Constitution

Constitution Article I, Name:
The name of the association shall be the Graduate Indian Student Organization, abbreviated GISO.

Article II, Mission:
The primary objectives of GISO are to: 1. Create a platform for awareness of the rich Indian culture and heritage; 2. Help new Indian students at University of Houston to adjust to campus life; 3. Promote camaraderie amongst Indian community and other communities; 4. Address the challenges encountered by the members of the organization. GISO is a non-political, non-sectarian body; is not organized for profit and no part of its income shall inure to the benefit of any member, officer, or individual, and no member, director, officer, or employee of this Association shall receive or be entitled to receive any income of any kind there from, exempt reasonable compensation for services in effecting one or more of its purpose.

Article III, Membership:
The membership to GISO is open to any registered University of Houston student, faculty or staff, who is willing to play an active part in the organization. The organization shall not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, sex, or national origin, but reserves the right to deny entry to certain/any individuals into GISO events. GISO may deem it necessary to exercise this right when the purpose, peace, and security of any of their events is or may be compromised by said individuals. Active membership in the GISO gives members the power to voice their opinion and concerns regarding the activities of the organization. All members in the organization have equal rights.

Article IV, Executive Board:

Section i, Structure:
GISO shall have the following Executive Board Members (henceforth, referred to as 'Officers'): President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the members, run-off elections will be held whenever necessary. The Executive Board is formed on the basis of 'ONE MAN, ONE POST' principle. The executive board members function as a liaison between the members of the organization. The specific duties of the members of the Executive Board will be specified in Sections iv through Section vii.

Section ii, Eligibility for Candidacy:
Any registered member of GISO is an eligible candidate for a post in the Executive Board. The term of office shall be for a period of one year. A member cannot hold office for more than 'TWO' consecutive or interrupted terms.

Section iii, Elections:
Nominations and elections for the officers of the new Executive Board, will be conducted by the current members of the Executive Board. An impartial person, who is not contesting in the elections, will be nominated by the Executive Board to oversee the nomination and election process. The Candidates must be present to contest for the elections. Any eligible member of GISO will have the right to cast the secret ballot, only if he/she is present.

Section iv, President:
By virtue of this office, the President shall: 1. Preside at all meetings and conduct the elections; 2. Serve as a liaison between GISO, University of Houston and other organizations on/off campus; 3. Delegate authority whenever deemed necessary; 4. Serve as the official spokesperson for the Organization.

Section v, Vice President:
The duties of the Office of Vice-President shall be to: 1. Assist the President and assume all the duties of the President in his/her absence; 2. Organize Sub Committees whenever necessary; 3. Be responsible for arranging speakers or programs, as seen fit by the Executive Committee, for all GISO General Meetings.

Section vi, Treasurer:
The duties of the office of Treasurer shall be to: 1. Allocate specific funds only upon sanction of the Officers; 2. Maintain written accounts of the funds; 3. Prepare and present the budget; 4. Insure compliance with all student government regulations, bylaws, and handbooks.

Section vii, Secretary:
The duties of the Office of Secretary shall be to: 1. Compile and preserve an exact account of GISO proceedings; 2. Distribute the agenda for each meeting of the GISO; 3. Assist the President in conducting the elections; 4. Strive towards an increase in membership; 5. Be responsible for correspondence with the members.

Section viii, Impeachment of Elected Officers:
Any active member of GISO may file impeachment charges against an officer of the Executive Board. In order to do so, the member must fill out a written statement of the charges signed by at least one third of the active members of the organization. Also, notify the officer in question within five working days of the submission of the charges. The Executive Board will then be responsible for summoning all active members to a special meeting with the purpose of discussing the impeachment charges. In order for an officer to be removed from his/her post, a vote of two-thirds of the active members present at the above-mentioned special meeting is necessary. The remaining members of the Executive board will then decide upon new dates for nominations, and elections to fill the vacant post.

Article V, Sub Committees:
The elected officers of the Executive Board will create the Sub-committees, and shall elect a Director to head the Committee. New positions may be created, and filled by the members of the Executive board, as and when the need arises. Each Sub Committee shall be responsible for different activities of the organization, and the Executive Board will decide the individual responsibilities. The Director of each sub committee shall be responsible for forming new posts and electing members for his/her Sub-committee, as need dictates. The Officers of the Executive Board hold the power to dissolve any Sub-Committee, or to impeach the members of a committee, including the Director, on receiving a written petition signed by a minimum of 15 eligible members of the organization.

Article VI, Amendments to the GISO Constitution:
The Executive Board of GISO reserves the right to make amendments to the GISO Constitution. This right will only be exercised in the best interests of the organization. However, this right must be exercised in a timely manner, allowing students the opportunity to oppose the new amendment. Furthermore, the Executive Board of GISO will make major amendments to the Constitution only after genuinely taking into consideration the thoughts of all the elected members. Regular members of GISO may submit a petition requesting for an amendment of the constitution, which will be put to vote in the general body meeting. The details of the petition and the date of ballot must be announced at least a week in advance. The petition for amendment will be passed, on procuring a minimum of one-third majority of the members present for the general body meeting. The proposed amendment will subsequently be passed, on procuring support from a minimum of two-third majority of the members.