Article 1 --
Name: Arab Student Association (ASA) at George Mason University,
Fairfax.
Article 2 -- Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Article 3 -- Definition: The ASA is a democratic, cultural, social
and non profit, student organization which represents Arab and Arab
American students at GMU.
Article 4 --
The ASA aims to the following objective:
4.1 - The
democratic discipline in all procedures and meetings. ASA officers
and members are responsible to upholding the constitution of the
ASA, and cooperate with the International Student Umbrella(ISU)
and Student Organizations Activitie s and Programs(SOAP).
4.2 - Defining
the members and enriching their social interactions and enhancing
their studies and academic achievements.
4.3 - Perpetuate
and enhance the close ties between Arab students and the community.
4.4 - To
parallel with the general national, progressive guidelines of
the umbrella organization of Arab Student Associations in the
USA.
4.5 - Orient
the campus community with the Arabic culture and heritage, to
establish better understanding of the Arab people and to enrich
the academic and cultural environment within the campus and the
community.
4.6 - Instill
in the Arab American students our ancestral language, culture
and heritage.
Article 5 --
ASA Membership
5.1 - Any
GMU student may be a member of the ASA.
5.2 - Honorary
membership is to be given to any university faculty member.
Article 6 --
Member's rights and assessments:
6.1 - Members
have the right to vote, elect, and be elected for any position
in the ASA. They also have the access to all the facilities owned
by the ASA and the activities and program the ASA holds.
Article 7 --
Member responsibilities:
7.1 - Active
participation in all meetings and activities the ASA organizes.
Article 8 --
The Elections
8.1 - In addition
to the regular meetings that the ASA holds during the academic
year, the executive committee announces a day in April for the
general meeting to select the new executive committee. This announcement
should be given two weeks prior to the Election Day.
8.2 - If
two-thirds of the active members are not present, a next meeting
should be announced where one-half of the members would be enough
to have the elections. If one-half are not present, the meeting
should be postponed to another date, and should be held then with
the available present members of the ASA.
8.3 - All
active members should be given the right to vote and run. Active
members are those who participated with at least half the events
of the ASA for that school year.
8.4 - All
officer elections shall be by secret ballot. All outgoing officers
not seeking election shall count the ballots. Ballots shall be
made available for recount by any member until the termination
of the meeting.
8.5 - Officers
shall serve a one year term period, and can only serve in the
same position for two consecutive terms.
8.6 - (Amendment
Effective 9/99)Nomination eligibility for Arab Student Association
President requires that the nominee must have been an officer
of the association previous to nomination for Presidency or otherwise
stated.
Article 9 --
The executive board will consist of 6 members who will be elected
by the active members. The members of the board are required to
follow the following duties and responsibilities.
9.1 - President:
Official representative of the Arab Student Association. Presides
all the meetings of the ASA. He/she shall call such meetings as
provided for in these constitution/by laws. In urgent circumstances
and only when the other officers are not available, has the right
to take actions and make temporary decisions that do not contradict
the constitution. Whenever the executive board is deciding on
an important issue, the President can not vote, however, he/she
can be the deciding vote in case of a tie.
9.2 - Vice
President: To advise the President on matters relating to the
ASA. To plan the agenda for general meetings. To call a quorum
for proper voting procedure and to tally all votes at any ASA
meetings. To advertise for meetings and activities organized by
the Executive Committee.
9.3 - Treasurer:
Organize all the records of the ASA finances. Funds of the organization
shall be withdrawn from any financial institution by a joint signature
of the Treasurer and the President/Vice President, if the amount
is less than 500 dollars. Otherwise, the executive board has to
approve it by a 2/3 majority before it is withdrawn.
9.4 - Secretary:
Takes the minutes of all the Executive Board and the general assembly
meetings. Keeps permanent record of the minutes of all the meetings.
He/she shall be custodian of the official records of this organization.
9.5 - Cultural
Advisor: Is responsible to facilitate and organize all the cultural
activities of the ASA. Represent the ASA in any cultural activity
for the community. Communicates with other organizations under
ISU and SOAP.
Article 10 --
Vacancies occurring among the officers shall be filled at the next
regular general ASA meeting after such a vacancy occurs. The vacancy
will be filled by new elections to that specific position. However,
should a vacancy occur in the office of president, the vice-president
becomes president.
Article 11 --
Any officer may be impeached for failure to properly perform his
duties in good faith. This action shall require an affirmative majority
vote of full club members present at a regular club meeting.
