The Constitution of the Blue Knights Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary of SUNY Geneseo
Article I: Name
This organization shall be entitled the Blue Knights Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary.
Article II: Affiliation
The State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary is a member of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, Incorporated.
Article III: Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to provide recognition to students for their contributions of time and effort to the advancement of residence halls, to foster leadership, and to improve the quality of life on the Geneseo campus through NRHH sponsored activities.
Article IV: Membership
Section I: Qualifications for Membership
A Candidates must have resided in the residence halls on the Geneseo campus for a minimum of one (1) semester.
B Candidates must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
C Candidates must have exhibited positive contributions to the college community.
D Candidates must have contributed to the residence hall system and demonstrated outstanding leadership therein.
E Candidates must be of good character and be in good standing with the State University of New York College at Geneseo.
F Candidates must complete the application for membership and return it by the deadline selected each year.
G Candidates must be reviewed by active, honorary, or alumni members of NRHH, including but not limited to executive board members and the advisor.
Section II: Types of Membership
A Once an individual has been inducted as an NRHH member, he/she is an NRHH member for life.
B There shall be four types of membership in the National Residence Hall Honorary at Geneseo, consisting of active, honorary, alumni, and early alumni members, and shall be defined as follows:
a. Active members of the NRHH at Geneseo shall be defined as SUNY Geneseo students, residing in SUNY Geneseo housing, who have been chosen by the selection committee to become a member of the Blue Knights Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary. Temporary leaves from on-campus housing, such as, but not limited to, co-ops, internships, student teaching, or study abroad, will not affect the individual’s active status in NRHH. In case of temporary leave, the NRHH member should notify the chapter president in writing including the duration of the temporary leave.
b. Honorary members shall be defined as housing personnel, instructors, college or university staff and those who have demonstrated outstanding support and service
to the residence hall students. Individuals who qualify for general membership, with the exception of graduating seniors, cannot be inducted as an “honorary member.” The number of honorary members a chapter shall be able to induct per academic year will not exceed ten percent of the chapter’s membership cap. These members do not count in the 1% cap.
c. Alumni members shall be defined as former members of NRHH, who were inducted by the Blue Knights Chapter of NRHH and have moved off-campus, or are no longer a student. These members do not count in the 1% cap.
d. Early Alumni Membership of the NRHH at Geneseo shall be defined as a member that is still living on campus but can no longer meet the chapter membership expectations. These members do not count toward the 1% membership cap.
i. Applying for Early Alumni Membership:
1. The member and/or chapter must complete the early alumni membership application (contact your Regional AD-NRHH to obtain a copy) which shall include the signatures of: Chapter President, Chapter Advisor, and chapter member for whom the form is being completed.
2. The completed early alumni membership application shall be submitted to the Regional AD-NRHH for approval.
3. The number of early alumni members a chapter shall be granted per academic year will not exceed ten percent of the chapter's membership cap (i.e.: if a chapter has a membership cap of 50, it will not be allowed more than 5 early alumni members approved per a year).
ii. The Regional AD-NRHH many deny requests for reasons including, but not limited to:
1. The application form is incomplete.
2. The Regional AD-NRHH does not believe that sufficient measures were taken by the chapter to address the member’s inactivity with chapter business before submitting the application.
3. The chapter has exceeded its allotted early alumni membership approvals for the year.
iii. Appealing the decision of the Regional AD-NRHH:
1. If the member and/or chapter wish to appeal the decision of the Regional ADNRHH, they may appeal to the entire AD-NRHH board. The decision of the AD-NRHH board (consisting of an AD- NRHH from each region) shall be final.
2. Each AD-NRHH shall have one vote.
3. A simple majority shall be necessary, for a decision, with the NRHH Chair casting the tie-breaking vote when necessary.
C The general membership of the Blue Knights Chapter shall include up to, but no more than, 1% of the total residence hall population that year, or twenty members, whichever is larger. The total 1% membership cap only includes active membership. Further definition can be found in the National NRHH by-laws.
Section III: Nomination
A Nominations shall be submitted when called for by the executive board in the spring semester.
