B.O.S.S. Manual

B.O.S.S. Is more than just a title, It’s a lifestyle that you embrace

CONTENTS

Chapter One: Origin Core values What Is Brotherhood of Successful Scholars? History of Brotherhood of Successful Scholars

Chapter Two: Structure Practices Constitution Roberts’s rules of orders

Chapter Three: Information Annual Events What set us apart from the rest? Becoming Active Member

Chapter Four: BOSS Minority Male Scholarship Words of Wisdom Our Legacy

CHAPTER ONE

What Is Brotherhood of Successful Scholars

Brotherhood of Successful Scholars is an academic retention organization at Indiana

State University targeted to help African American and Latino males. Although we are inclusive

to anyone, succeed during their collegiate years.

Core Values

Brotherhood of Successful Scholars (B.O.S.S.) is a dynamic organization established to

assist males to excel academically, socially, culturally, professionally, and in the community. We

encourage our participants to embrace leadership by being positive examples for each other

through a strong commitment to academic achievement, brotherhood, and community service.

History

BOSS was formally known as Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB). Around

2007 these brotherhoods was designed to aiding minority males on ISU campus in academic

excellence, brotherhood, community service, and help those brothers who may be having issues

with issues in grades, studying habits, professional development, and personal life. From 2007,

up to 2011 SAAB had increased it’s attendance to 10-15 guys a day. Around 2011 SAAB had

dissolved from ISU and two of it’s founding presidents David Baker and Juan Mitchell and

other loyal members had stayed on to build Brotherhood of Successful Scholars along with their

advisor at the time Kale Walker.

Throughout the years, our organization has done numerous things to establish what we

stand for as a family from conducting study tables, having teachable moments, get involved with

collaborative events, help raise funding for certain charitable foundations and help give out a

scholarship we created called “ B.O.S.S. Minority Male Scholarship”. We have also created

numerous events that have built brotherhood, awareness on ISU campus such as Black Male

Summit, BOSS Ball, Talent Night, and Indiana Black Expo’s Educational Panel, plus has

attended to certain conferences such as SAAB Conference, and African American Student

Leadership Conference.

CHAPTER TWO

Practices

Since Indiana State University has the one of the largest minority populations in the state

of Indiana, but also has the lowest retention and graduates rates in the university due to less

interest to continue on with college, financial distractions, and lack of motivation. So that’s why

our organization practices mentoring, community involvement, campus involvement, and

accountability.

Accountability: We believe in our brotherhood that every male is responsible for

his own decisions that he makes in life and should live up to his word.

Community Involvement: The community of Terre Haute lacks in positive male

roles models and we make it our mission to show in the best way as possible what

they are destined to become which is better leaders.

Campus Involvement: We feel that we needed to change the perceptions of how

our men at ISU our look upon.

Mentoring: This doesn’t just consist with academics, we believe that helping

students from high school to college with the fundamentals of excelling in

perception and positive attitudes towards their peers and elders.

ConstitutionPurpose and Mission

Brotherhood of Successful Scholars is an academic retention organization at Indiana

State University targeted to help African American and Latino males, although we are inclusive

to anyone, succeed during their collegiate years. Brotherhood of Successful Scholars also helps

men through our five core values Academic Success, Personal Development, Spiritual,

Mentoring, and Community Engagement. With these values, we hope to build a brotherhood and

prepare tomorrow’s leaders by leading today.

Article I: Membership

A. Non-Discrimination Language

“except as protected by federal or legislative act, this organization shall not discriminate

on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital

status, disability, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran in the conduct of its activities or

the selection of its members”

B. State of limitations of membership, if any (maximum or minimum limits). A group or

organization cannot qualify as a student group or organization unless all of its officers and a

majority of its members are currently enrolled and in good standing at ISU.

Article II: Executive Board

A. Officers

President

The President will oversee the organization. This role includes recruitment of new

members and keeping the organization informed on the campus events and the politics of

Indiana State University.

Attend regular Student Government Association meetings and have communication with

the Director of the African American Cultural Center and the Dean of Students and other

organizations.

The President will be an eye to the campus and promote positive reinforcement and will

be responsible for enforcing rules, maintain order and resolving conflict among members in

order for meetings to run smoothly. The President serves as a mediator to prevent one

minded thinking to promote equality in the group.

