CONSTITUTION
OF
PHI IOTA ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC.
Article I. Purpose
The Purpose of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is to dedicate its members to the empowerment of the Latino Community. Furthermore, it dedicates its members to provide intensive educational, cultural, and social activities geared towards the promotion of Latin America Culture. As a Fraternity open to all races and cultures, the purpose is to unify Latinos and other ethnic groups. Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. strives to unify all the Latin American cultures under one network, while unifying and advancing Latino Americans in the United States. Furthermore, the members of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. dedicate their efforts to abolish the ignorance, prejudice, and racism against and between the Latin American nationalities within our communities, universities, and nations of origin.
Article II. Development
Section 1
The members will take an active part in developing their own curriculum with the Fraternity within the boundaries provided.
Section 2 – Community Building
Service – Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will perform several community services throughout the year and educational programs focusing on culture and/or personal development.
Section 3 - Development
Skill Building – Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will meet weekly or Bi-Weekly to continually develop their skills in public speaking, how to conduct meetings, team building and overall professionalism.
Round table discussions – Will be held every week at Fraternity meetings. Discussions will focus on current events, culture, literature, politics, business, personal development, organizational development, and interpersonal communication skills.
Leadership – Each group member will have the opportunity to hold the position of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Social/Fundraiser/Community service chair, for a brief period of time to gain an understanding of each position. Fundraising – Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will conduct fundraising activities to help support their activities and travel expenses.
Section 4 – Community Assessment
Market Research and Community Assessment- The members will do extensive research to find out the need of Latino students and the community residents through interviews and questionnaires. Including professors and Administrators. Assess the campus and community to find what resources exist (Restaurants, Fraternitys, Latino Businesses, DJ’s in area, print shops, etc…). The members will also get information on Non-profit organizations and programs that will help the Latino community on and off campus.
Article III. Membership
Section 1
Membership into Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is open to all male students who attend California State University Dominguez Hills.
Section 2
All members must be persons willing to comply and promote the principles of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and hence the principles of the Student Association and of the University. They must also commit themselves to their responsibilities.
Section 3
All board members, general members, and visitors will be treated with equal respect and are considered equal contributors to Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Article IV. Positions and Terms
Section 1
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. board will consist of five members. The board will consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Social/Fundraiser/Community service chair (additional positions will be established if needed.)
Section 2
Terms for all the board members will be for one year unless he or she is impeached, or he or she resigns. Terms will begin the First week of July and end the Last week of June. This allows the board members that are leaving a chance to help out the new board members in their new positions.
Section 3
At the time of assuming office and during tenure in office, an elected official must meet all of the eligibility requirements as stated by the university. He/she will sign a statement of eligibility form when assuming office.
Article V. Elections
Section 1 – Nominations
Nominations for officer positions shall be announced at an e-board meeting by the president. Names for nominations will be gathered at the general meeting by anonymous voting. Nominations will take place a month before actual elections.
Sections 2 – Time of Election
Elections will take place during the last month of the spring quarter.
Section3 – Procedure
Officers will be elected by secret ballot. The nominee with the highest number of votes wins the officer position. Ballots will be counted by the advisor. In case of a tie, the advisor gets to vote.
Article VI. Responsibilities of Board Members
Section 1 – President
The President will chair all PHI IOTA ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. meetings and be responsible for the overall direction of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.. He or she will oversee the fulfillment of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. guidelines and goals. He or she will establish the agenda for each meeting as well as setting up the time and place for the meetings. The president will appoint temporary officer in the absence or vacancy of a position. He or she will vote in chapter’s matters only when there is a tie on an item that is being voted on. He or she will act as head spokesmen for Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. administration. He or she has ability to create and propose PHI IOTA ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. policies and by-laws as long as they do not contradict established guidelines.
Section 2 – Vice President
The Vice President shall serve in the capacity of president in the case of the president’s absence, removal, or resignation. He or she will assist the president in any tasks assigned to him or her by the president. He or she will take on the responsibilities of any absent officer. The vice president must maintain the roster of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and inform Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. advisor of any new additions or subtracts from Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc..
Section 3 – Secretary
The secretary will keep the records of the minutes of all PHI IOTA ALPHA FRATERNITY, Inc. meetings. He or she will keep records of the attendance of the meetings. The secretary will also be responsible for getting the Executive board members a copy of the minutes and attendance. He or she is also responsible for typing a phone list (including summers), campus and home addresses, monthly calendar of activities, and make duplicate copies for each member, but only if a written consent from each member is kept in the records. Secretary must call roll at all meetings, read minutes of preceding meeting, and/or other communication.
Section 4 – Treasurer
The treasurer will be responsible for opening and managing Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. budget. He or she will keep accurate records of receipts and expenditures and update Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. budget monthly. The Treasurer will co-sign all disbursements from the treasury and will coordinate all fund-raising events.
