Constitution  (last revised 2000-01)

Article I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be Connecticut College African/ African-American Student Association, hereinafter referred to as Umoja in this Constitution and its Bylaws.

Article II. PURPOSE
The principal purposes of this organization shall be to:
A. Address the issues of multiracialism, identity and intercultural communication.
B. Provide conscious raising programming available to the greater Connecticut College community.
C. Help develop and implement intercultural programs to foster greater awareness of diversity and identity.
D. Provide opportunity for and promote increased intercultural communication on campus.
E. Promote the exchange of ideas and sharing of knowledge regarding issues of identity.
F. Support the function of Unity House, and Unity organizations.

Article III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national, or ethnic origin, visible or invisible disabilities.

Section 1. Voting member
A. Voting membership is open to all matriculated students of Connecticut College.
B. Voting members must be registered with the club to cast a vote in a meeting.
C. Voting rights shall be granted to only those who attend a minimum of two consecutive meetings.

Section 2. Non-voting member
D. Non-voting membership is open to faculty, staff, administration, and their families and students who do not meet all of the criteria outlined in [Article III. Section 1].

Article IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. Members
A. The Executive Board, shall consist of the elected members of the organization including the Chair, Political Chair, Cultural Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Representative, Student Activities Representative, Admissions Liaison, Office of Volunteer and Community Services Representative, Alumni/Career Services Liaison, and Freshman Representative.

Section 2. Duties
A. The Executive Board shall serve as the decision making body with accordance of the voting members of the organization.
B. The Executive Board shall inform the members of the date, location, and time of Unity Council meetings.
C. The Executive Board shall outline agenda topics for Unity Council meetings and submit to the Unity Interns.
D. The Executive Board shall ensure the distribution of minutes of all meetings to its members.
E. All elected officials must attend the annual Unity Fall, Winter and Spring retreats.
F. The Executive Board shall serve as a liaison between Umoja and other clubs, committees, and the administration in order to voice the needs and concerns relating to identity issues, multiculturalism and diversity.
G. The Executive Board Officer duties shall include, but not be limited to those outlined in [Article V. Sections 1-11.]. Additional duties shall be at the discretion of the chairperson.

Article V. OFFICERS AND DUTIES

Section 1. CHAIRPERSON
It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to provide leadership, administrative guidance, and direction to the structuring and programming of Umoja. The chairperson shall:
A. Organize and facilitate meetings.
B. Establish club goals and deadlines with the Executive Board.
C. Work with the officers of the Executive Board in coordinating their efforts and maintaining unity in the organization's objectives and programming.
D. Serve as primary liaison to the Connecticut College and local communities.
E. Exercise all powers and duties generally pertaining to the chief executive officer.
F. Strengthen public relations and cooperative relations with other organizations.
H. Recommend to the Executive Board, the removal of any elected or appointed officer who fails to perform their duties of office.
I. Be responsible for the coordination and presentation of the mid-year and end of year reports, which shall be given directly to the Assistant Director of the Multicultural Center.
J. Be responsible for the appointment/approval of all standing committees and subcommittees.
K. Meet with Unity House Assistant Director on a weekly basis.
K. Serve as the representative for Umoja on the Unity Intern Search Committee.
L. Lead mid-semester evaluations and votes of confidence with members.
M. Make appointments to vacant positions as outlined in [Article VII. Section 8].
N. Enforce the constitution.
O. Train and furnish records to successor.

Section 2. POLITICAL CHAIR
The primary duty of the Political Chair shall be to serve as a liaison between MSSC and Umoja, attending and reporting on meetings and activities. He/She shall:
A. Collect and report the needs of his/her constituents to MSSC.
B. Collect and report data and information about current political issues and trends, which reflect the goals and objectives of the organization, for use in program structure.
C. Fill in the duties of the chairperson in his/her absence.
D. Coordinate and report the activities of subcommittees under his/her jurisdiction.
E. Act as a liaison to the Student Government Association Diversity Committee.
F. Serve as the representative for Umoja on the Unity Resident Search Committee.
G. Serve as Parliamentarian.
H. Train and furnish records to their successor.

Section 3. CULTURAL CHAIR
The Cultural Chair shall:
A. Collect and report data and information about current national, international, and campus-wide cultural issues and trends, which reflect the goals and objectives of the organization, for use in program structure.
B. Keep abreast of and announce any local and campus cultural events.
C. Coordinate and report activities of subcommittees under his/her jurisdiction.
D. Serve as the representative for Umoja on the Eclipse Weekend Planning Committee.
E. Train and furnish records to their successor.

