Constitution of the Children’s Defense Fund Student Health Outreach (CDF SHOUT) of Rice University

1. The name of this club for all purposes is CDF SHOUT. The overall mission of this organization is as follows: “As members of the Rice community and greater Houston community, we believe that we can contribute to the goal of the Houston Chapter of Children’s Defense Fund. The Children’s Defense Fund advocates on behalf of children before the Texas legislature to further their benefits to state and federally-funded health care programs (mainly SCHIP and Children’s Medicaid), and to promote community outreach to increase enrollment in these programs.”

2. Members shall be Rice students who are involved in promoting Rice CDF SHOUT's mission. Members must attend at least one enrollment drive each semester during the regular academic school year (i.e. Fall and Spring semesters).

3. The officers of this organization shall be the Executive Chair, Vice Chair of Outreach, Vice Chair of Public Policy, Secretary, and Treasurer.  These officers shall form the Executive Board. 

4. Duties of officers

A.  The Executive Chair shall:

Chair the membership; chair the executive board; represent this organization to the outside community; supervise all events and meetings; ascertain that the club is abiding by the rules and regulations set forth by the Student Association of Rice University.

B.  The Vice Chair of Public Policy shall:

Oversee policy proposals and projects; pursue policy issues that will support CDF SHOUT’s mission; ensure that interested members are involved in the public policy; keep all members of Rice CDF SHOUT informed about the policy issues related to children’s health care.

C.  The Vice Chair of Outreach shall:

Organize and manage enrollment drives; ensure active member participation (i.e. member must participate in one enrollment drive per semester); collaborate with Houston’s CDF office.

D.  The Secretary shall:

Take minutes; maintain communication with the organization’s members; maintain the list serv; maintain a calendar; maintain paperwork; e-mail members with reminders about meetings and events; and write necessary letters. 

E.  The Treasurer shall:

Have the responsibilities of balancing the account and recording financial transactions; depositing and writing checks, coordinating solicitations and fundraisers; writing up grant proposals; and maintaining the accounting system.

5.  Officers shall be elected by majority vote.  Officers shall serve for one term until their replacements are elected.  Elections shall be held at least once a year by the first week of April.

6. All members of the executive board, as indicated in Article 3, may spend money as they deem necessary. Reimbursement provided via check which requires the signatures of two board members, not including the individual(s) requesting funds.

7. The faculty or staff sponsor should have background knowledge of health policy or the uninsured.  The selection of the faculty/staff sponsor for the organization must be decided upon according to a 2/3 consensus of the executive board.  

8.  Amendments to the organization’s constitution can only be made by 2/3 majority consensus of the executive board.   Amendments must be ratified by the Student Association senate before going into effect.