconded by any member of the respective organization. Evidence pertaining to the case shall be presented to the general body, the accused shall be given the right to defend himself, and the floor will be opened for discussion. A two-thirds vote of a reasonable number of members present shall be required to remove the officer.
If any board member is removed, resigns, or becomes unable to fulfill his duties for an extended period of time, a general election will be undertaken. Upon the departure of the President, the Vice President succeeds to his office, and a general election is held to replace his or her position. If any other board member leaves, the board shall follow the election procedures laid out in Article V.
Article V : Elections
Elections will be held every academic year at the beginning of the spring semester. Before the elections take place, all candidates must submit written statements to the entire organization proposing their agenda for their term in office. The President has the authority to interview all of the nominees. Any existing member, who has been in the organization for at least one semester, is eligible to run for office. The winners will be determined by a simple majority vote of a reasonable number of members present. In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by a 2/3 majority vote by the Board.
Article VI: Membership
Any interested undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania is eligible to join and should submit a written request to join via email to the Secretary. Members may remove themselves by written request via email.
Article VII: Finances
The Treasurer shall oversee all finances; he or she shall be supervised by the President and Editor in Chief . The President, Editor in Chief , and Treasurer can authorize fiscal transactions, but purchases made by the Treasurer must be confirmed by the President and Editor in Chief if they amount to greater than 10% of the Penn Bioethics Society funds.
Article VIII: Meetings General Body Meetings
General body meetings can be called by the President or Vice President. A meeting must have at least two board members present in order to be official. All decisions shall be made through a simple majority vote, unless specified otherwise in the Constitution. Members shall be notified about the meeting in advance through the listserve. Absent members shall be informed about any important or urgent proceedings in a timely manner through the listserve. The meetings will be presided over by the most senior board member present. Attending members will be eligible to vote at meetings. However, a reasonable number of members present must be present for there to be a quorum.
Board Meetings
The President and Vice President shall have the power to call board meetings. Board meetings may be open or closed to the members of the general body at the discretion of the board members. Board meetings are official only if three or more officers are in attendance. Decisions shall be made by majority vote on issues over which all board members have authority. Board meetings shall be used to process administrative business: activities and further meetings can be planned and agendas for general body sessions outlined.
Article IX: Amendments to the Constitution
Board members can propose amendments and they must be seconded by another member of the society. The amendment must then be approved by a 2/3 majority vote by a reasonable number of members present. Constitutional amendments are effective immediately, but they shall not have retroactive authority.
Article X: Ratification
The Constitution for the Penn Bioethics Society will go into effect when approved by a 2/3 majority vote with a reasonable number of members present.
Article XI: Affiliations
The Penn Bioethics Society is affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania and the organization works closely with the Penn Bioethics Center.
