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The club/organization shall be named: "Ethiopian Student Association", "E.S.A." of the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
1. The purpose of the Ethiopian Student Association shall be/is:
a.To bring about an awareness and understanding of Ethiopian Culture among the students/faculty of the University of Massachusetts, Boston and the surrounding communities.
b. To provide a social atmosphere where students/faculty as well as residents of the Boston community can meet, interact and enjoy cultural events.
c. To cooperate with other organization in the promotion and further development of intercultural understanding.
d. To provide helpful services to the Ethiopian Community and other communities in the University of Massachusetts, Boston and surrounding areas.
2. The club will promote the above by:
a. Organizing social events such as cultural shows
b. Raising funds for the club
c. Providing translation services for the Ethiopian Community of the University of Massachusetts, Boston and surrounding areas.
d. Providing tutoring services to Ethiopian Students in the University of Massachusetts, Boston and surrounding areas.
The Ethiopian Student Association will never have any official political or religious affiliation.
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1. The Ethiopian Student Association is open to any/all student (s) and other members of the University of Massachusetts of Boston community (UMass employees, Alumni and Graduate Students) regardless of race, color, gender, creed or sexual orientation.
2. Active/Ordinary Member:
Any undergraduate student currently studying at the University of Massachusetts, Boston who pays dues and participate in a high amount of meetings, activities and/or online forums shall be classified as an active member. As such, he/she shall have the right to vote and run for office.
3. Associate Member:
Any undergraduate student currently studying at the University of Massachusetts, Boston who pays dues and participates in a medium amount of the meetings, activities and/or online forums shall be classified as an associate member. Associate members have the right to vote but they do not have the right to run for office.
4. Honorary Member:
The title of Honorary member may be conferred by the Ethiopian Student Association on any person that they may deem worthy of special recognition. Honorary members may/shall not be required to pay dues. Non-undergraduate students must receive approval from the Student Senate to be allowed to participate in events paid out of the club account.
5. Membership Fee:
A membership fee of $5 dollars (or more if the club sees it fit) per person, per semester is required in order to become an active or associate member of the Ethiopian Student Association. The fee shall be paid to the Treasurer or President upon becoming a member. However, the club will not charge a membership fee in its first semester as an organization: Spring 2001.
6. Membership Requirement:
All members must comply with the rules and regulations of the university and should act in proper fashion to preserve the high standards of the Ethiopian Student Association.
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1. President
a. The president will be responsible to organize and preside over all meetings.
b. The president shall prepare agendas for all meetings and activities.
c. The president shall assist the treasurer in all financial matters.
d. The president is the only person other than the treasurer who has signatory power in regards to financial matters of the Ethiopian Student Association.
e. The president shall take over the responsibilities of any officer in case of impeachment or resignation until an election for replacement is held within three weeks.
f. The president shall appoint, with consent of the majority, a sub committee such as may be needed for carrying out the purposes of the association stated in Article II.
2. Vice-President
a. The vice-president shall assist the president in the performance of all of his/her duties and preside over meetings and activities when the president is absent.
b. The vice-president shall act as president in case of impeachment or resignation of the president and an emergency meeting shall be called within three weeks to elect a president.
3. Treasurer:
a. The treasurer shall be responsible for collection of dues and al financial transactions of the Ethiopian Student Association.
b. Only the treasurer and/or the president can approve, allocate, and disburse the Ethiopian Student Association's funds.
c. The treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of the annual budget of the Ethiopian Student Association.
d. The treasurer shall adhere to the financial policies of the Student Senate and report the Ethiopian Student Association's financial position at all meetings.
4. Secretary:
a. The secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of all meetings.
b. The secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence and an updated membership list to all officers and members upon request.
5. Public Officer (s)
a. The public officer position may be shared between two individuals.
b. The public officer (s) shall be responsible for advertising and publishing information about the Ethiopian Student Association.
c. The public officer (s) shall do so by advertising and publishing campus media billboard and off campus forms of media.
d. The public officer (s) shall be responsible for maintaining and keeping current the Ethiopian Student Association's website.
6. Ex-Officio Member of the Board:
a. The Ex-Officio Member of the Board must be a previous year's club officer.
b. The Ex-Officio Member of the Board shall serve as an advisor in handling the Ethiopian Student Association's affairs.
c. The Ex-Officio Member of the Board does not have the authority to override the present club's/organization's officers.
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1. All members can vote but only active members are eligible to run for office.
2. Nominations for office shall be taken during the first two weeks of the fall semester.
3. Office elections shall be held once a year at the end of the first month of fall semester.
4. 2/3 of the members present is required for members to be elected. The highest votes to any one candidate's particular office shall become the newly elected officer of that office.
5. In case of an officer's resignation or impeachment, a special election must be held within three weeks. There must be a quorum of 2/3 of members in order to have a replacing officer elected.
All elections shall abide to the laws in Article V stated above with the exception for the elections in the Ethiopian Student Association's first semester, Spring 2001, in which elections shall be held for President and Treasurer followed by elections for other officers in a following meeting. Each officer elected in the Spring 2001 will only hold office for one semester, until the Fall 2001 in which new elections will be held. Article V, 1 and Article V, 4 shall be applied to the elections held in Spring 2001.
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1. General meetings or online meetings shall be held at least once a month.
2. Meetings (online optional) among the officers shall be held at least once every two weeks.
3. The Ethiopian Student Association shall organize activities at least once a month during the academic year. Such activities shall be film presentations, publishing (online optional), inviting guest speakers, distributing and posting news about activities, and organizing functions, etc…
4. The Ethiopian Student Association shall participate in and sponsor activities with other clubs/organizations with or outside the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
5. The Ethiopian Student Association shall participate in activities that assist the Ethiopian community in the Boston Area such as tutoring and translation services, and etc…
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1. Conflicts between officers shall be immediately brought to the attention of the president and/or the E.S.A.’s faculty advisor. In case of major conflicts, a member of the Student Events and Organizations Committee shall intercede as a mediator or arbitrator until the matter is resolved. Another neutral party, upon the request of the E.S.A.’s members may assist in mediating club members’ conflicts.
2. Dismissal of a member or officer of the E.S.A. shall be carried out for the following reasons:
a. Failure to promote the Ethiopian Student Association
b. Failure to participate in the Ethiopian Student Association’s activities.
c. Failure on the part of any officer to perform his/her duties.
d. Failure to behave properly and cause hostility and/or disruption among the E.S.A.’s members.
3. Officers and members shall follow the procedure below:
a. A warning shall be given on their behavior in a written or verbal communication.
b. A meeting shall be held upon receiving a second warning. In which case, a debate will take place in considering an officer’s or member’s dismissal.
c. All members shall be informed of this meeting at least one week (7 days) in advance.
d. A 2/3 of the members present at the meeting shall be enough to dismiss or impeach the officer or member.
e. A second meeting of appeal can be held within two weeks in which the dismissed or impeached officer or member can speak on his/her behalf for reinstatement should he/she desire.
f. In the second meeting, the dismissed or impeached officer or member must receive a 2/3 vote from the members present at the meeting in order for he/she to be reinstated.
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1. This constitution is a guideline to serve the members of the E.S.A.. It must be carried out properly. However, any member/officer can make a motion to amend the constitution. He/she shall do so by following the procedure below:
a. He/she shall have an amendment notice posted at least 7 days prior to the E.S.A.’s regular meeting.
b. The amendment shall then be debated at the regular meeting, and its final form will require a 2/3 vote of the members present to be approved.
c. Once passed, the amendment must be brought to the Student Senate’s Student Events and Organizations Committee for final in order to comply with the Student Senate’s R.S.O. policies.
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