Student OrgsPre-PA Club

Constitution of the Pre-PA Club at Gustavus Adolphus College

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) Club.

Article II. Purpose/Mission

The mission of the Pre-PA club is to provide a positive network of support and resources for Gustavus Adolphus College students interested in pursuing a career as a physician assistant. The club actively works to inform students about the physician assistant profession, physician assistant school requirements, and the application process through PA-C, PA-S, and other speakers and application workshops. The club also strives to enhance students’ applications by providing opportunities or resources to achieve patient care hours, shadowing, and hosting community service events for members. 

Article III. Affiliations

The club is not affiliated with any other organization.

Article IV - Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications

Any active member who has been a part of the Pre-PA Club for at least one semester is eligible to run for an officer position. Any active member who has held an officer position for one year is eligible to apply for Co-President. 

Section 2: Elected Officers

• Co-Presidents: 
  • Preside over all meetings and events
  • Serve as spokespeople for the club
  • The primary contact for Gustavus Adolphus College and the club advisor
  • Prepare an agenda for each meeting
  • The primary planner for meetings and events
  • Contact any speakers, other organizations/clubs, etc.
  • Facilitate the election of new officers in the spring
  • Delegate work to all executive board members

• Secretary: 
  • Add/remove members from Google Groups to keep an accurate list of members
  • Assist with contacting any speakers, other organizations/clubs, etc. as needed
  • Take attendance for active membership requirements
  • Take meeting minutes

• Treasurer: 
  • Responsible for all club funds and budget proposals to Student Senate
  • Keep financial records of all transactions
  • Attend all necessary Student Senate meetings
  • Place any orders or purchase any items needed for club meetings or events

• Publicist: 
  • Responsible for maintaining the Pre-PA Club Instagram account
  • Design, print, and hang posters
  • Official correspondence for club members for event dates and times, resources, meeting minutes, etc.
  • Write thank you notes to guest speakers

Section 3: Officer Requirements

Officer positions are one year requirements. Officers are not required to step down from their position after one year, they can be held until graduation. Any officer that no longer wishes to remain in their position after a year, graduating officers, and open officer positions will be available to active members to apply for at the end of each spring semester for the next year. Applications will be reviewed and selected by the Co-Presidents. Officer positions that become vacant during the year can be filled by a new eligible member for the remainder of the year. 

Article V - Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership

Any Gustavus Adolphus College student who is interested in becoming a physician assistant or learning more about the profession is welcome and encouraged to join the club. Active members are required to attend 50% of club meetings and two volunteer events each semester.

Section 2: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

Membership in the club is open to all Gustavus Adolphus College students, without regard to ethnicity, race, color, marital status, religion, gender identity, class, nationality, disability, age, sex, veteran status, and sexual orientation.

Section 3: Hazing

The Pre-PA Club behaves in accordance with the hazing policies of Gustavus Adolphus College: Gustavus Adolphus College prohibits conduct by any individual, organization, or group that is defined by hazing. Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally or unintentionally, whether on or off campus premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, intimidation, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such actions may be perpetrated by an individual, group, or organization against an individual or individuals. If at any time a new member feels that their rights have been infringed upon or that they have been subjected to hazing, they are encouraged to express their concerns to the Co-Presidents, who will work with the club advisor to investigate any claims and take appropriate action to rectify the situation. 

Section 4: Removal

Any active or inactive member and any officer who has violated the DEIB or Hazing clauses, or is not in good standing with the club may be removed by the following process: The Pre-PA Club Executive Board, with assistance from the club advisor, will determine whether a member’s actions merit that member’s removal from the club. If removal is deemed necessary, the member will be given the opportunity to meet with the Executive Board and club advisor to discuss the issue and defend their case. The Executive Board and club advisor will then make the decision with a majority vote of two-thirds with all Executive Board members and the club advisor present if the member will be removed from the club within one week of the meeting. 

Article VI - Meetings

The executive board will meet at a minimum of two times a year, once at the beginning of each semester, and then as needed throughout the year to discuss plans for the semester. Information regarding meetings and events will be discussed with the executive board on a regular basis. All-member meetings will be held at least twice a month and members will be notified by email and/or GroupMe. 

Article VII - Advisor

There shall be at least one Gustavus Adolphus College faculty or staff advisor of the Pre-PA Club. The advisor will be responsible for explaining institutional policies as needed, attend meetings as necessary, and act as a resource for the club by providing any needed information regarding patient care, shadowing, and volunteer opportunities, and assist with application workshops. The advisor will meet with the Co-Presidents at the beginning of each year and then as needed. The advisor will meet with the Executive Board as needed. 

Article VIII - Amendments

Any member may request changes to the constitution at any time. Voting will take place in order for any changes to be made. A majority vote of two-thirds will need to take place and at least two-thirds of the club’s members must be present at the vote in order for any changes to occur. The club advisor must be notified of any changes made to the constitution.