CONSTITUTION

Society of Vietnamese Students - University of Oklahoma

ARTICLE I

Section 1. The name of the organization shall be Society of Vietnamese Students.
Section 2. The objectives of this non-profit association are:

a) Encourage academic achievement.
b) Increase the interaction between Vietnamese students and other students at the University of Oklahoma.
c) Broaden the understanding of Vietnam.

Section 3. All currently enrolled students at OU may become a member of this organization by having a good standing at OU and by observing the rules and conditions of this organization.

ARTICLE II

Section 1. Any students interested in becoming a member of Society of Vietnamese Students must follow the following procedure:

a) He/ she must submit an application form to the president of the organization.
b) He/she must pay the annual membership fee along with the application.
c) He/she must provide proof of student status.

Section 2. Any current faculty, staff and their spouses of the University of Oklahoma may become a associate member of this organization.
Section 3. Membership may be granted to the applicant by the President of the organization no later than 2 weeks after the date of receiving the application. Membership must be approved by the standing members of the organization at the next general meeting.
Section 4. For any person to be considered as an active member of Society of Vietnamese Students, he/she must meet the following criteria:

a) He/she must be a bona-fide student of the University of Oklahoma
b) He/she must pay annual fee, by the second week of the fall semester
c) He/she must not be in violation of any rules stated anywhere in the constitution.

Section 5. It's the duty of a member to keep his or her membership active by observing all the rules and regulations of Society of Vietnamese Students.

ARTICLE III

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of Society of Vietnamese Students. He/she shall hold the office for the term of 1 year together with the Vice-President chosen for the same term by the election procedures stated in Article IV of this constitution. The President shall preside over the meetings of the association and shall act as a moderator. He/she shall also maintain liason with the International Office, International Advisory Committee and other student organizations. The President may create any position as required by the association and appoint any eligible member or members to fill it.
Section 2. The Vice President of the organization shall call meetings and shall decide on the agenda of those meetings with the consultation of the president.
Section 3. The treasurer shall be appointed by the President. The treasurer shall be responsible for all financial matters of the organization including, but not limited to keeping an account of all funds, subscriptions and expenditures incurred. He/she shall prepare financial statements. He/she, with the assistance of other executive officers prepares budget statements requesting the University of Oklahoma student activity funds. He/she shall be in the office at the discretion of the President.
Section 4. The secretary of the association shall be appointed by the President. He/she with the assistance of the other members shall be in charge of the organization of cultural, sport, academic, or other comparable activities. He/she shall remain in the office at the discretion of the President. He/she shall record attendance and the minutes of each meeting.
Section 5. All the executive officers elected or appointed must be an active member of Society of Vietnamese Students.

ARTICLE IV

Section 1. A general election will be held within the first month of the fall semester on the basis of one member to one vote to elect the President and the Vice-President. The President and Vice-President shall be elected through secret ballot. The President and the Vice-President shall be elected for a term of one year.
Section 2. The election committee constituting the office bearers and any interested members shall meet prior to the date of the election and formulate the election procedures. Proposed election procedures must be approved by the majority of the members present. The majority of the members can amend the proposed election procedures before their enactment.
Section 3. Any active member who actively supports the purposes of the organization and who has been a member for at least one semester is eligible for nomination for election as president or vice president. That member must summit his/her name and required documents to the president as a candidate. The form for the application shall be provided by the president.
Section 4. A member shall only hold the President position for the maximum of 2 consecutive terms.
Section 5. Only active members shall have voting power.

ARTICLE V

Section 1. Any announcement of any scheduled meeting will be published one week in advance of meeting date. This announcement will constitute the official notice.
Section 2. Emergency meetings may be called by the Vice-President with the consultation with the President. General members may appeal to the President to call a meeting along with the signature of one third of the standing members.
Section 3. All decisions made at the meetings must be approved by the majority of the members present. Any decision made in such manner may be appealed. The appeal must bear the signatures of the majority of the members of the organization. In that case the President must call a meeting to resolve the issue. This meeting must be called prior to the implementation of the issue being appealed.
Section 4. The members shall be allowed to have the floor as recognized by the President. No member may have the floor for more than ten minutes without the consent of the majority of the members present. Only one member may have the floor at a time. The President may set aside a specified duration of time for the discussion among members.
Section 5. Discussion must be pertinent to the problems and issues pertaining to the organization. Personal attacks will not permitted unless the association discusses matters pertaining to disciplinary action.

ARTICLE VI

Section 1. There will be an annual membership fee for each member.
Section 2. Special funds may be generated to supplement existing funds.
Section 3. The dollar amount of annual membership fee must be approved by the majority of members.

ARTICLE VII

Section 1. Should a situation arise such that the activity and the attitude of any member is found to be detrimental to the objectives of the organization, disciplinary action may be taken against him/her.
Disciplinary action may include:

a) Impeachment of office bearers-should any member feel that an office bearer has failed to fulfill his or her duty, or has misused power, or has misused association funds, that member may make a motion to have that office bearer impeached from his/her position. The accused office bearer has the right to defend himself/herself. The motion to impeach an office bearer must be approved by two-thirds of the standing member of the association.
b) Any member can present a motion to expel a member from the association. The accused member has the right to defend himself/herself. The motion to expel a member must be approved by two-thirds of the standing members of the organization. An expelled member may be reinstated at any general meeting subject to the approval of two-thirds of the standing members.
c) Any member can present a motion to censure a member. The accused member has the right to defend himself/herself. The motion to censure a member must be approved by two-thirds of the standing members. The message of censure will be delivered by the President.

ARTICLE VII

Section 1. Society of Vietnamese Students must have an advisor who is a full-time member of the University of Oklahoma faculty or staff.
Section 2. The constitution of Society of Vietnamese Students may be amended with the approval of three-fourths of the standing members. The constitution may only be amended at a general meeting.
Section 3. The motion to amend the constitution may be presented by any member in a general meeting. The executive committee must be informed of the motion to amend the constitution, a week prior to the general meeting at which it will be put forward.
Section 4. If any part of this constitution is deemed in violation of any University of Oklahoma policies as judged by legal counsel, that portion of the constitution will be automatically annulled.