PASE Constitution
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Pilipino Americans in Sciences and Engineering (PASE)
Article 1: Introduction
Section 1. Name:
Pilipino Americans in Sciences and Engineers (PASE)
Section 2. Purpose:
PASE is an independent, student organization with the goal of providing academic and
social support for UC Merced student members.
Article 2: Executive Cabinet
Section 1. Executive Officers:
The officers of PASE shall consist of a President, Co-Vice Presidents, Scribe(s), and
Treasurer(s).
Section 2. Eligibility:
Any active member in good standing with the organization and in good academic
standing shall be eligible to hold any office.
Article 3: Executive Officers: Duties and Responsibilities
Section 1. President:
A. To implement the directives established by the rules and regulations of this
constitution.
B. To insure activities and efforts are in accordance with the purposes and objectives
set forth in this constitution.
C. To serve as a representative of the organization to the public.
D. To preside over and conduct all meetings of the organization.
E. To call meetings, regular and/or special.
F. To initiate and delegate committees and to serve as an ex-officio member of all
committees.
G. To conduct all voting with non-running officers.
H. To appoint a member with the Cabinet.
Section 2. Co-Vice President:
A. To obtain the duties and responsibilities of the President in their absence.
B. To reserve rooms for general and special meetings.
C. To help the President run the meetings.
D. To serve as a link for the organization and outside organizations.
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E. There shall be a Co-Vice President in charge of Science and Co-Vice President in
charge of Engineering.
Section 3. Scribe:
A. To keep a full and correct record of all meetings and activities of the organization.
B. To preserve all records and documents of the organization.
C. To keep a membership file containing the names and addresses of all members.
D. To notify all members and the general public of the time and location of general
meetings and special events.
Section 4. Treasurer:
A. To oversee the expenditures of the organization.
B. To maintain adequate accounts of PASE business transactions.
C. To develop and coordinate fundraising opportunities and events.
D. To familiarize themselves with the University Regulations concerning financial
matters.
E. To be responsible of updating the cabinet of financial accounts.
Section 5. Resignation:
Any officer may resign at any time he or she does not feel that they can continue to fulfill
the duty of their office. This will result in a vacancy in office.
Section 6. Vacancies:
In the event of vacancy in any executive position, the election of a new officer to serve
the remainder of the term shall be considered at the next regular meeting. The
President may appoint the interim until new elections can be held.
Section 7. Impeachment:
By way of any motion, any member may recommend that the organization remove any
officer failing to adequately perform the duties of the executive position. 3/4ths vote of
active members at the meeting shall be required to remove the officer. The Executive
Cabinet will decide if there are enough members present to take a vote. Upon removal,
the officer shall become a regular member with all the privileges thereof, and
replacement shall follow in accordance with the Cabinet appointing a member to office.
Section 8. Length of Term:
A. All officers shall serve a term of one academic year.
B. All officers shall be limited to two terms per office.
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C. Any officer who fills a vacancy and serves less than half of the term remains eligible
for two terms of that office.
D. An academic year shall begin at the end of the spring semester.
Article 4: Election of Executive Officers
Section 1. Eligibility:
Any member of PASE, in good academic standing, who has been a member for one
year and registered student of UCM are eligible to run for office.
Section 2. Nominations:
A. Nominations shall be held during the end of the spring semester (exact dates should
be determined by the Cabinet).
B. Any member can nominate him/herself or another member.
C. Any member can second him/herself if someone else nominates him/herself initially.
D. Absentees can be nominated only if they respond within seven school days.
E. Declination can be made at any time.
F. All nominees have seven school days to finalize their decision and must report to the
President.
G. After seven school days, all nominees who accept the nominations are given …
H. Nominees have the option of running for more than one office.
Section 3. Nominee Presentation:
A. Each nominee must give a presentation on his/her candidacy at the scheduled
election meeting after nominations.
B. All nominees must be present at this meeting unless circumstances prevail.
C. The maximum time of each presentation will be 10 minutes.
Section 4. Elections:
A. Elections will be conducted the same meeting after the presentations.
B. Voting will be conducted under secret ballot from highest to lowest officer position.
C. All members can vote for only one nominee per office.
D. In the event of a tie, a second election will take place after another
presentation/rebuttal.
E. In the event of a third tie, non-running officers will determine the victor.
F. In the event of a third tie and there are no non-running officers, there shall be a third
election after a presentation/rebuttal.
Section 5. Announcements:
A. Non-running officers will count the votes.
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B. The results will be made at the conclusion of the meeting in ascending order.
Section 6. Transfer of Duties and Responsibilities:
A. Old and new officers will meet at a transitional meeting.
B. Old officers will fill in new officers on responsibilities and club history, etc.
C. The new officers will conduct the first meeting of the new term (see Article 3, Section
8D).
Article 5: Membership
Section 1. Definition:
Any UCM student and alumni are eligible for membership.
Section 2. Obtaining membership:
To obtain membership, one must pay the club dues, determined by the Cabinet.
Section 3. Responsibilities of the members:
Active members should support the organization by upholding the constitution,
attending a majority of the meetings, and participating in organized activities.
Section 4. Rights of the members:
Active members have the right to vote, run for office, terminate their membership,
participate in all organized activities, and voice their opinions.
Section 5. Termination of membership:
A. Termination of membership by the member: Any member may terminate their
membership at any time.
B. Termination of membership by the organization: Under extreme circumstances, the
Executive Board will review termination of membership of a member.
C. Termination of membership of an impeached officer: The organization will consider
the circumstances of the impeached officer as reviewed by the Executive Board.
Article 6: Committees
Section 1. Formation of committees:
Current officers can form committees for a specified purpose.
Section 2. Types of committees:
A. Standing committee will be one, which is active throughout the academic year.
B. Ad hoc committee will be one, which exists when a specified need arises and
disbands when the task is completed.
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Section 3. Responsibilities of committee members:
Committee members are obligated to attain their specified purpose.
Article 7: Amendments
Section 1. Procedures:
A. Any member may propse amendments.
B. Signatures from 1/3rd of the active members are needed to consider a proposal.
C. Proposals for an amendment should be submitted to the Cabinet.
D. Officers will discuss the need of the amendment.
E. If the officers believe the amendment to be good, the proposal will be up for
discussion.
F. Voting on the proposed amendment should take place no later than the semester in
was brought up in.
G. Changes to the constitution can only be made if 3/4ths of the active members at the
meeting vote it in. The Cabinet will decide if there are enough members present to take
a vote.
H. A rejected proposal may be brought up only once per semester.