Chapin Apartments Residents' Association

Constitution of the Chapin Apartments Residents Association

State University of New York at Stony Brook

ARTICLE I

Name
The name of the organization shall be the Chapin Apartments Residents Association (CARA).

ARTICLE II

Purpose

1. Actively participate in New Student Check-in’s in the fall and spring semesters.

2. Attend extended executive board training.

3. Disseminate programming funding to active community members and other graduate student organizations who are interested in building community.

4. Coordinate large scale and small scale programs on a monthly and weekly basis. Participate in Chapin fest and both fall and spring pride-patrol-beautification days.

5. Schedule and coordinate “General Body Meetings, to inform residents of important community issues, while allowing them a way to make suggestions and voice their concerns.

6. Meeting with university officials and Administrators to address resident concerns.

7. CARA is committed to affirmative action/equal employment laws and to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, race ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, or veteran status.

ARTICLE III

Membership

CARA membership shall consist of all Chapin Residents who are enrolled at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and paying student activity fees. Any member of CARA is eligible to be an officer of the CARA, and may serve on any CARA sub-committee. All members of CARA are eligible to vote in officer elections, and any other organization-wide ballot.

ARTICLE IV
Officers

Section A

The offices of CARA shall be those of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers shall serve for one year, and may be re-elected for one additional year only.

Section B: President

The President shall:

1. Orchestrate the functions of CARA under the advisement of the Director of University Apartments;
2. Act as a spokesperson for CARA;
3. Convene and preside over meetings of the Executive Council;
4. Organize discussions with campus officials;
5. Liaise with other University Apartment organizations;
6. Shall report his activities to the Senate
7. Delegate power in his/her absence to the Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer, in that order.

Section C: Vice President

The Vice President shall:

1. Assist the President in the execution of his/her duties;
2. Fulfill any responsibilities and duties delegated by the President;
3. Act as the public relations officer;
4. Circulate a monthly newsletter;
5. Shall report his activities to the Senate
6. Is next in line to the President.

1. Record, publish, and report the minutes of Executive and General Body meetings;
2. Disseminate information to the general public;
3. Gather information and feedback from residents via surveys, arraigning open meetings and focus groups.
4. Shall report his activities to the Senate
5. Is next in line to the Vice-President.
   

Section E: Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

1. Manage the group revenues and expenditures;
2. Solicit additional funding when necessary;
3. Review requests for co-sponsorship prior to presenting it to the Executive and Senate for approval;
4. Provide an oral briefing on the state of CARA finances at each meeting;
5. Furnish a written financial report at the end of every semester.
6. Meet with the Director of University Apartments to discuss any financial matters;
7. Is next in line to the Secretary.

ARTICLE V
Executive Board

The members of the Executive Board shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

ARTICLE VI
Senate

The senate represents the residents of Chapin apartments. At least 2/3rd members are required to pass any issue. The minimum members should be 15 at any meeting.

ARTICLE VI
Meetings

The Executive Board shall convene on a weekly basis to discuss pertinent matters and prepare for General Body meetings. General Body meetings should take place at least once a month. Dates and times are contingent upon the convenience of the Executive and Senate at the beginning of each term, but once established shall remain consistent for said term.

ARTICLE VII
Elections

Elections must happen by the third weekend in September, and must be prepared to assume the position on the day they are voted into office via a majority vote. All members are allowed one vote per nomination. In case of vacancy due to any reason the post will be filled either by calling a general body meeting or through nomination with the help of the President and Advisor.