Asian American Association Constitution

Preamble

The Asian American Association seeks to promote Asian awareness and culture through social, service, and collaborative events.

Article I. Name

Asian American Association

Article II. Purpose

To promote Asian culture and awareness to the University of Michigan Community.

Article III. Membership

Section 1.

Any University of Michigan student, faculty, or alumnus/a

Section 2.

One can become a member by buying a AAA membership card.

Section 3.

Members can withdraw at any time.

Article IV. Officers

Section 1.

Co-Chairs [2] Primary Responsibilities: To meet with each other to discuss board meeting agenda and to determine long-term goals of AAA. The primary role of the Co-Chairs is to facilitate board meetings and to ensure other members are carrying out their duties. Certain staple events (Multicultural Games Night, Lunar Ball, Mr. and Ms. APA, etc.) can be led and directed by the Co-Chairs, but most events should be in the hands of the entire executive board. Additional Responsibilities: In order to maximize time usage, miscellaneous decisions are made by the Co-Chairs. Much of the beginning planning of the organization (first mass meeting, designing the membership card, and ordering t-shirts) is to be completed by the Co-Chairs during the summer; however, steps can be taken to distribute these responsibilities among the executive board. In the long-term perspective, Co-Chairs should cultivate board members and general members into leaders of the Asian Pacific American community. Social Chair Primary Responsibilities: To brainstorm and generate ideas for social events that AAA would like to host. The Social Chair determines the type of social gathering and is in charge of balancing the social, cultural, and educational aspects of the said event. In addition, the Social Chair also brings together ideas of other board members for potential social events that AAA may wish to hold. If events require collaborators, the social chair decides which organizations to contact. The Social Chair is also in charge of generating an event proposal that will be implemented upon approval by the rest of board. Additional Responsibilities: Social Chair is also in charge of encouraging personal contact with general members, for e.g. holding a ?coffee hour? once a week where general members can meet with board members. Service Chair Primary Responsibilities: To outreach to the community by organizing and seeing through service events and projects. This entails speaking with relevant contacts and gaining permission/authorization to provide service. The Service Chair is in charge of recruiting general members and other individuals to attend community service events. This may involve brainstorming ways to maximize participation by collaborating with the Social Chair. If a service event requires the aid of other student organizations, the Service Chair will act as the primary contact. For philanthropic events hosted by AAA, the Service Chair is responsible for researching and finding reliable, trustworthy charities that would contribute most to the community. Additional Responsibilities: The Service Chair attends UAAO meetings as AAA?s advocate. He/She is responsible for voicing AAA?s interests and concerns to UAAO as well as relaying back information from UAAO to AAA. Note: as the AAA Advocacy Chair is representative of the entire organization, he/she must ensure that the information brought forth to UAAO is an accurate assessment of the views of the entire executive board. Finance Chair Primary Responsibilities: To apply for funding through university resources (BPC, CSC, MESA, Residence Halls Association, Multicultural Councils, Academic Departments, etc.) and non-university resources (local businesses, corporation, etc.). The Finance Chair is in charge of the SOAS account and the AAA money box. In addition, the Finance Chair keeps accurate records of all financial transactions and reimburses board members for dues incurred for AAA purposes. The Finance Chair ensures that financial security of the organization. Additional Responsibilities: To plan effective fundraising events and to find other means of securing as much funds as possible for the organization. Not only does the Finance Chair secure funds for AAA, he/she also considers ways of cutting costs either through sponsorships or elimination of unnecessary items. In addition, the Finance Chair must think long-term and secure a sufficient amount of money for next year?s AAA board. Programming Chair Primary Responsibilities: To reserve rooms, transportation and equipment, and to arrange for catering if necessary, for events hosted by AAA. The Programming Chair primarily contacts the room directors of the Michigan Union, Michigan League, and Trotter Multicultural Center. In addition, securing venues outside the university setting (such as bowling alleys, laser parks, and canoeing rental places) may be necessary depending on the type of event. Additional Responsibilities: To discuss the optimal room layout and to brainstorm about interior decorating schemes for AAA events. Public Relations Chair Primary Responsibilities: The Public Relations Chair is in charge managing the organizations general email list (asian.american.association@umich.edu) and the board mailing list (aaaboard@umich.edu). Also, He/She designs and sends the organization?s promotional materials (mainly emails and fliers). The Public Relations Chair is also in charge of securing Diag boards, monthly newsletter, and other means of advertisement for AAA events. Additional Responsibilities: To brainstorm ways to best promote AAA events; To create meeting minutes during each of the weekly board meetings; Assist the Advocacy Chair in the creation and/or forwarding of weekly newsletter emails to general members; Be the alternate advocate to UAAO weekly meeting if the Service Chair is unable to attend a meeting. Webmaster Primary Responsibilities: To design, maintain, and update the organization?s website (http://www.umich.edu/~umaaa/). Designing the layout of the website is completed during the summer and updating the website about AAA events is continuous throughout the year. Categories generally found within the website include: board information, AAA social and service events, gallery, sponsors, and links. Additional categories and ideas may be added and is up to the discretion of the Webmaster and the Co-chairs. Additional Responsibilities: To photograph AAA events and collect photos submitted by general members and other board members. To work with the Public Relations Chair in designing flyers. Freshmen Representative [2] Primary Responsibilities: The Freshmen Representative acts as the liaison between AAA Board and the freshmen population. He/She will represent AAA to the freshmen class by promoting events and meetings to 1st year undergraduate students. The Freshmen Representative will also assist other board members in their daily tasks and duties. Additional Responsibilities: Create events dedicated to freshmen members to aide in their adjustment to college life.

Section 2.

Officers will not constitute an executive committee.

Section 3.

To provide advice on potential problems that may occur with the organization.

Article V. Operations

Section 1.

Any University of Michigan student.

Section 2.

Officers are elected by the outgoining board members from the previous year. Officer elections take place at then end of the Winter semester. Officers are elected to ensure that the organization can continue planning events.

Section 3.

Officers assume their positions as soon as they are elected.

Section 4.

Article VI. Finances

Section 1.

The Asian American Association will finance its activities by securing funding from LSA government, BPC, and through the sale of memberships.

Section 2.

The Finance chair is responsible for the organization's finances.

Article VII. Amendments

Section 1.

Amendments can be proposed at our weekly board meetings.

Section 2.

Any member of the Asian American Association may propose an amendment.

Section 3.

Amendments will be voted on at the board meeting followiing its proposal. All current members present at the board meeting will be allowed to vote.

Article VIII. Registration Renewal

Section 1.

Article IX. Removal of Membership

Section 1.

Officers will be removed if they fail to fulfill their responsibilities.

Section 2.

The co-chairs will decide if an officer is to be removed.

Section 3.

If a member signifcantly impedes the organization from fulfilling its misson statement by his/her actions or behavior.

Section 4.

Members will be asked to leave the organization by the organization's officers.

Article X. By-Laws

Board Elections Board members are elected by board members from the outgoing board. Board members serve for a term for one year. Board members are eligible for re-election.