San Diego State University

Asian Pacific Student Alliance

Official Bylaws

Article I - Name

The name of the organization shall be the Asian Pacific Student Alliance (APSA). (Revised Spring 19)

Article II - Purpose

The Asian Pacific Student Alliance is a non-profit, culturally based organization established to unite
diverse students to learn and share in the Asian and Pacific Islander cultural identities, traditions and
beliefs. Ultimately, to inform and involve all members in issues that may affect their lives or welfare of the
community. (Revised Fall 99)

Article III - Membership

Section A. General Information

Eligibility for membership or appointed or elected student officer positions may not be limited on the basis
of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital status, citizenship,
sexual orientation, or disability. The organization shall have no rules or policies that discriminate on the
basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital status,
citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability​. As a non-profit organization, membership does not require
membership dues. Non-SDSU student membership will consist of no more than twenty percent of all
persons. (Revised Summer 18)

Section B. Voting Membership

To hold active voting membership status during the current election period, a member must have attended
at least three (3) general meetings, and two (2) events. (Revised Spring 12)

Section C. Voting Rights

1. Voting privileges are restricted to members of active status (a member must have attended at least three (3)
general meetings, and two (2) events to be considered active) and Executive Board members.
2. A majority vote is required in the membership for any legislation to pass during general meeting other than
amendments, ratification or impeachment during general meetings.

Section D. Associated Students

Only active members (a member must have attended at least three (3) general meetings, and two (2) events
to be considered active) are entitled to Associated Students funds for the purposes set by “How to Spend
Your A.S. Dollars”.

Section E. Student Life and Leadership

1. Adhere to GPA requirements stated by SLL in order to be considered eligible to run for an Executive Board
position. (Effective Immediately Executive Board 2015-2016)
2. California State University policies require that the President and Treasurer maintain a minimum overall
2.0 grade point average each term and not be on probation of any kind. The President and Treasurer must
be enrolled in at least six units (three units for graduate and credential students) each semester while
holding office. Undergraduate students with over 150 semester units or 125 percent of the units required for
a specific baccalaureate degree objective, whichever is greater, or graduate and credential students with
 over 50 semester units or 167 percent of the units required for the graduate or credential objective,
whichever is greater, are ineligible to hold the office of President or Treasurer. (Added Summer 18)
3. This organization is a recognized student organization at San Diego State University and adheres to all
campus policies as set forth in the SDSU Student Organization Handbook. (Added Summer 18)

Article IV-Executive Board

Section A. Executive Board Positions

The Executive Board consists of the following positions: President; Executive Vice President; Vice
President, Internal Affairs; Vice President, External Affairs; Director of Finance; Executive Secretary;
Political Coordinator; Academic Coordinator; Activities Coordinator; Cultural Coordinator; Membership
Secretary; Sports Director; Webmaster; and Historian. (Revised Spring 19)

Section B. General Information

1. Voting Executive Board members shall include all officers, except for Advisor(s) and President. a. The
President will only vote in the event of a tie.
2. Quorum can be established with a population of one-half (1/2) + one (1) voting executive officers present.
3. Any resignations from an Executive Board position must give a notice one (1) month, at minimum, to the
Executive Board in order to appoint a replacement.
4. Prior to Summer Retreat, co-directors and co-coordinators must collaborate to draft up mutual duties and
expectations.

Section C. Executive Board Meetings

1. Mandatory Executive Board meetings, separate from general meetings, shall be conducted weekly, unless
otherwise specified.
2. Special meetings may be called at the request of any Executive Board member.
3. General members are allowed to attend and participate in Executive Board meetings under the following
conditions:
a. Do not hold voting privileges.
b. Refrain from disrupting the meeting’s orderliness.