Section 4. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall:
A. Record, distribute, and maintain files of minutes on all meetings, in a timely fashion.
B. Record minutes of club reports at Unity Council meetings and submit to the Unity Interns for distribution.
C. Keep official records of the club, including minutes, agendas, correspondence, publicity, etc., to be submitted to the Unity Assistant Director at the end of the year.
D. Take attendance at all meetings for records.
E. Be responsible for official correspondences and mail distribution and retrieval including checking the Umoja voicemail, email, and mailbox.
F. Coordinate and report activities of subcommittees under his/her jurisdiction.
G. Keep the official membership roster including mail, email and voicemail distribution lists.
H. Be responsible for the distribution of constitution and bylaws to new members.
I. Be responsible for maintaining a voting list.
J. Furnish a copy of the yearly records to the Connecticut College Archival Office.
K. Train and furnish records to their successor.

Section 5. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall:
A. Be responsible for the financial affairs of the club.
B. Outline budget reports for each event, compiling this information into a mid-year and end of year Treasury report.
C. Be responsible for submitting budget proposals to the Student Government Finance Committee and the Student Activities Council Co-Sponsorship Committee.
D. Be responsible for the upkeep of financial records within the club files and Student Organization Office.
E. Maintain good financial status with Student Organization Office and Student Government Finance Committee, submitting all paperwork for financial transactions and bi-yearly traditional event forms.
F. Generate ideas and coordinate fundraising activities.
G. Coordinate and report activities of subcommittees under his/her jurisdiction.
H. Train and furnish all records to their successor.

Section 6. PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
The Public Relations Director shall:
A. Be responsible for the advertising of events and activities.
B. Be responsible for maintaining relationships with other Intercultural clubs at other schools.
C. Coordinate and report activities of subcommittees under his/her jurisdiction.
D. Coordinate and submit articles and information to the Unity Newsletter and other campus publications.
E. Submit information to Unity House for the monthly calendar.
F. Serve as the representative for Umoja on the Unity Website Committee and submit information to Unity House for the Umoja page on the site.
G. Oversee the distribution of thank you notes to guests and speakers.
H. Train and furnish records to successor.

Section 7. STUDENT ACTIVITIES COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
The Student Activities Council Representative acts as a liaison between Umoja and the Student Activities Council. He/She shall:
A. Be responsible for organizing and planning social events.
B. Keep abreast of and announce local and campus social events.
C. Be responsible for identifying any event conflicts with other campus organizations.
D. Attend SAC meetings and their activities.
E. Work with Treasurer on all SAC co-sponsorship proposals.
F. Coordinate activities for All Unity events including Explore Weekend party, Fall Weekend Tropical party, and Eclipse Weekend party.
G. Be responsible for reserving rooms and equipment for events.
H. Obtain and keep records of all event location and equipment confirmation notices.
I. Train and furnish records to successor.

Section 8. ADMISSIONS LIAISON
The Admissions Liaison acts as a liaison between the Admissions Office and SOAR. He/She shall:
A. Be responsible for gathering and reporting data on diversity of applicant pool and admitted students.
B. Coordinate hosts for prospective students throughout the year.
C. Be responsible for coordinating recruitment activities with the Admissions Office and other Unity Admission Liaisons on a consistent basis (i.e., phone-a-thons, letter writing, hosting).
D. Meet with other Unity clubs' Admissions Liaison on a consistent basis.
E. Plan and coordinate activities and housing for prospective students for Explore and Eclipse Weekends with other Admissions Liaisons.
F. Train and furnish records to their successor.

Section 9. OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
The Office of Volunteer and Community Representative acts as a liaison between the Office of Volunteer and Community Service and Umoja. He/She shall:
A. Be responsible for gathering and reporting about local and campus volunteer and community programs.
B. Be responsible for planning group community service activities throughout the campus and/or local community.
C. Serve as a liaison for Umoja with SOAR during the planning of SOARFEST, coordinating the club's involvement.
D. Coordinate two All Unity community service events per year with the other club OVCS representatives.
E. Coordinate and report all activities of subcommittees under his/her jurisdiction.
F. Train and furnish all records to successor.

Section 10. ALUMNI RELATIONS/CAREER SERVICES LIAISON
The Alumni Relations/Career Services Liaison shall:
A. Be responsible for getting information concerning alumni from Alumni Relations.
B. Collect and distribute information regarding internship, fellowship, job and career opportunities.
C. Promote Alumni participation.
D. Train and furnish all records to successor.

