nasa constitution (final))

CONSTITUTION

VALID 2015-2020

COMPILED BY

Casper Ndlovu And Artwell Gapare [email protected]

Accountants Who initiate

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Table of contents

Preamble

1. Vision Statement

2. Mission Statement

Article I

Section 1: Organization Name

Article II

Section 1: Student Access to Association

Section 2: Non-Discrimination Statement

Section 3: Membership Requirements

Section 4: Privileges of Membership

Article III

Section 1: Faculty Patrons

Section 2: Officer Positions

Section 3: Directorship Positions

Section 4: Qualifications

Section 5: Terms

Article IV

Section 1: Time of Elections

Section 2: Election Procedures

Section 3: Special Election Procedures

Section 4: Recall Election

Section 5: Voters

Article V

Section 1: Logistics

Section 2: Monday and Wednesday Meetings

Section 3: Special Meetings

Section 4: Quorum

Section 5: Rules of Procedure

Article VI

Section 1: Account

Section 2: Usage

Section 3: Dissolution of the Association

Section 4: Fiscal Year

Article VII

Section 1: Standing Committees

Section 2: Selection of Standing Committees

Article VIII

Section 1: Submission of Amendments

Section 2: Approval of Amendments

Section 3: Notification of Amendments

Article IX

Section 1: Procedure of Ratification

VISION STATEMENT

NASA ADOPTS THE SAME VISION AS THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING:

“To stimulate lifelong learning amongst students and to be the

best brand of accountants with good social and academic ethics”

MISSION STATEMENT

“To address changing needs of accounting students inorder to

develop skills of a well-rounded proffesional: these have to be

addressed in conjuction with industry and the academic

community.”

Objectives

1. To provide a better understanding of the accounting profession

2. To improve the ability and achievement of accounting students through the balance of

academic and social events.

3. To facilitate better integration between individuals interested in accounting and the

accounting industry.

4. To provide a liaison between the accounting students and NUST, Faculty of commerce

and Department of accounting.

5. To improve and maintain a good relationship with professional accounting bodies

[ACCA, ICAZ, CIMA, PAAB etc]

Short-term Goals

To ensure the continuation of the association by involving members at all levels of the

university population.

To increase the level of member participation through the use of committees and

volunteers

Long-term goals

To provide balance of social and academic club functions

To increase communication through alumni ties, public and industry relations.

Improve good relationship with Accounting firms and find sponsors

National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Accounting Students Association

Preamble

Section 1: Statement of Purpose

The goal of the NUST Accounting Students Association is to provide NUST accounting

students with, but not limited to:

Insight into the field of accounting;

Exposure opportunities to professionals in many sectors of the accounting industry;

Opportunities to network and enhance professionalism; and

Fun, interactive, and supportive learning experiences, on and off campus.

Article I

Official Name

Section 1: Organization Name

The official name of the organization shall be the National University of Science and

Technology Accounting Students Association (N.A.S.A).

Article II

Membership

Section 1: Student Access to Association

Any person currently enrolled as a student at NUST and fulfilling the membership

requirements, which is stated in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, may be a member.

Section 2: Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with State law and the regulations of the National University of Science and

Technology system, this association shall not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion,

creed, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin, citizenship,

nationality, veteran status, or disability.

Section 3: Membership Requirements

Any classified or conditionally classified undergraduate or graduate student, enrolled in the

current semester, or on leave of absence, may be a member. In order to be a member, qualified

individuals must pay dues each semester.

Active Member: Any currently enrolled NUST student who has paid his or her dues and is in

good standing with the Association is considered to be an active member. Any Executive

Officer or Director who has paid his or her dues is considered an active member.

Alumni: Any previously active member of this Association that has received a degree and no

longer enrolled at NUST shall be considered alumni.

Section 4: Privileges of Membership

All active members are given priority access to events over non-members.

All active members shall receive discounts on major club events that require a fee.

All active members receive voting privileges. Nominating, being a candidate for office, voting,

and holding office privileges shall be restricted to currently enrolled NUST students.

