Constitution Governing the Hunter College Accounting Society



Article I:     Our Name, Our Purpose
            The name of the student-run organization shall be the Hunter College Accounting Society (hereinafter named “HCAS”). The purpose of this organization is to provide Hunter College students interested in and pursuing an Accounting degree, with the necessary support to assist them with their transition from students to working professionals. This organization shall coordinate a variety of events and activities all geared towards exposing students to different opportunities in the Accounting field. This organization, through specific events, shall also provide students with practical experience and additional knowledge that are essential for their growth and career advancement.


Article II:     Our Membership
            Membership shall be open to all CUNY-Hunter College undergraduate and graduate students who possess an interest in Accounting. The organization will accept students without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin.


Article III:     Our Executive Board
Section 1:     The members of the Executive Board (hereinafter named “Board”), or the Officers, of HCAS shall be the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and Information Technology Officer. Addition and creation of any other position must have approval from majority of the Board.

Section 2:    Each Board member shall be elected by ballots cast during an election meeting held towards the end of the Spring semester. A candidate wishing to run for office must secure a nomination from another member for the desired position. In the event that a candidate does not obtain a nomination from another member, he/she may nominate himself/herself for the desired position.

Section 3:     All candidates running for a position on the Board must be a registered Hunter College student. Undergraduate students must carry a course load of not less than six (6) credits in the immediate semester upon office, and must have a cumulative grade point average (CGA) of 2.0 or better. Graduate students must carry no less than three (3) credits in the immediate semester upon office and must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 or better.
     
Section 4:     The Board shall serve for one (1) year and their term of office shall officially commence at the beginning of the Fall semester. The time between elections and the Fall semester shall serve as a transition period for the new Board.

Section 5:     In the event that a member of the Board is judged to be deficient in his/her fulfillment of duties and responsibilities or commits fraud concerning club monies, he/she shall be removed from office by a majority vote of the remaining Board. Vacancy shall be filled in by a special election.
    5-a)     If vacancy occurs in the Office of the President, the Vice President shall automatically assume the office for the remainder of the term. A special election shall be held to fill in the vacancy left by the Vice President.

Section 6:    The Board’s decision to remove an Officer is final. There shall be no appeal made or entertained by the Board.



Article IV:     The Duties of the Executive Board
            Management of the organization shall solely be vested in the collective efforts and actions of the members of the Board. Non-performance of these duties, as well as misuse of club funds, are grounds for immediate removal from office.

Section 1:    The duties and responsibilities of the President includes, but are not limited to, the following:
-    Providing the overall direction of the HCAS by establishing objectives and developing strategies to achieve them.
-    Serving as the chief spokesperson of the organization. This includes representing HCAS to external organization such as academic institutions, professional societies, accounting/tax corporations and other entities.
-    Acting as a liaison with the Department of Economics and with the Accounting professors with regards to the development and welfare of the HCAS.
-    Presiding over meetings with the Board to discuss issues and coordinate activities that are relevant, of concern and interest to members of the organization.
-    Assigning and/or delegating responsibilities to members of the Board in connection with activities planned for members.
-    Overseeing the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program during tax filing season, its recruitment and training of volunteers, as well as corresponding with the appropriate Internal Revenue Service representative to ensure efficient and successful program.
-    Assisting the Treasurer in preparing the organization’s budget for approval of the appropriate Undergraduate Student Government (USG) office.
-    Developing constructive working relationship between and among members of the Board.
-    Performing other duties as ordinarily pertaining to this office.


Section 2:    The duties and responsibilities of the Vice President includes, but are not limited to, the following:

-    Performing all duties of the President in the absence of the President.
-    Assisting the President with the fulfillment of his/her duties.
-    Overseeing activities planned and coordinated by the Board.
-    Managing the monthly HCAS newsletter (any and all articles for publication are subject to the approval of the President).
-    Performing other duties as ordinarily pertaining to this office.


