The Apsa constitution

Article I | Name and acronym

The name of this organization shall be the Association of Professionals in Student Affairs. The official acronym of this Association shall be Apsa.

Article II | Purpose

The mission of the association is to achieve excellence in the delivery of student services and the promotion of student growth and development. In pursuit of this mission, the association provides its members with opportunities for professional development and networking, and creates an awareness at the university of the essential role of student affairs professionals.

Article III | Membership and dues

Section 1 | There shall be no discrimination within the association for reasons of religion, age, race or color, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

Section 2 | Types of membership

1. Membership shall be open to University of Texas at Austin personnel whose major function is to provide student services. Members must agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the university. Individuals shall become active members in good standing upon payment of dues.
2. Active members shall be eligible to vote, hold office, and attend meetings of the association, and are entitled to all the services and benefits provided by the association.
3. Membership will be a one-year term, effective from 1 Sep through 31 Aug.

Section 3 | Membership dues shall be established by simple majority vote of the members present at a duly called meeting. These will be due during the month of September.

Article IV | Meetings of membership

Section 1 | The membership shall meet monthly at scheduled times as determined by the executive council.

Section 2 | The agenda is prepared by the executive council. Individual members shall submit agenda items to council members in advance of the meeting.

Section 3 | Special meetings may be called by the executive council.

Article V | Member-sanctioned activities

Any event requesting the Apsa endorsement requires a vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at a duly-called meeting.

Article VI | Executive council

Executive council committee | The executive council of Apsa shall be comprised of the following officers: chair, vicechair, treasurer, recorder, public relations, historian, meetings and events chair and two chairs of the Student Services Professional Development Day committee. All of these positions with the exception of the chair may be shared by an elected team of no more than two active members. These officers shall be elected by simple majority vote of the members present at a duly-called meeting. Elections of the executive council shall take place in the May business meeting. A member may not hold the same office for more than two years. Each year, the executive council will decide to whom each standing committee will report. All executive officers shall perform duties specific to their offices and those imposed by the membership.

Issues needing a vote by members of the executive council may be voted upon by council members present at a duly-called council meeting.

A vote may be ratified by a simple majority of those present.

1. The chair shall be the executive officer of the association, and shall preside at the meetings of the organization; shall perform such duties as may be prescribed in this constitution or as may be assigned by the membership; shall coordinate the work of the officers; and shall coordinate solicitations and donations.
2. The vicechair shall be responsible for the coordination of the standing committees; shall assist the chair in the performance of duties; and shall perform the duties of the chair in his or her absence.
   The vicechair shall also oversee arrangements for refreshments at meetings.
3. The treasurer shall be the chief financial officer and shall be responsible for the management of all the funds of this organization. The treasurer shall produce financial reports monthly; collect dues; maintain the membership roster; coordinate the budget process; and propose an annual budget. All transactions shall be cosigned by the treasurer and chair or vicechair.
4. The recorder shall be responsible for documenting all official meetings of the association; shall distribute minutes to all members and maintain all documents, records, contracts and agreements; and shall maintain the Apsa listserv.
5. The public relations officer shall promote the goals, objectives, and programs of the association, and facilitate internal and external communication.
6. The historian shall document association events: keep photos and memorabilia; coordinate the creation of an annual historical report; and shall maintain the Apsa website.
7. The chair of the meetings and events committee will be responsible for calling regular committee meetings, and overseeing room reservations; the committee will be responsible for setting speakers for monthly meetings and coordinating the annual holiday party and May party.
8. The two chairs of the Student Services Professional Development Day committee will be responsible for overseeing Apsa's annual conference for student affairs professionals, which will take place annually in early Feb.

Article VII | Standing committees

Section 1 | Standing committees of the association shall be comprised of the the meetings and events committee and the Student Services Professional Development Day committee.

1. Meetings and events committee: This committee will be responsible for coordinating any special events for the organization. This may include an annual holiday party and an end-of-the-year event, as well as guest speakers and additional special occasions.
2. Student Services Professional Development Day committee: This committee shall be responsible for coordinating Apsa's annual professional development conference.

Section 2 | Committee chairs shall be elected, and elections for committee chairs shall take place in May. Chairs shall be elected by a simple majority of membership votes during annual elections.

Section 3 | Additional standing or ad hoc committees may be created based on recommendation of the executive council or the membership.

Article VIII | Amendments to the constitution

Any amendment to the Apsa constitution must be ratified by a simple majority vote of the active membership at a duly-called meeting or by proxy vote.

Article IX | Dissolution

In the instance of the incapacitation, resignation, or removal of an elected officer, replacement may be appointed by unanimous vote of the executive council.