CONSTITUTION OF THE BANGLADESHI STUDENTS

ASSOCIATION IN HONG KONG

Prepared and Proposed by: BSAHK Constitution Committee on August 25, 2011 Approved by: Absolute/Three-fourth majority of all the association members on (Date)

ARTICLE I The Association, Nature, Purpose, and Nondiscrimination Policy

Section 1: The Association The association shall be named as the BANGLADESHI STUDENTS ASSOCIATION in Hong Kong (BSAHK). Section 2: Nature 2.1. The BSAHK as an organization will neither be engaged in partisan politics nor participate in any political affair. 2.2. The association will be formed by the students (both undergraduate and graduate) studying at different universities in Hong Kong. 2.3. The BSAHK acknowledges and shall abide by the by-laws and regulations of the students associations in Universities in Hong Kong. The Association shall also abide by the rules and regulations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. Section 3: Purpose 3.1. To form a common platform by organizing Bangladeshi students studying at different universities in Hong Kong as well as the alumni in order to stimulate cooperation and friendship among them. 3.2. Promoting Bangladeshi culture and heritage at different universities in Hong Kong as and when there is scope (e.g. organizing events during International Mother Language Day, Pahela Boishakh, Bijoy Dibosh , etc). 3.3. Encouraging and supporting Bangladeshi students to enhance their knowledge in their respective academic fields. 3.4. Helping Bangladeshi students to obtain scholarships provided by the universities in Hong Kong and other external organizations or sponsors. 3.5. Organizing orientation programs every year for new Bangladeshi students. 3.6. Organizing sports and cultural events time to time. 3.7. Hosting notable intellectuals (like Dr. Yunus) for talks and discussions. 3.8. Participating in events organized by the different universities in Hong Kong. Section 4: Nondiscrimination Policy This association and its members shall not discriminate between individuals or groups for reasons related to race, color, creed, religion, political view, sexual orientation, sex, age, or handicap status.

Page 1 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong

ARTICLE II - Membership Policy

Section 1: Membership category There will be two types of membership in this association: i. General Member ii. Honorary Member

Section 2: Eligibility 1. GENERAL Member This category of membership is open to any Bangladeshi student (either full time or part time) enrolled in any university in Hong Kong. Students who do not hold the Bangladeshi passport but have Bangladeshi origin are also eligible for membership of this category. 2. HONORARY Member All the alumni or staff of any university of Hong Kong with Bangladeshi nationality who accept the constitution of the association along with its aims and objectives will be eligible for an HONORARY membership of the association. Section 3: Constraints All members (GENERAL and HONORARY) must accept the constitution of the association.

Section 4: Membership Fees 1. A membership fee of HKD 100 (one hundred HK dollars) will be charged to the general or regular members and HKD 500 (five hundred HK dollars) will be charged to the honorary members per academic year (September to August). 2. The association will also accept any sponsorship from all members and any person or group in favor of the associations objectives.

Section 5: Validity of membership A valid membership will be recognized for one academic year (September to August).

Section 6: Functions 6.1 Only General members are eligible to be elected as an EXECUTIVE member of the association. The GENERAL Members shall have the right to elect an EXECUTIVE member of the association. 6.2 The Honorary Members shall be eligible to participate in all the activities but are not eligible to vote or be elected as an EXECUTIVE member.

Page 2 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong

6.3 Honorary Member shall be eligible to be a member of a Special Committee formed by the Executive Committee, which will be chaired by one of the Executive Committee members. 6.4 The General members shall have the right to question the actions and decisions of the Executive committee. 6.5 The General members shall be able to submit ideas, constructive criticisms and/or resolutions in writing for consideration by the Executive committee.

Section 7: Cancellation of Membership The membership will be cancelled if any memberi. Does not pay the yearly fee as mentioned in section 4 of article II. ii. Does not obey by the rules and regulations of the association iii. Is accused of committing any illegal activity violating the rules and regulations of HKSAR or Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. iv. Expresses his/her willingness to quit the association in writing.

