Constitution

                                                                               ABASA

                                                                    STUDENT CHAPTER UL

                                                                         CONSTITUTION

This Constitution contains fundamental principles which govern operation and establishes the specific rules of guidance by which the society is to function.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article I. NAME

Article II. PURPOSE

Article III. MEMBERSHIPS

Article IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS

Article V. ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE

Article VI. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

Article VII. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTTEE

Article VIII. CODE OF CONDUCT OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Article IX. MEETINGS

Article X. STRUCTURE

Article XI. AFFILIATION

Article XII. PUBLICATIONS

Article XIII. CODE OF CONDUCT OF MEMBERS

Article XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AMMENDMENTS

Article XV. DISSOLVING THE SOCIETY

Article I. NAME

The name of this body shall be The Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa Student Chapter University of Limpopo (ABASAscUL) here in after referred to as the society).

Article II. PURPOSE

MISSION AND VISION

The mission statement of our society is to promote interest of black students  in the study of the accounting profession.

Our vision is to be a support system for University of Limpopo students who are pursuing the accounting profession.

 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this society shall be the following

•To encourage and facilitate the entry of blacks into the accounting education and profession

•Promote and assist with vocational training

•To enable University of Limpopo graduates to embark on training contracts which will pave a way to their careers

•To identify and work for removal of conditions which are detrimental to academic and professional well-being of accountants

•To assist deserving students in acquiring financial assistance

•To encourage academic excellence

Article III. MEMBERSHIPS

Section 3.1: Categories of membership

A. The society is open to all University of Limpopo students registered for Bachelor of Accounting   Science (BAccSc) or BCom Accounting degree.

B. Board of advisors will be recognised as members, without voting rights.

Section 3.2: Application for membership

·         This shall be made by means of an application form.

Section 3.3: Membership fee

A. An annual membership fee will be payable by members, the amount shall be decided upon at the discretion of the Executive committee.

B. The membership fee will be payable in the first 3 months of the academic year.

Section 3.4: Obligations of members

A. By their application for membership, members shall be deemed to undertake to conform to the aims and objectives of the association and such codes of conduct as the association shall prescribe from time to time.

•        Members shall pay their membership fees when due.

•        Members must attend all meetings.

Section 3.5: Termination of membership

A. It shall be upon deregistering as a Bachelor of Accounting Science or BCom (Accounting Science) student.

B. Conduct, actions, omissions, utterances and attitude of such a nature that in the opinion of the executive committee that would bring association into disrepute/ jeopardy. The member must be notified in writing of the intended resolution to remove him/ her as a member and to make their representations in writing and in person.

C. The termination or suspension of the membership of a member any reason shall not relieve that member of any responsibility obligation for any act or omission for which he/she was responsible prior to the date of termination or suspension of his/her membership.

•        Members are to be disciplined should they miss more than 2 consecutive meetings.

•        Disciplinary committee shall be responsible for terminations.

Article IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS

The Executive Committee officers of this society shall be:

Chairperson

Vice-Chairperson

Secretary General

Deputy Secretary

Treasurer

Public relations officer

Academic officer

Academic & career development officer

Events Manager

Advisory board

Article V. ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE

Section 5.1: filling of vacancies done by members at the branch general meeting

Section 5.2: The committee shall be elected at the A.G.M. held in September.

Section 5.3: All members of the society are entitled to one vote each

Section 5.4: Qualification for office – All officers must be registered students for Bachelor of Accounting Science (BAccSc) or BCom (Accounting Science) in the University of Limpopo.

Section 5.5: Members of the committee may be re-elected

Section 5.6: members can only serve in office for a maximum of two (2) terms throughout their membership of ABASA

Section 5.5: Vacancies on the committee may be filled by elections called by the committee and/or co-option by majority vote of the committee.

Section 5.6: The committee may as the need arises co-opt members with or without voting rights

Section 5.7: Only persons who have served in the prior year, will qualify to be appointed as the Chairperson

Article VI. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

Section 6.1: Duties and functions of the Chairperson

The principal leadership and the greatest responsibility for everything concerning the society shall vest in the chairperson.

