ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION AND BYLAWS

SAAB (STUDENT AFRICAN AMERICAN BROTHERHOOD)

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the SAAB (Student African American Brotherhood,) in order to provide positive solutions to specific needs of Black males enrolled in college and to provide intentionally structured opportunities for Black males to take full advantage of their academic years and to better understand and practice their full responsibilities, rights, and privileges as future leaders and citizens of the United States; to provide educational, cultural, social, spiritual and intellectual programs that are grounded in theory that is culturally appropriate for Black males and will help to minimize the negative and accentuate the positive---presenting the brighter side to Black male students, do hereby establish these articles of organization and bylaws.

In attainment of our objectives, we commit ourselves to the membership of the SAAB, which is the heart of the organization, to the betterment of our organization by focusing special attention on the needs and concerns of disadvantaged Black males in Higher Education, and to Black Male Development as a process.

 ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE I

MEMBERSHIP

Members in good standing are defined as males who are officially enrolled in a college/university sanctioned by the Executive Board and who have satisfied all financial obligations established by the local chapter and/or the national organization.

ARTICLE II

POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

 Section 1:            Quorum and Voting

The Executive Board is the governing body of the SAAB organization. Decisions of this body shall be reached and become policy upon a majority vote of Board members present provided that a quorum exists. To have quorum, three-fourths (3/4) of the Board of Executive Leaders must be present. 

Section 2:            Veto

In all matters, the power of veto (for revision and resubmission only) is at the pleasure of the Advisor, Chairman, Vice Chairman and Recording Secretary, with proviso that these three officers are unanimously agreed on the issues. A veto may be overridden by a 3/4 majority vote of the membership of the Executive Board.

Section 3:            Executive Session

The Executive Board  shall meet with the Advisor at a time agreed upon by at least three-fourths (3/4) of the eligible  board members. In executive session the Executive Board may discuss and take action on only the following:  personnel selection and appointments, fiscal matters, revocation of membership, no member of the Board shall be excluded from attendance.  

ARTICLE III

 COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF EXECUTIVE LEADERS

The membership of the Executive Board shall consist of the Executive Director/Advisor, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Recording Secretary and Committee Chairpersons.

 ARTICLE IV

 GENERAL LIMITATIONS AND PROVISIONS

No member, executive leader to include the advisor shall have any right, title or interest in or to the assets of SAAB, and no part of the above shall inure to the benefit of same except for payment of reasonable compensation for services and property or the reimbursement of expenditures made for and on behalf of SAAB in keeping with its authorized exempt objectives.

 BYLAWS

ARTICLE V

QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, DUTIES AND TERMS OF OFFICE

Section 1:            Identification of Candidates for S.A.A.B. Offices

The Advisor and/or selection committee appointed by the advisor shall solicit eligible candidates for SAAB offices and shall present the names of those candidates to the membership. Eligibility criteria for elections can be obtained from the Advisor and/or his designee. A campaign speech is presented to the membership by each candidate for the appropriate vacancy at a time designated by the Advisor and/or his designee. All candidates are voted on for nomination by all  eligible members. The Advisor will confirm all position and/or vacancies on the Executive Board and Co-Chairpersons for each committee. The new Executive Board will preside the last three (3) meetings of the semester appointed or elected.

 Section 2:            OFFICERS OF THE ORGANIZATION

1. Chairman or President (may vary depending on chapter)

2. Vice Chairman or Vice President (may vary depending on chapter)

3. Recording Secretary

4. Advisor(s)

Section 3:            STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE ORGANIZATION

1. Personal Development Committee-plans all educational programs.

2. Service Committee-coordinates all service-learning initiatives.

3. Financial Affairs Committee-coordinates all fiscal matters of the group.

4. Academic Committee-provides academic advising and support.

5. Spiritual-Enrichment/Social Committee-plans all spiritual and social events (i.e., church, movies, bowling, plays, etc.)

6. Membership/Public Relations Committee-coordinates all membership-related matters along with publicizing all SAAB-related events/programs.

(NOTE: Some chapters may choose to add additional chapters based on needs of their respective campus)

   ARTICLE VI

 DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Section 1:            Executive Board

The Executive Board shall have the power, by a simple majority vote to refine, suspend, expel, or take other appropriate disciplinary action against any member for any activity or conduct which is detrimental or prejudicial to the general organization for violation of any provision of this Constitution or By-Laws. 

Section 2:            Citations

Any member cited for three (3) unexcused violations of the SAAB Code of Conduct will be automatically place on inactive status. Violations may include, but not be limited to, tardiness, missing meetings, not paying dues and dress code incompliant. Inactive members will not be permitted to do the following:

1. Vote at all official SAAB meetings.

2. Attend all SAAB sponsored-events 

3. Wear or possess a SAAB Uniform (i.e., vest).

4. Hold any official office of the organization

Inactive members desiring to be reinstated must submit a letter of appeal to the Membership Committee within seven (7) days of notification in writing of inactive status. Once a letter has been submitted, the Membership Committee will deliberate and make a recommendation to the Executive Board for approval within seven (7) working days of receiving the letter of  appeal. The Membership Committee will notify  the individual in writing within 48 hours of the Executive Board's decision. If reinstatement is granted, a $15 reinstatement fee will be required by the next scheduled SAAB meeting in order to be considered an active member. Failure to submit a letter of appeal in the time allotted or to pay the reinstatement fee may result in expulsion from the organization. At no point in this process are dues refundable. (THIS POLICY MAY VARY FROM CHAPTER TO CHAPTER)

ARTICLE VII

CODE OF CONDUCT

Section 1:            Dress Code

Each member will be expected to adhere to the dress code as outlined by the Executive Board. The Dress Code can vary from semester to semester and chapter to chapter; however, a SAAB Dress-Up Day will be designated once a meeting date/time is established per semester. Members experiencing problems with complying with this policy should direct all concerns/questions to the Advisor and/or Executive Board. 

From time to time, each member may be issued a SAAB vest for various functions. SAAB vests are to maintained and returned in the condition issued. The penalty for lost or damaged vest may result in an member being assessed a fee, which will be equal to the value of the vest.

Section 2:            Meetings