Chapter By-Laws
Texas Tech Academy of Student Pharmacists

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
School of Pharmacy


I. NAME

1) The name of this organization shall be known as the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) chapter at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy.

2) To reduce confusion, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center chapter of APhA-ASP will be referred to as Texas Tech ASP, or simply ASP in announcements by the Chapter.

II. CHAPTER GOALS
The Chapter will exist for the following purposes and goals:

1) To encourage all pharmacy students to become more knowledgeable about the pharmacy profession and its operation with society by:

a) Providing opportunities for student participation in the decision-making process of pharmacy on the Chapter, State, Regional and National levels.
b) Encouraging student attendance at Chapter, Regional and National APhA-ASP and APhA meetings.
c) Increasing student awareness of current issues facing the pharmacy profession by means of programs, meetings, speakers, etc.
d) Making information in all fields of pharmacy practice readily available to all pharmacy students and to support their pursuits in these areas.

2) To encourage development of all pharmacy students into knowledgeable and competent health care professionals by:

a) Providing opportunities to develop leadership capabilities by holding elected offices or being appointed to committees of national APhA-ASP.
b) Continually encouraging the development of new ideas and projects which will enhance each student's individual education.
c) Working with the administration and faculty members in an effort to continually provide an innovative and progressive academic curriculum.

3) To support and actively participate in projects which will advance the pharmacy profession.

4) To uphold and elevate the professional aspects of the pharmacy profession.

5) To provide a mechanism for APhA-ASP members to voice opinion on activities, policies, and issues of the APhA, as well as that of the pharmacy profession.

6) To encourage APhA-ASP members upon graduation to continue as active members in either the Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APPM) or the Academy of Pharmaceutical Research and Science (APRS) of APhA, as well as in their state associations and other professional associations in general.

7) To promote interest and participation in the advancement of the pharmacy profession, pharmaceutical education, and professional service to the public.

8) To foster fellowship and goodwill among pharmacy students, educators, practitioners, and persons who support, are interested in, and are served by the pharmacy profession.

9) To increase and enhance public awareness of comprehensive pharmaceutical services provided by the pharmacy profession.

III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE APHA-ASP CHAPTER AT THE TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

1) Any student enrolled in the School of Pharmacy shall be eligible for active membership upon submission of the proper membership enrollment form and payment of the dues set by APhA and the Chapter

2) Dues shall consist of National, State, and local Chapter fees; when applicable.

3) Dues shall be paid upon submission of a membership enrollment form to a member of the Membership Committee of the Chapter.

4) Any student pursuing pre-pharmacy prerequisites may join as an associate student member through the Texas Tech Chapter by filling out the proper membership enrollment form and paying appropriate dues for an associate student member.

IV. CHAPTER FUNDS

1) Any activity recommended by the Chapter may serve as a source of income for the Chapter, upon approval of the Chapter Executive Committee, the Chapter Advisor, and the Dean of the School of Pharmacy. Additionally, any Chapter dues shall be funds of the Chapter.

2) Appropriations shall require a majority vote of the Executive Committee prior to disbursement if those funds are greater than $15. This allows the treasurer to disburse funds less than $15 to incur such expenses as postage for mailings and small numbers of copies for events without executive committee approval.

3) Disbursement of funds in an amount greater than $150 shall require a vote of the membership of the chapter in addition to approval from the executive committee.

V. CHAPTER OFFICERS AND DUTIES

The officers of the APhA-ASP Texas Tech School of Pharmacy will consist of the following: President, Vice President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers comprise the Executive Committee, either partially or in its entirety.

1) Duties of the President

a) To be familiar with all the operations of APhA and APhA-ASP on the National, Regional, State and local Chapter levels.
b) To schedule, announce, preside, and maintain order and decorum at all Chapter and Executive Committee meetings.
c) To enforce and promote enforcement of the Constitutions and By-Laws of APhA, and the Chapter
d) To serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee
e) To assume such duties as may be imposed by official vote of the membership.
f) To prepare a proposed schedule of events of APhA-ASP for the year in which he/she will be presiding.
g) To disseminate all pertinent information received from the APhA-ASP National office to the other officers and membership.
h) To appoint and remove the chairpersons and members of all committees of the Chapter, upon approval of the Executive Committee.
i) To serve as ex-officio member of all committees.
j) To maintain close contact and communication with the other members of the Executive Committee and the Chapter Advisor on a regular basis.
k) To act as a general representative of the APhA-ASP, Texas Tech School of Pharmacy Chapter, except in cases where authority is given to another officer or member.
l) To inform the membership and Chapter Advisor of all actions taken.
m) To call special meetings of the Chapter upon written request of one-tenth of the Chapter members. The President shall have the power to call special meetings.
n) To perform the duties of the President-Elect in the interim during which there is no such officer.