Section 11. FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE
The Freshman Representative shall be elected in the fall semester. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a liaison between the Executive Board and the freshman club members. He/She shall:
A. Coordinate periodic meetings with the freshman members of the club.
B. Be responsible for collecting and reporting information about the concerns and suggestions from the freshman club members.
C. Serve as motivator and model for freshman participating in planning, facilitation, and attendance of events and activities.
D. Serve as a motivator during Unity Council meetings, planning activities, games and teambuilding exercises.
E. Provide assistance and support to other Executive Board members and/or committees in executing tasks when needed.
F. Coordinate and present club report at Unity Council meetings.
G. Coordinate and report activities of subcommittees under his/her jurisdiction.
H. Train and furnish records to successor.

Article VI. MEETINGS
Section 1. Unity Council Meetings
A. The general body membership shall meet bi-monthly at the Unity Council meetings and at the call of the Executive Board.

Section 2. Executive Board Meetings
A. The Executive Board shall meet weekly and at the call of the chairperson.
Subsection 1. Quorum
a. 75% of the members present must be of voting member status to establish quorum.

Article VII. ELECTIONS AND VOTING
Section 1. Time of Voting
A. Elections shall be held in March or April, annually; said officers to be installed and assume office immediately upon election, except as provided in [subsection 1. a. below].
Subsection 1.
a. The organization's rules of order may provide for a period between election and actual assumption of office by the newly elected officers.
B. The election of the Freshman Representative shall take place in the fall semester, at the first general body meeting. The voting process shall proceed as stated in [Article VII, Sections 1-4].
C. The Executive Board may, where circumstances warrant, authorize the holding of an election at another time.
D. The Executive Board shall notify the members of the date set for elections along with a description of the nomination and voting procedures, and the duties of office at least one meeting before the date of the election.

Section 2. Nomination
The floor for nominations shall be opened the meeting prior to elections, and close at the call for election procedures to commence.
A. A person may be nominated for more than one position.
B. Nominations may be self initiated or initiated by a voting member with the support of another voting member.
C. The nominee must accept/decline the nomination.
Section 3. Methods of Voting
A. Voting shall be held by ballot
B. Elections shall be determined by majority of the members present and voting.
C. Elections shall be led by the Chair or by an impartial designee of his/her choice.
D. Ballots shall be tallied and officiated by the outgoing secretary or impartial designee of his/her choice.

Section 3. Methods of Voting
A. Voting shall be held by ballot
B. Elections shall be determined by majority of the members present and voting.
C. Elections shall be led by the Chair or by an impartial designee of his/her choice.
D. Ballots shall be tallied and officiated by the outgoing secretary or impartial designee of his/her choice.

Section 4. Installation
A. Officers shall be installed by the outgoing Chairperson or a designee of his/her choice at close of election meeting, unless otherwise determined through [Article VII. Section A. subsection a.]

Section 5. Terms of Office
A. Officers shall serve a term of one, from time of installation at the end of elections until the close of the following academic year.
B. All elected officers shall attend the successive Unity fall, winter and spring training.

Section 6. Eligibility Requirements
A. All candidates must be a member of the club.
Subsection 1.
a. The Executive Board may upon request, where circumstances warrant, authorize the nomination of a non-member.
B. Candidates must be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
C. Candidates must be familiar with the position descriptions and election/voting procedures.
D. Candidates are required to present a brief speech stating their qualifications and reasons for running for office, or if unable to attend, have another voting member present on his/her behalf.

Section 7. Succession
When a vacancy occurs in the office of the Chairperson, the Political Chair shall become Chairperson for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 8. Vacancies
A. Vacancies shall be filled through appointment by the Chairperson and approved by the Executive Board with a majority vote.

Section 9. Impeachment
A. Any officer impeached shall be ineligible for election to any future position.
B. Impeachment of any officer shall only occur with a 2/3 majority of the voting population of the organization. The office in question shall be filled according to [Article VII. Section 8].
Subsection 1.
a. Motions for impeachment shall be brought before the Executive Board, and subject to a 2/3-majority vote.
b. Upon passing the motion for impeachment before the Executive Board, a special meeting of the general body shall be called to hear the case, whereupon a 2/3-majority vote is needed to finalize the impeachment.
C. A vote of confidence of the Executive Board shall be held mid-semester.
Subsection 1.
a. A 2/3 vote of no confidence of the entire Executive Board or the Chairperson by the general body shall warrant a new election to be held immediately as outlined in [Article VII. Section 1-4].
b. A vote of no confidence of individual Executive Officers shall warrant a vacancy of that position to be filled according to [Article VII. Section 8].

Article VII: AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 majority of the voting population of both the Executive Board and the general members of the organization.

Notice of proposed amendments shall be published and distributed to the voting population at least 14 days prior to vote.

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