Bylaws

Article I. Name, Address, Mission, and Nature

Section 1. Name

The name of this organization is International Faculty and Staff Association hereinafter referred to as IFSA.

Section 2. Mission

The mission of the IFSA is to support, celebrate, and advocate for international faculty and staff at California State University San Marcos and promote global awareness among members of our university.

Section 3: Nature

The IFSA is a non-profit association. The work performed by the IFSA members is voluntary. Any funds received through membership fees, donations, and any other sources shall be utilized exclusively to set forth the mission stated above.

Article II. Membership, Dues and Meetings

Section 1. Membership

Membership in IFSA shall not be denied to anyone on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, disability, veteran’s status, or sexual orientation. The membership of IFSA does not consist of international individuals only. Any employee working with California State University San Marcos who supports the IFSA mission is welcome to join the association.

Section 2. Dues

The annual membership fee is $20.00 per academic calendar (from July to June of the following year). Dues are to be paid by September 1st.

Section 3. Meetings

A regular Association meeting shall be held at least monthly (once a month) during Spring and Fall academic semesters.

The time and place of all regularly scheduled meetings shall be established per semester by resolution at the last meeting of the previous semester. The time and place of subcommittee meetings shall be established at the first meeting of the subcommittees themselves. The President or designee shall notify the members by email or telephone of scheduled meetings, which will usually take place on campus or virtually.

Article III. Officers

Section 1. President

The president is the chair of the organization and presides over IFSA meetings. The president is charged with ensuring that a meeting agenda is set and that meetings are called in a timely fashion. The president shall also ensure that the decision of the IFSA membership is carried out.

In addition, the president serves as the spokesperson of the organization. The President is responsible for submitting, on a yearly basis, an application to the CSUSM Chief Financial Officer/Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services seeking reaffiliation with the University. For this purpose, it is the responsibility of the President to secure acceptance of the responsibilities associated with the formal recognition by the campus, including compliance with the policies and regulations governing the University.

Section 2. Vice President

The vice president presides over IFSA meetings in the absence of the president. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of the President, the Vice-President shall take over the office until the term expires. The Vice-President has the responsibility of documenting quorum and confirming attendance rules in all IFSA meetings where voting is required. If the Vice-President is absent from the meeting, this responsibility falls to the President. The vice-president shall maintain the minutes and proceedings of all meetings and shall record all votes of the organization. The vice-president shall work with the Treasurer to maintain an updated list of IFSA members and friends. Documentation shall be passed on to the new officers at the end of term.

Section 3. Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for collecting membership dues, receiving, and depositing all operational funds with the CSUSM Foundation. The Treasurer shall work with the secretary to maintain an updated list of IFSA members. The treasurer shall receive and deposit all funds, maintain the financial records, and keep proper account of funds. All financial records shall be
turned over to the new officers at the end of the term.

Section 4. Term Length

Terms of officers shall be two fiscal years from July to June. There is no limit to the number of times a person can be elected for an officer position.

Section 5. Elections

Nominations for officers may be taken from the floor of IFSA meetings, by self-nomination or by recommendation of the Nominations/Elections committee, formed during one of the monthly meetings. Nominees shall be IFSA members in good standing only. Nominations shall take place two weeks prior to the scheduled election date.

Elections will occur via confidential electronic means, secret ballot, or by a process as determined by the Nominations/Elections committee. Ballots shall be available for a one-week period prior to the scheduled election. Elections shall take place no later than April 30th.

Officers are elected by a simple majority (51%) of the voting members. 

President elections will not be held the same year as the elections for Vice President and Secretary.
resident elected in even years and the Vice-President and Treasure in odd years.

Section 6. Removal of Officers

Removal of officers must be made by simple majority (51%) of voting members.

Article IV. Amendments

The by-laws may be amended by a simple majority (51%) vote of the IFSA voting membership.
At least one meeting of IFSA each year shall feature a discussion of the by-laws.

Article V. Indemnify Statement

IFSA shall indemnify and hold harmless the State of California, the Trustees of the California State University, the University, including California State University San Marcos, their officers, employees, representatives and volunteers from and against all claims, damages, losses and expenses including attorney fees arising out of the activities described herein, caused in whole or in part by any negligent act or omission of IFSA any contractor, any subcontractor, anyone directly or indirectly employed by any of them or anyone for whose acts any of them may be liable, except where caused by the active negligence, or willful misconduct of California State University San Marcos.