2) Duties of the Campus Vice-Presidents

a) To be familiar with all operations of APhA and APhA-ASP on the National, Regional, State and local Chapter levels.
b) To serve as advisor the to President.
c) To assist the President in the performance in his/her duties at all times, especially in coordination of the activities of the Executive Committee and related committees.
d) To serve as coordinators of professional committees.
e) To develop professionally oriented Chapter programs
f) To disseminate all pertinent information received from the APhA-ASP National office to the other officers and members.
g) To serve as an ex-officio members of all committees, for the purpose of record-keeping, i.e. taking minutes.
h) To be responsible for arranging a meeting place, time and speaker for all Chapter meetings and functions.
i) To be responsible for publicity concerning meetings using such means as monthly calendars and bulletin boards, etc.

3) Duties of the President-Elect

a) To become conversant in all aspects of the office of the President.
b) To serve as an ex-officio member on all committees.
c) To attend all functions and meetings at which the President's attendance is required, so as to be fully trained before assuming the presidential office.
d) To serve as a resource person for all procedures and policies by having a copy of the Chapter's Constitution and By-Laws.
e) To serve as liaison to the state pharmaceutical association.
f) To oversee the appointed delegate in the planning of accommodations and travel to Regional and/or National APhA-ASP functions.
g) To assist the President and/or Vice-President in coordinating the activities of the Executive Committee, as well as various other committees.
h) To serve a one-year term of office as President-Elect and a one-year term as President.
i) To assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President due to impeachment, resignation, election to National office, or other cause.

4) Duties of the Secretary

a) To record complete minutes at all Chapter meetings.
b) To submit said minutes in typed form to the officers of the Chapter and the Advisor within ten days of said meeting.
c) To post a copy of said minutes in a conspicuous place within ten days of said meeting.
d) To give a report to the minutes recorded at the previous meeting at each general meeting.
e) To make copies of such minutes available upon request of the membership.
f) To assist the Vice-President in publicizing all National, Regional, and Chapter APhA-ASP events at least two weeks prior to that event if possible.
g) To be responsible for corresponding with Regional and National APhA-ASP officers.
h) To submit the APhA-ASP Quarterly Report forms for the APhA Chapter Achievement Awards Program.                                                                     i) To be responsible for maintaining the Chapter's webpage, keeping information up to date with collaboration of other chapter officers and members.
j) In the absence of a Vice President, the Secretary will be responsible for communications - posting announcements to the webboard and bulletin board with collaboration of other chapter officers and members.

5) Duties of the Treasurer

a) To record all cash receipts and disbursement from Chapter accounts.
b) To file all forms regarding finances and membership to the National office.
c) To assist in all activities that involve Chapter moneys.
d) To coordinate all cash receipts and disbursements from all Chapter activities. This involves maintaining a balanced checkbook and entering all information into the treasury transaction book, i.e. ledger.
e) To act as the Chapter purchasing agent which involves the following responsibilities:
i. Ordering supplies;
ii. Communicating with the college mail room and filing proper purchase order forms for the Chapter items to be shipped to the college;
iii. Researching the marketplace when major purchases are proposed and reporting price and quality variances to the Executive Committee.
f) To give a projected budget for the academic year.
g) To develop and help coordinate fundraising programs and events.

VI. CHAPTER ADVISOR

1) The Chapter will have a Chapter Advisor who must be a full time faculty member of Texas Tech School of Pharmacy and a member of APhA.

2) The Chapter Advisor shall be proposed by the Executive Committee of the Chapter and shall be elected upon two-thirds(2/3) vote of the Chapter membership, subject to the approval of the Dean of the School of Pharmacy.

3) Duties of the Chapter Advisor will include the following:

a) To act as a consultant to the members and offices of the Chapter on matters pertaining to APhA-ASP.
b) To provide continuity to the Chapter's operations from one year to the next.
c) To be available for advice and ideas as needed on subjects such as internal Chapter problems, fundraisers, community service projects, etc.
d) To approve fundraising activities as advisor, recognizing the Dean must provide final approval to all fundraising activities within the School of Pharmacy.

4) The Chapter Advisor will be invited to attend all Chapter, Regional and National APhA-ASP meetings that the students are attending; and will attend when possible.

5) The Chapter Advisor will assist in reviewing any needed changes in the By-Laws necessary to insure that they are current and responsive to the needs of the Chapter. It is suggested that the review take place on a yearly basis.

6) The Chapter Advisor may, but is not required to participate as a member of the Chapter's Executive Committee.

