MSA Constitution

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MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION1

 

Mission Statement

 

To address the religious, cultural, and social needs of Muslim students of Bowling Green State University, and to build awareness and familiarity with Islam, Islamic cultures, and Muslims through positive interactions with the BGSU community.

 

Article I

Name and Registration

 

The name of the organization shall be the Muslim Students Association (MSA). It shall be a non-profit, student organization registered with Bowling Green State University (BGSU).

 

 

Article II

Membership

 

MSA membership belongs to whoever requests membership from a board member. Membership in the Association shall be open to all Bowling Green State University students without discrimination. Non-students of the University will be accepted as associate members. MSA complies with the Society of Student Activities issued by BGSU:

“Membership in student organizations shall be open to students of BGSU without regard to sex, gender identity, genetic information, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, pregnancy, military status, age, or status as a Special Disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.”

 

 

Article III: Objectives

 

The Muslim Students Association is dedicated to three fundamental goals:

 Assist Muslim students at Bowling Green State University with their spiritual, social, and intellectual goals. The Association shall strive to represent and advocate for the interests of Muslim students at Bowling Green State University.

 Muslim Students Association aspires to educate Bowling Green State University students and the community of Bowling Green about Islam and its principles.

 Muslim Students Association in collaboration with the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo and Muslim Students Association of the U.S and Canada seeks to build a community based on peace, love, friendship and mutual respect for other faiths and organizations.

Article IV

Duties and Structure

 

Section I – Executives

 The Executive Board consists of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, a Sisters' Coordinator, a Director of Events, and a Web-Designer.

 The Executives are responsible for policymaking and day to day operations of MSA.

 General Body meetings, at which members will be briefed on the activities, progress, are held 3 times a semester or as deemed necessary by the board.

 

President

To lead the officers in achieving the objectives of the organization, call board meetings, and handle the representation of the organization in communication with other authorities. Specifically: (1) to represent the MSA in the University and in all other organizations in which the Association participates; (2) to chair all meetings of the Association; (3) to coordinate and supervise the work of all officers; (4) to serve as ex-officio chair of all Special Committees; (5) to supervise all activities of the MSA; (6) to manage the representation of the MSA in the community; (7) to help coordinate relations between the MSA and the media.

 

Vice President

To fill in for the President during his/her absence, and to support other officers and members in carrying out their duties and initiatives. He/she manages the MSA’s office/prayer/storage spaces. More specifically: (1) to chair meetings of MSA and represent the MSA in the President's Absence; (2) to manage the operations of the MSA, including maintaining the spaces, scheduling all regular and special events, and supervising the arrangement of all activities. (3) to help advertise the MSA to incoming students.

 

 

Secretary

The Secretary is responsible for maintaining and providing information to the entire organization. Primary responsibilities include:

 Administration of all lists, files, and other information. Such information includes the email list, mailing list, telephone list, flyers, handouts, Annual Report, membership, schedules, and deadlines.

 Informing members about meetings and functions.

Keeps track of room reservation needs for events.

 

Treasurer

Primary responsibilities include:

 Administration of the MSA treasury.

 Manage income/expenditure of all financial documents, processes, and transactions excluding university accounts.

 Upon request, submit a monthly financial report to the Executive Board.

 Prepare the annual MSA budget.

 Secure all funding for all events of the MSA and office supplies;

 Prepare the budget proposals for all events, and keeping up with the funding deadlines.

 

Sisters' Coordinator

The duties of the Sisters' Coordinator shall be: (1) to unify and creatively reach out to all sisters on campus in a variety of ways and represent their views to the Officers; (2) to encourage all sisters to be a part of the general MSA; (3) to plan and organize events for sisters at least once a month; (4) to work with the rest of the officers to represent the MSA; (5) to look for and accommodate special needs, if any, of sisters on various occasions such as conventions and other (religious, social) gatherings.

 

Director of Event

The duties of the Director of Event shall be: (1) Shall oversee all duties related to special events, and delegate responsibilities to other officers regarding events

 

Web-Designer

The Web-Designer is a special position appointed by all the officers. The Web-Designer does not have to come to official meetings unless requested to do so. The duties of the Webmaster shall be: (1) Maintain our website. (2) Update the Website in a timely manner whenever there is an announcement. (3) Take care of the audio/video recordings from our events, and post it on our website, or give it to the secretary to be archived.

 

Section II – Chairs

 The Board consists of the Executive Board and the Permanent Chairs.

 Chairs are appointed by the executive board where approval of at least three board members is needed.

 Any additional chairs can be added for that year with the approval of 3 board members.

Permanent chair additions are treated as amendment changes to the constitution and thus follow the procedure outlined in section VII.

 Current permanent chair positions consist of the Educational, Outreach, Social, and Publicity chairs.

 

Educational Chair

To organize and manage educational and religious events directed at the MSA members.

