CONSTITUTION OF THE
SRI LANKAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (SLSA)
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
Download constitution.pdf
ARTICLE I - Name
The official name of the organization will be The Sri Lankan Students Association at the University of Texas at Arlington (SLSA-UTA). SLSA will operate in accordance with University rules and regulations.
ARTICLE II - Mission Statement
The mission of SLSA-UTA will be to enlighten the members of the University of Texas at Arlington and the surrounding community about Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan culture. Our purpose is to build a strong, cohesive network of friends and peers that can provide an environment where people of similar backgrounds can come together and look out for the well being of each other. We will also welcome new students from Sri Lanka and help them in their transition.
ARTICLE III - Membership in SLSA-UTA
Section 1:
Membership shall be opened to all University of Texas at Arlington registered students, faculty, and staff without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disabilities.
Section 2: Membership Requirements
1. UTA registered student, faculty, or staff.
2. Voluntary participation.
3. Following all the rules and regulations set forth by SLSA.
4. Payment of membership dues.
5. Attend 3 consecutive meetings and show interest in SLSA activities.
Section 3: Rights of Members
1. The right to participate in all SLSA activities
2. The right to nominate and elect Executive Committee Officers
3. The right to run for a position in the Executive Committee.
4. All activities of the official members concerning the principles and properties (as described in Article XIII) of SLSA require the approval of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV - Honorary Members
Section 1:
Membership shall be opened to all well-wishers, without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disabilities.
Section 2: Membership Requirements
1. An alumnus/alumna of UT Arlington or by invitation of the Executive Committee.
2. All Honorary members should be approved by a majority vote of the SLSA.
3. Voluntary participation.
4. Following all the rules and regulations set forth by SLSA.
5. Payment of membership dues.
Section 3: Rights of Members
1. Honorary members shall have the right to participate in all SLSA activities.
2. Honorary members cannot vote during elections, or any other voting activity prescribed in this constitution.
3. All activities of the official members concerning the principles and properties (as described in Article XIII) of SLSA require the approval of the Executive Committee.
Article V - Removal of a Member
1. A majority vote of approval of all the SLSA members and Executive Committee Officers present at a general meeting are needed to remove a Member.
2. The President or the Vice Presidents together shall have the power to call such a meeting.
3. SLSA members by majority vote to move forward have the power to call such a meeting when:
a. The President or Vice Presidents have refused.
b. The Executive Committee has been given five school days prior notice.
ARTICLE VI - Membership Dues
1. The Executive Committee shall propose a reasonable Membership fee on or before the second meeting of the new academic year.
2. The membership fee shall be greater than US$ 5 and no more than US $50, per semester.
3. The dollar amount of the membership has to be approved by a majority of all members in good standing, before the 3rd meeting of the new academic Year.
a. If the dollar amount is not approved a more suitable value shall be presented to the floor until approved.
4. All members, including honorary members, will be required to pay their membership dues to the treasurer before the fifth meeting of the new academic year, unless excused by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII - The Executive Committee
Section 1: The Executive Committee shall be comprised of these Officers:
1. The President
2. The Vice President
3. The Secretary
4. The Treasurer
5. The Public Relations Officer
Section 2: Powers and Duties
1. The President
a. Acts as the official spokesperson of SLSA.
b. Acts as the chairperson at all meetings of the Executive Committee.
c. Acts as the coordinator and supervisor of all the activities of SLSA.
d. Oversees the spending of SLSA money.
e. Organizes an election at the end of his/her term.
f. Appoints a representative to participate in the activities of other organizations and associations.
2. The Vice President
a. Keeps a copy of all the records of SLSA.
b. Represents the President in deciding matters SLSA in case the President is absent or unable to fulfill his/her duties.
c. Helps the President in planning, coordinating, and supervising all SLSA activities.
d. Acts as a liaison between SLSA and other organizations, associations and the community.
e. Overlooks all committees and reports their progress at the Executive Committee meetings.
3. The Secretary
a. Records and prepares the minutes at each and every meeting of the SLSA.
b. Works with the Public Relations Chairperson(s) and Web Team in communicating with the SLSA members concerning the Association's activities.
c. In charge of keeping the records of the SLSA. This includes documents, photographs, computer files, etc.
4. The Treasurer
a. In charge of bookkeeping and fund-raising for SLSA.
b. Responsible for maintaining SLSA accounts record spreadsheet.
c. Will seek the President's approval for any expenditure and notify the President of profit/loss.
d. Will present a Treasurer's report at every meeting of the SLSA.
5. The Public Relations Officer
a. Promotes favorable public relations with organizations at the university and off campus.
b. Maintains and updates the official Web site of SLSA.
c. Communicates electronically to members concerning matters of SLSA.
d. Distributes publications such as flyers, banners, or newsletters regarding SLSA.
e. Makes any official announcements concerning SLSA at school functions involving members of the faculty, staff, and other student organizations.
