Your  Account:

Bylaws

Black Faculty & Staff Association Bylaws

Article 1: Name

The name of this organization is the Black Faculty and Staff Association of Cal State San Marcos, hereinafter referred to as BFSA.

Article 2: Mission

The mission of the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) is to cultivate equity and belonging for Black faculty and staff; to strengthen, support and promote community with students; and to advocate for diversity and inclusion in academia.

Article 3: Purpose

The purpose of these by-laws is to provide guidelines to promote and preserve the objectives of BFSA. We encourage all members to take an active role in the organization by volunteering for committee work, community involvement, and sharing of expertise.

Article 4: Membership

Membership in the association will not be denied to anyone on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, veteran’s status, or sexual orientation. 

Members should be employees of CSUSM and subscribe to the spirit and intent of the association’s mission statement.

Article 5: Dues

The annual dues are $25.00 per fiscal year from July 1 to June 30.  Dues are to be paid by September 1st.

Article 6: Friends of BFSA

Individuals from the university and community who subscribe to the spirit and intent of the association’s mission statement, but do not wish to become voting members may elect to be affiliated with BFSA. Such an individual may become a “Friends of BFSA” by contributing $10.00 minimally per calendar year. A “Friend” is not eligible to vote, but is welcome and invited to all BFSA meetings and sponsored events.

Article 7: Officers

Elected officers are the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers and the standing committee chairs shall make up the Executive committee of BFSA. The officers in collaboration with committee chairs shall propose a yearly calendar (by October 1st of each year) of events, such as educational activities, political forums, and social gatherings.

Elected officers shall be dues paying members only.

Article 8: President

The president is the chair of the organization and presides over BFSA 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 BFSA membership is carried out. In addition, the president serves as the spokesperson of the organization.

Article 9: Vice-President

The vice-president is the president-elect and presides over BFSA meetings in the absence of the president. The vice-president is also the chair of the By-laws committee.

The vice-president shall carry out the duties of BFSA officer nominations and elections procedures.

Article 10: Secretary

The secretary shall maintain the minutes and proceedings of all meetings and shall record all votes of the organization. Documentation shall be passed on to the new officers at end of term.

Article 11: Treasurer

The treasurer shall receive and deposit all funds, maintain the financial records, and keep proper account of funds. The treasurer shall chair the Fundraising committee. Financial records shall be turned over to the new officers at the end of the term.

Article 12: Terms of Office

Terms of officers shall be one fiscal year from July 1st to June 31st.  However, there is no limit to how many times a person can be elected for an officer position. The vice-president is the president-elect and therefore serves on the executive board for two consecutive terms [one (1) term in the role as vice-president and one (1) term in the role as president].

Article 13: Elections Procedures

Nominations for officers may be taken from the floor of BFSA meetings or by recommendation of the BFSA membership. Nominations shall take place two weeks prior to the scheduled election date.

Election ballots for the executive board will get distributed via electronic form by the vice-president and tallied by the vice-president. Ballots shall be available for a one week period prior to the scheduled election. Elections shall take place no later than June 1st.

Officers are elected by a simple majority (50%+1) of the votes casted by dues paid members.

Article 14: Meetings

A regular Association meeting shall be held at least monthly (once a month) during each academic term. 

The time and the place of all regularly scheduled meetings shall be established annually by resolution at the first meeting of the Association’s new leadership. The time and the place of all committee meetings shall be established at the first meeting of the committees themselves.

Article 15: Committees

All members are strongly encouraged to volunteer for at least one committee. All committees shall be composed of at least three members from the organization. Except for the By-laws committee, all chairs shall be elected by the members of each committee. The standing committees are: By-laws, Membership, Fundraising, University Recruitment, Mentor and Retention Program, Recognition Ceremony, Scholarship, and Nominations/Elections.  Ad-hoc committees will be determined by the membership of BFSA as needed. Committee Chairs will serve a two-year term and appointments will be staggered.

Article 16: By-laws Committee

The By-laws committee reviews and recommends revisions of the by-laws to the membership on a periodic basis. This committee shall also be responsible for the Association’s affiliation process.

Article 17: Membership Committee

The Membership committee maintains a roll of the current membership and serves to recruit new members. The membership committee shall also ensure that representatives are maintained on community and university organizations or committees of importance to the BFSA mission. The representatives shall be volunteers from the general membership.

Article 18: Fundraising Committee

The objective of the Fundraising committee is to actively seek contributions from community patrons and plan activities that will generate funds for the organization. The committee will be responsible for planning at least one fundraising activity per semester (i.e. Soul Food Luncheon etc.)

Article 19: University Recruitment and Retention Committee

The University Recruitment and Retention Committee will work collaboratively with the Black Student Center, Office of Inclusive Excellence, the Offices of University Outreach and Recruitment, SSS/EOP and the Enrollment Planning Administrative Advisory Group (EPAAG) to recruit Black faculty, staff, and students. The committee will research community events (i.e. Orientation tabling, MLK Parade, jazz festivals, Juneteenth celebrations etc.) in order to distribute university enrollment information. Coordinating tabling at orientation and other events i.e. WOW, etc

The University Recruitment and Retention Committee will work to increase Black student retention by linking Black students with Black faculty and staff mentors. The committee will host various meetings, programs, and activities geared towards student improving the quality of life on our campus for Black Students. The primary focus of the program is to help students use her/his academic experience more effectively to graduate and prepare for the work environment or an advanced degree.

Article 20: Recognition Ceremony Committee

The Recognition Ceremony committee will plan and implement the annual recognition of graduating black students. The committee will plan all details for the event including the program, catering needs, entertainment and gifts. The recognition ceremony will take place on the second Thursday of May.

Article 21: Bridget Bailey-Meier Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship committee determines the number, type, and criteria for BFSA scholarships. The committee shall locate resources and determine the guidelines for awarding scholarships. The chair of the scholarship committee shall be a member of the fundraising committee.

Article 23: Amendments

The by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the BFSA membership. At least one meeting of BFSA shall be devoted to a discussion of the by-laws. The Bylaws Committee or at least 25% of the dues paid membership present is sufficient to open the by-laws for discussion or amendment at the earliest possible meeting.

BFSA President will call a special voting meeting for all dues paid members to approve by laws changes.

Article 25: Indemnity Clause

BFSA 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 BFSA, 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.

Revised and adopted 3/20/19