ARTICLE I. NAME AND NATURE

A. The name of the association shall be The Pennsylvania State University Turkish Student Association.

 

B. The association shall be a social, cultural, democratic, independent, non-political, non-religious and non-profit organization.

 

C. Name and nature cannot be changed unless all active members agree on such a change.

 

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

A. The Pennsylvania State University Turkish Student Association will:

1. aim to unite and serve the Turkish community on and off campus

2. promote relations and cooperation among the members

3. promote interactions between its members and the members of The Pennsylvania State University community.

4. expose The Pennsylvania State University community to the Turkish culture

5. contribute to the diversity on campus

 

B. The purposes of the association cannot be changed unless all active members agree on such a change.

 

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

A. The membership shall be divided into active and associate members.

1. Active Member: Only currently registered students at PennState who have paid their dues in full are eligible for active membership. Details of dues are explained in Article IX Finance.

2. Associate Member: All others interested in furthering the purpose of the Penn State Turkish Student Association, including but not limited to, faculty, staff, and community members, shall be associate members. Associate members shall be subject to same dues as active members. Details of DUES are explained in Article IX Finance.

 

B. TSA is classified by the Office of Student Activities as a graduate level student organization. Hence, the majority (50%+1) of all active members shall be full-time, officially registered graduate students at University Park.  In case of a demand for a change in the majority, the executive board is responsible for taking necessary actions. Membership list is kept updated by Treasurer. Treasurer shall make the membership list available at every general assembly and executive board meeting.

 

C. Only active members may vote, preside a sub-committee, or solicit funds on behalf of organization.

 

D. Only full time, officially registered active members shall be eligible to serve as appointed or elected officers in Turkish Student Association.

 

F. New Membership and Recruitment.

1. TSA website shall have a membership application form that is easily accessible at home page.

2. Membership applications can be made through submitting the form online or at recruitment booths of the organization where available.

3. Memberships are valid for one year starting from the day the due is collected by the treasurer or directly deposited to the club’s ASA account by the applicant.

4. The treasurer must inform applicant about the application result within 5 academic days after the membership due and the application form are both received.

5. Treasurer keeps track of the list of members.

6. Any and all new members will be given full disclosure during recruitment, including but not limited to the disclosure of

   1. Schedule of weekly, monthly planned events.

   2. Full list of email-lists within the club.

   3. A list of responsibilities.

   4. A copy of University Hazing policy, prescribed by Policies and Rules for Student Organization (This document will be available upon request by the Office of Student Activities).

   5. Members and applicants reserve the right to refrain from participating in any activities without consequence, based upon personal/religious beliefs, personal values, or moral reserve as defined by the member.

   6. Any and all interaction/activity between members and/or new members will be limited to guidelines stated by university policy, as well as local, state, and federal laws.

 

ARTICLE IV. STRUCTURE OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE ASSOCIATION

The governing body of the organization shall consist of two branches: The Assembly and the Executive Board.

 

ARTICLE V. THE ASSEMBLY

A. Structure and Power.

1. The general assembly shall be composed of all active and associate members.

2. The general assembly shall have the supreme power in the association.

   1. The Assembly shall have the power to pass resolutions on the behalf of the organization.

   2. The Assembly shall have the power to approve appointments by the President of the Turkish Student Association.

   3. The Assembly shall have the power to remove any person from office elected or appointed to any position in the Turkish Student Association. Procedure is stated in the Bylaws.

   4. The Assembly shall have the power to terminate membership upon the petition from Executive Board and the approval of 2/3rds of the attending active members. Procedure is stated in the Bylaws.

   5. Any member may petition the Executive Board to review TSA finances.

 

B. Meetings.

1. The Vice President Internal will chair the Assembly.

2. The agenda for assembly meetings will be prepared by the Vice President Internal.

3. The agenda for the assembly meetings shall be announced at least 1 day prior to the meeting.

4. Meetings shall be held at least once a month during the academic year (September to May). There shall also be one meeting during the summer.

5. The meeting place and dates shall be announced according to the Bylaws.

6. Any member of the University community shall have the right to attend Assembly meetings as an observer. Observers may address the assembly upon recognition by the Chair of the Assembly.