Article III - Office bearers of the Executive Committee

Section 1: Titles 1.1. The Executive Committee of the association shall consist of the following Executives: i ii iii iv v vi vii President Vice President General Secretary Organizing Secretary Secretary (Publication and Public relations) Secretary (Cultural and Sports) Treasurer

1.2. There shall be an Advisory Committee of the association which shall consist of three Advisors as follows: i. The Consul General of Bangladesh in Hong Kong ii. The President of Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong (BAHK) iii. The General Secretary of Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong (BAHK) 1.3. The Executive Committee shall be elected by the General members, by a majority of affirmative votes of the members present and voting.

Page 3 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong

Section 2: Terms of Office The term of the executive committee will be 1 (one) year and this one year term is from January 1 to December 31.

Section 3: Quorum and Voting 3.1. Unless otherwise stated, majority members of the executive committee shall constitute the quorum for the executive committee meeting. Either the President or the General Secretary must be present. 3.2. Each member of the Executive Committee shall have one vote, and decisions of the Executive Committee shall be reached by an affirmative vote of a majority of members present and voting.

Section 4: Powers The executive power of the association is vested in the committee, to be implemented by the President.

Section 5: Vacancies 5.1. In case of vacancy in the office of the President, The Vice President shall hold the office of the President until a new President is elected by the general assembly. 5.2. In case of a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the General Secretary shall hold the office of the Vice President until a new Vice President is elected by the general assembly. 5.3. If the student status of any executive committee member is changed then his/her position in the executive committee will be declared vacant. 5.4. In case of vacancy in the office of any executive committee member other than the President and Vice President, the office shall be filled by any member of the association so designated by the President with the advice and consent of the Executive Committee. Section 6: Signing Rights The President, General Secretary and Treasurer are signing authority. It is mandatory that all binding contracts for the Bangladeshi Student Association in Hong Kong (BSAHK) have a minimum of two signatures (one being the President). All executives must have prior knowledge to the contracts (if there is any) content and signing. In cases when protocol cannot be followed or is not possible, the President has sole authority to sign and has the responsibility to inform the other elected members at his/her first opportunity.

Page 4 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong

Article IV Eligibility and Duties of the Executive Members

Section 1: Eligibility Title Eligibility Any general member, who has been a member of the association for at least six months prior to the Election Day, is eligible for election to this office. This rule does not apply to the first election Any General member of the association is eligible for election to this office. Any General member of the association is eligible for election to this office.

President

Vice President General Secretary Organizing Secretary Secretary (Publication and Public relation) Secretary (Cultural and Sports) Treasurer

Any General member of the association is eligible for election to this office.

Any General member of the association is eligible for election to this office.

Any General member of the association is eligible for election to this office.

Any General member of the association is eligible for election to this office.

Section 2: Duties Title President Duties Officially represent the BSAHK at different universities in HK, to the media, and to community as and when necessary Preside over the Executive Committee and General Meetings Prepare and submit all regulatory paperwork and documents for the association to continue Plan and formulate overall and long term objectives of the association Official signing officer In the absence of the executives, the President has the authority to make all and any decisions but with the consent of them Shall have the responsibility to review the activities of special committee (if any) ensuring that their duties are being performed.

