CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF

INDIAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON – CLEAR LAKE (Hereafter UHCL)

The members of the organization on September 16, 2000 finalized the constitution of the Indian Students Association. Any changes in the constitution should be made by amendment.

ARTICLE I – Name of the organization.

The student organization shall be known as the Indian Students Association (ISA).

ARTICLE II – Purpose:

1. To help Indian students to adjust in UHCL and in the community.
2. To increase the cultural awareness of students, faculty, staff and community.
3. To promote interpersonal and intercultural communication among the students of UHCL.

ARTICLE III – Membership.

Section A- Definition

1. Membership in this organization is open to all students (International and Americans), faculty, staff, alumni and the community.
2. Indian students shall be automatically recognized as members.
3. All others (permanent residents, faculty, staff, and the community) shall be recognized when they have submitted the ISA membership application.
4. Non- UHCL members may not outnumber UHCL members.

Section B- Expiration of membership

1.      Resignation in writing to the Executive Council.

Section C- Type of member

1.      Active Member- An active member is one who has attended a minimum of two meetings and is in good standing.

2.      Members in good standing are those members who have actively participated in matters related to the organization and have compiled with the objectives and conditions stipulated in the constitution.

Article V- Executive Council.

Section A – Officers

1.       All officers must be currently enrolled UHCL students.

2.      The structure of ISA shall be: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Special Events Coordinator, Marketing Officer, SGA Representative and Webmaster.

Section B- Duties of Officers

PRESIDENT:

1.  Preside at and call meetings of the organization.
2.  Assign all duties that have not been detailed in the constitution.
3.  Coordinate the activities of the organization.
4.  Represent the Organization to the University administration.
5.  Represent the ISA as spokesperson on matters of business or assign responsibilities for representation.
6.  The overall conduct of the Association, including the association’s recognition status with the university, ensuring that activities and operations are conducted appropriately.
7.  Serving as one of three designated signature authorities on the ISA checking account.
8.  Call for special meetings.

VICE PRESIDENT:

1. Assuming the duties in the absence of the President.
2. Supervising the conduct of all association’s special events, including the submission of appropriate paperwork.
3. Maintaining a current copy of the Association membership list, constitution and other official documents.
4. Serving as one of three designated signature authorities on the ISA checking account.
5. Act as a facilitator in whatever area deemed necessary by the Association.

TREASURER:

1. Maintain the cashbook and receipt book.
2. Prepare budgets for forthcoming activities with the Executive Council.
3. Finalize the accounts at the end of each semester and submit to the Student Life Office.
4. Organize Fund-raising events.
5. Responsible for the paper work of fund-raising events.
6. Serving as one of three designated signature authorities on the ISA checking account.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER:

1. Notify members of forthcoming meetings and events.
2. Create and distribute invitations of the ISA events to faculties and staffs at UHCL.
3. Responsible for any communication among ISA members.

SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR:

1. Organize special events with the help of other officers.
2. Responsible for the paper work of any special events.
3. Make the “Calendar of Events” at the beginning of every semester.

MARKETING OFFICER:

1. Publicize special events, fund-raising projects, and other activities of ISA in the community (i.e. schools, any community organizations) by using such means as local newspaper, radio stations, and “wall calendar,” UHCLIDIAN, This Week, with the help of P.R.O.
2. Create flyers and posters in the community.
3. Responsible for any communication with community.
4. Responsible for keeping the Bulletin Board Updated.

SGA REPRESENTATIVE:

1. Serve as the Association’s representative to the Student Government Association. In that role, he/she represents the Association’s vote in all SGA business, reports back to the association on SGA business and completes the appropriate paperwork to request funding from the SGA for special events.

WEBMASTER:

1. Develop and maintain the official website of the organization, www.isauhcl.org
2. Coordinate with other officers and update the information on the website.

Section D – Term of Office

            Each term shall last one year.

Section E -Removal, Impeachment, and Resignation

Removal from an event or meeting:

            The presiding officer at a meeting or an event shall have the authority to remove a member of ISA or Executive Council from the meeting or the event after conferring with the executive council present at the time. The member of ISA or Executive Council shall be removed for behaving in a disorderly manner.

Expulsion from the organization:

            A member may be expelled from the organization for acting in a manner that is detrimental to the interests of the organization. A member may be expelled from the organization by two third majority of the Executive Council. The President shall propose the expulsion of a member, specifying in writing the reason for the proposed action. A vote on the proposal shall be held within two weeks after the written proposal is tendered to the members.

Impeachment:

1. The request for the impeachment must be submitted at an official meeting.
2. All members will be notified by e-mail, regarding the special meeting. A majority vote of the active members is necessary to convene a special meeting.
3. The advisor shall be notified of the impeachment proceedings.
4. A hearing will held followed by a vote. The officer shall be removed from office by two third majority of the Executive Council.

Resignation:

1. A member who is not an officer of the organization should resign by submitting a letter of resignation to the President.
2. An officer who intends to resign must write a letter to the president explaining his/her intended resignation and his/her reason.
3. The Executive Council will accept the resignation of an officer only after all the material belonging to the organization, currently in possession of the officer has been transferred to the President, and the President has been informed in writing of all the relevant transactions.

ARTICLE VI – Elections

Section A

1. Elections for ISA officers shall be organized and facilitated by the delegates.
2. Elections will be held during the first week of March of each year.
3. Members shall be notified by e-mail about the exact date of the election.
4. Delegates shall determine detailed election procedures, not covered by this constitution.
5. Each member will have one vote in case of a voting.
6. In the event of a tie, the president of the previous council or the advisor shall exercise an extra vote to break the tie.

Section B – Nomination for Office

1. A nomination for President shall come from the member.
2. All other officers shall be nominated among the members or from active members with a seconding vote.

ARTICLE VII –Meetings

A.     Regular meeting of the members and Executive Council shall be held as time permits.

B.     The President may call special meeting at any time or by two third majority of the members.

C.     Officers or member who are unable to attend a meeting should notify the PRO in advance.

ARTICLE VIII –Amendments

            The constitution may be amended at any time by a three fourth majority vote of members and Executive Council.

ARTICLE IX –Advisor

1. The advisor of ISA shall be the Multicultural & International Students Services Director / Coordinator or any faculty member or a staff member.
2. The advisor shall represent the organization to the faculty/staff of UHCL.
3. The advisor shall help publicize any special events among the faculty/staff of UHCL.
4. If possible the advisor shall accompany the organization on field trips.

VOTING:

1. Should any voting be required, the decision shall require a two third majority votes of members / ISA officer attending the particular meeting.
2. Officers are elected by a simple vote of those present, by either show of had or by written ballot, as determined by the membership prior to the vote.