Other tasks will include bringing new information to the E-board and general body

meetings about the ISU community and creating weekly agendas.

Vice President

The primary role of the Vice President will be academic and retention efforts.

The Vice President will serve as chair for the academic committee. As the academic chair

the vice president will set up events that enrich personal development toward academic

success at Indiana State University.

The Vice President holds study tables to increase student success. These study tables

create a sense of brotherhood and commitment by holding each member accountable for his

academics.

The Vice President monitors members GPAs by having them complete monthly progress

reports. These progress reports foster communication and interaction between the member

and his instructors.

The Vice President will assist the president in overseeing the organization and have direct

communication with the president.

Secretary

The secretary will be responsible for taking details notes and minutes during both the E-

board meetings and General Body meetings. After each meeting the Secretary will send out

the minutes taken to all the members of the organization and at the beginning of each

meeting the secretary will make sure that the minutes for the previous meeting are complete

and approved by all members.

The Secretary will also be responsible for taking roll call and monitoring attendance at all

Brotherhood of Successful Scholars meetings and events. If a member has missed more than

two (2) meetings in a row the secretary will be responsible for contacting the member.

All notifications will be sent through the Secretary. Members should send all

communication to the secretary who will then send out the information to the rest of the

members.

The secretary will also be responsible for the creation of the Calling Tree and making

sure members have contact information for other members.

Treasurer

The treasurer will be responsible for collecting dues and making sure that each member

has paid their dues each semester.

This position will serve as chair for the financial committee and coordinate all

fundraising and grant request proposals.

The treasurer will also be responsible for budgeting activities and funds for all events. All

requests for funds must be made through the treasurer. The treasurer will create monthly

reports of the BOSS account.

Parliamentarian

One of the responsibilities of the Parliamentarian is to maintain and foster healthy

communication.

The parliamentarian is responsible for creating policies, procedures and forms to improve

election, event planning, and to update / revise the constitution.

The parliamentarian should be trained and an expert in Robert’s Rules of Order and

present to the organization and complete trainings for other members.

B. Committee Chairs

Professional Development Chairman

This position will be responsible for enhancing professionalism in each member. Some

ways this may be accomplished in through career development, graduate school preparation,

and professional networking.

This chair will be responsible for scheduling and planning teachable moments during the

general body meetings.

This chair will also be responsible for creating programs that promote development in

members and the ISU student Body. The Chair will also be responsible for providing

mentorship opportunities between senior BOSS members and new BOSS members. The Chair

will also be responsible for professional conferences and presentation. This position will be

informed about leadership initiatives on campus and provide those opportunities to the

members.

Community Service Chairman

This Chair will create a committee and providing opportunities for community

service in the community of Terre Haute. The Community Service Chairman is

responsible for promoting, planning and executing events and projects related to serving

the community and the ISU campus. This person will also be responsible for the

mentoring in the community schools and working with younger students. The Chair will

be responsible for making sure that all members have met the requirements for

volunteering with an organization.

The community chair will plan 3 community service events each semester. One of

which will be a campus wide event or collaboration event with another student

organization. This chair will have regular meetings with the Center for Community

Engagement and is informed on information from this office. In addition the chair will

provide a list of opportunities that are members may become involved with in the

community and with other student organizations.

Social Chairman

This position will plan 4 social events each semester. This may include a bowling night,

game night, movie night. This position will also be responsible for the lunches / Dinners with

other BOSS members.

The primary role of this position is to provide and foster community among the members

of BOSS. This position will collaborate with other social student organizations to plan events. In

addition the chair will stay informed on the different social events on campus and report those

events to other members. This position will also attend meetings for the president’s council and

be a representative at these meetings as well.

Public Relations Chairman

The public relations chair will be responsible for developing the web page and taking

videos and pictures for all events. The public relations chair will create all flyers for all

events. This person should have knowledge in publisher and In-Design to create these flyers

and other publications. Other duties include creating a newsletter and maintaining social

media websites (Facebook, Twitter, Etc.)

Article II: University Compliance

A. Expression of adherence to University policies and regulations

To remain in good standing with Indiana State University “This organization shall

comply with all policies and regulations of Indiana State University, as well as with all local,

state, and federal laws.”

