(PASA-UNT)

Here is our draft constitution for discussion. As it is not comprehensive, (even if we are busy with our academic works), I think it would be a good idea to take sometime to review our draft Constitution before next meeting, so that we can develop and finalize it together. Please read over the content and think about the uncovered or unnecessary details. Please post any comments you have about the constitution to the African Discussion Group of UNT before the next meeting, and come prepared :-).

  1. OBJECTIVES:-
    1. The objects of the association are to promote the benefits of the African (nationality, origin and descend) students of the University of North Texas without distinction of sex or disablement or of political, religious or other opinions.
    2. To further this objects and for this purpose only, the Association has the following powers:-
      1. to promote understanding, knowledge and awareness of the needs (including cultural needs) of African nationality, origin or descent at UNT and to provide a forum for the exchange of information from all corners of Africa;
      2. to promote the exchange of ideas and information concerning African culture;
      3. to provide advice and assistance;
      4. to invest any money of the association in or on such investment, securities or property as may thought fit.
      5. to purchase, take on lease or in exchange , hire or otherwise acquire or hold any real or personal estate and to maintain and alter any of the same as are necessary for any of the objects of the association.
      6. to promote and support the activities of other charitable groups
      7. to raise funds and receive subscriptions, donations or subventions, from any person, organization or body and to open a bank and building society accounts in the name of the Association;
      8. Collect and provide information on all matters affecting the purposes of the association and establish, print, issue, and circulate any papers, journals, magazines, books, periodicals, and publications as are necessary to fulfill the objects of the association;
      9. to provide exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes and workshops;
      10. to take any legal step necessary to further the interest of the association's purpose.

  2. MEMBERSHIP
    1. Full membership of the Association is open to all persons of African descent or origin and any other persons interested in African affairs.
    2. Honorary membership of the Association may be conferred upon any individual at the discretion of the Executive Committee (defined in Management)
    3. [All full members will pay nonrefundable subscription fees as the Executive Committee (defined in Management) from time to time may decide].
    4. The Executive Committee shall have the right to reject applications for membership, of any person provided that the person concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Executive Committee before a final decision is taken.

  3. THE MANAGEMENT
    1. The affairs of the Association including the management of any resources held by the association will be managed by the Executive committee.
    2. The Executive Committee shall comprise:
    3. The members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting (usually in fall) and shall hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting next after their election but shall be eligible for re-election one more term.
    4. The Executive Committee may co-opt any full member of the Association to fill any casual vacancy in the committee and any person so co-opted shall hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for election at that meeting.
    5. 3.5 The duties of the members of the Executive Committee shall as outlined below provided that any member of the committee shall be required to perform any other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by a meeting of the association or the Executive Committee:
      1. The president shall preside over meetings of the Association and the Executive committee and shall in liaison with other members of the Executive committee preside over the day to day running of the affairs of the Association;
      2. The Vice-President shall perform any and all duties of the President in the latter's absence or when called up to do so by the Executive committee;
      3. The Secretary shall maintain all records of Membership and Proceedings of meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee and deal with all correspondences to and from the Association;
      4. The treasurer shall maintain all financial records and issue receipts for any sums received on behalf of the Association;
      5. The Committee members shall perform any duties as may from time to time be determined by the Executive Committee including the functions of any other member of the Committee.
    6. The Executive Committee has the power to appoint any sub-committee as may be needed from time to time, and to decide on its terms of reference and procedure. The Executive committee may delegate all or any of its powers to the sub-committee, but any sub-committee shall contain at least 2 members of the Executive Committee and all its acts and proceedings shall be fully and promptly reported back to the Executive Committee.
    7. The Executive Committee will meet at least once a month
    8. All questions or resolutions arising out of any Executive Committee meeting (except those  relating to dissolving the Association) shall be decided by a simple majority of those present.
    9. Each member of the Executive Committee is entitled to one vote.
    10. The quorum for an Executive Committee meeting shall be one third of its members. If a quorum is not present within half an hour of the appointed time for a meeting, then it shall be adjourned to the next convenient date, time and place. Even if no quorum is present at the re-convene meeting, it shall still proceed as if it had a quorum provided that all decisions taken at such a meeting be confirmed at the Executive Committee meeting.
    11. The Executive Committee may invite anyone to one or more Executive Committee meetings as it thinks fit but such people do not have voting rights.
    12. The Executive Committee may pass a vote of no confidence in any of its Officers. Once a resolution of no confidence has been passed, the Officer(s) in question shall cease to act and the Executive Committee has the power to replace her/him/them.  However, a resolution of no confidence cannot be passed unless the Officer(s) in question and all other committee members have received at least a 14 days' written notice of the proposed resolution.
    13. An Executive Committee member can be removed from her/his office if she:
      1. becomes bankrupt or makes a composition with her/his creditors;
      2. resigns by written notice;
      3. becomes mentally incapable;
      4. is absent from four consecutive Executive Committee meetings without good and the other Executive Committee members pass a resolution to remove her/him.
    14. The Executive Committee is responsible for recruiting, employing, supervising and dismissing (when necessary) all workers of the Association (whether paid or unpaid). However, no paid employees are allowed to serve as voting members on the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall insure that all employees provide them with adequate reports on their activities as employees.
    15. No Executive Committee member is allowed to make any personal financial gain or profit from the Association. No Executive Committee member can be appointed to any post for which s/he would be entitled to be paid out of the association's funds.
    16. Executive Committee members are allowed to receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses properly incurred in performing their duties at Executive Committee members.