Preamble:
Statement of Purpose:
To better organize ourselves as Chicana/o Graduate Students so we may batter
serve our communities and department while supporting each other in the
pursuit or higher education.
Article I Official Name
Organization Name:
The official name of the organization shall be the Chicana/o Graduate
Student Association, California State University, Northridge. Or by the
Acronym CGSA.
Article II Membership
Section 1: Student Access
Any person duly registered at CSUN in good standing with the Accounting and
Registrar?s office, and fulfilling the membership requirements of the
organization may be a member.

Section 2: Non-Discrimination Statement
In order to guarantee equal human rights for the student body of CSUN, equal
opportunities shall be afforded all students without regard to race, color,
religion, creed, gender, pregnancy, marital affiliation, sexual or
affectional orientation, age, ethnic origin, citizenship, nationality,
veteran status, or physical disability.
Section 3: Membership Requirements
You must be graduate student in the Chicana/o Studies Department.
Section 4: Privileges of membership
You must be graduate student in the Chicana/o Studies Department. Privileges
are as follows voting rights at meetings and the ability to run for any
office.
Article III Officers and Advisors
Section 1: Official Positions
Chair: Organize and plan meeting?s, set up workshops and plan retreats.
Co-Chair: assist chair in all activities and fill in when chair is not
available.
Secretary: Takes minutes at meeting.
Treasurer: Fundraise and track all incoming and outgoing monies.

Section 2: Officer Qualifications
All Officers must be member of CGSA and meet the Minimum Academic
Qualifications.
Minimum Academic Qualification: The President and Treasurer must be
matriculated and enrolled at California State University, Northridge with a
minimum overall 2.0 grade point average each term (term is defined as Fall
and Spring semester).? The student must be in good standing and must not be
on probation of any kind.

Incumbent Unit Load Undergraduate students in the role of President and
Treasurer are required to earn six (6) semester units per term while holding
office Graduate and credential students in the role of President and
Treasurer must earn three (3) semester units per term while holding office.

Incumbent Maximum Allowable Unit Undergraduate students in the role of
President and Treasurer are allowed to earn a maximum of 150 semester units
or 125 percent of the units required for a specific baccalaureate degree,
which ever is greater. Graduate and credential students in the role of
President and Treasurer are allowed to earn a maximum of 50 semester units
or 167 percent of the units required for the graduate or credential
objective, whichever is greater. Student holding more than this number of
units will no longer be eligible.

Section 3: Terms
Each office term is one academic year..

Section 4: Advisor
Pursuant to Executive Order 969 a CSUN faculty or staff advisor will be
chosen at the first meeting of each new semester (or academic year). The
university advisor will be required to sign all campus documents.
A. Advisor Responsibilities: To attend CGSA meetings and be available for
advisement.

B. Method for selecting your advisor: By vote at first general assembly
meeting.

Article IV Elections

Section 1: Time of Elections
Elections will be held at the second general assembly meeting no later than
3rd week of the semester.
Section 2: Election procedures
A. Method of nomination: Nominations will be accepted (in writing,
self-nomination, from the floor) the meeting prior to the date of elections.
B. Method of voting.: Votes shall be cast (by secret ballot, by
role-call, or by show of hands).
C. Majority specifications: The candidate receiving a majority (50% +1
of the present membership, or 50% +1 of the active membership) will be
declared the winner.
D. Run-off election procedures. In case of a tie or no majority, then
the general assembly will vote again until a majority vote is declared.

Section 3: ? Special election procedures
Should a vacancy in any office occur, it shall be filled by special election
general election procedure.
Section 4: Recall Election
A petition of ?) of the total number of members shall be cause for a recall
election. The offense must be in writing and submitted by a member. A recall
election shall be held at the next regular business meeting after
presentation of the recall petition. Recall will require a favorable vote of
(?) of the total voting membership.

Article V Meetings

Section 1: Logistics
The day and time of regular meetings shall be determined by the majority of
the membership at the first regular meeting of the term.

Section 2: Frequency
Our organization will meet monthly.

Section 3: Special Meetings
Can be called by the chair or co-chair at anytime, one week notice must be
given to general body.
Section 4: Quorum
Quorum for regular and special meetings shall be 30%, of the active
membership.

Section 5: Rules of Procedure
The rules of procedure for this organization shall be Zapatisita inspire,
where everyone gives palabra and there is hierarchy and consensus must be
achieved for the meeting to move forward.

Article VI Finances

Section 1: Account
This organization, pursuant to its charter obligation, shall maintain an
agency account with the Associated Students for the official conducting of
University business.

Section 2: Usage
Unless the organization has an account at a reputable banking institution
following all federal and state laws applicable in the name of the
organization, all monies of this organization shall be deposited in, and
disbursed from, this account following procedures outlined by the Associated
Students, Inc.

Section 3: Dispersal of Funds
Should this organization become inactive by failing to apply for University
Recognition annually, the trust account will be held inactive as prescribe
by the State of California.

Section 4: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this organization shall be July 1-June 30
Section 5: Dues
Dues will be established by consensus of the general body at the first
meeting of the academic year.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: ? Standing Committees
No Standing Committees.
Section 2: Selection of Standing Committees
No Standing Committees.

Article VIII Amendments
Section 1: Submission of Amendments
Proposed constitutional amendments shall be presented to the organization in
writing one meeting before it may be voted on.

Section 2: Approval of Amendments
Approval by (? ) of the voting members present at a regular meeting shall
pass a proposed change. The change shall be put into effect immediately
unless otherwise stipulated in the amendment.

Section 3: Notification of Amendment
Pursuant to Executive Order 969 any substantive change or amendment must be
submitted to the Matador Involvement Center within 90 days.

Article IX Ratification

Section 1: Procedure for Ratification
Upon ratification by a (? ) vote of the membership, and approval from the
Matador Involvement Center and the Associated Students, Inc., this
constitution shall become the official governing document of the
organization.
Article X Points of Unity
This organization shall follow and uphold these points of unity in its
endeavors.
? Non-hierarchal
? Rotate facilitators/notetaker
? Harmony keeper
? Go arounds to help form concensus
? Transparent communication
? Flexibility when coming to consensus-via email or personal
? Consensus-strive for it.
? Table items on agenda if a certain number of people cannot be present at a
collective group meeting
? Flexibility when coming to a consensus-allowing time & other people?s
input when they cannot make the meetings
? Committees working together & bringing their agenda to the larger body
? Idea of dominating tasks/not giving space for others to participate-?step
up/step down?
? Respect diversity
-Inclusiveness
-Humility
Commitment to grow holistic & collective
Points of unity open to growth.