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Article I: NAME

The name of this organization is Northwestern University Asian and Asian American Alumni, hereinafter referred to as “NU-A5”.

Article II: MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of NU-A5 is to establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships among Asian and Asian American alumni, and between Asian and Asian American alumni and current and future students, family members and other members of the Northwestern University community.
The NU-A5 will encourage alumni support and interest in the University by fostering increased integration and involvement with the University, will facilitate communications between the University and its alumni, and will assist the University in defining and achieving its diversity goals.

Article III: GEOGRAPHIC AREA

The geographic area of the NU-A5 is global in nature as Asian and Asian American Alumni of Northwestern University live and work throughout the world.

Article IV: MEMBERSHIP

Membership in NU-A5 is limited to members of the Northwestern Community, including current students, alumni, faculty and staff. Membership is organized in three categories as follows:

Current Students – Current students are eligible for membership in NU-A5 and will be exempt from paying membership dues.

Alumni & Associate – All alumni, defined as every person who has matriculated to any of the schools or colleges of Northwestern University, are eligible for membership in NU-A5. Associate members may include faculty and staff of Northwestern University, as well as all friends and family of Alumni members or current students. Alumni and Associate members will pay the established membership dues.

Honorary – Honorary members are individuals invited to participate in NU-A5 by the organization’s Executive Board and will be exempt from paying membership dues.

Guidelines of membership:

• The term for all categories of members will be one year beginning each September 1st and membership is renewable each year.
  
• The Executive Board will establish membership dues each year and will administer a membership solicitation each year.
  
• Active Member status includes the following:
• A Current Student shall be considered an active member.
  
• An Alumni or Associate member shall be considered an active member if he has paid dues for the current membership period.
  
• An Honorary member will not be considered an active member.
  
• All active members in good standing will have voting rights at the Annual Meeting and be eligible to serve on the Executive Board.
  

Article V: THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board will have the following positions and the associated key responsibilities.

President – The President shall chair the Annual Meeting, all Executive Board meetings and any other duly called meetings and shall serve as NU-A5’s liaison to the NAA (Northwestern Alumni Association) board. The President will oversee the activities of the Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and University Liaison. The President shall have the right to delegate any task deemed appropriate and shall have the responsibility of adequately preparing any interested successors to the role of the President.

Vice Presidents – There will be two Vice President positions. One Vice President will oversee the activities of the committees headed by the Programming and Communications Chairs. The other Vice President will oversee the activities of the committees headed by the Membership and International Chairs. The two Vice Presidents shall jointly fulfill the responsibilities of the President when the President is unavailable.

Treasurer – The Treasurer will be responsible for finances and present a detailed financial report as required by the agenda for each called meeting.

Secretary – The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings and be the keeper of all processed documents. The Secretary shall also provide the minutes of all meetings to the Executive Board.

University Liaison – The University Liaison shall be a staff member of Northwestern University and serve as the primary contact to student organizations, the Office of Student Affairs and academic departments of the University.

Programming Chair – The Programming Chair shall be responsible for planning events. The responsibility of implementing such events will be shared by all members of the Executive Board.

Membership Chair – The Membership Chair shall be responsible for general membership recruitment.

International Chair – The International Chair shall be responsible for promoting the global nature of the group.

Communications Chair – The Communications Chair shall be responsible for all internal communications of the activities of NU-A5, as well as external communications to the larger NU community. Potential forms of communication include sending group correspondences, maintaining an NU-A5 website and any other methods of communication as established in the future.

Guidelines on the Executive Board include the following:

• All members of the Executive Board must be members of NU-A5 in good standing at the time of their election and at all times during their tenure.
  
• The members nominated to serve as President of NU-A5 shall be limited to those members who have already served at least one term as a member of the Executive Board.
  
• The term of office shall be two years for all members of the Executive Board beginning June 1st,with the month of May serving as a transition between the outgoing and incoming Executive Boards.
  
• Members of the Executive Board shall serve no more than two consecutive terms in any one office.
  
• The members of the Executive Board shall be elected at the NU-A5 Annual Meeting by a majority vote of all active members in good standing.
  
• Should there be a vacancy on the Executive Board, the President shall appoint a replacement, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. Should there be a vacancy in the position of the President, one of the two Vice Presidents shall take over the position of the President, subject to a majority vote by the members of the Executive Board.
  
• All members of the Executive Board shall be responsible for other duties as requested by the President.
  

Article VI: DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS

In the event that NU-A5 shall cease active operation, all assets of NU-A5 shall be given to the Northwestern University Department of Alumni Relations.

Article VII: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the NU-A5 shall begin on September 1 of each year.

Article VIII: AMENDMENTS

• Review and vote on any proposed amendments to the bylaws will occur at the Annual Meeting or at any other such duly called meetings.
  
• Only active NU-A5 members in good standing may propose amendments to the bylaws.
• Proposed amendments (in draft or finalized form) to the bylaws must be submitted to the Executive Board at least five weeks before the Annual Meeting or any other such duly called meeting.
  
• Notice of intent to amend the bylaws will be given to all active members of NU-A5 two weeks before the Annual Meeting or any other such duly called meeting in order to assure adequate time for review.
  
• The bylaws may be adopted, repealed or amended, in whole or in part, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the active members in attendance at the Annual Meeting or at any other such duly called meetings.