ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this organization shall be “Action in Africa” (referred to as an organization) until non-profit (501c3) status has been achieved. Then it will be called a “non-profit organization”


ARTICLE II: Purpose

Section 1: The purpose or mission of the organization shall be: (list what you intend to do, your mission, and/or goals).


ARTICLE III: Membership

Section 1: Membership in Action in Africa at Chapman University shall be open to any and all students, faculty, and staff at Chapman University.  Active membership shall be determined by valid sign-up by email confirmation, and attendance in regular organization meetings. Once a student graduates or ceases to be a student at the University, his/her membership in the Club shall cease.

Section 2: Any member may be removed from membership for violation of the purposes of the organization by a two-thirds vote of the membership.  All members must be notified of this pending action at least one week prior to the removal decision.  Written charges by a member are to be presented to the Executive Committee who will notify the member in question with sufficient opportunity given for the member to answer charges at a meeting of the membership.  Voting for removal from membership is to be done by secret ballot.  The member in question must be notified immediately of the outcome of the vote.

Section 3: It shall be stated as part of the policy of “Action in Africa” at Chapman University that membership and membership privileges must be open to all students without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law, so that all members of the community are treated at all times with dignity and respect.  Membership and participation in the organization must also be open without regard to gender, unless exempt under Title IX.

Section 4: With membership in the Club shall come full floor and voting privileges on any and all items of Club business, including resolutions, items of legislation, bylaws, and elections.


ARTICLE IV: Officers

Section 1: The officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, and Treasurer. The officers shall be responsible for all administrative duties of the Club.

Section 2: The President shall have the power to establish and maintain operation procedures of the Club, call meetings, answer for all actions of the other officers, represent and speak for the organization, and have total authority over www.Actioninafrica.com. The President shall be able to vote in all decisions affecting the Club.

Section 3: The Vice President) shall assist the President with all administrative duties and assume those duties in the absence of the President and Must Attend 75% of all meetings held.

Section 4: The treasurer shall receive and distribute Action in Africa’s funds upon the authorization of the president, in accordance with the financial rules and regulations of the University and the laws of the State of California, and make financial reports at all Executive Committee meetings, and at the regular meetings of Action in Africa and coordinate fundraising activities.

Section 5: The elected officers shall form the Executive Committee.

Section 6: All elected officers should be in good academic standing at the University (above a 2.0 G.P.A.).


ARTICLE V: Elections

Section 1: The Vice President and treasurer shall be appointed by the president of Action in Africa to serve a term of one year.  Elections shall be held one year after Action in Africa has been made an official organization on campus, and will be held at the first regular meeting of the organization. The officers shall be elected by means of a ballot. The term of office for all officers shall begin on the first organization meeting and end on the last organization meeting of each year.

Section 2: Nominations of candidates for Action in Africa officer positions shall from the floor of the meeting by any organization member.  Nominees for officer positions must be organization members.

Section 3: The order of succession shall be:  (1) President, (2) vice president  (3) treasurer

Section 4: Vacancies occurring in any of the elected offices shall be officially filled at the next regular organization meeting following the occurrence of such a vacancy or vacancies.  The order of succession shall be followed in the filling of any vacant office during any unexpired term.  If an officer declines to succeed to a vacant office, then an election shall be held to fill the office for the remainder of the unexpired term.  The election procedure for filling the unexpired term of a vacant office shall be the same as for the normal procedure for elections.


ARTICLE VI: Appointments

Section 1: The President can appoint, such positions as may contribute to the successful operation of the organization


ARTICLE VII: Removal from office

Section 1: Any officer may be removed from office for failure to perform his/her prescribed duties by a two-thirds vote of the membership, provided that all members are notified of this pending action at least one week prior to the removal decision.  Removal from office can occur either for failure to carry out the responsibilities of that office, or for actions which violate the purposes of the organization.  Written charges by a member are to be presented to the Executive Committee who will notify the officer in question with sufficient opportunity given for the officer to answer charges at a meeting of the membership.


ARTICLE VIII: Meetings

Section 1: General membership meetings shall be held weekly, with additional meeting called by the President as needed.  Notice of additional meetings must be given to all club members in the timeliest manner possible, usually not less than one week.

Section 2: The Executive Committee shall meet when called by the President.

Section 3: Official notice of the meeting at which the election of organization officers will take place must be provided to all organization members via email not less than one week prior to such meeting.


ARTICLE IX: Funding

Section 1: Dues may be charged for membership in the organization. Semester memberships shall expire on the first day of the next semester.  Yearly membership shall expire on the last day of the Spring Semester (including summer session) after the semester in which dues are paid.  Membership dues can be paid during any semester and shall be collected by the Treasurer.

Section 2: The organization shall, as it deems necessary, undertake fundraisers for its own purposes.  All fundraising shall be conducted in accordance with University policies.


ARTICLE X: Amendments

Section 1: Amendments to this constitution shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the members present at two consecutive meetings at which the amendment has been read.

ARTICLE XI: Jurisdiction

Section 1: The recognized/registered student organization is subject, to the rules, regulations, and policies of Chapman University and the laws of the State of California.  The rules, regulations, and policies of the Chapman University shall hold precedence over any and all rules, regulations, and policies applying to the organization at Chapman University.