Page 5 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong

Title Vice President

Duties

Perform all the activities of the President in his/her absence Build working relations with other Bangladeshi organizations in Hong Kong or in other countries Take feed-back and suggestions from the members about the associations activities Develop joint programs with other student organizations at different universities in Hong Kong Build and maintain liaison with International Student Offices at different universities in Hong Kong Attend all the executive and general meetings General Organize meetings, disseminate information to members Secretary Perform tasks assigned by the executive committee Organizing Develop a web-page of BSAHK and maintain it Secretary Create and update contact lists of all members Maintain liaison with students from all universities in Hong Kong Collect new members as and when new students arrive in any university in Hong Kong Secretary Develop promotional materials of BSAHK (e.g., brochures, souvenirs, (Publication and booklets, posters) Public relations) Keep contact with and provide relevant information to all incoming Bangladeshi students before their arrival Arrange to receive new students at the airport Organize to help the new students to settle initially (e.g., to register for courses, open bank account etc.) Plan, organize and budget for farewell programs for the students who are leaving Secretary Plan and budget for sports and cultural events, get those approved by (Cultural and the executive committee Sports) Organize sports events (e.g. soccer, cricket, badminton, tennis and table tennis etc.) Organize cultural events (e.g. musical and recitation programs) Plan and organize joint sports and cultural events among Bangladeshi students at different universities in Hong Kong Treasurer Administer the finances of the Association Receive and make payments for events Official signing officer. Responsible for maintaining/reporting BSAHK accounts/budgets regularly and presenting income/expenditure in one year in the Annual General Meetings. Allocating/Collecting funds at all BSAHK programs The Advisors Shall mentor the association Shall help the association as and when it deemed essential

Page 6 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong

Article V Special Committee

Section 1: Definition 1. Special Committee(s) shall be formed by the Executive Committee if it is necessary for successful accomplishment of big event(s). 2. The chair of the Special Committee must be an Executive Committee member. 3. General and Honorary members can be a member of the Special Committee. Section 2: Terms and Powers 1. The Special Committee shall be resolved soon after the event is over. 2. The Special Committee shall report to the Executive Committee about the progress of the event. 3. The Special Committee shall have the power to make decisions related to that particular event.

Article VI Election and Voting

Section 1: Time and Method of Election 1. The election shall be held by the Assembly at the Annual General Meeting. 2. The election shall be conducted by secret or open ballot as decided by the election commission. 3. A simple majority shall determine election to an office. 4. Any General Member can nominate himself/herself or any other member for any of the offices of the Executive Committee. 5. The nomination(s) shall not be valid if the nominee(s) refuse to run for that office. 6. A member must vote in person at the voting center during the hours set by the election committee.

Section 2: The Election Commission 1. The executive committee shall appoint an election commission prior to the election of next executive committee. The election commissioner will select two other members to run the election smoothly. 2. The members of the election commission shall have the voting power but not eligible to become a candidate to elected in the executive committee.

Page 7 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong

Article VII Assembly

Section 1: Composition The Assembly shall consist of all General and executive committee Members of the association. Section 2: Meetings There will be three forms of meeting2.1 General Meetings 2.2 Executive committee Meetings 2.3 Annual General Meetings 2.1 General Meeting 2.1.1. The general meeting shall be held at least once a in every three months. But in case of any special circumstance the executive committee may call general meeting at any time. 2.1.2. The general meeting prior to the election shall preferably be the AGM of the association. 3. If 30% of the general members of the association request for a general meeting on specific issue then the executive committee shall have to call the meeting accordingly.

2.2 Executive committee meeting Executive committee meetings shall be at least once in every three months. But in case of any special circumstance the executive committee may call Executive committee meeting at any time. 2.3 Annual General Meeting (AGM) The Annual General Meetings will be held once in every year. Election will be held in Annual General Meetings. The President, General Secretary will present their performed activities during that tenure. The Treasurer will present annual income/ expenditure report. The current Executive committees are solely responsible to arrange this Annual General Meetings (AGM) prior to end of the prescribed tenure. Section 3: Quorum of General Meeting One-third of the general members of the association shall form the quorum of general meeting. Section 4: Notice 1. The General Secretary shall call for any such meeting. 2. All members must be informed about the meeting at least one week in advance by BSAHKs group email.
Page 8 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong

Article VIII Constitutional Amendments

Amendments of the Constitution shall be made at the meeting of the Assembly called for the purpose of amending the Constitution. An affirmative vote of two thirds majority of members is necessary.

Page 9 of 10

Constitution of the Bangladeshi Students Association in Hong Kong