Constitution

Preamble
We, the St. Ambrose University (SAU) Minority Affairs Community Action (MACA) hereby establish the constitution of the St. Ambrose University, Minority Affairs Community Action.  The purpose of this document is to guide MACA’s actions in providing the communities of SAU with cultural, educational and social events.  Actions shall be in accordance to the conditions and intentions stated below and to St. Ambrose University policies and procedures

Article I
Name and Purpose

Section 1
Name
The name of this organization shall be the "St. Ambrose University Minority Affairs Community Action."

Section 2
Purpose of the Council
The purposes for which this council was formed and the ends towards which it will strive are:

1.  To promote cultural, spiritual, social and educational growth through diversity activities and volunteerism

2.  To provide opportunities to develop organizational and leadership skills

3.  To coordinate campus wide events and activities that will add cultural appreciation to the St. Ambrose experience

Article II
Membership, Composition and Positions

Section 1
Membership
Minority Affairs Community Action shall consist of four Executive Board members, committee members and one advisor, the Graduate Assistant for Minority Affairs.  Each Executive Board member of Minority Affairs Community Action shall hold membership for one year, and must reapply for subsequent involvement.

Section 2
Requirements for Membership

1.  Maintain satisfactory academic standing established by St. Ambrose University.  Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 for all Executive Board members.

2.  Members must strive for the growth and betterment of the organization by taking part in   Minority Affairs Community Action opportunities to the fullest extent possible.  

Section 3
Composition  

1.  Minority Affairs Community Action membership includes the Executive Board and SAU students who assist in planning MACA events.  

2.  The Executive Board shall be composed of eight members.  Positions are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Ethnic Celebrations Chairs, Campus Community Bulletin Board Information, Volunteer/Community Efforts, Social Activities

3.  The Executive Board positions shall be appointed in accordance with the procedures stated in Article III, Section 1.  

The Purpose of the Executive Council

• The executive council shall be the planning and legislative body.

• Shall fulfill the policies and mission enacted by this organization. 

• Shall have the power to initiate programs and activities for all members. 

• Shall have the power to direct grievances and resolutions to the members.

• Shall maintain a 2.5 GPA.

• Be responsible to the Executive Board for fulfilling the programming standards.             

• Must meet regularly with the advisor and chairpersons.  

• Recruit and train members to work on committees.

• Evaluate existing programs and projects with Executive Board members. 

• Evaluate programs within seven academic days following event.

• Complete the necessary reports as they relate to the specific events or projects.  

• Recognize that the primary role of MACA members is to be a student and stress the importance of academic obligations.  

• Abide by all University and Student Activities Office policies.  

• Serve as a resource for promotional ideas.

• Have full knowledge of all technical equipment, and/or seek training/assistance.

Duties of the President

• Maintain a positive relationship with advisor, other members, and SAU community.

• Preside at and conduct all meetings.

• Act as official host and representative of this organization in campus functions.

• Shall be responsible for implementing legislation enacted by the organization.

• Shall be responsible, with the consultation of the Executive Council, to see the constitution is adhered to.

• Shall have power to call emergency meeting when necessary.

• Be the senior student officer of MACA and as such provide the necessary leadership for achieving the purpose of MACA.  

• Preside at the meetings of MACA as a non-voting member, unless a tie exists.  

• Act as the major student spokesperson and representative of MACA in all cases, including public events and shall particularly be concerned with the public image of MACA.  

• Coordinate both short-term and long-term goals for the academic year.  Initiate and be responsible for facilitating all facets of group recognition including but not limited to awards, banquets, retreats, and involvement with institutional recognition.  

• Develop relationships with other universities' programming boards; including exploring co-sponsorship possibilities.

Duties of Vice President

• Shall fulfill the duties of the president as stated above, as needed.

• Shall oversee committees for the organization.

Duties of the Secretary . 

• Shall keep accurate and thorough minutes of the meetings.

• Shall type and distribute the minutes to the Executive Council and appropriate campus community members.

