African Diaspora Club Constitution

Article 1: Preamble

            We, the members of the African Diaspora Club hereby establish this constitution for the purpose of expressing our ideas, beliefs, concerns, and activities to Towson University. We will not promote, nor do we believe in promoting our own individual political ideas as those of the group as a whole. We believe in creating an atmosphere where students can convene socially, culturally, academically and grow together as young men and women.

            The name of the organization from this day forth will be recognized as the African Diaspora Club and will be referred to as such. No person can represent the organization without the consent of its members.

Article 2: Mission Statement

1. Cultural Awareness

                  ADC would like to increase the awareness of diversity and multi-cultural aspects of Africa and its people. We are dedicated to our commitment to share the wealth and greatness of Africa with the campus community. We would like to receive in return the vast culture and richness of the United States of America through its students in Towson University.

2. Social Awareness

                  ADC strives to encourage interaction between its African members and those on campus of different races and religions. We will endeavor to make the club a meeting place of like minds, as well as a medium of instruction and learning that people from various fields of affluence and walks of life can meet, discuss and exchange ideas in the spirit of unity and humanity. The African Diaspora Club will encourage that all events broadcast all spheres of African culture, its society, and education.

3. Educational Awareness

                  As this is a student body at an institution of higher learning, the club and its members will attempt to discover ways to help their members cope with and learn the university system. We will attempt to be a point of “referral service” to the appropriate staff, faculty or university office, for our members.

4. News And Media Awareness

                  ADC recognizes the need to keep abreast on current events. As such, there will be an informal forum each week which members will discuss the implications of news and media on the world, particularly the African community. The African Diaspora Club has been charged with this social responsibility and will therefore encourage its membership to participate in public affairs. It must be stressed, however, that political and religious views will be as uninvolved as possible.

5. Miscellaneous

                        ADC is an organization that wants to encourage the spirit of unity, togetherness, humanity among its members and the campus community. We will always continue to open our doors to a multi-cultural community. The club will be devoted to the propagation and sharpening of academic skills, the discussion of current issues and the development of leadership skills. ADC will be a voice and home for its members and will be devoted to the interests of peace and unity in the campus community. The club understands its responsibilities of abiding by the policies of the university and promises its full cooperation.

Article 3: Membership

Section 1

            Every full-time, SGA fee paying African student is a member of the African Diaspora Club. As such, any full-time student may participate in functions sponsored by ADC.

Section 2

            Attendance at 2/3 of the general body meetings, plus the payment of membership dues, is required for active membership (and CEEP recipients). ADC also encourages participation of its active members at the general body meetings and also in its decision making process. Therefore, all votes and decisions made by the executive board committee are to be made public at the general body meetings.

Section 3

Article 4: Organizational Structure

            Section 1- Executive Committee

I. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Faculty/Staff Advisor, President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Club.

II. The Executive Committee shall meet on a weekly basis to coordinate the agenda, events and programs.

III. The Executive Committee shall be charged with continual constitutional review and proposed amendments as deemed necessary.

IV. One member of the Executive Committee shall attend required Student Senate meetings.

A. The Duties of the President:

1. To call meetings, with prior notification to club members and involved parties. Also he/she can utilize the power to call special meetings, also with prior notification.
2. To preside at all meetings of the Club with a formal agenda.
3. To appoint committees and committee chairpersons.
4. To issue all and any reports needed.
5. To see that the Constitution and Bylaws of the Club are enforced.
6. To help prepare a budget and approve all expenditures.
7. To act as the authorized representative of the Club in all negotiations with other clubs and organizations. Or, if he/she wishes, delegate this responsibility to the Vice-President, or to any other member of the Club.
8. To preside as chairperson of the executive board committee.
9. To appoint eligible members to any vacant executive positions with approval from the majority of executive members.

B. The Duties of the Vice President:

1. To coordinate Club Executive Committee elections. In the event that the Vice-president is running for a position on the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee shall appoint from within its committee another individual to fulfill those responsibilities.

2. To assume the duties of the President in his/her absence.

3. To assist and to perform all other duties assigned to him by the President.

4. To conduct and sign-off on an annual financial audit of the club finances.

5. To be an automatic member of all committees and provide liaison between committees      and the officers of the Club.

6. To arrange transportation for all Club events as needed.

C. The Duties of the Secretary:

1. To issue calls for meetings, at the direction of the President.

2. Maintain a copy of the constitution and by-laws at every meeting.

3. To maintain accurate attendance records.

3. To record minutes of all meetings, both club and board, and send to distribute promptly.

4. To assume the responsibility for the correspondence of the Club and maintenance of the necessary files, plus any extra clerical duties assigned by the President and Vice President.

5. To conduct and sign-off an annual financial audit of the club finances

6. To act as the coordinator of public relations.

7. To keep past flyers, letters and proposals for succeeding years and to keep an updated portfolio, written and photographic.

D. The Duties of the Treasurer:

1. To collect membership fees and keep an updated list of those who are in good standing.

2. To keep a detailed record of the finances of the Club.

3. To pay bills of the organization, upon having appropriate receipts presented payment.

4. To prepare a budget with the assistance of the Executive Board to be presented to the Student Senate Budget Management Committee.

5. To provide the Officers of the Club with an annual financial statement that will be the basis for the monthly financial audit to be conducted by the executive committee

6. To coordinate the securing of signature for funds authorized by the President.

E. The Duties of the Public Relations Officer:

1. To assist in the coordination of events.

2. To handle advertising for the club in the form of flyers and other literature.

3. To organize the recruiting of new members.

4. To maintain an ongoing network with other schools, the Secretary or other officers who may be used as a resource.

5. To attend all SGA meetings, keep a report of such meetings and share relevant information with the executive committee.

F. The Duties of the Social Programming Coordinator:

1. To plan Club activities and events with approval of the Executive Committee.

2. To ensure that the details of the program for club events are taken care of, like dressing rooms, program and dance groups.

3. To coordinate a collective dance group, while encouraging the upkeep of individual country groups.

G. The Duties of the Community Service Chair:

1. To ensure the club fulfils community service requirements.

2. To explore service learning opportunities.

H. The Duties of the Web Master:

1. To update website, biweekly with current continent news, club news, club activities and events

2. To handle printing graphics and flyer design

I.The Duties of the Recruitment Chair:

1. To create and implement membership drives, with input from current members.

2. To canvas current members about innovative ways to recruit members, such as receptions, flyers, Daily Digest, etc.

J. The Duties of the Web Master:

1. To update website, biweekly with current continent news, club news, club activities and events.

K. The Duties of the Fundraising Chair:

1. To present, with input from members, strategies/proposals for fund-raising.

2. To suggest, when appropriate, workshops on fundraising.

L. The Duties of the Consultant:

1. To consider securing outside consultant(s), when the nature of what is required is outside of the scope of expertise of members.

2. To use consultants to advance the ‘thinking’ and functioning of the club at a higher level, relative to specific skills, content, etc.