Constitution

Preamble

We, the members of this organization, so ordain this constitution of Association for Chinese Students and Scholars, of Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri, as the Constitution for the members of the Association for Chinese Students and Scholars.  In accordance with the rules and regulations of Missouri State University, the laws of the State of Missouri, and the laws of the United States of America.

Article 1

Purpose of the Organization

Section 1:  The name of the organization:  Association for Chinese Students and     Scholars.

Section 2:  This organization is a social organization, its aims are:

1)      To promote mutual understandings and communications among Chinese students and scholars within the community.

2)      To strength links between Chinese students and scholars and other local organizations for better understanding of Chinese culture and recent achievement due to China's reforms and open door policies.

3)      To protect legal rights and benefits of Chinese students and scholars in accordance with the host country's laws and regulations.

Article 2

Membership

Section1.  All Chinese students and scholars are qualified for membership of the association.

Section 2:  Family members of Chinese students and scholars are all welcome to join the association.

Section 3:  Overseas Chinese students and scholars are also welcome to join the organization.

Section 4:  Nondiscrimination:  Missouri State is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. 

Article 3

Executive Body

Section 1:  President: 

Section 2:  Vice-President: 

Section 3:  Secretary:

Section 4:  Treasurer: 

Section 5:  Faculty Supervisor: 

Section 6:  Qualifications of Executive Officers:  Enthusiasm for public affairs, strong sense of social responsibility and adequate work experience. 

Section 7:  Selection process for the officers:  President is appointed by the elders from other officers of association.  President appoints vice-presidents.

Section 8:  Election date of officers is usually at the beginning of each new semester.  All the members are formed at the same time.

Section 9: the president and elders of association appoint Officers.

Section 10:  Academic or disciplinary probation:  Officers who do not full-fill their responsibilities must resign from their positions.

Section 11:  Executive officers are required to have a general over 2.0 GPA.

Article 4

Installation of the Executive Officers

Section1.  Term of office is 2 years.  Executive officers could serve more that one term.

Article 5

Committees

Section1.  Standing committees and chairperson:  could be number of sections depending on the number of committees.

Article 6

Resignation of Executive Officers

Section1.  Process for resignation:  Selected president will be announced at the first members meeting.  A formal memo will be sent to the Education Department of China Embassy Office at Chicago about the resignation.

Article 7

Impeachment and Removal from Office

Process for impeachment:  If officers don't full-fill their responsibilities or officers are impeached by over 1/3 of association members, officers have to be re-appointed by other officers.

Article 8

Meetings

Section 1.  Regular meetings:  A regular meeting will be held right after ISS meeting every other Tuesday afternoon.

Section 2.  Special meeting:  Special meeting will be held whenever association has parties or all other kinds of meetings.

Article 9

Amendment to the Constitution

Section 1.  If any agreements made for the association benefits by any member of the association, they could be proposed into constitution.

Section 2.  If 1/2 of association members agree with constitution proposed, it will be adopted.

Article 10

Ratification

Section1.  Constitution becomes valid as soon as 50% association members made agreement.

Section 2.  50% of the association votes needed is required for the constitution to be approved.

Article 11

Empowerment

Section 1.  This constitution takes effect since September 2001.