ARTICLE I Vision and Mission

ARTICLE II PURPOSE
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE IV ELECTION PROCESS
ARTICLE V RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
ARTICLE VI IMPEACHMENT
ARTICLE VII MEETINGS
ARTICLE VIII ADVISOR (S)
ARTICLE IX COMMITTEES
ARTICLE X FINANCES
ARTICLE XI DISSOLUTION
ARTICLE XII REGISTRATION RENEWAL
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE XIV STATEMENT OF NON-HAZING
ARTICLE XV STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH CAMPUS REGULATIONS

ARTICLE I Vision and Mission

We, the members of this Organization, do ordain this the constitution of the African Student
Organization of the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois as the constitution for the
members of the African Students Organization. We do hereby establish this constitution for the
purpose of expressing our ideas, beliefs, concerns, and activities to the Illinois Institute of
Technology community. We will not nor do we believe in promoting our own individual
political ideas as those of the group as a whole. We believe in creating an atmosphere where
students can convene socially and academically and grow together as young men and women.
No one person will represent the organization without the consent of its members.
Vision: To promote Africa by empowering ethical and global leadership.
Mission: To share the rich African heritage through community service, cultural events, and
collaborations with other organizations.
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
A. Cultural Awareness
The organization will focus on increasing the awareness of diversity and the multi-cultural
aspects of Africa and the African people. We are dedicated to our commitment to share the
wealth and greatness of Africa with the campus community. We would also like to receive in
return the vast culture and richness of the United States of America through the students, cultural
organizations, and faculty of the Illinois Institute of Technology campus.
B. Social Awareness
The organization will encourage interaction between African Students and campus students of
different races and religions. We will strive to make the organization a meeting place and a tool
of instruction and learning that is a place in which people from various fields of affluence and
study will meet, discuss and exchange ideas in the spirit of unity and humanity. ASO will
encourage all events that broaden the spheres of culture, society, and education.
C. Educational Awareness
As a student body at an institution of higher learning, the organization and its members will
attempt to do their utmost to help the organization members cope with and learn the university
system. We will act as a "referral service" for our members, referring them to the appropriate
body or faculty members.

D. News and Media Awareness

The organization recognizes the need to keep abreast of current events. There will be an informal
forum each week at which members will discuss the implications of news and media on the
world, particularly on the African community. The African Students Organization is committed
to social responsibility and will encourage students to participate in public affairs. However, it
must be stressed that political and religious views will be uninvolved in the afore mentioned
matters as much as possible.
E. Miscellaneous
The African Students Organization is an organization that wants to encourage the spirit of unity,
togetherness, and humanity among its members and the campus community. We will always
continue to open our doors to a multi-cultural society. The organization will be devoted to the
propagation and sharpening of academic skills, the discussion of current issues, and development
of leadership skills. The African Students Organization will be the voice and home for its
members and will be devoted to the interests of peace and unity in the campus community. The
organization understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by the
Illinois Institute of Technology rules and regulations.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP

1. SECTION I ELIGIBILITY
Membership of this organization shall consist of (both part-time and full time) undergraduate,
graduate, IIT, Vandercook, and Shimer Students. The African Students Organization openly
admits students to its organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex,
sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, age, national origin, political affiliation,
physical or mental disability, or on the basis of the exercise of rights secured by the First
Amendment of the United States Constitution.
1. SECTION II MEMBERSHIP DEFINITION
The following will define a student's membership status during any academic school year:
A. Dues ($20/academic year) are required and donations will also be accepted (the donation
amount will be determined by each individual member).
B. Attendance of at least two-thirds of all meetings during each semester.
C. Active participation in all activities the organization sponsors unless the activity interferes
with academic, religious, or economic affairs.

