Charter for the DC Student Alliance

Revised 1/20/2011

Preamble The DC Student Alliance (DCSA), in pursuit of its mission to unite and strengthen the DC college student community through civic engagement, service, and programming by coordinating the efforts of the regions Student Government Associations (SGAs), does hereby establish this charter. Article I Section i Subsection 1 Subsection 2 Subsection 3 Subsection 4 Subsection 5 Section ii Subsection 1 The Board of Directors Purpose and Duties There shall be established a Board of Directors (Board) to provide long term direction and strategy for the organization and approve the annual budget. The Board shall approve four-year strategic plans, starting in 2011. The Board will be the policy-making entity of the organization, approving initiatives and other major organizational decisions. The Board shall be responsible for hiring the Directors. The Board shall meet no less than four times in a fiscal year and must have a quorum to consider business. Composition The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the representation from schools who meet regional criteria and whose Student Government Association (SGA) has adopted this charter in its legislative body. Upon adoption, a schools SGA will be represented by the President and a representative appointed by the President with consent from the SGAs legislative body. The immediate past Chair will also serve on the Board. Each of the members mentioned in this subsection will have one vote on matters appearing before the Board. Schools without an SGA may be represented on the Board by a student from the school jointly appointed by the Executive Director and Chair of the Board. Such representatives will serve in an ex officio capacity. A school is eligible if it is an accredited two- (2) or four- (4) year institution of higher education, operating in the District of Columbia; Montgomery County, MD; Prince Georges County, MD; Arlington Country, VA; the City of Alexandria, VA; or Fairfax County, VA. At the time of ratification of this document, the following schools are eligible for membership: American University; Catholic University of America; Community College of the District of Columbia; Gallaudet University; Georgetown University; George Mason University; The George Washington University; Howard University; Marymount University; Northern Virginia Community College; Prince Georges Community College; Trinity Washington University; University of the District of Columbia; University of Maryland, College Park. Leadership The Board shall elect from its membership a Chair, who shall be responsible for convening the Board, presiding over meetings, and representing its interests.

Subsection 2

Subsection 3

Subsection 4

Subsection 5

Section iii Subsection 1

Subsection 2 Subsection 3 Subsection 4

The Chair shall enjoy authority to create ad-hoc committees but may not vote on matters appearing before the board. The Board shall also elect from its membership a Vice Chair, who shall assume the duties of Chair when needed and to assist the Chair. The Board Leadership shall be elected for the next session at the last meeting of fiscal year and serves at the pleasure of a majority of the Board. Administration Purpose and Duties An Executive Director (ED) shall be responsible for implementing policy and initiatives approved by the Board and bear executive authority over operations of the organization. The ED shall oversee, and assemble a staff to assist in, effective internal and external communications, financing and budget oversight, and day-to-day management of the organization. The ED may create operational policy and enter partnerships with other entities which will advance DCSA goals. The ED shall be responsible for preparing the strategic plan and annual budget, to be submitted for the Boards consideration. Terms and Eligibility The ED may serve as long as s/he is eligible, but be subject to biennial review by the Board. Any staff receiving money from DCSA or directly overseeing DCSA budget must be appointed by the ED and approved by a majority vote of the Board. These will be considered Director-level staff. Except for contracted professional service, all staff of DCSA must current students or recent graduates from member schools. The ED and Directors may not serve more than four years beyond their graduation from a member school. Advisory Board Purpose and Duties The ED and Chair shall recruit an Advisory Board, which shall be comprised of community and national leaders with interest in advancing the organizations mission. The Advisory Board will contribute to the organizations development by providing expertise and networks through which DCSA can engage the regional and national community. The Advisory Board will include at least three individuals, who will serve for two year terms. By-Laws and Amendments By-Laws Any rules that affect the operations of the organization or conduct of the Board not delineated in this Charter will be addressed in the By-Laws. Adoption of, and amendments to, the By-Laws require a simple majority of members present.

Article 2 Section i Subsection 1 Subsection 2

Subsection 3 Subsection 4 Section ii Subsection 1 Subsection 2

Subsection 3 Subsection 4

Article III Section i Section 1 Section 2

Section 3 Article IV Section i Subsection 1 Subsection 2

Subsection 3 Section ii Subsection 1 Subsection 2

The Charter is superior to the By-Laws. Amendments Upon adoption, this charter may be amended with 2/3 approval of the Board. Any amendments that alter the responsibilities of member SGAs, as defined in Article V of this charter, require unanimous approval from the Board or adoption by legislation in each member SGA. Adoption Process and Agreements To become a fully represented member of the Board, the SGA must adopt this charter through legislation. Adoption of this charter makes the SGA President responsible for representing the SGA and appointing a representative from SGA to the DC Student Alliance, approved by the legislative body. Legislation adopting this charter should reflect these agreements in the appropriate SGA governing document(s). Ratification This charter shall become effective for organizational operations upon adoption of this charter by at least a simple majority of eligible SGAs and a two-thirds vote of the Board.

Article V Section i Subsection 1 Subsection 2

Section ii Subsection 1

On this _____ day of _________, 2011, this Charter for the DC Student Alliance, having met all requirements for ratification, is hereby established.

________________________________ _____________________ Benjamin Marcus, Chair Date University of the District of Columbia

________________________________ _____________________ Andrew MacCracken, Executive Director Date American University