The Accounting and Business Association Of the Robert H. Smith School of Business
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Accounting and Business Association (ABA) of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland-College Park.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
The purpose of the organization is to provide opportunities for personal, academic and professional development for students interested in the accounting profession, through regular meetings, professional speakers, community service and social activities. The organization functions under the auspices and with the guidance of the Accounting Department of the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to all accounting and business majors, and others interested in the accounting profession. A minimum GPA of 2.5 must be maintained for membership. In addition, members must attend over half of the scheduled events per semester in order to maintain their active membership status.
ABA does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion or gender in the administration of membership or other programs.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: Officers
The executive committee shall be comprised of the following officers: President, Vice President of Programming, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of External Affairs, Vice President of Finance, and SUSA Representative.
Section 2: Duties
2.1 President
The President is to oversee the operations of the entire organization and to coordinate the efforts of the rest of the executive board. Specific duties include [but are not limited to]: conducting meetings of the executive board; delegating responsibilities to other executive officers and ensuring completion of tasks; maintaining professional networks with accounting firms; corresponding with firms regarding club events; spearheading the efforts of the annual Accounting Career Fair held in the Fall; attending SUSA President’s meetings once-a-month, acting as the liaison between the club and the Accounting Department.
2.2 Executive Vice President
The Vice President of Programming is to assist the President in the planning, organization and coordination of professional and social events for the club. Specific duties include [but are not limited to]: scheduling the club’s semester events; managing event logistics; acting as the first outlet for the President’s requests.
2.3 Vice President of Membership
The Vice President of Membership is to act as the liaison between the executive board and the club’s members. Specific duties include [but are not limited to]: taking attendance at meetings; keeping member records; recruiting new members; developing membership reward programs; gathering feedback from membership concerning club events.
2.4 Vice President of External Affairs
The Vice President of External Relations is to coordinate the marketing efforts of the club in the business school. Specific duties include [but are not limited to]: sending e-mail reminders about upcoming programs and events; creating flyers for the club’s functions; updating the club’s website; managing other promotional efforts.
2.5 Vice President of Finance
The Vice President of Finance is responsible for the club’s financial matters. Specific duties include [but are not limited to]: keeping detailed financial records of the organization’s funds; balancing the checkbook on a monthly basis; reimbursing members of the executive board; ordering food for the club’s events and financial activities; coordinate fundraising events if necessary.
2.6 SUSA Representative
The Smith Undergraduate Student Association Representative is to act as the liaison between the executive board and SUSA. Specific duties include [but are not limited to]: attending SUSA assembly meetings twice-a-month; reporting to the executive board concerning SUSA developments; aiding other board members.
2.7 Committee Member
Attend and help out at all meetings, ABA events, and co-sponored events, and assist the exec board in anything needed.
Section 3: Elections
3.1. Eligibility for Office
In order to run for an executive committee office, a student must be a member of ABA for a minimum of one semester and meet all necessary qualifications stated above for being an active member.
3.2. Election Meeting
Elections will be held at a special meeting where the candidates will have an opportunity to address the membership. Election to office will be decided by majority vote using an instant run-off system. In order to vote in the election you must meet the qualifications stated above for being an active member.
Section 4: Term of Office/Removal from Office
The term of an office is one year, effective January 1 until December 31. An officer may serve no more than two terms on the executive committee. The removal from office is at the discretion of the Accounting Department, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs of the Smith School of Business and the Faculty Advisor.
ARTICLE V – FINANCES/ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
Activities requiring funds will be financed through fundraising events, as well as money supplied by the university. The Vice President of Finance will be responsible for maintaining a detailed record of the organization’s financial activities, as well as the annual and semester budget.
ARTICLE VI – DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS ON DISSOLUTION
At such time that the Accounting and Business Association shall be dissolved, its assets shall revert to a scholarship fund to be determined by the active members of the chapter at the time of dissolution.
ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the members attending a duly called meeting. No amendment to this constitution shall be effective until filed with the Accounting Department office and the office of the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs of the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
