06ByLaws

Philippine-American Society of Austin

In the Great State of Texas

P.A.S.A.

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ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

                                            PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AUSTIN (PASA)
                                                                P.O. Box 270048 Austin, TX 78727

                                                                            PREAMBLE

We, Filipino-Americans, residents of Austin and nearby areas in the State of Texas, do unite to establish a non-profitable and permanent organization.

                                                                     ARTICLE I � NAME

This organization is named PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN SOCIETY of AUSTIN, abbreviated as PASA, and shall hereinafter be referred to as THE SOCIETY.

                                                                ARTICLE II � PURPOSES

1. To foster harmonious relationship among Filipino-Americans.
2. To engage in social, cultural, and civic activities for the advancement and unity of its members and their families.
3. To give support to members and their families with exceptional scholastic and athletic abilities enabling them to participate in
     local and national competitions
4. To create various kinds of fun activities for the enjoyment of the membership
5. To provide charitable assistance and/or monetary aid to the needy

                                                           ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION A � ELIGIBILITY

1. Any Filipino-American family or individual in good standing shall be eligible to join THE SOCIETY regardless of social,
    economic, educational status, religious preference, and ethnic background
2. Non-Filipino-Americans interested in the affairs of THE SOCIETY, may join this organization.
3. All applications for membership or renewal are subject to review and approval by the officers and board of advisors.

SECTION B � TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Membership expires at the end of each year and is renewable until March 15th of the following year. After this date any unpaid member will be considered non-current and will not be eligible to any association benefits until his membership is renewed. A late fee of $5.00 will be assessed to any late renewal.

Membership fees are non-refundable. Following are the types of membership and their respective dues

   1. FAMILY (Husband and Wife with dependent children) - $25.00/year
   2. FAMILY (Husband and Wife only), or SINGLE PARENT with Children - $20.00/year
   3. INDIVIDUAL (single, 18 years old and above) - $15.00/year
   4. SENIOR CITIZEN COUPLE (one is at least 62 years old) - $15.00/year
   5. HONORARY (Upon approval by the officers and board of advisors, conferred to a person or
       couple who has given outstanding contributions to the cause of THE SOCIETY) � exempt rom annual membership dues

SECTION C - MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES

A current member may partake in the various yearly and special activities and functions of THE SOCIETY. He shall be entitled to: ticket discounts, inclusion in the membership directory, contribute articles to newsletter publications, serve on various committees, vote in the election of officers and, run for office if qualified under Article IV Section A.

SECTION D - LIMITATIONS

Dependent children under the age of 18 are not entitled to vote.

Membership may be terminated for any of the following reasons.
1. Misuse or unauthorized use of THE SOCIETY funds
2. Creating conflicts within the organization
3. Violation of the Privacy Act
4. Denouncing, defaming and derogating the association and its members
5. Any just cause as determined by the President and the Advisory Board

The officers and Board of Advisors, in an open meeting held at least seven days prior to termination, shall deliberate on, and by majority vote, decide upon the termination of a member.

                                                      ARTICLE IV- ELECTION OF OFFICERS

SECTION A � QUALIFICATIONS

A candidate for President , Vice-President or Treasurer shall meet the following qualifications:

   1. Is a current member of this association for at least two (2) years
   2. At least 30 years old
   3. Of Filipino descent
   4. Has not been a member of any other Filipino-American association in the Austin area for at least two (2) years.
   5. Must be of good moral character and reputation
   6. Must reside within 50-mile radius of Austin

A candidate for Secretary shall meet the following qualifications:

   1. is a current member for at least one (1) year
   2. at least 20 years old
   3. Has not been a member of any other Filipino-American association in the Austin area for at least one (1) year.
   4. Must be of good moral character and reputation
   5. Must reside within a 50-mile radius of Austin

SECTION B � ELECTION

1. Election of officers for the SOCIETY shall be conducted by secret balloting and shall be held on the Saturday before
    Thanksgiving day of each year.

2. Names of any qualified members interested in running for office shall be submitted to the election committee for review and
     confirmation by the officers and board of advisors at least seven (7) days prior to the elections. In the absence of prior
     nominations for each position, any qualified member may be nominated on the election night.