ARTICLE IV ELECTION PROCESS

SECTION I ELECTION
A. The general election is to be held in April.
B. All voting members may be undergraduate or postgraduate.
C. All elections will be held on an annual basis
D. All officers will be elected by a majority vote of eligible members in the organization.
E. Executive officers can be undergraduate as well as graduate students, however, all executive
officers must be full time students, and be in good academic standing with the university.
F. Every outgoing executive board member will nominate someone for their position.
F. The following positions will be available for contest for eligible members:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Public Relation
6. Event Coordinator
7. Academic Chair
G. The newly elected officials will preside over the administration of the organization two weeks
prior to the last meeting of the spring semester. During this time they will be instructed on how
the organization should be run according to any campus policies and/or regulations.
H. The commissioner (selected by the ASO executive board) will overseas the election process.
SECTION II VOTING ELIGIBILITY
All members who meet the requirements for active memberships, as set forth in Article Three
will be granted voting privileges provided that they are students currently enrolled in the
University.
SECTION III VOTING METHOD
All voting will be done by secret ballot, collected, and tabulated by the election committee.

ARTICLE V RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS

SECTION I PRESIDENT
The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the President:
A. Preside over all meetings of the organization.
B. Act as an official spokesperson for the organization.
C. Preside as the chairperson of the executive board.
D. Coordinate all activities the organization sponsors.
E. Appoint all committee chairpersons.
F. Preside as the chairperson of the Constitution and By-law committee.
G. Appoint eligible members to any vacant executive positions with approval from the majority
of members.
H. Utilize the power to call special meetings with prior notification to organization members.

SECTION II VICE-PRESIDENT
The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Vice-President of
Programming and Administration:
A. Assume the President's position in times of absence due to personal or academic reasons.
B. Coordinate all of the organization's administrative duties such as making reservations for
office space and rooms, etc.
C. Work along with the event coordinator by making sure the organization has everything
needed to run a successful event.
E. Will work with the Public Relation Officer to appoint liaisons to other organization.
F. Supervise the organization's application renewal process with the Office of Student Life.

SECTION III SECRETARY

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Secretary:
A. Responsible for taking minutes during general and executive meetings on a bi-weekly basis.
B. Maintain a copy of the constitution and by-laws at every meeting.
C. Maintain an accurate attendance list of every meeting.
D. Perform other clerical duties the President or any other executive member assigns
E. Responsible for weekly reminder to members of each meeting

SECTION IV TREASURER
The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Treasurer:
A. Oversees all the finance and operation components of the organization. This entails record
keeping with the University budgets as well as obtaining funds from the student Activities fund.
B. Prepares a brief monthly report of the organization's financial status.
C. Pay all bills the organization accrues during the semester upon receipt of the bill.
D. Keep close contact with other Executive Board members to maintain a high level of
functionality in the organization.
E. Carry out extensive research (involves the cost and necessary requirements in order for the
event to take place) on any idea that is proposed as an event. This should be done before final
decisions are made on the events for the semester.
SECTION V PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Public Relations
Officer:
A. Responsible for promoting the organization as well as any activity the organization sponsors.
B. Responsible for newsletters, flyers, and other literature.
C. Responsible for the organization's printing and advertisement needs.
D. Responsible for managing and updating the organizations facebook, twitter, and website
pages.

SECTION VI Event Coordinator

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Public Relations
Officers
A. Coordinate every aspect of any ASO event and make sure it occurs without a hitch.

B. Event coordinator is also expected to be onsite the day of the event to oversee set-up or
perform the set-up themselves, and to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

C. Event coordinator must be able to interact with a variety of people ranging from vendors,
students and attendees.

D. The Event Coordinator will work closely with the Vice President and Public Relationship
officer to make sure events run smoothly.

Section VII Academic Chair

The following duties from this day forth are to be the sole responsibility of the Academic Chair
A. Organizing and maintaining the academic databases (drop box) and study nights.

