Constitution
ARTICLE I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION
The name of the organization shall be “Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh”. The acronym for the organization shall be GSAB. Hereinafter referred to as (GSAB). No other name can be used in the advertisement or
representation of the organization. This organization currently has no affiliations with any local, national, or global associations, organizations and/or groups.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE STATEMENT
The main purpose of the Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh is to serve the needs and concerns of Bangladeshi graduate students, primarily of international student status. GSAB is committed to building a network of Bangladeshi Graduate Students and promoting the rights and interests of the students. GSAB will help future Bangladeshi graduate students’, primarily of international student status, with their transition to the US and will ensure their smooth assimilation into the University of Florida and the local Gainesville community. GSAB will work collectively to provide opportunities for professional development, academic support, community engagement, and peer and professional network building throughout the academic year. The association will promote student involvement with academic programs, provide mentoring for new or existing students, and create, organize, or manage social gatherings and events. Thus the members of the association of graduate students will work together to improve the quality of graduate student life.
The organization will also showcase Bangladeshi culture and heritage to the University of Florida and the local Gainesville communities through cultural events, and festivals. At the same time, the organization will appreciate the rich cultural and ethnic diversity on campus and coordinate with other organizations in events of mutual goals and interests. GSAB will also uphold and nurture unity among students of all nationalities. GSAB will encourage members to interact with individuals with different cultural backgrounds and help to enhance the multicultural environment at the university.
ARTICLE III. COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
Upon approval by the Department of Student Activities and Involvement, Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh shall be a registered student organization at the University of Florida. Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh shall comply with all local, state and federal laws, as well as all University of Florida regulations, policies, and procedures. Such compliance includes but is not limited to the University’s regulations related to Non-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment (including sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), Hazing, Commercial Activity, and Student Leader Eligibility.
ARTICLE IV. UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS
Constitutions must include the verbatim sections below.
To be registered, each student organizations must agree to comply with the University of Florida’s Non-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Hazing Policies, hence the inclusion of Article IV. NOTE: A student organization whose primary purpose is religious will not be denied Registered Student Organization status on the ground that it limits membership or leadership positions to students who share the religious beliefs of the organization. The University has determined that this accommodation of religious belief does not violate its Non-Discrimination policy.]
Section A. Non-Discrimination
Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh agrees that it will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status as protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
Section B. Sexual Harassment
Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh agrees that it will not engage in any activity that is unwelcome conduct of sexual nature that creates a hostile environment. Behaviors that could create a hostile environment include sexual harassment (which could include inappropriate sexual comments), sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
Section C. Hazing
Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh agrees that it will not initiate, support, or encourage any events or situations that recklessly, by design, or intentionally endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student for any purpose including but not limited to initiation or admission into or affiliation with any student group or organization.
Section D. Responsibility to Report
If this organization becomes aware of any such conduct described in this article, Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh will report it immediately to Student Activities and Involvement, the Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, or the University’s Title IX Coordinator.
Section E. Officer Eligibility
Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh understands, acknowledges, and agrees to uphold and abide by the specific minimal requirements regarding officer eligibility as defined in the Registered Student Organization Classification and Officer Eligibility Policy.
ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this organization is open to all enrolled students at the University of Florida. Non-enrolled students, spouses, faculty, and staff are prohibited from holding membership, office, or voting powers. All members are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution, retaliation, or harassment.
ARTICLE VI. STUDENT ORGANIZATION ADVISOR
The Advisor of the Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh should be Bangladeshi faculty/ staff at UF. The fundamental term is one academic year but there is no limit on the number of terms the candidate can keep the current status if there is an agreement between the advisor and the President, Vice-President, and treasurer belonging to the Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh. The faculty advisor has duties to advise the Graduate Students’ Association of Bangladesh to go forward to better serve the purpose of the organization. In the case of a vacancy in the faculty advisor position, officers begin to get three or more advisor candidates. The new advisor obtaining the most votes is elected among them. The election process is conducted through the show of hands of officers.
ARTICLE VII. OFFICERS
Section A. The organization shall have President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary as the main officers of the association. These officers comprise the Executive committee. Other officer positions can be applied for or may be asked to serve if necessary, based on the membership group decision (election).
