ARTICLE I PREAMBLE

 

We, the members of the African Students Association, do hereby establish this constitution for the purpose of expressing our ideas, beliefs, concerns, and activities to the University of Maryland at College Park campus community. We will not nor do we believe in promoting our own individual political ideas as those of the group as a whole. We believe in creating an atmosphere where students can convene socially and academically and grow together as young men and women. The name of the organization from this day forth will be recognized as the African Students Association and will be referred to as such. No any one person will represent the organization without the consent of its members.



ARTICLE II PURPOSE

A. Cultural Awareness
The association would focus on increasing the awareness of diversity and multi-cultural aspects of Africa and the African people. We are dedicated to our commitment to share the wealth and greatness of Africa with the campus community. We would also like to receive in return the vast culture and richness of the United States of America through the students, cultural organizations, and faculty of the University of Maryland at College Park campus.
B. Social Awareness
The association will encourage interaction between African Students Association members and campus students of different races and religions. We will strive to make the association a meeting place and a tool of instruction and learning that is a place in which people from various fields of affluence and study will meet, discuss and exchange ideas in the spirit of unity and humanity. The African Students Association will encourage all events that broaden the spheres of culture, society, and education.
C. Educational Awareness

As a student body at an institution of higher learning, the association and its members will attempt to do their utmost to help association members cope with and learn the university system. We will act as a "referral service" for our members, referring them to the appropriate body or faculty members.
D. News and Media Awareness

The association recognizes the need to keep abreast of current events. There will be an informal forum each week at which members will discuss the implications of news and media on the world, particularly on the African community. The African Students Association is committed to social responsibility and will encourage students to participate in public affairs. However, it must be stressed that political and religious views will be uninvolved in the afore mentioned matters as much as possible.

E. Miscellaneous
The African Students Association is an organization that wants to encourage the spirit of unity, togetherness, and humanity among its members and the campus community. We will always continue to open our doors to a multi-cultural society. The association will be devoted to the propagation and sharpening of academic skills, the discussion of current issues, and development of leadership skills. The African Students Association will be the voice and home for its members and will be devoted to the interests of peace and unity in the campus community. The association understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by the University of Maryland at College Park rules and regulations.



ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

SECTION I ELIGIBILITY
Membership will be limited to persons officially connected with the university such as students, faculty, and staff. The African Students Association openly admits students to its organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, or on the basis of the exercise of rights secured by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

SECTION II MEMBERSHIP DEFINITION
The following will define a student's membership status during any academic school year:

A. Dues are not required. However, donations will be accepted, amounts to be determined by each individual member.
B. Attendance of at least two-thirds of all meetings during each semester.
C. Active participation in all activities the organization sponsors unless the activity interferes with academic, religious, or economic affairs.



ARTICLE IV ELECTION PROCESS

SECTION I ELECTION

A. The general election is to be held the second Wednesday in April.

B. All voting members must be undergraduate

C. All elections will be held on an annual basis.

D. All officers will be elected by a majority vote of eligible members in the organization.

E. All executive officers must be undergraduates.

F. The following positions will be available for contest for eligible members:

1. President
2. Vice-President of Programming
3. Vice-President of Finance
4. Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Public Relations of Media

7. Public Relations of Networking
7. Programming Director
8. Web Master
9. Historian
G. The newly elected officials will preside over the administration of the organization two weeks prior to the last meeting of the spring semester. During this time they will be instructed on how the organization should be run according to any campus policies and/or regulations.

SECTION II VOTING ELIGIBILITY

All members who meet the requirements for active memberships as set forth in Article Three will be granted voting privileges provided that they are undergraduate students currently enrolled in the university.

SECTION III VOTING METHOD

All voting will be done by secret ballot, collected, and tabulated by the election committee.



ARTICLE V: RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS

SECTION I PRESIDENT

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the President:

A. Preside over all meetings of the association.

B. Act as an official spokesperson for the organization.

C. Preside as the chairperson of the executive board.

D. Coordinate all activities the organization sponsors.

E. Appoint all committee chairpersons.

F. Preside as the chairperson of the Constitution and By-law committee.

G. Appoint eligible members to any vacant executive positions with approval from the majority of members.

H. Utilize the power to call special meetings with prior notification to association members.

SECTION II VICE-PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMMING AND ADMINISTRATION

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Vice-President of Programming and Administration:

A. Assume the President's position in times of absence due to personal or academic reasons.

B. Coordinate all of the organization's administrative duties such as making reservations for office space and rooms, etc.

C. Appoint program directors and assistant program directors as well as coordinate their responsibilities.

D. Preside as the chairperson of programming committee meetings.

E. Act as the co-chairperson and assign duties for the African Cultural Night and Africa Week programs.

F. Appoint liaisons to the Black Student Union, NAACP, International Students Council and the Student Government Association.