7. Extraordinary meetings of the Assembly, which are not included in Article V.B.1,2,3,4,5,6.

   1. The extraordinary meetings shall be called either by the advisor upon receipt of a petition which is duly signed by 10 active members or by the Executive Board upon the request of the majority of the Board members.

   2. If the extraordinary meeting is called by advisor, the agenda shall be drawn up by the advisor.

   3. If the extraordinary meeting is called upon the request of Exec Board, the agenda of the extraordinary meeting shall be drawn up by the highest-ranking officer.

 

C. Quorum and Voting

1. For voting to take place a quorum, of 10 active members must be present, unless otherwise specified in the Constitution or Bylaws.

2. A simple majority carries unless otherwise specified in the Constitution or Bylaws.

3. Voice or ballot voting shall be at the discretion of the chair of the Assembly, unless there is a voice petition by delegate(s) for secret ballot vote.

4. Counting of the voice and secret votes shall be the duty of the two highest ranking members of the Executive Committee that are present during the voting process.

 

ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE BOARD

A. Structure

1. There shall be five executive officers that form the Executive Board: President, Vice President Internal, Vice President External, Vice President Programming and Treasurer. Specific duties of these officers shall be defined in section VI.A.2,3,4,5,6 and in the Bylaws.

2. President

   1. shall be the chief executive officer of the TSA

   2. shall preside over the Executive Board and be the chair of the Executive Board meetings.

   3. shall fill in for any officer position which is vacated temporarily, except for the treasurer.

   4. shall be the representative of the Executive Board in the Assembly.

   5. shall be the TSA representative to the institutions on and off campus.

   6. shall sit at meetings that TSA may have interest on and off campus.

   7. may appoint a member within the organization to represent him/her at external meetings.

   8. shall appoint committee chairs to the General Assembly with the consent of Vice President Internal.

   9. shall appoint liaison and external delegates of TSA to the General Assembly with the consent of Vice President External.

 

1. Vice President Internal

   1. shall assume the Presidency and Treasury in the event of a vacancy in these offices.

   2. shall fill in for the President if she/he is not able to fulfill her/his duties in the Executive Board.

   3. shall chair the Assembly.

   4. shall be responsible for setting the agenda for the Assembly.

   5. shall appoint a secretary for taking minutes in the meetings, or assume this duty.

   6. shall be responsible of editing and publishing the Newsletter.

   7. shall accept requests from members to form (internal) sub-committees and initiate to form new committees within the Assembly with the consent of Executive Board. Procedure of forming and terminating the committees are stated in the Bylaws.

   8. shall be the co-chair of all sub-committees

   9. shall provide communication between committees and the Executive Board.

   10. shall report to the General Assembly about sub-committees, if the chairs of these committees are not available.

   11. shall be the center of communication for all internal affairs.

   12. shall be the moderator of email lists of the organization.

   13. may request help from committee members for the moderation of the intra-committee communication tools.

 

1. Vice President External

   1. shall fill in for the President if both the President and the Vice President Internal is not able to fulfill their duties in the Executive Board.

   2. shall be the representative of TSA at on and off campus meetings and allocation committees where president is not attending.

   3. shall be the chief external affairs officer and accept reports from liaisons and external delegates of TSA.

   4. shall fill the liaison and delegate positions if appointed person for that position is not available.

   5. shall be responsible for Media Relations.

   6. works with every committee for their promotional efforts.

   7. shall be responsible for promoting the organization and its activities, through various means, including but not limited to giving advertisement, preparing fliers, banners, updating the website accordingly. 

   8. shall be the moderator of tsa@psu.edu and the owner of all email lists of the organization.

   9. shall be responsible of keeping WebPage updated.

   10. may outsource any of his/her media efforts, including but not limited to design and preparations of promotional materials and webpage, with the consent of Treasurer, if the source is outside from the association and require funding. 

   11. shall be responsible of on-campus student groups promotional events, including but not limited to Involvement Fair and Orientation Week Activities.

 

1. Vice President Programming

   1. shall fill in for the President if President and any other Vice Presidents are not able to fulfill their duties defined Article VI.A.2,3,4.

   2. shall be the representative of Executive Board in all programming activities and events management.

