Constitution
Article I (Organization’s name)
The name of the organization shall be the “West Indian & African
Association,” also known as WIAA. WIAA is a cultural organization open
for membership to all registered students and teachers at Hamilton College.
Article II (Purpose)
The West Indian & African Association is dedicated to develop a closer
alliance among collegiate students in order to provide cultural, educational
and social improvement, and to promote awareness of West Indian and African
cultures to the Hamilton College Community. The purpose of this organization
shall be to foster a sense of community among the students of West Indian
and African descent.
Article III (Membership)
Any registered student and teacher of Hamilton College regardless of
ethnicity, race, sex, religion, and political beliefs is welcome to join
WIAA. Voting rights are designated to the individuals who do not have
two or more unexcused absence and have attended at least three consecutive
meetings. Members with voting rights prior to going abroad retain their
voting rights while aboard.
Article IV (Oath)
This organization complies with all State and Federal Laws, as well the
College’s policies or hazing. Any action taken or situation created to
inflict physical or mental harm, harassment, and embarrassment upon any
individual or group, is recognized by this organization as form of hazing.
Thus, all members of the organization understand that any individual or
group involved in hazing will be subject to disciplinary action by the
college, which could lead to a possible probation, suspension, or expulsion.
Article V (Election of Officers)
Section 1: The officers of this organization shall be:
Two chairs
Secretary/Treasurer
Social Chair/Historian
Ambassador
Section 2: Only members with voting rights can hold office. However, a
member born in the Caribbean and a member born in Africa must fill the
respective Chair positions. Furthermore, the members must have spent at
least 10 years of their life in their birth country.
{Special Clause I}
If the member running for a Chair position was not born in his or her
native country then the required residency there is 12 years (not necessarily
consecutive years).
If there are no members who were either born in his or her native country
or live there for over 12 years (not necessarily consecutive years) running
for the chair position is then open to all members: One chair position
shall be open to any member with voting right of African descent and the
other chair position shall be open to any member with voting right of
Caribbean descent. But, no one person can run for both African and West
Indian chair simultaneously.
Section 3: The term of office for each position shall be one academic
year, September to May.
Section 4: Elections shall be held yearly during the first week of April.
Two-thirds of the voting members must be present for elections to be valid.
In the event of a tied, run-off should be held during the following general
meeting. If there is a tied after the run-off, the position shall split;
each person shall serve for one semester.
Article VI (Faculty Advisor)
One or more Faculty or staff member(s) from Hamilton College shall be
chosen as the organization’s Advisor. The addition of various duties and
responsibilities of the advisor shall be decided by the Executive Board
with the approval of the general members. The advisor shall be a member
of the executive board but shall not be eligible for voting rights.
Article VII (Meeting)
Section1: Meetings shall be held weekly.
Section 2: The Chairs or any member of the executive board shall have
the right to call special emergency meetings.
Article VIII (Impeachment of Executive Officers)
Section 1: Sanctioning, impeachment, and the removal of members, officers
and advisors due to gross neglect of duty, embezzlement, maladministration
or any reason deemed valid by the organization, will be decided by a two-thirds
vote of the general members.
Section 2: Executive Officers may be impeached. Any voting member may
call for a vote of impeachment against any particular officer at any time,
second by at least one more voting member. The person shall then submit
reasons for impeachment in writing to the Executive Board for Consideration.
The charges will then be discussed at the next Executive Board meeting
and the Executive Board will decide the proper action that shall be taken.
Section 4: If the Executive Board finds ground to impeach, at least two-thirds
(2/3) of all registered members must be present, excluding members living
aboard, and the vote to convict for impeachment must be two-thirds (2/3)
of the voting members presented. If the number is not reached, the officer
shall be free from all charges and continue to hold his/her position.
If the required vote to impeach is reached, the officer shall resign from
his/her position, but shall retain his/her membership and voting right
in the organization. The officer is, nonetheless, forbidden from holding
any executive position until next general elections are held for the following
year. Special elections should be held to elect someone to fill the vacant
position for the remaining term.
Article IX (Vacancies in Executive Offices)
Section 2: If an Executive Officer wishes to resign, he/she can do so
by submitting a written letter to the two chairs at least one week prior
to the day it is to take effect. Election shall be held to elect someone
to fill the vacant position for the remaining term.
Article X (Amendments)
Section 1: Amendments to this Constitution and by-laws of the organization
may be proposed by any voting member of WIAA.
Section 2: A two-thirds vote by the members is needed in order to approve
an amendment.
By Laws
Article I (Duties &Responsibilities)
Chairs
The Chairs of this organization shall over see and delegate the responsibilities
of the other officers. In addition, they must monitor all affairs of the
organization.
Secretary/Treasurer
The Secretary/Treasurer shall record the minutes of every meeting and
serve as a messenger between the executive board, the members of the organization,
and the Hamilton Community. In addition, he or she is responsible for
keeping the organization’s financial records and producing monthly updates.
Finally, the Secretary/Treasurer shall serve as a financial advisor, making
sure the organization stays within the means of its budget.
Social Chair/Historian
(Definition needs to be added and agreed upon by the members.)
Ambassador
(Definition needs to be added and agreed upon by the members.)
Article II (Eligible Candidates)
Members interested in holding office must have voting rights, and must
be nominated by two voting members of the organization. Also, members
must present an oral platform on the day of elections. Members abroad
must make arrangements to call in and read their platform.
{Special Clause II}
Section 1: Registered athletic members can retain their voting rights
only, and if only, they can show conflict between WIAA meetings/required
events and their official athletic schedule (i.e. games and practices)
that prohibit them from fulfilling the Membership requirements set forth
on Article III of this Constitution. This clause applies only to members
who are registered athletes and only for the official athletic season.
Copyright 1999 - 2008. WIAA. All rights reserved
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