Constitution and Bylaws of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff Santa Fe College
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this association shall be the Association of Black Faculty and Staff and is referred to as the “Association” throughout this document.
ARTICLE II – MISSION
Section 1. The General mission of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff is to provide a community of camaraderie and support among Black faculty and staff at Santa Fe College, while promoting cooperation and presenting opportunities for collaboration among its members.
The commitments of the Association are as follows:
- To serve as a safe place to discuss issues unique to the Black professional experience due to historical and institutional racism;
- To meet each semester to establish a rapport among members while building inter-institutional relationships in a relaxed, supportive environment;
- To mentor new faculty and staff;
- To share resources/services and establish partnerships that will aid members, students, and the college community;
- To encourage recruitment and retention of Black Faculty and staff;
- To support students of color through partnerships with student organizations and programs such as Black Student Union (BSU), My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) and My Brother’s Keeper (MBK).
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. The membership of the Association of Black Faculty and Staff includes all administrators, faculty and staff employed by Santa Fe College who identify as Black or of African descent. In addition, anyone who supports the mission of the Association is welcome to become a member.
ARTICLE IV – GOVERNANCE
Section I. Officers
The power to act on behalf of the Association is vested in the officers. Such power shall be exercised only after reasonable notice of such proposed action to members and they are provided an opportunity for input. The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice President, President-elect, Secretary, and Historian. The officers are nominated and elected by the membership during the Spring semester and their terms of office will be two twelve-month academic years beginning the first-class day of the Fall term, except for the Secretary and Historian. Their terms will be three twelve-month academic years. All records, materials, documents, etc. acquired by the officers on behalf of the Association shall remain the property of the Association and shall be returned to the incoming President at the end of the term of office of the outgoing officers.
Section 2. President - The President shall: 1) execute the business and policies of the organization; 2) preside over all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee; 3) call special meetings of the Association and Executive Committee; 4) perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Association and the Executive Committee; and 5) prepare and make a report of the activities of the Executive Committee as such activities pertain to the business of the Association. The President shall serve a term of two years.
Section 3. Vice President – The Vice President shall: 1) serve as an ex-officio member of all committees; 2) perform any other duties as directed by the President; 3) perform the duties of the President, in the absence or disability of the President; and 4) such other duties as may be prescribed by the Association and the Executive Committee. The Vice president shall serve a term of two years.
Section 4. President Elect- The President-elect shall have no official duties except that of a member of the Executive Committee and those duties assigned, as deemed necessary, by the President. The President-elect shall serve a term of one year.
Section 5. Secretary – The Secretary shall: 1) keep complete records, including minutes of all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee; 2) have general charge of the distribution of internal and external communications and correspondence of the Association and serve all notices required by the Constitution and By-laws of the Association; 3) make full report of all matters and business pertaining to this office and the Association; 4) serves as the custodian of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association; and 5) perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Association and the Executive Committee. The Secretary shall serve a term of three years.
Section 6. Historian - The Historian shall keep a record of all events sponsored by the Association or events that the Association participates in. This historical record could be photographs, clippings from newspapers and magazines, program booklets from events and other artifacts that document involvement of the Association. Shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Association and the Executive Committee. The Historian shall serve a term of three years.
Section 7. The Executive Committee – The Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice President, President-elect, Secretary, Historian, and the chairs of the Program Committee, College Affairs Committee, and Social Committee. The presence of five (5) members shall constitute a quorum of the Committee. The affirmative vote of a majority of members present shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution. The Executive Committee shall have and may exercise all powers and authority of the Association when the Association is not in session, subject only to such restrictions or limitations as the Association may from time to time specify. However, the Executive Committee shall have no authority to fill any vacancies on the Executive Committee or to alter, amend, or repeal the Constitution and By-laws of the Association.
Section 8. Vacancies – Vacancies on the Executive Committee shall be filled by an election of the general membership. However, when a vacancy occurs, The Executive Committee shall appoint a temporary replacement until a special election of the membership is held. The elected officer(s) shall assume duties immediately following the special election.
Section 9. Standing Committees – The Association shall maintain a number of standing committees. The membership of each standing committee shall be appointed by the President; however, the chair of each committee shall be elected by its membership. The following are standing committees:
- Program Committee
- College Affairs Committee
- Social Committee
Each standing committee will be responsible for those areas that are designated by the name of that committee or as prescribed by the President.
Section 10. Other Committees – At the discretion of the President, other committees may be appointed as necessary, including the following:
1) Nominating Committee
Each committee will be responsible for those areas that are designated by the name of that committee or as prescribed by the President, however discretionary committees may not exercise responsibility over areas within the purview of standing committees. The chair of each discretionary committee shall be selected in a like manner as with standing committees.
Section 11. Re-election of Incumbent Officers: While the tenure of all officers is for two years, the incumbent officers are eligible for candidacy in the bi-annual elections.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular meetings of the general membership of the Association shall take place at a time, date and location determined by the Executive Committee. At least two regular meetings
of the general membership must take place each academic semester. The Executive Committee will be responsible for notifying the membership of all meetings.
ARTICLE VI– AMENDMENTS
The Constitution and Bylaws may be altered, amended, rescinded or repealed at a special meeting of the Association by the affirmative vote of the majority of those active members present. The proposed amendment shall be mailed with the notice of the meeting.
BYLAWS
ASSOCIATION PROCEDURES
Actions of the Executive Committee
All actions of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Association in writing to each individual member within fourteen (14) days after such action is taken at a meeting of the Executive Committee, if the meeting is held within that period of time. All actions of the Executive Committee shall be included in the minutes of the Association with a motion ratifying such actions.
Meeting Procedures
Meeting notices will be printed or written and will go out on a timely basis to allow each member the opportunity to attend the meeting. In addition, the topics of the agenda will be included with each meeting notice. The order of business for each meeting shall be as follows:
- Call to order
- Approval of minutes of last meeting
- Executive Committee Reports
- Committee Reports
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Elections when applicable
- Adjournment