Hindu YUVA
THE CONSTITUTION (as of September 21,2010)
Hindu YUVA (Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action) chapter
at The George Washington University
THE CONSTITUTION (as of September 21,2010)
Hindu YUVA (Youth for Unity, Virtues, and Action) chapter
at The George Washington University
We, the members, to form a nonsectarian international forum for the education and promotion of the Hindu cultural and spiritual heritage, do hereby agree to constitute a ʻHindu YUVAʼ chapter at the ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ, agree to abide by its policies and the following rules and regulations, so that our purpose be realized to the fullest extent.
ARTICLE I: Name of the Organization. Section 1: The organization shall be known as Hindu YUVA, a chapter at the ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ. The university chapter shall be affiliated to “Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh of USA”
ARTICLE II: Objectives of Hindu YUVA
Section 1: Hindu YUVA is a nonsectarian international forum for the education and promotion of the Hindu cultural and spiritual heritage. Students, faculty members and all other academicians are welcome to join. Hindu YUVA also provides opportunities for non-academic individuals to work and identify closely with the objectives and programs of Hindu YUVA.
Section 2: Hindu YUVA is a national forum to provide activities & projects to achieve the following:
A. Education of the Hindu cultural & spiritual heritage, religion and history.
B. Live a better life according to Hindu Dharma.
C. Promotion of Hindu culture & values.
D. Participation in various on going community service projects of the ʻHindu Swayamsevak Sanghʼ and cooperation with the service projects of other community organizations at GWU.
E. Encouraging students to participate in the interfaith organizations and activities on campus. F. Take necessary actions for the betterment of our society & the environment.
Section 3: Hindu YUVA promotes understanding and awareness about Hindu heritage amongst Hindu students and students of different cultures and nationalities at the ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ.
Section 4: The mission of Hindu YUVA is to develop a bond of extended Hindu family relationship and awareness, enlightened with the universal ideals of the Hindu Dharma.
Section 5: Hindu YUVA is not a religious group. Hindu YUVA honors each member's own religion and Hindu YUVA does not promote any type of religious conversion.
ARTICLE III: Organizational Structure
Section 1: The organizational structure of Hindu YUVA shall consist of two bodies - The General Body and the Executive Body.
Section 2: The General Body shall be composed of all Hindu YUVA members in session.
Section 3: The Executive Body shall be composed of all elected officers of Hindu YUVA which are: Secretary, Events Coordinator and Treasurer.
ARTICLE IV: General Body
Section 1: The General Body meeting will be held at least once a quarter and/or as required by the consensus of the members.
The General Body:
A. Shall have the right to question the actions and decisions of the Executive
body
B. Shall be able to submit ideas, constructive criticisms and / or resolutions for
consideration of the Executive Body
ARTICLE V: Officers in executive body
Section 1: Executive body shall comprise of following officers:
A. President B. Secretary C. Events Coordinator D. Treasurer
Section 2: The election, appointment and impeachment of the officers will be held according to the ʻArticle IIIʼ in Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI: Committees
Section 1: Special or Standing or Temporary committees:
A. Shall be created by the Executive Body and are to exist for a specific period of time.
B. Shall have coordinator appointed by the Executive Committee, except where otherwise indicated
C. Shall serve as a pool of resource and labor for the completion of projects undertaken by Hindu YUVA
ARTICLE VII: Eligibility and Requirements for Offices Executive Body
Members and all officers must be full-time or part-time students of ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ. Guests (friends, family, faculty, staff, etc.) are welcome to attend events and vote, but they cannot hold officer positions or handle money on behalf of the organization.
ARTICLE VIII: Amendments and Ratifications
Section 1:
A. Procedure to amend the constitution: A written copy of the proposed amendment must be presented to the Executive Body.
B. If approved by Executive Body, ratification of the amendments by its members will take place.
C. If approved, it becomes a part of the constitution immediately.
Section 2: Upon acceptance of this document by a consensus or 67% vote of the General Body, this document shall become the law of the Hindu YUVA chapter at The George Washington University.
ARTICLE IX: Relationship between the local and the national body
The relationship between the Hindu YUVA chapter at ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ and the national body i.e., ʻHindu Swayamsevak Sangh of USAʼ shall be as follows:
A. A committee or a coordinator designated by the national body shall supervise the activities carried out at the local chapter.
B. A committee designated by the national body shall have the authority to remove any office bearer of The George Washington University chapter if s (he) is found to undermine the goals and objectives set forth by the national body.
