Section A. The name of this organization shall be the Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars (MFCNS).
Section B. The Meinig Family Cornell National Scholars is a select group of students who are drawn from all parts of the country and demonstrate an outstanding degree of leadership. Along with their leadership abilities, these students exhibit academic excellence and a commitment to serving the communities in which they live. By encouraging the growth of these important qualities, the MFCNS program not only enriches the Cornell community but also lays the foundation for National Scholars to excel as leaders well beyond their college years.
Section A. Membership will consist of those students nominated by college admissions counselors during the regular Cornell admissions process then reviewed by a selection committee consisting of faculty and staff members throughout the university. Members are selected because of their outstanding leadership qualities and commitment to academic excellence.
Section B. No person shall be restricted from selection because of age, race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, ancestry, marital status, arrest record or conviction record.
Section C. Continuing membership is contingent upon:
Section D. Current freshmen and sophomores Cornell students can also apply for membership during the application process each spring. A selection committee consisting of the MFCNS Director and current membership will confer membership on a select number of students proportionate to the number of membership openings that have resulted from attrition.
Section A. Scholars Symposiums will be held regularly at the discretion of the Director and the Leadership Team.
Section B. The Director and the Leadership Team are responsible for setting the Scholar Symposium dates and times.
Section C. Special meetings may be called by the members of the Leadership Team with the approval of the President and Director. Special meetings may also be called by the Director.
Section A. Role, Size, Composition. Management of this organization shall be vested in a Leadership Team and Director responsible to the entire membership to uphold these bylaws and direct the day-to-day operations of this organization. The Leadership Team consists of the officers listed in Section G.
Section B. Leadership Team Meetings will be held regularly throughout each semester. These meetings are open to the general membership. The regular meeting time and location, once set, must be distributed to the general membership to allow interested members to attend.
Section C. At the beginning of each semester, the President is responsible for obtaining the schedules of each member of the Leadership Team to determine a regular day and time that is convenient for all to meet.
Section D. Officer Selection. Selection of the Leadership Team is described in the separate document “MFCNS Officer Appointment Process.
Section E. Terms of Positions. All Board members shall serve one year terms, but are eligible for multiple terms.
Section F. Quorum. A two-thirds majority of the Leadership Team members must attend a Leadership Team Meeting before motions with larger implications for the organization can be made or passed. A majority of those present must agree for the motion to be passed. In the event of a tie, the Director shall have the deciding vote. A majority of Leadership Team members must be present in order to conduct daily business.
Section G. Officers and Duties. The Board consists of the President, Vice President of Administration, Vice President of Service, Vice President of Programming, Executive Mentor Coordinator(s), Senior Class Liaison, Junior Class Liaison, and Sophomore Class Liaison. They are to support the mission of the organization in collaboration with the Director. Their duties are as follows:
The President presides over Leadership Team meetings and Scholars Symposiums; acts as spokesperson for the Cornell National Scholars; keeps members focused; strives to keep all branches of the organization running smoothly; meets regularly with the Director to ensure consistency of goals; and coordinates the officer selection process for the following year, if not running (otherwise this task should be delegated to another non-running officer or the Director).
The Vice President of Administration records and distributes the minutes of all Leadership Team meetings; compiles weekly announcements; handles all appropriate correspondence; and coordinates the Buddy Program.
The Vice President of Programming oversees the coordination of all events hosted by the Leadership Team, including Scholars Symposiums; works with the Class Liaisons to organize and promote these events; and acts in place of the President when the need arises.
The Vice President of Service organizes and executes all service projects approved by the Leadership Team and acts as liaison to coordinate National Scholar volunteer at the University President’s events.
The Executive Mentor Coordinator(s) oversee the Executive Mentoring Program, including coordinating Executive Mentor participation; assigning students to mentoring groups; recruiting, training, and supervising liaisons for mentors; and ensuring at least one meeting per semester per mentor takes place.
The Class Liaisons (one each for the Senior, Junior, and Sophomore classes) work with the Leadership Team and Vice President of Programming to plan and execute social, leadership, and/or service events throughout the year for the membership and coordinate all appropriate publicity related to these events.
Section H. Vacancies. When a vacancy on the Leadership Team exists, applications for new officers may be received from any eligible member by the Vice President of Administration by an appropriate deadline set by the Director and/or Leadership Team. The application form will be similar to that of the normal officer selection process. The Leadership Team and Director will review applications and may choose to interview the candidates if deemed necessary. A majority vote of the Leadership Team is required to install a new officer in the position. These vacancies will be filled only to the end of the original officer’s term.
Section I. Resignation, Termination and Absences. Resignation from the Leadership Team must be in writing and received by the Director. A Leadership Team member shall be dropped for excess absences if he or she has two unexcused absences from Leadership Team meetings in a semester. A Leadership Team member may be removed for other reasons by a vote of four out of the six members or at the discretion of the Director.
Section J. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Leadership Team shall be called upon the request of the President, Director or a majority of the officers. Leadership Team members must be given advanced notice.
Section A. It is the discretion of the Leadership Team to create or eliminate Committees as they see fit. A two-thirds majority vote of the Leadership Team is required to either create or disband a Committee.
Section A. The Director has day-to-day responsibility for supporting and furthering the mission of this organization and helping the Leadership Team fulfill their goals. The Director attends Scholar Symposium meetings and officer meetings.
Section A. These bylaws can be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority vote of the Leadership Team.
Section B. All officers shall receive advance notice of the proposed amendments at least five days before the meeting.
