Constitution Information

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE I NAME AND PURPOSE

Name of proposed student organization:

Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB)

The purpose/mission statement of this organization is:

SAAB is a culturally sensitive organization that aims to increase the number of African American and Latino males who graduate from college by creating a positive peer community. SAAB is recognized as a national leader and movement organized to set the standard for organizational excellence. The goals of S.A.A.B., are for all African American and Latino males on college campuses to take full advantage of their academic years and to better understand and practice their full responsibilities, rights, and privileges as citizens of this country. Additionally, S.A.A.B. works in the community with younger African American and Latino males in need of guidance and direction. One of our objectives is that all S.A.A.B. members will be role models for each other as well as for other African American and Latino males in the community. Also, it is our hope that S.A.A.B. members will be well prepared to enter the work force of professionals and be among the best competing for a meaningful place in their communities and in our society. To achieve these goals and objectives, S.A.A.B. will provide educational and cultural activities for its members and others.

ARTICLE II MEMBERSHIP

SAAB membership will be composed primarily of African American and Latino males students, who are enrolled as students at Macon State College and strive for academic excellence and make a commitment to plan and implement programs that are germane to the group and benefit themselves, their respective institutions, and the community at large. Membership will be open to all individuals representing many different social and economic backgrounds, a wide spectrum of academic majors, varying levels of academic achievement, and different amounts of campus involvement.

Are there any fees, dues, or other requirements for membership?

No

ARTICLE III OFFICERS

There are fifteen (15) critical student leaders and an advisory council of 5 professional advisors. The basic core structure of the chapter will consist of six (6) functional and working committees addressing the following areas: 1) Academics; 2) Personal Development; 3) Service learning; 4) spiritual enrichment/social; 5) Financial Affairs; 6) Membership/Public Relations. Each committee will be headed by student leaders who serve as chair and co-chair (total 12 leaders). There is also a President, Vice President and Recording Secretary of each chapter (total 3 leaders) to round off the 15 required leaders in a chapter.

The Duties of the officers shall be but are not limited to the following:

1. Personal Development Committee-plans all educational programs.
2. Service Committee-coordinates all service-learning initiatives.
3. Financial Affairs Committee-coordinates all fiscal matters of the group.
4. Academic Committee-provides academic advising and support.
5. Spiritual-Enrichment/Social Committee-plans all spiritual and social events (i.e., church, movies, bowling, plays, etc.)
6. Membership/Public Relations Committee-coordinates all membership-related matters along with publicizing all S.A.A.B.-related events/programs.

• President- chief executive officer representative for SAAB to all organizations, media, and any other individuals outside of the organization.

1. Vice President- to serve as the President of SAAB in the event that the President is unable to fulfill his duties. He must also be prepared at all times to serve in this capacity under any circumstances that may arise.
2. Recording Secretary- serve as the chief communication officer for the organization. All documents will be forwarded to this person and sent out through this person. The secretary will also be accountable for the documentation of past events, minutes, etc., as needed

What is the time and manner of officer election?

Officer elections will be held the first week in November of every year and officers will be held for a full calendar year, and shall be assigned by self vocal self nomination and approved by the members of the academic advisory council.

POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1: Quorum and Voting

The Executive Board is the governing body of the Student African American Brotherhood organization. Decisions of this body shall be reached and become policy upon a majority vote of Board members present provided that a quorum exists. To have a quorum, three-fourths (3/4) of the Board of Executive Leaders must be present.

Section 2: Veto

In all matters, the power of veto (for revision and resubmission only) is at the pleasure of the Advisor, Chairman, Vice Chairman and Recording Secretary, with proviso that these three officers are unanimously agreed on the issues. A veto may be overridden by a 3/4-majority vote of the membership of the Executive Board.

Section 3: Executive Session

The Executive Board shall meet with the Advisor at a time agreed upon by at least three-fourths (3/4) of the eligible board members. In executive session the Executive Board may discuss and take action on only the following: personnel selection and appointments, fiscal matters, revocation of membership, no member of the Board shall be excluded from attendance.

COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF EXECUTIVE LEADERS

The membership of the Executive Board shall consist of the Executive Director/Advisor, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Recording Secretary and Committee Chairpersons.

Is there any extra-curricular affiliation (for example, a national, state, or local organization)?

Yes. SAAB is comprised of more than 100 chapters on campuses throughout the United States. The SAAB national office is housed at the University of Toledo.

ARTICLE IV MEETINGS

• This organization shall meet regularly during the Fall and Spring Semesters. Meetings during the Summer Semester will be held as needed.
• All meetings, including the dates, times, and locations will be confirmed with the Office of Student Life prior to publication and/or announcement of these meetings.

ARTICLE V FACULTY/STAFF ADVISORS

Yolanda Petty, Kevin Johnson

ARTICLE VI REVENUE

• No petty cash or slush funds will be kept by any member or advisor of this organization.
• All fundraisers will be approved by the Office of Student Life at least two week prior to the actual event and will follow all of the guidelines as outlined in the RSO recognition process.

ARTICLE VII RATIFICATION

This constitution is subject to the approval by the proposed student membership, the Macon State College Student Government Association, the Office of Student Life, and the Dean of Students.

ARTICLE VIII BY-LAWS

An electronic and paper copy of any and all By-Laws will be filed with the Office of Student Life.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Section 1: Executive Board

The Executive Board shall have the power, by a simple majority vote to refine, suspend, expel, or take other appropriate disciplinary action against any member for any activity or conduct which is detrimental or prejudicial to the general organization for violation of any provision of this Constitution or By-Laws.

Section 2: Citations

Any member cited for three (3) unexcused violations of the S.A.A.B. Code of Conduct will be automatically place on inactive status. Violations may include, but not be limited to, tardiness, missing meetings, not paying dues and dress code incompliance. Inactive members will not be permitted to do the following:

• Vote at all official S.A.A.B. meetings.
• Attend all S.A.A.B. sponsored-events
• Wear or possess a S.A.A.B. Uniform (i.e., vest).
• Hold any official office of the organization

Inactive members desiring to be reinstated must submit a letter of appeal to the Membership Committee within seven (7) days of notification in writing of inactive status. Once a letter has been submitted, the Membership Committee will deliberate and make a recommendation to the Executive Board for approval within seven (7) working days of receiving the letter of appeal. The Membership Committee will notify the individual in writing within 48 hours of the Executive Board's decision.

CODE OF CONDUCT

RULES OF ORDER AND AMENDMENT PROCEDURE

Section 1: Rules of Order

Robert's Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall be the authority in all questions of procedures unless otherwise stated in these articles and Bylaws.

Section 2: Amendments

These Articles of Organization and Bylaws may be amended at any time by the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Executive Leaders and shall be effective upon presentation to the Advisor

Section 3:

Any amendments/supplements to this constitution will then be submitted to the Office of Student Life for approval.

This constitution was endorsed by the MSC Student Government Association on November 2, 2009.

This constitution was approved by the Office of Student Life on November 4, 2009.

This constitution was approved by the Dean of Students on November 9, 2009.

Copy of Constitution on file in the Office of Student Life.

 

Meeting Information

 

Photos

SAAB students and faculty and staff advisors at Orientation Meeting at Macon State, Sept. 23, 2009.

Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe speaks at the SAAB Orientation Meeting, Sept. 23, 2009.

Officers

President – Darren A.L. Oliver
Vice President – Kenneth N. Jordan
Recording Secretary – Andrew D. Hill
Chair, Academic Committee – Martellis J. Curtis
Chair, Personal Development Committee – Kwabena B. Opoku-Fianko
Chair, Service Learning Committee – Trashond Q. Royal
Chair, Spiritual-Enrichment Social Committee – Kody R. Patrick
Chair, Financial Affairs Committee – Robert Spaulding
Chair, Membership/Public Relations Committee – Kevin M. Eutsay

 

Advisors

Ms. Yolanda Petty, Office of Academic Affairs, yolanda.petty@maconstate.edu

Mr. Kevin Johnson, Office of Academic Affairs, kevin.johnson1@maconstate.edu