Caribbean Student
Association Constitution
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Article I: Name and Purpose
The goals of the Caribbean Student Association (CSA)
are to promote pride and awareness of the Caribbean
Culture amongst its members and the Vanderbilt
Community at large; to provide strong links among
the Caribbean Students and the Faculty at
Vanderbilt; and to keep the Vanderbilt Community
informed on events and issues that affect the
Caribbean. All of these goals shall be accomplished
through a variety of extra-curricular activities
aimed at fulfilling intellectual, social, and
cultural exchange.
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Article II: Membership
Section I: Requirements
A.
Membership is open to all Vanderbilt
students interested in the goals of the CSA.
Membership shall not be denied to anyone on the
basis of race, sex, creed, religious preference, or
cultural background.
Section II: Procedures to become a member.
A.
One must fill out an application form
available from any Executive Member.
B.
One must pay dues of $ 5.00 per annum at
the first general body meeting.
Section III: Membership Standings
The standing of each
member will be determined based on the payment of
dues and his/her attendance record for General
Meetings. To be in good standings one must attend a
minimum of one- half (1/2) of these General Meetings
during the current academic year and must have paid
the yearly dues.
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Article III: General Body
Section I: Meetings
A.
Order
·
The President shall call the meeting
to order.
·
The Secretary will read the previous
meeting’s minutes
·
The President will discuss the main
business of the meeting
·
The President will open the floor to
new business
·
The secretary will record all minutes
The Executive Board will decide on the meeting’s
business prior to each General Meeting.
A.
Notification
The body of the CSA is to be notified of all General
Meetings at least five (5) days in advance of each
meeting.
B.
Emergency General Meetings
All emergency General Meetings are to be called by
the Executive Board.
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Article IV: Executive Body
Section I: Officers and Office Description
A.
President :
The president of the CSA is acknowledged as the head
of the organization in all of its functions and in
relations with other organizations on and off
Vanderbilt’s Campus. The president will oversee all
aspects of the organization so as to enable it to
effectively achieve its goals.
B.
Vice-President:
The Vice-President will assist the president in all
of his/her duties and shall administer them in
his/her absence. Additionally, the Vice-President
shall ensure that all activities of the CSA are in
accordance with the Constitution of the CSA. In the
event of the secretary’s absence, the Vice-President
will also read the previous meeting minutes.
C.
Treasurer:
The Treasurer of the CSA will be responsible for
maintaining the records of all funds and
expenditures of the organization. He/She will
prepare all financial documents of the CSA and
co-sign such documents with the President. The
Treasurer will report the status of the CSA’s
finances as specified by the Executive Board.
D. Secretary :
The Secretary will record, preserve and maintain all
minutes, papers, attendance records and official
correspondence of the CSA. He/She is also
responsible for reading the previous meeting minutes
at every general body and executive board meeting.
E. Public Relations Officer:
The Public Relations Officer will serve as a liaison
between the CSA and other organizations within and
outside Vanderbilt University. The Public Relations
Officer will attend meetings and events requiring
official representation by the CSA.
F. Telecommunication Chair: The Telecommunication officer will be
responsible for emails, creating and maintaining the
CSA website, graphic designs, photography, and other
duties in accordance with the technological
necessities of the CSA.
Section II: Committees
The Executive
Board will, if it deems necessary, establish
committees to address any concerns. The Executive
Board will accept nominations for Committee chairs
if the motion is made in a General Meeting and is
seconded. The Executive Board will select the
Committee chairs who are then responsible for
recruiting committee members.
Section III: Executive Board
A.
Composition
The Executive Board will be composed of the
President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, the
Secretary, the Public Relations Officer, and the
Telecommunication officer.
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Article V: Election of Officers
Section I: Nominations
A.
Nominations for Executive Board Officers will
take place at a General Meeting to be announced by
the Executive Board in the spring semester prior to
the year of service. Additional nominations may be
taken at the first General Body Meeting of the fall
semester.
B.
Each candidate must satisfy requirements for
good standing in the CSA.
Section II: Election and Election Procedure
A.
Each office will be filled by the candidate
receiving greater than fifty (50) percent of the
votes cast.
B.
In the event of a tie, the Executive Board
will vote to break the tie. The Executive Board’s
vote must be unanimous.
C.
Elections will be held by a secret ballot at
a General Meeting to be announced by the Executive
Board.
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Article VI: Impeachments
Section I: Impeachment
Should any member have reason to
accuse any officer of the CSA of unconstitutional
behavior or gross misconduct in office or of public
behavior bringing disrepute to CSA, any member may
bring said officer before an impeachment hearing.
This member must first present the President and
Vice-President each a statement in writing,
explaining all grievances. The Executive Board will
then meet, in the absence of the impeached officer
to discuss the severity of the matter. The Executive
Board will then call an impeachment hearing during
the next Executive Board meeting.
Section II: Removal from Office
The accused officer will be
entitled to hear evidence against him/her and offer
any defense. A unanimous vote by secret ballot of
all members of the Executive Board is necessary for
removal of the officer; he/she will be removed from
office if requirements are met for removal.
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Article VII: Amendments
Amendments to this constitution may be
brought by any member of the CSA. This member must
present the proposed amendment in writing to both
the President and Vice-President. The amendment is
to be examined by the Executive Board. The Executive
Board will then open the floor for debate on the
amendment during the next General Meeting. The Board
will then vote on the amendment, with a majority
vote necessary for passage.
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Article VIII: Ratifications
The Constitution will become effective immediately
upon being approved by a majority vote of the
Executive Board at the Executive Board Meeting when
the Constitution will be ratified.
