The UP HILL Project Constitution

1.       Name:  The UP HILL Project

2.       Purpose

a.       Aims

                                                            i.      To increase awareness, prevention, and education of HIV/AIDS and other STI’s on campus and in the local community.

                                                             ii.      To raise money for the non-profit organization The UP HILL Project.  A community based free clinic called The UP HILL Project will be set up in a rural village of Tada, India near Chennai.  The clinic will provide support, treatment, and care for Indian men, women and youth infected with HIV/AIDS and other STIs.  There will be a team of volunteers working in the clinic itself, and another traveling team which will provide house calls to those infected who do not have the means of getting to the clinic.  The project in addition will carry an aspect of outreach, by providing lectures to local high schools and colleges about the impact of HIV on India and how to prevent future infections.  The clinic will also act as a safe shelter for infected women and youth who have been abused or neglected due to having HIV/AIDS.

                                                           iii.      To encourage/foster USD students’ interest in international health care and non-profit organizations.

b.       Organization’s Function

                                                               i.      Monthly meetings will take place to discuss and organize activities on campus to raise awareness, prevention, and education about HIV/AIDS for our USD campus and the local community.

                                                             ii.      We will also discuss/plan fundraising events and opportunities to raise money for the non-profit organization The UP HILL Project.

                                                           iii.      We will provide education for our own members about HIV/AIDS and its effects on southern India.

c.       For whom does the organization exist

                                                               i.      For any USD student, in undergraduate or graduate school, who:

1.       Has an interest in preventing HIV/AIDS and other STI’s in the USD campus

2.       Has an interest in international healthcare and public health

3.       Has an interest in non-profit organizations and fundraising.

d.       Whom does it benefit

                                                               i.      All USD students who will be effected by the education our organization provides

                                                             ii.      HIV and other STI infected students and staff who will know they have our support

                                                           iii.     Our members who will have a more detailed education about HIV/AIDS and other STI’s, and who will also have the opportunity to help the HIV/AIDS cause in south India.

                                                           iv.     HIV infected women and youth living in Tada, India who would otherwise be shunned from society because of their HIV status.

3.       Membership

a.       Members will partake in the functions and activities of the organization

b.       Eligibility

                                                               i.      Anyone in the USD community with an interest in The UP HILL Project

c.       Kind of Membership

                                                               i.      Pledged

d.       Guidelines for Membership

                                                               i.      Officers should attend all meetings (in person, or via other means) unless there is a reasonable excuse.  Excessive absenteeism will result in dismissal from the position.

                                                             ii.      Members should regularly attend meetings and participate in organization functions.

e.       The UP HILL Project will not discriminate in membership on the basis of race color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

      4.       Officers

a.       President:  Acts as the contact person and the “public voice” of organization.  Plans meetings, oversees and helps other officers with all duties.  Preferably a grad student, or someone with a health care background and future goals in health care.  Someone who thinks they would like to do some international health care work in the future.

b.       Vice President:  Takes over president’s duties when president is unable. Helps director with all tasks.  Responsible for increasing membership and reserving rooms for meeting.  Same requirements as director to hold office.   Can act as a “Co-president” if preferred.

c.      Treasurer:  Responsible for all donations and bank account associated with The UP HILL Project. 

d.       Fundraising Coordinator:  Plans and coordinates fundraising events for The UP HILL Project.  Preferably someone with fundraising experience.

e.       USD outreach:  Responsible for ways to increase awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and other STI’s on the USD campus.  Preferably someone who is familiar with the USD campus and is very “involved” in the campus and its activities.

f.        Public Relations:  Responsible for advertising meetings, events, and press releases for special events.

g.       Secretary:  Takes meeting minutes, historian, and maintains the website.

      5.       Selection of Officers

a.      Director and Assistant Director will be appointed by the previous year’s Director and Assistant Director.  The Director and Assistant Director can reappoint themselves if they return to USD the next year.  The other positions will chosen by a vote of the members during a special meeting.  The officers will keep their position for one year and can be reelected any amount of time.  If a vacancy occurs the Director and Assistant Director will appoint a member to fill the vacancy or take on the responsibilities of the vacant officer themselves.  An officer is removed if they step down, are told to step down by the Director, or are voted off by the majority of the members.

      6.       Finances

a.       The organization obtains money through fundraising

b.       The organization will only spend money for The UP HILL Project advertising, organizing, education, and service trips with The UP HILL Project to India. ABSOLUTELY NO PERSONAL USE.  If any member is found to use The UP HILL Project’s funds for personal use, they will be immediately dismissed from the organization.

c.       The Director and treasure will be the only one responsible for the money and donations obtained for The UP HILL Project.  The Director may share these responsibilities with the Assistant Director if he/she chooses to.

      7.       Amendments

a.       The constitution can be changed with a majority vote of members during meetings with approval of the director (if 2/3 of the members agree with the change, the director need not approve for the amendment to take place).  Any member can propose changes verbally or written and it will be voted on during the next meeting.