Concordia Canadian Asian Society – Constitution
Article I – Name
Concordia Canadian Asian Society (CCAS)
Article II – Object
The Concordia Canadian Asian Society aspires to UNITE the Asian and the Montreal culture
through the celebration of diversity. As we value cooperation, integration, and ethics, our
resources and events are geared towards cultivating a sense of community and to provide an
environment to build new friendships.
Article III – Members
The society will be composed of Members, Executive Members, and Honorary Members.
Eligibility for membership shall not be determined based on race, color, ethnicity or national
origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, civil status, age, religion, political convictions,
language, social condition, handicap, or other means to palliate a handicap.
The Terms: Any Concordia undergraduate students can become a member of CCAS by attending
at least one CCAS public event and by signing the membership list. To stay a member, they have
to renew their membership every semester by continuing to attend public events. Members will
have the right to: vote during the general assembly, attend events organized by CCAS, use a
CCAS membership card, become an executive member, and to be treated with respect by other
members.
Any CCAS member can become an executive member.
Executive members have the right to: have the same rights as general members, leave their
position of executive member to become a normal member, attend executive meeting and
express his/her opinion during executive meetings, vote during the election of new executive
members, impeach other executive members, and have access to the CCAS office.
Duties of the executive member: attend executive meetings, vote during election, follow
procedures assigned to their executive position, train new executive members, attend general
assemblies, and have a working knowledge of the present constitution.
Individuals outside of the Concordia undergraduate student body that show a common interest in
CCAS may participate in the planning and management of club affairs as an Honorary Member.
Honorary membership is granted upon approval of the executive committee by elections, and
may also be revoked at the discretion of the executive committee by the impeachment process.
Honorary members do not have any voting rights in general assemblies but do have the right to
attend events organized by CCAS, use the CCAS membership card, attend executive meetings
and express their opinion during said meetings, leave their position as an honorary member, and
to be treated with respect by other members.
Duties of honorary members: assist in the inner workings of CCAS, help train new executive
members, and to have a working knowledge of the present constitution.
Article IV –Officers
The Concordia Canadian Asian Society’s executive team shall be comprised minimally of a
President, a VP External Affairs and a VP Internal Affairs. The executive team also includes a
Director of Finance, a Director of Marketing, a Director of Information Technology, a Director
of Human Relations, a Director of Graphic Design, the Photographer, Event Coordinators, and
Representatives.
For the positions of the President, VP External Affairs, and VP Internal Affairs, there will be a
stipulation that each role can only be filled by no more than one executive member.
President
The President shall represent the Society’s members at all official events and in all relations with
the Concordia Student Union. The President shall also oversee the planning and organization of
all events and activities.
VP External Affairs
The VP External Affairs shall assist the president in event planning and organization while
acting as the liaison and maintaining good relations between the Society and groups, sponsors,
and collaborators.
VP Internal Affairs
The VP Internal Affairs shall assist the president with the internal affairs of the organization and
ensure good working relationships between the CCAS executives.
Director of Finance
The Director of Finance shall be responsible for the budgeting and funding of all activities and
events, maintain a ledger of all financial transactions of the club, act as financial liaison with the
CSU, and coordinate any fundraising activities.
Director of Marketing
The Director of Marketing shall act as the liaison between the Society and the general public.
Responsibilities include coordinating all promotional activities during the preparation of events,
and sending out a monthly newsletter to the club’s members.
Director of Information Technology
The Director of Information Technology shall be responsible for the programming and
maintenance of the Society’s website.
Director of Human Resources
The Director of Human Resources shall be responsible for the process of recruitment and the
impeachment processes as well as ensuring healthy interpersonal relations in the context of the
club.
Director of Graphic Design
The Director of Graphic Design shall be responsible for the watermarking of CCAS media and
the design of any posters or merchandise.
Photographer
The Photographer is responsible for the taking of official photographs during meetings, events,
and any other occasion requiring photographs.
Event Coordinators
Event Coordinators shall be responsible for the proper planning and execution of events of
CCAS.
Representatives
Representatives shall assist in the planning of events as well as any other outstanding tasks that
may arise as assigned by the other executive members.
Article V – Finances
The President and the Director of Finance shall act as signing officers for the group.
Article VI – Elections and Appointment of Executive Members
The President, VP positions, and Director of Finance are to be appointed to the winner of their
respective elections. The elections are to be held the first week of the summer semester. The
terms of office are to last from August 31st to August 30th of the following year. All other
positions are to be assigned through the process of interviews by the President and the Director
of Human Resources, with the input of the Vice-Presidents.
The Election Process: 1) The candidate members will have to present himself/herself to the other
executive members during one of the executive meetings. 2) A vote will be conducted and an
agreement of 50% plus one vote of the current executive members is necessary to elect new
executive members for Presidential, VP, and Director positions. The vote will be done through a
secret ballot.
Any member may present himself/herself to run for an elected position with the nominations by
two current executive members.
Article VII – Replacement and Impeachment Procedures
An impeachment may occur if an executive member fails to perform their duties outlined in the
constitution. The President and the Vice-Presidents may choose to impeach a Representative
without the need of a formal document or a vote. For Event Coordinators, Directors, VicePresidents and President there needs to be a submission of a formal document (outlining the
reasons for impeachment with concrete examples) made transparently available to the Executive
Team one week before the voting process of impeachment. Individuals involved in the
impeachment process have the right to appeal to the executive team at the voting. If there is a
50% plus one vote from the Executive Team for the impeachment, then the decision passes and
the impeached individual will be relieved from his/her duties within CCAS.
If executive positions are not filled after the official election period or because of an
impeachment, 1) The President may nominate acting executives for the positions. 2) Elections
may occur throughout the academic year, and the official positions will be filled by the
nominated individuals with a 50% plus one vote from the current executive members. As well,
any impeached executive member can be eligible for re-election if they are successful running in
the following election.
Article VIII – General Assembly and Meetings
The President shall call at least one general assembly per academic year during the regular
academic year. All motions passed at general assemblies shall become official policy of the
group and shall be binding on all executive and non-executive members. Motions are decided by
a majority of all Members present and voting, with a quorum of 50% of executive members.
Executive Meetings: The President shall call at least two executive meetings per month during
the academic year (this includes General Assemblies). All executives and representatives must
attend executive meetings. Warnings will be issued after missing 2 meetings per semester
without a valid reason. Impeachment will be issued after missing a total of 3 meetings per
semester.
Article IX – Interim President
If the President is unable to be present at a meeting, or if he’s incapable to perform his duties due
to any circumstances, the Vice-President(s) shall be responsible for calling the general meetings
as well as overseeing the daily operations of the society while keeping the President fully
informed.
Article X – Activities
To promote and celebrate Canadian Asian culture, the Society will host at least five events per
year.
Article XI – Affiliation
The CCAS will have no official affiliation with other groups. The Society may, however, on
occasion invite other associations or party organizers to participate in the organization of certain
events.
Article XII – Amendment
This constitution may be revised through a majority vote by all members. All members may
propose amendments. Amendments must be approved and signed by the CSU’s Judicial Board.
Article XIII – Disputes and Appeals
In the event that any dispute or appeal regarding the Society’s constitution may arise, authority
shall be granted to the CSU’s Judicial Board to rule upon the issue.
Article XIV – CSU Constitution
Should there be any areas not defined in the Concordia Canadian Asian Society’s Constitution,
the Concordia Student Union constitution shall take effect.