CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I:  NAME & PURPOSE

Section A: Name – The name of this club shall be “Micronesian Wayfinders”

Section B: National Affiliation – None

Section C: Purpose – The purpose of this club shall be to:

1. Unify Micronesian students at Honolulu Community College 

2. Create a sense of place and belonging for the Micronesian student population

3. Make a positive difference for the student’s college and campus experience

4. Empower Micronesian students and encourage them to advocate for their own needs 

5. Act as a student support network to increase academic success, engagement, and retention for the Micronesian student population at Honolulu Community College

Section D: Description – The Micronesian Wayfinders Club was founded in September of 2022. Its main purpose is to unify, empower and support Micronesian college students at Honolulu Community College. As the newest immigrants to Hawai’i, Micronesians face significant hardships including discrimination, systemic inequalities, negative stereotypes, etc. The club was established to provide a network of peer support, create a sense of belonging to the campus, and enforce a positive college experience for Micronesian students. The club’s intention is to increase student retention of Micronesians enrolled at Honolulu Community College through community building, creating awareness of self-identity, and culturally relevant learning experiences.  

ARTICLE II:  MEMBERSHIP & DUES

Section A: Eligibility - The Micronesian Wayfinders Club is tailored to serve students who self-identify as Micronesian.  However, membership is open to all students who have ancestral ties or personal interests in the pacific region of Micronesia. Prospective and current participants must be able to demonstrate awareness and/or willingness to learn the unique cultural values and social issues that Micronesian communities and individuals face in Hawai’i. Members must have some affiliation with Honolulu Community College. Exceptions may be made only in an agreement of the executive committee and club advisor(s).

The region of Micronesia includes the following islands:

• Guam & Northern Marianas islands 

• Palau islands

• Yap islands

• Chuuk islands

• Pohnpei islands

• Island of Kosrae

• Marshall islands 

• Kiribati islands

• Island of Nauru

Section B: Dues – None

Section C: Active Membership – An active member is defined as an established member of the club who has participated in at least one club event or activity during the current semester (meeting, outing, community service event, etc). At the start of a new semester, an active member is defined as an established member of the club who has participated in at least one club event or activity that was held during the previous semester. 

ARTICLE III:  OFFICERS

Section A: Officers – The officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Officer, Communications Officer, Promotions Officer, and Ambassador.

Section B: Eligibility – Officers must be self-driven individuals who demonstrate passion and commitment to perpetuating the club’s success, demonstrate capability to make important decisions pertaining to the club, uphold club standards, and protect the club’s integrity. Officers are required to meet all of the following criteria: 

• Enrolled in at least 3 credits at HonCC

• Home campus is HonCC

• Must be nominated (or self-nominated) and elected into office through an official voting process. Annual officer elections shall be held during the March meeting in the Spring semester.

• A current President or Vice President of another club (regardless of college/campus) cannot be elected as an officer 

Exceptions may be made only in an agreement of the executive committee and club advisor(s).

Section C: Election – The officers shall be elected by ballot in March of the spring semester by a majority of the vote cast for that office. 

Section D: Term – The officers shall serve for one year and their term of office shall begin at the commencement of the fall semester.

Section E: Vacancy – If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the office for the remainder of the term and vacancies in any other office shall be filled by a special election. 

Section F: Temporary Officer Positions – Temporary officer positions may be opened only if needed for the current semester if approved by the executive committee. Temporary officer positions will close at the end of the semester unless extended by decision of the executive committee. 

ARTICLE IV:  DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section A: President – it shall be the duty of the President to:

• Work with club advisor(s) to schedule monthly officers meetings and club meetings

• Steer the club in a direction that aligns with its purpose and mission

• Provide supportive leadership

• Recruit and retain members

• Preside at meetings 

• Manage elections

• Vote only in case of a tie

• Plan and coordinate club activities 

• Represent the club at all events

• Conduct orientation of new members

• Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office

Section B: Vice-President – It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to:

• Preside in the absence of the President

• Assist the President in planning and initiation of club events, meetings and activities

• Attend all club meetings

• Represent the club at all events

• Assist in the recruitment and retention of club members

• Assist the President with orientation of new members

• Help oversee officers and ensure that they understand their positions and are completing their duties

• Assist the President in every way

Section C: Secretary – It shall be the duty of the Secretary to: 

• Record the minutes of all meetings 

• Keep a file of the club’s records 

• Maintain a current roster of membership 

• Issue notices of meetings and conduct the general correspondence of the club 

• Ensure members sign in on the sign-in sheet upon arriving to meetings

• Other duties assigned by the President and Vice President

Section D: Treasurer – It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

• Receive all funds and process Request for Payment, Deposit Slip, and Officer Signature Forms.