C. A committee designated by the national body will have the authority to withdraw the local chapter.
D. All Executive Body members are expected to attend at least one of the two national programs (Annual Camp & Annual Meet).
E. Executive Body is required to send regular report of chapter activities to the national body office.
ARTICLE X: Projects and Activities
All Hindu YUVA chapters are expected to participate in all the projects & activities. Currently Hindu YUVA is taking up the following Projects and Activities:
A. Community Service Projects:
i. Participation in various on going service projects of the Hindu YUVA. ii. Cooperation with the service projects of other community organizations. iii. Disaster relief fund. iv. Soup Kitchen for food & homeless.
v. Participating in various on-campus service programs
B. Activities to promote networking amongst the international Hindu students:
i. Helping Indian student associations and other community Hindu organizations ii. Participation in the interfaith organizations on campus iii. Conducting opinion polls of students & youth iv.Voicing concerns and opinions on the issues that affect students & youth
C. Projects to promote the Hindu awareness and better understanding of the Hindu Dharma on campus
i. Celebration of Festivals.
ii.Classes, seminars, symposia and lecture tours.
iii.Sports Meet.
iv.National level camps and meets.
D. Students Assistance program:
i. Helping new students coming from abroad in finding lodging. ii.Forming peer groups. iii.Helping students for their education and career. iv.Help students form Study Groups.
v.Providing moral support.
ARTICLE XI: Nondiscrimination and non-hazing clause
A. Membership is open to all The George Washington University students. There shall be no discrimination based on race, religion, caste, ethnicity, gender and nationality.
B. We certify that members of the organization do not, as part of their initiation procedures or at any other time, engage in hazing activities. We understand that hazing is defined as any activity which causes or is likely to cause physical danger or bodily harm, other injury, degradation, or disgrace to any fellow student with or without their consent.
ARTICLE XII: Dissolution Statement The organization could be dissolved by the unanimous dissolution decision approved by the Executive body members.
ARTICLE I: Name of the Organization. Section 1: The organization shall be known as Hindu YUVA, a chapter at the ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ. The university chapter shall be affiliated to “Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh of USA”
ARTICLE II: Objectives of Hindu YUVA
Section 1: Hindu YUVA is a nonsectarian international forum for the education and promotion of the Hindu cultural and spiritual heritage. Students, faculty members and all other academicians are welcome to join. Hindu YUVA also provides opportunities for non-academic individuals to work and identify closely with the objectives and programs of Hindu YUVA.
Section 2: Hindu YUVA is a national forum to provide activities & projects to achieve the following:
A. Education of the Hindu cultural & spiritual heritage, religion and history.
B. Live a better life according to Hindu Dharma.
C. Promotion of Hindu culture & values.
D. Participation in various on going community service projects of the ʻHindu Swayamsevak Sanghʼ and cooperation with the service projects of other community organizations at GWU.
E. Encouraging students to participate in the interfaith organizations and activities on campus. F. Take necessary actions for the betterment of our society & the environment.
Section 3: Hindu YUVA promotes understanding and awareness about Hindu heritage amongst Hindu students and students of different cultures and nationalities at the ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ.
Section 4: The mission of Hindu YUVA is to develop a bond of extended Hindu family relationship and awareness, enlightened with the universal ideals of the Hindu Dharma.
Section 5: Hindu YUVA is not a religious group. Hindu YUVA honors each member's own religion and Hindu YUVA does not promote any type of religious conversion.
ARTICLE III: Organizational Structure
Section 1: The organizational structure of Hindu YUVA shall consist of two bodies - The General Body and the Executive Body.
Section 2: The General Body shall be composed of all Hindu YUVA members in session.
Section 3: The Executive Body shall be composed of all elected officers of Hindu YUVA which are: Secretary, Events Coordinator and Treasurer.
ARTICLE IV: General Body
Section 1: The General Body meeting will be held at least once a quarter and/or as required by the consensus of the members.
The General Body:
A. Shall have the right to question the actions and decisions of the Executive
body
B. Shall be able to submit ideas, constructive criticisms and / or resolutions for
consideration of the Executive Body
ARTICLE V: Officers in executive body
Section 1: Executive body shall comprise of following officers:
A. President B. Secretary C. Events Coordinator D. Treasurer
Section 2: The election, appointment and impeachment of the officers will be held according to the ʻArticle IIIʼ in Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI: Committees
Section 1: Special or Standing or Temporary committees:
A. Shall be created by the Executive Body and are to exist for a specific period of time.
B. Shall have coordinator appointed by the Executive Committee, except where otherwise indicated
C. Shall serve as a pool of resource and labor for the completion of projects undertaken by Hindu YUVA
ARTICLE VII: Eligibility and Requirements for Offices Executive Body
Members and all officers must be full-time or part-time students of ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ. Guests (friends, family, faculty, staff, etc.) are welcome to attend events and vote, but they cannot hold officer positions or handle money on behalf of the organization.