Section D. Elected Officer Duties

President:

1. Represent APSA at all SDSU functions and external events.

2. Chair and maintain order during Executive Board meetings.
3. Supervise all Executive Board members for completing his/her respective duties and take disciplinary
action if necessary.
4. Appoint committees and vacant position with 2/3 approval of Executive Board.
5. Oversee all APSA related activities, events, projects, and meetings.
6. Held responsible for actions of the organization and its members during any of the organization’s activities.
7. Conduct preparations and rehearsals for general meetings (e.g. obtain posters, props; check reservation with
Meeting Services).
8. Collaborate with the Executive Vice President to plan Summer and Winter Executive Board retreats.
9. Become the official APSA Representative for the Multicultural Coalition (MCC) or assign an official
delegate from within the Executive Board. (Effective Immediately Executive Board 2015-2016)

Executive Vice President:

1. Oversee Director of Finance, Executive Secretary, and the Political Coordinator in the completion of their
respective duties.
 2. Perform the duties of the President in the President’s absence and in case of the vacancy of that title, shall
succeed to the position of the President for the duration of the vacancy.
3. Coordinate the annual Fashion Talent Show (FTS).
4. Collaborate with the President to plan Summer and Winter Executive Board retreats.
5. Director of Extended Executive Board.
a. Chair and maintain order during the Extended E-Board Meetings.
b. Provide opportunities for general members to participate in the organization’s planning
c. Official representative liaison between the general members and the Executive Board.

Vice President, Internal Affairs:

1. Oversee Activities Coordinator, Sports Director, and Membership Secretary in the completion of their
respective duties.
2. Manage affairs and publicity within the SDSU campus.
3. Coordinate all activities related to Homecoming, Greenfest, and Student Involvement Expos.
4. Maintain relationships with other student organizations by creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
5. Gather information about the events of other student organizations.
6. Become the official APSA representative for the Student Diversity Commission, or assign an official
delegate from within the Executive Board.

Vice President, External Affairs:

1. Oversee Academic Coordinator, Historian, Cultural Coordinator, and Webmaster in the completion of their
respective duties.
2. Direct APSA promotional activities and events outside of the SDSU campus.
3. Oversee the construction of creative advertising for all promotional events (e.g. tabling, FamBam
competitions, formals, High School Conference, Fashion Talent Show)
a. Advertisements may include flyers, banners, posters, invitations, etc.
b. Duties include the production of copies or delegating the task.
c. Network with various companies and schools.

4. Coordinate guest speakers from the community for special presentations at general meetings.

5. Keep an updated recorded of APSA shirts for sale, including quantity and size.

6. Coordinate community service events for APSA each semester.

7. Purchase Executive Board apparel at the start of the term (e.g. name tags, jackets).

Political Coordinator: (Effective Immediately Executive Board 2015-2016).

1. Be the official representative of APSA at Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition (AAPIC) meetings
a. Attend all AAPIC meetings and all meetings mandated by AAPIC.
2. Raise awareness of Asian Pacific Islander (API) issues within the community.
3. Collaborate with the Cultural Coordinator to coordinate at least one event per semester which educates and
raises awareness about current API issues.
4. Maintain and update a Political blog on the APSA website.

Director of Finance:

1. Provide financial report to officers at each Executive Board meeting.

2. Authorize reimbursements at the first and third Executive Board meeting of the month; maintain records of
all reimbursements, in conjunction with the President.
3. Deposit funds into the APSA banking account and sign all checks for disbursements.
4. Coordinate fund-raisers throughout the year, with the assistance of Executive Board members.
 5. Manage financial budgets for High School Conference (HSC), Fashion Talent Show (FTS) and additional
APSA events requiring a budget.
6. Maintain good relations with sponsors by properly fulfilling sponsorship contracts.
7. Maintain records for gas reimbursements for Executive Board and General Board Members.

Executive Secretary:

1. E-Mail all Executive Board members the logistics of conducting the general meetings.
2. Prepare agendas for general meetings and Executive Board meetings.
3. Document and maintain records of minutes during Executive Board meetings; additionally, upload minutes
to Google Documents and disperse via e-mail.
4. Maintain a record of all APSA events and activities throughout the academic year. (APSA Archives)
5. Set-up and maintain account with Cal-Copy.
6. Update the APSA events calendar.