The ‘President’ will call, and preside at all meetings of the organization and will coordinate the work of the officers.
The ‘Vice-President’ should serve as an aide to the President and should perform the duties of the President in the president’s absence or inability to serve.
The ‘Treasurer’ shall receive all monies of the organization and shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures. The treasurer shall pay out local funds in accordance with the approved budget as authorized by the organization. The Treasurer shall present a financial statement when requested by the President or Vice President.
The ‘Secretary’ shall keep a record of all members and events of the association. The General Secretary will keep meeting minutes and reserve event space as required. S/He shall also prepare an event calendar. The secretary is also responsible for the organization, content, and communication of event materials with the community. S/He may appoint other officiating positions (i.e. Organizing Manager, Cultural Manager, Social Media Director) for these roles. The appointment must be consulted and discussed with President, Vice-President and Treasurer before the announcement.
Section B. In addition to the elected officers, the executive board will also consist of members who will supervise various events organized by GSAB. These positions may consist of Organizing Manager, Cultural Manager, Public Relations Director, and Social Media Director depending on the current board’s needs.
Section C. Vacancies can be created due to resignation, illness, or other ineligibility to serve a serving official. In that case, it is the prerogative of the current elected officers to come up with a replacement and assign a member to act as a temporary official. The post of President and Treasurer, if occupied temporarily, must however be filled within four weeks by holding elections for these posts. In the event of the Faculty Advisor vacates the post, a new Faculty Advisor will be approached and will be elected as described in ARTICLE VI.
Section D. The President and other primary elected officers (Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President), can be impeached if he/she has not lived up to the expectations of the post that he/she holds, or has committed any wrong-doing (criminal or otherwise), and/or has not shown the willingness to bear the complete responsibility for his actions by resigning from his/her office. When more than two-thirds of attending members in an additional all member-general-meeting vote for impeachment, the impeachment is valid. The quorum for such a meeting is 50 primary members. Other members of the executive board may be removed from duty in the aforementioned scenario by the primary elected officers.
ARTICLE VIII. ELECTIONS
The election of officers defined in ARTICLE VII Section A will be held annually in the Spring semester (preferably within 30 days of class commencement).
Nominations for officers defined in ARTICLE VII may be received a day prior to the election by email. If no nomination for an officer is received, the nomination may be received on the day of election from the floor.
The election will be done by ballot.
The President of the existing committee will retire from his position and will conduct the election. S/He may or may not appoint other committee members (not contesting in the election) to assist the election process.
Nominees’ for the ‘President’ position must serve as vice-president, treasurer, or secretary in the previous committee. Other nominations may only be accepted if both vice-president, treasurer, or secretary are unwilling to serve as ‘president’.
All nominees’ and elected officers must be enrolled for at least 2 semesters (excluding summer) prior to the election semester.
The nominee with the highest vote count will be declared the winner for a specific post. In case of a tie, re-election may be conducted.
ARTICLE IX. FINANCE
No membership fee is required to join the student association. However, registration with personal information is required to participate in community events.
Funds may be raised from alumni, intra-community events (sports, food stall, merchandise sell, etc.)
Funds may only be used in organizing quarterly events.
A ‘per-person fee may be taken for organizing quarterly events if funds are minimal.
The treasurer is obliged to show the finance report at the end of each semester to committee members.
ARTICLE X. MEETING.
The executive committee meeting will be held twice per semester to discuss the potential scope for community improvement and organizing events.
A general meeting will be held twice per year if no social gathering is arranged.
Meeting formats can be in-person or virtual.
ARTICLE XI. AMMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION.
Any amendments proposed by the officer, advisor, or members must be presented in a general meeting.
A proposed amendment may be approved with a two-thirds vote from members.
Amended constitutions must be signed by the advisor and executive committee members with a date.
Amended constitutions must be submitted directly to the Department of Student Activities and Involvement for review and approval.
ARTICLE XII. DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION.
The organization may be dissolved upon approval of 80% of the members of the association.
Residual funds must be declared and used before the dissolution of the organization.