Bylaws

Black Faculty & Staff Association Bylaws

The purpose of these by-laws is to provide guidelines to promote and preserve the objectives of BFSA. We encourage all members to take a proactive role in the association by getting involved in the community, attending regular member meetings, participating in BFSA events – both regular and Signature events, and sharing your expertise. 

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 foster equity and belonging within the university community; to strengthen, support, and promote community with students; and to advocate for diversity and inclusion in academia. While BFSA highlights and addresses the unique experiences of Black faculty and staff, we welcome all CSUSM faculty and staff regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, or any other protected status.

Article 3: Purpose

The purpose of these Bylaws is to provide a framework for the governance and operation of the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA). These Bylaws are designed to ensure transparency, consistency, and fairness in the administration of the Association’s activities and to promote the overall mission and objectives of the BFSA.

Article 4: Membership

Membership in the Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) at CSUSM is open to all faculty and staff, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, or any other protected status. BFSA is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment while addressing the unique experiences of Black faculty and staff. Please note that if a member is also enrolled as a student at CSUSM, their ability to participate fully as a dues-paying member of the Association may be affected, especially if there is a conflict of interest arising from their dual role as both a student and faculty or staff.

Article 5: Dues

The annual membership dues for Regular members shall be $25.00. The fiscal year of the BFSA shall run from July 1 through June 30. Membership dues must be paid by September 1 of each fiscal year. The BFSA Treasurer or another member of the Executive Board shall send a dues reminder to all members at least 30 days prior to the due date. Additional reminders may be sent as necessary. Dues MUST be paid via the University system, CashNet, using a credit/debit card. Upon payment, members shall receive a receipt as proof of payment.

Article 6: Friends of BFSA

Individuals from the university and the community who support the spirit and intent of our mission statement can choose to affiliate with BFSA as a "Friend of BFSA." By contributing a minimum of $10.00 per academic year, a "Friend" can enjoy the benefits of being part of our community. While "Friends" are not eligible to vote, they are warmly welcomed and invited to attend all BFSA meetings and sponsored events.

Article 7: Officers

Elected officers are the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. These officers and any Emeritus Board Members and Special Advisors to the Board shall make up the Executive Committee of BFSA. The officers propose a yearly calendar (by October 1st of each year) of events, such as educational activities, political forums, and social gatherings.
Elected officers MUST be dues-paying members.

Article 8: President

The President functions as the chairperson of the association, presiding over all BFSA meetings. It is the President's duty to establish the meeting agenda and ensure that meetings are convened punctually. Furthermore, the President is responsible for ensuring that the resolutions of the BFSA membership are executed effectively. The President also serves as the official representative and spokesperson of the association.

The Article 9: Vice-President

The Vice-President serves as the President-elect and presides over BFSA meetings in the President's absence. The Vice-President is also responsible for administering the procedures for officer nominations and elections within the BFSA.

Article 10: Secretary

The secretary (if appointed) is responsible for meticulously documenting the minutes and proceedings of all meetings, as well as recording the organization's votes. At the conclusion of their term, the secretary ensures the orderly transfer of documentation to incoming officers.

Article 11: Treasurer

The treasurer is entrusted with the receipt, deposit, and conscientious record-keeping of all funds, ensuring precise accounting practices. Additionally, the treasurer assumes the chairmanship of the Fundraising Committee. At the conclusion of their term, the treasurer ensures the orderly transfer of financial records to succeeding officers.

Article 12: Terms of Office

Terms of officers shall be from July 1st to June 31st for two consecutive years. 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 (2) term in the role as vice-president and one (2) term in the role as president].

Article 13: Election Procedures

Nomination of officers may be initiated during BFSA meetings or through recommendations from the membership. Nominations must occur no later than two weeks before the scheduled election date.
The Vice-President shall distribute electronic ballots for the Executive Board elections and oversee their tallying. These ballots will be accessible for a one-week period preceding the scheduled election, which must be concluded by June 1st.
Officers are elected by a simple majority vote, requiring over 50% of votes cast by dues-paying members. If no election is necessary due to uncontested positions, the President shall oversee the appointment of officers

Article 14: Meetings

A regular meeting of the Association shall be held at least once monthly throughout each academic term. The scheduling of these meetings, including their time and venue, shall be determined annually through resolution at the inaugural meeting of the Association’s new leadership. Similarly, the time and location of committee meetings shall be determined at the inaugural gathering of each respective committee, if applicable.
Meetings are open to all members of the Association. However, the Association reserves the right to hold closed meetings following the conclusion of regular meetings. The purpose of these closed meetings is to provide members with a space to discuss important matters concerning the Association freely and candidly.
Attendance at closed meetings is limited to dues-paying members. If a conflict of interest arises between a dues-paying member and a topic being discussed during a closed meeting, the executive board will vote on whether that member should be allowed to attend.
If a dues-paying member is asked to leave the closed meeting, the President must provide a written explanation of the rationale for their exclusion.

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 should 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 Outreach and Retention Committee

The University Outreach 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.) to distribute university enrollment information. Coordinating tabling at orientation and other events, i.e., WOW, etc.
The University Outreach 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 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.
This committee also works on similar items with the Office of Inclusive Excellence in the Black Professional Sub-Committees: Recruitment, Retention, Critical Issues, and Professional Development & Progression.

Article 20: Sankofa Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony Committee

The Sankofa Black Graduate Recognition Ceremony committee will assist the Black Student Center in planning and implementing the annual recognition of Black Graduates. The committee will be on hand to support BSC planning for the event, including the program, catering needs, entertainment, and gifts.

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 bylaws 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 bylaws. The Bylaws Committee, or at least 25% of the dues-paid membership present, is sufficient to open the bylaws for discussion or amendment at the earliest possible meeting.The 

BFSA President will call a special voting meeting for all dues-paid members to approve bylaws 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 7/15/26