AFRICAN STUDENT UNION

University of Louisville
CONSTITUTION

The University of Louisville African Students Union is a student organization at the University of Louisville committed to the cultural, economic, intellectual, and political awareness of the African continent. We are the Louisville community for students from Africa, connected to Africa, or interested in Africa. Anyone who is looking for lively debates, cultural shows, music, and African cuisine will find a welcoming home at ASU. We also organize various cultural and promotional events to build community and foster collaboration amongst African students and those interested in Africa. We strive to encourage awareness of Africa within our UofL community and the greater Louisville-Metro area. Preamble: For the purposes deemed wise and good, hereinafter set forth, this organization is hereby established submitting itself to be by, and dedicating itself to uphold the following constitution. Article I: Name The name of this organization shall be the African Student Union (ASU) Article II: Purpose The purpose of African Student Union is to promote cultural, economic, intellectual, and political awareness of the African continent to our UofL community and the greater Louisville-Metro area. Article III: Membership Section 1 Membership shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, or emotional disability. Section 2 Regular membership shall consist of students and faculty of the University of Louisville who have agreed to uphold this Constitution and to participate fully in the activities of this organization. A. Only regular members who have paid dues in full shall have the right to vote and shall be referred to as Voting Regular members. Section 3 Non-student membership shall consist of alumni or members of the community who have fulfilled the requirements of Article III Section 2. The membership of the organization will not consist of more than 50% of non-students. A. Only Non-student members who have paid dues in full shall have the right to vote and shall be referred to as Voting Non-student members. Section 4 Only students of the University of Louisville have the privilege to run for office and serve as executive board members. Section 5 Due prices will be decided by the elected board Article IV: Officers Section 1 The officers of this organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, 1 or 2 Secretaries, and a Treasurer, and shall collectively be referred to as the Executive Board. Public Relations and Community Outreach chairs can be added or removed based on necessity by the primary Executive

board Section 2 The President is responsible for upholding the mission of the organization and representing the organization to the university and Louisville community. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Oversee and coordinates all functions of the African Student Union. Make sure that the executive board members are carrying out their responsibilities Provide follow-up to organizational tasks Preside at all ASU meetings Facilitate executive board meetings Maintain contact with other student organizations and university departments. Represent ASU at official functions

Section 3 The Vice President assists the President. He/She is responsible for taking charge when the President is not available, and making sure that ASU business runs smoothly. A. Assume the duties of the President as needed (assisting the President with the oversight of the student organization including fundraising, event planning, etc.) B. Represent the group at internal and external events C. Perform other duties as directed by the President Section 4 Secretaries are responsible for all of the records, files, and details that are important for the smooth operation of ASU. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. Record and maintain the minutes of each ASU meeting Correspond between ASU and outside individuals or organizations as needed Keep a record of all ASU activities Create and distributes agendas for each meeting Maintain attendance at all meetings Represent ASU at official functions Perform other duties as directed by the Vice President

Section 5 The treasurer documents expenses and keeps a record of all financial transactions of the organization. A. Process all paperwork related to reimbursement of expenses, ensuring that the appropriate signatures are obtained. B. Provide updates on the budget at meetings, as needed. C. Serve as a secondary signatory on financial accounts D. Work with the President in developing budget requests for funding support. E. The treasurer is also responsible for making sure that our account is managed responsibly. F. Participate in fundraising discussions Section 6 Public Relations & Community Outreach chairs develop, coordinate, and implement the recruitment strategy for ASU and plan how ASU is presented to the UofL campus and Louisville community. A. Plan, organize and coordinate a year-round ASU advertising and recruitment plan both on campus and the community. B. Maintain a list of prospective members C. Make sure all potential new members are on the list with the correct contact information

D. Encourage and require the participation of all ASU members. E. Oversee a small advertising committee and follow-up with committee members to be sure everyone is making a buzz about upcoming events via social media F. Stay in contact with community organizations. G. Contact other Student Organizations for collaboration possibilities and set up meetings. Section 7 A member of the staff or faculty of University of Louisville should be the advisor. Section 8 The term of office for the officers shall be from the end of one academic year to the end of the following academic year. Section 9 In case any official intends to resign, a written letter of intent will be handed to the Secretary at least one week before the date the official intends to vacate the office. In case the Secretary wants to resign, similar communication will be handed to the president or the Vice president. Article V: Elections Section 1 Candidates for any office of this organization must be Regular Voting Members, thus being students of the University of Louisville. Section 2 Election of officers shall take place at an E-board meeting called for that purpose to occur within the last thirty days of the spring semester. Section 3 Election of officers shall be by a majority vote of the Executive board. Section 4 In case of a tie, the Current President shall cast the deciding vote. Section 5 If there is only one candidate applying for an office, that candidate shall take office by default. Section 6 Officers may be re-elected without limitation Article VI: Meetings Section l The board shall decide the time and place of the regular meetings of the E-board and ASU General Body. Section 2 The President may call special meetings of the organization. Article VII: Committees Section 1 ASU special committees will be formed whenever the need for such arises. Section 2 The Chairman of said committees shall be responsible for reports to the Executive Board and/or Union at the call of the E-board. Article 8: Impeachment & Removal Section 1 Any officer may be removed by a three-fourths vote of the membership.

Section 2 In case of a tie, the Faculty Advisor shall cast the deciding vote. Section 3 A vacancy of any office shall be filled by Presidential appointment, subject to the approval of the membership. Article 9: Amendments Section 1 One or more voting members of this organization may author an amendment to this Constitution. Section 2 The amendment shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board for review and recommendation concerning legality, punctuation, placement, and word order. Section 3 The Executive Board shall present the amendment at the next meeting of this organization, a copy of the amendment being given to each voting member of this organization and voted on. Section 4 If passed, at the next meeting following the acceptance of an amendment, updated copies of this Constitution shall be given to each voting member. Article 11: Enactment This constitution was accepted on this day, May 2013 during term of E-board President, Olivetta Uradu and Vice President, Nurio Ahmed.