HSU - Hmong Student Union at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Preamble:

The Hmong Student Union (HSU) is hereby established to promote the culturall, social, and educational interests of all students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-0shkosh. The Hmong Student Union will serve as the duly elected voice of of the Hmong Students in order to ensure that the concern of those students are considered in the academic and non-academic operations at this university.

Article I:

Membership

All students currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh are welcome to join. Contact Imelda Druke at the Academic Support for information.

Article II:

Responsibility of the organization

Section I - - The responsibility of the Hmong Student Union is to educate the public about the Hmong culture and promote divesity and awareness of different ethnic groups within the university.

Section II - - The Hmong Student Union, led by its elected officials, shall have the primary responsibility for the administration of the organization budget (including the budget request and appeal process).

Section III - - The Hmong Student Union shall ensure that all Hmong students are fairly treated and given respect from the University.

Section IV - - the elected officials of the organization shall represent the Hmong Student Union Members in all official interactions with other student organizations and with the administration of the university.

Section V - - the elected officials of the organization shall be responsible for arriving, promptly at the appointed meeting time, being prepared prior to meeting time, and staying for the duration of the meeting.

A. An official will not be excused from three or more meetings.
B. There shall be no unexcused absences.
C. Should either 1 or 2 occure, the conduct will be brought up for review.

Section VI - - All members are expected to attend meetings.

Section VII - - Any conduct which violates what the Hmong Student Union stands for will be brought up for review by the executive board.

Article III:

Rights of the general membership

Section I - - Members reserve the right to initiate a recall of any elected official. A petition must be signed by a majority of members (over half) and presented at a general meeting to initiate the process. A date for re-election will then be set.

Section II - - All members reserve the right to vote: for student executive positions, activities, events, etc.

Section III - - All Hmong Student Union members reserve the right to run for any executive Officer's position.

Section IV - - All members reserve the right to appeal decisions with a petition signed by the majority of the members.

Section V - - All members reserve the right to voice their individual opinions.

Section VI - - All members reserve the right to call for a special meeting if they have important, dated issues to discuss.

The Executive Board: Powers of the Executive Board

Section I - - The executive board can withdraw any amount under $60 at their discretion from the treasury.

The President

A. Eligibilities.

1. It is preferred that the president be able to speak Hmong and possess a basic knowledge of the Hmong culture.
2. The president must currently be a member of the Hmong Student Union.
3. The president must have two semesters experience as an HSU members.

B. Length of term.

1. The president shall serve a full term of one year.
2. One additional term is optional.

C. Duties and Powers of the President.

1. To serve as the official representative of the organization.
2. To speak on behalf of the Hmong Student Union at all events in which the organization holds and participates in.
3. To have one vote in decisions.
4. To appoint and chair and and/or all special/standing commitees to take charge of major events.
5. To require reports from any and all appointed commitees.
6. To prepare and present the Hmong Student Union budget with the Treasurer and Vice-President.
7. To prepare the agenda for each meeting.

The Vice-President

A. Eligibilities.

1. It is preferred that the vice-president be fluent in the Hmong language and possess a thorough understanding of the Hmong culture.
2. The vice-president must currently be a member of the Hmong Student Union.
3. The president must have two semesters experience as an HSU members.

B. Length of term.

1. The vice-president shall serve a full term of one year.
2. The vice-president is strongly encouraged to run for the presidential position the year preceding his vice-presidential term.
3. Additional terms as vice-president is optional.

C. Duties and Powers of the vice President.

1. To assist the president in representing the organization.
2. To assist the president and the treasurer in preparing and presenting the Hmong Student Union budget.
3. To have one vote in decisions.
4. In the absence of the president.
      a. The vice-president shall chair meetings of the executive board.
      b. The vice-president shall chair and appoint special /standing commitees.
      c. The vice-president shall speak on behalf of the Hmong Student Union at all events in which the Hmong Student Union holds or participates in.

The Secretary

A. To be eligible.

1. The candidate must be a current member of the Hmong Student Union.

B. Length of term.

1. The secretary shall serve a full term of one year.
2. Re-election for additional terms is optional.

C. Duties and powers of the secretary.

1. To prepare the minutes for each meeting of the executive board and of the organization.
2. To record and maintain all records of the executive board, including membership records.
3. To ensure that all student members are informed of upcoming events, meetings.
4. To have one vote in decision.