Membership Secretary:

1. Maintain a record of all existing and new members.

2. Record members’ attendance at weekly general meetings and events.
3. Maintain a record of current voting status for active members prior to election period.
4. Outreach and update members regarding club activities.
5. Maintain the APSAlumni Coalition, in conjunction with the Historian (see Article XII).

Academic Coordinator:

1. Coordinate the High School Conference and its different committees that he/she organizes to execute
APSA’s annual High School Conference.
2. Be the APSA High School Conference Board Representative for the academic year he/she is sworn under.
3. Responsible for updating and maintaining academic activities (i.e. study sessions, mentor/mentee program,
etc).
4. Be accessible for any questions or concerns regarding academics.
5. Maintain a bi-weekly reward system encouraging general board members to excel academically

Activities Coordinator:

1. Coordinate weekly icebreakers for general meetings.

2. Plan and organize social activities (e.g. Knockout and Explore SD) throughout the academic year within
APSA. (Revised Spring 16)
3. Family System
a. Assign officers to be “parents” (mentors) of different families
b. Assign general members to be “children” of different families
c. Coordinate family socials and competitions (e.g. FamBam Competitions and Coin Wars)
d. Maintain an unbiased point system for the family competitions.

Cultural Coordinator:

1. Provide insight into Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander issues at general meetings. (Revised
Spring 16)
2. In charge of coordinating cultural presentations twice a month.
3. Work in conjunction with the VP External to provide guest speakers for cultural presentations.
4. Maintain and update a cultural blog. (Revised Spring ‘17)
5. Coordinate the annual Night Market. (Revised Spring ’15)
6. Refer to Section B of Article XIII in the APSA Bylaws.

Sports Director:
 1. Coordinate and manage intramural sporting events.
2. Coordinate special sporting events with a minimum of one (1) during the academic year (e.g. Powder Puff,
Sports Day, Beach Day).
3. Coordinate an APSA social at a San Diego State University sporting event.
4. Maintain a bi-weekly activity encouraging general body members to participate in physical activity per
semester. (Effective Immediately Executive Board 2015-2016)

Webmaster:

1. Maintain an easily navigable web page consisting of:

a. About / Purpose
b. Events Calendar
c. Alumni page
d. Executive Board Members
e. Contact information
f. Sports
g. High School Conference
h. Fashion Talent Show
i. Social Media links
2. Work in conjunction with Executive Board members to outreach toward members, other organizations and
the general public to achieve goals towards the benefit of APSA by:
a. Update and maintain all other APSA pages on popular networking websites with respect to the
delegations of webmaster. (Revised Spring ‘17)
b. Create and maintain event notifications on networking websites, one (1) week prior to the event.

Historian:

1. Document APSA’s events and activities through pictures and videos.

2. Create an annual Executive Board member photo composite.
3. Maintain a copy of flyers for all APSA events.
4. Maintain APSAlumni Coalition, in conjunction with Membership Secretary (see Article XII).
5. Make recap/slideshow of events for necessary purposes.
6. Upload and maintain multimedia for archiving purposes. (e.g. Youtube and Flickr)

Section E. Appointed Officer Duties

Co-coordinator/Director:

1. Hold voting rights in consistent with Executive Board members.

2. Hold all the same bylaws as their respective director/coordinator.
3. Co-coordinators and co-directors will be overseen by their respective director’s Vice President.

Executive Assistant:

1. Act as an assistant to the Executive Vice President, performing any task delegated by the Executive Vice
President.
2. Assist the Executive Vice President in organizing, planning, and hosting weekly E^2 meetings and the
Fashion Talent Show.
3. Maintain an updated record of the APSA Property List following each event.
4. Act as an assistant to executive board to the discretion of the President and Vice-Presidents
5. Plan and host a welcome back event for APSA at the beginning of fall semester.

