I. Name of Organization
II. Purpose
III. Membership
IV. Officers
V. Duties and Powers of Office
VI. Policies and Standing Rules
VII. Disciplinary action/suspension
VIII.Meetings
IX. Committees
X. Finance
XI. Ratification and Amendment
XII. Compliance with the Union and Institute Standards
I. Name of Organization
The Malaysian Students Association, abbreviated MASA.
All correspondence to MASA should be addressed to:
MASA
RM 310
Ohio Union
Columbus,OH 43210 USA
II. Purpose
· To disseminate information about Malaysia, familiarize the OSU community with Malaysian
Culture, folk art, and people and facilitate US-Malaysian student interaction for better
understanding and friendship.
· To forge a common bond of brotherhood among Malaysian students at OSU.
· To adhere to the policies and objectives of the Office of International Education (OIE)
both letter and spirit.
· To represent the Malaysian students to OSU, other student organizations, and Malaysian
government agencies.
· To promote closer cooperation, understanding, and friendship among Malaysian students
at the Ohio State University.
· To encourage academic, cultural, social, religious, and sporting activities among
Malaysian students.
· To assist members in solving any kind of problems.
· To cooperate with Ohio State University in matters directly affecting Malaysian students,
and in activities which have bearing on the Malaysian image.
· To cooperate an affiliate with recognized student bodies and organizations.
III. Membership
a) General
· All Malaysian students studying in OSU are automatically members of MASA. Their spouses
and dependents automatically become associate members of MASA.
· Minimal dues for association activities will be collected from each member at the start
of each quarter.
· Any withdrawal from MASA can be done by submitting a petition which is subjected to the
approval of executive committee.
· It is the policy of Malaysian Students Association to provide to the maximum extent
feasible, equal opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, sexual preference, or handicap for all aspects of the
Association's activities.
· Reckless or intentional endangerment to health or force consumption of alcohol or other
drugs for purpose of initiation into or affiliation with the Malaysian Students Association
is prohibited.
b) Membership Types
Regular and Voting Members
· All currently registered OSU Malaysian students, continuing education, part time students,
faculty and staff who have currently paid their membership dues shall be defined as
Regular Members, and eligible for regular membership.
· Any regular student who was registered at OSU for the Spring quarter and is pre-registered
for the Fall quarter will be considered a student during the Summer session.
· Only OSU Malaysians can be considered as the regular and voting members.
· Married students with their Malaysian spouses and children above 18 can also be considered
as the regular and voting members.
· Non-Malaysian spouses may not vote, hold office or be regular community chairpersons.
Associate Members
· Non activity fee paying degree completion students, all non-Malaysian OSU faculty, staff,
alumni (and their spouses), all non-OSU Malaysian students who registered at other
Universities and Colleges shall be eligible for Associate Membership.
· Associate Members may not vote, hold office or be regular community chairpersons.
Volunteer Members
· Volunteer members shall be those who are not eligible to be regular or associate members
because they are not affiliated OSU, but whose talents, skills, knowledge or leadership
will assist the association in fulfilling the purpose.
· Volunteer member status must be approved by the association for each volunteer member on an
annual basis, and such membership shall not exceed 5% of club membership without the annual
approval of the MASA Executive Board (E-body).
· Volunteer members may not vote, hold office or be regular community chairpersons
(except with special MASA E-body and OIE approval). Their per-person subsidy will be less
than regular member.
c) Other requirements
· All MASA members must adhere to all MASA and union guidelines, and are subject to all
MASA and OSU standard and disciplinary procedures.
· When MASA represents OSU by engaging in competitive events with other schools or
organizations, only regular MASA may compete on behalf of MASA (except with special MASA
E-body approval).
d) Membership List and Communication
· An accurate membership list must be maintained and kept on file as prescribed by the OIE.
· The membership requirements are public knowledge and the secretary must provide that
information on request.
· Any restriction on member participation in certain club activities must also be provided.
IV. Officers
· MASA shall be administered by an executive committee, E-body, which is elected at the
Annual General Meeting (AGM).
· MASA will have the following Elected Officers who comprise the E-body:
· President
· Vice President
· Secretary
· Treasurer
· 5 Members at Large
· All elected officers shall hold their respective officers for one calendar year, starting
from the date of elections. Elections are to be held no later than January of each school
year.
· Officers an committee chairpersons must be voting members of the club organizations unless
special OIE approval is obtained.
