ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF

 

ASSOCIATION FOR STUDENT ACTIVITIES  OF

HAWAI‘I COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BYLAWS

 


ARTICLE I – IDENTITY

Section 1. Name:

A. The Name of this organization shall be called Association for Student Activities (AFSA) of Hawai‘i Community College, hereinafter abbreviated AFSA-HawCC.

Section 2. Color:

A. The official colors shall be Green and Blue.

Section 3. Mascot/Symbol:

A. The official mascot shall be the Dolphin (Ka Nai‘a).

Section 4. Motto:

A. "E kuhikuhi pono I na au iki a me na au nui o ka ‘ike."  (Instruct well in the little and large currents of knowledge)

Section 5. UH BOR Relationship:

A. The AFSA-HawCC is a chartered student organization authorized by the Board of Regents of the University of Hawai‘i to receive and dispense mandatory student activity fee funds.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

Section 1. Objectives:

A.  Provide programs, activities and services, which serve the

co-curricular, cultural, social, recreational, and educational interests

of its members.

B. Contribute to the development of students’ skills and experience in leadership, event planning and program development, volunteer coordination, and fiscal operations.

C. Make positive contributions to the College and to the community at large.

ARTICLE III – GENERAL MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1. General Membership:

A. A student whose home campus is HawCC and who is enrolled in at least one (1) credit offered by HawCC is a member of AFSA- HawCC.

ARTICLE IV – STUDENT LIFE COUNCIL (SLiC)

Section 1. Governance:

A. The Student Life Council shall be responsible to report to its gggmembers and the Student Life Coordinator of Hawai‘i   Community College.

B. The Student Life Council shall be composed of seven (7) members: four (4) Executive Board members – Executive Chair, Vice Chair, Public Relations Chair and Business Chair and three (3) Council Members-at-Large.

Section 2. Funding:

A. The full amount of mandatory student activities fees collected by Hawai‘i Community College shall be the AFSA- HawCC base of funding for SLiC. Funds collected shall be appropriately budgeted and expended for student activities, program functions and mission-related purposes.

Section 3. Stipends:

A. Student Executive Board and SLiC members will each receive a stipend for required service hours on a monthly basis from the student fees collected by the College.

Section 4. Powers and Duties of SLiC-HawCC:

A.  The SLiC will be responsible to plan, organize, direct and evaluate a collegiate student activities program responsive to the students’ needs and interests.

B. The SLiC will engage in collaborative performance, assessment and communication with the Student Life Coordinator, who also serves as Student Life Council Advisor.

C. The SLiC will recruit and coordinate volunteers to serve on various committees, activities and events.

D. The SLiC will conduct and/or attend leadership training, curriculum

development and program assessments as needed.

E. The SLiC shall have legislative powers.

F. The SLiC shall make all policies necessary and proper for its general welfare and development.

G. The SLiC shall approve a yearly budget by August 1.

H. The SLiC shall approve all appointments made by the Executive Chair by majority vote.

I. The SLiC shall by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote assembled have the power to override a veto of the Executive Chair.

J. Every SLiC member shall serve on at least two (2) Standing Committees.

Section 5. SLiC Meetings:

A. The Executive Chair shall chair all meetings of the SLiC. The SLiC shall meet weekly. The day, time and place of the meetings shall be agreeable to the majority of the SLiC and shall be determined on a semester-by-semester basis.

B. The quorum shall consist of two (2) Executive Board members and two (2) Council Members-at-Large.

Section 6. Special Meetings:

A. A special meeting may be called by the Executive Chair.

B. A special meeting may be called by two (2) members of SLiC and must include two (2) Executive Board members to form a quorum of aaafour SLiC members.

C. Notice of time, place and exact purpose of the meeting must be given via verbal communication at least two (2) hours before desired meeting time with confirmation of communication by at least two (2) members.

Section 4. Term of Office:

A. The term of office will be one year from June 1 to May 31.

ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. Membership:

A. The Executive Board shall be composed of the Executive Chair, Vice Chair, Public Relations Chair, and Business Chair.

B. Members in SLiC shall not hold office in another HawCC Chartered Student Organization. 

C. Any spouse, household member or significant other of a SLiC

D. Executive officer shall not hold an Executive position in another HawCC Chartered Student Organization.

Section 2. Qualifications:

A. A member of the Executive Board shall be enrolled for at least six (6) credits per semester.

B. A member of the Executive Board must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 at the time of nomination and throughout the tenure of office.

C. A member shall serve at least one (1) semester as a Student Life Council member or a member of any chartered student organization.

D. In the event that any Executive Board position is not filled due to members not meeting requirements stated in Article V, Section 2C, the position will be open to any HawCC student who meets requirements stated in Article V, Section 2A and 2B.

Section 3. Powers and Duties of the Executive Board:

A. The Executive Board is the administrative body of AFSA-HawCC and shall carry out the objective of SLiC as stated in the Bylaws.

B. The Executive Board shall review the annual budget of income and e expenditures and submit it to the Council for approval.

C. The Executive Board shall meet between SLiC meetings.

D. The Executive Board shall send a representative to attend ASUH-HawCC meetings to update the Senate with       

    current and/or future events of AFSA-HawCC.

