Constitution
Preamble
The Filipino American Student Association of Washington State University seeks to educate the university community about Filipino culture and the contributions of Filipino Americans. The objective of the organization is to represent the issues of all Filipino students and to provide a network of support for those students.
Article I
Name of Organization
Section A.
The name of this organization shall be Filipino American Student Association of Washington State University. The acronym shall be WSU FASA or FASA. For the purpose of this constitution, this organization shall be referred to as FASA.
Article II
Purpose of Organization
Section A.
The Purposes of FASA shall be to:
1. Create activities and opportunities of interest to Filipino students and other students interested in Filipino American culture on campus.
2. Design activities that increase awareness of the Filipino culture.
3. Promote and encourage education of the Filipino students at WSU.
4. Provide peer support for Filipino American students on campus.
5. Represent the interests and implement plans of action of Filipino student issues on the campus and in the community.
6. Teach the University faculty, staff and students about the Filipino culture and what it has to offer.
7. Coordinate activities with member organizations for the purpose of supporting their endeavors.
Article III
Membership
Section A.
Enrollment
1. Membership is open to all individuals who share an interest in issues concerning Filipino Americans.
2. Membership is open to any interested student regardless of race, religion, sex, color nationality, ethnic origin, age, marital status, or handicap.
3. Full members are currently enrolled students of WSU who have paid their FASA dues for the year.
4. Dues are due by the fourth meeting of the semester. Dues are $10.00 for the year unless changed by the FASA cabinet members. Members who don’t pay their dues will not be able to participate in executive decisions that will reflect FASA.
5. FASA cabinet members should be paid members.
6. Monetary difficulty shall not determine or influence membership. If paying dues are a problem, talk to the advisor(s) and cabinet members.
Section B.
Voting Membership
1. Each member of the organization as designated in Article III. Section A. Part 1. Shall have one vote.
2. Club organizations granted representation on the council should not be voting members.
3. Associate members (WSU faculty and staff, University of Idaho students) shall not be voting members.
4. The president of FASA will not vote. In case of a tie, the cabinet shall decide and two-thirds must vote in favor or the objective shall fail.
Article IV
Sources of Financial Support
Section A.
Fundraising
1. Through the guidance of the Activities/Social Coordinator officer. FASA will raise funds through various means and activities as the need requires.
2. The appointed Activities/Social Coordinator shall work closely with the treasure, President, and Advisor(s) in maintaining the FASA budget.
Article V
Officers
Section A.
Cabinet
1. FASA shall have the following officers:
2. Elected Officers:
1. All officers, except the president, shall be voting members of FASA. In case of a tie, the cabinet shall decide and two-thirds must vote in favor or the objective shall fail.
2. Voting members of FASA shall elect the officers for the next school year at the end of the spring semester.
3. If not all the officers are elected, the president may appoint a member for the open position during the fall semester or allow the members to nominate and vote for a member for the open position during the fall/spring semester.
Section B.
Functions and Powers
President - The president will be responsible for overseeing all FASA committees and activities while working closely with the faculty advisor. The president ensures that all officers’ duties are being satisfied. The president shall also be responsible for reporting on CMSP issues. The president will write the agenda for and preside over all meetings. If the president cannot fulfill their duties, the president will be asked to step down as president and the vice president will step in as an interim president. At this time the members will vote to either keep the interim president or to open the floor to nominations and at later time following this nomination they will vote for a new president. If the members decide to keep the interim president, that person shall have the full title of president.
Vice President - The vice president will assist the president and faculty advisor in all FASA committees and activities. The vice president will take the place of the president in case of the president’s absence or inability to perform responsibilities. If both the President and Vice President are unable to attend the meeting, The Vice President will request a member to facilitate the meeting. If the vice president cannot fulfill their job duties, the President has the right to call a vote to impeach the vice president. At this time Members will vote to find a new vice president or to give the president full privilege to name another vice president.
