About Us
Constitution
The constitution of the African Student Association is made up of fourteen articles, a job description for its officers and a codicil.
Preamble
To promote cultural and social awareness of the African people amongst the entire student and faculty at George Mason University. To facilitate better communication and understanding between African people and all other members of the university community. To encourage activities that portray the noble cultural treasures of the African continent.
Article 1: Name 
The name of this organization shall be The African Student Association of George Mason University
Article 2: Membership
Section 1 - Membership shall be open to all registered students, faculty, alumni and staff of George Mason University.
Section 2 - All members (transitional and constituent) have the right to serve as committee members upon election.
Section 3 - A member is defined as anybody who has paid club dues. All other affiliates of the club may be known as 'club attendants'.
Article 3: Officers
Section 1 - The officers of the Association shall be:
- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Assistant Treasurer
- Public Relations Officer
- ISU Representative
- Historian
Section 2 - A member of the staff or faculty of George Mason University will be an advisor.
Section 3 - The term of office for the officers shall be from the first week of May of the regular academic year to the first week of May of the following year.
Article 4: Election
Section 1 - All primary elections for a new Executive Board will be under the supervision of the faculty advisor.
Section 2 - Voting shall be by secret ballot.
Section 3 - Election will be by simple majority of the eligible members present at the time of the election.
Section 4 - The Executive Body in consultation with the Faculty Advisor, may disqualify any person from running for club office, if such person's actions are seen to be detrimental to the club's image or goals.
Section 5 - Members will be given a two week notice of any impending elections.
Article 5: Executive Board
Section 1 - The Executive Board shall consist of all officers and an advisor.
Section 2 - All the 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 by a simple majority. In case of a tie, the President shall serve as a tie-breaker. The President shall have the power to veto any decision by the Executive Board. This veto power of the President can be overwritten by a vote of four out of five members, excluding the President, of the Executive Board. The president may then decide to take the case to the regular members.
Article 6: Meetings
Section 1 - The regular meetings of the Association shall be held bi-weekly.
Section 2 - Special meetings of the organization may be called by the President, or by the Executive Board, or upon the written requests of 2/3 majority of the membership.
Article 7: Committees
Section 1 - The standing Committees must be composed of members in good standing.
Section 2 - Association special committees will be formed whenever the need for such arises.
Section 3 - The Chairman of said committees shall be responsible for reports to the Executive Board and/or Association at the call of the president of the Association.
Article 8: Impeachment & Removal
Section 1 - Officers may be impeached and, if convicted, removed from office by a two-thirds majority of the eligible members present on the basis of not fulfilling the purposes of the organization.
Section 2- Members may be impeached and, if convicted, may be expelled from membership by a 2/3 majority of the members present on the basis of not fulfilling the purposes of the organization.
Section 3 - Advisors may be impeached and if convicted, removed from their position by a 2/3 majority of the members present on the basis of not fulfilling their duties as described in the Constitution and By laws.
Section 4 - Any individual who is impeached shall be given full notice of the allegation against him/her and shall have an opportunity to respond to them.
Section 5 - Any member of the organization may initiate impeachment proceedings.
Article 9: Amendments
Section 1 - Amendments to this Constitution shall be proposed by either 2/3 of the Executive Board or by petition submitted by ten percent of the members.
Section 2 - A two thirds majority of the members present shall be necessary to approve amendments to this Constitution.
Section 3 - Upon passage of the said amendments, in accordance with article 9, sections 1 & 2, the President shall deposit it with the Student Organization Development Center at the next business day of the revisions to the Constitution.
Article 10: Active Status
In order to maintain umbrella and university active status, the Association agrees to abide by those rules and regulations, including financial procedures of C.M.U and the International Umbrella which pertain to all student organizations or organizations under the International Umbrella.
Article 11: Parliamentary Procedure
This shall be determined by the leadership style of the President with the consent of 2/3 of the members present.
Article 12: Resignation
Section 1 - In case any official intends to resign, a written letter of intent will be handed to the Secretary at least two weeks before the date the official intends to vacate the office.
Section 2 - In case the Secretary wants to resign, similar communication will be handed to the President.
Section 3 - In case of resignation of the office of the President, the Vice-President shall automatically take the Presidency up to the completion of the term of office.
Section 4 - Vacated offices will be filled by normal election procedures or by appointment of the Executive body in consultation with the Faculty Advisor.
Section 5 - In case the Vice-President's position is vacated, it may be filled by nomination of the President, and confirmation by a two thirds majority of the Executive body.
Article 13: Revision
This Constitution is a total revision of our first Constitution which was accepted during the 1986-1987 term.
Article 14: Enactment
This constitution was accepted on 22nd February, 1996 during the presidency of Theo Tackie-Yarboi (in accordance with article 9). It overrides all previous amendments.