 Section 4. Executive Board Meetings:

A. The Executive Chair shall call bimonthly meetings. The choice of day, time and place of the meeting will be determined by the Executive Board.

B. A quorum shall be three (3) members of the Executive Board or two members in the event of vacancies which should be filled expeditiously.

C. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the Executive Chair and shall be called upon the written request of three (3) members of the Board.

Section 5. Powers and Duties of the Executive Chair:

A. As chief presiding officer, the Executive Chair is responsible for enforcing the Bylaws of AFSA-HawCC.

B. The Executive Chair shall preside at meetings of the Executive Board and Council. In the event of the Executive Chair’s absence, the Vice Chair shall serve in this capacity.

C. The Executive Chair shall officially represent AFSA-HawCC on and off the campus in all matters unless stated otherwise in the Bylaws.

D. The Executive Chair is an ex-officio member of all Standing and Ad Hoc committees and shall have the power to vote.

E. The Executive Chair may make appointments to various committees and delineate the specific tasks for all committees.

F. The Executive Chair shall vote in regular meetings only in case of a tie.

G. The Executive Chair shall appoint a liaison to represent SLiC at ASUH-HawCC meetings. The liaison’s responsibility is to update and/or collaborate with the Senate in all current and future AFSA-HawCC events.

H. The Executive Chair shall be required to make an Executive Chair report to the Council prior to the end of each semester.

Section 6. Powers and Duties of the Vice Chair:

A. The Vice Chair serves as president officer pro tempore in the absence of the Executive Chair and performs such other duties as required.

B. In the event of permanent disability or resignation or otherwise, resulting in the permanent vacancy of office of the Executive Chair, the Vice Chair shall assume the position with all its powers and duties.

C. The Vice Chair serves as Sergeant at Arms to assist the Council with keeping the meetings in order.

D. The Vice Chair shall serve as the Student Activities Committee Chair.

E. The Vice Chair shall be required to make an executive report to the Council at the end of each semester.

Section 7. Powers and Duties of the Public Relations Chair:

A. The Public Relations Chair records all minutes of the Executive Board and Council meetings.

B. The Public Relations Chair is authorized to appoint a secretary pro tempore for meetings in the Public Relations Chair’s absence.

C. The Public Relations Chair notifies each Executive Board member, Council member and the SLiC Advisor of regular and special meetings.

D. The Public Relations Chair submits the approved minutes of the Executive Board and Council meetings to the SLiC Advisor to post on the Student Life website.

E. The Public Relations Chair handles all SLiC public relations and llllllllrelated correspondence.

F. The Public Relations Chair reserves and prepares meeting rooms.

G. The Public Relations Chair shall be required to make an executive oooreport to the Council at the end of each semester.

Section 8. Powers and Duties of Business Chair:

A. The Business Chair shall balance and upkeep the AFSA-HawCC Budget.

B. The Business Chair gives a report to the Executive Board and Council at every regular meeting or as requested.

C. The Business Chair shall support the Student Life program’s fiscal manager in facilitating fiscal transactions.

D. The Business Chair maintains a fiscal ledger showing income and expenses.  

E. When any fiscal overrides from the allocated budget are necessary in any meeting, the quorum is expected to include the Business Chair. 

F. The Business Chair shall submit a written report of finances to the SLiC at the end of each semester.

ARTICLE VI-COUNCIL MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Section 1. Qualifications of Council Members-at-Large:

A. A Council Member-at-Large must have earned 9 credits at Hawai‘i Community College prior to their service on the Council.

B. A Council Member-at-Large must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at the time of nomination and throughout the term of office.

C. A Council Member-at-Large must carry at least 6 credits at Hawai‘i Community College per semester.

D. In the event that a Council Member-at-Large position is not filled due to members not meeting requirements stated in Article VI, Section 1A, the position will be open to any HawCC student who meets requirements stated in Article VI, Section 1B and 1C.

Section 2. Powers and Duties of Council Members-at-Large:

A. A Council Member-at-Large will assume the powers and duties of the Council as stated in Article IV, Section 4A-J.

B. A Council Member-at-Large shall submit a written report to the Council at the end of each semester.

ARTICLE VII-NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. Nominations:

A. Candidates for each office may be nominated by submitting an application to run for office to the Advisor not less than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the elections.

Section 2. Elections:

A. The Elections Committee composed of at least three (3) members shall develop rules and regulations to conduct the elections in the spring semester. It will be facilitated by the Advisor and not include members running for office.

B. Elections of SLiC Members by eligible members of AFSA-HawCC shall be by secret/electronic ballot.

C. Candidates for the Student Life Council shall be elected by plurality votes cast by HawCC students.

D. In case of a one-vote difference, the candidate(s) involved may request a recount.

E. The Advisor and Members of the Election Committee who are not candidates for office of that election shall tabulate ballots and the results will be posted immediately.

F. AFSA-HawCC elections for the Council shall be held by the last week of April.

ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees:

A. Student Activities Committee shall be chaired by the Vice Chair. The committee will meet to plan events for AFSA-HawCC for the academic year.

