Student OrgsPan African Student Organization

CONSTITUTION OF THE PAN-AFRICAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE

PURPOSE

We, the members of the Pan African Student Organization (PASO) of Gustavus Adolphus College (GAC), in an effort to foster amiable relationships between ourselves and the campus at large, do hereby agree to promote cultures of the African homeland and Diaspora, support each other to the utmost of our ability, uphold, cherish, and embrace African cultures, love each other as we love ourselves, and welcome non-African members while still holding true to the practice and belief of the unity of the Black heart, the Black mind, the Black body, and the Black soul.

ARTICLE I- Membership: QUALIFICATIONS:

Any student who wishes to see the promotion of Black identity in a positive light on the campus of GAC may become a member of PASO.
Any member present or potential who feels unable to adhere to the Preamble and the Constitution of PASO shall be inexorably excused from the organization.
New members at every meeting give their information to secretary who mails/gives them a copy of the constitution. At the next meeting, the person is offered membership.
As a member, the student must show respect for the other members of the organization.
As a member, students must be willing to donate time and if unable to attend a meeting of function, contact the secretary before the meeting/event.
If a member’s attendance is sub par, he or she will be contacted by the secretary as to the status of membership.

ARTICLE II- Officers:

As a member, you must show interest in the position or office that you hold.
May not miss more than 10 general meetings or Board meetings and present a letter of explanation for each absence. Even with this, there are no excused absences.

CO-PRESIDENTS: Shana Clarke and Mohammed

It is the responsibility of the Co-presidents to run all PASO general and board meetings.
It is the responsibility of the Co-presidents to make their own agenda for both the general meeting as well as the board meetings.
It is the responsibility of the co-presidents to be head administrators of this organization.
It is the responsibility of the co-presidents to see that the committee chairs are performing their duties properly.
The co-presidents shall act as liaisons between this organization administration of this campus, and any other organization that expresses a desire to do business with this organization.
The co-presidents may suggest appointments to committees; however, the appointments must be approved by the majority of the general assembly.
The Co-Presidents shall approve all letters pertaining to this organization that are to be sent to any person or organization outside of PASO.

SECRETARY- Olivia Washington

The secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of every meeting in the general assembly.
The secretary may appoint up to 2 assistants to aid him/her in performing duties.
The secretary shall be responsible for getting all information to all members, including the minutes of the general assembly and a copy of the constitution as well.
The secretary shall be responsible for writing all letters sent to other campuses and/or organizations but must be approved by the co-presidents.
Upon introducing to the organization of an upcoming conference, the secretary will send out notices in good time (within two weeks), and make confirmations on intention to attend a conference.
The secretary is responsible for taking attendance at every general assembly.

TREASURER- NaNa-Ya

The treasurer is responsible for organizing a sound network for the organization.
The treasurer must give a full report of the organization’s financial status at every meeting.
The treasurer’s signature must be on all checks issued by the organization.

MINISTER of TRANSPORTATION

The minister of transportation will be in charge of acquisition and the distribution of all automobiles obtained by the organization.
The minister of transportation will settle all mileage disputes, and will be responsible for conduction questioning pertaining to the misconduct and the misuse by PASO members in regards to vehicle privileges.
The minister of transportation is responsible for the safe pick-up and the timely return of all vehicles.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS- Guyniesha

All forms of conflict shall be brought to the sergeant-at-arms who will present the conflict to the executive committee or help resolve them in a timely fashion.
The sergeant-at-arms is responsible for keeping order at meetings ( i.e. curbing unrelated discussions, etc).

HISTORIAN- In transition at the moment
The historian is responsible for making sure that someone is present at all PASO functions and events.
The historian is in charge of assigning someone to take pictures and video record all PASO planned and sponsored functions and events.
The historian is in charge of having someone write a short summary of the PASO sponsored function or event which they attended. This should include programs and other such paperwork.
Scrapbook needs to be done two weeks prior to each event and ready to present for each event.

CO-SOCIAL CHAIR- Carla and Laurie
This committee is responsible for the well being of all guests while they are on campus.
This committee is responsible for the publicity of PASO sponsored functions and events (i.e. producing and putting up posters and or signs).

ARTICLE IV- ELECTIONS and VOTING
Selection I:

Elections will be held each year during the second week of April, and newly elected members will take office the following year.
Each person nominated for office must express why he or she wishes to take that office to the general assembly.
Each officer will be elected for a period of one year.
Elections will be counted by closed ballots, which will be counted by the co-presidents or an impartial person.

Section II:

Each member has the power of one vote.
In the general assembly, a majority vote is required to carry a decision.
The co-presidents may not vote; however, in the case of a tie, the co-presidents may cast the deciding votes.
If it is determined that any officer has not sufficiently performed the duties of his/her office, he/she may be impeached with a 2/3 vote of the board, upon prior notification and request for volunteer resignation.

Section III:

All proponents made by any committee must be introduced and then voted on by the general assembly.

ARTICLE V- CONFERENCES

If a member has confirmed that he/she will be attending a conference, that PASO paid the price for and does not attend the conference, the member will be held responsible for all expenses incurred by PASO. The only acceptation to this rule is proven sickness, death, and educational dilemma.

ARTICLE VI- ABSENCE

A member of the board may not have more than ten unexcused absences. Three lateness with a valid reason equal one absence.
If a board member knows he or she will be absent ahead of time, it is the responsibility of the board member to tell the co-presidents, in writing the reason for their absence. If it is an unseen situation, a letter explaining the reason for your absence is expected.
The co-presidents must also follow this rule, only submitting their letters to a higher more impartial person (i.e. PASO’s advisor)

ARTICLE VII-MISCELLANEOUS

The creation or adoption of other codes, status or policies may be made part of this organizations by a 2/3 vote of the general assembly.
Each member may extend an invitation to any outside party or to the general assembly upon the advanced notification of at least one week, to the organization.
All general decision making will be decided by the majority vote of the general assembly with the execution of those explicated in this document.
Each member has access to equipment; materials and facilities in the room designated and the PASO room, with the understanding that all borrowed materials must be returned.

ARTICLE VIII- AMENDMENTS

This section is reserved for amendments or alterations to the constitution. Amendments are only valid upon 2/3 approval by the general assembly.

Amendments:
Article II- Historian- Scrap booking
Article VI- two thirds of board members must be present to cote on a given issue