Constitution

• NAME AND PURPOSE
• MEMBERSHIP
• OFFICERS
• MEETINGS

• AFFILIATIONS
• FACULTY/STAFF ADVISOR
• BY-LAWS AND AMENDMENTS

By-laws

ARTICLE I. Name and Purpose

Section A. Name

• Part 1. The official name for this organization is "IRANIAN GRADUATE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION".
• Part 2. This organization will use this name or its acronym, "IGSA" in all publicity materials and correspondence.

Section B. Purpose

• Part 1. All activities of IGSA are directed towards the following purposes:
  • To promote an understanding of Persian culture at USC
  • To foster friendship among different cultural groups
  • To provide a source of union and support for Iranian community at USC

• Part 2. To attain the above goals IGSA will sponsor social and cultural events.

ARTICLE II. Membership

Section A. Types

• Voting Member

Currently enrolled Iranian graduate students at USC

• Alumni/Alumnae Members

Iranian graduated students from USC

• Affiliated Members

Any other individual interested in IGSA membership

Section B. Requirements

• Part 1. Membership will be granted after an application is filed with current holders of IGSA office. Membership remains valid until the end of academic year and may be extended for the following year given the membership requirements are satisfied.
• Part 2. All members are required to demonstrate support for the purpose of IGSA
• Part 3. IGSA refrains from discriminating in membership decisions, elections, and all other matters on the basis of race, creed or religion, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Section C. Rights

• Part 1. All members are eligible to attend all meetings and events of this organization.
• Part 2. Only "voting members" form the IGSA quorum.

Section D. Withdrawal of Membership

• Part 1. Members may have their membership withdrawn for failure to adhere to the requirements for membership as stated above.
• Part 2. A simple majority vote of quorum present at a regularly scheduled meeting is required for withdrawal of a membership.

ARTICLE III. Officers

Section A. Officer Titles

• President
• Treasurer
• Public Relation Chair
• Event Coordinator
• Secretary

Section B. Duties

• Part 1. The President will chair all meetings of IGSA and will call special meetings as needed. The president will vote on IGSA matters only in case of a tie.
• Part 2. The Treasurer will maintain records and reports on the financial transactions of IGSA.
• Part 3. The Public Relation Chair coordinates all the IGSA's interaction with other organizations.
• Part 4. The Event Coordinator will direct the planning of IGSA programs and events.

• Part 5. The Secretary will take, record and file meeting minutes and produce all official correspondence for IGSA.

Section C. Requirements For the Running For and Holding Office

• Part 1. All officers and candidates for office must be voting members.

Section D. Nomination and Election

• Part 1. Any members may nominate any other member, including himself or herself.
• Part 2. Voting members can take part in the election either by sending their votes through any mailing media or attending the election meeting.
• Part 3. Election will be held at the second-to-last meeting of the the spring semester.
• Part 4. A simple majority vote of the quorum participating in the election will be sufficient to elect an officer.

Section E. Removal From Office

• Part 1. Officers may be removed from office for failure to perform duties or for violations of membership clause.
• Part 2. A two-thirds majority of the quorum present at a regularly scheduled meeting shall be sufficient for removal from office.
• Part 3. Officers to be voted upon in this regard will be notified of the intention to do so in writing at least one week prior to the meeting at which the vote will be taken.

Section F. Terms of Office and Vacancies

• Part 1. The term of IGSA office is one academic year.
• Part 2. Should a vacancy in office occur, there will be another nomination procedure and election for that vacant office, begun with the next regular meeting of the association.
• Part 3. In the meantime, the Treasurer will assume the duties of the President, and the Public Relation Chair will assume the duties of the Treasurer, and the Event Coordinator will assume the duties of the Public Relation Chair, and the Secretary will assume the duties of the Event Coordinator should those offices be vacant.

ARTICLE IV. Meetings

Section A. Regular Meetings

• Part1. IGSA regular meetings will be held once in a month.

Section B. Special Meetings

• Part 1. Special meetings may be called by a simple majority of officers. Notice of special meetings must be announced to all members at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

Section C. Quorum

• Part 1. To conduct an activity in a regular meeting or the first call of a special meeting, one half of the entire voting members must be present to form the quorum.
• Part 2. If the first call of a special meeting doesn't take effect, the following special meeting which must be called at least two weeks later will be effective with any number of present voting members.

ARTICLE V. Affiliations

Section A. USC

• Part 1. IGSA is a recognized student organization at the University of Southern California, but is not a part of the university itself.
• Part 2. In all correspondence business transactions, it may refer to itself as an organization at USC, but not as a part of USC itself.
• Part 3. IGSA accepts full financial and production responsibility for all activities it sponsors.
• Part 4. IGSA agrees to abide by all pertinent USC policies and regulations. Where USC policies and regulations and those of IGSA differ, the policies and regulation of USC will take precedence.
• Part 5. This organization recognizes and understands that the University assumes no legal liability for the actions of the organization, and that the University is not providing blanket indemnification insurance coverage for any activities of the organization, unless those activities expressly benefit and further the goals of the University, and have received prior review, approval and consent of the Offices of Student Activities, Risk Management and/or General Counsel.

ARTICLE VI. Faculty/Staff Advisor

Section A. Advisor Requirements

• Part 1. As a recognized student organization at the University of southern California, IGSA is required to have an official advisor from the USC faculty and staff.
• Part 2. Other persons may serve as special advisors as needed.

Section B. Duties

• Part 1. The advisor must sign the recognition application each year, or whenever officer information changes or amendments are made to constitution.
• Part 2. An advisor, unless he or she is also a regular voting member, may not vote in IGSA matters, hold office or unduly influence decisions of the student organization.

ARTICLE VII. By-laws And Amendments

Section A. By-laws

• Part 1. By-laws can be added to this constitution by a simple majority vote of the voting members at a regular meeting.
• Part 2. This constitution takes precedence over any and all by-laws.

Section B. Amendments

• Part 1. This constitution can be amended by a two-third majority vote of the voting members at a regular meeting.

By-laws

• By-law 1. IGSA officers may impose an optional "acitivity fee", which would entitle the members who have chosen to pay the fee to certain privileges.