B. Budget Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Business Chair and composed of Executive Board Officers. The committee will meet to prepare a yearly budget for submittal to the Student Life Coordinator and Dean of Student Services.

C. Elections Committee shall be chaired by the Executive Chair. It shall consist of two (2) members to make the rules, supervise, and control campaigns and elections for the positions of Executive Board officers and Council Members-at-Large. It will be facilitated by the Advisor(s) and not include members running for office.

D. Volunteer Committee shall be chaired by the Public Relations Chair. The committee will recruit and coordinate volunteers for AFSA-HawCC activities and events.

E. Leadership and Program Planning Committee shall be chaired by the Executive Chair. The committee will research and implement leadership and program development opportunities for SLiC.

F. Standing Committees shall meet no later than two (2) weeks after the first meeting of the Council and thereafter at the discretion of the Chairperson as the need arises.

Section 2: Special/Ad hoc Committee:

A. The Executive Chair may appoint special/ad hoc committee(s) whenever the need for special action, investigation, or report(s) arises.

ARTICLE IX: REGISTERED INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION (RIO):

Section 1: Registration Process:

A. All registered independent organizations (RIOs) must be registered each year with the Student Life Coordinator in accordance with UH System policies governing such organizations. Student organizations wishing to be approved must submit necessary information including current Bylaws, membership list and the name of a faculty or community Advisor to the Student Life Coordinator for approval signatures with the HawCC Administration.

Section 2: Request for Funds:

A. All AFSA-HawCC approved RIOs are eligible to submit a request lllllllfor activity funds of $200.00 per year per club.

B. Any approved student organization desiring AFSA-HawCC funds for club activities must submit a formal request outlining proposed expenditures and justification eight (8) weeks prior to the stated event. With approval from the Council, the eight-week deadline may be adjusted.

C. RIOs are restricted from using AFSA-HawCC funds for fundraising purposes.

ARTICLE X – ADVISOR

Section 1. Student Life Council Advisor:

A. The Student Life Coordinator will serve as the Student Life Council Advisor for AFSA-HawCC.

Section 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Advisor:

A. The SLiC Advisor will approve and co-sign all requisitions submitted by the Business Chair.

B. The SLiC Advisor shall act on behalf of SLiC as the Council Liaison in communication with Administrative, Community or Program representatives.

C. The SLiC Advisor will provide training, guidance and leadership opportunities for the Council members.

ARTICLE XI -

VACANCIES, RESIGNATIONS, TRANSITIONS, REMOVALS & RECALLS: 

Section 1. Vacancies and Resignations:

A. Vacancies shall be filled by the Executive Chair subject to the approval of the Council. The Executive Chair shall make all efforts to widely publicize such vacancies to solicit applications.

B. All vacancies shall be filled for the balance of the expired term.

C. In the event of a vacancy with the Executive Chair position, the Vice Chair shall resume the responsibilities of the Executive Chair.

Section 2. Transition:

A. Exiting SLiC members are responsible for providing complete records and files to incoming SLiC members.

B. A transitional meeting between the outgoing and incoming SLiC members will be facilitated by the SLiC Advisor prior to August 1st.

C. The outgoing and incoming SLiC members shall be responsible for f facilitating a smooth transition between terms to ensure

uninterrupted service to their AFSA-HawCC members. 

Section 3. Removal & Recall:

A. The entire Council shall by two thirds (2/3) majority vote have the power to remove an Executive Officer or a Council Member-At-Large for cause, to include disruptive, irresponsible, or unethical actions, using Robert’s Rules Chapter XX – Disciplinary Procedures.

Section 4. Recall:

A. Removal by recall of an Executive Board member or Council Member-at- Large shall be made upon presentation of a petition bearing verified signatures of 10% of the Student Body. The Council shall call for a special election within fifteen (15) days of receiving the petition.

ARTICLE XII – PLEBESCITE

Section 1. Procedures:

A. Any member of the student body may present a petition to the Council requesting legislation on any matter within the Council’s authority. The petition must bear verified signatures of 10% of the student body. The Council shall submit the petition to vote by the Student Body no sooner than fifteen (15) days and no later than thirty (30) days after receiving the verified petition.

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Petition to Amend the Bylaws:

A. The Bylaws may be amended by "A Bill to Amend the Bylaws". A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members assembled is required to approve the amendment by the Council. The bill to amend the Bylaws shall be submitted to a referendum of AFSA-HawCC within fifteen (15) days thereafter. A majority of votes cast by 5% of the Student Body is necessary to amend the Bylaws.

ARTICLE XIV – RULES OF ORDER

Section 1. Rules of Order:

A. Simple courtesy and Robert’s Rules of Order for Parliamentary Procedure, latest edition, shall govern the deliberations and proceedings of the Executive Board, Council and its Committees, subject only to the special rules that are established by these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XV - EFFECTIVE DATE

A. Upon approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Council assembled, the Bylaws shall be presented to the Student Body for ratification and it shall then be forwarded to the Hawai‘i Community College Chancellor and become effective on the date of the Chancellor’s approving signature.


Ratified and Approved: 09-23-08