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BYLAWS
Amended September 2023
SEIU Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the SEIU Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, (APIC) is to respond to the phenomenal growth of Asian Pacific Islanders in the workforce, within Service Employees International Union, (SEIU), and within the labor movement. The Asian Pacific Islander communities and the labor movement share common concerns for economic and social justice, equal opportunity, and improved quality of life for all working people.
In recognition of the importance of Asian Pacific Islanders within the workforce, within SEIU and within the labor movement, this Caucus is dedicated to promoting the issues, concerns, needs, training and education of Asian Pacific Islander rank and file members and staff within the Locals of SEIU. This Caucus is committed to developing a comprehensive strategy to organize and empower Asian Pacific Islanders, and to promote the participation and leadership of Asian Pacific Islanders in SEIU. This Caucus is further dedicated to strengthening the labor movement and SEIU by building deep and meaningful relationships with Asian and Pacific Islander labor and community organizations, and with the Change to Win (CTW) Federation.
Article I. Name and Affiliation
The name of this Caucus shall be the SEIU Asian Pacific Islander Caucus of the Service Employees International Union, Change to Win Federation (CTW).
Article II. Objectives and Purpose
Section 1. Promote, support, and assist the organizing of Asian Pacific Islander workers into SEIU as a source of strength.
Section 2. Promote the training, empowerment, representation, and leadership of Asian Pacific Islanders within all levels of SEIU and the Asian Pacific Islander communities through inclusiveness.
Section 3. Defend and advocate for the civil and human rights of Asian Pacific Islanders, including immigrants, and all other peoples.
Section 4. Educate Asian Pacific Islander SEIU members and communities about labor and the principles of trade unionism, as well as providing a vehicle to address particular concerns of Asian Pacific Islander members and communities.
Section 5. Promote political education, civic engagement and voter registration programs among Asian Pacific Islander workers and the communities to increase political participation.
Section 6. Work toward legislation to safeguard and promote social and economic justice for all workers by developing ties with other Caucuses within SEIU.
Section 7. Promote and actively participate in the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO with Asian and Pacific Islander labor and community organizations.
Article III. Membership and Dues/Rebates
Membership in this Caucus shall be open to any person who is a member in good standing of a SEIU Local Union with the exception of any member who is employed by the SEIU International, who has satisfied the dues requirements of this organization. This includes any member who has retired in good standing.
Annual membership dues shall be $20.00 and paid prior to July 31st of each year.
Dues shall be rebated as follows:
International Caucus: $10.00
Regional Committee: $10.00
Article IV. Officers, President Emeritus, Executive Board, Terms and Election
Upon the election of the API Caucus officers, they shall serve for a period of two (2) years or until successor officers are chosen. The name and titles of the persons who are to act in those capacities until the selection of their successors comprise the Executive Committee:
One (1) President
One (1) 1st Vice President
One (1) 2nd Vice President
One (1) Secretary
One (1) Treasurer
Six (6) Regional Vice Presidents
President Emeritus
The President Emeritus provides leadership and guidance to the Executive Board members; mentors the President in proceedings of the Caucus; and provides a historical perspective in the decision-making process; to assure continuity of Executive Board activities and program development in matters of the Caucus and provides counsel to the Executive Board in prioritizing needs to reflect the mission, goals, and objectives of the Caucus.
The term of office will be two years for the duration of the current President and the Executive Board’s term. This position may or may not be appointed by the current President, and if appointed, must be approved by the Executive Board.
Other Executive Board Members:
Regional chapters of the Caucus shall elect Regional Chapter Chairs who will serve as members of the Caucus Executive Board.
For SEIU Locals with membership across multi-states, the Local Union President shall appoint additional local union appointees to represent their membership and/or geographic diversity.
The Officers shall serve a term of two years and shall be elected by the SEIU Asian Pacific Islanders Caucus at a General Membership Meeting.
Article V. Duties of Officers and Executive Board Members
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, including Caucus Officers Meetings and Caucus Meetings, of the SEIU Asian Pacific Islander Caucus and shall coordinate the work of the Caucus.
Section 2. In the event the President is unable to serve, the 1st Vice President shall act on their absence or incapacity; in the event the office of the President becomes vacant, the 1st Vice President shall serve as President, and the 2nd Vice President shall serve as 1st Vice President. The 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents shall assist the President with their duties.
Section 3. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of all meetings, and accurate records of caucus membership activities.
Section 4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for detailed Financial Report at all meetings of the Caucus, shall maintain an account in a bank, and shall work with the Caucus officers in preparing a budget for consideration by the Caucus. Such a budget shall be prepared for funding purposes and to be submitted to the SEIU Community Strength Committee by September of each year. The Treasurer shall also be responsible for maintaining a database of membership and current dues and the tracking and reporting of goals.
Section 5. The Regional Vice Presidents shall preside at all regional meetings and shall coordinate the work of the Caucus in their respective regions. The Regional Vice Presidents shall be responsible for regularly reporting caucus membership activities to the Secretary and membership rolls and dues and the tracking and reporting of regional goals to the Treasurer.
Section 6. Regional Chapter Chairs shall coordinate regional caucus work of the Local Unions, caucuses, and committees in their respective regions and shall support the Regional Vice Presidents.
Section 7. Local Union Representatives shall coordinate the caucus work of their Local Union and participate and support the Regional Chapter Chair and Regional Vice President.
Article VI. Caucus Officers and Committees, Meetings and Responsibilities
Section 1. The Caucus Officers shall meet upon call of the President or a simple majority of all Caucus Officers. For all Executive Board meetings, a majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. At minimum, the Caucus Officers shall meet monthly, and the Executive Board shall meet quarterly.
Section 2. The President shall name committees as necessary. Committees shall bring to the General meetings and/or Caucus officers' meetings facts pertaining to the designated task of the committees.
Section 3. The SEIU Asian Pacific Islanders Caucus' General Membership meetings shall be held at the regional/national SEIU meeting.
Article VII. Meeting Rules and Regulations
Section 1. The SEIU Asian Pacific Islander Caucus shall abide by Robert's Rules of Order in the conduct of its meetings.
Section 2. Members of the Caucus are urged to make all decisions by consensus. However, in the event that a vote is necessary, it shall be one Local one vote.
Section 3. The Caucus may adopt Special Rules of Order which shall not conflict with these By-laws or the By-laws of the SEIU International.
Article VIII. Amendments to the Bylaws
The Executive Board members of the SEIU Asian Pacific Islander Caucus may make proposals for amendments and/or changes to the Bylaws. A copy of the amendments and/or changes will be submitted to the SEIU International for legal review, and thereafter the proposed amendments and/or changes will be sent to the general membership of the Caucus thirty (30) days prior to voting at the National General Membership meeting.
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