CONSTITUTION

Finalized by unanimous vote of the Constitutional Subcommittee on Feb. 28, 1993

ARTICLE I: NAME
The Association shall be known as The Harvard Vietnamese Association, hereafter referred to as the HVA.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSES
The Association exists to provide an opportunity for the sharing of Vietnamese history, culture, and experiences.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this organization shall be open to all students in good standing currently enrolled at Harvard University, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, or physical disability. Members must register with the Secretary.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICES
Section I: Executive Committee All decisions concerning HVA shall be executed by the Executive Committee, which shall be composed of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
_ President _
a. The President shall make sure that everything is in accord with the constitution.
b. The President shall be responsible for suggesting an activity schedule for the Executive Committee, and shall lead the Executive Committee in conducting and executing activities of the Association.
c. The President shall have the right to break ties in administrative decisions.
d. The President shall be in charge of public relations.
_ Vice-President_
a. The Vice-President shall assist the President and assume her or his duties when the President is unable to serve.
_ Secretary_
a. The Secretary shall keep a record of activities of the Association, and communicate them to all members.
_ Treasurer_
a. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the monetary affairs of the Association.
Section II: Office Terms Terms of offices shall be one year, effective the first day of the summer recess.
Section III: Executive Restrictions No Harvard Vietnamese Association officer shall be involved in activities which compromise the purpose of HVA.

ARTICLE V: GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
In order to maintain the integrity of the University, the Harvard Vietnamese Association must maintain local autonomy. HVA will not endorse or advocate any political cause or objective not related to the Association's purposes. HVA will always remain independent, distinct, and separate from any other organization. All policy decisions should be made without obligation to any parent organization. Activities co-sponsored with non-Harvard organizations will require two-thirds vote to approve participation in specific activity.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
Section I: General Meetings A general meeting open to all members shall be held at least once each academic term or when called for by a simple majority of active members. Fall term general meeting shall be held the week of Registration day. A report of the Executive committee shall be delivered; proposals of future activities shall be presented and voted upon by all active members present.
Section II: Executive Committee Meetings Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the President at least once each academic term, whenever necessary.

ARTICLE VII: VOTING PROCEDURES
Section I: General Voting A voting member shall be any member who is already registered with the HVA Secretary at any publicized HVA meeting where an issue is being voted on. A simple majority will constitute more than half of these active members.
Section II: Executive Committee Elections The Executive Committee shall be elected in the Election which follows the spring term general meeting, under secret ballot by a simple majority of members present at the meeting.
Section III: Executive Recalls An executive recall may be initiated by any three active members, by submitting the proposal in writing to the HVA Secretary. Members shall be informed of such recall at the next HVA general meeting, and a debate and vote on the recall shall take place at a subsequent and publicized general meeting. A recall requires a two-thirds vote of the meeting's active members to pass.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS
Any three active members may propose an amendment. Members shall be informed of the proposal at the next HVA general meeting, and a debate and vote on the proposed amendment shall take place at a subsequent and publicized general meeting. A constitutional amendment requires two-thirds vote of the meeting's active members to pass.