ACSSY By-Laws
March, 2004

Article One: Name

1. The name of this organization shall be known as ACSSY, the Association of Chinese Students and Scholars at Yale. 
　

Article Two: The Statement of Purpose

1. ACSSY is an independent, non-political and non-profit organization dedicated to the goal of promoting social, intellectual and cultural activities for Chinese students and scholars at Yale and for other interested members of the Yale community. It will also strive to provide opportunities and benefits for its members by facilitating the exchange of information between China and overseas Chinese students and by protecting the interests of its members on campus as well as in the United States.

Article Three: Membership 

1. There are two types of memberships in ACSSY: General Membership and Registered Membership. There is no membership fee for either of them.
2. General Membership of ACSSY is automatically approved for any students or scholars (including their spouses) from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao. Students or scholars from Taiwan are encouraged to join ACSSY. General Membership is also open to all students and scholars (including their spouses) currently at Yale interested in the organization. All individuals shall have the privilege of using ACSSY mail list after subscribing online. 
3. Registered Membership of ACSSY is open to students or scholars from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. All such individuals who apply for membership become and maintain membership in good standing by abiding by the bylaws of ACSSY shall have the rights and privileges bestowed by Registered Membership. Any question regarding whether an individual is an eligible Registered Member of ACSSY shall be decided by the President, subjected to appeal to the ACSSY Board. 
4. Any member can withdraw membership by formally informing the President of ACSSY by the Email he/she registers membership with.
　

Article Four: ACSSY Board 

1. The officers of the ACSSY board shall consist of the President, the Vice Presidents, and other Board Members. 
2. Officers shall be appointed by the President of ACSSY. 
3. The President shall be the chief executive officer of ACSSY. He/she shall exercise general supervision and provide overall control over its programs, as well as draft meeting agenda and chair regular meetings. 
4. The Vice Presidents should be responsible for fundraising, organizing community events and promoting public relations, etc., in various functioning departments of ACSSY respectively. 
5. The other board members shall oversee the organization of their respective activities under the supervision of specific Vice Presidents. 
　

Article Five: ACSSY Senate 

1. The ACSSY Senate shall consist of nine or eleven Senators. It shall not participate in the management of the organization.
2. Only previous ACSSY Board Member who wants to be an ACSSY senator can apply to the ACSSY Senate if there is a vacancy. 
3. ACSSY Senate shall supervise the enforcement of ACSSY by-laws. 
4. ACSSY Senate shall listen to the feedbacks of membership and advise ACSSY Board on a regular basis.
5. ACSSY Senate shall organize the Election Committee when it is necessary.
　

Article Six: Elections 

1. The election of President shall be held annually, and no later than May 1st of the academic year, by secret ballot in the membership meeting or other legitimate ways determined by the Election Committee. Only Registered Members have the privilege to vote.
2. The incumbent ACSSY board shall call for presidential nominations no later than April 15th of the academic year. Any candidate shall be nominated by a petition of more than 20 Registered Members or 3% of the registered membership, whichever is more, at least one week before the Election Day. The incumbent ACSSY board shall publicize the statements of presidential candidates using the resources of ACSSY. 
3. An Election Committee of at least three people shall be organized by the ACSSY senate to ensure the fairness and efficiency of voting procedures. No incumbent officer or nominee for any of those positions may serve on the committee.
4. A candidate who obtains a majority of all eligible votes shall be elected President. In the event that no candidates receive a majority, a simple majority vote shall be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. 
5. The new team of officers shall commence duties no later than the beginning of June.
　

Article Seven: Removal

1. In order to remove the President of ACSSY, a membership meeting shall be held by petitioning to ACSSY Board or ACSSY Senate. 
2. The President of ACSSY can be removed from position by more than two thirds of all eligible votes in a Membership Meeting or other legitimate ways determined by the ACSSY Senate.
　

Article Eight: Meetings 

1. Membership meetings shall be held at least once a year by the ACSSY Board. Only Registered Members can participate in the membership meeting. ACSSY Board shall make annual report in the membership meeting. Election shall be held in the membership meeting.
2. Both ACSSY board and ACSSY Senate can call for Membership Meetings. Membership meetings must be held within two months when a petition of more than 50 Registered Members or 10% Registered Membership, whichever is more, is submitted to the ACSSY Board or ACSSY Senate.
3. Board Meetings of the ACSSY shall be called by ACSSY President and shall be held no less than once every three months. These regular Board Meetings are open to any members of ACSSY. 
4. The President shall preside over all business meetings of ACSSY. In the absence of the President, the Vice President designated by the President shall assume the responsibility.
5. The time, venue and agenda of a membership meeting shall be publicized in the Registered Membership at least one week before the meeting. 
　

Article Nine: Dissolution

1. Should 75% of the membership of ACSSY vote to dissolve the organization or if ACSSY has been inactive for three years or longer, its remaining assets shall be transferred to a non-profit organization of Chinese community determined by a membership meeting.
　

Article Ten: Amendments of By-Laws

1. The amendments of by-laws shall be made by more than two thirds of all eligible votes in the membership meeting or other legitimate ways determined by the ACSSY Senate.