Article III: Statement of not-for-profit status

A. Organization’s not-for-profit status:

Brotherhood of Successful Scholars provides volunteer services to Indiana State

University and the Terre Haute community through community service, mentoring.

Therefore, “This is a not-for-profit organization”

Article IV: Advisor

Provide guidance to men of the student organization and help the members to become the

adults they aim to be. The graduate assistant will work with the administration of Indiana

state university and assist the student organization to become stronger and grow in

membership. The graduate assistant will provide tools and resources for the members of the

student organization and work directly with the president to allow the vision the group to be

brought to action. Some of the other requirements of the position will be to assist in academic

reporting of grades and coordination of academic and developmental programs.

Article V: Meetings

A. General Meetings

Brotherhood of Successful Scholars holds weekly meetings every Monday in the

Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center

301 North Eight Street

Terre Haute, Indiana 47809

B. Committee Meetings

• Executive Board is responsible for forming committees when necessary. A Committee’s

will schedule its own meetings and needs to report to the board on a periodic or ongoing basis,

minutes are required. If the committee's conclusion requires some form of action from the board,

a vote shall follow the committee's report and is made part of the board minutes.

C. Advertisement

• Meetings are advertised from our account on the ISU Tree House, a way for all

organizations on campus to stay connected. We put meeting time and places, events, and service

projects. Also, we post flyers around campus for advertisement.

D. Special Meetings

• The Advisor and President have the authority to call meetings. Emergency or special

meetings are called by contacting members on ISU Tree House powered by Org Sync. The

Secretary also has a calling tree to stay in contact with all the members so the organization will

use this information.

E. Agenda

• The Secretary will record attendance and set the agenda for the meetings. All information

that will be on the agenda for our following meeting will be due every Friday after the start of

our first official meeting.

Article VI: Democratic Procedures

A. Elections

• Officers and chairmen shall be elected annually on the 2nd Monday of April and will

serve a one term. The time between elections shall serve as one term.

• Organizational officers and chairmen will be selected by a nomination and election

process. On the 1st Monday of April members who choose to run for office will announce the

office position and why the position was chosen over the others. The members will nominate two

candidates who will debate on Election Day. In the event less than three members run for an

office, the candidate(s) will automatically be chosen to give a short speech about what will be

done during that term.

• Voting is done by ballot (paper or electronic). All officers and voting members need to be

present on Election Day for the vote to be valid. The voting and election of a candidate will be

on the same day.

• Members shall be notified and reminded about elections during regular meetings and

throughout the month of March

• An executive vote is needed to remove an officer from office.

B. Policy making

• Polices are subject to change as problems arise. Polices changes will happen by way of

general consent.

• All officers and voting members need to be present for the consent to be valid.

• If at any time objections are made with reasonable promptness, a ballot vote will ballot

vote will be required.

• Any member wanting to recommend policy changes should speak with the current

parliamentarian. The parliamentarian will then speak with the Vice President and President about

the changes then propose the changes to the officers and chairmen were it will be voted on.

Article VII: Non-Hazing

“Hazing is strictly prohibited in connection with the activities of this organization.

Hazing shall be defined as any conduct which subjects another person, whether

physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, to anything that may abuse,

degrade, or intimidate the person as a condition of association with the organization,

regardless of the person’s consent or lack of consent.”

Article VIII: Dues and Budget

A. Dues

Each member is required to pay $5 per semester and $10 per year for dues. Members will

give dues to the treasurer. Members who do not pay dues will not be allowed to participate in

attending conferences or other incentives the organization receive.

Dues are due upon membership

Dues are charged by the organization for membership and the funds will go towards

expenses not covered by Indiana State University.

The Treasurer will oversee the budget and will announce the budget at the last meeting of

every month.

Article IX: Finances

The treasurer will oversee all financial transactions and keep records of those

transactions.

Agency Account: Brotherhood of Successful Scholars has an agency account with

Indiana State University. The organization’s index number is SOSAAB56304

If the organization becomes inactive, members will be refunded the membership.

Article X: Indemnification Clause

Indemnify of the University with regard to the group’s activities on- or off- campus.

Article XI: Ratification

Any member wanting to ratify the constitution should speak with the current

parliamentarian. The parliamentarian will then speak with the Vice President and

President about the changes then propose the changes to the officers and chairman.

