The Constitution of the

Vietnamese Student Association at American University

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Article I Mission
The American University Vietnamese Student Association (AUVSA) is dedicated to increasing
cultural awareness and diversity on campus and in the community. AUVSA hopes to create
unity and cooperation through numerous activities focusing on the celebration and exposure of
Vietnamese culture, hoping to provide the necessary interaction between those of different
backgrounds to build cross-cultural bridges and foster acceptance and awareness. A dynamic
and open organization, AUVSA prides itself on its diverse and unified membership, and
persistent dedication to decreasing cultural tension on campus. The AUVSA experience:
Culture. Service. Friendship.
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Article II Name and Insignia
Section I. The organization shall be recognized as the Vietnamese Student Association of the
American University (AU). It may be referred to as VSA.
Section II. The times, places and manners of meetings shall be decided by the Board of Officers.
There is a minimum of one meeting per month during the college session.
Section III. Campus identifiers used in conjunction with American University shall
include: Main Campus, Central, etc. The campus address is
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016.
Section IV. VSAs insignia is a symbol that will represent the organization.
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Article III Purpose
The Vietnamese Student Association establishes this Constitution to introduce the Vietnamese
Culture and language through the following aspects:
To build relations with campus culture organizations and other student groups at American
University.
To provide opportunities for students to interact with each other and share their cultural
experiences with the University and the community.
To establish communication with Vietnamese organizations at other institutions, the Vietnamese
community, and other organizations.
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Article IV Affiliation
Section I. This association shall be mutually affiliated with any other organization(s) that
will help VSA achieve its purpose and mission.
Section II. Its affiliation shall be within American University as well as outside of the
University and therefore maintain respect in its functioning.
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Article V Adherence to University policies, local and federal laws
The organization shall adhere to policies of American University as well as local and federal
laws in its functions.
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Article VI Non-Discrimination Clause
Section I. AUVSA is open to all students and will not discriminate in their membership selection
on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity
and expression, disability, or any other bases under federal or local laws.
Section II. Notwithstanding these requirements, the organization may restrict membership based
on an ability to perform the activities related to the organizations purpose.
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Article VII Membership
Section I. The Vietnamese Student Association shall be composed of members who show an
interest in the Vietnamese culture.
Section II. Membership shall be open to all students in the college community.
Section III. Each member shall be required to pay dues every semester if specified by the Board
of Officers.
Section IV. Each member shall be entitled to have one vote, but shall lose that voting privilege if
he or she fails to attend two consecutive scheduled meetings.
Section V. Membership may be revoked under suggestion of any member or officer. The
executive board must unanimously agree the abrogation necessary and ratified by simple
majority vote of members.
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Article VIII Officers/Organization Leadership
President
a. The President shall officiate at all meetings.
b. The President shall set an agenda for VSA meetings.
c. The President shall attend all AUVSA meetings as the representative of VSA.
d. The President shall inform all VSA members about VSA functions.

Internal Vice President (Internal VP)
a. The Internal VP shall be aware of activities and functions of the President & External Vice
President.
b. The Internal VP will assume duties and responsibilities of the office of President if the current
President is incapable of performing his/her job.
c. The Internal VP helps the President set the agenda for meetings.
d. The Internal VP must be knowledgeable of all organizational rules and guidelines of American
University.
e. The Internal VP represents AUVSA at other AU events an activities.
External Vice President (External VP)
a. The External VP shall be aware of activities and functions of the President & Internal Vice
President.
b. External VP will assume duties and responsibilities of the office of President if the current
President and Internal VP are incapable of performing his/her job.
c. The External VP acts as a liaison between AUVSA and other organizations, associations, and
the community.
d. The External VP represents the President in deciding matters outside of AUVSA in the case
the President is absent or unable to fulfill his/her duties.
e. The External VP represents AUVSA at other Vietnamese Students Associations events and in
the community.

Secretary
a. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all VSA meetings.
b. The Secretary shall send out weekly VSA announcements.
c. The Secretary shall record the logistics of every event for future reference.
d. The Secretary shall maintain a record of all official members and alumni.

Treasurer
a. The Treasurer shall register VSA properly with the proper offices when pertaining to finances.
b. The Treasurer shall keep record of the organizations funds.
c. The Treasurer shall verify that there is sufficient funding for any planned activities.
d. The Treasurer shall apply for needed funding.

