About Us

Students for Organ Donation is a student-run nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting organ and tissue donation awareness and registration. We seek to empower students to make a difference in a growing international public health crisis: the shortage of vital organs and tissues.

The Constitution of Students for Organ Donation

ARTICLE I - NAME

          I.     The name of the organization will be Students for Organ Donation, henceforth referred to as SOD.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

          I.     SOD is established to advocate organ and tissue donation awareness. We seek to educate the community about the registration process and the benefits of organ and tissue donation.

        II.     SOD understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by the University of Michigan policies and procedures.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

               I.     SOD openly admits students to its membership and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, or sexual orientation.

             II.     Membership shall be limited to persons officially connected with the University of Michigan as faculty, staff, or registered students.

a.     General membership will be granted to those who attend 50% of SOD's meetings.

b.     Active Membership will be granted to those who fulfill general membership criteria and attend 50% of SOD's events.

           III.     Members may sever their membership from SOD at their will.

          IV.     If a member commits a violation of either SOD Constitution, National SOD Chapter guidelines, or University Policies, then the executive board reserves the right to revoke their membership.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

          I.     SOD will be governed by the following executive board officers:

a.     President - Shall consistently inform members of the state of the organization; shall maintain a direct relationship with the executive board and national chapter; shall be the organizations representative to the community at large; shall lead all executive board meetings.

b.     Vice President - Shall preside over executive board meetings in the absence of the president; shall serve as a liaison between the president and the executive board; shall assist the president in any additional duties.

c.     Secretary - Shall record and distribute minutes for all meetings; shall maintain an updated membership attendance database.

d.     Treasurer - Shall be responsible for receipt, care and distribution of funds; shall approve budgets for all events; shall oversee fundraising activities.

e.     Historian - Shall document all meetings, events and social activities through pictures, newspaper articles, monthly newsletters and other media.

f.      Volunteer Chair - Shall be responsible for creating and overseeing volunteer events.

g.     Fundraising Chair - Shall be responsible for creating and conducting any events to increase the chapter's funds.

h.     Public Relations Chair - Shall act as a liaison between the media, other SOD chapters and other campus-wide organizations; shall be responsible for publicizing all events and meetings.

i.      Social Chair - Shall be responsible for creating and overseeing social events.

j.      Webmaster - Shall be responsible for maintaining the chapter's website.

             II.     The executive board reserves the right to appoint more than one person per position and also the right to create new positions.

           III.     The executive board must attend all meetings and events unless an excuse is provided. Valid excuses will be determined at the discretion of the executive board.

ARTICLE V - OPERATIONS

          I.     All active members are eligible to become executive board officers.

a.     Elections will take place each year during the first week of March. The officers will assume their position the following fall semester.

b.     Those interested will be screened by the executive board using an application process. The selected applicants will give a speech followed by a question and answer session to the active members. The active members will then facilitate a discussion regarding the applicant in their absence. Executive board is then elected through a majority vote by the active members present.

ARTICLE VI - FINANACES

          I.     SOD plans to finance the organization through grants and fundraising events.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

          I.     Amendments to the constitution may be proposed in writing by any active member.

a.     The amendment will be ratified if 2/3 of the executive board votes in favor of it at the executive board meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - REMOVAL OF MEMBERSHIP

               I.     If an executive board member commits a violation of either the SOD Constitution, National SOD Chapter guidelines, or University Policies, then an immediate executive board meeting will be called. The accused will be allowed to present a defense to the executive board after which the executive board will hold a 2/3 majority vote for their removal.

ARTICLE IX - REGISTRATION RENEWAL

               I.     SOD will re-register with the Michigan Student Assembly on an annual basis, no later than September 15.

             II.     SOD will return a signed SOAS card on an annual basis, no later than September 15.

ARTICLE X - STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

               I.     By completing the registration process, we agree to abide by the University's policies. We understand that the organization's registration is contingent on the acceptance of these policies.