NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION

REVISED:  SEPTEMBER 10, 2003
PREVIOUSLY REVISED:  MAY 15, 1992

ARTICLE I

NAME

SECTION 1 – The name of this organization shall be NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION of Northeastern State University.

ARTICLE II

SECTION 1 – The Purpose of this organization is to enlighten the public in regard to the work of this organization and to promote a better understanding of the Indian people and the students of the school.

SECTION 2 – The objectives of this alliance are:

A. To promote and assume leadership for Indian students on this campus.
B. To promote scholastic and social development of the Indian student.
C. To promote the exchanging of ideas and traditions among the members and the community.
D. To provide an organization through which the activities of the group may become known to other organizations and individuals.
E. To encourage others to become interested in those objectives.
ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 – Regular membership is open to all students attending Northeastern State University.

SECTION 2 – Honorary members will be elected by members based on the contributions to the club. Alumni NASA members are welcomed to remain involved in the organization as advisors and resources for organizational and personal growth of it's members.

SECTION 3 – This organization does not conduct hazing activities.  Hazing activities are defined as, “Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off university premises to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.”

ARTICLE IV

GOVERNING BODY

SECTION 1 – The government of this organization shall be vested in an Executive Committee consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations, Documentary Director, Miss NASA, Student Senate Representative, and Alternate, and a minimum of two On-campus and one Off-campus sponsor.

SECTION 2 – All officers, including the minimum of three  sponsors shall be elected by the REGULAR members, from the REGULAR membership roll, for the term of one year after fall semester begins. The positions of the president and Miss NASA elections are held in May for the remainder of the semester, summer session, and following school year.

SECTION 3 – Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by a vote of the REGULAR members. All officer positions are to remain filled with officer availability during the summer break to ensure all organizational needs are met before the following semester begins. Any persons seeking an office must submit a two to three typed paragraph biography before the day of elections and be prepared to share a short oral biography at a NASA meeting by the election date as well.

ARTICLE V

DUTIES

SECTION 1 – The President shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Committee and the general membership, delegate duties and responsibilities, and shall perform all other duties incident to his/her office.

SECTION 2 – The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence and all other duties as designated by the President.

SECTION 3 – The Secretary shall correctly record the proceedings of all meetings, retrieve office phone messages, collect campus mail, and assist with form development to maintain a current membership database, filing records of minutes and events in the NASA office, and shall work with Public Relations to post the minutes of the N.A.S.A. meetings on the NASA web site.

SECTION 4 – The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all monies, keeping an accurate record thereof, and attend to all duties pertaining to N.A.S.A. funds. The treasurer shall submit an itemized monthly balance/accounting of funds at member meetings, and have disbursements available in a timely manner when requested by NASA officers and members alike.

SECTION 5 – The Student Senate Representative shall properly represent the members of this organization in the University Student Senate and shall be required to attend all Senate meetings and to report at each regular meeting of the NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS. The Student Representative Alternate will resume the duties of the representative in their absence.

SECTION 6 – The Public Relations officer shall promote the organization through all available media on and off campus utilizing: radio, newspaper, television, web site, marquee, web notes, and campus promotions; posters, flyers, booths, and stands during student body events.

SECTION 7 – The Documentary Director utilizes various medias to document organizational functions and archive current events while researching and preserving the origins and formation of the NSU-NASA organization and events.

SECTION 8 –Miss NASA shall properly represent the members of this organization at various activities on and off the campus serving as an ambassador at community functions, speaking engagements, pow-wows, school assemblies, and gatherings to promote tribal customs and cultures of indigenous peoples.

SECTION 9- At least one executive officer shall be in attendance at each committee meeting, and maintain a sense of hospitality to visitors and members alike.

SECTION 10-The Sponsors shall act as advisors in all matters pertaining to the affairs of the NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE VI

VOTING

SECTION 1 – Each REGULAR member shall have one vote.

SECTION 2 – Sponsors shall not have a vote.

SECTION 3 – Proxy votes shall be allowed in writing by paid student NASA members on or before the day of elections.

SECTION 4 – Each student member will be expected to pay his/her dues before elections in order to vote or run for an office.

SECTION 5 – At least one sponsor must be present at all elections.

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS

SECTION 1 – Meetings will be held at a place designated by the President who shall consider the convenience of all members in making his/her selection.

SECTION 2 – Executive Committee and Special Committee meetings will be held at a time and place designated by the Chairperson of that respective committee.

SECTION 3 – The election of President, Miss NASA, and the minimum of three Sponsors, will be held two weeks before the end of the spring school semester.

ARTICLE VIII

REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

SECTION 1 – Any officer who is absent from three (3) consecutive Executive and/or membership meetings except for extenuating circumstances, may be removed from office by a vote of 75% of the REGULAR members present.

SECTION 2 – Any officer who does not fulfill the duties of his/her particular office may be removed by a vote of 75% of the REGULAR members present.
 
 

ARTICLE IX

DUES

SECTION 1 – Semester dues for student members- -REGULAR shall be $5.00 a semester or $10.00 a year.
Honorary NASA ALUMNI dues: $10.00 a year.

SECTION 2 – There shall be no dues for Sponsors.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1 – Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be made by a majority vote of the Regular members.

(The above posted by-laws were revised by, T.P. September 10, 2003 and voted by members.. Note the bold font to identify revisions).