U.D.A.S.A CONSTITUTION
CODEX OF UDASA:
Name and Statement of Purpose
1.This organisation of students will be called the University of Dundee North American Studies Association and also may be referred to as UDASA. The Purpose of this Association will be as follows:
To provide a permanent organised body to act as an effective and a meaningful liaison and/or advocate for students of American Studies in matters and relations with the School of American Studies, Dundee University Students Association), the Faculty of Arts Administration, and with other student departamental associations/clubs within the Faculty of Arts.
To foster and promote interactions amongst interested parties and students of American Studies by encouraging the development and sponsoring of extracurricular, academic, social and other general activities among the students themselves and with the academic and non-academic staff.
To provide relevant services and representation for American Studies students (i.e. Departamental or Faculty Representatives)
Membership
1. Any registered full-time undergraduate student is welcome to join, providing they pay the required membership dues determined by the Executive of the UDASA. Such members are eligible to attend UDASA meetings and gatherings, stand for office for Executive positions, and vote in its elections, subject to regulations and limitations pertaining to such activities.
General Meetings
1. In the event of a General Meeting of the UDASA, members at such a meeting will be given those powers by this Association Constitutions:
- recalling the members of the Executive
-changing or rejoicing Executive decisions within 1 (one) month of the policy determination
-  changing or rejecting Executive decisions within 1 (one) month of the decision determination, with the written support of at least 1 (one) of the Executive members
- changing or rejecting Executive amendments to this Constitution within 1 (one) year of the determination of the members of the Executive
amending this Constitution, with the written support of at least 2 (two) of the Executive members
amending or rejecting of the Executive by-laws, within 1 (one) month of the by-law determination with the written support of at least 2 (two) of the Executive members
establishing policy and/or by-laws with the written support of at least 2 (two) of the Executive members
2. General Meetings are open to all members of the UDASA. Decisions will be determined by a 2/3 (two-thirds) vote of the members present, quorum having been reached, except when otherwise stipulated within the Constitution.
3. Meetings will be called or cancelled at the request of the Executive and/or upon the receipt of a written petition signed by at least 10 (ten) members of the UDASA (members in good standing).
4. General Meeting decisions are effective immediately following the determination and passage of policy.
5. Quorum for a General Meeting will be 1/2 (half) of the present members as well as 2/3 (two-thirds) of the Executive members except under unusual and extenuating circumstances where the Chair deems that a decision is necessary, provided that such a decision is supported by at least 3 (three) of the Executive members and the simple majority of the members present.
6. General Meeting must be advertised adequately for a period of 1 (one) week prior to the actual meeting date. The co-ordination and the financial cost of this advertising shall be the responsibility of the UDASA Executive.
The Duties of the Executive Council Members
President:
chair the Executive and the General Meetings ;
cast the deciding vote in the event of  any ties ;
have the power to initiate and commision relevant student committees, in conjuction with the School of American Studies, as well the President shall also have the power to appoint people to those committees;
assume any other duties as defined and required in the by-laws, or ordered by the Association
Vice President: (This is a Secondary Role)
N.B. The V.P. position should only be filled in the event of a large number of responsibilities demanded of Exec.  The members should elect two candidates from within the UDASA membership.  The final appointment being made by the UDASA Executive  through a majority vote.
be the UDASA's liaison to the Dundee University Students' Association and any other student organisations,  including the Students' Union;
work with the Academic Representative when s/he requires assistance in relations with the School of American Studies, with the Faculty of Arts, or with the University Administration;
assume any other duties as defined and required in the by-laws, or ordered by the Association
Treasurer:
be responsible for maintaining accurate and well-documented financial records;
in conjunction with the other Executive members, prepare a budget at the beginning of the Autumn term;
make requests to the Students' Unionfor financial grants;
be responsible for a year-end financial report to be given to the Students' Union and to the following Executive Council-elect
assume any other duties as defined and required in the by-laws, or ordered by the Association.
Executive Secretary:
be responsible for keeping minutes of  each meeting and for creating an agenda for each meeting;
be responsible for booking a meeting room and notifying members of that meeting by e-mail;
be responsible for, with the assistance of the other Executive members, a general year-end report, which is to be given to the following Executive Council-elect;
have signing authority in all legal and financial transactions for and with the approval of the UDASA
assume any other duties as defined and required in the by-laws, or ordered by the Association
Members Secretary:
be responsible for the organisation of the social activities for the UDASA ;
be responsible for keeping the members list up-to-date at all times whether by means of adding new members, or deleting the names of those who have gone 9 months without payment of dues  (without due reason);
be responsible for all publications and publicity required as deemed appropriate by the UDASA
assume any other duties as defined and required in the by-laws, or ordered by the Association.
Academic Representatives:
maintain the liaison with the Faculty and Department offices whenever needed ;
be responsible for Association members' concerns when these concerns are relevant to the purposes and the activities of the UDASA ;
assume any other duties as defined and required in the by-laws, or ordered by the Association
N.B.In the event of insufficient volunteers, the Executive Secreatary and Members' Secretary positions can be merged, held by a single individual, provided there is a quorum agreement
The Executive Council
1.The Executive Council (hereafter called the Executive) will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and co-ordination of the UDASA and its activities.
2. The Executive shall be presided by a Chair (notably, the President) who is to be selected, from among the members of the Executive, by a 2/3 (two-thirds) majority vote at a General Meeting. The Chair shall not vote on decisions except in the event of a tie.
3.The Offices of the Executive shall be: President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Members' Secretary,, Academic Representative and Treasurer. Any addition or deletion of these positions will follow the relevant amendment procedures laid out in this Constitution.
4.The Executive will meet at least once every two weeks during the Winter/Spring terms and at least once during the Summer term.
5. Quorum at Executive Meetings will be at least 3 (three) Executive members.
6. In Executive Meetings decisions will be made by a simple majority, and in the event of a tie, the Chair will vote to break a tie.
7. Executive decisions and by-laws shall be effective at the discretion of the Executive.
8. The Executive Secretary shall, if circumstances permit, e-mail an agenda to the Executive members at least 1 (one) day before the meeting.
9. Executive Council Amendments to the Constitution shall be effective 1 (one) month following determination, if the amendment is unchallenged by the general members or the other members of the executive.
10. The term of office shall be from April 15th to April 14th of the following year, inclusive.
General
1. The fiscal year of the UDASA shall be from April 15th to April 14th, inclusive (i.e. Commencing on Day 1 (one) of Term 3 of each Academic year.).
2.The Vice President of Communications (DUSA), the President (UDASA) and the Treasurer (UDASA) shall be the financial signing authorities of the UDASA.
3. Recall of an executive members/association representative of the association may be done for any of the following reasons:
refusal to carry out assigned duties
financial mismanagement of the UDASA
gross misrepresentation of the UDASA
All such matters shall be dealt with by the Executive, and then if necessary, the members.
4. General Electians shall be in March to fill the positions of the Executive
5. By-Election will be held in September or October, if necessary, to fill any open positions
6.The 2 (two) elected representatives from each class (year group) to the American Studies Staff-Student Council, who are to be elected each September, will report to the Executive regarding the events of their meetings and should also regularly attend Executive Meetings as advisors with no voting power
7. In all areas not governed by this Constitution or the by-laws, the UDASA shall be governed by the DUSA Rules of Order
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