The Constitution of the Thai Student Association     Missouri University of Science and Technology

Adopted: 1976
Amended: May 4, 1995

ARTICLE I: NAME

This organization shall be known as the "Thai Student Association of the Missouri University of Science and Technology" which shall be abbreviated as the "THAI" in regard to intramural affairs or "THAI-Missouri S&T " in regard to extramural affairs. In this constitution it shall be referred to as "the Association."

Insignia

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association shall be to:

1. serve as the representative of Thai students at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T),
2. coordinate and regulate activities and funds in the interests of the Association's members,
3. keep the members informed of relevant knowledge (necessary advice for living aboard, news concerning Thailand, etc.),
4. create and maintain a positive relationship among the members, Missouri S&T student body, local community, and to a greater extent, other Thai student communities, and
5. promote understanding of Thai culture.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership Categories

Regular Membership

All students at Missouri S&T are entitled to regular membership. Only regular members shall have the privilege of voting in any proceeding of the Association. A regular member is deemed active upon payment of his/her dues.

Associate Membership

Associate membership shall be extended to those who have an interest in the Association. An associate member shall pay associate membership dues. A nonstudent spouse of a regular member shall be entitled to associate membership without payment of membership dues. An associate member shall have the right to speak but not to vote.

Section 2. Membership Dues

Regular and associate membership dues shall be collected twice a year at the beginning of Fall and Winter semesters. The amount of membership dues may be recommended by the Executive Committee and must be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the regular members present at a business meeting.

Section 3. Non-discrimination Statement

The Thai Student Association at Missouri S&T shall not bar anyone from membership on the basis of race, religious beliefs, handicap, gender, or sexual preference. Political inclination shall not interfere with any proceeding of the Association.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND ADVISORS

Section 1. President and Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall consist of the following officers: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Sports Coordinator, and a Public Relations Coordinator. This committee shall have the power to act for the Association between regularly scheduled meeting and to perform other duties stipulated in the bylaws of the Association. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held upon notice from the President.

The President of the Association shall be elected by vote of the regular members. Nomination and election shall be during the last regular meeting in the Winter semester. The term of the new President shall begin immediately following the election. All other officers shall be appointed by the President prior to the next regular meeting after the Presidential election. Duration of an officer's term shall be one year. By this amendment, the President shall not serve two consecutive years.

Section 2. Officer Qualifications and Replacement

Only Thai students who are regular members may serve as officers. All officers shall maintain a 2.50 semester GPA for undergraduate study or a 3.25 GPA for graduate study. In the event that the President vacates his/her elected office, the Vice-President shall serve as Acting President in addition to the duties of Vice President. At the next regular meeting, nomination and election shall be held for the vacant office.

In the event an officer does not perform his/her duty in a proper manner, regular members may remove him/her by a vote of four-fifths (4/5) of the regular members present at a business meeting. Removal shall become effective immediately. The term of replacement officers shall continue until the regular meeting for the election of a new President.

Section 3. Duties of the President

The President shall live up to the high moral standards of society and shall:

1. obey and enforce the constitution and bylaws of the Association,
2. act as the official representative of the Association for all intramural and extramural affairs,
3. be held accountable to the Association as a whole,
4. call meetings and preside at meetings of the Association and Executive Committee,
5. appoint and replace other officers and chairpersons of ad hoc committees as necessary,
6. see that all resolutions passed by a vote of regular members present at business meetings be implemented, and
7. authorize expenditures within the Association budget.

Section 4. Duties of the Vice President

The Vice President shall live up to the high moral standards of society and shall:

1. act in the official capacity of the President in his/her absence or at the request of the President,
2. serve as Acting President in case the President vacates his/her elected office,
3. coordinate and oversee the work of the Executive Committee and ad hoc committees,
4. report all necessary activities of the Association to the International Student Club (ISC),
5. be responsible for publicity of issues and events outside the Association pertaining to the Association or its members, and
6. see that the Constitution and bylaws of the Association are followed.

Section 5. Duties of the Secretary

The Secretary shall live up to the high moral standards of society and shall:

1. act as recorder of all business brought before the Association and be held responsible and accountable for all records of the Association,
2. notify the faculty advisor of any changes in personnel (i.e., officers),
3. furnish a complete list of names and addresses of regular members, associate members, officers and faculty advisor, and
4. see that copies of the current constitution and bylaws are available to new members.

Section 6. Duties of the Treasurer

The Treasurer shall live up to the high moral standards of society and shall:

1. establish and maintain the Association's financial and property records,
2. be held responsible and accountable to the Association for all transactions,
3. provide a financial report on expenditures and treasury balance during the last regular meeting in the Fall and Winter semesters, and
4. collect all dues and fees.

Section 7. Duties of the Sports Coordinator

The Sports Coordinator (Manager) shall live up to the high moral standards of society and shall:

1. promote sports activities and sportsmanship among the members,
2. act as representative to Missouri S&T Intramural Manager Association (IMA) meetings and make information available to members, and
3. recruit and manage athletes for the Association's sports events.

Section 8. Duties of the Public Relations Coordinator

The Public Relations Coordinator shall live up to the high moral standards of society and shall:

1. establish contact with all new Thai students at Missouri S&T and work in coordination with the International Student Office (ISO),
2. promote cultural and social activities of the Association, and
3. inform the members and faculty advisor about the Association's calendar of events and its relevant issues.

Section 9. Advisor

The Association shall have an advisor from the faculty at Missouri S&T. He/she shall be nominated by the Executive Committee no later than the regular meeting following the Presidential election and be elected by two-thirds (2/3) of the regular members present at a business meeting. The advisor shall serve for a period of one year and can be re-elected. The advisor may attend Association meetings and shall have right to speak but not to vote.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular and Special Meetings

Two regular meetings shall be held in each regular semester, Fall and Winter. One may serve as a welcome meeting for (new) members, and an Executive Committee agenda for the semester shall be announced. Another may serve as a congratulatory meeting for graduates (if any), and a summary report shall be delivered. Special meetings may be called by the President at any time or at the written request of at least one-third (1/3) of the regular members of the Association.

Section 2. Quorum

A quorum shall be constituted by a simple majority (1/2) of the regular members of the Association. A quorum must be present to conduct business. Unless stipulated otherwise, two-thirds (2/3) of the regular members present at a business meeting shall be needed to pass all motions, amendments, and the like.

ARTICLE VI: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Executive Committee in written form by at least one-third (1/3) of regular members of the Association. The text of a proposed amendment shall then be distributed to all regular members at least one week prior to the final vote for approval of the amendment. Final approval of the proposed amendment requires a two- thirds (2/3) majority vote of regular members of the Association. If a proposed amendment receives less than a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all regular members, it may not be reconsidered for at least one academic semester.

ARTICLE VII: BYLAWS

The Association shall adopt bylaws as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities and objectives of the Association. Bylaws must be submitted in written form by regular members only. Amendment or revocation of bylaws shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of regular members present at a business meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: UNIVERSITY POLICIES

The Association shall abide by all applicable provisions of University Policies for Student Life.

ARTICLE IX: RATIFICATION

This constitution shall become effective immediately upon approval by the regular members. Upon ratification, this constitution shall supersede any constitution previously in effect.