• Keep accurate records of all proceedings related to the MACA.  

• Shall be responsible for correspondence to other organizations and individuals.

• Shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate record of member attendance at all meetings.

• Shall be responsible for maintaining the Excel Spreadsheet that includes pertinent information from each meeting.

• Shall serve as a resource for promotional ideas.

Duties of the Treasurer

• Shall keep record of finances for the organization.

• Shall be responsible for collecting monies as needed.

• Shall give a financial report at each meeting.

• Work with Executive Council on appropriate budgeting.

• Shall serve as a resource for promotional ideas.

Ethnic Celebrations

·         Shall help to coordinate events for ethnic heritages, including: Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, African American History Month, Multicultural Week, and Asian/Pacific Heritage Month.  This committee requires one chair per “celebration.”                

Bulletin Board Updates

·         The bulletin board is located in the entryway of the Beehive.  The purpose of the Board is to promote cultural awareness, and upcoming MACA events.  The individuals serving on Ethnic Celebration committees need to have a person(s) designated to update the board for the “celebration.

Volunteer/Community Efforts

·         Events that focus on building a stronger community, such as Hunger Week, Collections for Battered Women and Children, and/or the Blood Drive for Sickle Cell patients are crucial to the mission of MACA.  The chair(s) for these events, generally collaborate with campus departments and/or organizations.                                                

Social Activities

·         Activities such as the college diversity retreat and Food Nights, at weekly meetings, allow for college students to work in partnership for a well-connected campus and neighborhood community.  The chair(s) for this event aims to provide activities that will allow for individuals to be productive, in a relaxed or informal setting.

Article III
Appointment, Removal and Replacement

Section 1
Executive Council Appointment Procedures
The procedures for selecting the Executive Council shall be as follows:  
1.  The student membership shall be notified of the upcoming appointment proceedings.  
2.  All interested individuals must submit the required application materials by the deadline set by the current Executive Board.  The application materials shall be available at the Student Activities Office.  
3.  All applicants are required to state the specific position(s) for which they are applying.
4.  All applicants shall participate in an interview process in order to be considered for a position.
5.  The student membership shall vote for each position; the majority (half plus one) decides the person who is eligible for the position.

Section 2
Removal
1.  Any MACA member shall be removed from their position for conduct that is inconsistent with the expectations and responsibilities stated in this constitution.
2.  A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Board is necessary for removal.  Secret ballots will be used.

Section 3
Replacement
Vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled within three weeks of resignation or removal.  Vacancies shall be filled by one of the following methods: (a) Following the guidelines of Article III, Section 1; (b) Selecting an individual who applied, but was not appointed to the Executive Board.

Article IV
Policies

Section 1
Attendance
Executive Board shall be required to attend all scheduled meetings and required events unless approved by the President or advisor prior to the meeting or required event.  Unexcused absences will place members at risk for removal from their positions.  Tardies and early dismissals must be excused in advanced, unless due to emergencies beyond human control.

Section 2
Scholarship Requirements
As stated in Article 2 Section 2. If scholarship requirements are not met, the individual will be automatically removed from their position.

Section 3
Advisor
The MACA advisor will be the Graduate Assistant for Minority Affairs.

Section 4
Funding
St. Ambrose University, through the planning/budgeting process, funds Minority Affairs Community Action.

Section 5
Alcohol and Drugs  
1.  No MACA member shall be visibly under the influence at any MACA event.  
2.  No MACA member may drink at a MACA event where alcohol is not permitted by university sanction.  
3.  No Executive Board member or committee member shall consume alcohol prior to or during any event for which they are responsible.  
4.  The St. Ambrose University alcohol policy, stated in the student handbook, will be enforced at all MACA events.

Section 6
Non-discrimination
MACA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, physical handicap, or sexual orientation.

Section 7
Changes to Constitution  
1.  Constitution will be evaluated on a yearly basis.  
2.  Changes to the constitution may be made by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board.