What do the changes to the constitution mean for SCPASA?
CURRENT ORGANIZATION
Centralized Governing Body
The current board structure puts the burden of organizing the entire organization on the current 10 person Executive Board, creating less participation and less contact due to distance.
Turnover Rate
Current Board is elected in it’s entirety each year, creating a totally new board and a little to no transitionary period.
General Meetings Every Two Weeks
SCPASA meets every other Sunday at a host campus, changing location at every meeting. This allows representatives to meet at other campuses. Unfortunately, a pattern of representation has been noticed where only the schools within close driving distance went to a meeting at a particular campus.
Registration Fees
There are no current membership fees. There is also no income or budget.
Specialized Positions
The current board has specified positions such as the Cultural Chair and the Social Chair to lead the planning of events for all of SCPASA. This leads to inactivity due to lack of participation through difficulties in communication.
Representation
There are no guidelines for representation in the leadership of the organization
AFTER PROPOSED CHANGES
Decentralized Governing Bodies
Allows for Micro-level and Macro-level organizing through separate Regional and General boards that are tied together through the Board of Directors. This allows for representation and coverage for every region and increases position through increased leadership opportunities.
Turnover Rate
Since the Board of Directors is elected two each per region, the elections for the board positions are staggered throughout the year, one in Fall and one in Winter, allowing an ample amount of transition time.
Staggered General and Regional Meetings
By having meetings every two weeks, Regional meetings on one Sunday, General meetings on the other Sunday, creating one of each meeting per month, Delegates are given the opportunity to meet at a higher frequency than before. The new structure allows for emergency meetings to be called.
Registration Fees
Fees will be decided by the Finance committee and will be used to develop initial capital for the organization each year. There are plans for grantwriting and foundation proposals depending on projects developed.
Specialized Positions
There are no full time specialized positions, only project coordinators designated by the Board of Directors to oversee the planning and implementation of a project.
Representation
In order to insure equity, parity guidelines are to be established making it mandatory for the organizational leadership to be inclusive of women, queers, veterans, disabled, hapas, and non-Filipinos.
