CONSTITUTION
ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATION
Effective December 6, 2005
ARTICLE I:
NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Cleveland State University Accounting Association
(hereinafter referred to as “AA” or the “organization”).
ARTICLE II:
PURPOSE
The purpose of the organization shall be to promote student awareness in the field of accounting.
Students will develop and cultivate an ever deepening sense of responsibility for self-improvement,
through study, networking, and personal initiative; thus broadening their awareness of the vast
opportunities available in the accounting profession. The organization strives to foster active members
who will strive diligently at obtaining employment with accounting and professional businesses. We
have joint sponsorship meetings and activities with Beta Alpha Psi (BAP). We help plan Meet the
Accountants Night. We are involved in sponsoring a wide variety of networking and social activities on
and off campus.
ARTICLE III:
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Membership in this organization shall be open to all registered students, faculty, and staff at
Cleveland State University (CSU). Active (i.e. voting) members shall be currently enrolled CSU
students and meet the criteria by payment of organizational dues every semester, and by attending at
least half of the AA sponsored meetings and events. Section 2: It shall be stated as part of the policy of
this organization that there shall be no form or type of discrimination in any project, program, or activity
because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, handicap or disability,
disabled veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or other protected veteran status. Section 3: With active
membership shall come full speaking and voting privileges on all items of organization business,
including resolutions, items of legislation, bylaws, and elections.
ARTICLE IV:
OFFICERS
Section 1: The officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The
officers shall be responsible for all administrative duties of the organization, while maintaining all rights
associated with membership. The elected officers shall form the Executive Committee.
Section 2: The President shall establish and maintain operation of the organization, call meetings, serve
as official liaison to University Administration, and answer for all actions of other officers/members.
Section 3: The Vice President shall assist the President with all administrative duties and assume those
duties in the President’s absence. Coordinate all special projects and delegate duties as necessary.
Section 4: The Secretary shall keep accurate and detailed records of all meetings and affairs, transmit all
official organization correspondence, and coordinate preparation and distribution of
information/materials. Record the minutes of all meetings. Report the progress of the organization at
every meeting, as the organization strives to attain all explicit goals established by the executive
committee.
Section 5: The Treasurer shall receive and distribute organization funds upon authorization of the
President in accordance with the financial regulations of the University and State of Ohio law, make
financial reports at all appropriate meetings, and coordinate fund-raising activities. The Treasurer shall
also prepare a forecasted budget at the beginning of every Fall semester for the upcoming calendar year.
Section 6: The elected officers must meet all requirements for holding office as stated in the CSU
“Student Organizations: Policies, Procedures and Guidelines” document. Section 7: The Faculty Advisor
shall be a full-time member of the faculty of Accounting, Finance, or Information Systems. He or she
must have a vital interest in the students and their activities within the Accounting Association. The
Advisor shall provide counsel and assistance to the executive committee.
ARTICLE V:
ELECTIONS
Section 1: Officers shall be elected by organization membership to serve a term of one year. Annual
elections shall be held during the sixth week of spring semester. The term of office shall begin on the
first day of the seventh week of spring semester and end on the same day of the following year.
Section 2: Voting shall occur by means of a secret ballot at an official meeting after the close of
nominations for each office. All nominations for elected officers must be made by an organization
member. Nominees for officer positions must be AA or BAP members of one semester prior to
establishing candidacy. Officers shall be elected by majority vote of active organization members
present, provided quorum is met.
Section 3: The order of succession shall be: (1) President, (2) Vice President, (3) Secretary, (4)
Treasurer.
Section 4: Vacancies occurring in any of the elected offices shall be filled within three weeks. The order
of succession shall be followed in filling any vacant office, with the acknowledgement that and officer
may decline the option to succeed. Subsequent to pursuing the order of succession, any vacancy shall be
filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by following the election procedure established in Article
V, Sections 2.
Section 5: Notice of an official meeting at which the election of officers will take place must be
provided to all members no less than one week prior to said meeting.
ARTICLE VI:
APPOINTMENTS
The president shall appoint, with a majority vote from active membership, such positions include
committee chairs and committee membership, as may contribute to the successful operation of the
organization. The establishment of new officer positions shall require constitutional revision per article
X.
ARTICLE VII:
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE AND/OR MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Removal from office and/or membership may occur by a 2/3 vote of active membership.
Removal can transpire for failure to carry out the prescribed duties of an office or for actions which
violate the purposes of the organization. Written charges must be submitted to the Executive Committee
who will notify the member in question within three days. All members must be notified of a pending
removal vote at least one week prior to the meeting during which the decision will be made. Prior to the
removal vote, the member in question shall be given an opportunity to respond to charges at a specified
meeting of the membership. Voting for removal from office and/or membership is to be done by secret
ballot at an official meeting held within two weeks from the date charges were received by the
Executive Committee. The member in question must be notified of the outcome within two days after
the meeting during which the vote took place.
ARTICLE VIII:
MEETINGS
Section 1: General membership meetings shall be held every Spring and Fall semesters, with additional
meetings called by the President as needed. At least one week of notice regarding additional meetings
must be given to all organization members. The official means of notifying members shall be agreed
upon at the first meeting of each semester.
Section 2: The Executive Committee shall meet when called by the President.
Section 3: No formal/official business may be conducted at a meeting without quorum. Quorum shall be
defined as 25% of the voting membership including two officers, with a minimum of five members
present.
ARTICLE IX:
FUNDING
Section 1: Dues shall be charged for membership in the organization. The amount of dues charged for
each semester or year, as well as payment schedules/deadlines, will be determined at the first meeting of
the Fall Semester. Membership will expire if dues have not been pain in accordance with the schedule
deadline set at this 1st meeting. Membership dues are to b collected by the Treasurer.
Section 2: The organization may undertake fundraisers for purposes that support the mission of the
organization. All fund raising shall be conducted in accordance with University policies.
ARTICLE X:
CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION
Section 1: Any revision of this constitution – including amendments or bylaws – shall be approved by a
2/3 vote of active members present at an official meeting with quorum.
Section 2: Once approved by the membership, any constitutional revision – amendment or bylaw – shall
be submitted to the CSU Faculty Senate Student Life Committee for final approval.
ARTICLE XI:
JURISDICTION
This organization is subject, as a recognized student organization, to the rules, regulations, and policies
of Cleveland State University and the laws of the State of Ohio. The rules, regulations, and policies of
Cleveland State University shall hold precedence over all rules, regulations, and policies applying to the
organization, including those of national associations with which Cleveland State University Accounting
Association is affiliated.
Date of Approval by Faculty Senate Student Life Committee: ________