Constitution
Filipino-American Student Association
College of William and Mary
I. Title of Organization
The name of this organization shall be the Filipino-American Student Association, hereafter known as FASA.
II. Purpose of Organization
The purposes of FASA include learning about the Philippines and what it means to be a Filipino and Filipino-American. FASA will also educate the student body of Filipino culture, providing an opportunity for Filipino-American students to blend their Southeast Asian and Western cultures in a productive manner. It is also FASA's duty to improve the academic and social environments through service to the school and the surrounding community and promote relations with the Filipino-American Student Associations of other colleges and universities.
III. Membership
Membership in FASA is open to all members of the college community, regardless of sex, religion, race, or sexual orientation. These rights cannot be revoked.
IV. Executive Organization
The executive organization of FASA will consist of the following officers: President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, two FIND District-7 representatives, and an ASC liaison. It will also consist of the following committee chairpersons: Fundraising, Publicity, Cultural, Social, and two Culture Night Chairpersons.
V. Officer Duties and Responsibilities
The President will be responsible for presiding over all regular meetings. The president will also be charged to oversee programs for the association with the help of other officers. The president will also represent FASA at college functions and events occurring outside of the College.
The Vice-president will preside over meeting in the absence of the president. In the event of vacancy of the office of the president, the vice-president will assume the duties of the president until a new president can be elected at the next regular meeting. The vice-president will also be in charge of organizing food for events and reserving rooms for club meetings and activities. In addition, he or she will assist the president with minor duties.
The Secretary will be responsible for recording the proceedings of each meeting, sending a weekly email report updating members on current activities and events, and maintaining the FASA web site in the event that a webmaster cannot be obtained.
The Treasurer is responsible for keeping the financial matters of the club within the manner prescribed by the College.
The Historian is responsible for documenting FASA events, maintaining a scrapbook, and archiving the history of the organization.
The two FIND (Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue) District 7 Representatives will represent FASA at all District 7 general meetings. It is their duty to represent the organization and the College of William and Mary through their attendance. Should the representatives be unable to attend a District 7 general meeting, an alternate should be designated to go in their place. The representatives will report items discussed during the District 7 meetings at the officer and general meetings. Of the two representatives, one must remain strictly a representative while the other may hold another role in FASA, including an officer position, provided that the duties of the said officer do not conflict with the representative's duties nor will his or her effectiveness as an officer be negatively affected by being a representative.
The ASC (Asian Student Council) Liaison will represent FASA at all ASC general meetings. The representative will report items discussed during the ASC meetings at the officer and general meetings. The liaison will also have the duty of maintaining inventory and upkeep of the ASC office.
The Fundraising Chairperson will be responsible for generating revenue by planning and conducting fundraisers throughout the year. He or she will also be responsible for certain Culture Night duties such as, but not limited to, ticket sales and ad solicitation.
The Publicity Chairperson will be responsible for publicizing all FASA events including fundraisers, general meetings, and socials to FASA members, the college community, and the general public. The chairperson will also be responsible for updating the specific publicity web page on the FASA web site.
The Cultural Chairperson will have the duty of promoting educational events for the organization at least once a month. He or she also has the duty to organize an event or program to promote Filipino-American Heritage during the month of October.
The Social Chairperson will have the duty of promoting social events and community service opportunities for the organization. He or she will also be responsible for continuing the Kuya/Ate program throughout the entire year, with the provision of organizing two major events per academic year that would further the bonds between each "sibling".
The two Culture Night Chairpersons have the duty of organizing Culture Night. Their duties include generating and carrying out a program which showcases the Filipino Culture to the community. This may include, but is not limited to, dances, skit(s), songs, and other performances.
The Webmaster will have the duty of maintaining the FASA website.
VI. Elections
The election of all officers and committee chairpersons for FASA will be held late February or early March during a specific election meeting outside of the general meeting. Officers and chairpersons will officially take office during the general meeting in April.
Nominations for all offices/chairs will be sent to the President prior to the election date. During the election meeting, the floor will be opened for a short period of time for additional nominations; after which the floor will be closed. Elections will be conducted with a secret ballot. Anyone receiving greater than fifty percent of the votes will be declared elected, with the exception of the FIND District 7 Representatives and Culture Night Chairpersons where the two people with the most votes will be declared elected. If no one person receives greater than fifty percent, a run-off election will occur between the two people with the most votes. Each candidate is required to make a speech. If the candidate is absent from the election, he or she must submit a written speech to be read before voting. Proxy voting will not be allowed.
VII. Removal from office
If any member of FASA feels that an officer or chairperson fails to perform his or her duties, that member may place a motion at a regular meeting calling for the officer's removal. The motion will be debated at which time the said officer will be given an opportunity to defend him or herself. In order for that motion to pass, a three-fourths majority must pass it. In the event of an officer's removal, a new election to fill the vacated position must be held at a special election meeting the week after the position has been vacated.
VIII. Committees
In the month of September, standing committees will be formed from the members of FASA under the supervision of existing chairpersons. The members of each committee will aid their respective chairperson(s) in sustaining and furthering the organization's goals.
New committees are to be formed by a motion at general meetings. Once another member has seconded the motion, the floor is open to general discussion. After discussion is closed, the members are to vote. The committee will be passed with a majority vote. The chairpersons to the committee will also be elected by a majority vote. Once committee chairpersons are elected, they will be included in the executive organization.
IX. Meeting Dates
There will be at least one general meeting a month; officers will meet prior to the general meeting to discuss the meeting's agenda.
X. Dues
Dues are to be agreed upon at the beginning of the year by the officers. Dues are encouraged, but are not required. The purpose of dues is to help finance club activities.
XI. Amendments
Amendments to the constitution are to be proposed by one member and seconded by another at general meetings. After general discussion of the proposed amendment, the members will vote on its approval. The amendment will be adopted with a simple majority.