Archipelago Caribbean Association Constitution

Archipelago Caribbean Association Constitution 

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: Archipelago Caribbean Association

Section 2:

  1. To enlighten students faculty members and administrators of the two campuses about the Caribbean culture.
  2. To plan and execute events on the two campuses that will celebrate Caribbean culture.
  3. To bring awareness to our campuses about current and historical Caribbean affairs.

Section 3: This organization will follow the institution and Joint Club Board (JCB) guidelines.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Participation and membership in this organization is open to all undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty members.

Section 2: Members are considered individuals who have requested and been put on the membership roster i.e. email distribution list. In order to be eligible to vote one must be on the membership roster.

Section 3: The Ethics Committee has the right to remove any member of the club.

Ethics Committee

  1. Any club member has the right to bring another member to the ethics committee. The reasons for this may include but is not limited to: conduct unbecoming of a member
  2. A member brought before the ethics committee has one week to prepare a statement to present to the committee.
  3. The committee, which consists of the executive board and any other four (4) members of the club to be selected by the Chief Ministers, shall meet to determine the verdict and sanction of the case.
  4. If the member is found guilty of the charge, the ethics committee must decide a sanction.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications

To be eligible for an executive board position, an individual must be considered a member of the club (Article II: Membership).

Section 2: Elected Officers

SJU Co-Chair, CSB Co-Chair

Lead the board. Keep association on track with the plans of the organization. Maintain overview of the association. Lead the board as a team (conduct meetings, facilitate planning/implementation/evaluation, develop team)

Help individual members with job responsibilities. Ensure development of new leaders. Maintain close relationship with Faculty/Staff Advisor and Administration.

Treasurer

Helps develop funds for budget. Administers association funds. Prepares reports for funding from the CSB and SJU Senates. Works with Board to develop an annual association budget. Plans and coordinates any fund raising projects. Coordinates solicitation of funds from Bahamian organizations, alumni, parents, churches, and senates.

Public Relations Officer

Advertises club events in light of club’s vision and goals. Works with other Board members in advertising special events. Develop specific advertising plans for each event, delegate responsibilities, and oversee preparations (music, food planning, dances). Obey the rules for advertising events as stated by the Joint Club Board (JCB) guidelines. Book space for events through the special events office.

Secretarial Affairs

Ensures effective communication within the club. Take minutes in meetings. Coordinate communication with the association. Work closely with Chief Ministers in planning events.

Technical Director

He/she will be required to assist with the organization and implementation of new and existing technological procedures. He/she has the authority to form committees to aid with his/her duty when there are events requiring his/her expertise 

Cultural Consultant 

He/She will assist with keeping the club updated with cultural trends all throughout the Caribbean so as to ensure that the club represents the Caribbean as accurately as possible. 

Creative Director 

The individuals appointed to this board position are required to come up with new and exciting ways to achieve what has been set out in the 2014-2015 agenda. They will be in charge of creating appealing campaigns so as to attract more members, and to uphold the very artistic connotation usually associated with the club, and the Caribbean region in general. 

 Section 4: Vacancy in Office

In the event of a vacancy a special election will be held to re-elect an individual for the position. 

Section 5: Removal of Officers

A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. This petition must contain the signatures of 75% of voting members. When such petition is received, the officer shall call a meeting of the club to determine whether or not the officer should be removed. Grounds for removal are to be presented by the officer in charge at a regular or special club meeting. The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing. The Ethics Committee will then vote to make the decision. 

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers

If a removed officer decides to appeal they will present their case to the Ethics Committee after one week of preparing their defense. They will present this defense to the Archipelago Association and the entire club will vote. A seventy-five percent (75%) agreement must be reached by the voters of the club in order for removal to be finalized. 

Article IV: Elections

Elections will be held in April and results will be reported to the Joint Clubs Board (JCB) by May 1st. 

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: The faculty/staff advisor shall be selected by the majority vote of the Board.

Section 2:

  1. Oversee the club meetings.
  2. See that plans agreed by members of the club are carried out.
  3. Assist Board members in carrying out responsibilities. 

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities

Meetings will be conducted every two weeks with notification being sent out (via email) to club members two days in advance. 

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the committed membership provided that no change is made in Article I. 

Article X:

The Archipelago Caribbean Association admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization. 

Article XI:

The Archipelago Caribbean Association considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Archipelago Caribbean Association recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing. 

Article XII:

The Archipelago Caribbean Association agrees that its activities, mission statement and goals are consistent with the Benedictine Values.  

Date of recognition/revision: October 10th 2014 

The Archipelago Caribbean Association admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.