 

Outreach Chair

To organize and manage MSA events aimed at increasing awareness of Islamic issues, directed outside the MSA members

 

Social Chair

To organize and manage social and community service events to strengthen brotherhood between MSA members.

 

Publicity Chair

To publicize MSA events through proper channels within and outside BGSU.

 

 

Section III – Special Committees

The officers are entitled to form Special Committees to assist in the management, planning, and/or execution of the MSA's regular and special activities. The Special Committees shall be subject to the approval of the officers and shall work under their supervision. The President shall serve as the ex-officio chair of all Special Committees, All the officers, including the president, shall not interfere in the duties of the Special Committee. The Committee will have absolute freedom unless (1) it harms the image of the MSA; (2) it needs money from the MSA's bank account; (3) it is not completing its duties.

• The Fund Raising Committee is an all-volunteer Special Committee that includes only members (not officers) of the MSA. The duties of the Fund Raising committee shall be: (1) to raise money for special events or MSA conferences; (2) help raise money for the MSA. They will decide how to complete their job without any interference from the officers.

 

Section IV – Eligibility

The Officers of the MSA must be Muslim students enrolled in Bowling Green State University during their full term in office.

 

Article V

Elections and the Determination of Positions

 

Section I - Rules governing the process

 There are no term limits.

 Elections must be held once per year during the third or fourth week in March following Spring Break.

 The newly-elected Executives take office during the second week of May.

 If a member is nominated, they may decline their nomination.

 Upon vacancy of an Executive position, the remaining members of the Executive Board will appoint a member for that position.

 Upon temporary absence of a chair, the Executive Board will appoint a person to that position.

 If both president and vice president positions (plus any other board members) are vacant at the same time, then new elections will be held to fill the positions.

 

Section II – Process

 Members nominate candidates anonymously through election system over a one week period.

 The Election Chair confirms with nominees to accept or decline their nomination.

 Members then vote on nominations through election system over another one week period.

Members who cannot be present at the voting meeting may submit a paper or electronic absentee ballot or name a proxy who may cast their vote. Absentee ballots and proxies should be delivered to the executive board or the secretary at least 20 minutes before the meeting begins.

 Winners are determined by a simple majority (50% + 1) tallied by the Election Chair.

 Repeat process with the top two candidates.

 In a situation of tied electoral votes, the election chair will break the tie and choose one candidate to take the position.

 Election Chair announces results within 3 days of the end of voting.

 

 

Section III – Disputes

 If any member challenges the Election process, a committee of three, who are not up for election, will look into the matter and determine if re-election is necessary.

 

Section III - Voter eligibility

 Voters must have membership status two months before the Election process begins (tracked by the secretary).

 

Section IV - Eligibility for positions

 Eligibility for an Executive position requires that a person be an MSA member before the Election process.

 

Section V – Term of office

 

The length of the office shall be no longer than one calendar year. Newly elected officers shall take office at the start of the new school year and their term will end at the last meeting the following spring once new officers are announced.

 An officer can hold a second position at most in non-occasional circumstances. This could be a temporary or permanent term depending on the availability of candidates who could fill the position.

 

 

Article VI

Amendment of the Constitution

 

Section I – Proposing an Amendment

 An amendment must be provided in writing and submitted to the Board.

 Members should be informed that the constitution will be changed.

 

Section II – Amendment Approval

 An amendment is approved by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board.

 Changes to the constitutions will become effective after the next 3 months, or once the new board takes over, whichever comes first.

 

 

                                         Article VII

Membership and officer Removal

 

Section I – Misconduct by a member

 Failure to meet requirements of membership will result in loss of membership.

 In the event of an accusation against or misconduct on the part of any member, the Executives must investigate and recommend a course of action including loss of membership. Accused may resign their membership if they disagree with the course of action.

 

Section II – Removal of an Officer

 Removal of President: Three members who do not hold officer positions must convey their request to the president asking him/her to resign with the reasons behind this request if the president refuses to resign. A committee of two members, one assigned by the president, and the other by the three members, who requested the president to resign, will arrange for a general body meeting, where the three members will present the reasons why they desire the removal of the president. The president will then have the chance to rebuttal. After that, a vote will be made by all eligible voting members using a secret ballot to decide whether to remove or keep the president. In case of the removal of the president the vice president will assume the presidency and appoints a new vice president.

 Removal of an appointed Officer: The president has the right to remove any officer he/she appointed if he/she believes is not delivering his/her duties, and appoint another member after consulting with the rest of the executive board members. A public announcement will be announced to the members of this change.

 Resigning: Officers no longer wishing to serve on the board must submit their resignation to the President at least two (2) weeks in advance. Prior to the officers final day, he/she shall provide all documents relating to the organization and brief his/her replacement of current projects in his/her care.

