The Constitution of the University of Florida
Turkish Student Association

Article I

Name

The name of this organization shall be THE TURKISH STUDENT ASSOCIATION hereinafter referred to as the TSA

Article II

Purpose

The purpose of the TSA is to integrate the Turkish community in Gainesville, to develop the awareness of the contemporary Turkish World and its culture, and to promote Turkey.

Article III

Membership

Section 1:


Membership is limited to UF students; however, faculty, staff and student spouses may be associate members.

Section 2:

Members of this organization are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution and harassment.

Section 3:

Membership is terminated at the written request of the member. Annulment of Membership requires a General Meeting, and more than 50% of the members voting for the annulment.


Article IV

Officers Duties


Section 1:

The officers of the TSA shall be:

a. President

b. Vice-President(s)

c. Secretary

d. Treasurer

e. Information Systems Manager


Section 2:


The President shall call and preside over all meetings, appoint all committees, serve as ex-officio member of all committees, assign duties to the Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Information Systems Manager or assume their duties when appropriate, preside as election officer, and perform such other duties as prescribed in the constitution

Section 3:


The Vice-Presidents shall assume all duties of the President in the event of absence and carry out other duties as assigned by the President, coordinate the activities of the standing committees and ensure that they are performing their duties in accordance with the TSA Constitution.

Section 4:


The Secretary shall record all meetings and handle all correspondence of the TSA, record a written history of all relevant events that occur in the TSA, represent the TSA at any required student government meetings, keep a current list of all committee members and relative chair persons, assist the President in presiding over elections, prepare and post a monthly calendar of events.

Section 5:

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all money received and spent by the TSA, subject to prior approval from the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance of such books of account and records as may be necessary to conform to the requirements herein, prepare a monthly status report for the Executive Committee, and coordinate the semester budget preparation and presentation for the approval by the Executive Committee. All transactions requires advance approval of the treasurer.

Section 6:

The Information Systems Manager is responsible for the design and maintenance of the Web Page of the Association and keep an updated list of all TSA members.

Section 7:


The Faculty Advisor is responsible to audit the activities planned by the Executive Committee and should serve as a consultant when needed.

Article V

Election of Officer

Section 1:


The President shall be elected at the end of the Spring Semester and hold office for a period of one calendar year.

Section 2:

The outgoing President shall call for elections and should allow reasonable amount of time for a member's declaration of candidacy to be submitted. Nominations for Presidency shall be opened by the outgoing President to all full members at least 2 weeks prior to the nomination close date. Members wishing to run for Presidency should sign their names on an election sheet provided by the Secretary. The close of nominations shall occur at least 24 hours and not more than 7 days prior to the election date. No nominations will be accepted after the nominations are closed. There will be no write-in votes.

Section 4:

The date of the election shall be determined by the outgoing President. Elections shall be held during a general meeting in which only full members present will be allowed to vote.

Section 5:

An election is unnecessary if there is only one candidate for the Presidency.

Section 6:


Elections shall be held by secret ballot, and the President will be selected by simple majority. If there is not a 50% margin, a run-off election will immediately take place between two top candidates. The presiding officer shall only vote in the event of a tie between two candidates.

Section 7:

The President shall select his/her cabinet.

Section 8:

If the office of President should become vacant during the term of office, the Vice President shall assume the office. All other vacated offices shall be filled by the Executive Committee.

Section 9:

The TSA Executive Committee shall appoint a Faculty Advisor for the academic year.


Article VI

Resignation & Removal


Section 1:


The President shall notify TSA of his will to resign in writing, and the resignation shall be approved by the 50% or more of the members of General Assembly. Any Executive Committee member other than the President shall notify the committee of his/her will to resign, and the resignation should be approved by 50% or more of the Executive Committee.

Section 2:

In case the President does not fulfill his/her duties, he/she will be removed from the office by the approval of 50% or more of the members of General Assembly. In case any Executive Committee member other than the President does not fulfill his/her duties, he/she will be removed from office by the approval of 50% or more of the members of Executive Committee.

Article VII

Dissolution Of The Association

The General Assembly retains the sole right to dissolve the Association which requires a 2/3 majority of the votes at an official meeting.


Article VIII

Meetings


There shall be a Fall and a Spring meeting of the General Assembly. The President is elected in the Spring meeting for a period of 1 year. The previous Executive Committee has to be clarified by the General Assembly before the new Executive Committee starts its duties. Additional Meetings can be called upon by a petition request of the Executive Committee or 50% or more of the members.

The TSA Executive Committee shall meet once a month during the academic year. Other meetings may be called as requested by the President.

Article IX

Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws

Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the TSA shall be proposed in writing to the officers no less than two weeks prior to the meeting at which they will be considered for approval. The proposed amendment will be posted at a designated location no less than three days prior to the meeting at which it will be considered for approval. Approval of an amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote of all members present at the meeting.

Article X

Genera

Section 1:


The rules contained in Robert's Revised Rules of Order shall be the Parliamentary authority in all matters to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the TSA.

Section 2:


The TSA shall not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, age, nationality, disability or sexual orientation.

Section 3:

The TSA shall adhere to the Student Guide and the other laws, rules, and regulations governing the
University of Florida and its students. The TSA shall not participate in any form of hazing.

Article XI

Amendment

1. Amendments to the Constitutio


Amendments to the Constitution require General Assembly and follow the procedures of Article VIII

2. Amendments to the Bylaws


Amendments to the Bylaws require the approval of the majority of Executive Committee or the General Assembly and immediate notification of all members via e-mail or letter.

3. Article XII

Ratification Of The Constitution And The Bylaws

The ratification requires a General Assembly meeting following the procedures of Article VIII and 2/3 majority of the votes at on official meeting.


Bylaws of the Turkish Student Association

Article I

Membership


Membership requires a written membership request provided by the TSA. Denial of membership requires the approval of the review committee. If denial is not approved by the review committee, the case is presented in one of the biannual meetings of the General Assembly.

Article II

Dues


There is no membership due.

Article III

Duties Of The Executive Committee

The functions of the Executive Committee shall include the following:

a. Review the actions of the sub-committees


b. Approve the annual budget


c. Approve or deny membership


d. Propose amendments to the Constitution and approve amendments to the Bylaws


e. Take action in circumstances not foreseen by the Constitution


f. Initiate and monitor planning for the future operations of the Association.


g. Propose guidelines for fiscal operating policy. Oversee revenue generation and expenses, and examine the financial impact of current and proposed operations of the Association.


h. Monitor relations between TSA and other Turkish Student Associations.


i. Maintain oversight of the public affairs activities of the Association, including the conduct of duties that have been approved by the Executive Committee.