B Nominations will be made through e-mail or a letter of recommendation. Each nominator will fill out an evaluation form for the candidate they nominate.
C Nominations may be made by:
a. Active members of the State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary.
b. Residence Council officers of the State University of New York College at Geneseo.
c. Residence life personnel of the State University of New York College at Geneseo, including but not limited to Directors, Assistant Directors, Residence Directors, Area Coordinators, Assistant Residence Directors, and Resident Assistants.
d. Members of the Executive Board of the Inter-Residence Council of the State University College at Geneseo.
D There shall be self-nominations.
a. Candidates for membership who self-nominate must have evaluation form filled out by one of the aforementioned Residence Council executive board members, Residence Council officers, Residence Life personnel, or members of the Blue Knights Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary.
Section IV: Selection
A Candidates for membership into the Blue Knights Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary shall be interviewed and evaluated by two active, honorary, or alumni members of NRHH.
B The evaluation of nominees will be determined by the active, honorary, and alumni members of the State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary. Only active members will have voting rights.
C The members of the National Residence Hall Honorary will meet to select new members in the spring semester of the academic year.
D The active members of the SUNY Geneseo NRHH shall not exceed 1% of the student population in the residence halls on the Geneseo campus.
E Nominees selected to become members for the following academic year will be notified two weeks prior to the induction banquet in the spring semester.
F All new inductees must formally accept membership prior to the induction.
G All new inductees’ membership will be official the day of the induction banquet.
Section V: Membership Requirements
All active members of the Chapter must meet Membership Requirements as put forth in this Constitution. Active members will be required to accumulate 10 points per academic year
A. Membership points shall be accumulated as follows:
a. One (1) point for making Dean’s List
i. Two (2) points for making President’s List
b. Two (2) points for planning an NRHH sponsored event
c. Two (2) points for Committee involvement
i. Committee involvement will be decided at the discretion of the Committee Chair
d. One (1) point for writing an OTM
i. Two (2) points if the OTM wins locally, not to exceed a total of two (2) points per OTM
e. One (1) point for participating in membership selection interviews
f. One (1) point for participating in the Membership Selection Committee
g. One (1) point for attending a service project for less than two (2) hours
h. Two (2) points for attending a service project longer than two (2) hours
i. One (1) point for attending a NRHH sponsored fellowship activity
j. Two (2) points for attending a NEACURH or NACURH conference or sub- regional meeting
k. One (1) point for attending a General Assembly meeting
l. One (1) point for writing ten (10) Out of the Blues
m. Additional points for any other activity may be awarded by the Executive Board, as they deem worthy
B. Those members serving on the Executive Board will be expected to fulfill 15 points per year in office, and will be expected to have those additional points satisfied in order to partake in membership benefits.
C. If an active member fails to accumulate the necessary points for the academic year, they may achieve them in addition to the required points in the following academic year.
D. Failure on behalf of an active member to achieve the necessary points for membership will result in the member not receiving membership benefits, including but not limited to discounted prices and honor cords.
E. The Treasurer will be responsible for keeping records of membership points
a. The Executive Board will be responsible for ensuring the Treasurer is fully informed and up-to-date on membership points in their respective responsibilities.
Article V: Meeting Procedures
A Meetings of the General Assembly of the Blue Knights Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary may be called by the President, or the Vice President acting as
President, with the approval of at least two other Executive Board members.
B One half (50%) of the active membership of the Blue Knights Chapter of NRHH must be present at any given meeting to conduct the following business.
1. Election of Executive Board members.
2. Impeachment of Executive Board members.
3. Approval of financial business totaling over $300 except in the case of expenses already outlined in this Constitution, including but not limited to conference delegation fees.
Article VI: Executive Structure
Section I: Selection of Officers
A The officers of the State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary shall be selected by active members in an election by majority vote of the NRHH at least one week prior to the spring induction. The new officers shall take office effective the day of inductions.
Section II: Officers and Duties
A President:
1. Shall preside over meetings throughout the year.
2. Shall supervise and serve as master of ceremonies at the induction banquet.
3. Shall serve as the official representative at conferences, regional and national.
4. Shall serve as an ex-officio member to the SUNY Geneseo Inter-Residence Council executive board. This includes attending weekly Executive Board and General Assembly meetings.