Administrative Assistant - The administrative assistant maintains the attendance record and records minutes for all meetings. After all meetings, the secretary distributes the attendance and the minutes to all members. The administrative assistant shall be responsible for keeping an updated membership list at all official FASA meetings and maintaining FASA calendar of events. In addition, the secretary will maintain records of all of FASA’s correspondence and documentation, which shall be accessible to all members upon request. Also, the administrative assistant is required to create/maintain a FASA contact list and email list.
Treasurer - The treasurer handles all finances of FASA and is the only one to allocate FASA funds. The treasurer must also keep and update a record of all transaction and provide an updated budget at all meetings. The treasurer will work closely with the activities/social coordinator and president in maintaining the FASA budget. In addition, the treasurer conducts proposals to other committees or organizations. An improper disbursement of funds is grounds for impeachment.
Curator - The curator is responsible for attending and documenting all FASA functions. The curator maintains the FASA scrapbook, as well as the FASA archives for future FASA members. The curator is also responsible for maintaining the FASA exhibit for display purposes throughout the year. The exhibit should be available when needed without worry. Curator is responsible for making a panel of all the events that FASA has done throughout the school year.
Public Relations - The public relations officer is in charge of getting information about upcoming meetings and events to The Evergreen, to ASWSU Graphics, to Residence Halls, and to various public places of WSU. The public relations officer is also in charge of correspondence to other clubs and committees on events. The public relations officer books facilities that will be utilized by FASA including general meeting rooms and cabinet meeting rooms.
Activities/Social Chair - Activities coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating all social and cultural events which are relevant to FASA’s goals and objectives. This may include, buy may not be limited to intramural sports, dances, barbecues, dinners and other events. The activities coordinator keeps members informed about all social events.
Sergeant-At-Arms - The sergeant-at-arms maintains order at both general and cabinet meetings. Also, the sergeant-at-arms will arrive at the meeting room early to set up anything that will be used during the meeting and shall be the last one to leave to clean and lock up room.
WSFASA Representative(s) - The WSFASA Alliance Representative(s) represents WSU FASA. The WSFASA alliance representative(s) collaborate with other Filipino collegiate organization of Washington State to maintain communication and work together throughout the year. The WSFASA alliance representative works together with the other schools to ensure a successful WSFASA conference. If representative(s) cannot attend Alliance meeting, he/she or they are responsible for finding a replacement to attend the meeting.
Advisor(s) - FASA must have an advisor that is either faculty, staff, and or graduate student. The advisor must be able to attend meetings and serve as a resource towards the members. The advisor(s) will work closely with the cabinet and members to maintain and increase FASA awareness.
Section C.
Attendance of an officer who is unable to attend any official meeting must inform the president at least 2 days prior to his/her absence and may leave a written report to be read by the administrative assistance.
Section D.
If any officer cannot fulfill these job descriptions, the president will call a vote among the members to impeach that person. The accusations made against the accused must be documented and be backed up by written documentation. If that person is impeached, the president will vote to hold another election or for the president to choose another person for that vacant office.
Section E.
FASA cabinet members must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to hold office. If that member is deficient, he/she will be removed from office and the president will vote to hold an election or to appoint a new member to office.
Article VI
Parliamentary Procedure
Section A.
Revision of the constitution and/or addition of amendments will be voted on by the voting members of FASA.
Section B.
The president will vote only in case of a tie.
Section C.
Only full members can vote or hold offices.
Section D.
The treasure, president and advisor have access to receive the financial record at the business office.
Section E.
Only the treasure, public relations officer, president and advisor may make orders from Cougar Copies for FASA materials.
Section F.
Each member is responsible for the recruitment and retention of FASA
Section G.
One officer may be responsible for the monthly FASA newsletter. The monthly newsletter will contain information on current issues and events affecting the Filipino community and other culturally relevant material including but not limited to art and poetry.
Section H.
Each officer is responsible for checking and balancing each other.
Section I.
Members are not allowed to hold two offices in FASA except WSFASA Alliance Representative(s). If a member holds a current office, they will not receive the title of FASA Alliance Representative(s)