Michigan State University

About CVIP

CVIP Constitution and Bylaws

CONSTITUTION

Article One - NAME

The name of this organization shall be Community Volunteers for International Programs (CVIP).

Article Two - STATUS

This organization is a non profit corporation organized under the Michigan Non-Profit Corporation Act, Section 911, Act 162, Public Acts of 1982.

Article Three - PURPOSE

The purpose of Community Volunteers for International Programs (CVIP) is to enhance hospitality and assistance for Michigan State University’s international community (students, faculty, visitors, and their families) in cooperation with, and as a supplement to, the MSU Office for International Students and Scholars. By encouraging community involvement, CVIP seeks to increase mutual understanding and goodwill among peoples of the world.

No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, attempting to influence legislation, or participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office.

Article Four - MEMBERSHIP

Membership in CVIP is open to all persons who have indicated their willingness to accept the purpose of the organization and who wish to contribute through service or gifts.

BY-LAWS

Article I - BOARD

Hereafter, the word "Board" indicates the CVIP Board. The voting members shall consist of the officers, committee and program chairpersons, and members at large. Representatives listed in Article I, Section B and C shall be ex officio members.

Section A. Members at large appointed by the President shall include no more than five (5) individuals.
Section B. Michigan State University representatives shall be from the Office of the Dean of International Studies and Programs, Office for International Students and Scholars, Michigan Committee on Citizen Diplomacy, and other units as appropriate.
Section C. Community representatives shall be invited from the A+ Haslett English Language School, Church Women United, and University Lutheran Church. Other organizations supporting CVIP programs and activities may be invited.

Article II - OFFICERS

Section A. Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section B.

Term of Office

  1. Officers shall be elected for a term of one year and assume office at the end of the final meeting of the academic year.
  2. An officer may succeed him/herself for one additional term. Any further continuation may be considered under special circumstances.
  3. Two people may be elected to co-share the responsibilities of any office.
Section C.

Powers and Duties

  1. President shall:
    1. Set the agenda and preside at all meetings.
    2. Have general supervision of the officers and committee and program chairpersons.
    3. Be an ex officio member of all executive and ad-hoc committees, with the exception of the nominating deliberations of the Leadership Committee.
    4. Make the following appointments:
      • Historian
      • No more than 5 members at-large to the Board
      • Two representatives from the CVIP Programs to the Executive Committee
      • Additional members to the Finance Committee as needed
      • Additional members to the Visioning Committee as needed
      • Ad-hoc committees as needed in consultation with the Executive Committee
      • Members of the Leadership Committee including the Chairperson
  2. Vice President shall:
    1. Preside in the absence of the president.
    2. Plan and organize the annual meeting.
    3. Be an ex officio member of all executive and ad-hoc committees, with the exception of the nominating deliberations of the Leadership Committee.
  3. Secretary shall:
    1. Issue meeting notices in consultation with the President.
    2. Record and distribute minutes of Board meetings.
  4. Treasurer shall:
    1. Maintain financial records of CVIP.
    2. Present the financial report at Board meetings.
    3. Serve as Chairperson of the Finance Committee.

Article III - COMMITTEES

Section A.

The Executive Committee conducts necessary business of the organization between Board meetings and shall:

  1. Consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, immediate Past President and two representatives from the CVIP Programs selected by the President.
  2. Present recommendations to the Board.
  3. Evaluate CVIP Programs.
Section B.

The Leadership Committee identifies, trains and equips present and future CVIP leadership and shall:

  1. Consist of six members with CVIP Board experience, with a chairperson appointed by the President from among the six members.
  2. Have three of the six members appointed by the President each year, with Board approval, for a two-year term. A member who is scheduled to rotate off may be reappointed for an additional term, in which case one less person will be appointed to the committee in that year.
  3. Perform the following duties:
    1. Provide a slate of candidates to fill officer and chair positions at the April Board meeting, to be voted upon in May.
    2. Be responsible for filling Board vacancies caused by illness, death, resignation or long-term absences during the year.
    3. Assist in the recruitment of volunteers.
    4. Develop recruitment and training materials for volunteers and leadership.
Section C. The Finance Committee shall prepare and submit a budget for the next year and shall be composed of the Treasurer (who serves as Chairperson), President, Vice President and other appropriate persons appointed by the President.
Section D.

The Visioning Committee shall engage in forward, independent thinking with attention to relevance and practicality on matters of strategic directions, community relations, and organizational development. It shall:

  1. Consist of at least nine members (with two members representing the Board), CVIP President, and additional ex officio members as appropriate, appointed by the President with approval by the Board. Members will be invited to serve a three-year term. New members will be appointed to staggered three-year terms. Members who are scheduled to rotate off may be reappointed for a second term.
  2. Elect a chairperson who will serve for one year with the possibility of reappointment. The Chairperson will report to the directly to the Board.
  3. Meet at least three times per year.
  4. Prepare a written report following each meeting and present that report at the next Board meeting.
Section E.