G. Supervise the organization's application renewal process with the Office of Campus Programs

SECTION III VICE-PRESIDENT OF FINANCE

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Vice-President of Finance:

A. Coordinate all of the organization's finances and transactions.

B. Preside as the chairperson of the finance and fund-raising committee.

C. Prepare and submit a budget to the SGA Finance Committee on an annual basis.

SECTION IV TREASURER

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Treasurer:

A. Handles the association's bank accounts.

B. Prepares a brief monthly report of the organization's financial status.

C. Work directly with the Vice-President of Finance on all of the organization's financial matters.

D. Pay all bills the organization accrues during the semester upon receipt of the bill.

E. Maintain accurate financial records of the organization's finances.

SECTION V SECRETARY

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Secretary:

A. Responsible for taking minutes during general and executive meetings on a weekly basis.

B. Maintain a copy of the constitution and by-laws at every meeting.

C. Maintain an accurate attendance list of every meeting.

D. Perform other clerical duties the President or any other executive member assigns.

SECTION VI PROGRAM DIRECTOR

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Program Director and the Assistant Program Director:

A. Coordinate the organization's programs.

B. Work with the Vice-President of Programming and Administration in administrating the organization's programs.

C. Submit a budget for each program to the Vice-President of Finance.

D. Preside as the co-chairperson of the programming committee.

E. Design programs that will promote the organization's objectives.

F. Work with the Public relations Officer in promoting the organization's programs.

SECTION VII PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICERS

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Public Relations Officer:

A. Responsible for promoting the organization as well as any activity the organization sponsors.

B. Responsible for newsletters, flyers, and other literature.

C. Responsible for the organization's printing and advertisement needs.

D. Responsible for weekly reminder to members of each weekly meeting.

SECTION VIII SGA LIAISON

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the SGA Liaison:

A. Responsible for attending each SGA meeting.

B. Maintain and keep an accurate report of all SGA meetings.

Note: All officers will be responsible for attending at least 75% of all events the organization schedules. Responsibilities might intertwine with one another based on executive board members academic and/or religious obligations.



ARTICLE VI IMPEACHMENT

SECTION I GROUNDS FOR DISMISSING EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

Any officer of the organization in violation of the organization's purpose, constitution or who acts in any way that is detrimental to the progress of the organization and/or its members can and will be relieved of their executive duties.

SECTION II PROCEDURE FOR IMPEACHMENT

A. A written request from at least three members of the organization is required to have an officer removed.

B. A written letter notifying the officer of the charges being brought against him or her and requesting their presence at the next general meeting to defend the allegations.

C. A two-thirds majority vote is necessary to successfully remove an officer.



ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES

SECTION I: PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE

A. Purpose

The committee will assist in ensuring efficient coordination of programs. They will also be responsible for ensuring the timeliness of programs

B. Committee Membership

The Vice-president of Programming and Administration will chair this committee with the Program Director acting as the vice-chair. The chair and vice-chair will work collectively to elect at least eight members to work on the committee.

SECTION II: PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE

A. Purpose

The committee will be responsible for assisting the Public Relations Officers in communicating information to the campus community.

B. Committee Membership

The Head Public Relations Officer will chair this committee with the other two P.R.Os acting as vice-chairs. They are responsible for electing voluntary members to assist with advertising and marketing function.

SECTION III: CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAW COMMITTEE

A. Purpose

The committee will annually review the constitution and by-laws of the organization and propose any changes if needed.

B. Committee Membership

The President will chair the committee with the Secretary acting as the vice-chair. The chair of the committee will have the power to nominate no more than two other members to work on the constitution.

SECTION IV: FINANCE AND FUND-RAISING COMMITTEE

A. Purpose

The committee will work on different ways to generate money for the organization and will oversee the budget proposal for SGA funding. They will also coordinate the scholarship program.

B. Committee Membership

The Vice-President of Finance will chair the committee and the Treasurer will act as the vice-chair. The chair of the committee will have the power to nominate no more than two other membrs to work on the committee.



ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS

SECTION I FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS

All meetings will occur on a weekly basis at a time and place previously selected and agreed upon.

SECTION II MEETING PROCEDURE

A. All meetings will be conducted in an orderly fashion. Each member will have their opportunity to speak and will be expected to respect the rights of others.

B. Minutes must be taken and updated on the organization web site for informing members that were absent

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ARTICLE IX FINANCES

The organization will finance all activities it engages in via the following means:

A. SGA funding

B. Donations from outside resources

C. Fund-raisers

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ARTICLE X REGISTRATION RENEWAL

The organization will apply to the Office of Campus Programs for registration on an annual basis one month after the new officers are elected.

ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS​

This constitution is binding to all organization members, but it is not binding unto itself. Any member of the organization may propose amendments to this constitution provided they give written notification to the executive members. This may be done at any meeting in which two-thirds of the members are present. These amendments will be placed on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the executive council. Proposed amendments will become effective with approval from two-thirds of the active members.