EKTA-Constitution

EKTA - Indian Students Association at U. M. B. C, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County's Student Life Committee and the Graduate Student Association, as well as to the President of the University and his /her designees.

Article 1. Name:

The name of the organization shall be EKTA - Indian Students Association. EKTA, in Hindi - the national language of India - means Unity.

Article 2. Purpose:

EKTA has been established for the following purposes: Promote awareness about INDIA, her Culture and People Serve as a forum, for interaction between students of U. M. B. C Promote intercultural understanding among the people of USA and India ,Assist incoming students with the procedural formalities, temporary housing, etc.

Article 3. Qualification and Membership:

Section A:

Membership is open to all enrolled students of U. M. B. C, who would like to be a part of the organization. Section B: Membership to EKTA may not be denied based on race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, national origin, or religion.

Section B:

Membership to EKTA may not be denied based on race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, national origin, or religion.

Article 4. Organization and Governance:

EKTA shall consist of an Executive Committee and the general membership.

Section A:

The Executive Committee is the official leadership of EKTA. Permanent members of the Executive Committee shall consist of the offices of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Administrative Secretary, and two Cultural Secretaries. Permanent members of the Executive committee shall be elected by the members of EKTA. Non-permanent members of the Executive Committee, such as event coordinators, publicity coordinators, (but not necessarily the aforementioned posts) may be appointed by the Executive committee, as and when required. The Faculty Advisor will be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Executive Committee. The offices of President and Treasurer may be borne by graduate students only. At least 50% of the Executive Committee shall be represented by graduate students.

Section B:

The general membership of EKTA shall consist of everyone, who would like to be part of the organization, subject to Article 3 of the constitution. The Executive Committee reserves the right to terminate the membership of any member, if the member is found to act against the best interests of the organization.

Section C:

The organization shall have staggered elections. Each member of the Executive Committee shall bear office for one year. The elections for the posts of the President, Administrative Secretary and one Cultural Secretary shall be held in May. The elections for the posts of the Vice-President, Treasurer and the other Cultural Secretary shall take place in December.

Section D:

The Executive Committee Members shall be elected through a secret ballot election, held at the end of each Spring Semester. The date of election and call for nominations shall be announced, at least, thirty days prior to the election. A candidate will have to be nominated and seconded by at least two EKTA members. The person receiving the majority of votes will be elected. If any post may remain vacant at the end of the election, the elected committee reserves the right to appoint members to fill the vacancy. The Election Coordinator shall be a member appointed by the Executive Committee for conducting the elections. The Election Coordinator should receive the nominations, at least, one week prior to the election so that a ballot can be prepared. Candidates are allowed to circulate or make short statements prior to the election meeting. During the meeting, candidates are limited to a three-minute oral presentation or a one-page statement, which may be distributed. These actions must be completed prior to the start of the election process. A member of the Executive Committee may withdraw from the office before the expiration of the term by submitting a resignation in writing to the remaining members of the Executive Committee and the Faculty Advisor. The remaining members of the Executive Committee may then appoint a replacement to that office, pending ratification at the next meeting. Any officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a General Body Meeting. In order that a motion for removal of an officer take place, a letter, signed by at least one-tenth (1/10th) of the membership, expressing dissatisfaction has to be submitted to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee reserves the right-of-decision to pass the motion for removal of an officer. The remaining members of the Executive Committee may then appoint a replacement to that office, pending ratification at the next meeting.

Article 5. Elected Officers:

President:

The President shall be responsible for supervising the overall functioning of the organization. President shall also be responsible for interacting with other Student Organizations, GSA, the Faculty Advisor and other concerned parties. The President shall act as the official spokesperson for EKTA. The President is also responsible for establishing short and long term goals, and policies for the organization, and to ensure that these goals and policies are consistent with Article 2 of the constitution. The President shall serve as the chair of the Executive Committee, and both, set the agenda and conduct the meetings. The President may appoint another member, who would conduct the meeting in the President's stead. The President shall be responsible for ensuring that there are regularly scheduled meetings. The President must schedule a meeting within ten (10) school days, if requested to do so by a member of EKTA.

Vice President:

The Vice President shall oversee the functioning of EKTA, in the absence of the President. The Vice-President shall work closely with the permanent and non-permanent members of the Executive Committee in coordinating the activities of EKTA and ensure that the committee activities are communicated to the President.

Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall be responsible for developing and submitting a budget in the first meeting at the beginning of his/her term. The Treasurer shall be responsible for authorizing and monitoring all expenditures of EKTA. The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining the budget and for monitoring EKTA funds and shall report the same in meetings, if required or if requested by a member. The Treasurer shall serve as chair for any committee dealing with financial matters.

Cultural Secretary:

The Cultural Secretaries shall be directly responsible for organizing the cultural activities of EKTA. The Cultural Secretaries shall appoint event coordinators and other non-permanent members, as and when required for conducting an event. The Cultural Secretaries shall be responsible for interacting with counterparts from other organizations, both internal and external to the University.

Administrative Secretary:

The Administrative Secretary shall oversee the functioning of EKTA, in the absence of the President and Vice President. The Administrative Secretary is responsible for the minutes of all the meetings and shall communicate the same to the members of EKTA. The Administrative Secretary shall also be responsible of the various administrative needs of the organization.