Article III

Patrons, Officers, and Directors

Section 1: Faculty Patrons

The Faculty Patron of the Association shall be any faculty members of the Department of

Accounting at the National University of Science and Technology. The Department Chair of

Accounting shall determine who the Patrons will be.

The Patrons have the right to override any decisions made by any members of the Executive

Board and Directors. All Patrons reserves the right to pre-screen every applicant and determine

his or her eligibility status. The Patrons will make the final decisions on the appointment of the

Officer positions. In addition, the Patrons reserve the right to pre-screen the directorship

applicants.

Section 2: Officer Positions

Management of this Association shall be vested in an Executive Board consisting of Executive

Officers who are responsible to the entire membership for upholding this Constitution. The

elected President and Vice President are responsible for appointing the rest of the Executive

Board, with the final decision approved by the Patrons. The Executive Board of the Association

and their duties shall be, but are not limited to:

I. President:

A. Call and preside over all meetings of the Association and all meetings of the Executive

Board.

B. Represent the Association wherever such representation may be required.

C. Collaboratively appoint all the Executive Officers with the Vice President, with the final

approval of the faculty Patron(s).

D. Assign directorships for Executive Officers to oversee, with the approval of the Vice

President; some restrictions may apply.

E. Oversee and assist directorships, as deemed necessary.

II. Vice President

A. Assume duties of the President in the event of the President’s absence or in the event of

vacancy in the office of the President.


C. Be responsible for other duties determined by the President.

D. Oversee and assist directorships, as deemed necessary.

III. Treasurer

A. Record all financial transactions carried out by the Association.

B. Manage and enforce all internal control procedures.

C. Prepare and report the requested financial statements to the Faculty Patron(s).

D. Represent the Association wherever such representation may be required.

E. Be responsible for other duties determined by the President.

F. Oversee and assist directorships, as deemed necessary.

IV. Co Treasurer

A. Record all financial transactions carried out by the Association.

B. Manage and enforce all internal control procedures.

C. Prepare and report the requested financial statements to the Faculty Patron(s).

D. Represent the Association wherever such representation may be required.

E. Be responsible for other duties determined by the President.

F. Oversee and assist directorships, as deemed necessary.

V. Secretary General

A. Record minutes for all Executive meetings.




E. Prepare agendas for Executive meetings, with the approval of the faculty Patrons.

VI. Vice Secretary

A. Record minutes for all Executive meetings.




E. Prepare agendas for Executive meetings, with the approval of the faculty Patrons.

VII. Executive of Student Relations

A. Represent the Association wherever such representation may be required.

B. Be responsible for other duties determined by the President.

C. Oversee and assist directorships, as deemed necessary.

Section 3: Directorship Positions

The Directors are the main representatives of the Association. They are responsible for

completing the duties of each directorship efficiently and effectively. The Executive Board are

responsible for choosing the Directors each semester. The Directors’ duties shall be, but are

not limited to:

I. Alumni

A. Organize a fun and informal alumni event.

B. Report to the assigned Executive on a weekly basis, if not earlier.

C. All final decisions will be made by the Executive Board.

II. Apparel

A. Design and prepare the Association’s official apparel

B. Contact firms for sponsorships.

C. Report to the assigned Executive on a weekly basis, if not earlier.

D. All final decisions will be made by the Executive Board.

III. Awards Banquet

A. Organize the annual Awards Banquet event with other Associations in the Faculty.



IV. Charitable Events

A. Organize various charitable events throughout the semester.



V. Historian

A. Attend all of the Association’s events to take pictures and make a scrapbook magazine at

the end of the semester.



VI. Meet The Firms

A. Organize the Meet The Firms.



VII. Membership

A. Organize table sitting for the membership drive and throw an event at the beginning and at

the end of the semester.

B. Report to the Treasurer at the end of each day during the membership drive.



VIII. Monday Meetings

A. Organize general meetings every Monday starting the second week of the academic

semester by inviting professionals and/or faculty as guest speakers.

B. Purchase and provide the participants comestibles and refreshments.



IX. Publicity & Communications

A. Create a newsletter in which discloses information about the upcoming events throughout

the semester.

