CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Minggan University of the Philippines Diliman (MINGGAN UP DILIMAN)

(Drafted June 19, 2012) ARTICLE I Name, Description, and Logo Section 1: The name of the organization is Minggan University of the Philippines Diliman or MINGGAN UP DILIMAN. Section 2: Minggan is a cause-oriented university-wide organization based in the University of the Philippines. The organization is open to students interested in conserving one of the last frontiers of the Philippine environment, the Sierra Madre. It aims to advance youth participation in sustainable projects that help resolve issues affecting marginalized sectors like the indigenous people and farmers whose lives and livelihood depend on the resources of Sierra Madre. Section 3: The logo represents the Northern range of Sierra Madre where Minggan, the legendary giant in Philippine folklore lived. It depicts the need to protect the Philippine environment, livelihood, culture and patrimony.

ARTICLE II Objectives Section 1: The objectives of the organization shall be to: a. Popularize the exquisite resources of Sierra Madre and act upon the environmental problems threatening its current state. b. Disseminate issues affecting the Philippine forests and the people adversely affected by environmental destruction like the indigenous people and the farmers. c. Organize youth and students to support the struggle for a nationalist and genuine sustainable national development.

d. Commit to the protection of the environment, livelihood, culture, and patrimony of the Philippines. e. Forge strong relationships with marginalized sectors fighting for their rights to land and natural resources. f. Collaborate with individuals, institutions, groups, and other organizations that share the above-mentioned principles.

ARTICLE III Membership Section 1: A student shall be deemed qualified for membership if s/he is: a. A bona fide student of any College of the University of the Philippines. b. Interested in promoting the Philippine environment, development, culture, and patrimony. c. Determined to participate in the year-round activities that promote the rights and welfare of the people who rely on environments resources. d. Committed to the objectives set by this written constitution. e. Active in promoting the advocacies of the organization and encouraging other students to join in the said cause. Section 2: Applicants shall be duly considered a member of the organization provided they satisfy the following requirements: a. Accomplishment of an authorized application form. b. Attendance to required educational discussions about the environment and society. c. Accomplishment of a relevant final project. d. Declaration and manifestation of commitment to the principles of the organization. Section 3: The members shall have the following rights and privileges: a. b. c. d. e. Voting power to instate officers of the organization. Be elected for a particular position according to the criteria set in this constitution. Recruit and engage students to the organization. Attend meetings, educational discussions, and other activities. Participate in the decision-making process that involves the organization.

Section 4: The rights and privileges of members shall not, in any way, be used to repudiate any provision in this constitution.

ARTICLE IV General Assembly Section 1: The General Assembly (GA) shall be the highest policy-making body of the organization. Section 2: The GA shall consist of all the members of the organization. Section 3: The GA shall have the power to: a. Elect the officers of the organization. b. Approve the general program of action. c. Discuss and agree on policies and projects to be implemented. d. Endorse the budget of the organization. e. Amend the constitution. Section 4: In the event of failure to bring together all members to come up with a major decision, attendance by the simple majority shall suffice. ARTICLE V Executive Committee Section 1: The Executive Committee or Execom shall be the leading body to ensure that the objectives of the organization are upheld. The committee shall monitor the day to day activities according to the plans and decisions agreed upon by the General Assembly. Section 2: The Execom shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary General, Committee Heads (Finance, External Affairs, Membership and Recruitment, Education and Research, and Peoples Service), and the faculty adviser. Section 3: The Execom shall be elected by the members of the General Assembly except for the faculty adviser. Section 4: The responsibilities of the Execom shall be to: a. Plan and recommend activities and policies. b. Create ad hoc committees as deemed necessary. c. Clarify and set the general thrust of the organization that does not negate any provision written in this constitution. d. Call for special meetings or special election if needed. e. Prepare agenda for discussion. f. Present annual accomplishment and financial report to the General Assembly.

ARTICLE VI Officers Section 1: The officers of the organization shall consist of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary General, and Committee Heads for Finance, External Affairs, Membership and Recruitment, Education and Research, and Peoples Services. Section 2: The primary duties of the officers shall be the following: a. Chairperson (Chair) Calls and presides over meetings and consultations with the General Assembly or Executive Committee. Takes lead in all organizational assemblies, activities and other endeavors. Acts as chief representative of the organization inside and outside the University. Convenes organizational committees in case of inability of Committee Head to assemble his/her members. Prepares and presents annual report to the GA.

b. Vice Chairperson (VC) In the absence of the Chair, the VC assumes all principal responsibilities and duties. Automatically heads the Peoples Service Committee and leads in related activities and programs. c. Secretary General (SecGen) Acts as the record and document keeper of the organization. Takes down minutes of organizational meetings. Prepares requirements and disseminate notice and agenda of meetings. Automatically becomes a part of the Membership and Recruitment Committee.

d. Finance Committee Head (FinCom) Leads fund-raising activities and projects. Collects, keeps, and monitors funds for the welfare of the organization. Prepares financial report and presents it to the GA.

e. External Affairs Head (Externals) Acts as the Public Information Officer. Leads in disseminating all information regarding organizational ventures, events and endeavors.

