July 28, 2014
ESA Constitution, by Haitham Mohammed
Egyptian Student Association Constitution/By-Laws
Preamble
The Egyptian Student Association at Auburn University (ESA) is a non-profit organization that
aims at integrating the Egyptian student community in Auburn and its surroundings with
research and public community. Our main goals are to represent the true civilized culture of
Egypt in front of the American society and to help Egyptian students transition from Egypt to the
United States
Article I – Name
a. The name of this organization shall be Egyptian Student Association (ESA).
b. This organization will use this name or its acronym, ESA, in all publicity materials and
correspondence.
Article II – Membership
(A) REQUIREMENTS
Section 1.
All currently enrolled students, both undergraduate and graduate, and AU staff,
faculty, alumni, and alumnae are eligible to be voting members.
Section 2.
All members who are not currently enrolled AU students or AU staff, faculty,
alumni, and alumnae are eligible to be non-voting members.
Section 3.
All members are required to demonstrate support for the purpose of this
organization.
Section 4.
Membership decisions will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,
sex, pregnancy, disability, age, medical condition, ancestry, marital status,
political affiliation/status.
Section 5.
All members are required to donate $5 monthly membership fee prior to taking
part in any organization activity.
Section 6.
Honorary (non-voting) memberships can be given to all Egyptians living in
Auburn.
Section 7.
Voting members, in addition to Sections 1-6, shall be designated as those persons
who have attended at least one academic semester (additional qualifications such
as paying dues and satisfactory GPA requirements may be added at the discretion
of the organization).
(B) RIGHTS
Section 1.
All members are eligible to attend all meetings and events of this organization.
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July 28, 2014
Section 2.
ESA Constitution, by Haitham Mohammed
If a fee is charged to attend a particular event, the membership will establish a
fee scale for voting members, non-voting members, and others as appropriate.
(C) WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.
Members may have their membership withdrawn for failure to adhere to the
requirements for membership as stated above.
Section 2.
A simple majority vote of the quorum of membership at a regular or special
meeting shall be sufficient to withdraw membership.
Section 3.
Members to be voted upon in this regard will be notified of the intention to do
so in writing at least one week prior to the meeting at which the vote will be
taken.
Article III – Officers
OFFICER TITLES:
Section 1.
The officers of the organization shall be:
a.
A President
b.
A Vice President
c.
A Secretary-Treasurer (may be one or two positions)
d.
Event coordinator
Other positions may also be included as officer positions as needed.
REQUIREMENTS:
Section 2.
All student voting members of the organization in good academic standing shall
be eligible to hold a position.
Section 3.
All officers must be currently enrolled AU students.
Section 4.
All officers must be voting members of ESA.
Section 5.
The term of the officers shall be from fall semester of the regular academic year
to spring semester of the following year.
Section 6.
The officers shall be elected by the majority of the voting members of the
organization at the annual elections.
Section 7.
President shall be appointed or elected by the officers.
DUTIES:
Section 8.
The President will chair all meetings (Executive Board and regular membership
meetings) of ESA and will call special meetings as needed. Sign all financial
documents of the organization. Represent the ESA to the Student Activities.
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ESA Constitution, by Haitham Mohammed
Section 9.
The President will vote on ESA matters only in case of a tie.
Section 10.
The Vice President shall chair any committees or task forces of the organization.
Act as the President if the President for any reason be unable to carry out the
Presidential duties. Assist the President in administering the ESA.
Section 11.
The Secretary/Treasurer will record, and file meetings; produce all official
correspondence for the organization, and maintain records and report on the
financial transactions of ESA. Keep a record of all financial and historical
documents. Sign all financial documents.
Section 12.
The Event coordinator will direct the planning of the organizations social events
and programs.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS:
Section 13.
Nominations for all offices will be taken in the last regular meeting of the spring
semester each academic year. Nominations may also be made during the election
meeting itself, prior to taking the votes.
Section 14.
Any member may nominate any other member, including himself or herself.
Section 15.
