CONSTITUTION

of

Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC)

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

Fairfax, VA 22030

Drafted on October 21, 2004

PREAMBLE

This Constitution is hereby created to be the navigational document for the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) at George Mason University on this day, October 21, 2004.

ARTICLE I.

NAME:

The established organization will be known as the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC). 

ARTICLE II.

PURPOSE:

To be both a political and community activism group for the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.  This purpose shall be met through the following agendas:

Promote inter cultural understanding within the George Mason University Community, and between other various international and cultural groups. The Asian Pacific American Coalition of George Mason University shall use its entire means to attain this purpose and in addition, function in any manner desired by a majority of the members in accordance with the Special Interest Umbrella and George Mason University. 

1. Serve as a voice for the larger APA community.
2. Promote Pan-Asian American cultural awareness.
3. Create greater awareness towards Asian Pacific American issues in the educational, social, and political forum.
4. To network and collaborate with other progressive political voices on campus.

ARTICLE III.

MEMBERSHIP.

1. Membership in this organization will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, sex, or age.
2. Anyone supportive of the organization’s mission statement is qualified for membership.
3. All Executive Board members must be enrolled at George Mason University with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and be in good academic standing with the university.
4. Memberships Available
   1. Active – Students who attend meetings/functions, pays dues on time, and are in good academic standing.  Active members are granted the privilege to vote in general body forums.
   2. Associate – Faculty or staff.
   3. Honorary – Alumni or community members.
5. Should difficulties arise with a particular member, membership privileges may revoked at the approval by a ¾ vote of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV.

OFFICERS:

 Section I – Executive Board

1. Chair
   1. Preside over the general body.
   2. Delegate tasks.
   3. Serve as the official spokesperson of APAC to the GMU community.
2. Vice Chair

a.      Preside over the executive board.

b.      In the event the Chairperson is unable to complete his/her duties, the Vice chair shall become the acting Chairperson.

c.      To advise the Chairperson.

1. Secretary
   1. Record and archive minutes during the general body and executive board meetings.
   2. Maintain a database of all members.
   3. Responsible for the mailbox and the management of communications with members.
2. Treasurer

a.      To keep an account of all receipts and disbursements.

b.      To handle all financial matters.

Section II – Minimum Qualifications

1. Each Executive Board member must maintain a GPA of 2.0. 

Section III – Term Limits

1. The length of each officer’s term shall be one academic school year (Fall – Spring).
2. Each officer may not hold the same office for more than 2 consecutive terms.

Section IV - Impeachment / Removal from office

1. If an Executive Board member fails to fulfill his or her duties, the Executive Board shall determine consequences.
   

ADVISOR:

1. The primary advisor shall be a member of the faculty or staff at George Mason University.
2. The Executive Board shall determine the selection process of the advisor.
3. The advisor may be removed from his or her duties if the majority of the general body and Executive Board deem the advisor as unfit for the position.
4. The advisor may offer advice and support but may not be part of the voting process. 

ARTICLE V.

ELECTIONS : 

1. Elections shall be held the last week of April.
2. The nominating procedure is as follows:
   1. Nominations will be taken over the duration of one of the meetings highlighted in Article VI, Section 1.
   2. Any general body member may nominate or be nominated for an Executive Board position.
   3. Nominations will be submitted within an open forum.
   4. After nomination, the nominee will state to the general body (Article III, Section 4, Item A) their qualifications for the respective office, if s/he accepts the nomination to pursue election to office.
3. Electoral process
   1. Members will vote using a secret ballot.
   2. The current Executive Board will be responsible for tallying votes.
   3. All Executive Board members will be voted into office by a majority vote.
   4. The Executive Chair will issue an additional vote in the event of a tie.
   5. In order to ensure a smooth transition of officers and Executive Board members, the outgoing officers will host a short shadow period in which new officers are familiarized with operating procedures and necessary paperwork.

ARTICLE VI.

MEETINGS:

1. APAC meetings shall meet monthly.
2. The Executive Chair shall preside over general body meetings.
3. The Executive Board shall meet bi-weekly.
4. The Vice Chair shall preside over Executive Board meetings.
5. In event of a vote, a quorum of the majority of the Executive Board vote must be met.
6. Special meetings will be called at the discretion of the Executive Chair.
7. The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order will be used when parliamentary procedure is needed.

ARTICLE VII.

FINANCE:

The Executive Board shall determine the amount of dues and when it should be collected.

ARTICLE VIII.

AMENDMENTS:

1. The Executive Board shall not and does not have the right on its own to amend the constitution.
2. Amendments brought forward to the Executive Board must be presented to the general body two weeks before a general body meeting. Amendment proposals must be sent via mail or e-mail to all members. Ratification of any amendments must require of at least a two-thirds majority vote.
3. The Office of Student Activities must review all amendments in the same manner as a completely new constitution.

ARTICLE IX.

RATIFICATION:

This constitution shall become effective upon approval by a ¾ vote of the membership, the Council of Student Organization Umbrella Leaders, and the Associate Dean of University Life / Director of Student Activities.