ARTICLE VIII: Amendments and Ratifications
Section 1:
A. Procedure to amend the constitution: A written copy of the proposed amendment must be presented to the Executive Body.
B. If approved by Executive Body, ratification of the amendments by its members will take place.
C. If approved, it becomes a part of the constitution immediately.
Section 2: Upon acceptance of this document by a consensus or 67% vote of the General Body, this document shall become the law of the Hindu YUVA chapter at The George Washington University.
ARTICLE IX: Relationship between the local and the national body
The relationship between the Hindu YUVA chapter at ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ and the national body i.e., ʻHindu Swayamsevak Sangh of USAʼ shall be as follows:
A. A committee or a coordinator designated by the national body shall supervise the activities carried out at the local chapter.
B. A committee designated by the national body shall have the authority to remove any office bearer of The George Washington University chapter if s (he) is found to undermine the goals and objectives set forth by the national body.
C. A committee designated by the national body will have the authority to withdraw the local chapter.
D. All Executive Body members are expected to attend at least one of the two national programs (Annual Camp & Annual Meet).
E. Executive Body is required to send regular report of chapter activities to the national body office.
ARTICLE X: Projects and Activities
All Hindu YUVA chapters are expected to participate in all the projects & activities. Currently Hindu YUVA is taking up the following Projects and Activities:
A. Community Service Projects:
i. Participation in various on going service projects of the Hindu YUVA. ii. Cooperation with the service projects of other community organizations. iii. Disaster relief fund. iv. Soup Kitchen for food & homeless.
v. Participating in various on-campus service programs
B. Activities to promote networking amongst the international Hindu students:
i. Helping Indian student associations and other community Hindu organizations ii. Participation in the interfaith organizations on campus iii. Conducting opinion polls of students & youth iv.Voicing concerns and opinions on the issues that affect students & youth
C. Projects to promote the Hindu awareness and better understanding of the Hindu Dharma on campus
i. Celebration of Festivals.
ii.Classes, seminars, symposia and lecture tours.
iii.Sports Meet.
iv.National level camps and meets.
D. Students Assistance program:
i. Helping new students coming from abroad in finding lodging. ii.Forming peer groups. iii.Helping students for their education and career. iv.Help students form Study Groups.
v.Providing moral support.
ARTICLE XI: Nondiscrimination and non-hazing clause
A. Membership is open to all The George Washington University students. There shall be no discrimination based on race, religion, caste, ethnicity, gender and nationality.
B. We certify that members of the organization do not, as part of their initiation procedures or at any other time, engage in hazing activities. We understand that hazing is defined as any activity which causes or is likely to cause physical danger or bodily harm, other injury, degradation, or disgrace to any fellow student with or without their consent.
ARTICLE XII: Dissolution Statement The organization could be dissolved by the unanimous dissolution decision approved by the Executive body members.
BYLAWS (as of Sep 21,2010)
ARTICLE I: Membership
Section 1:
1. Full Membership, called "general membership" or "member of the General Body" shall be open to persons who are officially connected to ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ, regardless of their race, creed, ethnicity, national origin, or sex orientation. University affiliation must be that of a full-time or part-time student, faculty, or staff.
2. Honorary membership shall be open to any person desiring such membership, elected to such membership by majority of voting members.
3. Full / honorary membership will be offered free of charge i.e. for zero dollars.
Section 2: Members shall attend General Body meetings; participate on committees; attend Hindu YUVA programs; vote in Hindu YUVA elections; and ultimately run and/or head any elective or appointed office.
Section 3: Members shall support the policies and activities of Hindu YUVA; and in general, shall at all times strive to insure the survival and prosperity of the chapter.
ARTICLE II: Duties and responsibilities of the Executive Body
Section 1: The Executive Body shall:
1. Be held accountable for Hindu YUVA membership.
2. Make decisions and policies that reflect the consensus of the Hindu YUVA
membership.
3. Meet at least once a quarter on a day specified at the first meeting of each quarter.
4. Appoint a liaison between the GW Student Association and Hindu YUVA
5. Have the option to create and dissemble standing (temporary and special)
committees with a consensus or 67% majority vote.