Elections will be held at the first regular meeting of the fall semester.
Section 16.
A simple majority vote of the quorum present at that meeting will be sufficient to
elect an officer. If there are more than two candidates and no candidate receives a
majority, there will be a run-off vote between the top two vote recipients in the
same elections meeting.
Section 17.
Officers may be removed for failure to perform duties or for violation of
membership section.
Section 18.
Officers to be voted upon in this regard (removal) will be notified of the
intention to do so in writing at least one week prior to the meeting at which the
vote will be taken.
Section 19.
A two-thirds majority of quorum present at a regularly scheduled meeting shall
be sufficient for removal.
Section 20.
Any officer may resign by submitting a letter to the President. The President may
resign by submitting a letter to the Vice President. In the meantime, the Vice
President will assume the duties of the President, the Secretary/Treasurer will
assume the duties of the Vice President, and the Event coordinator will assume
the duties of the Secretary/Treasurer.
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July 28, 2014
Section 21.
ESA Constitution, by Haitham Mohammed
Should a vacancy in officers occur, there will be another nomination procedure
and election for the vacant position.
Article IV – Executive Board
Section 1.
The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice President,
Secretary-Treasurer, and Advisor.
Section 2.
All executive and legislative power granted herein shall be vested in the
Executive Board.
Section 3.
The Executive Board shall be empowered to recommend priorities for various
projects and to plan activities.
Article V – Meetings
Section 1.
The regular meetings of the ESA shall be held at least once a month (Date: First
Friday of each month, Time: 4:00- 6:00 PM, and Location: Student Center Suite
3130).
Section 2.
Special meetings of the organization may be called by the President, or by the
Executive Board, or by any combination of three of the officers, or upon a written
request of ten percent of the voting members. Notice of special meetings must be
communicated to all members at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Section 3.
A quorum shall be a simple majority of the voting members, one half of the entire
voting membership must be present to form quorum.
Article VI – Accusation and Removal
Section 1.
Officers, if convicted, may be removed from officer position by a two-thirds
majority of the voting members on the basis of not fulfilling their duties as
outlined in the Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 2.
Members, if convicted, may be expelled from membership by a two-thirds
majority of the voting members on the basis of not fulfilling the purpose of the
organization.
Section 3.
Advisors may be removed from their position by a two-thirds majority of the
voting members on the basis of not fulfilling their duties as described in the AU
Faculty Handbook and the By-Laws of this Constitution.
Section 4.
Any individual who is accused shall be given full notice of the charges against
him/her and shall have an opportunity to respond to them.
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July 28, 2014
Section 5.
ESA Constitution, by Haitham Mohammed
Any member of the organization may initiate accusation proceedings. All
decisions of the organization will require the approval of the majority of those
members present at the regular or special meeting of ESA.
Article VII – Amendments
Section 1.
Modifications to ESA Constitution shall be proposed either by two-thirds of the
Executive Board or by two-thirds vote of the entire membership. Notification of
such a motion must be made to members at least one meeting in advance of the
one in which the actual vote is taken.
Section 2.
A simple majority of the voting members shall be necessary to approve
modifications to ESA Constitution. By-laws can be added to this constitution by a
simple majority vote of the entire membership at a regular meeting of ESA.
Section 3.
This constitution takes superiority over any and all by-laws. University policies
and state and federal laws take priority over this constitution and any and all bylaws.
Article VIII – Advisor
Section 1.
A Faculty Advisor shall be appointed by a majority of the voting members.
Section 2.
The Advisor shall be a member of the Executive Board.
Section 3.
The duties of the Advisor shall be to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Section 4.
Counter-sign all administrative financial forms (optional).
Act as consultant for projects and special committees of ESA.
Attend social activities sponsored by the Organization (optional).
Officers should meet with the advisor once per semester.
The Advisor shall not have voting privileges in the Organization (improperly
influences decisions of the ESA members).
Date approved by ESA: 7/29/2014
Signature of President: Haitham Mohammed
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Date: 7/29/2014