Section F. Student and Community Advisor(s)’ Duties​ (Revised Fall 2016)

Student and Community Advisor(s)

 1. Provide advice, guidance, contact information, and one-on-one training to any Executive Board member to
effectively perform their duties whenever needed.
2. Temporarily authorized by the President to perform any Executive Board members’ duties only during
emergencies if qualified.
3. Must address any important issues to the President on any matters dealing with APSA-related functions,
activities, and committees.
4. Will be held personally responsible for his/her actions in assisting APSA, its officers, and its members
during any of its activities.
5. Be the mentor and resource for knowledge pertaining to the e-board.
6. Record any vital information that improves and maintains the well being of APSA if needed.

Section G. Faculty Advisor Duties

1. The organization shall appoint an individual employed as a faculty or staff member by San Diego State
University to serve as the university advisor to this organization as required by the California State
University. Auxiliary staff and student assistants are not eligible to serve as advisors. The advisor shall
fulfill the responsibilities specified in the SDSU Student Organizations Handbook. Advisors shall serve on
an academic year basis or until their successor has been selected.
2. [Optional] The organization shall also appoint a Community Advisor.

Article V - Committees

1. Committees formed shall implement all policies, decisions, and programs concerning that committee at the
discretion of the Executive Board.
2. Executive Board members shall elect a committee chair who must be present at all Executive Board
meetings and be responsible for all obligations imposed by the Executive Board.
3. The purpose of a committee shall not overlap or conflict with existing committees.
4. In the event, the individual is on two (2) or more standing committees, that individual may only chair one
(1) committee.

Article IV - Parliamentary Authority

Executive Board meetings of APSA shall be conducted according to parliamentary procedures as set forth
in the simplified version of Robert’s Rules by the president.

Article VII - Amendments

1. Amendments to the Bylaws can be proposed and submitted in writing to the Executive Board to be voted
on at the next Executive Board meeting.
2. Bylaws will be amended by two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote by Executive Board members.

Article VIII - Impeachment

1. An Executive Board member will be subjected for impeachment in the event of:
a. Failure to comply with obligations and/or responsibilities.
b. Committing detrimental conduct towards the organization.
2. Impeachment shall be initiated by
a. Four (4) or more active voting members; or,
b. Two (2) or more current Executive Board members.
3. The organization faculty advisor shall preside over trials of impeachment, where seven (7) jurors have
active voting membership.
4. A unanimous affirmative vote from the jury shall result in the removal from office.

Article IX - Interpretations
 The Executive Board shall decide upon any areas not defined by the bylaws in the best interest of the
organization, and make note of any discrepancies for future amendment to the bylaws.

Article X - Awards

Section A. Award Categories

1. Member of the Year: This award will be given to a maximum of three general body members for
outstanding dedication, and participation in fulfilling the mission of the Asian Pacific Student Alliance for
the academic year. (Revised Spring 16)
2. Officer of the Year: The award shall be chosen by the President and given to a maximum of three
Executive Board members that have demonstrated outstanding leadership above and beyond their call of
duties in fulfilling the mission of Asian Pacific Student Alliance for the academic year. (Revised Spring 16)
3. Humanitarian Award: This award shall be given to one (1) individual who has demonstrated selfless
commitment to an event, which fulfills the mission of the Asian Pacific Student Alliance for the academic
year.
4. Lifetime Achievement Award: This award shall be given to one (1) graduating student who has shown
commitment and significant contribution to the Asian Pacific Student Alliance throughout their educational
career at San Diego State University.
5. APSA Graduation Award: Given to all graduating students of APSA that have been actively involved in
any given time period during their enrollment at SDSU.

Section B. Guidelines

Guidelines for all awards:

1. Recipients of last year’s award(s) shall not be eligible for the same awards.
2. All members are eligible for the awards, in the case they have not won the year before.
3. The voting members of Executive Board shall decide which awards will be given out.
4. The President will be responsible in assigning a designee.
a. Awards are appointed at either the last General Board Meeting of the academic school year or at
the end of the year Banquet.