· The current President shall oversee the election of the new president. Then the newly
elected President shall takeover the meeting and the election of the remaining E-body
officers.
· Each of the committee members can appoint additional sub-committee to assist them in their
duties whenever required, but subject to approval of the E-body.
V. Duties and Powers of Office
· The President has one vote in E-body decisions. The President chairs the E-body and general
meetings. He/she shall be responsible for the general well-being of MASA, and shall be the
sole person to have veto power on the E-body decisions and proceedings. A two-thirds
majority vote of the voting members is necessary to overturn the President's veto. He/she
may, with due consultation with the E-body, appoint committees, its chairperson, and also
approve operating and special budgets, however, the President cannot appoint a committee
chairperson without the consent of the Vice President. He/she will oversee the election of
the next president. The president shall chair all meetings of the committee. The Secretary
and Treasurer may sign any documents only if given permission to do so by the president.
· The Vice President shall have one vote in E-body decisions. He/she shall conduct all the
activities excluding the meetings. In case of the president's absence, the Vice President
will be the acting president.
· The secretary shall have one vote in E-body decisions. He/she shall maintain necessary
records and keep minutes. In case of the President and Vice President's absence, the
secretary will be the acting president . He/she will keep an updated membership list
with the Union.
· The treasurer shall have one vote in E-body decisions. He/she shall be responsible for
the budget plan and keeping an accurate account t of expenses. He/she shall also be
responsible for collecting membership dues. In the event any member fails to submit
his/her dues, he/she may ask the E-body to revoke/suspend such a person's membership.
The Treasurer shall keep records of all accounts and expenditures of MASA, and together
with the Secretary, will sign all checks drawn on the account established under the name
of MASA for any activities.
· Each member at large has one vote in E-body decisions. The duty of each member at large is
assigned by the President based on their skill and voluntary basis.
· The executive committee shall undertake activities which are in accordance with the goals
of MASA, administer the association, including formulation of rules and regulations, and
manage its assets with prudence, propriety and accountability.
1. In case of temporary absence of any officer from a general meeting, the person listed
immediately below him in article IV shall assume the duties of the absent officer, but
does not inherit his/her voting power, in addition to his/her own duties. In case any
seat is vacated by any office bearer, the President is empowered to call elections to
office whenever such condition arises.
2. In order to be elected to office, a candidate must be a voting member at which quorum
is reached. In case of resignation, elections shall be called in the prescribed manner
for the vacant office.
3. Notice of elections must be given to the members at least a week prior to the election
date(to be fixed by the Secretary through a circular to all members).
4. A current officers' list including names, addresses and phone numbers shall be
maintained and kept on file as prescribed by the OIE and MSD administration office within
one week of elections or appointments.
VI. Policies and Standing Rules
· The secretary shall propose policies and standing rules (excepting financial policy
which shall be proposed jointly with the treasurer), which shall then be debated and
passed/rejected by simple majority of E-body.
· In the event the president vetoes a proposal, that proposal shall then be voted on by
the voting members at the next general meeting where a quorum is reached.
· Quorum for E-body meetings is defined as the presence of at least 7 officers of the
MASA E-body.
· Quorum for general meetings will be at least 50% of the paid regular member.
· Additionally, any regular member can put forward a proposal provided it is seconded by
at least one other regular member.
· A majority vote by the general membership at any general meeting can override all
E-body decisions.
· A general meeting of the E-body can be called by any E-body member. E-body meetings
can also be called by the paid regular members if 25% summon it.
· The official language for all meeting is English unless each member present in the
meeting prefers the same alternate language.
VII. Disciplinary action/suspension/relinquish
Any MASA member can be suspended if:
· They violate any OSU/OIE/MASA regulations.
· A no-confidence motion is passed against any E-body member at a business meeting by
two-thirds of the total regular membership. A fresh election for that officer(s) shall
be called in the prescribed manner, while the vacant position shall be filled as
previously described.
· The member in question will be notified before the proceeding in order that they may be
present at the meeting in order to defend themselves.
· At any time during the penalty period, the issue resulting in the withdrawal of
membership benefits or rights may be referred to the OIE as an appeal case. The penalty
remains in effect unless or until overturned by OIE.
· Any member of the executive committee may relinquish their post by giving at least
one month notice in writing to the Secretary and it shall be approved by the E-body and
signed by the President.