The Treasurer

A. To be eligible:

1. The treasurer must be a current member of the Hmong Student Union.

B. Length of term.

1. The secretary shall serve a full term of one year.

C. Duties and powers of the secretary.

1. To prepare and present, with the assistance of the president and vice president, the Hmong Student Union budget for the following year.
2. To maintain all budgetary records.
3. To have one vote in decision.

The MEC Student Board Representative.

A. To be eligible.

1. The Multicultural Education Center Student Board Representative must be a member of the Hmong Student Union.

B. Length of term.

1. The MEC board representative shall serve a full term of one year.
2. Re-election for additional terms is optional.

C. Duties and powers of the MEC student board representative.

1. To attend the assembly meetings at the appointed time.
2. To act as a liason between the Hmong Student Union and the Multicultural Education Center Student Board.
3. To have one vote in decisions.

The OSA Representative

A. To be eligible.

1. the Oshkosh Student Association Representative must be a member of the Hmong Student Union.

B. Length of term.

1. The OSA Representative shall serve a full term of one year.
2. Re-election for additional terms is optional.

C. Duties and powers of the secretary.

1. To attend meetings.
2. To record and maintain all records of the executive board, including membership records.
3. To ensure that all student members are informed of upcoming events, meetings.
4. To have one vote in decisions.

Article V: The commitees

The student commitees shall be elected from the general membership of the organization.

A. Duties of the Activity Commitee.

1. To plan for activities such as parties, picnics, etc.
2. To acquire and notify volunteers for such activites.
3. To report to the Hmong Student Union of current progress at general meetings.

B. Duties of the Conference Commitee.

1. To contact speakers.
2. To find a theme for the conference.
3. To recruit volunteers.
4. To report to the Hmong Student Union of current progress at general meetings.

Article VI: Processes in decision making

Section I - - The Hmong Student Union shall acknowledge that majority vote rules.

A. Majority is defined as: Any number that is over half. Only the votes of students who are present at the time of the vote shall be counted.

Section II - - each student is entitled to one vote.

Section III - - In the event of a tie, the student advisor present shall vote.

A. In the event that the student advisor refutes the vote or is absent, there shall be a drawing.

Section IV - - Voting will be done by voice:

A. If a vote by voice is indistinguishable, the voting process will be carried out by show of hands.

B. If secretary is requested, voting will be done through balloting.

Article VIII: Elections

Section I - - All candidates for executive positions must have a genuine interest in fulfilling that position.

A. If there are no candidates for particular positions, the newly-elected executive board.

Section II - - There is no limit to the number of candidates which can run for one position.

Section III - - There must be a minimum of two candidates in order for an election to be held for that particular position.

Section IV - - The candidate with the most votes shall win.

Section V - - In the event of a tie, the incumbent president shall have the the deciding vote.

A. In the event that the incumbent president is a candidate for that particular position, there will be a drawing.

Section VI - - In the event that there is just one candidate, he/she will be voted in or out by the majority

Article IX: Resignation and succession

Section I - - Any officer who wishes to resign their position should present a letter of resignation at a general meeting two weeks before leaving office.

Section II - - General elections will be held shall the positions of Vice-President, Secretary, MEC representative, OSA representative, or Treasurer become vacant.

Section III - - The vice president shall succeed to the President position should that office be vacated.

Article X: Expulsion

Section I - - The following are types of conduct detrimental to the club and will be brought up for review by the general membership:

A. Misuse of funds.
B. Publicly denouncing HSU or its members.
C. Misuse of office.
D. Misrepresenting HSU.

Section II - - Process of expulsion.

A. A petition must be signed by over half of the members (over 50%) and presented to the president.
B. The executive board will then schedule a meeting in which the conduct will be reviewed.
C. The accused shall reserve the right to appeal.
D. If convicted, he/she shall be expelled from the club.

Article XI: Adding to the constitution

Section I - - Mandatory meeting shall be called when there are proposals for additions.

Section II - - A two thirds vote is needed to ratify the addition.

Section III - - A three fourths vote will then be needed by the executive board for the addition to pass.

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