The Administrative Services Committee provides membership support, public relations and office support for CVIP and shall:

  1. Maintain the CVIP membership list.
  2. Distribute news releases to the local press about CVIP activities.
  3. Write, publish, and distribute the CVIP Newsletter semiannually.
  4. Staff the CVIP office (Room 12C, International Center).
  5. Facilitate communication between MSU's international communities, CVIP and the greater Lansing community.
  6. Maintain the CVIP web-site.
Section F.

Ad Hoc Committees

  1. Shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Executive Committee.
  2. May become a CVIP Program or Committee by approval of the Board.

Article IV - CVIP PROGRAMS

Section A. Programs are created by the Board and may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of the Board members present at a regular meeting, provided such amendments are submitted to the members one month in advance.
Section B.

A Program Chairperson shall:

  1. Be selected by the Leadership Committee and approved by the Board.
  2. Prepare a written committee report for CVIP Board.
  3. Have a tenure not exceeding four consecutive one-year terms on the same Program, unless a replacement cannot be found.
Section C. The position of Program Chairperson may be shared by up to three people, all of whom must be approved by the Board.
Section D. Programs are encouraged to conduct evaluations of their activities on an on-going basis.

Article V - AFFILIATIONS

Section A.

National

  1. NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Section B.

State

  1. Michigan Association of International Educators (MAIE)
Section C.

Greater Lansing Community

  1. Units at Michigan State University that share CVIP’s mission and goals.
  2. Educational, service and religious groups that share CVIP’s mission and goals.
  3. Michigan Committee on Citizen Diplomacy

Article VI - FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year shall be July 1 through June 30.

Article VII - MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES

Section A.

Meetings

  1. The Annual Meeting shall be held in the spring and shall be open to the Board, all CVIP members, and all interested persons.
  2. The Executive Committee meetings shall be held at the call of the President.
  3. Board meetings shall be held once a month, September through June.
Section B. Officers and Committee and Program Chairpersons shall submit a written annual report for inclusion in the CVIP Annual Report.
Section C.

Conferences

  1. The President and/or any other duly appointed delegates approved by the Board or the Executive Committee shall attend appropriate conferences.
  2. Delegates may be reimbursed for hotel room, registration fees, and transportation expenses incurred during the conference, as budget permits.
  3. Delegates shall submit a written report to the Board within thirty (30) days.

Article VIII - DISSOLUTION

In the event of dissolution, all the remaining assets in the Lillian Kumata Scholarship fund and in the CVIP account in the MSU Federal Credit Union will be transferred to the Park/CVIP Endowed Scholarship Fund, a Michigan State University Development account.

Article IX - QUORUM

A quorum shall be a simple majority of official Board members present.

Article X - REVISION AND AMENDMENTS

Section A.

Revision

  • The Constitution and/or By-Laws may be revised by a two-thirds vote of the Board members present at a regular meeting, provided such revisions are submitted to the members one month in advance.
Section B.

Amendments

  • The Constitution and/or By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Board members present at a regular meeting, provided such amendments are submitted to the members one month in advance.

ADDENDUM

History of Constitution and By Laws:

Accepted: March 1967
Revised: June 1969; December 1973; December 1975; January 1982; April 1988; 1990; October 1993; May 1998; December 2000; 2004; December 2007; November 2008

PROGRAMS

(As of December 2008, to be updated annually)

EVERY TUESDAY

Members meet with international wives on Tuesdays for an activity-centered social time. The group celebrates special days and learns from others about handicrafts, customs, and native foods. Recipes are prepared, compared, and exchanged.

FRIENDSHIP FAMILY

Greater Lansing area "families," married or single, working or retired, are matched with MSU international students or scholars to promote cross cultural friendship. The goals are to share American life with international students and to increase American understanding of other cultures.

GLOBAL FESTIVAL

The Global Festival is held annually and sponsored by CVIP, International Studies and Programs, the Office for International Students and Scholars, Internationalizing Student Life, and the MSU Union Activities Board. The festival is free to the entire greater Lansing community and features international activities, exhibits, demonstrations, stage entertainment, and food. The World Gift Shop offers donated items from around the world, the proceeds of which are used to fund CVIP scholarships.

HOME VISITS

Visits to area homes are arranged once each semester for international students in the A+ Haslett English Language School. These visits introduce the students to one of a variety of American homes, in a warmly welcoming situation.

LENDING CENTER

Members gather and prepare donated household goods for distribution to newly-arrived MSU international students and scholars.

SCHOLARSHIP

CVIP Scholarships are available to international student spouses who are enrolled at MSU, have strong academic records and demonstrate need. The Scholarship Committee interviews applicants and determines recipients. The funding sources for these awards are from individual and organizational gifts and the proceeds from World Gift Shop sales at the annual Global Festival.

SPEAKERS BUREAU

This Committee coordinates requests for international students and scholars to make presentations at schools and/or local community groups in the greater Lansing area. When necessary, members also arrange transportation for student speakers.

Constitution ratified December 2008
ADDENDUM revised 12-08

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