The Constitution of the Society of Chinese Students and Scholars

Drafted by Yong Ma
Revised by Guangzhe Yu

Article I. Name, Purpose, and Non-Discrimination Policy

Section 1 – Name
The organization will be named as Society of Chinese Students and Scholars. The abbreviation will be SCSS.

Section 2 – Purpose
SCSS is a nonpolitical and nonprofit organization. It is not affiliated with any current organization. This constitution is a sole governing document which is subject to the terms of the University of Oklahoma Student Code and Local, State, and Federal Laws.
The purpose of SCSS is:
• To promote cultural, academic, scientific and technological exchanges between China and the United States.
• To provide social activities and services for the students, scholars, and their families.

Section 3 – Non-Discrimination Policy
SCSS does not discriminate against any current or potential members on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, creed, sexual orientation, veteran status, political belief, martial status, or handicap.

Article II. Membership and Qualifications

Section 1- Membership
Only currently enrolled students (graduate, undergraduate, exchange students and students from CESL) of University of Oklahoma can be full members. SCSS may have associate members who are members of the University community (faculty, staff and spouses,).

Section 2 – Voting Member Qualifications
A voting member must be an SCSS full member.

Article III. Organization Leadership

Section 1 – Titles
The officers of SCSS shall consist of a president, two vice presidents, a treasurer, a general secretary and other executive officers, with minimum 7 officers. These officers together constitute the executive committee of the association.

Section 2 – Terms of Office
One term of office is an academic year. The president is elected by a majority vote. One person can only have one position in the committee of the association. No position overlapping shall be accepted.

Section 3 – Type of Selection
The officers of this association, to be eligible to be elected to office and to hold office, must be full members. President must be voted by the other voting members. Other officers are appointed by the president. Other officers except general secretary and treasurer can be moved from office by president at any time. General Secretary and treasurer may be moved from office only be the unanimous decisions made by all other officers.

Section 4 – Duties of Leaders
The elected president and his appointed committee members must try to fulfill the objectives of SCSS defined in Article I, take in charge of all kinds of activities.
The elected president and his appointed committee members have the right to make any decision with expense less than one thousand dollars.
Expense more than $200 must be discussed in the committee meeting with majority committee members are present.

Article IV. Adviser

Section 1 – Qualifications
SCSS shall have as an adviser a full-time member of the University faculty or staff

Section 2 – Responsibilities
The adviser serves as a liaison between the organization and the administration.

Section 3 – Role in Organization
The advisor shall give suggestions to the president; however, the president has the power to make the final decision.

Article V. Authority and Procedure

Section 1
All powers and responsibilities not delegated to the officers of SCSS are retained by the voting members of SCSS, with decisions on policy to be made by vote. A voting result is valid only if majority of voting members are present. It is the duty of the president, if no specific person is required by other rules, to notify voting members of SCSS of the type, the time and the location of the vote five days in advance, and make sure the voting procedures and results are reliable.

Section 2
The voting members of SCSS may overturn any decision made by committee, by way of a majority vote, which is called by the president requested in written form by at least 30% of the voting members.

Section 3
The officers of SCSS must meet at least once a month, and a general meeting of SCSS voting members must be held at least once a year during the school year. One general meeting must be held within one-month after the start of summer break and an election of next-year president is done and the result is known to the members during the meeting. If the new president cannot be elected, it is the responsibility of the present executive committee to continue to carry on its duty.

Section 4
Voting on proposed and voting on the removal of the president from office must be conducted during a general meeting, which is called by the secretary requested in written form by at least 20% of the voting members. And voting for the removal of president is in the charge of the secretary, two of current officers, and three voting members. Two third of total votes is required to remove the president from office and for any IMPORTANT issue.

Section 5
Voting through internet is convenient and is valid only if the voting with name and department is sent to at least two members and the adviser. The amendments to this constitution must not be done through internet voting.

Section 6
The action of stopping this organization must be passed by the at least 75% members who have the voting right.

Article VI. Finance

Section 1
The Finance for SCSS activities is contributed by members, alumni, friends, and SCSS fundraising events.

Section 2
All money belonging to this association shall be deposited through a bank account established for this association at local bank.

Section 3
All bills must be initiated by the president and checks written only by the treasurer.

Section 4
It's the duty of previous president and treasurer to submit to new president and treasurer all the property and expense during the past year.