CONSTITUTION

PREFACE

We, the African Students and Scholars currently at the University of Georgia:
- Recognizing the need to learn to live together in friendship and mutual respect for one another
- Realizing the common problems of socialization and cultural acceptance confronting us as students in general, foreign students in particular, and more specifically, African Students.
- Committed to the need to offer academic, social, and any other assistance to one another, in the traditional African principle of being 'each other's keeper.' And,
- Convinced of the need to facilitate the achievement of every African's individual primary objectives at the University of Georgia
Hereby constitute ourselves into a student union and adopt this constitution as the legal document on which our Union shall be established with the believe that:
1) This constitution shall be the supreme guide for the activities of the African Students' Union [A.S.U] of the University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
2) The General Assembly of the Union, through the decision of a two-third majority, shall be the supreme interpreter of this constitution.
3) This constitution shall be effective from the day it is approved by the General Assembly of the Union (as outlined in Appendix Three).

 

THE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The Organization shall be known as the "AFRICAN STUDENTS' UNION (A.S.U.). Herein referred to as the Union.

ARTICLE 2: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the Union shall be
a) To foster solidarity among African students and scholars at University of Georgia.
b) To represent the concerns of African students in matters that affect them at University of Georgia, and to promote their welfare.
c) To render assistance to new African students in settling down at the university and in their general integration into the community.
d) To enable African students and other Africans to share the cultural wealth of the African continent
e) To strive to work hand in hand with other student organizations and the International Services and Program (ISP) office
f) To raise awareness and to arouse interest in African cultures and affairs within University of Georgia and the Athens community.

 

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

There shall be three categories of membership; Regular, Associate and Honorary.
a) Regular Membership shall be open to registered African students and scholars in University of Georgia and its constituent colleges.
b) Associate membership shall be open to
i) Spouses and families of regular members.
ii) All other registered students of the University of Georgia with a special interest in Africa.
iii) All African students and scholars living within or near the University of Georgia campus (and satellites) and who identify with the aims and objectives of the Union.
iv) Former regular members of the Union who wishes to continue their association with the Union
c) Honorary membership shall be open to various individuals (Africans and non- Africans) who have supported the activities of the Union and who have shown proven interest in the people and cultures of Africa.
Honorary membership shall be conferred on individuals nominated by regular members or individuals who have indicated their interest, in writing to the Secretary of the Union, in becoming honorary members. They shall, however, become honorary members only after the approval of the simple majority of members at a general meeting.

 

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERS' RIGHTS AND DUTIES

a) All Regular members shall have the right to elect or be elected to any office of the Union. Associate and Honorary members shall have voting rights but shall be ineligible to run or hold Executive committee positions in the Union.
b) All members shall have equal voting rights in all elections.
c) All members shall have the right to nominate or be nominated into any standing committee or special committee.
d) All members shall have the right to benefit from any available services and privileges provided by the Union.
e) All members shall have the right to raise questions, discuss and express their opinions about the Union.
f) All members shall abide by the constitution and decisions reached by the General Assembly of the Union.
g) All members shall satisfy their financial obligations by paying annual membership dues as determined by the general assembly of the Union.
h) All members shall endeavor to see that the aims and objectives of the Union are fulfilled and whatever new goals set by the Union are achieved.
i) All defaulting or erring members shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for necessary action, which in severe misconduct could be total withdrawal of membership rights and privileges.

 

ARTICLE 5: FINANCE

The sources of finance of the Union shall be:
a) Membership fee
b) Financial support from University of Georgia.
c) Voluntary donations from members, friends of the Union, both individuals and corporate bodies, and honorary members
d) Income from fundraising or fund generating events.

 

ARTICLE 6: FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

The following shall be the issues affecting the finances of the Union:
a) The amount for the annual membership fee shall be determined by the General Assembly at the beginning of every New Year.
b) The executive committee, through the Treasurer, shall administer the finances of the Union and provide annual financial reports to the General Assembly.
c) The Union shall maintain not more than two accounts at a time; one mandatory account with the university finance committee and the other in a financial institution. Both accounts shall be in the Union's name.
d) The President, the Vice President and the Treasurer shall be the signatories to any of the Union's accounts. And any two, with the knowledge of the treasurer, shall be capable of signing checks for withdrawal of funds.
e) There shall be a financial assessment at the end of every school year by an Audit committee to be appointed by the General Assembly not later than one month into the spring semester.

 

ARTICLE 7: ORGANS OF THE UNION

The Union shall have the following organs:
a) The General Assembly
b) The Executive Committee
c) Standing Committees
d) Appointed special committees.

