Mission

The mission of the Solar Car Team at the Missouri University of Science and Technology is the development of a highly competitive solar-powered vehicle that demonstrates the engineering excellence of the members of the organization. The Solar Car Team seeks to promote alternative energy technology while providing tomorrow’s engineers with the hands-on experience in applying classroom knowledge. Through the spirit of intercollegiate competition, this project hopes to foster leadership, teamwork and the continuous advancement of technologies for the betterment of humanity.

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be “Solar Car Team at the Missouri University of Science and Technology” which hereafter shall be referred to as the “Team.”

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to
        1. Promote technological advancement
        2. Expand Team member's knowledge of classroom concepts
        3. Increase awareness of clean energy, environment protection, and energy efficiency
        4. Encourage support of the Team by the Missouri University of Science and Technology
        5. Familiarize members with product development, marketing, and business acumen
        6. Provide skill that will prepare members for leadership roles in industry
        7. Provide interdisciplinary cooperation in advancing quality design

Article III: Duties and Responsibilities of Team

It shall be the duty of the Team to ensure the following:
        1. Participation in alternative energy vehicle competition
        2. Promotion of the University abroad
        3. Assist the project in designing and manufacturing the vehicle
        4. Vote on subjects reflecting on the Team as a whole

Article IV: Membership

The membership shall consist of undergraduate and graduate students who are currently enrolled at Missouri S&T and meet all University requirements for student organizations. Membership status shall be on a semester-by-semester basis.

Section A: Active Member Status

Active Member status shall consist of the member having paid dues and currently be a student. Active Members have the right to vote, hold office, and bring motions before the Team. An Active Member cannot miss more than 3 general Team meetings total with no greater than 2 of those being consecutive, or otherwise the members shall be moved to the status of non-voting. Absences can be excused if a valid reason for missing the meeting is given to the Secretary before the start of the meeting.

Section B: Non-voting Member Status

Non-voting member status shall consist of the member having paid dues and is currently a student. Non-voting members do not have the right to vote, hold office, or bring motions before the Team. Missing 5 total general Team meetings, with no greater than 3 of those being consecutive, or the member shall be moved to non-active member status.

Section C: Non-Active Member Status

Non-active member status shall consist of all members who have not paid dues, and all members who have paid dues and missed 5 or more general Team meetings, with no greater than 3 of those being consecutive. Non-active members do not have the right to vote, hold office, or bring motions before the Team. They are also disallowed from being reinstated as an active member till the start of the following semester.

Section D: Reinstatement Policy

Non-voting members may petition the officer core to regain active member status with or without stipulation at any time during the current academic semester. A simple majority vote of the officers at an officer meeting shall be required for Team member reinstatement. Petitions may be submitted personally or electronically preceding the next available officer meeting.

Section E: Advisors

The Team shall have faculty advisors. The Team shall nominate candidates for faculty advisors from the teaching staff. Upon Approval by the Team, these faculty members shall be instated as faculty advisors to serve until replaced or voluntarily resigning. Advisors shall be considered as an Active Member.

Article V: Officers, Directors and Advisors

Section A. Titles of Officers

The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice-President of Manufacturing, Vice President of Business Operations, Vice President of Race Logistics, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Section B. Main Advisor

The Team shall have one main faculty advisor. The Team shall nominate a candidate for main faculty advisor from the university staff. Upon approval by the Team, this main faculty member shall be instated as the main faculty advisor for the Team to serve until replaced or voluntarily resigning. The Advisor shall be considered as an active Team member.

Section C. Duties and Responsibilities of Officers, Directors, and Advisors

The President shall be responsible for all business in which the Team engages. The President presides over the general Team meetings, elects the chairpersons of committees, appoints the positions of director with opinion from according Vice-president(s), and delegate duties not assigned to an officer. The President can also call special meetings as needed.

The Vice-president of Manufacturing shall be responsible for overseeing the construction of the car. This shall include design review; coordination of electrical, mechanical, or other work and work sites; material review and specification; development of a timeline. He/She shall also be responsible for the integration of the electrical and mechanical systems. He/She shall be responsible for overseeing their director(s) and their responsibilities.

The Vice-president of Business Operations shall be responsible for overseeing the collection of funds through sponsorships, day-to-day business logistics, and publications. He/She shall be responsible for overseeing their director(s) and their responsibilities. The Vice-president of Business Operations shall act as Parliamentarian during all general Team meetings and oversee the correct usage of Robert’s Rules of Order. He/She may appoint another member to serve as Parliamentarian, provided that a majority of the total active membership approves.

