Constitution of the Ethiopian Students Association at Harvard

 

PREAMBLE

We the Ethiopian students at Harvard hereby establish this non-partisan student organization to enhance the progress of Ethiopian students at Harvard, increase awareness of Ethiopia within the Harvard community and greater Boston area, and contribute to the political, social, and economic development of Ethiopia and Ethiopians in the Diaspora.

ARTICLE 1- Name

The name of this organization shall be the of Ethiopian Students Association at Harvard (hereafter ESAH)

ARTICLE 2- Objectives

In furtherance of the general purpose set forth in the PREAMBLE, ESAH members will strive to achieve the following specific objectives but shall not be limited to these and may also strive to achieve such other objectives as the members of ESAH will from time to time deem appropriate.

Section 1

To increase the number of Ethiopian students at Harvard by recruiting applicants, providing information and serving as advisors to prospective students navigating the application process.

Section 2

To organize forums that shall promote dialogue and understanding among Ethiopians and generate ideas to tackle the challenges facing Ethiopia.

Section 3

To develop and strengthen ties among Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia at Harvard University

Section 4

To develop and strengthen ties among Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia at universities in Boston area and beyond.

Section 5

To assist Ethiopian students in adjusting to the academic and social life at Harvard.

Section 6

To serve as an umbrella organization encompassing all constituent Ethiopian student organizations throughout Harvard's graduate and professional schools and Harvard College.

Section 7

To participate in community projects in the United States, and Boston in particular, which promote the political and socio-economic progress of Ethiopia (ns).

Section 8

To promote the political and socio-economic development of Ethiopia, particularly through the creation of and engagement with educational initiatives benefiting institutions of higher learning in Ethiopia.

Section 9

To cultivate a network of Ethiopian Harvard alumni who share an interest in fulfilling the objectives of ESAH.

Section 10

To contribute to the diversity of student life on campus and, in particular, to strengthen black student organizations at Harvard.

 

ARTICLE III- Membership

Section 1

Membership in ESAH is open to any student enrolled at Harvard University who holds interest in the objectives of ESAH.

Section 2

Membership shall be extended to any Harvard alum who identifies with the objectives of ESAH.

Section 3

Members may elect to impose annual or semester dues as a condition of membership.

Section 4

Upon the recommendation of the Executive Board, honorary membership may be extended to an individual in appreciation of their contribution to the organization's objectives by a majority vote of the membership.

Section 5

Any student member defined above in Section 1 of Article III who attends the organization's events regularly, with a good academic standing and is at least one year from graduation shall be eligible to hold office.

 

ARTICLE IV- Structure and Duties of the Executive Board

Section 1

The Executive Board shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.

Section 2

The President shall represent the organization, conduct Executive Board and general meetings, assigns duties to officers, chart a vision for the organization and prepare annual report in conjunction with the members of outgoing Board.

Section 3

The Vice-President shall assist the President and assume the responsibilities of the President, if the latter is absent.The Vice-President shall also liaise with sister organizations and the association's alumni.

Section 4

The Treasurer shall maintain the account of the organization, pay bills of the organization when receipts for expenditures are turned in, submit quarterly reports to the membership, coordinate fundraising, and disburse monies as the organization may direct.

Section 5

The Secretary shall keep minutes of meetings, maintain a yearly calendar of activities, give written notice to all members of meetings and the agenda to be covered, issue press release when deemed necessary by the Board, updates and maintain the ESAH website and email list.

 

ARTICLE V- Elections and Removal of Officers

Section 1

Elections for the officers of the forthcoming year will take place no later than May 1^st of each year.

Section 2

To qualify to vote in the General Elections, a member, as defined in Article III, Section 1, must have attended at least one third of the general membership meeting prior to the vote.

Section 3

The candidate for each office receiving a simple majority of votes cast at the election will be considered the victor. In the event that no candidate receives a simple majority, a run-off shall be held between the two candidates who obtained the most votes.

Section 4

Officers may hold only one position at a time.

Section 5

Officers may be removed by the organization's membership if they fail to uphold the organization's purpose or fail to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities. To remove an officer it shall be necessary for a petition for removal to be signed by fifty percent of the voting membership, followed by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the voting membership.

Section 6

Three unexcused absences from either Board meetings or general membership meetings at any time during the academic year shall operate as a resignation. An unexcused absence is defined as failure to notify the Executive Board of the Executive Board member's absence.

Article VI- Amendments

Section 1

The Constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the voting membership.

Section 2

No amendment may be adopted without the entire membership receiving a written copy one week prior to the meeting at which the amendment will be voted upon.

 

Article VII- Ratification

Section 1

The Constitution will be ratified article by article by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership.

Section 2

The provisions of the Constitution will be effective immediately upon ratification.