Mission Statement

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Constitution
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Vietnamese Student Association
Constitution

Preamble: The purpose of this organization is to promote awareness of Vietnamese culture throughout the school, build a Vietnamese community on campus, and cater to the interests of Vietnamese students and those interested in Vietnamese culture.

Officers/Elected positions

President:  The president's duty is to overlook the performance of the organization and its members, as well as delegate duties and work accordingly.  President is also responsible for any formal contracts or agreements dealing with the organization and its activities, will act as a liaison between board members and other organization leaders, and organize meetings between board members.  New presidents are in charge of recertifying the group and new board members.

Vice President:  Keeps track of all board member activities dealing with the organization and related events/programs.  Will also assist in presidential duties and fulfill the position of President if the current president is absent, unable, or unwilling to do so.

Business Manager:  Responsible for all documents and forms related to the financial needs and status of the organization.  Business manager will handle reimbursements, funds, and budget for the organization.

Secretary:  Responsible for keeping and organizing all documents related to the organization's activities, programs and events.  Secretary must keep track of group activity via minutes, and will update the general body on these activities through email.  Secretary is also responsible for maintaining the web group, taking attendance during meetings and events, and is responsible for submitting reservations.

Public Relations Chair:  Acts as a liaison between the board members and the campus as a whole through group/event/program advertising.  PR is responsible for the design and distribution of fliers/posters pertaining to group activities.

Webmaster:  Maintains and updates the group website periodically, assists PR in the design of fliers and advertising materials.  Webmaster must stay in contact with board members in order to keep informed on group activities.

Committees/Non-elected Positions

Advisor: Must be a member of the faculty or staff, and serves for a full academic year.  Advisor gives advice and recommendations pertaining to organization and organization's activities.
 
Organizational Committee:  Committee is headed by the Vice president and act as the group's historians.  Members of the committee are responsible for putting together program folders that include information dealing with the most recent event/program/activity.

Public Relations Committee:  Headed by the PR Chair. This committee handles the distribution of advertising materials related to the organization and its activities.

Elections of Officers

Elections are open to all undergraduate students of the University of Pittsburgh.  All candidates must be nominated either by a third party or self-nominated.  Voting privileges are limited to active student members in good standing with the organization.  Active members are defined as those who attend meeting/events frequently and participate in the organization's activities.
 
- Elections will be held during the second week of February and the new board will be instated in early March to allow adequate time for shadowing.
- All officer positions require a majority vote of members in attendance.
- Time and place of voting is at the discretion of the current board.
- Members in attendance may only cast one vote, and current board members retain the right to vote during this time.
- All officers will retain their position for one full academic year, and new officers will assume duties immediately following instatement.

Membership: Membership is open to all students enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh.  Interested students should contact any of the board members or email the group in order to join.  There are no financial requirements or initiations for members.  No hazing or illegal discrimination will be used as a condition of membership in the organization.  Faculty, staff, alumni and non-University persons may participate in the meetings and activities of the organization but may not vote, hold office, or serve in formal leadership positions.

Officer resignation/impeachment

Resignation: All resignations must be sent to each board member two weeks prior to actual resignation.  Notices should include reasons for resigning and date of resignation.

            Vacancies:  All vacant board positions will be filled through a formal interview process of potential candidates by the existing board members.  If more than one candidate exists then a vote will be cast by active members of the organization.

Impeachment:  All board positions are subject to impeachment when justified.  Impeachment process is as follows:
            1. A petition of 2/3 of the active members' signatures must be produced.
            2. An informal trial at a separate meeting will be held at which the officer under                   question may make a defense.
            3. After the defense is made all attending members will cast a secret ballot. 
            4. Impeachment must be approved by minimum 2/3 votes of active attending                      members.

General Voting Rights

All active members and board members, except the president, retain the right to vote on matters concerning the organization.  In event of a tie, the President will act as the tie breaker.

Meetings
 
Executive Board meetings:  These meetings will be held weekly to discuss future plans for events/programs, and to evaluate the progress of the group.  A minimum of four officers must be present in order to conduct the meeting.  All Executive board meetings are open to the public.

General Body meetings:  General body meetings are held twice every month.  Date, time and place are at the discretion of the current board.  These meetings are held in order to further communication between board members and general body members.  General body meetings are also open to the public.

Emergency/Special meetings:  The President reserves the right to call emergency/special meetings when necessary and must notify other members two days in advance.

 Finances

All financial decisions will be discussed among board members and voted on.  Money will be allocated according to the organization's financial needs.  Business Manager will handle/disburse funds in accordance to guidelines set by the University of Pittsburgh, and Student Government Board Allocations Committee.

Amendments
Amendments will be made according to necessity and require a 2/3 majority vote of the board members and active members combined.