FCA-GMU | Constitution

The Constitution of the Filipino Cultural Association
Of George Mason University
Proposed Constitution by Nino Benedict P. Tejada and Fe Marie O. Bravante

Preamble
Mission Statement
Article One: Name of Organization
Article Two: Purpose of Organization
Article Three: Membership
Article Four: Officers
Article Five: Elections and Adivsor
Article Six: Meetings
Article Seven: Finance
Article Eight: Amendments
Article Nine: Ratification

Word Documentation

We, the students of GMU, have decided to re-amend our Constitution. Any questions about validity of actions and purposes should be answered through the Constitution. This is the highest law in our organizing body.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission is to share the rich traditions of Filipinos and facilitate social and politcal growth within the George Mason University Community.

• The name of this organization shall be Filipino Cultural Association of George Mason University.

• To share the rich traditions of Filipinos and to facilitate social/political growth within the George Mason University community.
• The purpose of this organization is to show the traditions and the culture of our Kababayan in our ancestral motherland, The Philippines. We shall exhibit, to the best of our ability, to our GMU community the closeness of the Filipino-American Community.

• Membership in this organization will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, sex or age.
• Membership is given in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• All active members must be enrolled GMU students with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0, and in good academic standing with George Mason University.
• Active Students: GMU students that attend meetings and pay dues.
• Associate: Faculty/staff, community members, other D6 members.
• Honorary: Alumni
• A member must pay dues and attend meetings/activities to be recognized as an active member.
• A full member has the right to vote for the Executive Board members and Officers, voice opinion, run for office, and to participate in FCA activities.
• Membership privileges may be revoked if he or she is suspended from school, or if they are disruptive towards the general well-being of our most beloved FCA.

• The President is the symbolic/honorary head of our organization. He/She must delegate tasks and take charge of general body meetings. The President must represent our organization internally and externally.
• The Vice-President is second in succession to the President and is in charge of running the Executive Board meetings. He/She must facilitate Executive Board meetings and always serves as the tiebreaker in the impeachment process.
• The Secretary shall dictate notes in both general body meetings and E-board meetings.
• The Treasurer must handle monetary concerns of this organization.
• Term limits: The officers and the E-board members shall maintain office for one school year or two semesters.
• Impeachment and removal from office: Any officer or E-board member who is not fulfilling his/her duties may be impeached by the Officers and E-board. Process of impeachment will be ratified on a later date.

ELECTIONS
• Elections should take place annually during the last week of April.
• Votes shall be cast secretly by any full member.
• Nominees for office shall present their views in an open forum and respond to questions posed by members.
• In the event of a tie, the general body shall re-cast ballots for one of the two nominees.
• In the event that an individual is incapable of holding office, the Officers and E-board with accordance of the general body must nominate another qualified person/s. After nominations, re-election must take place immediately.

ADVISOR
• The primary advisor shall be a member of faculty or staff at GMU.
• The advisor will be selected by the Officers and E-Board at a close session.
• The advisor will be dismissed if he or she garners a vote of no confidence by the Officers and E-Board at a close session.
• The advisor may offer guidance and support of our organization, but has no voting privileges.

• The general body shall convene twice a month. The Officers and E-Board shall meet whenever needed.
• The President presides over general body meetings and the Vice-President shall preside over all E-Board meetings.
• All active members are expected to attend meetings. Attendance in E-Board meetings is mandatory.
• In a closed forum, the E-Board may select agenda with a simple majority vote. In the event of a tie, the Vice-President shall cast the tiebreaker.
• Special meetings shall be called when needed.
• We, the general body, Officers, and E-Board will act accordingly, civilly, and respectively in all meetings (close and open sessions).

• Dues can be paid by semester ($7) or annually ($10).
.
Article Eight: AMENDMENTS

• For proposing and approving amendments to this constitution, the Officers and E-Board must first notify the general body, and then, vote for changes in a closed forum with the Vice-President as the tiebreaker.
• The Office of Student Activities must review all amendments in the same manner as a completely new constitution.

• Ratification of the Constitution shall take place by notifying the general body. After notification, the Officers and E-Board shall vote in a closed session with the Vice-President as the tiebreaker.

This constitution shall become effective upon approval by a ¾ vote of the membership, the Council of Student Organization Umbrella Leaders and the Associate Dean of University Life/
Director of Student Activities.