3. No member may be nominated for any position, in any form or manner, without
    his or her consent.

4. A candidate shall be declared elected if he or she receives the majority of votes during the
    elections.

5. A member shall be current at least thirty (30) days prior to the elections to be eligible to vote during the elections,

6. In the event of a tie in any position, a re-election for that position shall be held that same night.

SECTION C - OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

The Officers, elected or appointed, and the Board of Advisors, shall discuss, vote, and decide upon all issues affecting THE SOCIETY. Voting by proxy shall be allowed upon submittal of a written statement duly signed by the absentee member and his/her representative.

1. The PRESIDENT shall:
   a) Preside on all meetings of THE SOCIETY and conduct such meetings according to the ROBERT RULES OF ORDER
   b) Implement projects approved by the membership
   c) Appoint chairpersons to standing committees and other committees constituted for special projects
   d) Appoint members to the Executive Advisory Board
   e) Create other positions and committees as he deems appropriate
   f) With the assistance of all elected officers, ensure early and confirmed reservations of a venue for the New Year�s Party

2. The VICE PRESIDENT shall:
   a) In the absence of the President, assume all the duties of the President.
   b) Concurrently chair no more than one committee

3. The SECRETARY shall:
   a) Record minutes of all association meetings and read them on subsequent meetings
   b) Make and maintain permanent records of all meeting minutes and correspondences of THE SOCIETY
   c) Prepare and distribute documents, letters and memorandums, as needed

4. The TREASURER shall:
   a) Collect annual membership fees and special dues negotiated by THE SOCIETY for special projects
   b) Deposit all collections of cash and/or checks in the bank within three (3) working days following their receipt
   c) Take custody of the checking and/or savings account of THE SOCIETY
   d) Pay promptly all bills for expenses on authorized activities and projects. Payments greater than One Hundred Dollars
       ($100) must be approved by the President.
   e) Maintain a minimum of $500 in the checking account at all times. The Treasurer and the President are the only officers
       authorized to sign any outgoing disbursement checks.
   f) Maintain a permanent record of all financial transactions and report the financial status of THE SOCIETY to members at
      every general membership meeting
5. The HISTORIAN shall write a history of the association by recording activities and take pictures of each event.

6. The EDITOR shall:
   a) Be appointed by the President and approved by the elected officers
   b) Prepare, produce and distribute the quarterly newsletter and any publication that may be required
   c) Facilitate adequate review and approval by the President or Vice President, of all newsletters and publications prior to its
       distribution

SECTION D - REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Any elected officer shall be removed from office if found guilty of any of, but not limited to, the following: misappropriation of funds, conduct unbecoming of an officer of the organization, abuse of authority, and maliciously causing conflict. The case will be reviewed and decided upon by members present in a special meeting.The officer will be given the opportunity to defend himself. Removal from office, however, will not automatically result in expulsion of the member from THE SOCIETY.

SECTION F � VACANCIES

1. Vacancies that arise in any of the offices within the election year shall be filled by qualified members appointed by the
    President.
2. The Vice President will take over as President in the event the office of the President becomes vacant. He will then appoint a
    new Vice President, both of whom will serve until the next elections.
3. The chairman of the Advisory Board shall appoint a new President in the event he offices of the President and Vice President
    become vacant. The Acting President will then appoint a new Vice President. Both appointees will serve until the next
    elections.
4. Any member appointed to any position must qualify under Article IV, Section A � Qualifications.
5. Resignation from any elected office must be submitted to the President, in writing, two weeks prior to the resignation date. If
    the President resigns, he shall hand in his resignation letter to the Vice President, who will then submit it to the Executive
    Advisory Board, for final acceptance. If the Vice President resigns simultaneously with the President, both shall submit their
    resignation letters directly to the Executive Advisory Board.

                                                       ARTICLE V � COMMITTEES

The President shall, with the consent of the member, appoint him or her to chair one or more committees. The appointed committee chairperson will, at his/her discretion, then select his/her members.