 

ARTICLE 8: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

All the members of the Union at any formally constituted general meeting shall constitute the General Assembly of the Union. The General Assembly
The General Assembly:
a) Shall be the supreme authority of the Union in all matters, including those specified in this constitution.
b) Shall elect, remove or appoint any member into any position of service within the Union.
c) Shall amend the constitution in line with the provisions of this constitution.
d) Shall appoint, upon the advice of the Executive Committee, members of any of the special committees that is required to perform specific function.

 

ARTICLE 9: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The members of the Executive Committee shall be responsible for the daily business of the Union and shall be:
a) Elected by the General Assembly.
b) Answerable to the General Assembly in all matters.
c) Made up of seven executive members as follows;
i) The President
ii) The Vice-President
iii) The General Secretary
iv) The Treasurer
v) The Public Relations Secretary
vi) The Social Secretary
vii) The Cultural Secretary

 

ARTICLE 10: FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Each member of the Executive Committee shall have the following functions:
(i) The President:
1) Shall preside over the meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee.
2) Shall be the official representative and chief spokesperson for the Union.
3) Shall see to the implementation of all decisions and the execution of all plans of both the General Assembly and the Executive Committee.
4) Shall be a signatory to the Union's accounts.
5) Shall, in consultation with the Secretary or the entire Executive Committee, call both the General Assembly and Executive Committee's meetings.
6) Shall be the official representative of the Union within the African Studies Program.
7) Shall work to constantly keep the Faculty adviser and the African Studies Program Faculty board informed about the activities of the Union and ensure their participation in the activities of the Union.
(ii) The Vice-President:
1) Shall perform all the functions of the Presidency in the absence of the President.
2) Shall be in charge of providing orientation services, such as housing and tours, to new members.
3) Shall coordinate, along with the Treasurer, all the Union's Fund raising activities.
4) Shall be in charge of all the Union's outreach programs.
5) Shall be a signatory to the Union's accounts.
6) Shall be the conveyor and head of the Education Committee.
(iii) The General Secretary:
1) Shall keep all written records and be responsible for handling all official correspondence of the Union.
2) Shall arrange for all the meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee.
3) Shall keep official minutes for the General Assembly and the Executive Committee and shall also be expected to read or distribute such whenever it is required.
4) Shall be the initial interpreter of the constitution for the Union, in cases where there are legitimate queries.
(iv) The Treasurer:
1) Shall manage the finances of the Union.
2) Shall keep proper accounts of all the Union's financial transactions.
3) Shall collect and record membership fees and issue official receipts.
4) Shall be a signatory to the Union's accounts and shall mandatory, be aware of all the Union's withdrawals.
5) Shall be a party to all financial decisions of the General Assembly and of the Executive Committee.
6) Shall coordinate, along with the Vice President, all the Union's Fund raising activities.
7) Shall be the chair of the finance committee.
8) Shall present financial reports to the executive committee, at least once every semester
9) Shall present an audited annual financial report to the General Assembly at the end of the school year.
(v) The Publicity Secretary:
1) Shall be responsible for publicizing the activities of the Union.
2) Shall be responsible for the distribution of notices of meetings; of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee.
3) Shall be in charge of any of the Union's publications.
4) Shall keep and regularly update the Union's mailing list.
5) Shall be the chairperson of the Union's Publicity Committee.
(vi) The Social Secretary:
1) Shall be responsible for organizing, including the provision of refreshments, activities of the Union that are primarily social.
2) Shall be the chairperson of the Union's Social Committee.
3) Shall be a member of the Education committee and actively work with the Vice- President in providing orientation services to new members.
(vii) The Cultural Secretary:
1) Shall be the cultural officer for the Union in the organization and promotion of cultural activities for members.
2) Shall be responsible for organizing trips for members of the Union to attend
external conferences.
3) Shall act as the chief welfare officer on such trips, or appoint a representative.
4) Shall be the chairperson of the Union's Cultural Committee.

 

ARTICLE 11: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHANGES

A) RESIGNATION:
Any member of the Executive Committee who is unable to effectively function in the elected capacity shall tender their immediate resignation. Resignation shall be in writing and addressed to Secretary for the consideration of the Executive Committee or the General Assembly in the situation that the entire Executive Committee offers to resign. Reasons for such resignation shall be clearly stated in the letter of resignation.
B) IMPEACHMENT
Any member of the Executive Committee or the entire Executive Committee shall be impeached for reasons such as;
1) Inability to perform the duties of their offices.
2) Financial mismanagement or misappropriation of the Union's funds.
3) General misconduct contrary to the aims and objectives of the Union.
Motion for impeachment shall be made by any member of the Union who has fulfilled all membership obligations. All motions for impeachment shall be in writing, addressed to the Secretary and copied to the Union's Faculty Adviser. The Disciplinary Committee shall convene and make recommendations to the General Assembly, which shall make the final decision. The chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee shall preside over the general assembly during these deliberations, in cases that involve either the president or the entire Executive Committee.

