2017 1. Name The name of the club shall be known as Afghan Students Association (ASA) (Unincorporated). 2. Registrations ASA will be registered with University of South Australia Student Association (USASA) and must meet all requirements for club endorsement set by USASA as established in the USASA Constitution or USASA Policy. 3. Objectives or purpose of ASA The objectives of the ASA are to: i. Provide networking opportunities to Afghan and other students ii. Serve as a platform for students to enhance their leadership potential iii. Celebrate festivals and organize events during the year iv. Help students get to know the opportunities at the university v. Provide a platform where the alumni and senior students help commencing students with their studies and career planning vi. Help the Afghan students engage with the activities offered by the university and create a friendly atmosphere around the campus Page 1
4. Membership i. Members may join as long as they complete any membership forms, pay any subscription or membership fees, or any other requirements that have been approved by the Executive Committee. ii. Members are required to be a University of South Australia student or an Associate Member of USASA. iii. A member may resign from membership of ASA at any time. Any resigning member shall be liable for any outstanding subscriptions which may be recovered as a debt due to ASA. iv. Expulsion of a member - Subject to giving a member an opportunity to be heard or to make a written submission, or given a warning by the Executive Committee and may recommend the expulsion of a member upon a charge of misconduct detrimental to the interests of ASA, USASA, or the University of South Australia. 5. Executive Committee of ASA The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the management and control of the activities, funds and other property of ASA. Office Bearers i. All Office Bearers must be current UniSA Students and an affiliated member of the USASA and ASA. ii. The President shall be responsible for chairing all meetings of ASA and the Executive Committee. The President shall also be the spokesperson for ASA. iii. The Vice-President shall work as a deputy for the President and upon the approval of the President will be head of the Executive Committee in his/her absence. iv. The Secretary- shall be responsible for taking minutes of all the meetings of ASA and maintaining the membership list (the name and student number, where applicable, & email address). v. The Treasurer- shall be responsible for maintaining the ASA s financial resources. vi. The Executive Committee shall comprise of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. These Executive Committee Positions must be fulfilled, without either of these positions the Executive Committee will be unable to carry out its duties. 1. With the additional Executive Committee roles which were created in ASA term 2015 including the Marketing Officer, Membership Officer and Events Officer. These are necessary to be filled, however, Executive Committee may continue its role if unfulfilled. 2. In circumstances of section 5 (vi)(1), section 5 (xiii) will apply. Page 2
vii. The Executive Committee shall introduce other positions as they consider appropriate at the time to better carry forward the objectives of the Association. Any new position needs to be approved by 3/4 votes of the Executive Committee members who are the office bearers at that time. viii. The positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and other positions shall be chosen at the Annual General Meeting (`AGM`) for a 1 (one) year term of office. ix. The President can run only for one term, except when there is no other candidate for the role at the AGM and the current Executive Committee approves with majority votes that he/she may run for the second consecutive term. x. The Executive Committee shall meet a minimum of 12 times per year. xi. Meetings are open to all ASA members and a minimum of three Executive Committee members, must be present to establish quorum. xii. Executive Committee members must provide written notice of resignation. xiii. In the event of a mid-term Executive Committee vacancy, a Special General Meeting (`SGM`) will be called to elect a new Executive Committee member. 1. In special circumstances, if it is a single Executive Committee member who will be absent for a duration longer than 3 weeks with valid reason approved by the current Executive Committee by 3/4 votes then he/she may introduce a substitute until return. 2. If there is more than a single Executive Committee Member absent from the Executive Committee, then an SGM must be held to fill the vacant position(s). xiv. In the event that there are no current Executive Committee Members, USASA shall be empowered to appoint an interim Executive Committee so that a Special General Meeting may be called. Disqualification of Executive Committee Members xv. The office of an Executive Committee Member shall become vacant if an Executive Committee Member is: expelled as a member under these rules; 1. Resigns as a member of ASA; or 2. Fails to attend three (3) Executive Committee meetings without a leave of absence granted by the Executive Committee, or 3. Is decided by 3/4 of the Executive Committee members to be expelled due to lack of activity or other reasons. Page 3
6. General meetings i. A quorum for a General Meeting of ASA shall be a minimum of six members of ASA or 10% of the ASA membership whichever is the larger number of ASA members, of which 3 must be a member of the Executive Committee (if the executive committee had 3 members at that time). Annual General Meetings ii. Annual General Meeting will be held in March of each year to elect the new Executive Committee, and needs to satisfy the criteria set in s 6(i). iii. Seven-day notice shall be given to members for an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Special General Meeting (SGM). The notice shall set out where and when the meeting will be held, and particulars of the nature and order of the business to be transacted at the meeting. iv. Elections for Office Bearers will occur at each AGM or as required at SGM to fill a midterm Executive Committee vacancy. Only registered ASA members can nominate themselves for the Executive Committee and only registered ASA members can vote for the nominees. v. Voting in elections will be by secret ballot. vi. Voting will be conducted by the preferential counting system and will be overseen by the out-going Executive Committee. vii. All minutes from an AGM or SGM must be registered with the USASA Clubs & Events Committee. 7. Finances i. ASA will maintain all funds in a USASA sub account. ii. The President and Treasurer will be the signatories on the ASA Bank account. iii. ASA must update signatories on the ASA s bank yearly after the AGM. Prohibition against securing profits for member iv. The income and capital of ASA shall be applied exclusively to the promotion of its objects and no portion shall be paid or distributed directly or indirectly to members or their associates except as bona fide remuneration of a member for services rendered or expenses incurred on behalf of ASA. Page 4
8. Amendments The Constitution of the Afghan Students Association may be amended on written published notice of one week and by a two-thirds majority vote at a General Meeting. The General Meeting is subject to the requirements set in s 6(i), No amendment to this Constitution will take effect unless and until it has been approved by a resolution of the USASA Clubs & Events Committee. 9. Limitations Nothing in this Constitution shall be interpreted in a manner inconsistent to the Constitution of USASA. 10. Winding up ASA may be wound up upon the special resolution of the ASA or a resolution by USASA disaffiliating ASA in accordance with USASA policy. 11. Application of surplus assets Upon winding up of ASA, net assets (residual amount after all outstanding expenses are paid) are to be transferred to USASA who will hold these funds in trust until a Club of similar purpose is established. Page 5