Section 3: Procedures for succession
1. If the President cannot complete the full term of office then the Vice President shall assume the office of Presidency.
2. If the President and the Vice President cannot complete their full terms of office then the Secretary shall call a general meeting to elect a new Executive Committee.
3. If the Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, or Public Relations Officer cannot complete his/her term of office then the President shall appoint an SLSA member to fill the vacancy with the majority vote approval of the Executive Committee.
4. Each SLSA member can only hold one office at a time.
Section 4: Removal of an Executive Committee Officer
1. A two-thirds vote of approval of all the SLSA members and Executive Committee Officers present at a general meeting are needed to remove an Executive Committee Officer.
2. The President or the Vice Presidents together shall have the power to call such a meeting.
3. SLSA members by majority vote to move forward have the power to call such a meeting when:
a. The President or Vice Presidents have refused.
b. The Executive Committee has been given five school days prior notice.
ARTICLE VIII - Procedures for Governing
1. All meeting shall be conducted in English.
2. A quorum shall consist of 2/3 of members in good standing
3. The Executive Committee shall be convened at least once a month at a designated time and location.
4. General meetings for members and cabinet members will be held on the second and third Saturday of every month.
5. Only the President with the approval of the advisor may cancel a meeting.
6. All resolutions concerning SLSA shall be passed by majority votes of all Executive Committee Officers and members present at time of voting.
7. Every Executive Committee Officer shall be eligible to vote except the President. In the case of a tie, the President shall make the final decision.
8. All Chairpersons of the committees shall be responsible for the activities of their committees, except when the Executive Committee intervenes.
9. There shall be a changeover session for the outgoing Executive Committee and the incoming Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IX - Committees
1. SLSA member(s) wishing to form a Committee must first seek the Executive Committee's endorsement.
2. A charter outlining the purposes and goals of the Committee must be drafted by the Committee Chair and approved by the Executive Committee and members by two-thirds majority vote.
3. The Special Committee shall be composed of SLSA-UTA members, unless otherwise specified by Executive Committee Officers.
4. The Committee Chair acts as the official liaison between the Committee and the Executive Committee.
5. The Executive Committee and members have the power to dissolve a Committee by a two-thirds majority vote of all Executive Committee Officers and members.
ARTICLE X - Nomination and Election
Section 1: Term of office
1. The term of office for the Executive Committee shall be one academic year beginning in the fall semester.
2. Elections for new Executive Committee Officers shall be held no later than the second week of the April.
Section 2: Procedures for running for office and for appointments
1. The President
a. The candidates for President are required to be voting members of the SLSA for at least one academic year prior to taking office. In addition, the candidate for President is required to be a previous Executive Committee Officer for at least one term.
b. In the case that the candidate for President has never been an Executive Committee Officer, two-thirds vote of approval of all SLSA members and Executive Committee are needed before he/she can run for office.
2. Candidates for all other positions are required to have been voting members of the SLSA for at least one semester.
Section 3: Procedures for election
1. Two thirds of all members in good standing should be present in order to form a quorum.
2. The election for all offices shall be done by secret ballot.
3. The votes shall be counted and the results declared immediately.
4. The candidate for an office shall win the office if he/she receives majority vote of SLSA members present at the election.
5. In the case that not all of the Executive Committee Offices are filled after the election, the President Elect has the power to appoint Executive Committee Officers for these positions with the approval of the Executive Committee.
6. In the case that more than half the Executive Committee is filled but the Presidency is not, the newly elected Executive Committee Officers have the power to appoint a President. This appointment will be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of approval of the newly elected Executive Committee Officers.
7. At least 2 members of the Executive Committee and the Advisor should be present in order for the elections to be valid.
ARTICLE XI - Amendments
1. A proposal must be approved by two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee Officers.
2. The Amendment shall be passed if it receives two-thirds votes in favor by the SLSA members present and if it is in compliance with UTA and Student Governance regulations and policies.
3. The Amendment must then be filed with Student Governance Office within one week of adoption.
4. The Amendment shall be become effective immediately after it is passed.
ARTICLE XII - Advisor
SLSA will have an Advisor who will be selected from the faculty or staff at UTA. The appointment will be made by two-thirds vote by Executive Committee Officers. The acceptance and desired length of assistance is left to the discretion of the Advisor. The role of the Advisor will be to contribute to the well being and growth of the organization and its members.
ARTICLE XIII - The Properties of SLSA-UTA
The properties of the SLSA-UTA shall be composed of:
1. Member dues
2. Any UTA funding
3. All donations, either cash or goods, from other organizations or individuals
4. Money from fundraising events
5. All assets and document