 

ARTICLE 12: OTHER COMMITTEES

A) STANDING COMMITTEES:
The Union shall have standing committees as part of its organs;
i) There shall be five standing committees of the Union. And these shall be:
1) The Publicity Committee.
2) The Social Committee.
3) The Cultural Committee.
4) The Finance Committee.
5) The Education Committee.
ii) Each standing committee shall consist of three members, including its chairperson.
iii) Each standing committee shall be free to co-opt non-members of the Union as technical advisers as and when needed.
iv) Each standing committee shall be headed by a member of the Executive Committee.
v) Each standing committee's primary function shall be to assist the chairperson carry out such functions as stated in Article 10.

B) SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Special committees, such as the Disciplinary committee, Audit committee, Constitution review committee and Electoral Committees shall be appointed by the General Assembly to meet specific needs as deemed necessary. Each Special Committee shall:
a) Have a chairperson, appointed from the membership, who must not be a member of the Executive Committee.
b) Have at least three members, including the chairperson.
c) Stand dissolved after the meeting of the General Assembly at which its final report is presented.

 

ARTICLE 13: MEETINGS

All organs of the Union shall have their meetings convened, if and only if one of the following provisions is fulfilled as concerns such organ.
A) GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
The General Assembly shall convene:
a) At least twice in every half of the school year
b) At the instance of the President, whenever it is deemed fit and in consultation with the Executive Committee.
c) In the event of any emergency, and at the insistence, in writing to the Secretary, of a quarter (25%) of the number of members.
d) Not later than a month to the end of every school year to elect new members of the Executive Committee.
B) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
The Executive Committee shall convene:
a) At least three times in every half of the school year.
b) At the instance of at least three members of the Committee.
c) Whenever the need for Executive Committee consultation is required by the President.
d) Within two weeks after the general elections for a formal handing over to the incoming Executive Committee.
C) STANDING COMMITTEES:
All standing committees shall convene:
a) At the instance of the chairperson based on the project to be executed.
b) At the insistence of a simple majority of members of the General Assembly.
D) SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
Any special committee shall convene as often as necessary within its deadline, so as to meet the special purpose for which it was created.

 

ARTICLE 14: NOTICE OF MEETINGS:

1) The notice of meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee shall be produced and distributed by the Publicity Committee, not later than a week before the day of the meeting and forty-eight hours in the case of an emergency meeting.
2) The notice of meetings of standing committees and special committees shall be the responsibility of the member designated by other members of such committees and the method of distribution shall be agreed upon by all the members of the standing committee.
3) Each notice of meeting shall contain a proposed agenda for the meeting.

 

ARTICLE 15: QUORUM

The following shall be the requirement before a quorum is formed:
a) At the General Assembly meetings; a 50% attendance of members, who have fulfilled all their financial obligations to the Union.
b) At the Executive Committee, attendance of five executive members.
c) At the standing committees' meetings; 40% attendance of members.
d) At the special committees' meetings; 50% attendance of members.

 

ARTICLE 16: RESOLUTIONS

A) All decisions of the Union at all levels shall be arrived at with the support of a simple majority of members at any meeting with a quorum formed.
B) All motions shall be presented and seconded before any deliberation on such motions is done during the meeting of the General Assembly.
C) There shall not be more than two counter motions for deliberation at any time during the General Assembly meeting.
D) The President shall place the General Assembly under division by calling for votes on the motion or motions being deliberated upon.
E) Voting on deliberated motions shall be by the raising of hands and each member shall have only one vote.
F) The President shall have no vote, but has the authority to strongly advise the General Assembly on the decision to be made before the voting is done.
G) In the event of a tie in the votes, the President shall cast the deciding vote. H) All abstinence votes shall be added onto the majority votes, except in the case of a tie.
I) All members shall abide by the majority decision of the Union.
J) Lines E-I above shall also apply to the meetings and role of the chairpersons of the standing committees

 