President
The president, as presiding officer, is the chief executive of the club. The president establishes the objectives of the club and charts its future course. He/she must analyze and evaluate information to gauge the possible impart on the club activities and competition. He/she also coordinates the activities of the club officials while maintaining lines of communication with the officials. He/she may interfere with their job in order to preserve the interest and goals of the club.
Vice-President
The Vice-President helps the president establish the objective of the club and chart its future course. He/she may assume the job of the president anytime he/she is called upon. He/she has the right to interfere with other officials jobs but needs to report his/her findings to the president He/she may divide tasks among officials and members so that all responsibilities are handled evenly. He/she may chair club officials meetings when the President is absent.
Secretary
The secretary conducts correspondence with members. The Secretary keeps a membership list, sends out renewal notices, and notifies members of social events. He/she must learn to keep information confidential and know how to deal diplomatically with members. Officials/members may inquire inside information from the Secretary, and such information may be released with the president's approval. He/she may arrange appointments, distribute and answer mail, handle confidential records, arrange business entertainment details such as meal reservations. He or She may arrange details of travel arrangement.
Treasurer
The financial officer will have charge of funds/revenues of the club. The treasurer will keep an account of spending and regulate financial dealings with other clubs. Receipts from club spending should be filed with the club treasurer. He/she should regularly keep the President/Vice-President informed of the club’s financial position. Any financial transaction between the club and outside personnel must be confirmed by either the President or Vice-president
Assistant Treasurer
The Assistant Treasurer will help the Treasurer perform his/her duties. He/she will give the financial reports in the absence of the Treasurer.
Public Relations Officer
The Public Relations officer (PRO) develops and maintains programs that present a favorable public image of the club. This involves providing information about the club, its goals and accomplishments and further plans or projects of public interest. The PRO may be concerned with;(l)writing reports, news releases, speeches, film series; (2)contacting the press on behalf of the club, handling special events such as convention e.exhibits, etc: (3) making appearances before groups and selecting appropriate platforms for club official; (4) using a background knowledge of art and layout for developing ads, photographic communications: (5) programming and determining the public relations of the club, defining the goals of the public relations effort, and recommending steps to carry out the program. The PRO consults with other officials such as the President and the Vice-President to ensure that the club conduct itself so as to merit public confidence. The PRO should be alert to events that are newsworthy, to prepare the news release and see that it gets to the proper media. The speeches the PRO draft maybe addressed to and by other officials.
ISU Representative
As a liaison between the Club and ISU, he/she must be responsible for conveying the Club's opinion on issues to ISU. At ISU meetings he/she will act as the Club representative and may perform such acts as he/she deems necessary to better the Club. He/she must report back to the president and/or Executive Body all correspondence between self and ISU, and when necessary to the members too. He/she must also periodically inquire of the ASA President what stand to take on issues at ISU meetings.
Historian
He/she will be responsible for the club's album, films, etc. He/she may arrange video coverage of club activities with the consent of the President/Executive Board. He/she will also have to work closely with the PRO and the Secretary, by acting as a back-up for them.
CODICIL
Scholarship Fund
- This is to be known as the ASA Scholarship Fund. This scholarship Fund is set up by ASA to encourage the enrollment and retention of African Students in George Mason University, as well as to help increase ASA membership and members' commitment to the organization.
- Amount of stipend will be determined by the ASA Scholarship Committee at the beginning of the Fall semester each year, based on availability of funds in our Self-Generated Revenue (SGR). It has to be approved by members!
- Scholarship will be given during the fall semester.
- Members will be given at least a one (1) month notice by the Scholarship Fund Committee.
- There will be three (3) scholarship awards in total: one (1) each to the Freshman, Sophomore and junior categories. All awards will be of equal amount.
- Class status will take retrospective effect from the previous Spring semester, i.e. if Applicant "A" was a freshman in Spring 19X1, he/she will only be eligible for category Freshman in Pall 19X2.
ASA Scholarship Fund Committee (SFC)
- This will comprise of two (2) members of the Executive body (elected by the executives), two (2) floor members (elected by members), and the Faculty Advisor.
- Apart from the Faculty Advisor, no two (2) members of the SPC shall be nationals/citizens of the same country/state.
Eligibility
- Must be a GMU enrolled African Student.
- Must be a paid ASA member for at least two (2) consecutive academic years, including the year of award.
- Must have at least a 2.8 GPA from the previous semester.
- Must not be a current Executive and/or current SPC member.
- No one parson is eligible for this scholarship for two (2) consecutive years.
- Any other requirement(s) set by the SPC.
Criteria
- Good academic performance for the previous Fall and Spring semesters (including summer if applicable). Must submit official transcript.
- Distinguished service to ASA, or support of its activities.
- Good leadership skills.
- Any other requirement(s) set by the SPC.
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