6. Have the responsibility to review the activities of standing committees, ensuring that
their duties are being performed.
7. Appoint and/or remove the chairperson of standing committees with a consensus or
67% majority votes.
8. Send Regular reports to the national body office.
9. Approve all business transactions made by Hindu YUVA officers.
Section 2: The President:
1. Shall preside over general body meetings.
2. Shall have the authority to call emergency executive body meetings.
3. Shall have the authority to co-sign and negotiate business transactions of Hindu
YUVA with the approval of the Executive Body.
4. Shall become the chairperson of the Executive Body meetings.
5. Shall appoint member(s) in case of resignation by any of the Executive officers.
6. Shall be liaison between other student organizations and University administration.
Section 3: The Secretary
1. Shall assume temporary duties of the president in case of temporary absence
2. Shall chair in executive body meetings in absence of the President
3. In case president resigns, shall become president temporarily, until approved by consensus or 67% majority vote by the General Body.
4. Shall coordinate duties of the Office.
5. Shall handle all the internal and external correspondence of Hindu YUVA.
6. Shall keep ongoing file of all Hindu YUVA transactions.
7. Shall be responsible for the current roster of all officers of the Hindu YUVA.
8. Shall submit a summary of all the activities of each quarter to the National office or a
representative appointed by it.
Section 4: The Events Coordinator
1. Shall be responsible for organizing and publicity of any event of Hindu YUVA.
2. Shall submit a summary of all the events of each quarter to the National office or a
representative appointed by it.
3. Shall coordinate public relations matters including publicity of Hindu YUVA activities.
Section 5: The Treasurer
1. Shall handle all Hindu YUVA financial records and transactions with the approval of the Executive Body.
2. Shall be the chairperson of the budget and financial committee.
3. Shall be required to give a written financial report at each Executive Body meeting.
4. Shall make all financial records accessible to Hindu YUVA members.
5. Shall be responsible for coordination and presentation of the Budget.
6. Shall be co-signer with the secretary for requisitions and business transactions with the approval of the Executive Body.
7. Shall submit a copy of all financial records to the National body office or a representative appointed by it.
ARTICLE III: Elections and Appointments
Section 1: Members will be granted voting privileges.
Section 2: Elections
Hindu YUVA Elections shall be held every year within the first sixty days from the first day of the class in the fall quarter, unless the General Body decides otherwise by a simple majority. Newly elected officers must work along with outgoing officers until the assumption of duties. The special committee shall handle elections. Elections shall be held in presence of the General Body meeting.
Section 3: Appointments:
1. Nominees for appointed offices may either place their own name in nomination, or be proposed for consideration by members of the Executive Body.
2. Openings for appointed positions must be fully advertised before the General Body for the Hindu YUVA.
3. Procedure for appointments:
a. Nomination made before the executive body.
b. All efforts should be made to reach a consensus. If it cannot be reached then, the
Executive Body must have 67% vote for appointments.
i. Terms of office for appointed positions shall be held throughout the duration of the elected officials in office.
ii. Impeachment of officers in executive body:
1. Any person having a full membership of Hindu YUVA can impeach the appointment of any officer in executive body.
2. The appeal for impeachment will be presented to the general body during any general body meeting and can be forwarded for general voting with 2/3 majority of the members present for the meeting.
3. Voting will be held for the members. To get the approval, the appeal for impeachment should get 67% votes in its favor. The respective officer can no longer keep his position any further after this approval.
ARTICLE IV: Disbursement of funds
1. There are no membership fees.
2. Funds required for different events may be raised by the sources determined and approved by the Student Organization, along with the approval of the appropriate University office.
3. The disbursement of said funds shall be determined by the the approval of The George Washington University’s Student Organization and in accordance with the University policies.
4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accountability of the money allocated to
Hindu YUVA, and shall report to The George Washington University’s Student Organization.
Section 1:
1. Full Membership, called "general membership" or "member of the General Body" shall be open to persons who are officially connected to ʻThe George Washington Universityʼ, regardless of their race, creed, ethnicity, national origin, or sex orientation. University affiliation must be that of a full-time or part-time student, faculty, or staff.
2. Honorary membership shall be open to any person desiring such membership, elected to such membership by majority of voting members.
3. Full / honorary membership will be offered free of charge i.e. for zero dollars.
Section 2: Members shall attend General Body meetings; participate on committees; attend Hindu YUVA programs; vote in Hindu YUVA elections; and ultimately run and/or head any elective or appointed office.