B. Contact firms for issuing their advertisements in the newsletter.



X. Special Events & Tours

A. Organize firm tours and other firm-related social events.



XI. Student Activities and Development

A. Organize a tournament for a sports discipline selected by the executive board in the first

semester.

B. Organize the Resume Workshop and Mock Interviews events every semester.

C. Invite firms to participate by critiquing students’ resumes and preparing them on interviews.

D. Report to the assigned Executive on a weekly basis, if not earlier.

E. All final decisions will be made by the Executive Board.

XII. Web Development

A. Update the website, including pictures and the calendar, and enter new member email

addresses into the system.

B. E-mail reminders to the members of upcoming events.



XIII. Wednesday Executive Meetings

A. Organize technical meetings every other Monday starting the second week of the academic

semester by inviting professionals and/or faculty as guest speakers.

B. Coordinate with Department to make sure dates do not conflict.

C. Purchase and provide the participants` consumables and refreshments.

D. Report to the assigned Executive on a weekly basis, if not earlier.

E. All final decisions will be made by the Executive Board.

Section 4: Qualifications

Officer Eligibility Requirements – To be eligible for an Executive position, except for the

President and Secretary General Position (please see below for the qualifications of the

President and Secretary General Positions), a member must:

Be an enrolled NUST student; and if there are not at least six persons who meet the above

requirements, Article IV, Section 3 will take precedence.

President and Vice President – It is required for the President and the Vice President to

have served as an Executive Officer for at least one semester.

Minimum Academic Qualifications (for Officers) – All Executive Officers must be

academically qualified to enrol as a student at National University of Science and

Technology.

Directorship Eligibility Requirements – To be eligible for a Directorship position, except for

the President and Secretary General Position, a member must:

Be an enrolled NUST student; and

Be declared as a Pre-Accountancy major.

Section 5: Terms

The term of office for any Executive position shall be one academic year. Executive Officers

selected for the year assume their duties one week before examinations of the second semester

in that academic year to one week before examinations of the second semester in the next

academic year on the University Academic Calendar.

The post that will be voted for are: the President and the Secretary General. The President will

collaboratively appoint all the Executive Officers with the Secretary General through

application process and mock interviews, with the final approval of the faculty Patron(s).

Reservations

The President; Secretary General and Treasurer offices will be reserved for part two students.

The Vice President and Co-Treasurer offices will be reserved for part four students. The

Executive for student’s relations and Vice Secretary will be reserved for part 1 students.

The term of office for any Director position is equivalent to the Executive positions. Any

changes made to the provisions of the Executive position’s terms will be reflected in the

Directors’ position as well.

Article IV

Elections

Section 1: Time of Elections

Elections for the Offices of President and Vice President will be held no later than one week

after semester break (the dates for the semester break will be determined by NUST’s academic

calendar). The President and the Secretary General take office as described Article III, Section

5.

Section 2: Election Procedures

A candidate may be nominated for an office position by any member, including him or herself.

The Patrons reserves the right to screen potential candidates and will make the final decisions

on the new Executive Board every Academic year.

Nominations must be submitted in writing to the Patrons at least three weeks before the election

date.

Candidates for President and Secretary General shall be posted five days before the election.

Voting will be done by secret ballot on the day of the election. Ballot counting and checking

will be done by the Patrons or an impartial, non-member appointee of Patrons. Special

precautions will be taken to ensure that only active members vote, and that no active member

is allowed to vote more than once.

The President and the Secretary General will be elected by 50%+1 vote of all active members

in attendance.

In any case where elections result in a tie or no majority, there will be a run-off election.

This procedure is applicable where two or more candidates are contesting. If a tie persists, the

Patrons may vote to break the tie.

Section 3: Special Election Procedures

Should a vacancy in any office occur, the position shall be appointed by the Patrons

Section 4: Recall Election

A petition of one-half of the total number of active members shall be cause for a recall election.

The offense must be in writing and submitted by an active member. A recall election shall be

held at the next regular business meeting after presentation of the recall petition.

Recall will require a favourable vote of two-thirds of the total voting membership.

Section 5: Voters

Voters will comprise a minimum of 90 Accounting students, with at least fifteen students from

each of the three conventional classes and fifteen students from each of the three parallel

classes. The students on attachment will not partake in voting and are not legible for

nomination.

Article V

Meetings

Section 1: Logistics

Definition: Logistics, defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is the handling of the details

of an operation.

The Executive Board and Patrons will meet periodically throughout the semester. During each

meeting, the Secretary General will have an agenda ready and he/she will be taking the notes

down. Every Board member and the Patrons shall sign the minutes to the meeting. There must

be at least one signature by the Patron; otherwise, the meeting will be deemed unofficial.

The day and time of the meetings shall be determined by the President and the Vice President,

with the approval of the Patrons.

Section 2: Monday and Wednesday Meetings

Monday meetings will be held every Monday, starting the second week of the semester,

determined by the academic calendar. This first Monday meeting will be called “Meet the

Accounting Association”. The newly elected Executive Board and the Patrons will be present

at the meeting. During the meeting, the President will introduce the new board, let the

participants know what the current semester will entail, and any other information deemed

necessary to let participants know.

If there is a reserved holiday for the first Monday meeting, this meeting will be postponed to

be the Wednesday meeting of the same week.

The last Monday meeting will be held on the week before final examinations. During this last

Monday meeting, the current Executive Board will officially resign from their individual

positions and the newly elected Executive Board will officially vest. All other Monday

meetings will be determined by the Monday Meeting Directors and the Executive Board

member overseeing the directorship.

Wednesday Meetings for the Nasa executive will be held every other Wednesday. The first

Wednesday meeting will be held on the second week of the semester, and the last Wednesday

meeting will be held two weeks before final examination week. Where Association matters can

be discussed through other means other than the meeting the Wednesday meetings may be

cancelled until further notice.

All Monday and Wednesday meetings will be held at NUST.

Section 3: Special Meetings

Special meetings, if determined necessary, can be called by any member of the Executive

Board or the Patrons. Every Executive Board member is required to attend. At least one Patron

must be present during the meeting. The person calling the meeting must provide a 48-hour

notice to the Patrons, President, and Vice President.

Section 4: Quorum

Quorum for regular and special meetings shall be four of the active members.

Section 5: Rules of Procedure

The rules of procedure for this organization shall be based on the department`s modus operandi

Article VI

Finances

Section 1: Account

This organization, pursuant to its charter obligation, shall maintain an agency account with a

local bank for the official conduction of the Association.

Section 2: Usage

All funds of this organization shall be deposited in, and disbursed from, this account following

procedures outlined by the Associated Students.

Section 3: Dissolution of the Association

Should this Association become dissolve, including the failure to apply for university

recognition annually, the agency account will be handled in accuracy with the procedures of

the Associated Students.

Section 4: Fiscal Year

The club’s fiscal year shall be from January 15 to November 30. For reporting and budgeting

purposes, financial statements will be prepared on an annual basis in accordance with the

calendar of the University.

Article VII

Committees

Section 1: Standing Committees

The Executive Board shall appoint Directors for any and all committees deemed necessary,

with the approval of the Patrons. Potential Directors may be subject to a screening.

Section 2: Selection of Standing Committees

The Patrons shall have the power to appoint and define the duties of a standing committee.

This duty may be delegated to the President, but the duties of a standing committee must be

approved by the Patrons.

Article VIII

Amendments

Section 1: Submission of Amendments

This Constitution may be amended provided all voting members are notified in writing of the

proposed changes at least one week prior to the date of the vote. All active members have the

right to vote upon the proposed amendments.

Section 2: Approval of Amendments

Ratification of an amendment is by two-thirds vote of all voting members that vote on the

proposed amendments. This change shall be put into effect immediately unless otherwise

stipulated in the amendment.

Section 3: Notification of Amendments

Any amendments must be submitted to the Accounting Department within 90 days.

Article IX

Ratification

Section 1: Procedure of Ratification

Upon ratification by a two-thirds vote of the membership, and approval from the NUST

Accounting Department and the Associated Students, this constitution shall become the official

governing document of the organization.

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nasa constitution (final))

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