Constitution


Mission :
The Purpose of the African Students' Association shall be to:

  1. Unite the sons and daughters of the Motherland and all those concerned with its welfare
  2. Engage in constructive activities to foster a better understanding of each other and issues affecting Africa

Article 1: Name
Article 2: Aims
Article 3: Membership
Article 4: Rights of Membership
Article 5: Officers
Article 6: Duties
Article 7: Election
Article 8: Meeting
Article 9: Standing Orders
Article 10: Amendments

ARTICLE 1: Name
The official name of the association shall be AFRICAN STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION at PENN STATE (ASAPS).

ARTICLE 2: Aims

  1. To foster a fraternal relationship and better understanding among fellow Africans
  2. To project the African image in the American society through social and cultural activities
  3. To promote friendship between us and the American people and the rest of the world
  4. To engender the spirit of Pan-Africanism
  5. To give moral support to the Liberation Movements in non-independent African states

ARTICLE 3: Membership

  1. Membership shall be open to all recognized students, faculty, and staff at PSU
  2. Every member shall pay a subscription fee of five dollars ($5.00) each semester which must be paid by the third (3 rd ) meeting of that semester
  3. Active members are those who have paid their dues and have attended at least two-thirds of the meetings and activities during the semester
  4. All active members shall have access to certain privileges and benefits including but not limited to the following:

 i. Membership in ASA sporting and athletic teams
 ii. Priority access to discounts for ASA events
 iii. Participation in official ASA events e.g. Social events, Homecoming
     parade, Touch of Africa etc.

ARTICLE 4: Rights of Membership
Each member shall have the right to:

  1. Participate in discussions and initiate resolutions
  2. Vote on any issue and on any election
  3. Be elected to all offices of the association except the office of the President which requires members to have at least two semesters of active ASA membership

 
ARTICLE 5: Officers

  1. The Executive Committee shall consist of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, and Public Relations Officer (IT)
  2. The Executive Committee members have voting rights
  3. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to form Standing and Ad Hoc committees

ARTICLE 6: Duties

  1. The President shall be responsible for convening meetings whenever the Executive Committee deems it necessary. He/She shall also be responsible for presiding and keeping order at meetings of the Association, giving an annual report of the Association's activities, and managing all the other functions of the Executive Committee
  2. The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, assume the Presidential duties and responsibilities. He/She shall assist the President in the execution of his/her duties and responsibilities. He/She shall also manage athletic events, and co-ordinate ASA liaison with other Penn State organizations
  3. The Secretary shall schedule and record minutes of ASA meetings. He/She shall also manage ASA list-serve and communication between Executive Committee and members
  4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of dues, handling and keeping of records of financial affairs of the Association. He/She shall also manage the member database
  5. The Public Relations Officer shall be responsible for publicity of all Association's activities and programs to members and the Penn State community. He/She shall also Manage press coverage of ASA events in the media
  6. The Public Relations Officer(IT) shall manage and promote ASA website. He/She shall be responsible for posting meeting minutes and other information on the website
  7. All Executive Committee members must actively participate in fund raising for the organization including but not limited to the following: attending two-thirds of the football games, participate in sales of tickets and other items, sending letters, and making phone-calls
  8. All Executive Committee members must actively participate in the planning and organization of all ASA events including but not limited to the following: Touch of Africa, Homecoming Parade, Picnics and Social Events

 
ARTICLE 7: Election

  1. There shall be an annual general election of the officers based on secret ballot to be held during the Spring Semester
  2. Any member who is not recognized as an active member will not be eligible to take part in elections

ARTICLE 8: Meeting

  1. There shall be an annual general meeting in the Spring Semester at which the outgoing President shall read his/her report and new officers shall be elected. There shall be at least one general meeting each semester; other meetings shall be convened when necessary
  2. A quorum of 50% of registered members shall be necessary to effect a general meeting with strictly binding resolutions. In case the quorum is not present a subsequent meeting shall be convened. Such a meeting will automatically be duly constituted, and any decisions and resolutions taken in such a meeting will be effectively binding

ARTICLE 9: Standing Orders

  1. A member whose conduct is detrimental to the progress, dignity, and welfare of the Association shall be suspended or dismissed by a two-thirds majority of the registered members. A member who has been dismissed shall surrender within five (5) working days all the monies and/or the property of the Association
  2. The registered membership has the power to dismiss any member of the Executive Committee by a two-thirds majority vote. An Executive Committee officer who has been dismissed shall surrender within five (5) working days all the monies and/or the property of the Association
  3. If a member of the Executive Committee is found to be incapable, partial, and constantly abuse his/her powers, a complaint shall be raised formally during one of the executive meetings. The complaint will be made official by a two-thirds majority vote of the committee. After three (3) of these official complaints have been recorded and filed, the Executive Committee will have the power to initiate the dismissal process as per Article 9(b) above
  4. The Executive Committee can be removed from office en bloc if two-thirds of the membership signs a petition for the removal of the Executive Committee for failure to execute its duties. In that case the membership shall choose an interim committee to organize new elections
  5. An Executive Committee officer may resign by giving a two-week notice in writing to the Executive Committee providing that no resignation shall take effect until all the monies and/or property of the Association have been recovered.

ARTICLE 10: Amendments

  1. This constitution is subject to amendment by a vote of two-thirds of the registered membership
  2. Any matters arising which are not covered by the constitution shall be administered according to Robert's Rules of Order ( http://www.constitution.org/rror/rror--00.htm)