• Assist the President and Vice President in creating budget plans for events and activities

• Manage transactions during fundraisers

• Maintain a record of all club funds

• Keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and make reports as directed 

• Provide budget updates during meetings as needed

 Section E: Assistant Officer – It shall be the duty of the Assistant Officer to:

• Help spread awareness of club events and activities to current club members

• Encourage engagement of club members

• Serve as a liaison between club members and officers to help convey members’ feedback to Executive Committee and vice versa

• Support other officers where needed

Section F: Communications Officer – It shall be the duty of the Communications Officer to:

• Help promote club events, meetings, and activities

• Support the Secretary in issuing notices of meetings and correspondence of the club

• Create fliers (as needed)

• Partner with President and SLD office for distribution of fliers

Section G: Promotions Officer – It shall be the duty of the Promotions Officer to:

• Help contribute ideas on how the club can work towards fulfilling its purpose

• Be present at on-campus and off-campus club projects 

• Grow awareness of the club at community and/or campus events

• Support the Communications Officer and Secretary wherever possible

Section H: Club Ambassador – It shall be the duty of the Club Ambassador to:

• Have a clear understanding of the intention of Micronesian Wayfinders Club and its mission

• Share ideas and feedback with the President

• Attend campus events with President to help spread awareness of the club 

• Support the President and Vice President in recruiting members

ARTICLE V:  MEETINGS

Section A: Meetings – Regular meetings shall be held monthly during the regular school year.

Section B: Special Meeting – Special meetings may be called by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee.

Section C: Parliamentary Authority – Robert’s Rules of Orders, shall govern this club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

ARTICLE VI:  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section A: Responsibility – Management of this club shall be vested in an Executive Committee responsible to the entire membership to uphold these bylaws.

Section B: Membership – This committee shall consist of the officers as listed in Article III and the club advisor(s).

Section C: Meetings – This committee shall meet at least once between regular meetings of the club to organize and plan future activities.

ARTICLE VII:  ADVISOR(S)

Section A: Selection – there shall be a faculty/staff advisor who shall be selected each year by the membership. 

Section B: Duties – The responsibilities of the faculty advisor shall be to:

• Maintain an awareness of the activities and programs sponsored by the student club. 

• Meet on a regular basis with the leader of the student club to discuss upcoming meetings, long range plans, goals, and problems of the club. 

• Attend regular meetings, executive board meetings as often as schedule allows. 

• Assist in the orientation of new officers. 

• Explain and clarify campus policy and procedures that apply to the club. 

• Maintain contact with the Student Life Office. 

• Provide direction in the area of parliamentary procedure, meeting facilitation, group-building, goal setting, and program planning. 

• Assist the club treasurer in monitoring expenditures, fundraising activities, and corporate sponsorship to maintain an accurate and up-to-date account ledger. 

• Inform club members of those factors that constitute unacceptable behavior on the part of the club members, and the possible consequence of said behaviors. 

• Assist the club President in submitting club paperwork to SLD office at the beginning of each semester (meeting minutes, renewal application, and updated roster)

ARTICLE VIII:  COMMITTEES

The President shall have the authority to appoint any special committees, with the approval of the Executive Committee, from time to time as needed.

ARTICLE IX:  AMENDMENTS

Section A: Selection – these bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Executive Committee and with the approval of the club advisor(s).

Section B: Notice – All members shall receive advance notice of the proposed amendment at least five days before the meeting. [The time may be extended to the following meeting]

ARTICLE X:  ALUMNI

Section A: Alumni Members – Alumni members are allowed to participate in all club activities but are exempt from voting.

Section B: Alumni Officers – Alumni officers are allowed to participate in all club activities and support in orientation and training of new officers. Alumni officers are exempt from voting.

ARTICLE XI:  CODE OF CONDUCT

Section A: Behavior & Conduct – The Micronesian Wayfinders club is intended to be a safe space for members. All club participants are expected to treat each other with respect and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner as representatives of the Micronesian Wayfinders club. Hate speech, microaggressions, demeaning behavior, misconduct, and any related actions will not be tolerated, and may result in disciplinary action described in section B. All incidents or concerns should be brought to the attention of the club advisor(s). 

Section B: Disciplinary Action – The club advisor(s)

• Verbal warning

• Written warning

• Termination