Constitution

The objectives of the MFAA are:

• 1. To foster interaction among Moroccan MACECE-Fulbright Alumni/ae, and enhance their intellectual and professional development by organizing workshops, seminars, symposia and relevant development programs.
• 2. To provide Moroccan members with an opportunity to build on their Fulbright experience through public service and to support the Fulbright Program.
• 3. To establish and strengthen the network of Moroccan alumni/ae and visiting American scholars, and strengthen the ties that have historically united Morocco and the United States.
• 4. To build relationships with other Moroccan and foreign associations with similar objectives such as fostering research projects and encouraging sustainable development in all areas of interest.
• 5. To maintain relationships with other Fulbright alumni associations and their programs around the world in order to increase mutual understanding between the people of Morocco and the peoples of other countries; to promote international cooperation for education and cultural enrichment.

The MFAA shall be made up of full members, associate members, institutional members, and honorary members. 1. Full membership is open to grantees of the MACECE-Fulbright program. 2. Associate membership is open to individuals who share the Fulbright spirit and the ideals of the Fulbright program, subject to the approval of the MFAA Board. 3 3. Institutional membership is open to cultural, academic, research, and/or economic organizations, subject to the approval of the MFAA Board. 4. Honorary membership for individuals is granted to persons proposed by the Board and approved by the General Assembly.

The governing bodies of the MFAA are: The General Assembly, the Board, the President, and the Executive Committee as defined below:

1) The General Assembly: The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of the MFAA. An ordinary or an extraordinary General Assembly comprises all the members who have paid their fees for the current year. The General Assembly defines general policy, sets up short, medium, and long-term programs and activities, elects the Board, 4 determines the level of membership fees, amends the constitution, and dissolves the Association if the need arises. The General Assembly may create committees for special tasks with mandates to be determined by the bye-laws, each committee presided by a member of the Board.

2a. The Board: The MFAA is managed by a Board made up of 15 full members elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly. One third of the Board is renewed at every annual General Assembly.

2b. During each annual General Assembly, one third or 5 Board members are elected for three-year terms. Board Positions to be renewed are for members who complete their three-year terms, resign, or cease to be members due to having missed three consecutive board meetings during the previous year. If, for the transition period between 2008 and 2010, the number of board positions up for renewal due to resignation or absence is less that one third (5/15), lots are drawn among current members to designate those who would need to stand for re-election. The Board chooses among its members 6 officers, namely the President, the VicePresident, the General Secretary, the Vice-General Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Vice-Treasurer, and 5 assistants. The Board carries out and authorizes all operations delegated to it by the General Assembly. It shall be specifically responsible for the implementation of policies and decisions, the practical organization of activities, and all financial matters. It shall keep the members informed by all available means of information (website, periodic newsletter, etc). The Board may create ad-hoc committees as the need arises.

3. The President: The President presides over all meetings.

4. The Executive Committee: The Executive Committee is made up of six officers: the President, the Vice-President, the General Secretary, the Vice-General Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Vice-Treasurer. The roles and duties of each officer are as follows:

A.) The President: He/she represents the MFAA, and speaks on its behalf. He/she is responsible for the proper functioning of the MFAA and ensures that decisions taken by the Board are carried out. He/she is responsible, jointly with the Treasurer, for the financial operations of the Association.

B.) The Vice-President: The Vice-President replaces the President in his/her absence.

C.) The General Secretary: The General Secretary takes and keeps the records and the minutes, manages the MFAA’s website, and maintains the liaison between the members.

D.) The Vice-General Secretary: He/she assists and replaces the general Secretary in case of his/her absence.

E.) The Treasurer: The Treasurer is in charge of managing all the assets of the MFAA. He/she keeps the accounts on a regular basis and follows proper bookkeeping and financial procedures. He/she has to make a report at the annual meeting.

F.) The Vice-Treasurer: He/she assists and replaces the Treasurer in case of his/her absence.

The General Assembly shall meet once a year, during the general conference of the Association, generally to be held during the last week of September. The full program of the General Conference is determined by the Board and shall be communicated to all members at least three weeks before the date of the Assembly. The proceedings of the General Assembly shall be detailed in the bylaws.

This constitution may be amended upon proposal of the Board at any annual meeting of the Association by a two-thirds majority of the voting members present. Draft amendments should be included in the annual meeting agenda to be communicated to the members.

The funds of the Association shall consist of membership fees and any contributions or donations from any person or institution in accordance with Moroccan law.

The Association shall not be dissolved, except with the consent of not less than two-thirds of the members present at the meeting. Any motion to disband the Association must be submitted to a General Assembly convened for this purpose.