· In the event that this happens, the executive committee shall appoint a replacement from
amongst the members of E-body from higher to lower position in appropriate order, then
from regular members of MASA for the remaining period of office.
VIII. Meetings
· At least one meeting shall be called every academic term.
· E-body meetings shall be called as many times as appropriate, with at least twice for
each quarter.
· Notice of all meetings shall be given at least one week in advance, and the agenda
shall be prepared by the secretary.
· Notice of general meetings shall be given at least two weeks in advance, with at least
two reminders prior to the given date.
· E-body meetings may not be open to all.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
· The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a meeting at which elections are held, the
constitution is amended and at which any other major club policies are decided upon.
· The two internal auditors are to be elected at the AGM. The auditors will inspect all
accounts of the association at the request of the committee.
· The AGM shall be held every Winter quarter with the following items on the agenda:
· Presentation of the associations' Annual Report and Financial Statements
· Election of office bearers
· Election of internal auditors
· Any other appropriate matters directly concerning the association
· Notice of the AGM will be conveyed to the members at least ten (10) days
before the date of the meeting.
· The quorum of the AGM and EGM will be at least two-thirds of the total members
(excluding associate members).
Emergency General Meeting (EGM)
· In the event that there is an emergency, the executive committee may call for an
Emergency General Meeting (EGM).
· Members may request the committee to call for an EGM to discuss specific issues;
for example, the election of a new executive committee.
· Such request shall be made in writing, with the signatures of at least two-thirds of
the members, and handed to the Secretary. The EGM will be held ten (10) days of the
receipt of such request.
IX. Committees
All committees shall be appointed and given duties by the E-body, and their actions
shall be subject to E-body and membership review at a subsequent meeting.
X. Finance
· MASA shall set the dues for each class of membership. If MASA is funded by the OSU, then
the minimum of dues will be subject to a minimal level set by the E-body.
· Fiscal policies is subject to OSU guidelines.
· The Treasurer is empowered to present budgets at various meetings, to collect dues
and revise projections on a need basis, all actions being subject to review by the E-body.
· All expenses below $100 shall be approved by the President and the Vice President
under the advice of the Treasurer.
· All expenses above $100 shall be approved by the E-body.
· In the event that there is an Emergency, the respective party shall seek for the
approval of the Treasurer and 4 other members in the E-body.
· Members fee are as follows:
· Fall Quarter: $3.00
· Winter Quarter: $3.00
· Spring Quarter: $3.00
· Summer Quarter: $2.00
XI. Ratification and Amendment
· Written proposals for constitutional amendments must be submitted to the Secretary
no later than three (3) days before the date of the meeting.
· This constitution shall be effective immediately upon ratification by a two-third
majority of regular members and subsequent approval by the OIE.
· If it is necessary, any part of this constitution except purpose can be changed or
some other parts may be added provided that two-third of the voting members vote for
the change in the first general meeting after the changed is suggested and subsequent
approval by the OIE.
XII. Compliance with the Union and Institute Standards
· In the event that the association's constitution comes in conflict with any OIE or
OSU rule or standard, then the constitution will be superseded by that rule or standard.
· All members can use the listserv and webpage freely but with a responsible manner
in accordance with the objective of MASA. Any controversial issues should be avoided
and not posted in the listserv and webpage.
· MASA listserv is meant only for brief messages and announcements. All lengthy
messages/advice/articles should be posted in the MASA webpage.
· MASA mailing list should be used by the Secretary only, and all messages must come
from Ohio State MASA at MASA97@hotmail.com to be sent to all members.
· The use of MASA mailing list other than by MASA97@hotmail.com is strictly
prohibited.
· MASA will not be responsible for any messages sent to all members in MASA
mailing list that is not coming from MASA97@hotmail.com.
· For those who would like to send a message to other members in MASA mailing list
should send his/her email message to MASA97@hotmail.com.
· For those of you who received a message from unknown user using MASA mailing
list should report it to MASA97@hotmail.com for further investigation.
· You are free to create your own mailing list(nickname), but the use of 'all'.
MASA members email addresses is only for MASA97@hotmail.com.
· MASA members have the right not to read messages other than coming from MASA97@hotmail.com
· MASA will assist its members in taking further action to those who use MASA mailing list
without proper authorization.
Send comments or suggestions to: MASA97@hotmail.com
|
Copyright © 1992-1997 by ZACK's Online,Inc. |