Roberts’s rules of orders

PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING A MAIN MOTION

NOTE: Nothing goes to discussion without a motion being on the floor.

Obtaining and assigning the floor

A member raises hand when no one else has the floor

The chair recognizes the member by name

How the Motion is brought before the Assembly

The member makes the motion: I move that (or "to") ... and resumes his seat.

Another member seconds the motion: I second the motion or I second it or second.

The chair states the motion: It is moved and seconded that

Are you ready for the Question?

Consideration of the Motion

1. Members can debate the motion.

2. Before speaking in debate, members obtain the floor.

3. The maker of the motion has first right to the floor if he claims it properly

4. Debate must be confined to the merits of the motion.

5. Debate can be closed only by order of the assembly (2/3 vote) or by the chair if no

6. One seeks the floor for further debate.

The chair puts the motion to a vote

1. The chair asks: Are you ready for the question? If no one rises to claim the floor, the

2. Chair proceeds to take the vote.

3. The chair says: The question is on the adoption of the motion that ... As many as

4. Are in favor, say ‘Aye’. (Pause for response.) Those opposed, say 'Nay'. (Pause for

5. response.) Those abstained please say ‘Aye’.

The chair announces the result of the vote.

1. The ayes have it, the motion carries, and ... (indicating the effect of the vote) or

2. The nays have it and the motion fails

When Debating Your Motions

1. listen to the other side

2. Focus on issues, not personalities

3. Avoid questioning motives

4. Be polite

CHAPTER THREE

ANNUAL EVENTS

These are just somewhat of the annual traditional events that our organization has done over the

+years as SAAB up to this present day. At same time though we are always brainstorming and

coming up with new events and ideas add to our tradition.

Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center Street Fair

ISU Organization Expo

Black Male Summit

EFFORT Panel

Prostate Cancer Bake Sale

Financial fitness

BOSS Ball

Be your own BOSS Seminar

Mentality: I Just Want to Be Successful

Applied Health like a BOSS Expo

SAAB Panel

Anti- Intellectualism in the Hood: A Look at Education in Black America

Mentor’s Luncheon

I’am My Brothers Keepers

AACC Kwanza Celebration

City of Terre Haute MLK Day Service

WHAT SETS US APART FROM OTHERS?

As a brothers & young men, we will continue to pursue higher education. By doing so,

we will uplift all men of color to aspire to be more than a leader, more than a man, a B.O.S.S. A

guiding force in the development of future leaders! As a Brotherhood, we encourage each other’s

to embrace leadership by being positive examples for each other through a strong commitment to

academic achievement, brotherhood, and community service.

BECOMING AN ACTIVE MEMBER

Becoming a member of BOSS is not just joining an organization. It’s joining an

brotherhood of outstanding leaders that will help motivate and push you to excel as a college

student the best way as possible but at the same time inspire a friendship unlike any other, built

out of respect and love, will always have each other’s backs. To become an active member of our

organization, you must

Fill out an membership application

Pay your membership dues

Complete the BOSS Man Challenge

Attend to all or majority of the mandatory meetings every Monday, unless it has

been cancel.

If you can’t make it to all of the meetings then you must maintain communication

with the organization and let either the President or Vice President know in a day

in advance or a day of the meeting.

Must submit monthly progress reports

Must be willing to do community service

Must complete mandatory study hours

CHAPTER FOUR

MINORITY MALE SCHOLARSHIP

The BOSS Minority Male Scholarship that is basically design to provide some type of

financial assistance to the minority male students of Indiana State University. This scholarship is

a non-grade point average required because we believe that one of the biggest problems in male

retention in ISU is mostly financial. Over the years ISU has had young minority men from inner

cities enrolled into their university and before their spring semester comes up. A lot of students

end up either transferring or dropout of school due to having financial distractions, such as

paying a school bill off, helping out family, not having enough money to purchase their books,

etc.

