A.S.O. Constitution
ARTICLE I NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION ONE NAME
This organization shall be known as the Arabic Student Organization,
a Class II
Organization of the Student Government, Inc. of Montclair State University.
SECTION TWO PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to expand the awareness of the Arab world and political situation and to educate students on Arabic history and culture. A.S.O shall b e committed to organizing student activities and fundraising to enhance the leadership capabilities of the academic and social standing of all participating students.
ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP
SECTION ONE ELIGIBILITY
Membership is open to all fee-paying undergraduate members of the Student Government Association Inc.
SECTION TWO MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING/VOTING MEMBERS
Those who attend a minimum of two entire consecutive general membership meetings OR who have provided four (4) hours to the organization as service time will b e entitled to voting privileges thereafter.
ARTICLE III ADVISOR
A faculty/administrative advisor must be appointed by the president and approved by 2/3 of the voting membership present. The advisor shall serve in an advisory capacity only and must be an ex-officio member.
ARTICLE IV MEETINGS
SECTION ONE MEETING TIME
At the first meeting of each semester, the membership shall set forth a day and time for general meetings, which must be adhered throughout the semester.
SECTION TWO EMERGENCY MEETINGS
Any member of the Executive Board may call emergency meetings. Voting members may call for an emergency meeting by 2/3 of the voting members signing a petition, which is submitted to the president.
SECTION THREE QUORUM
Quorum is a minimum of fifty percent plus one of the voting membership required to be present in order to call a meeting to order where business will be legally transacted.
SECTION FOUR TRANSITIONAL MEETINGS
Transitional meetings shall be held after the election of the new Executive Board with the outgoing Executive Board, where all organizational materials will be transferred.
ARTICLE V EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION ONE THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
The organization shall be administered by an Executive Board, which shall consist of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.
SECTION TWO DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
The President shall have the following duties:
a) Ensure that the organization operates in accordance with current
SGA Policies, Procedures, & Sanctions.
b) Sign all contracts, agreements and legal documents authorized by the board
and in accordance to University Policies and Procedures.
c) Preside over all meetings.
d) Shall vote only in the case of a tie, excluding elections.
e) Be the official host of the organization.
f) Co-sign financial documents with the Treasurer.
g) Carry out such duties as usually pertaining to the office of the President
and serving as ex-officio on all committees.
SECTION THREE DUTIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President shall have the following duties:
a) Oversee the functioning of all committees.
b) Fulfill the duties of the President in his/her absence.
c) Shall have one vote.
d) Must act in accordance with all current SGA Policies, Procedures, & Sanctions.
e) Be responsible for posting the organization events.
SECTION FOUR DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
The Secretary shall have the following duties:
a) Must act in accordance with all current SGA Policies, Procedures, & Sanctions.
b) Maintain complete records of all correspondence.
c) Shall provide up-to-date organization information to the S.G.A.
d) Shall have one vote.
e) The officer will pursue ways of increasing the visibility of the A.S.O.
SECTION FIVE DUTIES OF THE TREASURER
The Treasurer shall have the following duties:
a) Manage the accounts of the organization and co-sign financial
documents with the President
b) Shall have one vote.
c) Shall participate in all activities with require contract with outside entities.
d) Must act in accordance with all current SGA Policies, Procedures, & Sanctions.
e) The officer will pursue ways of increasing the visibility of the A.S.O.
SECTION SIX TRAINING
All officers shall be responsible for the training of their successors.
SECTION SEVEN TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office for all officers shall be from June 1st to May 31st.
ARTICLE VI ELECTIONS
SECTION ONE ELIGIBILITY
Anyone wishing to run for any Executive Board position must have been a voting member of the organization for one complete semester, and must currently be an undergraduate member in good academic standing with Montclair State University.
SECTION TWO PROCEDURES
a) Nominations for executive offices shall be taken at the second
meeting in the month of April. Nominations may be made by any member
of the organization.
b) The election for positions for the following year shall be conducted at
the first meeting in the month of May.
c) Voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.
d) Tabulation of the votes shall be done by two or more mutually agreed upon
members in good standing with the advisor present.
e) A plurality of the votes cast is required to win.
SECTION THREE VACCANCIES
a) In the event of the office of the President is vacated, the
Vice President shall complete the term and a new Vice President
shall be elected.
b) In the event that any other office is vacated, nominations shall be held
at the next meeting with the election to occur at the following regular meeting.
All appropriate procedures governing elections shall be followed; however the
dates aforementioned do not apply to emergency elections. The replacement officer
shall serve for the remainder of the term.
ARTICLE VII COMMITTEES
SECTION ONE AD HOC COMMITTEES
Ad hoc committees may be formed by the President with the advice and consent of the voting membership. The chairman/chairwoman will be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the voting membership.
ARTICLE VIII REMOVAL OF PRIVILEGES
SECTION ONE LOSS OF VOTING RIGHTS
A member may lose his/her voting rights with the following justifications:
a) The member has accumulated 3 of absences
b) The member fails to maintain in good faith the requirements
necessary to carry out the purposes of the organization.
SECTION TWO LOSS OF OFFICE
Any officer may be removed from office by acting in contradiction to the constitution or showing irresponsibility with the organization’s functioning through his/her duties.
a) The officer may be brought up for removal by a petition signed
by a majority of the general membership.
b) The accusers shall present their argument for removal at the earliest possible
meeting provided the accused has been given sufficient time (two weeks) to
prepare a defense.
c) A 2/3 vote of the voting membership present shall be required to remove
the officer.
d) The SGA Attorney General, Chief Justice, or an Associate Justice must be
present to any impeachment proceedings.
SECTION THREE APPEALS/REINSTATEMENTS
Any action taken under the auspices of this article may be appealed within two weeks. A 3/4 vote of the voting membership present shall be required to reinstate the member or officer. Reinstatement of voting rights can also be reestablished by following the guidelines set forth in Article II: Membership.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
SECTION ONE INTRODUCTION OF AMENDMENTS
Amendments may be introduced by the President or by a petition signed by a majority of the voting members submitted to the President. The proposed amendment must be introduced at least one meeting prior to voting.
SECTION TWO PASSAGE
A 2/3 vote of the voting membership present shall be required for the amendment to pass.
SECTION THREE FINAL APPROVAL
Final approval by the Student Government Association, Inc. of Montclair State University is necessary before any amendments go into effect.
ARTICLE X PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE
Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern all procedural matters not governed by this constitution.
ARTICLE XI DELEGATION OF POWERS
All powers not expressed in the document are hereby delegated to the Student Government Association, Inc. of Montclair State University.
ARTICLE XII ADVERTISING CLAUSE
This organization shall use only its full-chartered name or a recognizable abbreviation in all its advertising for meetings and events. All advertising shall state, “A.S.O. is a Class II Organization of the S.G.A.” All advertising must follow current SGA and MSU posting policies.
Revised 02/03
