HISTORY

Nearly twenty years ago, a group of Filipino students at St. John's University had a vision to come together to build a strong cultural organization which aimed to promote unity and awareness of Philippine culture to all. This vision became a reality when the Filipino Society was founded. They came together wishing to learn more about their history, background, and origin. In 2004, the Filipino Society was officially changed to P.A.R.E., Philippine-Americans Reaching Everyone. Since then we have become a stronger and more developed organization.

Section I
The name of this organization shall be Philippine-Americans Reaching Everyone (P.A.R.E.) on the Queens campus of St. John’s University as of September 11, 2005, recognized by the St. John’s University’s administration as Filipino Society (FS) since the organization’s inception. 

Section II
The Mission of Philippine-Americans Reaching Everyone (PARE) on the Queens campus of St. John’s University shall be to foster unity and pride within its members and surrounding community through educational, political, cultural and social advancement.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

Section I
The main purpose of this organization shall meet the Cultural, Educational, Social, and Political needs of PARE Members and its surrounding community;

Section II
It shall be the purpose of this organization to encourage discussion and seminars in order to promote greater awareness of Filipino/Filipino American history, and cultural heritage for the edification of its members;

Section III
To provide information, advice, and counseling to the new members and such other services;

Section IV
To provide a forum in which different issues and ideals may be discussed, defined, and acted upon, and strive to represent the interest of Filipino/Filipino American students as a whole in the University’s political processes and society at large;

Section V
To sponsor such social functions as may be appropriate to increase cohesion, identification, and fellowship among members; their families, and the academic community.

Section VI
To support and promote understanding through Political, Educational, Cultural exchanges, and Social activities among Filipino/Filipino American students, and other student organizations.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section I
This organization shall consist of members and official members;
    a) Members are defined as actively involved students and community;

Section II
Membership shall be open to graduate and undergraduate students, members of the staff of the Queens campus of St. John’s University, and others who promote, support, and work for the purpose of this association as provided for in Article II of this constitution;

Section III
The majority of the organization’s members must be St. John’s University students, matriculated on the Queens campus;

Section IV Recruitment
New membership shall be drawn from, but not restricted to, the student population on the Queens campus of St. John’s University;

Section V Rights and Responsibilities of Membership
    a) Members shall have full democratic rights;

    b) Members shall have the right to attend any of this organization’s general meetings, participate in    politics, and make plans;

    c) All members and official members are allowed to vote in which they must be present on election day;

    d) Membership must abide by the constitution of this organization, and carry out decisions and plans of this organization;

    e) Members shall have the right to tactfully criticize leadership or any member if mistakes or errors are made, in order to correct and prevent a re-occurrence.

ARTICLE IV LEADERSHIP
Section I
The leadership of this organization shall consist of an executive and committee board, made up of elected and/or appointed members who are St. John’s University students;

Section II
    a) The Executive Board shall consist of at least a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer,    two Events Coordinators, and a Public Relations Chair.

    b) The Committee Board shall consist of at least a Historian and D3 Representative.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Officers
    a) President will preside over mass and executive board meetings, construct agendas, and will serve as the spokesperson for the organization.  Except in small board meetings, the President may not debate a question while presiding.  If the chair wishes to debate, he/she relinquishes the chair to the organization’s vice-president and resumes the chair after the question has been resolved.  The President may vote when it could affect the final outcome (to break a tie) or when the vote is by ballot.

    b) Vice President must be familiar with all the responsibilities of the president and must be ready to preside when called on (when president is absent, president wants to debate, or when a personal motion about the president is made).  He/She will work in close cooperation with the President.  He/She should oversee the progress of general meetings and communicate to the Committee Chairs.

    c) Secretary maintains the records and sits close to the presiding officer during officer and general meetings to assist and take notes.   The secretary must be able to explain the pending business when called on.  The Secretary also keeps committee reports on file, maintains the official membership roll, keeps track of what comes in and out of the e-mail account, and notifies officers committee members, and delegates of their election or appointment.

    d) Treasurer, takes care of the transactions and financial statements by keeping an accurate record of all money received and disbursed, depositing all money received in the account of the organization, and collects dues.

    e) Events Coordinators plan out events that promote student interaction by providing activities of PARE. He/She will also help other committees with their projects as well.

    f) Public Relations Chair promotes the events of PARE to the St. John’s community and to other schools. The Public Relations Chair will be responsible for informing the members by making brochures, flyers, updating the web page and creating mass emails. 

    g) Historian records and documents all events/activities that occur throughout the year. They are in charge of updating a scrapbook, taking pictures at every PARE event, creating slideshows when needed and updating the online picture album. They are also in charge of updating the alumni contact list and developing ways for PARE alumni to reconnect/network.

    h) D3 Representative will attend meetings held by District 3, which consists of other Filipino organizations in the surrounding community.  He/she will make information about PARE available to the rest of D3 and will share information regarding D3 with PARE.

ARTICLE V  MEETINGS
Section I
Regular general meetings of this organization shall be held bi-monthly except for holidays and finals week;

Section II
Officer meetings shall be held weekly aside from general meetings;

Section III
Special meetings may be held at any time when called by the Executive Board upon 24 hours notice to members.

ARTICLE VI  ELECTIONS
Section I
Nominations of all positions will begin at the 1^st general meeting of Spring quarter. Elections shall be held on the 2^nd general meeting. All dates are subject to change.

Section II
Term of office shall start first week of Summer Quarter, and last one calendar year;

Section III
Should a vacancy occur in office, it shall be filled by election or appointment if deemed necessary;

Section IV
No votes may be cast by proxy.  All voting must be done in person.

ARTICLE VII SECTORS
Section I
Sectors shall be set up by the Executive Board as the need may arise;

Section II
Anyone interested in a particular sector may so join;

Section III 

The chairperson of a sector shall be selected by the coordinating officer of the position.

ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES
Section I
Committees shall be set up by an officer as the need may arise;

Section II
Anyone interested in a particular committee may so join;

Section III
The chairperson of each committee shall be elected by the respective officer.

ARTICLE IX  AMENDMENT
Section I
The constitution may be amended by a vote of 50% + 1 of the attending regular membership at any regular or special meeting;

Section II
Advance notice of proposed amendments shall be posted or announced two (2) weeks before the regular or special meeting where such amendments shall come up for approval by the body.

ARTICLE X  RATIFICATION
Section I
This constitution shall be adopted upon ratification by an attending majority vote of this organization of 50% +1;

ARTICLE XI  RESIGNATION

Section I                                                                                                                                               

Any member of the Executive or Committee Board, or sector/committee chair can resign. Any elected or appointed officers may resign;

Section II                                                                                                                                                  

Officer resigning must construct a letter of resignation and formally present/read to the attending officers at a scheduled meeting for that purpose.

ARTICLE XII IMPEACHMENT
Section I
Any member of the Executive or Committee Board, officer or sector/committee chair can be impeached; leading to resignation of position;

Section II
An officer may be impeached due to failure of fulfilling their duties/responsibilities as stated in ARTICLE IV LEADERSHIP, Section II;

Section III
The proposed impeached officer has an allotted time determined by the Executive Board in order to redeem themselves;

Section IV
    a) Impeachment hearings shall be held internally between elected/appointed officers.     

    b) If the proposed impeachee fails to redeem themselves during their probationary period, then they are subject to resignation.                                                              

    c) To be impeached 50% +1 of attending officers will constitute the majority;