5. Shall act as a liaison between the State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary and the public, local, and community organizations.
6. Shall work to reestablish and maintain alumni connections.
7. Shall oversee all committees, including but not limited to:
a. NRHH Chapter of the Year Bid (if applicable) and
b. NRHH presentations at conferences and training sessions.
B Vice President
1. Shall fulfill the duties of the president when the president is unable.
2. Shall facilitate leadership development of recognition coordinators on Residence Councils.
3. Shall coordinate NRHH giveaways at conferences.
4. Shall manage special promotions, gifts, and NRHH merchandising.
5. Committee: Recognition Executive Council.
C Community Service Coordinator
1. Shall be responsible for the planning and execution of all service learning and community service projects for NRHH.
2. Shall create and maintain relationships within the community.
3. Shall maintain an awareness of the needs in the community.
4. Shall be a member of the Geneseo CSO, while it remains active.
5. Committee: Helping Hands
D Secretary
1. Shall take and distribute minutes for all meetings.
2. Shall coordinate large-scale recognition projects for NRHH.
3. Shall control the local OTM process.
4. Shall assist the Vice President in developing the Recognition Executive Council.
5. Committee: R-Recognition
E Treasurer
1. Shall coordinate the formulation of the budget.
2. Shall pay all chapter dues to the NACURH Information Center (NIC).
3. Shall be responsible for all monetary transactions associated with the SUNY Geneseo NRHH.
4. Shall coordinate fundraising efforts.
5. Committee: H-Having Fun.
F Publicist/Historian
1. Shall work with the president to reestablish and maintain alumni connections.
2. Shall maintain communication with the campus through the website, publication of newsletters, flyers, and other forms of publicity.
3. Shall maintain a record of NRHH activities and compile a scrapbook throughout the year.
4. Shall make door tags for active and honorary members.
5. Committee: N-Networking and Publicity
G All Executive Board Members
1. Shall write an OTM to be submitted for campus consideration each month that the College is in session.
Section III: Terms of Office
A The terms of office for the President, Vice President, Community Service Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, and Publicist/Historian of the State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary shall be one (1) year from induction to induction.
B If an executive board position of the State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary becomes vacant in the middle of the term, the position shall be filled by an active member of NRHH with the majority of approval of the members present at the next meeting. The term of office begins immediately, and lasts until the spring induction.
Article VII: Advisor
A There shall be at least one (1) advisor to the Blue Knights Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary.
B The advisor(s) shall be from the Residence Life professional staff, or an NRHH alumni staff member of the college.
C The advisor(s) shall be chosen by the executive board members of NRHH.
D The advisor(s) must be approved by a majority vote of members of the Blue Knights Chapter of NRHH.
E The advisor(s) shall act as a liaison between the National Residence Hall Honorary and the Department of Residence Life at the State University of New York College at Geneseo.
F The advisor(s) will maintain the position from induction to induction and may be re- selected after one year.
Article VIII: Committees
A Networking/Publicity Committee
1. Shall distribute posters and flyers for upcoming recognition and community service events.
2. Shall maintain a connection with NRHH alumni to inform them of upcoming events.
3. Shall create and circulate a regularly distributed newsletter outlining upcoming events, special recognitions, and important information.
4. Shall assist with the hanging of NRHH door tags.
B Recognition Committee
1. Shall manage and advertise the Out of the Blue system.
2. Shall maintain communication and manage recognition activities within Residence Council recognition coordinators.
3. Shall advertise, educate, and promote the writing of campus OTMs.
4. Shall update the OTM odometer monthly.
5. Shall help coordinate recognition events and other campus recognition efforts.
6. Shall send recent OTM information to NRHH members.
C Helping Hands Committee
1. Shall assist in the planning and the execution of NRHH service learning and community service projects.
2. Shall publicize all NRHH service learning and community service events across campus.
3. Shall strive to further expand NRHH's efforts within the community to better serve those in need.
D Having Fun Committee
1. Shall organize fun activities for NRHH members.
2. Shall coordinate entertainment aspects of programs.
E Recognition Executive Council
1. Shall be composed of the Recognition Coordinators of each Hall Council or their designate.
2. Shall be headed up by the Vice President, assisted by the Secretary with the rest of the Executive Board giving their assistance when needed.
