University of Iowa African Association Constitution

African Students Association, University of Iowa, 6 Student Activities Center, Iowa Memorial Union, 319 335 3059 Tel, www.uiowa.edu/~uiafrica

CONSTITUTION OF THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION

First submitted Spring 1972, lasted update on March 20^th, 2004

Article I

NAME

The name of the association shall be The University of Iowa African Student's Association.

Article II

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association shall be:

(a) To create an environment which enhances the educational development of Africans in the

University of Iowa and its surrounding communities.

(b) To stimulate interest in African affairs among all Africans, as well as non-Africans in the University

of Iowa and its surrounding communities.

(d) To promote and uphold the legitimate interests of Africans in the University of Iowa and its

surrounding communities.

Article III

MEMBERSHIP

(a) In no aspect of its programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons because of race,

national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational

preferences, or any other classification which would deprive a person of consideration as an individual.

The organization will guarantee that equal opportunity and access to membership, programming, facilities,

and benefits shall be open to all persons.

(b) Membership shall be automatic to all Africans and non-Africans in Iowa City and its surrounding communities,

who are interested in the aims of the association.

Article IV

OFFICERS

(a) Officers of the Association shall consist of the following:

1. President

2. Vice-President

3. Executive Secretary

4. Public Relations Officer

5. Treasurer

6. Two Advisors elected by the Executives**

(b) The executive committee shall consist of all the above officers and shall have the responsibility of providing

guidelines on policy.

by simple majority through secret ballot.

(d) The term of office shall be one calendar year beginning May to May of the following year . Fresh elections shall be held late April/ early May.

(e) Executive members, except the two advisors, can only serve for a maximum of two years while pursuing their program/s at the university.

(f) By-elections shall be held as need arises.

** This will be a decision made by the executive committee after the elections process.

Article V

DUTIES

President: Shall preside over all meetings.

Shall be the main spokesperson for the association.

Shall be responsible for all others in the Executive Board.

Vice-President: Shall assist the president.

Shall be responsible for the president's behavior.

Shall assume the responsibilities of the president in his/her absence.

Executive Secretary: Shall be responsible for all the correspondence for the association.

Shall keep record of all minutes of the association.

Shall keep records of all past and future events of the association.

Public Relation Officer: Shall be responsible for publicity in all the activities and events of the association.

Shall be in charge of public relations, including media and news releases.

Shall be in charge of updating the Association website and listserv

Treasurer: Shall maintain up-to-date records of the association's finances

Shall carry out all financial transactions for the association.

Article VI

DISCIPLINE

(a) Any officer who behaves in a manner contrary to the spirit of the constitution shall be removed by a

2/3 majority of those members present at the meeting subject to a quorum.

(b) The removal of such an officer shall be initiated by at least five members by a letter to the Executive Secretary,

who shall on receipt of such a letter call a meeting within two weeks. The committee shall also have powers to

recommend to the general meeting, the removal of an officer.

and if he/she does not heed such warning, shall be suspended by the majority of those members present at the

meeting subject to a quorum.

(d) The removal of an elected member of the executive committee shall follow the same procedure as in section (b)

of Article IX.

Article VII

MEETINGS

(a) Executive committee meetings shall be held weekly.

(b) Emergency meetings shall be held when needed.

(d) A quorum for executive committee meetings shall consist of ½ of the members present.

(e) Quorums for the general and emergency meetings shall consist of 15 members.

Article VIII

FINANCE

(a) Member dues are fixed to the amount of ten dollars per semester for each member and shall be due at the

beginning of each semester. Contributions and donations are welcome both in the form of money and gifts

for necessary activities organized by the association.

(b) Other funds for special activities organized by the association shall be raised when need arises.

of funds.

(d) Upon dissolution state money, mandatory student fees revert back to the granting organization.

Group fees should be divided as stated in the constitution and carried out by the dissolving group's

members and officers.

If group has dissolved and group fees have not been divided as stated in constitution by five years from the last

account, activity monies in the group's 00 account will revert to an account specified for this purpose within UISG.

These funds will then be available for distribution through SABAC guidelines in the compliance with University of

Iowa policy.

(e) Upon dissolution, group fees shall be divided equally among all Africa nationality groups.

Article IX

AMENDMENTS

(a) A committee of 4 members (headed by the vice-president) will be formed to review the constitution and make

appropriate amendments.

(b) Amendments to the constitution shall be adopted by 2/3 majority of those "present at the meeting subject to

a quorum.