The Pre-Dental Association of the University of

Michigan, Ann Arbor

Constitution and Bylaws

July 2021
Constitution
Preamble

The Pre-Dental Association of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is an organization

of University of Michigan students interested in careers in dental fields and dedicated to
furthering dental health awareness. We seek to provide leadership, social, and educational
opportunities for our members. In addition, we seek to provide an open format for our
members and an open format for the betterment of the student body and surrounding
community as a whole.

Article I: Name

The name of this association shall be known as the Pre-Dental Association of the
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, hereafter referred to as “Pre-Dental Association” or
“the Association.”

Article II: Affiliation

The Pre-Dental Association’s sponsoring unit is the University of Michigan School of

Dentistry, which is located at 1011 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109. The
Association’s affiliation with the School of Dentistry is facilitated by Patricia Katcher,
Director of Admissions of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, who serves as
the Association’s advisor.

Article III: Mission and Objectives

Section 1: Mission Statement of the Pre-Dental Association

The Pre-Dental Association is a student-run organization which protects and advances the
rights, interests, and welfare of students pursuing careers in dentistry. It represents
students with a unified voice and provides information, education, advocacy, and
services. The Association introduces lifelong involvement in organized dentistry, and
promotes change for the betterment of the profession.

Section 2: Objectives

The objectives of the Pre-Dental Association of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
shall be:
1. To provide programs to educate members on topics important to their career
development.
2. To provide fellowship and guidance to all members in their pursuit of a career in
dentistry.

Article IV: Membership Eligibility

Membership is open to all pre-dental students currently enrolled in the University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin,
creed, or political belief.

The Pre-Dental Association is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons
and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height,
weight, or veteran status in its membership or activities.

Upon joining the organization, all members agree not to undermine the purpose or
mission of The Pre-Dental Association.

Article V: Active Membership

1. Dues are set by the Pre-Dental Association Executive Board.

2. The dues of this association will be payable at the first meeting of each year, or as
soon as possible thereafter.
3. Any member whose dues are in arrears for more than 90 days shall forfeit
membership in this Association.
4. Active Membership Requirements will be set each year by the association
e-board. They will have the power to make exceptions to the requirements under
what they consider to be a special circumstance.
5. The requirements must be completed each year along with paid dues to be
considered an active member.

Article VI: Organization

The governing body of the Pre-Dental Association is the Executive Board. The Executive
Board shall be comprised of the following positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer,
Secretary, Co-Community Service Chair, Community Development/Social Chair,
Communications/Website Designer, Professional Development/Outreach Chair,
Historian, and Dental Ethics Educator.

Bylaws
Article I: Duties and Powers of the Executive Board

1. President
a. Serve as the leader and chairperson of the Executive Board
b. Prepare and lead Executive Board meetings
c. Inform all Board members of the happenings of the organization and their
responsibilities
 d. Appoint a member of the Executive Board to complete the term of any
vacant office with the approval of the majority of the Board
e. Preside at Association meetings, and oversee all activities of the
Association in accordance with the Bylaws
d. Plan Mass Meetings and promote the Association on campus
e. Send thank-you letters to all speakers, presenters, and organizers
f. Take attendance and update attendance for Mass Meetings

2. Vice President
a. Assist the President and preside at Association meetings in the absence or
incapacity of the President
b. Collaborate and organize all meetings with the President
c. Take minutes at Association meetings and maintain records of all pertinent
Association business
d. Maintain contact with all executive board members when they are unable
to attend executive board meetings
e. Arrange food/refreshments for Mass Meetings
f. Take attendance and update attendance for Mass Meetings

3. Treasurer
a. Keep track of due paying members, t-shirt sizes, and other inquiries that
arise throughout the year
b. Design, order, and distribute the annual club T-shirts
c. Act as official caretaker of the funds and accounts of the Association
d. Dispense Association funds as directed by the Executive Board
e. Help record members who have paid dues along with the Secretary
f. Organize fundraising events as necessary or decided upon by the
Executive Board

4. Secretary
a. Establish Association official email list serve
b. Keep official record of Association membership and maintain email lists
c. Send weekly emails updating the Association on upcoming events,
resources, etc.
d. Connect with new members about membership responsibilities
e. Answer questions and respond to needs through official Association email
f. Reach out to campus resources to help promote the Association on campus
g. Ensure Chairs update attendance spreadsheet and audit for accuracy

5. Community Service Chairs

a. Organize volunteer events for the Association – both on- and off-campus
b. Work with local community dental clinics and public health organizations
to integrate the Association into the local dental community
c. Recruit members of the Association to participate in such events
 d. Keep records of members who have volunteered at specific events
throughout the year
e. Arrange transportation to and from volunteer events
f. Take attendance and update attendance for volunteer events

6. Community Development/Social Chair

a. Hold social events such as gamenights. movie nights, dinners, etc to bring
members closer together
b. Work closely with outside groups such as Kaplan.
c. Contact outside organizations for sponsorship, sample donations, and
other Association needs.
d. Contact dental school personnel regarding meeting room reservations.
e. Obtain all materials from presenters such as business cards, contact
information, handouts, and presentations.
f. Take attendance and update attendance for community development/social
events

7. Communications/Web Designer
a. Keep an updated website with minutes from the meetings, updated list of
active members, and other information for the members of the
Association.
b. Manage the Facebook group and Instagram account
i. Weekly updates on Facebook group to engage members
ii. Upload a few photos on instagram day after events
c. Lead other Exec Board members in arranging Festifall, Winterfest, and
other recruiting activities.
d. Help each committee with marketing their events (if applicable)

8. Dental Ethics Educator

a. Hold meetings about ethical dilemmas and disparities
b. Promote awareness about current dental and public health issues
c. Organize and lead community outreach events/meetings
d. Take attendance and update attendance for ethic meetings

9. Historian
a. Collect DAT resources by contacting current dental students
b. Curate Google Drive folder of pre-dental courses’ past exams and
resources to share with members
c. Responsible for photography at Association events and building the
Google Photos folder

10. Professional Development/Outreach Chair

a. Create events focused on professional development
b. Build and nurture long-term partnerships with dental student and campus
organizations
 c. Take attendance and update attendance for professional development
meetings

Article II: Term of Office

The Executive Board shall be elected by the membership and shall serve for one year.

Article III: Elections

1. Elections for vacant offices will be held in February/March. Elected positions

include: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Co-Community Service
Chair, Community Development/Social Chair, Communications/Website
Designer, Professional Development/Outreach Chair, Historian, and Dental Ethics
Educator candidates for office must announce their intent by submission of the
official application.
2. Candidates will be requested to meet with the Executive Board for an interview.
3. Candidates for all offices must be current students in good standing at the time of
application and current members of the Pre-Dental Association of the University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
4. Leaders may hold no more than one elected Executive Board position during the
term of office.
5. Elections are held by the President and Vice President. In the event that the
President and Vice President cannot reach a consensus on one or more of the
positions up for election, the tie(s) will be broken by a committee of graduating
EBoard members.
6. Individuals may not be involved in the election process for any given position if
they may be biased by a conflict of interest or if they are running for any position
in the election.
7. In the event that the current President or Vice-President is ineligible to vote in the
election, the election decisions will be made by a committee of graduating
members of the executive board. In the event of a tie in this scenario, the tie will
be broken by the eligible President or Vice-President.
8. Upon acceptance, newly-elected board members are required to attend the
Transition meeting as well as subsequent E-Board meetings.
9. New members will undergo an apprenticeship under the supervision and guidance
of current E-Board members allowing current board members to help
newly-elected members to transition into their position and responsibilities.
10. Newly-elected members will be required to hold their own events as applicable to
their position.

Article IV: Unexpired Terms

 1. In the event of a vacancy, the Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, in that
order, will succeed the President for the remainder of the unexpired term. The
resulting Executive Board vacancy shall be appointed by the new President, with
majority approval by the Executive Board.
2. All other office and committee vacancies will be filled by appointment by the
President with majority approval of the Executive Board.
3. All replacement appointments will end at the conclusion of the unexpired term.

Article V: Removal from Office

1. An officer can be removed from office by:

A. Infringement of any of these Bylaws.
B. Commitment of an act discreditable to the profession of dentistry.
C. Failing to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position specified in the
Pre-Dental Association of the University of Michigan Constitution and
Bylaws or in the official position description.

2. Any of the following conditions must be met to remove a delegate from office:
A. Three instances of unexcused absences from official business meetings of the
Association.
B. Misappropriating Association funds.
C. Neglecting duties outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws or as stated in the
official position description.

3. If any of the above conditions exist, the removal procedures are as follows:
A. Notification and counseling: the person will be given the opportunity to resign
or meet specific requirements to fulfill his or her duties as determined by the
Executive Board.
B. A probationary period of 30 days to correct the problems and complete
unfulfilled duties, after which time the officer will receive written notification
of removal from office.
C. A two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board is required for removal
from office.

Article VI: Amendments

The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Association at
which a quorum is present by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, when the proposed
amendment is submitted in writing to an Executive Board officer five days prior to the
Association meeting. Once the proposed amendment is introduced there should be a one
month layover period before any voting occurs. A quorum shall consist of no less than
seven members of the Association.
Article VII: Meetings

The Association must conduct an official business meeting at least once per month,
which shall be open to all members. Special meetings of the Association may be called
by the President or by petition to the President by no less than five members. The
Secretary shall be responsible for distributing meeting agendas, if applicable, as well as
notifying members of unscheduled meetings. The current edition of the Sturgis Standard
Code of Parliamentary Procedure is the parliamentary authority at all official meetings of
the Association.

Article VIII: Adoption of the Constitution

This Constitution shall be considered adopted upon approval of three-fourths of the

membership of the Pre-Dental Association of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor at a
regular meeting constituting a quorum.

This constitution has since been updated by Chris Oshana and Cecilia Woo on July 20th,
2021. Any questions regarding the Constitution’s language, intent, or construction may be
directed at:

Christopher Oshana Cecilia Woo

President Vice President
choshana@umich.edu yewoo@umich.edu

Patricia Katcher
Pre-Dental Association Advisor
hic@umich.edu