3. Shall develop methods of recognition within the halls including education on the OTM system and Out of the Blues.
4. Shall be encouraged to develop a campus wide recognition program.
F The integration of ad-hoc committees is encouraged and expected.
Article VIII: Election of the NRHH Executive Board
A The president will call for nominations for each position of the executive board.
B Elections will being with the president, then vice president, community service coordinator, secretary, treasurer, and will finish with the historian/publicist.
C Candidates will be given five minutes each to speak, while other candidates for the same position will leave the room.
D Candidates will have a five minute question and answer session.
E The candidate will then leave the room. Then, the process will be repeated for all additional candidates.
F After all candidates for a specific position have been given the opportunity to speak and answer questions, discussion on the candidates and a vote will take place.
G This procedure will be repeated for all executive board positions.
Article IX: Impeachment of the NRHH Executive Board
Section I: Grounds for Impeachment
A Excessive absences from NRHH Executive Board and NRHH General Assembly Meetings. In the case of the President, this will include excessive absences from IRC Executive Board and IRC General Assembly Meetings.
B Failure to perform the duties of the respective office as defined by this Constitution.
C Abuse or misapplication of the powers of the office.
Section II: Impeachment Process
A The NRHH membership shall have the right to impeach an Executive Board member upon presentation of a petition of one third (1/3) of the chapter’s current active membership, with specific charges and reasons stated.
B Prior to the Meeting: In the event of an impeachment, the petition must be presented to the President of the Blue Knights Chapter of NRHH at least two (2) days before the general assembly meeting in which the proceedings are to take place. The President is required to inform the Executive Board member, who the charges have been brought against, twenty four (24) hours before the meeting in which the procedures take place.
C Meeting in which Impeachment Processes take place: The members and Executive Board present shall hear the charges. The Executive Board member in question, if present, shall be allowed to defend themselves in a five minute speech. Then, the active members and Executive Board shall vote. A two-thirds majority of those present is required to remove a person from office.
1. The President, except if his/her vote will change the outcome of the proceedings, and the NRHH Executive Board member in question may not vote.
2. In the case that the President is the person under impeachment proceedings, the Vice President shall preside over the proceedings, including receiving the petition two (2) days before the general assembly meeting and will assume the President’s voting rights stated above during the proceedings against the President.
Article X: Conferences
NEACURH Regional and Mini No-Frills conferences will be attended by the advisor and the president of the State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary. The president will attend sub-regional meetings in the fall and spring. The president elect will attend the NACURH national conference. The advisor may attend the NACURH national conference.
Article XII: Fees, Dues, and Budget
The State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary will pay the required dues per year as established by the NACURH Information Center (NIC) in order to retain affiliation status.
The State University of New York College at Geneseo National Residence Hall Honorary’s income is comprised of roll over budget, fundraising, and OCM transactions.
Article XII: Chapter Reports
As mandated by the NACURH Information Center (NIC), the SUNY Geneseo NRHH Blue Knights Chapter shall submit to them a list of current members, the names of officers, the name of the advisor, a copy of a revised constitution (if amendments were made), a re-affiliation form, membership dues and any other pertinent information as requested by the NACURH Information Center (NIC).
Article XIII: Amendments and By-Laws
A Amendments to this constitution may be adopted or amended by a two-thirds vote of the active membership. By-laws may be adopted by a simple majority vote.
B This constitution shall be reviewed biannually by a committee chosen from the active, honorary, and alumni membership.
Article XIV: Organization Conduct
The National Residence Hall Honorary Blue Knights Chapter agrees to adhere to the regulations of the State University of New York College at Geneseo.
Article XV: Superseding Policies
Changes to the NRHH Governing Documents, the NACURH Policy Book and By-Laws, and any mandate set forth by the State University of New York College at Geneseo shall supersede this document.
Article XVI: Enactment
This constitution shall go into effect immediately upon acceptance by two-thirds of the voting membership of the Blue Knights Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary.