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ACSSY bylaw


Article One: Name

1. The informal name of the organization is “Chinese Students & Scholars Association” (hereafter ““the Association”), the organization has an unregistered brand “ACSSY”, which stands for no particular meaning. The official name is pending to be reviewed by the Secretary office of Yale University.

Article Two: The Statement of Purpose

1. “The Association” is an independent, non-political and non-profit organization dedicated to the goal of promoting social, intellectual and cultural activities for Chinese students and scholars at Yale and for other interested members of the Yale community. It will also strive to provide opportunities and benefits for its members by facilitating the exchange of information between China and overseas Chinese students and by protecting the interests of its members on campus as well as in the United States.

Article Three: Membership

1. There are two types of memberships in “the Association”: general membership and registered membership. There is no membership fee for either of them.

2. General Membership of “the Association” is automatically approved for any students or scholars (including their spouses) from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao. Students or scholars from Taiwan are encouraged to join “the Association”. General Membership is also open to all students and scholars (including their spouses) currently at Yale interested in the organization. All individuals shall have the privilege of using the Association’s mail list after subscribing online.

3. Registered Membership as known as “Board Member” of “the Association” is open to students or scholars from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. All such individuals who apply for membership become and maintain membership in good standing by abiding by the bylaws of “the Association” shall have the rights and privileges bestowed by Registered Membership. Any question regarding whether an individual is an eligible registered member of “the Association” shall be decided by the president, subjected to appeal to “the Association” board.

4. Any member can withdraw membership by formally informing the President of “the Association” by the Email he/she registers membership with.

Article Four: “The Association” Board

1. The officers of “the Association” board shall consist of President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary and other board members.

2. Officers shall be appointed by the president of “the Association”.

3. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association. He/she shall exercise general supervision and provide overall control over its programs, as well as draft meeting agenda and chair regular meetings.

4. The Vice Presidents shall be responsible for fundraising, organizing community events and promoting public relations, etc., in various functioning departments of “the Association” respectively.

5. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt and custody of all monies of the Association, the accurate accounting thereof, and the disbursement thereof as authorized by the President, preparing and issuing the budget and other financial statements and reports.

6. The Secretary shall be responsible for responsible for the day to day internal administration of the Senate; Draft, distribute, and file all official communications; Issue notices of all meetings of the Members; Maintain the public records of the Corporation, including the Bylaws, lists of Members and Officers, and the Annual Report; Submit annually the list of Officers and the Annual Report to the corresponding office of Yale University; Maintain institutional memory of the organization to be distributed to all officers each year

7. The other board members shall execute the activities of the Association under the supervision of specific vice president.

Article Five: “Association” Senate

1. “The Association” Senate shall consist of nine or eleven Senators. It shall not participate in the management of the organization.

2. Only previous Board Member who wants to be a senator can apply to the Senate if there is a vacancy.

3. Senate shall supervise the enforcement of “the Association” by-laws.

4. Senate shall listen to the feedbacks of membership and advise Board on a regular basis.

5. Senate shall organize the Election Committee when it is necessary.

Article Six: Elections

1. The election of President shall be held annually, and no later than May 1st of the academic year, by secret ballot in the membership meeting or other legitimate ways determined by the Election Committee. Only Registered Members have the privilege to vote.

2. The incumbent board shall call for presidential nominations no later than April 15th of the academic year. Any candidate shall be nominated by a petition of more than 20 Registered Members or 3% of the registered membership, whichever is more, at least one week before the Election Day. The incumbent board shall publicize the statements of presidential candidates using the resources of “the Association” .

3. An Election Committee of at least three people shall be organized by the “the Association” senate to ensure the fairness and efficiency of voting procedures. No incumbent officer or nominee for any of those positions may serve on the committee.

4. A candidate who obtains a majority of all eligible votes shall be elected President. In the event that no candidates receive a majority, a simple majority vote shall be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.

5. The new team of officers shall commence duties no later than the beginning of June.

Article Seven: Removal

1. In order to remove the president of “the Association”, a membership meeting shall be held by petitioning to “the Association” Board or “the Association” Senate.

2. The President of “the Association” can be removed from position by more than two thirds of all eligible votes in a Membership Meeting or other legitimate ways determined by “the Association” Senate.

Article Eight: Meetings

1. Membership meetings shall be held at least once a year by “the Association” Board. Only Registered Members can participate in the membership meeting. “The Association” Board shall make annual report in the membership meeting. Election shall be held in the membership meeting.

2. Both “the Association” board and “the Association” Senate can call for Membership Meetings. Membership meetings must be held within two months when a petition of more than 50 Registered Members or 10% Registered Membership, whichever is more, is submitted to “the Association” Board or “the Association” Senate.

3. Board Meetings of “the Association” shall be called by “the Association” President and shall be held no less than once every three months. These regular Board Meetings are open to any members of “the Association”.

4. The President shall preside over all business meetings of “the Association”. In the absence of the President, the Vice President designated by the President shall assume the responsibility.

5. The time, venue and agenda of a membership meeting shall be publicized in the Registered Membership at least one week before the meeting.

Article Nine: Dissolution

1. Should 75% of the membership of “the Association” vote to dissolve the organization or if “the Association” has been inactive for three years or longer, its remaining assets shall be transferred to a non-profit organization of Chinese community determined by a membership meeting.

Article Ten: Amendments of By-Laws

1. The amendments of by-laws shall be made by more than two thirds of all eligible votes in the membership meeting or other legitimate ways determined by “the Association” Senate.