Constitution of The Ohio State University

Chinese American Student Association



Article I. Name
The name of this organization will be Chinese American Student Association (CASA) at The Ohio State University.

Article II. Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote Chinese American culture and awareness between students, the university, and the community. It shall unite Chinese Americans and encourage communication among its members and other university organizations. It shall provide cultural education and history, events and services to the local residents.

Article III. Non-discrimination Policy
This organization and its members shall not discriminate against any individual(s) for reasons of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or handicap.

Article IV. Membership
Membership is open to anyone interested in the Chinese American culture. Others people, such as faculty, alumni, professionals, etc. are encouraged to become members but as non-voting associate or honorary members. Voting is limited to those that are currently enrolled at The Ohio State University and has attended majority of all general membership meetings.

Article V. Executive Board
The elected officers and their respective duties shall be:

  1. President
    1. The President is chiefly responsible for the overall operation of the CASA;
    2. Preside over all general meetings and meetings of the Executive Board;
    3. Serve as an CASA liaison to the University and community networks;
    4. Maintain close contact with all the work of CASA;
    5. Serve as spokesperson for CASA;
    6. Oversee officer and member functions.
    7. For the founding year of CASA, there will be a President-Elect for the following year to allow for a smooth transition. It is his/her responsibility to study under the president of the present year. If this position is desirable after the first year, the position can be added via amending the constitution.
  2. Vice President
    1. Be in charge of the scheduling meetings;
    2. In the absence of the President, perform the duties of that office;
    3. Make sure that the goals of the CASA are fulfilled;
    4. Coordinate and expedite projects, programs, and business of CASA; and
    5. Serve as the primary person of contact for external and internal events.
  3. Treasurer
    1. Prepare budgets to submit to the President;
    2. Regulate the finances in strict line with the budget;
    3. Maintain the bank account;
    4. Organize the financial information of CASA;
    5. Collaborate with the Secretary in the writing of grant proposals;
    6. Attend Treasurer Training as required by the University;
    7. Be in charge of fundraising; and
    8. Maintain tax information and audit.
  4. Secretary
    1. Take minutes of each general and Executive Board meeting of CASA;
    2. Disseminate information to all members as requested by the officers;
    3. Maintain a calendar for upcoming events;
    4. Oversee and keep track of the listserv;
    5. Oversee chapter officers' lists; and
    6. Oversee the maintenance and preparation of formal CASA council paperwork, including documents and proposals.
  5. Historian
    1. Be in charge of recording all events;
    2. Maintain an updated list of past CASA activities; and
    3. Keep a record book of the history of CASA.
  6. Public Relation
    1. Maintain formal correspondence with other student organizations;
    2. Keep CASA well informed about events going on with other student organizations; and
    3. Be in charge of the coordination of events with other student organizations.
  7. Service/Social Chair
    1. Organize service and social events within and outside the organization and the community;
    2. Serve as a resource for any services or volunteering opportunities; and
    3. Be in charge of planning of events within the organization.
  8. Webmaster
    1. Maintain OSU CASA website and update weekly;
    2. Maintain website guestbook;
    3. Maintain listserv;
    4. Required to keep a portfolio of website folders and subsequent files;
    5. Required to have ftp access and an html editor; and
    6. Serve as contact for website issues.
  9. Language Officer
    1. Teach the history of the Chinese traditions;
    2. Plan cultural events; and
    3. Teach the Chinese language.
  10. Advisor
    1. Share knowledge, expertise, and experience;
    2. Serve as a resource;
    3. Aid in required organization paperwork;
    4. ct as liaison between CASA and the university; and
    5. Serve as a member of the Executive Board with all privileges granted to other Executive Board members except for voting.

Article VI. Meetings
The Ohio State University Chinese American Student Association shall hold at least one regular meeting weekly. Meetings shall be held at a specified time subject to change every quarter, as voted on by the Executive Board.

Article VII. Executive Board
The Executive Board is comprised of the elected officers of CASA. These officers represent the general membership and conduct business of the organization between general meetings of the membership and report its actions at the general meetings. Aside from the general membership meetings, the Executive Board shall meet at least once a week. Members of the Executive Office are mandated to attend all meetings. If the officer has more than one unexcused absence, he or she will be asked to resign or be removed from office. Excused absences include an exam for class, family emergency or bereavement, illness, and another meeting that cannot be rescheduled. If absent (excused or unexcused), you are not able to appeal or bring up anything gone over or voted from the meeting missed.

Article VIII. Electoral Procedures
Election will take place at or near the beginning of spring quarter. Ballot elections will be held for the above officer positions; if needed, new positions can be proposed and fulfilled. Anyone is eligible for office except for the position as President. The candidate for presidency must serve on the Executive Board for at least one year to be considered for this position unless under extreme circumstances in which there are not enough members to account for the leadership position. In such circumstances, a nomination is required from the Executive Board and approved by the general membership. Those seeking the position shall request nominations. Nominees shall provide a 3-5 minute speech and undergo a three minute question and answer session at the electoral meeting. Election of positions will require a majority vote by all voting members present at the electoral meeting in the form of a silent ballot. Appointment will go into effect at the start of the following summer quarter. Newly elected Executive Board Officers shall attend all CASA meetings spring quarter in a period of tutelage as non-speaking, non-voting members.

Article IX. Standing Committees
Such Standing Committees and special officers as may be necessary to carry out the work of The Ohio State University Chinese American Student Association shall be appointed by the Executive Board to serve during the tenure in office of the Board. The Standing Committee and Sub-Committees are under the government of the Executive Board. All committee responsibilities hence forth will be determined by the Executive Board and the need expressed by the general membership.

Article X. Method of Amending Constitution: Proposals, notice, and voting requirement
Proposals for Constitution amendment may be accepted from any active members of CASA. Review of proposals will be undergone by the Executive Board. Legislation will require a majority vote of the Executive Officer present at the scheduled amendment meeting. If the preliminary review of proposal was passed by the Executive Board, a 2/3 majority vote of the voting active membership present at the scheduled amendment meeting is required in order to pass the amendment.

Article XI. Method of Dissolution of Organization Dissolution of the organization must be agreed upon by the entire Executive Board and voted upon by the organization as a whole. The dissolution of Chinese American Student Association requires a unanimous vote from the current active membership.