New Clubs & E-Board Elections

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Racial Justice Student Task Force

Abbreviated : RJSTF 

RJSTF is a student club striving to:

1. Address racial inequalities and systemic racism within the healthcare system, starting here at our dental school

2. Support other school clubs with similar goals and initiatives, including but not limited to SNDA, HDA, and EDI committee

3. Foster an atmosphere of inclusion within SDM and the greater Buffalo community for BIPOC and other underrepresented minorities

4. Create a safe and confidential environment where members are comfortable sharing personal experiences, viewpoints, etc. regarding racial inequity  

RJSTF will promote and participate in the following activities, which include but are not limited to:

1. Initiatives targeted towards increasing diversity within the profession of dentistry, including Destination Dental School (DDS)

2. Initiatives to educate SDM students, residents, faculty and staff on how to provide competent dental care to a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse community, including cultural competency seminars and training programs

3. Create content (i.e. posters, media content, newsletter articles, etc.) to promote inclusivity and awareness of racial inequalities and systemic racism as it relates to healthcare and dentistry

4. Table at the School of Dental Medicine Club Fair  

Members are University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine students, residents, faculty and staff who are interested in addressing racial inequalities and systemic racism in dental healthcare and/or who identify as BIPOC or other underrepresented minority. Any School of Dental Medicine student of the University at Buffalo may become a member of this club. This club honors the University at Buffalo American Student Dental Association’s full participation policy of undergraduate students. Members must a end at least one activity annually, be on the group mailing list, and most importantly abide by the club’s statement of purpose.

President (or President-Elect)

Position held by up to two members

• Meet at the beginning of each semester with Faculty Advisor to discuss club activity 
• Complete activities listed in Article III
• Submit annual club documentation and budget to ASDA and UB 
• Manage and respond to all emails using the club email address
• Ensure that this constitution and applicable laws of SDM are faithfully executed for club activities
• Create new club officer positions, as needed 
• Interview and appoint, or hold elections to establish new leadership annually 

Secretary

• Assist President(s) in managing and responding to emails, if needed 
• Be in charge of communicating with general members 
• Schedule meetings via Zoom or by reserving classroom space 
• Record meeting minutes
• Keep Google Drive updated and organized 

Advocacy Delegates (Multiple Positions)

• Assists President(s) with leading/coordinating initiatives
• Attending club meetings and meetings with partners, administration, faculty, etc.
• Delegate tasks to other members as needed 

Liaisons

• Act as a liaison between the club and partner clubs 
• Keep club members informed about club initiatives, outreach activities, etc. 
• Keep partner clubs informed of current initiatives 

D1 Liaison

• Represent incoming D1 class
• Recruit D1 classmates to join RJSTF

Media Team Members

• Create media content for initiatives, including videos, graphic design, posters, etc.
• Manage all social media for the club on an as-needed basis 
• Accept requests to join the club through social media
• Inform club members of any breaking events from the club's social media 

Faculty Advisor(s)

• Serve primarily in advisory role 
• Meet once a semester with club leadership

In the event that major decisions need to be made, voting will take place at a scheduled meeting that has been announced at least two weeks before the meeting date, or via an online survey. All members in attendance may vote, and at least 3/4ths of the Executive Board must be present for a fair vote to occur. All voting will be confidential except to the President(s) and Faculty Advisor(s), who will tally votes. In the event of a tie vote, each opposing perspective will be given the opportunity to efend their perspective with 5 minutes to present their argument. Once each party is done, there will be a re-vote. If there is still a tie after the re-vote, the president will make the final decision. 

• Amends to the above constitution will fall to the officers, who may see to drafting the amendment themselves or appoint a subcommittee to plan the proposed changes. Any proposed amendments will be voted on following the above procedure via a scheduled meeting or online survey. 
• Simple majority is needed to approve an amendment.