A. The chairperson may act independently where immediate action is required and his decisions are valid, subject to ratification by the committee at a subsequent meeting.

B. The chairperson shall compile a written report at the end of each year and forward it to the Student Officer.

C .The chairperson shall have a casting vote, as well as a deliberate vote.

D. Organise, plan and work to ensure the continuation and overall success of the chapter;

E. Call meetings of the officers and delegate responsibilities as needed;

F. Call meetings of the society members;

G. Represent the society;

H. Act as chair at all general and Executive Committee meetings at which s/he is present;

Section 6.2: Duties and functions of the Deputy Chairperson

A. To exert positive influence in the Finance committee

B. To attend all meetings unless a written apology has been given to the secretary.

C. Fulfill all duties in the absence of the chairperson

D. To carry out task as and when required to do so by the executive committee.

E. To chair meetings of the Finance committee in the absence of the Treasurer.

Section 6.3: Duties and functions of the Secretary

The secretary shall;

A. Keep proper minutes, copies of which are to be forwarded to the Student Officer for filing.

B. Distribute notice

C. Deal with correspondence

D. Draw up and distribute the agenda for each meeting

E. Be responsible for communication between committee and members

F. The secretary must present an overall performance appraisal report on the executive committee as well as  finance committee members at an annual general meeting.

G. Deal with attendance registers

Section 6.4: Duties and functions of the Treasurer

A.Manage all financial transactions of the society and prepare a budget for the society;

B.Submit a monthly financial summary of expenditures to the Executive Committee and an annual financial summary of expenditures to relevant stakeholders;

C. Overseeing fund raising activities.

D. Assist the Public Relations Officer in sponsorship-seeking activities. In the event that the Public Relations Officer role is vacant, the Treasurer is to coordinate all sponsorship-seeking activities

E. Finance committee:

i. Composition:

• Treasurer

• Deputy Chairperson of the Executive Committee as elected.

• Two members to be appointed by the executive committee

ii. Structure of the Finance Committee

• The committee will be chaired by the Treasurer as elected by members.

• The treasurer and all members would have to attend general and annual meetings and answer all questions related to the treasury function.

iii. Functions of the finance committee (Including Treasurer)

•The treasurer will be responsible for: Financial matters pertaining to the society.

•Submitting a budget for the forthcoming year to the Student Officer before the end of November.

•Drawing up a report for the financial year during which he was in office, before the A.G.M. IN September.

•Collecting all the subscription fees at the beginning of the academic year.

•Arranging all sponsorships and donations in conjunction with committee members.

•Treasurer and all members of the finance committee must attend all meetings of the finance committee.

•The treasurer should attend all Executive committee meetings and report on the progress of the finance committee.

•The treasurer must submit a written apology to the secretary if he\she cannot attend a meeting stating reasons.

• One of the 2 members of the finance committee should take minutes of all meetings held.

Section 6.5: Duties and functions of the Public Relations Officer

A. Work closely with the secretary with regard to issues pertaining to publicity of the society

B. Lead the society’s delegate on all off-campus activities.

C. Play a vital role in the marketing of the society to potential members and members.

D. Coordinate and assist with all sponsorship-seeking activities of the Chapter.

E. Work closely with the secretary with regard to issues pertaining to publicity of the chapter,          i.e. Authorize all publications including posters.

F. Facilitate invitation of guests to events organized by the committee.

G. All communication with ABASA national body should be directed to the P.R.O.

Section 6.6: Duties and functions of the Academic officer

A. Implement programs furthering members’ academic skills and pursuits;

B. Organise and hold at least one (1) academic event per semester

Section 6.7: Duties and functions of Academic & career development officer

A. Implement programs benefiting and furthering members’ career opportunities;

B. Organise and hold at least one (1) careers event per year;

C. Organise and hold at least one (1) professional development event per year;

D. Implement programs encouraging professional development of society members;

E. Help form relationships with corporate sponsors, by developing and sending sponsorship packages in collaboration with the Public Relations Officer.