ARTICLE 17: ELECTIONS

A) The general elections for the Union shall be held during the meeting of the General Assembly not later than one month to the end of every school year.
B) All members, who have fulfilled their financial obligations shall be eligible to vote and vie for elective offices according to the provisions contained in the Members' Rights and Duties in Article 4.
C) A three member Electoral Committee shall be appointed by the General Assembly not later than one month into the spring semester to conduct the elections. The General Assembly shall also appoint a Chairperson for the committee.
D) Members of the Electoral Committee shall not be eligible to vie for elected offices during the elections in which they are appointed by the General Assembly to act as electoral committee members.
E) i) All members of the Union, who have fulfilled their membership obligations as stated in Article 4, shall be eligible to nominate candidates for election. Each nomination shall be in writing to the Electoral committee and must be seconded by another member who must have also fulfilled all membership obligations be as stated in Article 4.
ii) Each nomination shall also include the signature of the nominee.
iii) Voting shall be by secret ballots.
F) All members are entitled to one and only one vote each.
G) Elections shall be won by the candidate with the simple majority, that is the candidate with the highest number of votes in the total votes cast.
H) In the event of a tie, a by-election or run-off election shall be held between the tied candidates. And if the tie still remains after the by-election, the faculty adviser of the Union shall cast the deciding vote. The Faculty adviser shall not vote to abstain.
I) A By-election shall be conducted at the following General Assembly meeting in the event of a resignation or removal of any person or persons from an elected position. All the above election procedures shall apply to any by-election.

 

ARTICLE 18: FACULTY ADVISERS

The Union shall meet the University of Georgia requirement and appoint an official Faculty Adviser. The Faculty Adviser shall be:
a) A faculty member of the African Studies Program and the University of Georgia.
b) Interviewed, selected and proposed to the General Assembly by the Executive Committee.
c) Appointed by the General Assembly based on the advice of the Executive Committee.
d) Appointed for a term of not more than two school years.
e) An Ex-Officio Member of the executive Committee and shall, mandatory, attend the executive committee meetings at least once every semester.
f) Have an advisory function in the activities of the Union and shall also perform other functions as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee.
g) The Executive Committee shall have the mandate to co-opt other faculty advisers for specific advisory functions.

 

ARTICLE 19: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

A) This Constitution and its provisions shall remain effective unless amended by General Assembly of the Union or any of its organs, working under the directions of the General Assembly.
B) Any member who has fulfilled all financial obligations as stated in Article 4(g) shall have the right to propose an amendment to the Constitution or any or its provisions.
C) All proposed amendment shall be deliberated upon by the General Assembly.
D) Any amendment to this Constitution or any of the provisions contained in it, shall be with the approval of 75% of members present at a constitutional meeting of the general assembly meeting which satisfies the quorum provision as stated in Article 15.
E) Sections of the Constitution can be temporarily suspended. Any motion to temporarily suspend any section of the constitution can be made by any member who has fulfilled all membership obligations, as stated in Article 4. The motion must be seconded by any other member who has fulfilled all membership obligations, as stated in Article 4, and must be approved by an unanimous decision of the General Assembly.

 

ARTICLE 20: DISSOLUTION

The Union shall stand dissolved:
A) In the event of a resolution to such an effect by 95% of members present at a constitutionally constituted General Assembly.
B) In the event of a decision by the University of Georgia to dissolve all student Unions with similar aims and objectives as the Union.
In the event of the dissolution of the Union, all the Union's assets shall be handled by the Student's Activities Board of the University of Georgia.

 

APPENDIX 1:
This constitution of the African Students Union of the University of Georgia is drafted and presented today in recognition of the work done by members of the General Assembly the Executive council of the Union since its inception. Also in recognition of the work done by previous Constitution Review Committees:
1981 Review Committee 1986 Review Committee
Ben A. Eshun Chairperson Pierre Osei-Owusu Chairperson
Patrick Eze Dr. D. Wilson Daaman
Abdul Aziz Kwessi DeGraft Hansen
Martha Ndipnchot Charles Okebalama
Dr. Mandla Tshabalala Mohammed Baderu
Jacob Ngeve Paul Kwakyi
1988 Review Committee 1990 Review Committee
Abalo M. Widi Tchala Chairman Jean Ouadreago
Simeon Hau Secretary
Charity K. Mizinga
Augustine Ginigeme
Daniel Wubah
Dr. Salikoko Mufwene Adviser of the Union

APPENDIX 2:
THE CONSTITUTION DRAFTING COMMITTEE:
We the members of the Constitution Drafting Committee, this day, the 17th, of May, 1998, hereby present the African Students Union (A.S.U) draft constitution and its content for the deliberation and approval of the General Assembly.
We the following people do this in the belief that the Union shall ratify and uphold this Constitution and that the Union shall stand to be the unifying force for Africans at the University of Georgia to achieve the purpose of promoting and developing the African heritage within the University of Georgia and its environs.

APPENDIX 3:
This Constitution is approved by the General Assembly of the African Students' Union [A.S.U], University of Georgia, Athens, this 30th day of May, 1998. And it shall take effect immediately.
Long Live Africa!
Long live A.S.U!!!
Signed,
Akinloye Ojo
For: The Constitution Drafting Committee.
Simba Ndubi
PRESIDENT.