B. Making connections between students in need of tutoring and students that can help them.

C. Creating programs that will stimulate academic performance.

Note: All officers will be responsible for attending at least 75% of all events the
organization schedules. Responsibilities might intertwine with one another based on
executive board members academic and/or religious obligations.
ARTICLE VI IMPEACHMENT

SECTION I GROUNDS FOR DISMISSING EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

Any officer of the organization in violation of the organization's purpose, constitution or who
acts in any way that is detrimental to the progress of the organization or its members can and will
be relieved of their executive duties.
SECTION II PROCEDURE FOR IMPEACHMENT
A. A written request from at least three members of the organization is required to have an
officer removed.
B. A written letter notifying the officer of the charges being brought against him or her and
requesting their presence at the next general meeting to defend the allegations.
C. A two-thirds majority vote is necessary to successfully remove an officer.

ARTICLE VII MEETINGS

SECTION I FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
All meetings will occur on a bi-weekly basis at a time and place previously selected and agreed
upon.
SECTION II MEETING PROCEDURE
A. All meetings will be conducted in an orderly fashion. Each member will have their
opportunity to speak and will be expected to respect the rights of others.
B. Minutes must be taken and send out through email to the ASO body within 24hours after the
meeting.

ARTICLE VIII ADVISOR (S)

A: There shall be, at least, one advisor who will serve as a mentor for the African Students
Organization.
B: The advisor will help with the development of the organizations group dynamics.
C: The Advisor should be able to help in the organizations goal setting process, guide
organization to stay within its mission and purpose and be able to play the devil advocate.
D: The advisor should be able to serve as a liaison between the organization and the University,

help organization create a memorable legacy and attend meetings at least once a semester.

ARTICLE IX COMMITTEES
SECTION I Events COMMITTEE
A. Purpose
The committee will assist in ensuring efficient coordination of programs. They will also be
responsible for ensuring the timeliness of programs.
B. Committee Membership
The event coordinator will act as the vice-chair and will work collectively to elect the other
members of the committee from.

SECTION II: PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE

A. Purpose
The committee will be responsible for assisting the Public Relations Officers in communicating
information to the campus community.
B. Committee Membership
The Public Relations Officer will chair this committee with other ASO members.
SECTION III CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAW COMMITTEE
A. Purpose
The committee will annually review the constitution and by-laws of the organization and propose
any changes if needed.
B. Committee Membership
The President will chair the committee with the Secretary acting as the vice-chair. The chair of
the committee will have the power to nominate no more than two other members to work on the
constitution.
SECTION III FINANCE AND FUND-RAISING COMMITTEE

A. Purpose
The committee will work on different ways to generate money for the organization and will
oversee the budget proposal for Finance Board funding. They will also coordinate the
scholarship program.
B. Committee Membership
The Treasurer will chair the committee and the two other committee members will act as the
vice-chairs. The chair of the committee will have the power to nominate no more than two other
members to work on the committee.
ARTICLE X FINANCES
The organization will finance all activities it engages in via the following means:
A. Finance Board funding
B. Donations from outside resources
C. Fund-raisers
ARTICLE XI Dissolution
Section 1: Upon the dissolution of this organization (fund, responsibilities, etc) shall be handed
over to the student Activities Fund
Section 2: All items purchased with the university funds shall be returned to the possession of the
University
Section 3: The outgoing President shall be responsible for carrying out these directives.
ARTICLE XII REGISTRATION RENEWAL
The organization will apply to the Office of Student Life for registration on an annual basis one
month after the new officers are elected.
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS
This constitution is binding to all organization members, but it is not binding unto itself. Any
member of the organization may propose amendments to this constitution provided they give
written notification to the executive members. This may be done at any meeting in which twothirds of the members are present. These amendments will be placed on the agenda for the next
regular meeting of the executive council. Proposed amendments will become effective with
approval from two-thirds of the active members.

ARTICLE XIV- Statement of Non-Hazing

The organization will not conspire to engage in hazing or commit any act that causes, or is likely
to cause bodily dancer, physical harm, personal degradation, or disgrace resulting in physical or
mental harm to any fellow or person attending the institution.
ARTICLE XV- Statement of compliance with campus Regulations
This organization shall comply with all university and campus policies and regulations. This
organization shall also comply with all local, state, and federal laws.