Article XI - Election

1. All candidates must have attended three (3) general meetings and two (2) events in the current academic
year they are running for office or by appeal by President and Executive Vice President.
2. Candidates for President, Executive Vice President, External Vice President and Internal Vice President
must have held an Executive board position for a year or by appeal from the Executive Vice President and
President.
3. Student Advisor(s) position(s) shall be appointed and is open to former e-board members willing to
volunteer their time and efforts to assist APSA and must receive personal approval by both President and
Executive Vice President elect.
4. Eligible voters must meet the criteria of membership as set forth by Article III, Sect. B in the Bylaws.
5. APSA election committees will consist of officers not running for office. Interpretations of election’s
criteria shall be conducted by Executive board if necessary.
6. Applications for election shall be open three (3) weeks prior to Election Day.
7. Elections shall consist of a 4 (four) week process:
a. Introduction
b. Nominations
c. Speeches/Interviews
d. Silent Ballot
8. Date(s) of election process to be determined by the current Executive board.
 9. Candidates running unopposed need over 2/3rds votes in the election to win the position. If over ⅓ votes go
to abstain, the position turns to an interview process. (Revised Spring 17)

Article XII - APSAlumni Coalition

Section A. Name

APSAlumni Coalition (Asian Pacific Student Alumni Coalition)

Section B. Purpose

The Asian Pacific Student Alumni Coalition is an alumnus-based coalition established to unite San Diego
State University graduates, formerly involved in APSA.

Section C. Membership

Membership in the APSAlumni Coalition shall be open to former APSA members that have attended
and/or graduated from San Diego State University. Members must have a submitted information sheet on
file.

Section D. Duties & Responsibilities

1. Send out bi-monthly bulletins of current and future events.

2. Act as a resource center, which will be accessible to all APSAlumni members.
3. Offer benefits to APSAlumni members during APSA events (e.g. Discounted admission, priority seating,
special recognition, etc.)

Section E. Members

1. Provide advice, guidance, contact information, and one-on-one training to any Executive board member so
he/she is able to perform their duties.
2. Record any vital information that improves and maintains the well being of APSA.
3. Be held personally responsible for his/her actions in assisting APSA, its officers and its members during
any of its activities.
4. Attend special meetings that may be called at the request of any member of the APSAlumni Coalition.
5. Recruit other possible APSAlumni members to further expand the coalition.

Section F. Coordinators & Duties

Historian:

1. In charge of sending a bi-monthly APSA bulletin to the members of APSAlumni Coalition.

2. Bi-monthly bulletins must contain:
a. APSA upcoming Events in the following Months.
b. Previous APSA events (Pictures, Video, Mini-Article).

Membership Secretary:

1. Maintain membership information and data for future members.

2. Responsible for identifying current graduating APSA members and recruiting them.
3. Have applications available for membership.
4. Maintain hard-copies of applications.
5. Work in coordination with Historian in gathering articles for the bulletin

Article XIII – APSArts

Section A. Program Structure

The officers of the program shall be the APSArts Director(s), APSA Music Coordinator(s), APSA Dance
Coordinator(s), APSA Media Coordinator(s), and APSA Visual Arts Coordinator(s). And President,
Executive Vice President, and Director of Finance will oversee all of APSA Arts Directors and
coordinators. (Revised Spring 17)

Section B. Powers and Duties

APSA’s Cultural Coordinator will take the position of the APSArts Director. The APSArts Director will
oversee the APSArts Program as a whole and will head the Cultural division of the program by planning
cultural performances and workshops. They will also be responsible for appointing APSA Music
Coordinator(s), APSA Dance Coordinator(s), APSA Media Coordinator(s), and APSA Visual Arts
Coordinator(s). (Revised Spring 17)