Rural Health Interest Group

Bylaws

The name of the student organization shall be the Rural Health Interest Group (RHIG).
ARTICLE II
MISSION:
The purpose of the RHIG is to provide a platform for students interested in rural health to
learn more about and discuss rural health issues related to West Virginia, rural practice,
and recruitment. In addition, RHIG strives to promote a career in rural health care and
primary care in the WVU community.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP:
Membership in RHIG is open to all students, faculty, and staff regardless of degree
status, major, residency status, or school of enrollment. The only requirement is interest
in West Virginia rural health.
ARTICLE IV
RHIG BOARD OF ADVISORS AND ELECTED OFFICERS:

Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
The affairs and business of RHIG shall be conducted by the officers
elected (Board of Advisors) during the academic year of the
host college/university, and members with the assistance of a faculty
advisor. The student board of advisors will be made up of three to five
elected members.
Committee chairs will be appointed by and will report to the president of
the organization.
A majority of members or 75% of the Elected Officers shall constitute a
quorum.

The term of all of the elected board of advisors is for one academic year.
Elections shall be at the end of the academic year.
All meetings shall be open to the public.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Meetings - General Membership
Meetings of RHIG will be held at least bi-monthly at noon on the West Virginia
University Health Sciences Center campus while class is in session on dates to be
determined by the Board of Advisors. The purpose of such a meeting will be to conduct
all such business as may be necessary to support the mission and goals of the
organization and hear from one or more guest speakers on topics related to rural health.
Section 2. Special Meetings - General Membership
Special meetings of the membership may be called at any time by the president or at least
two members of the Board of Advisors. Notice of a special meeting, stating the purpose
thereof, shall be provided to the membership.

ARTICLE VI
OFFICER ELECTIONS:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
The term of office of the elected Board of Advisors of RHIG shall be one
(1) academic year.
Nominees shall be nominated in open meeting and with the agreement of
the nominated individual.
Elections may be held immediately after nomination and must be by paper
ballot or other means as approved by the Board of Advisors, with
the results tallied by a tellers committee consisting of at least one member
not currently holding office or in nomination for an office and the
faculty advisor.
A yearly report on the status and membership must be filed with the
faculty advisor of RHIG each year and contain specific information as
requested by the faculty advisor on a date to be determined by the faculty
advisor.

ARTICLE VII
ELECTED OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES:
Board of Advisors: Chief administrative officers for RHIG and shall
possess broad discretionary and delegatory powers to act as deemed
necessary and proper to carry out the business of the organization.
DUES:
Section 1:
Section 2:
Duties shall include presiding over all group meetings, making an annual
report on the affairs of the faculty advisor and fiscal and financial status,
making all appointments to standing committees, and communicating with
West Virginia University Student Organization Services to ensure the
organization remains in good standing with the university. The president is
also responsible for providing the faculty advisor with a tentative list of
meeting dates and speakers, agreed upon by the Board of Advisors, no
later than September 15th of each academic year. The Board of Advisors
may submit a deadline extension request to the faculty advisor if needed.
Other responsibilities shall include developing the yearly presentation list,
keeping an up-to-date membership roster, take minutes of meetings, and
provide required information on group membership to the faculty advisor
yearl and/or upon request.

There are no membership dues.
The membership year shall be one academic year from the month in
which a new board of advisors is elected each year.

ARTICLE VIII
RULES OF ORDER:
Business sessions of RHIG meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s
Rules of Order, except as where otherwise specified.

ARTICLE IX
RECORDS:
All records of RHIG shall be kept in a central location as designated by the faculty
advisor.

ARTICLE X
ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS:
Section 1: RHIG is required to complete at least one activity that increases public
awareness to rural health issues and/or at least one community service
activity within an underserved or underprivileged community within one
academic year.ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS:
Section 1: RHIG is required to complete at least one activity that increases public
awareness to rural health issues and/or at least one community service
activity within an underserved or underprivileged community within one
academic year.
Section 2: Each student member must be present at a minimum of one meeting an
academic year and must participate in at least one activity to be recognized
as a member in good standing.

ARTICLE XI
OFFICE VACANCIES:
Vacancies for any of the offices, except for president, shall be filled by appointment of
the president until the next meeting of the membership at which time an election shall be
held to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE XII
WITHDRAWL OF STUDENT ORGANIZATION STATUS:
Student organization status can be withdrawn by RHIG when such action is deemed
necessary. The withdrawal of this status shall be done by vote of the Board of Directors
of RHIG only after giving student officers an opportunity to present evidence and an
argument for and against the taking of such action.

ARTICLE XIIIORGANIZATION STARTUP:
The individuals joining the campus organization in the first year will be recognized as
members of the ORGANIZATION FOUNDERS COUNCIL. This Council will be
responsible for developing the formal mission statement, vision, and strategic goals.
These members will also be responsible for petitioning and obtaining the approval of
student organization status from West Virginia University Student Organization Services