Constitution of the
Bahá'í
Association
at the University of
Georgia
Preamble
We, the members of the Bahá'í Association, having formed a
voluntary Association, do hereby make and establish this constitution in
order to serve the school and campus community and to promulgate and
further the ideals of the Bahá'í Faith, as proclaimed by its
Prophet-Founder, Bahá'u'lláh.
The Bahá'í Faith upholds the unity of God, recognizes the unity
of His Prophets, and inculcates the principles of the oneness and wholeness
of the unification of mankind, asserts that it is gradually approaching, and
claims that nothing short of the transmuting spirit of God, working through
His Mouthpiece in this day, can ultimately succeed in bringing it about. It
moreover enjoins upon its followers the primary duty of an unfettered search
after truth, condemns all manner of prejudice and superstition, declares the
purpose of religion to be the promotion of amity and concord, proclaims its
essential harmony with science, and recognizes it as the formost agency for
the pacification and orderly progress of human society. It unequivocally
maintains the principle of equal rights, opportunities and privileges for
men and women, abolishes the institution of priesthood, prohibits slavery,
asceticism, mendicancy and monasticism, prescribes monogamy, discourages
divorce, emphasizes the necessity of strict obediance to one's government,
exalts any work performed in the spirit of service to the level of worship,
urges either the creation or the selection of an auxiliary international
language, and delineates the outlines of those institutions that must
establish and perpetuate the general peace of mankind.
Article I - Name
This Association shall be know as Bahá'í Association of the
University of Georgia.
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this association shall be to further the tenets of the
Bahá'í Faith, to invite those interested to investigate the
Faith for themselves; to promote the unity of mankind; and to foster
understanding, love and fellowship on this campus by sponsoring such things
as lectures, information tables, service projects, discussions, informal
gatherings, social activities and public meetings. This Association shall
not endorse any partisan or political group on a campus level or otherwise.
Article III - Duration
This Association, once formed, shall exist as long as two or more
Bahá'ís officially recognized as such by the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States shall
be members thereof and as long as it shall comply with all rules and
regulations of the University of Georgia and the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States.
Article IV - Membership
Membership in this Association is open to all University of Georgia students,
faculty, staff, alumni, and members of their families, irrespective of race,
color, gender, class, nationality, disability, or religion. Any such person
may join and remain a member of this Association by assenting to its
principles and purposes as stated within this constitution. If the
Bahá'í membership drops below two, the Association is
suspended.
Article V - Officers
Officers of this association will be elected by the Bahá'í
electorial process consisting of a majority vote of a quorum of the voting
members, and by secret ballot with no campaigning. Officers will include a
Secretary, Chair and Treasurer. Officers must be members of the
Bahá'í Faith, recognized as such by the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States.
The duties of the Secretary include scheduling Association meetings, keeping
and reporting minutes of meetings, Association correspondence and records.
The duties of the Chair include presiding at meetings, ensureing that
there is free and open discussion during the meetings, that discussion is
kept to the point, that all members are given the opportunity to contribute
to the discussion, to clarify decisions so that they are fully understood
and can be accurately recorded in the minutes, call for a vote when
appropriate, and plan the agenda with the Secretary.
The duties of the Treasurer are the receive, account for and disburse
Association funds in accordance with Association decisions.
The Association may assign other duties to officers, appoint officer
assistants, taskforces and committees as needed.
Decisions concerning activites, finances or affairs of the Association will
be made using the process of Bahá'í consultation at regular
or special meetings at which a quorum or the voting members of the
Association is present.
Article VI - Finances
There shall be no dues payable by or assessments levied against this
Association. Bahá'í Associations may sponsor events which
result in financial gain, or accept any funds from the School or University,
or non-Bahá'í members, or any other voluntary source. These
monies, however, may in no way be contributed to Bahá'í Funds,
either local, national, or international, and are for the promotion of
Association activities only.
Article VII - Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the members of this
Association, provided that the amendment shall have been approved by the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United
States and proper campus authority.
Article VIII - Affiliation
This association is, and shall remain, independent of affiliation with any
other entity, provided that this association shall in all respects remain
responsible to the administration of this campus and obediant to its
regulations. It is understood that recognition of a person's membership in
the Bahá'í Community, as apart from membership in this
Association, is subject to rules promulgated by the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. It is further
understood that the use of the term "Bahá'í" in connection
with this Association is upon permission granted by the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and subject to
withdrawal by that body.
Article IX - Sponsorship
Any faculty sponsor deemed necessary for this Association by the University
of Georgia shall be one who, in addition to being on the staff of said
institution, has sufficient knowledge of the Bahá'í teachings
to give necessary and proper guidence to this Association.
Page last updated/revised 012301
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