Culture Director
a. The Cultural Director shall need to keep contact with the greater Vietnamese community.
b. The Social Director, along with the Cultural Director shall be responsible for the gathering and
organizing events for the organization.
Social Director
a. The Social Director shall plan events that will strengthen the VSA community.
b. The Social Director, along with the Cultural Chair shall be responsible for the gathering and
organizing events for the organization.

Public Relations Director (PR Director)
a. The PR Director shall promote and recruit members for the organization.
b. The PR Director shall see to it that events or activities are properly advertised.
c. The PR Director shall be head of a committee that is engaged in all matters of public relations
(i.e. newsletters, banners, posters, flyers, etc. to attract potential members).

Historian
a. The Historian shall take and document photos of all VSA events
b. The Historian shall maintain a regularly updated VSA website.
c. The Historian shall organize and compile a memoire of events.

Section II. Chain of Command
The Internal VP shall succeed the President.
The External VP shall succeed the President.
The Secretary shall succeed the External VP.
The Treasurer shall succeed the Secretary.
The Culture Director shall succeed the Treasurer.
The Social Director shall succeed the Culture Director.
The Public Relations Director shall succeed the Social Director.
The Historian shall succeed the Public Relations Director.

Section III. Provision for Removal of an Officer
Removal of an officer can be based on complaint or officer misconduct. Upon complaint
from active members or officers, the President can call a special executive meeting to
vote on the removal of the officer. At the meeting, the officer in question will have a
chance to defend his/her actions, and be given the chance to resign if found guilty of
complaint or misconduct. If a majority vote cannot be reached, then the active members
will vote to remove the officer with a two-thirds majority vote upon the next meeting. To
remove two or more officers, an officer can call a special meeting upon the request of
the members to remove the officers in question with a two-thirds majority vote. Any
officer can call a special executive meeting to remove the President with a majority vote
among the officers.
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Article IX. Officer Resignation
An officer must submit a written statement of intention to the organization two weeks prior to
resignation.
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Article X Role of Advisor
The advisor shall be a full time faculty or staff member at American University. The advisor
shall be notified of upcoming events by AUVSA.
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Article XI - The Executive Board
Section I. The Executive Board shall consist of all officers and any advisor(s).
Section II. The power of the executive board shall:
A. amend the constitution with a two-thirds majority vote of the officers.
B. dismiss any member or officer who defies the board, damages the organization, and/or
violates the organizations prime objectives.
C. plan major events.
D. discuss and determine any power deemed necessary to accomplish the organizations
purposes.
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Article X Election Procedures and Timeline
Section I. The Board of Officers shall be elected at a meeting at the end of March to a term of
one year, and shall serve until their successors have been duly elected. The exact date will be
determined by the Executive Board.
Section II. Nominations for each office shall be announced at the meeting preceding the election
day. Nominations may remain open until the day of elections.
Section III. Each officer shall be nominated and elected in the order that they are listed in
Article VIII, Section II.
Section IV. A majority of the voting members must be present in order to hold an election. The
President shall have the power to arrange another meeting, if necessary, where there shall be a
majority of voting members to hold elections.
Section V. Elections shall be done by secret ballot or by show of hands.
Section VI. A candidate for an office must receive a majority vote in order to be elected. In the
event that no candidate receives a majority vote on the first ballot, the candidate having the least
number of votes shall be dropped and a second ballot shall be taken. The procedure shall be
repeated if necessary until a candidate receives a majority vote.
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Article XI Ratification and Amendment Processes

Any amendments to the Constitution shall be adopted by a majority vote. A written notice of the
proposed amendment shall have been given at least two weeks prior to a meeting. There shall be
no voting by proxy. All such amendments shall become effective immediately, pending approval
by the Student Association. The Constitution of the Vietnamese Student Association has been
ratified by a majority vote of the VSA members on a date To Be Determined (TBD) and
included henceforth. Amendments of the original Constitution of the Vietnamese Student
Association ratified by a majority vote of VSA members will be noted in the Constitution.
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Article VI - Property

All items listed in the VSA inventory must be passed on from year to year. Any additional or lost
items must be reported to the Treasurer.
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