7) The Chapter Advisor shall be subject to removal upon petition, by two-thirds (2/3) of the Chapter members. The Executive Committee shall submit the Petition to the Dean of the School of Pharmacy to be approved. The Chapter Advisor may be removed for failure to perform any of his/her duties stated in the By-Laws. The Executive Committee will seek a person to fill the position only after it has been informed of the current Advisor's formal removal. Upon removal or resignation, a new Chapter Advisor shall be selected in accordance with section VI, part 2 of these By-Laws within seven (7) days of the removal of the Chapter Advisor.

VII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Elections for APhA-ASP Chapter officers are to be planned and executed in accordance with the criteria stated in this section.

1) Qualification for the Candidates

a) Must be an active member of the APhA-ASP Chapter at the Texas Tech School of Pharmacy
b) Must meet the academic requirements set forth by the Texas Tech School of Pharmacy to run for an office in an organization.
c) Each candidate for office shall be a student member in good scholastic standing.
d) Must show evidence of active participation in the Chapter and possess necessary qualities of leadership.
e) Must be enrolled in the School of Pharmacy at the time he/she receives the oath of office.
f) Must be able to complete his/her term of office while enrolled in the School of Pharmacy.

2) Elections

a) The privilege of voting shall be confined to members of the Chapter in good standing.
b) Elections shall be scheduled at a time and place convenient to all members.
c) Voting shall be by secret ballot with the names of the candidates listed in alphabetical order according to the office being sought.
d) A candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected to office.
e) The ballots shall be counted by the election committee.
f) Results shall be posted immediately after the ballots have been tabulated.
g) All officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year except that the President-Elect shall automatically ascend to the Office of President.

VIII. FILLING OF VACATED OFFICES

1) Removal of an Officer/Disciplinary Action

a) An officer shall be removed from office if he/she:
i) Willfully neglects the duties of his/her office;
ii) Is no longer in good academic standing;
iii) Is found guilty of mishandling Chapter funds; or
iv) Neglects to uphold the Chapter By-Laws.
b) An officer shall not be removed from office unless his/her charges are discussed at an Executive Committee meeting and grounds for removal shall be established by majority vote of the Executive Committee.
c) An officer may also be removed from office if he/she is excessively absent from meetings during the academic year. In this situation, the officer will be issued a written warning from the Executive Committee. If the officer continues to be absent, he/she may be asked to attend a hearing at the next Executive Committee meeting. If the Executive Committee finds the officer's explanation to be unacceptable, the Committee may ask the officer to resign. This will be addressed if an officer fails to attend at least 2/3 of activities and 3/4 of regularly scheduled general and Executive Committee meetings during the school year.
d) When an officer is removed from office, he/she shall never be able to be a candidate for any office in the Chapter.

2) Upon removal of an officer from his/her position, the President shall have the authority to appoint a replacement, with the approval of the Executive Committee unless the officer being removed is the President.

3)
Upon removal of the President from his/her position, the President-Elect will assume the title and duties of the presidential office for the remainder of the term. The membership will nominate and vote for a new President-Elect, as specified by the election procedures.

4) In the event that the President-Elect should choose not to assume the duties of the President, the Executive Committee shall have two options:

a) If there are more than two months remaining in the current President's term, the general membership shall elect a new President-Elect. Nominations are to be taken from the floor and must be seconded. Election procedures must meet the criteria set forth in these By-Laws. Nominees must meet all of the candidacy requirements as set forth in these By-Laws.
b) If less than two months remain in the President-Elect's term, any duties or activities held or participated in by the President-Elect shall then be performed by the Vice Presidents for the remainder of the term. In the yearly elections, however, there will be the need to elect a President, as well as a President-Elect for the upcoming year.

IX. COMMITTEES AND APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

1) Structure

a) The following committees shall remain permanent committees: Executive Committee
b) The President or other presiding officer shall establish such standing and ad hoc committees as are necessary to conduct the programs and business of the Chapter.
c) Committee members may both volunteer and agree to serve at the request of the President.

2) Appointment of Committee Chairpersons

a) The members of any committee may elect a Chairperson by majority vote, or the President may designate Chairpersons.

3) Duties of Committee Chairpersons

a) To organize members to work on particular committees and their respective projects.
b) To call meetings of their respective committees on a regular basis.
c) To report to the Executive Committee regularly on the progress or results of that committee when called upon;
i) All committee reports shall be made in duplicate
ii) One copy of the report shall be given to the Secretary for permanent filing.