So we wanted to build a scholarship base off of a student’s desire, character, and their

future plans to do with the scholarship if they are chosen as the winner. Each year we raise about

$250.00 or above to give to a student mostly through our annual scholarship formal ball called

“BOSS Ball”. Ten percent of the proceeds from the ball are given to the winner of the

scholarship. We hope with this scholarship that we can give to more than one male student for

many more years to come.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM OUR BROTHERS

You are not a true brother unless you desire for your brother what you desire for yourself

-Kale Walker-

Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path

Stand for something because if you don’t you fall for anything

(Proverbs 3:5-6) -Brandon Mayes-

Brotherhood means laying down your life for somebody, really willing to sacrifice yourself for

somebody else.

(Tim Hetherington) –Kenneth Morgan-

Even though you in a position of power you must still put in as much work as your team. A

BOSS is just as strong as the team he is leading.

-Kenneth Walker-

People can swear up and down that they want to be part of organization but only a few last and

stand together as brothers

-Victor Jenkins-

Regardless what position you have as a leader you have to always to put in work and learn how

to be better hands down, no excuses

-Jules Hampton-

Young Kings,

Remember leadership and brotherhood are two words that go hand. Know that regardless of

life circumstances, you were created to rise above and conquer all. Everything you need is

inside of you. Never look down on another black man unless you are lifting him up. Lastly

never forget that being black is the greatest gift GOD gave you. Our talents and gifts are so

amazing people try to bring us down at every step. The world is yours but you have to believe it

for yourself.

-Joshua Trotter-

The one thing that separates leaders and followers is the trials and tribulations that they go

through. Everything that you encounter in life, regardless of the nature; you take it and use it

as a tool to educate yourself

-Davonta Morrison-

Our Legacy of Brotherhood and Success

Lloyd Taylor – One of the founding fathers of the Indiana State University S.A.A.B. chapter and

graduated ISU with a degree in Communication Studies while obtaining a minor in Business

Administration. Before pursuing his Master’s degree, he worked for the Indiana Black Expo as a

committee member for the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis. He also was Graduate Assistant of

S.A.A.B. program and worked as a Vigo County mentor coordinator.

Michael Scott Jr. – One of the first African American Student who became SGA (Student

Government Association). During his time in S.A.A.B. plus, he served as a powerful vehicle for

the organization by voicing their opinions and concerns on what was happening.

Robert Jackson – One of the founding fathers of S.A.A.B. and graduated ISU with a degree in

Accounting as well as a Master Degree in Economics. He also served as the Graduate Assistant

upon his final year of graduate school.

A.J. Patton – Served as committee chair for S.A.A.B. and served as President for SGA (Student

Government Association) plus student ambassador for the Foundation office at Indiana State

University. One of his biggest accomplishments was incorporating free public transportation

accessible at their convenience to and from campus.

David Baker – One of the founding fathers of Brotherhood of Successful Scholars. He also was a

veteran member of SAAB and helped build the foundation that BOSS lives up to in this present

day. David is currently a graduated of ISU and a pivotal role model of the NPHC and BOSS.

Juan Mitchell - One of the founding fathers of Brotherhood of Successful Scholars. He also was

a veteran member of SAAB and helped build the foundation that BOSS lives up to in this present

day. Juan now works as a Coordinator for Diversity & Inclusion, US Student Services at

Marietta College.

Jules Hampton – One of the founding members of BOSS, and graduated with a degree in

Mathematics and a Master’s in college Student Personnel Administration at Illinois State

University. Now he is a High school mathematics teacher and as Louis Stokes Alliance for

Minority Participation Graduate Assistant for the University College at Illinois State University.

Kenneth Walker- Co- founding member of BOSS and served in many different positions from

social chairman all the way to President. Plus he also Co- founded the BOSS Minority Male

Scholarship. Kenny graduated from ISU with a degree in Business Administration (BBA),

Marketing and Applied Science (B.A.Sc.), Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied

Communication. Now he is Chief Executive Officer of Brown Bunny Delivery Services LLC

along with his partner Nicholas Cook.

As you can see, many members of our brotherhood have been the true definition of the

words scholars and success in their own way. The amount of names you see isn’t even close to

what all of the members of the organization has done during their time at Indiana State

University. Each brother of our organization has played a significant role in building this

organization and this strong bond as a family. As you read this I hope after everything that has

been shown to you is something that you as a member of this family can use as a motivational

tool to create the next big contribution and path for the next generation to follow. Remember

BOSS is more than a title; It’s a lifestyle that you embrace.