Section 3:    The duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer includes, but are not limited to, the following:

-    Preparing organization’s budget for the approval of, and in compliance with the USG procedures and requirements.
-    Properly utilizing and responsibly disbursing club monies to fund all activities of the organization.
-    Keeping a detailed record of any and all HCAS financial transactions, as well as preparing a report for presentation at Board meetings.
-    Preparing and completing any and all payment vouchers, reimbursement forms, budget requests documents pertaining to financial matters of the organization.
-    Securing appropriate space for any an all events, and completing required documentation to reserve said space, in the absence of the President.
-    Performing other duties as ordinarily pertaining to this office.

Section 4:    The duties and responsibilities of the Secretary includes, but are not limited to, the following:

-    Keeping and recording the minutes of Board meetings
-    Maintaining and updating the roster of members and their contact information.
-    Issuing notices of Board meetings and conducting general correspondence of HCAS.
-    Ensuring any and all changes to the Board are reported to the appropriate University official.
-    Keeping an organized file of records and documents.
-    Completing and submitting all documentation required for the club re-chartering in a timely manner. 
-    Performing other duties as ordinarily pertaining to this office.


Section 5:    The duties and responsibilities of the Public Relations Officer includes, but are not limited to, the following:

-    Determining the best way to convey and distribute relevant information to students and members.
-    Maintaining and updating social networking account of HCAS.
-    Responding to request for information and other inquiries from students, members, potential members and external organizations.
-    Circulating advertisements and information to promote any and all upcoming events and activities of HCAS to the student body.
-    Establishing and maintaining effective working relationship with the Department of Economics and Accounting professors, USG and Graduate Students’ Association.
-    Acting as a liaison with the Department of Economics and with the Accounting professors with regards to the development and welfare of the HCAS, in the absence of the President.
-    Performing other duties as ordinarily pertaining to this office.


Section 6:    The duties and responsibilities of the Information Technology Officer includes, but are not limited to, the following:

-    Providing technical assistance to and resolving computer-related problems of system users.
-    Developing and maintaining the HCAS official webpage.
-    Overseeing performance of computer systems, securing systems against any disruptions that may compromise confidential data stored in the system.
-    Setting up equipments for use, ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems or appropriate software.
-    Performing other duties as ordinarily pertaining to this office.



Article V:    Our Committees and Meetings
Section 1:     Events Committee
        The purpose of this committee shall be to organize and smoothly execute events and activities that are relevant and of concern to members of the HCAS. These events and activities shall aim to benefit the organization’s members. Members of the Executive Board shall have control of this Committee. The Board shall have the power recruit volunteers and appoint sub-committee supervisors to assist in the fulfillment of the Committee’s objectives. The duration and frequency of Committee meetings shall be at the discretion of the President.



Section 2:    VITA Program Committee
        The purpose of this committee is to ensure that the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program sponsored by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service is held within the grounds of Hunter College. This committee shall aim to continue to provide this vital service to students, low-income families and individuals of the community. Success of this annual program not only brings prestige and recognition to HCAS but also to Hunter College. Members of the Executive Board shall have control of this Committee. The Committee shall be responsible for actively recruiting and properly training volunteers so that they may efficiently, accurately and ethically prepare income tax returns for eligible clients coming to the site. The duration and frequency of volunteer meetings and training sessions shall be at the discretion of the Committee. The VITA program itself shall run during the entire tax filing season. Actual days and hours of operation shall be determined by the Committee.  

Section 3:    General Members’ Meetings
           The Board shall organize a monthly meeting and gathering of its members to obtain input and feedback from its members about recently concluded events and activities. These meetings shall be used to announce and obtain suggestions for future events. These meetings shall serve as a tool to connect with its membership base and to a variety of issues concerning members, organization and current news within the Accounting field.


Article VI:    Our Quorum
    In order to constitute a quorum, no less than ten members and 3 Board members shall be present at a meeting.


Article VII:    Our Amendments
    Amendments to this Constitution shall be made at any time by a majority vote of the Board. Upon the revision of the Constitution, a final written copy shall be submitted to the USG and appropriate University official. A copy of the amended constitution shall be made public and published in the official website.