   3. shall be responsible for planning and managing events for specific days which are commemorated and celebrated nationwide in Republic of Turkey. The list of these days, starting from the closest to the first day of classes in Fall semester are:

      1. August 30th

      2. October 29th

      3. November 10th

      4. April 23rd

      5. May 19th

   4. shall form event committees for each event given in Article VI.A.5.3, and shall be the natural co-chair of these.

   5. shall provide communication between the event committees, stated in Article VI.A.5.4 and the Executive Board.

   6. shall report to General Assembly about the event committees if co-chairs are not available.

   7. shall be responsible for Internal Development Programs, including but not limited to planning events, picnics, various gatherings for promoting the interactions of members.

2. Treasurer.

   1. shall be the head of the Business Division of the TSA.

   2. shall be responsible for all TSA finances and the preparation of budget requests of the committees.

   3. shall be responsible of all treasury activities, including but not limited to purchasing and reimbursements.

   4. provides assistance and advices to Executive Board in financial projections of the organization.

   5. shall report the budget and transactions, whenever requested.

   6. shall keep the membership list updated.

   7. shall make the membership list readily available for all General Assembly meetings.

   8. shall collect dues.

   9. shall keep the list of belongings of TSA.

   10. shall be responsible of the storage areas used by TSA.

   11. shall actively involve in any activities that may raise funds for TSA.

    

B. Meetings and Voting

1. The President shall be the chair of the Executive Board meetings.

2. Vice President Internal is responsible for taking the minutes.

3. Meetings shall be held at least once a month except during recesses, final exam periods,

4. Meeting time and places are determined by the President, with a minimum of 1 week notice.

5. Emergency meetings may be called by the majority of board members with a minimum 24 hours notice.

6. For meeting to take place, a quorum of majority of board members, must be present.

7. In all matters of the Executive Board, a simple majority carries the vote.

8. In the event of tie, the chair of the meeting shall withdraw his/her vote.

9. The President shall invite silent observers or participating guests to the Executive Board meetings. They may be asked to leave the meeting at the request of a majority of all attending members of the Executive Board.

 

C. Powers and Duties

1. Shall have interim powers to conduct business in the interests of the TSA. Any action required to conduct such business must be approved by a majority of the board. Said powers shall pertain to all business not requiring specific action by the Assembly. Action on very pressing matters may be taken by the Executive Board in lieu of specific action and must be reported at the next Assembly meeting. Such interim action is therefore subject to all times confirmation or revision by the Assembly at its next meeting.

2.  Shall provide assistance or management to the programs and activities approved by the Assembly.

3. Executive Board may propose Removal from Position, and suspension of membership.

   1. Executive Board shall propose to remove an officer with a simple majority of the board members, if he/she has not fulfilled his/her duties as specified in the Constitution or Bylaws. The removal process begins with notification of the assembly and the officer to be removed at least 1 week prior to the next assembly meeting. This special meeting, in which a quorum of 1/3rd of all active members is needed, is chaired by the advisor. The proposal must be approved by the Assembly with 2/3rds of the attending active members. Procedure is stated in the Bylaws.

   2. Executive Board shall propose to remove a person from any appointed position with a simple majority of the board members, if he/she has not fulfilled his/her duties as specified in the Constitution or Bylaws. The removal process begins with notification of the assembly and the person to be removed at least 1 week prior to the next assembly meeting. The proposal must be approved by the Assembly with 2/3rds of the attending active members, where a quorum of 1/3rd of all active members is needed. Procedure is stated in the Bylaws.

   3. Executive Board shall propose to suspend a member's membership for a year with a simple majority of the board members, if she/he is not fulfilling the responsibilities and/or if his/her activities within the group are against the purposes of the organization defined in Constitution. The suspension process begins with notification of the assembly and the member to be suspended at least 1 week prior to the next assembly meeting. The proposal must be approved by the Assembly with 2/3rds of the attending active members, where a quorum of 1/3rd of all active members is needed. The suspended person cannot be a member within 1 year after the meeting that suspension is approved. Procedure is stated in the Bylaws. Procedure is stated in the Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS 


A. Eligibility.

1. Any full time, officially registered active members who have paid their dues in full one week prior to the elections shall be eligible to run for any but one elected office.