Section 6.8: Duties and Functions of the events manager

A. Book all venues in advance for all society meetings and functions (i.e. Annual general meeting)

B. Handover all records at regular intervals to the archives custodian

C. Attend all committee meetings.

Section 6.9: Duties and Functions of the Advisory Board

A. To give advice if and when needed

B. To contribute in strategic plans of the committee

C. To facilitate exposure of ABASA in commerce and industry

D. To guide the committee in areas of their expertise

Article VII. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTTEE

Section 7.1: The committee should organize the activities of the society

Section 7.2: The action of the committee shall be subject to the resolutions of general meetings.

Section 7.3: The committee may appoint sub-committee members as the need arises.

Section 7.4: The annual subscription fee shall be determined by the committee in accordance with the constitution of the Society Council.

Section7.5: The committee shall be responsible for all equipment belonging to the Society.

Article VIII. CODE OF CONDUCT OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Section 8.1: Any member of committee shall be obliged to attend all meetings on a regular basis (i.e. 80 percent of the meetings)

Section 8.2: A member who fails to do so or who conducts himself\herself in such a manner as to bring the student chapter into disrepute shall cease to be a member in good standing, and shall, at the discretion of the committee, be suspended or expelled from the committee in question provided he has first been given notice of the intended resolution to suspend or expel him or her.

Article IX. MEETINGS

Section 9.1: General meetings

A. The society shall hold at least 4 general meeting per year and may freely hold any further meetings during the course of the year, as deemed necessary.

B. Notice of a general meeting must be given seven days before the meeting. The agenda must accompany the notice.

C. 30% of the members shall constitute a quorum

Section 9.2: Extraordinary Meetings

A. At the written request of 20 members an extraordinary meeting must be called.

B. 48 hours’ prior notice of such meeting must be given.

C. Quorum of 30% must be met

Section 9.3: Annual general meeting (A.G.M)

A. An Annual General Meeting shall be held during September of each year.

B. Notice of an AGM must be at least ten days in advance. The agenda must accompany the notice.

C. 30% of the members shall constitute a quorum

D. Ruling when a quorum is not present: The meeting is postponed to anytime within 7 days –

Members to be informed by various means of communication. Members present at next meeting form a quorum

E. A proxy may be appointed through an approved proxy form : -proxy must be presented 7                                                                                                                            days before the meeting.

- the proxy must bring proof of identification to the meeting (student card).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Section 9.4: Resolutions

Resolutions may be adopted only at a meeting and then by majority vote only.

Section 9.5: Executive Committee meetings

A. Committee meetings must be held at least once a month unless deemed necessary

B. Three (3) members form a quorum, the chairperson, treasurer and secretary should always be present.

Article X. STRUCTURE

National

Regional

Branch Executive

Membership

Article XI. AFFILIATION

The student chapter affiliates to the National Body

Article XII. PUBLICATIONS

Section 12.1: All publications will conform to the standards set out by the Student Governance.

Section 12.2: Publications will be produced at the instance of the committee.

Article XIII. CODE OF CONDUCT OF MEMBERS:

Section 13.1: Failure to attend meetings will adhere to forfeit of benefits accruing to the respective member(s).

Section 13.2: Failure to adhere to the specifications for an event held by the society may result to penalties.

Section 13.3: Members shall produce their membership cards at every meeting and event held by the society.

Section 13.4: NO substances as alcohol, drugs will be allowed at meetings.

Section 13.5: Members must adhere to the University of Limpopo’s code of conduct.

Section 13.6: Representation (to companies)

Every member of the society is expected to represent him or herself honestly and respectfully in all situations, whether orally or in written statements. Honest and respectful representation includes, but is not limited to, providing only truthful material information on all society applications, financial aid forms, contracts, and any other official document

Article XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Section 14.1: The constitution may be amended only at the Annual General Meeting.

Section 14.2: An amendment shall be adopted only if at least two-thirds of the members present at the meeting vote in favour of such amendment through a special resolution.

Article XV. DISSOLVING THE SOCIETY

Should the Society be dissolved, all apparatus and documents shall be entrusted to the care of the Student Officer until such time as the Society is revived.