Constitution
The
Korean American Students Association
Constitution
ARTICLE I
Purpose of the Organization
The purpose of the Korean American Student Association is to promote and expand the interest of Korean culture to the University of Rochester, and to help establish an understanding of the diversity between both American and Korean cultures. Contingent goals include activism of Korean and Asian American issues, community involvement against negative stereotypes and advocate against discrimination.
Article II
Meetings
Section A. A
general meeting is valid if at least one-half of the executive officers are
present.
Section B. Procedure.
1.
The Roll Call- the secretary will call the role for the executive
board.
2.
President’s Agenda- after roll call, the president will conduct the
meeting according to the official agenda established by the executive board.
The agenda will include reports from all executive board members.
3. Open Forum- after the agenda, the meeting will be open to new proposals and ideas. The floor will remain open to all members so that anyone can bring new issues to the organization for discussion.
Article III
Membership and Voting
General Membership
Section A. 1. Eligibility—all
undergraduate
2.
All members must be listed on
the Campus Club Connection
3. Definition of a Member
a.
Must be listed on the Campus Club Connection
4. Definition of an Active General Member
a. Active General Members are required to attend at least three general meetings per semester or:
b. Can be defined as a person who is DIRECTLY involved in the planning, organization, and or execution of a major KASA activity.
c. Only active general members are entitled to voting rights.
d. Any ambiguities will be voted on by executive board.
Section B. 1. Voting on any issue is official only if the meeting is valid.
2.
All members have one vote on a given issue (officers cannot be
given extra weight for their vote).
3. Procedure
a. Voting will be done by either open hand or by closed ballot. A decision will be reached by the majority vote on a particular issue or issues being raised in the meeting.
b. In the case of any election or vote that results in a tie, the executive board members will vote.
c. Tie votes in elections will be settled by the executive board members, excluding candidates that are running for the position in question.
Article IV
Officers and Qualifications
Executive Membership
Section A. The Executive branch consists of eight officers.
1. President
· Is ultimately responsible for the actions of the organization. Oversees all aspects of the activities, events and contacts that occur during his or her term in office and sets the agenda for meetings.
2. Vice-President
· He or she will work closely with the president to achieve the tasks designated by the president. In the cases when the president is unable to attend meetings or events, then the vice-president will be given the power to speak for the president with given consent. In the case that the President cannot fulfill his/her duties and or must step down, the Vice-President will assume all presidential responsibilities. Will be responsible for room and technical reservations.
3. Business Manager
· This position will be in charge of all aspects of financial management and is required to undergo training through the student activities office. The treasurer should organize fund-raisers and execute plans approved by the executive and general branches. This officer will keep record of where said funds are spent and raised as well as ensure that SAAC guidelines are always followed.
4. Publicity Manager
· The publicity manager will be responsible for creating flyers and handouts for meetings, social events, and activities. He or she will also be responsible for updating the Campus Club Connection, keep contacts with the Campus Times for publicity and create press releases in a timely fashion. Responsibilities also include organizing interest for general meetings and updating the KASA webpage.
5. Secretary
· He/she will be responsible for taking records of all general and executive meetings. This position will take roll and document attendance at all meetings. This officer will be responsible for working with the president and the publicity manager to send out e-mails to the general members of KASA.
6. Activity Manager
· He/she is responsible for forming ideas, planning, and executing KASA programs. This person is expected to be motivated and work with other Student Activity organizations in the formation of activities. Two major activities should be planned per semester and two small activities per semester.
7. Underclassmen Representatives
· Comprised of two members: a sophomore elect and freshman elect representative. Each position’s duty will be to keep contact with members of their respective class and work with their respective representatives of the class council for the promotion and interest of events. A freshman is to be elected in the fall.
Section B. Executive Board Eligibility
1.
The office of President and Vice-President must have served on
a prior executive board.
2. Any member is eligible to run for office.
Section C. Nominations and Election of Officers
1. Students choosing to run for office must register with the ballot one full week before the election.
a.
At this time, each candidate will declare his or her own eligibility
for candidacy and must receive a nomination bid from a current executive
board member.
2. Election of officers shall be by majority vote. All candidates will be required to speak for their position.
a. Candidates running uncontested must receive two thirds of the present voters.
b.
In the event that no candidate has a majority, the executive
board members will vote by simple majority, excluding the executive board
members running for the position in question. The executive board’s
selection must be ratified by a majority of the members to validate the election.
3.
In the event that an office is vacant, a new election shall be
held for the post at the next valid meeting with the above voting provisions
applicable.
4.
Voting rights are a privilege. Only active general members as
described in Article III, Section A, Point Four are privileged to vote in
an election. Members are privileged to observe the election and have no voting
rights.
5. All members are privileged in the discussion of candidates.
a.
Members engaging in hostile and or venomously negative discussion
will be asked to leave by the board.
6.
The candidates running cannot be present during deliberations
and they also cannot vote for the position that they are running for.
7. The newly elected executive board members will assume their power at the end of the spring semester.
Section D. Executive Responsibility
1.
The executive board will collectively designate a weekly time
for an executive meeting within the commencement of the first month of classes.
2.
Attendance is mandatory for all executive board members at both
executive board meetings and general meetings unless excused by the president.
3.
More than two unexcused absences a semester will force an automatic
vote of no confidence.
4.
Frequent delinquent tardiness will qualify as an absence.
5.
All officers will sign an oath to begin their term of office.
6. Current executive board members will be required to give training to the new executive board.
Section E. Impeachments and Resignations
1.
A vote of no confidence will be held for any officer who fails
to responsibly hold their position as defined by Article IV, Section A. A
warning of no confidence will be given one official meeting’s notice
before a vote done by the executive board.
2.
A call for a vote of no confidence can be given at any time by
any member on the executive board.
3.
One appeal will be granted throughout the vote of no confidence
and will be reviewed by the executive board for the consideration of amnesty.
4.
A vote of no confidence shall succeed if a 3/4-majority vote
is achieved by the executive board.
5. A vote of no confidence against the President must have a unanimous vote from the executive board excluding the President. The vice president will assume all rights and duties of the President upon a successful impeachment.
a.
An appeal for amnesty will be processed by the whole executive
board through a majority vote.
6. At an official meeting following an impeachment or resignation, the position is to be filled in accordance with the specifications under Article IV, Section C.
Article V
Finances
Section A. Students' Association members shall receive priority at SA funded events conducted by this group.
Section B. Funding shall come from fund-raising activities and SA.
Article VI
Amendments
Section A. Adoption and ratification of amendments to this constitution shall follow the same procedure as adoption of the entire constitution.
Section B. The constitution may be ratified upon a majority vote, the approval of the Senate and the signature of the Speaker.
Section C. This constitution should not conflict with the Students' Association constitution or by-laws.
Article VII
By-Laws
Section A. Provision for adoption of by-laws are to be listed in this constitution.
Section B. By-laws should not conflict with this constitution or the Senate Association constitution or by-laws. If conflict occurs, the by-law(s) in question shall be deemed void.
Article VIII
Hazing Policy
The harassment of one individual by another individual or group (sometimes called hazing) is not permitted by KASA. Behavior prohibited under this rule includes actions threatening substantial risk of physical or mental injury; actions exposing the individual to distressing, repulsive, or alarming situations or sensations; forced consumption of alcohol or drugs; actions in the form of social pressure which might cause harm to an individual.
Article IX
Discrimination Policy
The KASA of the
This Constitution is on file with the Student Activities
Office in
Updated on 7 April 2005