Coordinates with the Execom in communicating with other organizations, concerned institutions or establishments.

f.

Membership and Recruitment (MemCom) Spearheads all activities that encourage other students to join the organization. Ensures that applicants fulfill necessary prerequisites to become a full member. Keeps the records of members.

g. Education and Research (EdRes) Ensures that educational discussions (EDs) and researches are regularly conducted. Facilitates the attendance of members to EDs required by the organization. Attends relevant EDs given by allied organizations.

h. Peoples Services (PS) Leads in organizing various relief and rehabilitation, medical, fact finding and environmental missions. Facilitates basic masses integration among the members to communities in Northern Sierra Madre. Section 3: The primary qualifications for all the officers shall be: Commitment to uphold the protection of the environment, rights and welfare of the farmers and indigenous people, preservation of Filipino culture, and advancement of Philippine patrimony. Utmost adherence to democratic principles and processes. Dedication to lead the organization in fulfilling its primary objectives. Readiness and skills to undertake all responsibilities connected with the position. ARTICLE VII Election Rules and Term of Office Section 1: All officers shall serve a term of one academic year. Section 2: Officers shall be elected to office through a simple majority vote (50% plus 1). In case of a tie, the process shall be repeated for the two nominees who garnered the same number of vote until a majority is reached. Section 3: Officers can be re-elected to office.

Section 4: An officer can voluntarily resign from the position if s/he no longer adheres to the principles of the organization. Section 5: In case of a vacancy of position before the term ends, a special election shall be called. In matters of expediency, the Execom shall appoint an acting officer until a General Assembly is convened for the special election. ARTICLE VIII Adviser Section 1: The faculty adviser must be a bona fide instructor/professor of the University of the Philippines. Section 2: All activities/programs to be carried out during the academic year shall be under his/her approval before its official submission to the Office of Student Affairs. ARTICLE IX Committees Section 1: The regular committees of the organization shall be: a. Finance Committee The Finance Committee shall be responsible for engaging in fund-raising activities subject to the approval of the GA. The Head shall keep the fund and report all financial matters to the body at the end of every semester. This committee shall ensure that the organization becomes self-sufficient in financial matters in order to fulfill its projects and activities. b. External Affairs Committee This committee shall act as liaison to individuals, groups, and institutions outside the organization. It shall disseminate various issues concerning the state of the Philippine environment and the Filipino people. It shall coordinate with other organizations in order to gather the widest support for its activities and projects. c. Membership and Recruitment Committee This committee shall lead in recruitment activities and ensure that applicants fulfill the requirements of becoming a member. It shall monitor the participation of the members and engage them in activities that help sustain their interest and commitment. d. Education and Research Committee It is vital for the members of the organizations to learn about Philippine realities. The committee shall facilitate various discussions for consciousness-raising. The EDs also aim to strengthen active participation of youth in the scrutiny and criticism of policies that

are detrimental to the constitutional rights of the people. Further, it shall undertake relevant researches about the environmental and related issues. e. Peoples Services Committee This committee shall be involved with providing opportunities for youth advocates to witness and experience the situation of the peasants, indigenous communities and other people in Northern Sierra Madre through socio-civic missions and integration programs. It shall ensure that the members are aware of the situation in the grassroots. Section 2: Ad-Hoc Committees may be created depending on the need and recommendation of the Execom or approval of the General Assembly. ARTICLE X Meetings Section 1: General assembly shall be convened at the start of every semester (June and November) for the planning of activities, every third Monday of the month for regular organizational concerns, and at the end of academic year (March) for the election of new set of officers. Section 2: The following regular meetings shall also be observed depending on the date set by the members: Implementation and consultation meetings Post-activity meetings / Assessments

Section 3: Special meetings may be called as the need arises by the Executive Committee, Chairperson, or upon petition of 1/3 of the general membership. ARTICLE XI Amendments Section 1: Any article of this constitution and its by-laws may be amended upon the concurrence of the majority of the members at a special meeting duly held for the purpose provided that at least seventy-five (75%) be present in the said meeting. Section 2: The motion for amendments shall be in writing and should be signed by ten (10) regular members, after which it shall be forwarded to the Execom, which shall then call a special meeting in the nearest time possible. Section 3: This constitution and its by-laws can only be amended two years after its ratification.

ARTICLE XII Effectivity Section 1: This constitution shall only be deemed ratified upon the concurrence of the majority of the members present at the assembly called for this purpose.