2. Any member who wishes to run for an elected office must submit intent to run letter to the Election Committee, which is formed by General Assembly at least one week prior to the elections. See Article VII.E for the duties and responsibilities of the Election Committee.

3. Any active member who has paid their dues in full one week prior to the elections are eligible to vote.

 

B. Elected Positions and Terms of Office.

1. The President, Vice President Internal, Vice President External, Vice President Programming and Treasurer shall be elected for one-year term.

2. Terms of office shall be from the next Assembly meeting after elections until the new officers take over.   

 

C. Election Place and Time.

1. Elections take place in a special General Assembly Meeting annually, in December before the last day of classes of Fall semester.

2. This special assembly meeting shall be publicized in the meetings preceding it.

3. See article VII.F for Election Codes

 

D. Election Committee.

1. An election committee (three persons) shall be elected from the general assembly to supervise the elections.

2. This committee shall include a president and two encounters.

3. No one involved in conducting the elections may be an official candidate.

4. Election committee is going to announce the candidates and the members that are eligible to vote 1 week prior to the election.

5. The president of the election committee is going to be the chair of the special general assembly meeting that is specially designed for the election (Elections).   

 

E. Election Codes.

1. The chair of Elections shall provide appropriate time for the incumbent president for an end-of-year report on behalf of the executive committee.

2. The chair of Elections may provide appropriate time for voting members to comment on the end-of-year report.

3. The chair of Elections shall provide appropriate times for the candidates for their self-introductions.

4. The election committee shall provide ballots, which will have separate sections for each office.

5. Active members shall cast secret, written ballots for the candidate of their choice. 

6. Each active member shall have one vote per office.

7. In the event of a tie for a specific position, a new ballot for that position is prepared.

8. Election Committee counts the votes, announces the results and responds to any review requests in the meeting.

 

F. Vacancies in Elected Offices.

1. The office of President shall be filled by the Vice President Internal.

2. All other vacancies shall be filled by special election as defined in Article VII.G.

 

G. Special Elections.

1. In any elected office, except the office of President is vacated, Executive Committee may re-organize the positions within itself.

2. The Executive Committee shall call for special elections for the vacated position in two weeks after the office is vacated.

3. Executive Committee will have the power and duties of Election Committee.

4. President will have the power and duties of the president of the Election Committee.

5. Nominations shall be submitted not later than 1 week after the call for Special Elections.

6. The Special Election time and place shall be announced 1 week after the call for Special Elections.

7. The Special Election takes place at the first available General Assembly meeting, 2 weeks after the call was made.

8. Terms of office for the officers elected in the Special Elections ends in the regular Elections, which is held annually in march.

 

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENT

A. This constitution may be amended at any general assembly meeting by the vote of two-thirds of the active members present and voting, provided a notice is given two weeks prior to the general assembly meeting. All proposed amendments shall be submitted to the general assembly.

 

B. All amendments are subject to the approval of the Office of Student Activities.

 

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE

1. Accounts.

1. All organizational funds to be deposited and handled exclusively through the Associated Student Activities (ASA) in 240 HUB.

2. PSU-TSA will not have off-campus account(s).

   

1. The membership fee:

1. The membership fee, not less than $5.00 a year, shall be decided by the general assembly.

2. The fee for associate members shall not be lower than the fee for active members.

3. The membership fee can be collected by Treasurer or can be directly deposited to organization's on-campus account.

 

 

1. Auditing and budget report.

1. The treasurer shall be responsible for reporting about budget and transactions, for the term(s) he/she is elected for.

2. Treasurer shall be responsible for making the transaction report readily available for executive officers whenever it is requested.

3. Any member can request a budget report, including but not limited to transaction report, to be presented at the next General Assembly Meeting.

 

1. Donations. General Assembly may vote to reject any contribution or donation. If the money has already been received, then the rejected funds shall be transferred back to general university accounts.

 

ARTICLE X. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in Modern Rules of Order shall govern The Penn State Turkish Student Association in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Turkish Student Association.

 

ARTICLE XI. ACCESSIBILITY OF CONSTITUTION

1. Copies of this constitution shall be made available to anyone upon request

 

1. The constitution shall be easily accessible from the organization’s webpage.