LSU Seventh-day Adventist Constitution
Preamble
We, the members of The Seventh-day Adventist Student Association do hereby establish this
Constitution in order that our purpose be realized to its fullest extent.
Article I
Seventh-day Adventist Christian Group
This organization shall be called the Seventh-day Adventist Student Association, henceforth, referred
to as the SDASA Group.
Article II
Purpose
The SDASA is a Sabbath keeping Christian organization. Its members follow the word contained in
the Holy Bible by keeping God’s commandments, learning from the spirit of prophecy books as well as the
health and temperance message. It is also involved in community service activities aimed at helping the less
fortunate in the society. The SDASA encourages its members to experience the rest that come with the
observance of the Seventh-day Sabbath. We encourage a temperate lifestyle that will enable one grow well
mentally, physically and spiritually. We worship in spirit and truth guided by the Holy Bible. Our activities
include community outreach, nature walks, praise and worship, devotion, camping, seminar, and attending
conferences. We meet every Friday to usher in Sabbath through prayer, songs, and bible study. Our patron Dr.
Elias Goldstein joins us in our Friday bible study meetings. In addition, the SDASA shall organize several
events each year in order to involve other interested people who will hopefully become new members. These
events may include guest speaker invites, revival meetings, and camping.
Article III
Basic Policies
The following are basic policies of this organization:
Section 1.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4.
The organization shall be non-commercial.
The name of the organization or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not
be used in connection with a commercial concern.
The organization shall cooperate with Louisiana State University to support the improvement
of education in ways that will not interfere with administration of the University.
The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies, but persons
representing the organization in such matters shall make no commitments that bind the
organization.
Section 5.
The organization agrees to abide by all University polices and local, state and federal laws.
Article IV
Section 1.
Membership
Any LSU student, faculty member or staff member who subscribes to the purpose and basic
policies of the organization may become a member of this organization, subject only to
compliance with the provisions of the constitution.
Section 2.
Active membership is restricted to LSU students. Associate membership is restricted to LSU
faculty and staff. Associate members are non-voting members.
Membership in the SDASA is open to anyone passionate with experiencing the peace of Seventh-day Sabbath
rest and a willingness to participate in the various group activities and events which enhance spirituality and
Christian living.
Article V
Section 1.
Officers and Their Election
To be eligible to be elected to, appointed to, or to hold an office or be a standing committee
chairperson, a student must:
A. Undergraduate students must be enrolled as full-time students at Louisiana State
University (Baton Rouge); graduate students must be enrolled as part-time (with at
least 6 hours) or fulltime students at LSU;
B. Students must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and be in good academic
standing with the University;
C. Students must not be on disciplinary probation or deferred suspension. This
includes newly elected officers, as well as continuing officers. Students may
continue organizational membership if on disciplinary probation.
D. Students must meet all other academic standards established by the student
organization and included in the organization’s constitution and/or bylaws.
E. Graduating seniors who are not registered full-time may still hold office in a
student organization during the semester in which they are scheduled to graduate.
Section 2.
The SDASA is based on an organized system of governance. It shall consist of the traditional
form of government with the following offices: the President, the Vice President, Treasurer,
and Secretary.
Section 3.
President: The President is the high administrative officer empowered to create or
disband SDASA offices, appoint or remove officers, write rules, and govern the
membership in the best interest of the purposes set herein.
Vice-President: The Vice-President is responsible for overseeing other offices and assisting
the president with matters pertaining to the group. The Vice-President may lead meetings
when necessary to keep order at SDASA meeting and events.
Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for keeping all records of any financial dealings of
the SDASA group and provides written documentation of all cash flow if needed. His/her
duty shall also encompass the collection and record keeping of membership fees and organize
fundraising activities for membership.
Secretary: The Secretary is responsible for all records, including taking notes
from meetings and events. The Secretary is also responsible for reading
announcements at meetings and any other work defined as "secretarial" and
relate to SDASA.
Faculty Advisor: The faculty Advisor serve as a resource and support
mechanism for the officers and members of the organization. The faculty
advisor should attend regular and executive board meetings and other events as
necessary.
Section 4.
All necessary positions shall be established and filled by group members based
on recommendations by the executive board and democratic election by the
group members. All correspondence with Campus life student associations shall
be through the president who is also the chair of the executive board. New
executive board officers will be elected by ballot at the end of the first semester
of the academic year, and assume their official duties immediately. All elected
officers shall serve until new officers are elected.
Section 5.
All registered members will be eligible to participate in the election of new
officers. The nominees will have the option of accepting or declining
nomination.
Section 6.
All officers will constitute an executive board.
Section 7.
In the event that a vacancy should occur in any office, an election will be held
for an immediate replacement.
Section 8.
If need be, an officer may be dismissed as followed:
Warning an Executive Board member by speaking to the officer concerning the matter.
This will be done in an Executive meeting. If the officer continues, then the Executive
Board will then speak to the officer concerning removal from the Executive Board for the
next semester.
Article VI
Executive Committee
Section 1.
The Executive Committee comprises of the following: the President, the Vice President,
Treasurer, and Secretary, and the chairperson of each standing committee.
Section 2.
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to conduct necessary business meetings
and present a report to the members of the organization.
Section 3.
The Executive Committee will meet once a month.
Article VII
Standing and Special Committee
Section 1.
Standing Committees shall be selected by the registered members of the organization.
Section 2.
The chairperson of each standing committee shall present their plans for approval by the
Executive Committee.
Section 3.
The vice-president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Article VIII
Meetings
Official meetings of executive board members shall be held quarterly at a time and place to be set by
the President and the executive board. These meetings are not open to the general membership. However, all
decisions made must be presented to all SDASA members.
Article IX
Parliamentary Authority
Decisions regarding the SDASA are to be made by the Executive Board, based on a majority
consensus.
Article X
Amendment
Section 1.
This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by a two
thirds vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed
amendment shall have been given at the previous meeting and that the proposed
amendment shall be subject to approval of Campus Life.
Section 2.
The officers shall be empowered to issue an Amendment to this constitution, in or in part,
to be set down by the Secretary who will be charged to inform the Student Association of
the changes, which will become effective upon approval by the SDASA.
Article XI
Annual Requirement
The SDASA will update officer and advisor information annually on the Student Org Community no later
than two weeks after the election new officers, and will comply with the Campus Life Annual Requirements
Policy (Policy 1, Student Organization Policy Manual) to remain active.