The Vice-president of Race Logistics shall be responsible for the preparation of the Team and all vehicles for races, showings, and events. He/She shall also be responsible for driver training on all fleet vehicles, safety, and race strategy. He/She shall be responsible for overseeing their director(s) and their responsibilities.
 
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial matters applicable to the Solar Car Team. He/She shall also be responsible for the development of a working budget. He/She shall be responsible for maintaining financial records and overseeing the purchasing process for material, goods, and/or services rendered to the team. The Treasurer may be given the responsibility for overseeing and up-keeping the Project accounts.

The Secretary shall be responsible for taking minutes during all Solar Car Team general meetings and officer meetings. He/She shall also be responsible for maintaining membership records, overseeing general Team correspondence, and overseeing all attendance in general meetings and officer meetings. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining organization of membership applications, liability forms, team database, and team minutes. He/She shall also be responsible for insuring that a good image of the Team is maintained through special events and public relations, reporting to the President in that capacity.

Directors shall be responsible for all tasks that are assigned to him/her by their respective Vice-president(s) or the President. They are to report to their respective Vice-president on those tasks assigned. Directors are to oversee all groups and person(s) assigned to them.

The main faculty advisor shall be responsible for ensuring the Team operates within the guidelines of the University, protecting the rights of the organization, interfacing with the University Administration. All faculty advisors shall serve as technical support; approving engineering designs and ensuring the scholastic well being of the Team members.

All additional faculty advisors shall assist the main faculty advisor in performing his/her duties. They shall also be expected to provide technical support to the Team as required, and will also be able to approve engineering designs, should the main faculty advisor not be available or technically proficient to do so.

Section D. Filling of Vacant Offices

In the event that an office is vacated before term is finished, the vacant office shall be filled as follows:

        1. If the Presidential office is vacated, the main faculty Advisor shall appoint an interim President from the roster of active team members. The Team membership shall be informed of the opening at or before the next general Team meeting. The elections shall be held at the next general Team meeting.

        2. If a Vice-President's office is vacated, the President shall appoint an interim Vice President from the roster of active team members. The Team membership shall be informed of the opening at or before the next general Team meeting. The elections shall be held at the next general Team meeting.

        3.If the Treasurer's office is vacated, the President shall appoint an interim Treasurer from the roster of active team members. The Team membership shall be informed of the opening at or before the next general Team meeting. The elections shall be held at the next general Team meeting.

       4. If the Secretary's office is vacated, the President shall appoint an interim Secretary from the roster of active team members. The Team membership shall be informed of the opening at or before the next general Team meeting. The elections shall be held at the next general Team meeting.

        5. If a Director's position is vacated, the President shall appoint a new director from the roster of active team members.

Section E. Term of Office

Team officers shall serve one year. The officer elections shall be held during the Winter semester. Nominations are to be opened by the President at least one week prior the elections. The election shall be by secret ballot, administered by an appointed Team member with present membership approval. Said Team member shall be appointed by the President at a previous meeting prior to actual election. A one-half (1/2) majority vote shall be required to elect an officer. Officers will assume their duties on a selected date voted on by the current membership. A one-half (1/2) majority vote shall be required to approve such a date, and the vote shall be held on the same day as the officer elections.

Any Team officer may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote. The vote to remove must take place at the next meeting, but at least one week later. If an officer is removed, said officer would be replaced as provided by the Section D of Article V in the Constitution.

Article VI: Meetings

Section A. Times and Places of Meetings

Regular and special meetings shall be held at such times and places as the officer core may delegate, however, at least one meeting per calendar month must be called during the academic year.

Section B. Quorums

The quorum necessary for the transaction of business is defined in the by-laws.

Section C. Operating Procedure

Unless conflicting with this Constitution or the by-laws, the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used to govern the proceeding of general Team meetings.

Article VII: Dues

The Team shall be required to collect dues set by the officer core at the beginning of the semester. Team dues shall be collected at the first official Team meeting of each semester from all members.

Article VIII: Amendments

This Constitution may be amended at any time by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the total active membership, provided that the amendment shall have been proposed at least one Team meeting prior to the time of voting. The Student Affairs Committee and the Academic Council or their designated representative must approve all amendments.

Article IX: By-Laws

The Team shall adopt by-laws as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities and goals of the Team. By-laws must be submitted in written form. A simple majority vote at a general Team meeting is required to approve or suspend a by-law. Amendment or revocation of a by-law requires a simple majority vote at a general Team meeting.

Article X: Ratification

This Constitution shall go into effect immediately upon ratification of three-fourths (3/4) of the total active membership and approval by the Student Affairs Committee and the Academic Council or their designated representative. Upon ratification, this constitution shall supersede any other constitution previously in effect.