constitution

Constitutionof the Hmong Student Association

Article One Name
The name of this organization shall be the Hmong Student Association (HSA) of UW-Eau Claire.
Article Two Objectives
The establishment of HSA is to serve the following purposes:

To play an active role in providing social and mutual support for each other

To promote and enhance leadership skills of Hmong students in higher education

To assist the University in increasing its number of Hmong Students

To advocate for the inclusion of a Hmong-related curriculum in this institution

To promote awareness of the Hmong culture within the campus and throughout the community

To network with other students and similar Associations at other colleges and universities

Article Three Membership
This Association is open to any UW-Eau Claire/CVTC student, faculty, administrative staff, and dedicated community members.

Membership fees will be $15 per semester or $20 per academic year.

Membership fees, along with collaborative funding efforts, will not be used to purchase alcohol, promotional materials for unofficial events and anything else that cannot be consumed or used by everyone.

To play an active role in providing social and mutual support for each other

Additional criteria can be determined annually by each new Executive Board and/or student members.

Article Four Executive Board
The officers of this Association shall consist of the:

President

Vice-President

Secretary

Treasurer

Public Relations

Social Coordinator

Advisor(s)

By-Laws of the Constitution
Article One Executive Board Members
The President shall:

Preside at all general and Executive Board meetings.

Have the authority to control, direct, and execute HSA’s goals.

Be responsible for maintaining a proper operation of the Association.

The Vice-President shall:

Perform the duties of the President in his/her absences.

Advise the President according to his/her duties.

Assist the President to maintain, promote, and execute HSA’s goals.

The Secretary shall:

Keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Association.

Keep members informed of all meeting information.

Assist the President in writing correspondence.

The Treasurer shall:

Keep accurate financial records of the Association.

Be responsible for collecting and keeping all funds.

Pay bills in the name of the Association. (Expenditure must be approved by the Executive Board.)

The Public Relations shall:

. Be responsible for publicizing and promoting the ideas and/or goals of HSA to others.

Report any relevant public news/information to its members.

Have a high awareness of local issues to inform the members.

Respond appropriately to issues.

Assist in recruiting new members.

The Social Coordinator shall:

Be present at all social activities.

Create and maintain records of social activities and/or events.

Be in charge of programming social activities.

Appoint members to assist in committees relating to social activities

Article Two Duties of the Executive Board
The Executive Board shall:

Execute the general policies determined by its members.

Have the authority to act on behalf of the Association on matters demanding immediate attention.

Have the right to initiate the recall of any elected officials for just cause, after due notice and hearing.

Have the right to hold a general assembly where HSA members may vote for the retention or recall of an elected official. (It shall require a ¾ vote of the members present to remove an official.)

Have the right to take disciplinary actions towards member(s) who exhibit inappropriate behaviors/actions toward the Association.

Article Three Advisor(s)
The advisor(s) must be a faculty/staff member of UW-Eau Claire. The advisor(s) shall advise the Association on student related activities; do whatever is necessary to assist the Association in meeting its goals; and meet with the officers when necessary.
Article Four Terms of Office
Terms for all offices are one year. No one officer shall hold more than one position at the same time. If an Executive Officer wishes to resign, his/her resignation must be made 2 weeks in advance. If a vacancy shall occur in the office of the President for any reason, the Vice-President shall become the President. He/she shall choose a new Vice-President with 2/3 approval of the members to fill the office of the Vice-President. If the Vice-President does not want to be the President then the vacancy shall be filled by an election. The Vice-President retains his/her position. If a vacancy shall occur in any of the other positions, a special election shall be held with 2/3 approval of the members in order to fill the position.
Article Five Committee
The President shall appoint all chairperson(s) with the approval of the Executive Board. Prior to the appointment, the chairperson(s) must have been with the association for at least a semester of membership.
Article Six Meetings
Meetings shall be determined and announced by the Executive Board, headed by the President, prior to the first general meeting of each semester. General meetings shall be twice a month. All meetings and events will require attendance in facilities and establishments that allow persons of any age entry. The Executive Board shall meet whenever necessary to discuss planning, issues or problems relevant to the Association.
Article Seven Elections

Any candidate can self-nominate or be nominated by others for any of the positions.

The positions of President and Vice President shall run as a team.

Nominee must be a currently enrolled student at UW-Eau Claire and be a member of HSA.

Nominee must have a majority vote of the ballots cast to be elected.

Only paid members have the right to vote.

Elections shall be held in March.

Article Eight Primary Control
The Hmong Student Association shall be responsible for the observance of the rules and regulations established by the University and the primary control shall rest with the student members of the Association.
Article Nine Non-discrimination
In compliance with all federal and state laws and university policies, HSA and its subordinate bodies and officers shall not discriminate for or against anyone, for any reason of age, sex, marital or parental status, race, creed or religion, color, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability.
Article Ten Amendments
Any section of the Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of HSA members. Voting for the amendment(s) may be held at any regular or special meeting. The amendment to be voted upon must be submitted in writing to the Association at least ten days prior to the voting and/or read by the Secretary at the previous meeting.
Written and Drafted in 1988 by: Youa Vang
Revised and Amended in 1996-97 by the Lee and Vang Administration.
Revised and Amended in 1998-99 by the Xiong and Vang Administration.
Revised and Amended in 2003-04 by the Lee and Lee Administration—Yang, Yang and Lee.
Revised and Amended in 2008-09 by the Vang and Xiong Administration.