Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Constitution: Article I - Membership
Constitution: Article I - Membership
Mission Statement: “To create a social environment in which Filipino culture is advocated, discussed, and
celebrated.”
Article I - Membership
- The Philippine United Students Organization is open to all undergraduates that attend SUNY at Stony
Brook that pay the undergraduate student activity fee.
- This organization fully endorses the principle of equal opportunity and believes every member will have
the same equal protection of the laws as guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
- This club does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed, sexual preference, and ethnic or
national origin. Also, this club fully abides by the office of Civil Rights’ Affirmative Action/Equal
Opportunity Guidelines.
- The members can openly criticize the maintenance and proceedings of the organization at the general
meetings. Time will be allotted at the end of every meeting to offer comments, suggestions, and
criticisms. The club will function toward the representation of its members.
Article 3 - Elections
- All elections will be held before the end of spring semester.
- Nominees for office will present a speech discussing their qualifications and understanding of the
position. Speeches should not exceed two minutes; nominees are given a thirty second warning.
- After all speeches have been made for the given position, the general body will engage in a question and
answer portion where all candidates are present. The question and answer portion shall not exceed 4
minutes or 4 questions, with priority given to the current executive board position holder.
- A discussion amongst the general body will follow the question and answer portion. No candidates for
the specific position shall be present. The discussion shall not exceed 5 minutes.
- The President will conduct the elections. The Secretary will count all ballots under the supervision of the
Vice President and Treasurer. In cases where the officers are in the elections, the Judiciary will count the
ballots.
- All votes will be by secret ballots. The name of the candidate must be written in the ballot. Only one
name per office will be accepted as a valid ballot except for the positions of District III Representatives
and Event Coordinators in which two (2) ballots will be accepted.
- If a candidate runs opposed, he or she must attain half of the voting members plus one (50% +1) of the
votes to be elected.
- In the case that half of the body or more abstains, the position will be reopened for nomination.
Previous candidate is still eligible.
-In an event of a tie, an additional intensive question and answer session will be held. Then, the general
body will again vote.
- If the race is with three or more candidates, the candidate with the most votes will be the winner. In
cases where the ballots are tied for first place, the top two candidates will run again, eliminating the other
contenders. The race will then follow the rules above for a two-person race.
- Candidates running for dance chairs have the opportunity to run for a second executive board position,
with the exception of the top 4 positions.
- Only members who have attended at least six (6) general meetings with the current academic year of
election are allowed to vote for the presidential position.
Article 18 - Amendments
- Amendments can be proposed by an officer or through a petition by a member. After the officers
approve it unanimously, it will be presented to the members at the general meeting. An election will be
held to pass the ratification.