1. The MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE shall be responsible for the recruitment and retention of the members.

2. The PASA PERFORMING ARTS COMMITTEE shall:
     a) Coordinate all activities related to social functions of THE SOCIETY
     b) Initiate and conduct fund-raising activities for THE SOCIETY

3. The FOOD AND CONCESSION COMMITTEE shall:
     a) Provide food and beverages to activities that require such service. Any amount of expenses incurred must be approved by
         the officers
     b) Coordinate what kind of food and drinks to be brought on �Potluck� activities

4 The DECORATION COMMITTEE shall decorate, appropriately, the venue of events for each activity

5. The EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS COMMITTEE shall:
     a) Choose and screen candidates with exceptional scholastic and athletic abilities
     b) Verify the candidates� talents, achievements, and accomplishments

6. The WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE shall:
     a) Provide moral and/or financial support: to members, who are in serious or emergency conditions; to the surviving
         member who has lost his/her spouse, child or parent; to surviving spouse, children or parents of members; to members
         who are victims of environmental and natural disasters such as chemical spills, tornadoes, floods, and fires
     b) Extend greetings to members who are newlyweds; have a newborn child; have children graduating from college; have
         children getting married; and are celebrating their wedding anniversaries
     c) Limit cost of flowers and/or monetary support extended under a) and b) above, to a maximum of One Hundred Dollars
         ($100) on each occasion

7. The ELECTION COMMITTEE shall
     a) Ensure honest and orderly election
     b) Screen candidates for any elective office in THE SOCIETY
     c) Take full control of the distribution of ballots
     d) Accept absentee ballots that are clearly marked with the names of the absentee member and his representative, and
         supervise the use of absentee ballots to ensure integrity in the use thereof.

8. The CHARITY PROJECTS COMMITTEE shall: Recommend charitable projects and contributions subject to approval of the
     Officers and the Board of Advisors.

9. The FINANCIAL AUDIT COMMITTEE shall:
     a) Conduct an audit before the end of each election year
     b) Prepare an audit report to be reviewed by the past President and Treasurer and then turn over the report and all financial
         records to the newly elected President and Treasurer.The newly elected Treasurer shall present the Audit and financial
         reports to all members during the first general membership meeting.

                                            ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD

The Executive Advisory Board shall render advice and provide guidance to the officers of THE SOCIETY, when and as needed.
This Board, along with the Officers, will discuss, vote and decide on all issues affecting THE SOCIETY.

The President shall appoint at least five (5) members to the Executive Advisory Board.

The Executive Advisory Board shall ensure that the articles and provisions of THE SOCIETY By-Laws are obeyed by all the
members.

                                                        ARTICLE VII � COMPENSATION

All officers, members of the Executive Advisory Board, and committee members and chairpersons, shall serve as such in THE SOCIETY, voluntarily, and without compensation in any form.

                                                          ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS

All officers, board of advisors, committee members and chairpersons, shall meet quarterly to discuss accomplishments, problems and their solutions, new plans and activities of THE SOCIETY.

At least one general meeting shall be held early in the first quarter. This would facilitate the official turnover of all association records to the new administration, and allow the new officers to present their programs and plans, and discuss the current financial status of THE SOCIETY.

The President may call a special or emergency meeting whenever necessary. A majority vote of the members attending the meeting is required to pass a motion. No motion against any provision of this document will be passed.

                                                       ARTICLE IX - PRIVACY ACT

Individual member information is confidential and is exclusive to THE SOCIETY. It shall not be released to any outside party without the consent of the member.

                                                         ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be amended wholly or in part, by a majority vote of the members at a general membership meeting. Prior to this meeting, a copy of the proposed amendments shall be posted on the association�s Web-Site, mailed or e-mailed to each member for his/her review. The officers and Board of Advisors shall meet, prior to the general membership meeting, to discuss the proposed amendments.

NOTE:
The PASA By-Laws were last amended and approved on February 18, 2006 by the members during the General Membership meeting held at the Branch Creek Estates Main Clubhouse.
Jimmy Boado, 2006 Board Member