Section 5 – Social/Fundraiser/Community service chair
This position is to be covered by all members. Contacts, event dates and information shall be gathered by members individually. The Specified Position will be given to a member, but only to sign and fill out paper work. All events and information is to be discussed at the weekly or bi-weekly meetings. Socials consist of any gathering of individual on or off campus. Fundraisers and community service can be held on or off campus, as long as all requirements are meet.
Section 6
All Board members are expected to spend a minimum of 10 hours a week for Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.. This includes multiple hours for meetings, one hour to carry out their respective responsibilities, and two hours for promotion, community service, and mandatory study hours. The meetings can consist of; e-board, general, Greek Council, and Umbrella council meetings. Promotions and community service hours include PHI IOTA ALPHA FRATERNITY, Inc. participations and Greek council.
Section 7
In order for Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to run efficiently, all members have to be present at the meetings and functions of the Fraternity. Furthermore, as we understand that members have a primary responsibility to their classes and have taken on the extra responsibilities of being a board member of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., board members are allowed two absences from board meetings and allowed two absences from the Fraternity meetings. Board members may be excused from the meetings with prior notice to the meeting or the function. They can also be excused if they have one of the following reasons; engagements made prior to the plans for the function or meeting being made, attending work or going to a study group or any family or personal reasons. Any cancellation of any meeting or function do not count as an absent.
Article VII. Eligibility and Vacancies for the board
Section 1
Any member seriously interested in progressing the ideas and principles of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. maybe able to run for a position on the board of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. once they have served as a member for one semester prior to being a board member.
Section 2
Vacancies on the board caused by impeachment, resignation or incapacity will be filled out by having a special election with the entire board of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. members.
Article VIII. Impeachment
Section 1
Any member of the board, who without due cause fails to attend more meetings that stated in Article V, Section 7, or fails to carry out the responsibilities of his or hers position, may be subject to impeachment by 2/3 vote of the general members.
Article IX. Amendments
Section 1
All major decisions, changes and any changes on the amendments to the constitution must be approved by Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. board. There must be a special election were the decisions or changes will be discussed and afterwards the election will take place. In order to have the decisions of changes approved by the board, a vote of 3 to 2 must take place. If any special election will be taken, you must notify the board members and regular member’s one-week prior to the elections.
Section 2
All amendment approved by the board members of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are also subject to OSL approval.
Article X. Meetings
Section 1
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. shall meet once a week during the fall, winter and spring quarters. The board meeting will be held at least once a week.
Section 2
The meetings shall be called by Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. board. Any other additional meetings shall be called by a board member and then brought up to the president of the Fraternity.
Article XI. Trust Account
Section 1 – Maintenance
This organization, pursuant to its charter obligation, shall maintain a trust account with the ASI Business Office. Pursuant to the California State University Board of Trustees, the Executive Orders 648 and 731 states that all funds received on behalf of the University, its auxiliaries or affiliated organizations are required to be administered through the campus’ Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President of Administrative Affairs. Student Fraternitys and organizations are identified as affiliated organizations. The policy further states that any account with a bank or financial institution not approved by the campus’ Chief Financial Officer is strictly prohibited.
Section 2 – Usage
Money will be allocated in two different locations. A small amount of cash will be kept in a black box by the treasurer for emergencies. The rest of the money raised by the organization will be deposited in and disbursed from the ASI account.
Section 3 – Dispersal of Funds
Should this organization become inactive by failing to apply for charter renewal, the trust account will be held as an inactive account for two (2) academic years. In the event this organization does not become active during the two (2) year period it is hereby declared that any funds remaining in said account are to be transmitted to Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 9322 3rd Avenue, Suite 412 Brooklyn, NY 11209, an educational, charitable organization to aid this organization in carrying out its objectives. If said organization is no longer functioning at that time, or if its objectives are no longer consistent with its original educational, charitable purposes, then the funds of this organization shall be transferred to the Associated Students, Inc., California State University Dominguez Hills, general fund.
Article XII. Advisor
Section 1 - Eligibility
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chooses an advisor according to the regulations set by OSL. The advisor should be over 21 years of age who shall be a full-time member of the faculty, administration, or staff of the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The advisor may not be on leave of absence at any time during his/her term of appointment.
Section 2 – Selection and Appointment
After an advisor has been nominated by the organization and approved by his/her Department Head, final approval and actual appointment will be made by the Director, Office of Student Life. If the advisor is the Department Head, then the immediate supervisor would also need to approve before final appointment is made by the Director of Student Life.
Section 3 – Duties
The advisor’s responsibilities include attendance and participation in as many organizational meetings and activities as is practical, signing all forms related to the scheduling of activities and the disbursement of funds, and the other duties outlined in Office of Student Life’s Advisor’s Guide.
Article XIII. Hazing and other regulations
Section 1
It is understood that Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. prohibits hazing in accordance with Code tit. 5, s 41301 of the student Fraternity and organization conduct manual under college regulations and in accordance with The California state law.
Section 2
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., board members and general members must adhere to all the articles stated previously as well as all other regulations and policies set forth by the Cal Poly Pomona Student Association, College policies, Local policies, County policies, California State and Federal law.