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.