Section 3: Members shall support the policies and activities of Hindu YUVA; and in general, shall at all times strive to insure the survival and prosperity of the chapter.
ARTICLE II: Duties and responsibilities of the Executive Body
Section 1: The Executive Body shall:
1. Be held accountable for Hindu YUVA membership.
2. Make decisions and policies that reflect the consensus of the Hindu YUVA
membership.
3. Meet at least once a quarter on a day specified at the first meeting of each quarter.
4. Appoint a liaison between the GW Student Association and Hindu YUVA
5. Have the option to create and dissemble standing (temporary and special)
committees with a consensus or 67% majority vote.
6. Have the responsibility to review the activities of standing committees, ensuring that
their duties are being performed.
7. Appoint and/or remove the chairperson of standing committees with a consensus or
67% majority votes.
8. Send Regular reports to the national body office.
9. Approve all business transactions made by Hindu YUVA officers.
Section 2: The President:
1. Shall preside over general body meetings.
2. Shall have the authority to call emergency executive body meetings.
3. Shall have the authority to co-sign and negotiate business transactions of Hindu
YUVA with the approval of the Executive Body.
4. Shall become the chairperson of the Executive Body meetings.
5. Shall appoint member(s) in case of resignation by any of the Executive officers.
6. Shall be liaison between other student organizations and University administration.
Section 3: The Secretary
1. Shall assume temporary duties of the president in case of temporary absence
2. Shall chair in executive body meetings in absence of the President
3. In case president resigns, shall become president temporarily, until approved by consensus or 67% majority vote by the General Body.
4. Shall coordinate duties of the Office.
5. Shall handle all the internal and external correspondence of Hindu YUVA.
6. Shall keep ongoing file of all Hindu YUVA transactions.
7. Shall be responsible for the current roster of all officers of the Hindu YUVA.
8. Shall submit a summary of all the activities of each quarter to the National office or a
representative appointed by it.
Section 4: The Events Coordinator
1. Shall be responsible for organizing and publicity of any event of Hindu YUVA.
2. Shall submit a summary of all the events of each quarter to the National office or a
representative appointed by it.
3. Shall coordinate public relations matters including publicity of Hindu YUVA activities.
Section 5: The Treasurer
1. Shall handle all Hindu YUVA financial records and transactions with the approval of the Executive Body.
2. Shall be the chairperson of the budget and financial committee.
3. Shall be required to give a written financial report at each Executive Body meeting.
4. Shall make all financial records accessible to Hindu YUVA members.
5. Shall be responsible for coordination and presentation of the Budget.
6. Shall be co-signer with the secretary for requisitions and business transactions with the approval of the Executive Body.
7. Shall submit a copy of all financial records to the National body office or a representative appointed by it.
ARTICLE III: Elections and Appointments
Section 1: Members will be granted voting privileges.
Section 2: Elections
Hindu YUVA Elections shall be held every year within the first sixty days from the first day of the class in the fall quarter, unless the General Body decides otherwise by a simple majority. Newly elected officers must work along with outgoing officers until the assumption of duties. The special committee shall handle elections. Elections shall be held in presence of the General Body meeting.
Section 3: Appointments:
1. Nominees for appointed offices may either place their own name in nomination, or be proposed for consideration by members of the Executive Body.
2. Openings for appointed positions must be fully advertised before the General Body for the Hindu YUVA.
3. Procedure for appointments:
a. Nomination made before the executive body.
b. All efforts should be made to reach a consensus. If it cannot be reached then, the
Executive Body must have 67% vote for appointments.
i. Terms of office for appointed positions shall be held throughout the duration of the elected officials in office.
ii. Impeachment of officers in executive body:
1. Any person having a full membership of Hindu YUVA can impeach the appointment of any officer in executive body.
2. The appeal for impeachment will be presented to the general body during any general body meeting and can be forwarded for general voting with 2/3 majority of the members present for the meeting.
3. Voting will be held for the members. To get the approval, the appeal for impeachment should get 67% votes in its favor. The respective officer can no longer keep his position any further after this approval.
ARTICLE IV: Disbursement of funds
1. There are no membership fees.
2. Funds required for different events may be raised by the sources determined and approved by the Student Organization, along with the approval of the appropriate University office.
3. The disbursement of said funds shall be determined by the the approval of The George Washington University’s Student Organization and in accordance with the University policies.
4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accountability of the money allocated to
Hindu YUVA, and shall report to The George Washington University’s Student Organization.
