The Constitution of AU Students for Tibet
Preamble
We are the Students for Tibet, a student organization at American University focused on spreading awareness of the multi-layered crisis on the Tibetan Plateau. Through education and advocacy initiatives at AU and in D.C., we hope to empower and support Tibetans facing critical threats to their freedom, livelihoods, culture, and communities. The na
me of this student organization shall be the AU Students for Tibet, hereby referred to in this document as SFT. Section II. SFT is not affiliated with the international organization Students for a Free Tibet. Section III. SFT membership will be open to any enrolled AU students and will consist of students who sign onto the SFT list-serv. SFT shall not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, personal appearance, marital status, family responsibility, political affiliation, source of income, or other rights secured by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Section IV. The Executive Board shall be responsible for determining the direction and goals of SFT as outlined in Article II. Leadership shall consist of members working to support a specific function of SFT as outlined in Article II. Section V. SFT and its members shall adhere to all American University policies as well as all local and federal laws and regulations. Article II. The Executive Board
Section I. The Executive Board shall consist of elected officers responsible for overseeing Leadership and the goals and objectives of the organization. Any general member meeting the qualifications outlined in Article I, Section III may serve as an officer on the Executive Board. All Executive Board officers shall be responsible for attending a majority of designated Executive Board meetings, leadership meetings, and club activities and events. The positions on the Executive Board shall consist of:
I. The President, who shall have the authority to serve as the executive head of the organization; to set the vision for the organization; to call for and preside over meetings; to enforce organization rules and Executive Board decisions; to oversee day-to-day operations of the organization; to represent the organization at official ceremonies and functions; to authorize emergency expenditures in the absence of a Treasurer; and to ensure that all officers and leadership members discharge their duties faithfully, impartially, accurately, and promptly. The Vice President, who shall have the authority to assist or succeed the responsibilities of the President in case of their absence or disability; to organize club events, such as, panels and speakers; and to acquire cosponsorships for club events. The Advocacy Director, who shall have the authority to organize club awareness and advocacy campaigns on campus, including rallies, posters, and tabling; and to create partnerships with relevant issue campaigns and organizations on and off campus. IV. The Communications Director, who shall have the authority to oversee and manage organization communications and social media, such as email, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts; to conduct appropriate promotion of club activities; to create an organization e-newsletter to be sent out to members on the list-serv; and to oversee the production of graphics for promotion and event and campaign materials. V. The Treasurer, who shall have the authority to maintain all financial accounts of the organization; to oversee the expenditure and acquirement of club funds; to deposit all funds in the name and to the credit of the organization; to draft a budget for every academic semester to be submitted to Student Activities and Club Council; to acquire all purchase cards and eagle bucks readers; to research grants with the potential to fund club activities. VI. The Secretary, who shall have the authority to maintain all organization documents, notes, and materials either physically or electronically; to organize and reserve space for club materials within the Club Council office; and to write up meeting minutes for Executive Board, Leadership, and general meetings; to maintain attendance records of officers, leadership members, and general members. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be held on a regular basis and called upon based on appropriate need. Procedures of such meetings shall consist of:
I. A quorum of the Executive Board shall constitute a majority of officers present. If all officers are not in clear agreement, a vote shall be called upon by any sitting officer. The vote shall be decided by a simple majority of the Executive Board; should a tie vote occur, the Executive Board shall adopt the vote of the President as the decision. Any decision may be brought before a general meeting for input before an Executive Board vote at the request of at least two officers. After the conclusion of the meeting, the Secretary must share a summary of the Executive Board meeting with general membership in a timely manner. Every officer of the Executive Board reserves the right to resign from their position. Resignation procedures shall consist of:
I. The respective officer submitting and presenting their resignation to the Executive Board in writing and at the next meeting. The Executive Board shall appoint a replacement within a week’s time and execute an election following the procedures outlined in Article IV within a month’s time. Officers of the Executive Board may be impeached by any member of the Executive Board and Leadership. Impeachment and removal procedures shall consist of:
I. A qualified individual submits written charges to the President or Vice President. These charges must accuse an officer of gross misconduct, which shall consist of, but is not limited to, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance of constitutionally assigned duties, conviction of a felony, or upon grounds that a majority of the Executive Board constitute as sufficient cause. The Executive Board convenes at the next meeting, where the accuser and accused each make their case regarding the charges. An officer shall be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board through a secret ballot. Should the officer be found guilty ]of the charges and removed from their position, the Executive Board shall appoint a replacement within a week’s time and execute an election following the procedures outlined in Article V within a month’s time. Article III. The Leadership Team
Section I. The Leadership Team, also referred to as Leadership, shall consist of those appointed by the Executive Board to fulfill specific responsibilities and functions of the SFT organization. Any general member may serve as a position on the Leadership Team. All Leadership members must attend a majority of Leadership and general meetings, club activities, and events. The positions within Leadership shall be decided upon by the Executive Board at the beginning of each semester in accordance with appropriate need. Each Leadership position established shall fall under the responsibility and management of a specific Executive Board officer. The members of Leadership shall be appointed by the Executive Board after an open application process. Officers are responsible for interviewing and selecting applicants to Leadership positions serving under them. These appointments will be subject to confirmation by the full Executive Board. All positions should be decided upon and filled within the first three weeks of the semester. The Executive Board shall present an agenda of necessary goals and objectives. Officers shall meet with the Leadership members under their management. Every member of Leadership reserves the right to resign from their position. The respective member submitting and presenting their resignation to the Executive Board in writing. The Executive Board shall execute an open application process within a week’s time and appoint a new member promptly. Members of Leadership may be removed from their positions if deemed by the Executive Board officer overseeing them to be incapable of executing their prescribed duties. The procedure will consist of:
I. The Officer notifies the Leadership member of their removal in writing and at their next meeting. Article IV. The Faculty Advisor
Section I. The faculty advisor for SFT will serve in an advisory capacity and will have as active a role as they see fit. The faculty advisor is welcomed and encouraged to help plan club initiatives, give appropriate advice, and attend all organization meetings and activities, but is not required to do so. The faculty advisor is bound only to the clauses outlined in the signed Volunteer Student Organization Advisor Agreement. The Elections Process
Section I. The officers of the Executive Board shall be routinely chosen by elections scheduled between Spring Break and the second week of April. This date shall be decided upon by the incumbent Executive Board and announced to the membership at least two weeks in advance. Any general member whose attended at least two general meetings and one club event or activity is eligible to vote in the Executive Board elections. Qualified members can then only cast their ballots