4) Executive Committee

a) The Executive Committee shall consist of the elected officers of the Chapter and such chairpersons of the designated standing committees as the President may determine.
b) The Chapter Advisor may participate as a member of the Executive Committee.
c) Duties/responsibilities of the Executive Committee include:
i) To advise the Chapter regarding its various actions and functions;
ii) To coordinate the activities of the Chapter;
iii) To prepare meeting agendas prior to the respective meeting;
iv) To help the Treasurer with the proposed annual budget and assist in presenting the budget to the Chapter for approval.
v) To maintain a notebook describing the responsibilities and duties of each officer.
vi) To discuss the functions and obligations of each office with the respective members-elect.
vii) To approve all committee appointments made by the President.

X. MEETINGS

1) Chapter Meetings

a) There shall be at least six Chapter meetings per academic school year at which time the membership can transact business.
b) The President or a majority of the Executive Committee may call Chapter meetings.
c) Meetings may also be called by the general membership on petition signed by not less than one-tenth of the current, eligible members upon approval of a majority of the Executive Committee.
d) The time and place of the Chapter meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee.
e) The membership shall be notified at least one week in advance of the time and place of the Chapter meetings.

2) Executive Committee Meetings

a) There shall be at least six Executive Committee meetings per academic school year.
b) Meetings may be called by the President or two Executive Committee members.
c) Executive Committee members shall be notified at least one week in advance of the time and place of Executive Committee meetings; when possible. When advance notice is not possible, a reasonable attempt must be made to inform each Executive Committee member of the meeting.

XI. QUORUM

1) For a general meeting, a quorum shall consist of not less than 15% of the current members.

2) For an Executive Committee Meeting, a quorum shall consist of those members present.

XII. RULES OF ORDER

The rules of order and procedures at all general Chapter and Executive Committee meetings should be those set out in Robert's Rules of Order, when they are not in conflict with the By-Laws of the American Pharmaceutical Association of these By-Laws. In the event of a conflict, it shall be resolved by the President, whose decision will be final.

XIII. AMENDMENTS

The Chapter By-Laws may be amended at any time by following these procedures:

1) Amendments of the Chapter By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee.

2) The proposed amendment(s) will be announced by the Secretary at the next general meeting and will be posted in a conspicuous place and/or written copies will be made available for general member review at least one week prior to the next general meeting.

3) The proposed amendment(s) will be announced a second time and voted on following an open review for all members at the next general meeting.

4) Adoption of the proposed amendment(s) will require an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.

XIV. TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

1) Attendance will be taken and recorded at every Chapter event and reported to the Secretary.

2) The following rules will be imposed on travel reimbursement, as to reimburse members who are active and not reward members for going to MRM and National meetings who are not attending general chapter meetings or participating in chapter activities.
i. In order to receive reimbursement, the member shall have been in attendance for a minimum of 2/3 of the general chapter meetings to that date.
ii. If there have been any additional activities, other than general meetings, including those activities of the fundraising, social, community service, Operation Immunization, and Operation Diabetes committees, the member shall have participated in at least 1/2 of those activities.
iii. The student must also attend a minimum number of events at the meetings for which they want to receive reimbursement:
1. At the Midyear Regional Meeting, the student must attend all open sessions available to them.
2. At the Annual Meeting, the student must attend 4 of the 5 following meetings: ASP Opening General Session, the ASP Open Hearing on Proposed Resolutions, the Region 6 Caucus, and at least one of the two sessions of the House of Delegates. The member is strongly encouraged to attend BOTH sessions of the House of Delegates as well as the Friday night Student Social.
iv. MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT SITUATIONS
1. There are two persons who will receive a minimum amount of reimbursement to ensure Texas Tech representation at the Annual Meeting.
a. Chapter President
i. Chapter President will receive full reimbursement of travel, including but not limited to registration, airfare, and hotel. The President, however, must make every effort to minimize his/her expense, i.e. sharing a hotel room.
b. Texas Tech Patient Counseling Competition Winner
i. Chapter NPCC Winner will receive a minimum of registration and airfare and more if division of student senate reimbursement allows.

3) Reimbursement of attendees to meetings should be handled in the following manner:
i. Texas Tech limits the number of people who can submit for reimbursement from a single organization to 4 persons. One of those persons should be the Chapter President, who will keep their check. The other three people submitting for reimbursement will split expenses on the trip as they see fit, however, upon return and receipt of reimbursement from Student Senate, those three checks will be pooled and divided evenly among those persons qualifying for reimbursement.
ii. If that divided amount does not reimburse the Patient Counseling winner for registration and airfare in it's entirety, then the winner's reimbursement will be pulled from the entire amount and the remaining will be divided among those eligible for reimbursement.

Chapter Bylaws Adopted August 8, 1996

Dates Amended: October 20, 2003; March 21, 2005; March 22, 2006


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