ATRAVES at the University of Michigan Constitution

Preamble

We, ATRAVES at the University of Michigan, aim to support integral health promotion in Barrio Camilo Ortega. By establishing a student group at the University of Michigan that is dedicated to the needs of the community and the goals of ATRAVES, an organization that has four years of experience as the leading organization working for change and empowerment in Camilo Ortega, we hope to relieve the community of its most plaguing issues. We will implement our goals by developing a sustained student group at the University of Michigan- a model that can be replicated on other campuses; building ATRAVES?s capacity to serve the community via fundraising and organizing volunteer medical professionals at our university; and traveling to Nicaragua at the end of the academic year to directly support the community.

Article I. Name

ATRAVES at the University of Michigan

Article II. Purpose

As of now, free healthcare does exist in Managua but is extremely inefficient. Proximity to Camilo Ortega and the length of time one has to wait to be seen often deters the community from seeking medical treatment. Our group addresses the dire need for affordable, accessible and efficient health care in Camilo Ortega. As a student organization, we hope to build an awareness of issues of poverty and its health impacts in the global south on campus as well as build means for students to meaningfully involve themselves in efforts to address them.

Article III. Membership

Section 1.

Any registered student at the University of Michigan is eligible for membership.

Section 2.

One becomes a member of this organization by attending the bi-weekly meetings as well as participating in various community outreach and fundraising events throughout the year. There is an additional interview process for members interested in particpating in the year-end service trip to Nicaragua, which only a portion of the members will be able to attend. Members are identfied by their belief and passion in the causes we support.

Section 3.

Members can withdraw their membership at any time by contacting a member of the board.

Article IV. Officers

Section 1.

This organization utilizes an eight-member executive board broken into four committes to oversee the actions of the group. The officers also make certain that the values of the organization's parent organization are being upheld. There are no officer titles in this group, as we do not utilize a conventional hierarchical system.

Section 2.

The officers constitute an eight-member executive committee with four standing committees.

Section 3.

This group does not have an advisor.

Article V. Operations

Section 1.

Anyone is eligible for office who has previously participated in this organization for a minimum of one academic year.

Section 2.

Officers are selected through an application process in March of each year and interviewed by the previous year's executive board. They are selected for the purpose of taking over the duties of the previous executive board.

Section 3.

Officers assume their positions in June of each year after the group's return from Nicaragua.

Section 4.

Not applicable

Article VI. Finances

Section 1.

The activities of this organization are financed through grants both from the University of Michigan as well as outside organizations, four large group fundraisers per year attracting the university community, and individual fundraising.

Section 2.

Two members of the exectutive board will constitute the Finance Committee and will oversee all of the group's finances.

Article VII. Amendments

Section 1.

Amendments are to be proposed in a presentation to the executive board at a group meeting.

Section 2.

Any member of the organization can propose amendments.

Section 3.

Any amendments will be voted on one meeting from the one during which it was proposed. Amendments will be passed by a 2/3 vote by members of the executive committee.

Article VIII. Registration Renewal

Section 1.

The registration will be renewed one month from the selection of the following year's executive committee.

Article IX. Removal of Membership

Section 1.

Members of the executive committee will be removed upon failure to fulfill their responsibilities to the organization or to the parent organization, ATRAVES.

Section 2.

Members of the executive committee are removed by a 2/3 vote of the executive commitee.

Section 3.

Members of the organizatio will be removed upon failure to fulfill their responsibilites to the organization or to the parent organization, and also by compromising the integrity or credibility of the organization as a whole.

Section 4.

Member of the organization are removed by a 2/3 vote of the executive committee.

Article X. By-Laws

There are four standing committees of the organization comprised of two members of the executive committee: Community Outreach/Event Planning, Site Development/ATRAVES Liason, and Education and Training. The Finance Committee is responsible for all of the finances of the organization. The Community Outreach/Event Planning Committee is responsible for heading the planning of all large fundraising and community outreach events, as well as group retreats. The Site Development/ATRAVES liason is responsible for being in direct contact with ATRAVES personnel and planning the year-end trip to Nicaragua. The Education and Training Committee is responsible for educating the members of the group about Nicaragua and preparing those who are participating in the trip. The members of this committee will also run the organization's meetings. The executive board will meet weekly, while all members of the organization will meet biweekly on Wednesdays.