|
Persian Student Society (PSS)
- Cultural Note: Only 51% of all Iranians are actually Persian. 24% of Iranians are Azeri, 8% are Gilaki and Mazandarani, 7% are Kurd, 3% are Arab, 2% are Lur, 2% are Baloch, 2% are Turkmen, and 1% are others. Thus, the better term to use is Iranian instead of Persian. This organization wishes to provide the opportunity for people to expand their knowledge about other’s backgrounds and respect one another’s opinions and recognize our great diversity.
The purpose of our organization is to bring together the Iranian community of both
the University of Florida and of Gainesville as a whole. Our goal is to spread
awareness and a greater understanding of the Iranian culture and identity through events such as social gatherings, cultural shows, athletic competitions, and other aspects of the arts and to provide a forum for discussion on Iranian topics and issues. Also, we would like to unite the Iranian community in order to promote economic, social, and political progress in Iran. These activities will be financed largely through cultural events open to the public, fund-raising sales involving T-shirts and similar items, and donations from the Iranian community. This organization shall not be for profit and shall remain non-commercial in nature.
Full membership shall be limited to registered students of the University of Florida. Members must have attended two meetings a semester. Faculty, staff, the spouses
of members, and other students may be associate members--associate members do not vote or hold office. Members are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution or harassment. Active members must attend at least half of the meetings per semester and must participate in at least half of the functions including social, fund raising, tabling , discussion forums, and other activities.
The Persian Student Society will in no way discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. Any student with an interest in the Iranian culture is welcome to join.
The frequency of meetings of the Persian Student Society will be once a month; authorization of more frequent meetings will be made by decision of officers or members.
PSS may not require members to pay dues or fees to the organization. However, the activities and programs will be financed largely through cultural events open to the public, fund-raising sales involving T-shirts and similar items, and donations from the members and the public.
Section 1: The offices shall be those of the President, Vice-President, Assistant Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Director, and Historian. The president shall open a new office as needed at the beginning of each year.
Section 2: Officers will be nominated and each officer is elected by a majority vote and secret ballot.
Section 3: The term of service for each office is one year. The number of terms for which any single person may be re-elected is two times for the same position.
Section 4: The main duty of the faculty advisor is to aid the club in spreading awareness of Iranian culture around campus by keeping in close contact with the officers throughout the term, and helping with technical matters such as meeting places for the club, etc.
Section 5: The faculty advisor is selected on the basis of their interest in Iranian culture and their willingness to help the organization flourish. The faculty advisor will also be elected at the same time as the other officers. The faculty advisor is elected by the officers.
Section 6: President
The duties of the president of the Persian Student Society involve overseeing organizational activities, commencing club meetings, promoting new ideas from other club members, and working closely with the faculty advisor in keeping the organization updated with current cultural events on campus.
Section 7: Vice President
The duties of the vice president and the assistant vice president include aiding the president in the above stated activities, directing fund-raising activities, and communicating with officers of other organizations on campus. It is also the vice president's duty to commence club meetings in the absence of the president.
Section 8: Treasurer
The treasurer of PSS will be in charge of organizing fund raising events, as well as directing all club investments and funds within the organizational account.
Section 9: Secretary
It is the responsibility of the secretary to be present at all club meetings and take the minutes for each meeting. The secretary is also responsible for maintaining the organization's website and list serve.
Section 10: Historian
It is the historian's job to keep a current record of each of the organization's events through photos and/or notebook descriptions of the events.
Section 11: Social Director
The duties of the Social Director include planning and setting up different social events throughout the year. He/she will be in charge of planning for the Norooz Celebration (Iranian New Year).
Section 12: If any officer fails to fulfill their duties as stated above, they will be put on a probation term of two weeks, during which their work will be monitored, and if showing no improvement in responsibility, may be impeached with a majority vote from the rest of the organization's active members.
Any vacant office during the term will be filled by a member through nominations and, again, a majority vote by the rest of the club.
PSS committees will include: Talent Show Committee, Soccer Committee, Community service committee, Cultural/educational Committee, Political Committee. Committees may be formed at any time, according to the needs of PSS. Each committee will consist of volunteers. The volunteers shall independently nominate and elect someone to serve as chairperson for that committee. The chairperson shall serve until the project for which the committee was formed is completed. It is the responsibility of the chairperson to report, to the rest of the organization, the progress of the committee.
PSS shall conform to the regulations prescribed by the Student Guide and other laws and rules governing the University of Florida and its students. Hazing is, by all means, prohibited.
With the continued growing needs of our organization, amendments to the constitution may be suggested and drafted by the president after announcement and discussion of the required amendment with all of the members, and only after a majority of the members votes to approve the amendment. Of course, all amendments must be approved by the Office of Student Activities.
|