 

Section III – Removal of a Member

 

Membership may be revoked without a mutual agreement for non-participation, misconduct, or violations of any provisions of the Constitution. The member will be notified in writing of the possible revocation at least 72 hours prior to the vote and will be allowed to address the organization in order to relate to members any relevant defense prior to the voting for removal. Membership can only be revoked upon a 2/3 majority vote of eligible members. Revocation of membership will be valid for two (2) semesters.

Section IV –Appeal Process for a member

 

Any student whose membership is revoked will have seven (7) calendar days to appeal the revocation. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the President and Secretary and must include any relevant information that has not already been presented. The President will then submit the appeal to the Appeals Committee. This committee consists of 3 executive board members and 4 general members. This committee will then render a decision at the next general body meeting or in seven (7) calendar days, whichever occurs first.

 

Section V –Appeal Process for an officer

If an officer has been removed, he/she will have seven (7) calendar days to appeal the revocation. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the President or the secretary and must include any relevant information and reasons for resuming duties as an officer. The president will have the right to accept or reject the appeal.

 Reinstating an officer: The president has the right to reinstate an officer upon his/her demand, once all requirements mentioned in sections III and IV in article IV are fulfilled.

 

Section VI –Vacant officer positions

 

In the event an officer is removed or resigns, the nomination process as stated in Article V Section 2 will take place at the next scheduled meeting. The election process will take place as stated in Article V Section 3 at the next scheduled meeting following nomination. The newly elected officer's term shall end at the annual election scheduled in November.

 

Article VIII

Meetings

 

 There will be at least 2 large general body meetings (once each semester). (20 people)

 Smaller biweekly meetings which can include other activities in addition to

planning. (10 people)

 

Section I –Meetings

 

 There will be at least two regular large general body meetings scheduled each semester. All officers are required to attend, and all members are invited to the meeting.  The meetings are announced during the first month of the semester. The president announces for these meetings through the organization’s calendar on the website. (Quorum: 20 people)

 Regular monthly meetings for officers are scheduled by the executive board within a month after the election. These meetings can include discussion of other activities in addition to planning for events and making their arrangements. (Quorum: All officers)

 President or Vice president can also call for irregular meetings with a request from executive board members. The officers should be notified at least 3 days in advance via emails, text messages, or phone calls. These meetings are arranged to plan for any special events, or discussing some work progress. (Quorum: selected officers).

 

 

 

Article IX

Decision Making Procedures

 

 Each board member has authority over the responsibilities described previously.

 It is expected that each the board member will consult with the other members of the board before executing activities. In addition, each officer needs to inform the president about the activities he/she intends to do.

 

Section I – Activities discussed by all board members

 Case 1: Those that do not fall under the responsibilities of a certain officer.

 Case 2: Those that are unusual, large, or have consequences for other parts of the organization.

 Case 3: Another board member or the responsible office requests discussing the activity on another chair or their own.

 

Section II – Making Decisions

 Decisions about the above activities will be decided by vote, where approval by the following must be present:

- The president.

- The responsible officer in the second and third cases.

- More than 1/2 of the board member in the first and second cases, and 3/4 of the board members in the third case.

If any of the above is missing, the activity will not proceed.

 

 In the case of a tie, the vote of the president is counted as two in the first case, and the vote of the responsible officer is counted as two in the second and third cases.

 

Section III – Presidential Veto

 The president has the right to veto an activity proposal.

 

Article X:

Funding and Finance

 

Sources of funding for the MSA shall include (1) all available funding within the University grant sources and boards; (2) fund-raising and donation revenues; (3) From the Fund Raising Special Committee; (4) membership dues.

 Membership dues shall be determined by the executive committee members.

 The treasure is responsible for spending the dues on the approved organization’s events or needs.

 

 

Article XI:

Advisor

Section I- Nomination of the adviser

The advisor shall be selected by the officers of this organization and must be approved by a simple majority vote of eligible members. The advisor has no voting rights. The advisor position has no term limit other than he/she must be a current BGSU faculty or staff member.

Section II- Removal and Replacement of Advisor  

The advisor will be notified in writing of the possible removal at least 72 hours prior to the vote and will be allowed to address the organization in order to relate to members any relevant defense prior to the voting for removal. Upon a 2/3 majority vote of eligible members, the advisor will be removed from his/her duties. In the event that an advisor is removed or resigns, a new advisor shall be elected within 14 calendar days.

Section III- Advisor Responsibilities

 The advisor shall serve as a mentor to the organization.

 His role consists of providing guidance and recommendations to the officers and members in all issues related to university and organization rules.

 

 

Article XII:

Organizational Statement

 

 “The Muslim Students' Association is an equal opportunity organization committed to the maintenance of the guidelines of Islamic principles and teachings. No student shall be discriminated against on the basis of language, color, national origin, sex, political orientation, or sectarian denomination.”