Mission Statement

Founded in 1978, the Coalition of Asian Pacific Employees (CAPE) was established to unite, empower and support Asian Pacific Islander (API) employees at the Pasadena City College District. We are employees, staff, faculty and former professionals affiliated to Pasadena City College with the goal of encouraging and advocating for issues that promote diversity and inclusivity at the College, with particular focus on our API community. 

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By Laws

Article I - Name

The name of this association shall be the Coalition of Asian Pacific Employees (CAPE),  hereinafter referred to as CAPE.

Article II - Membership

Section 1: Classification

1. Regular Membership in CAPE shall be open to all current PCC full-time and part-time employees whose primary role at the college is as an employee, and who have completed, signed, and submitted the necessary application form and paid the applicable annual non- refundable membership fee.
2. Associate Membership in CAPE shall be open to anyone not mentioned in the Regular Membership description, who supports the mission and purpose of CAPE, and has completed, signed, and submitted the necessary application form and paid the applicable annual non-refundable membership fee. This category is a non-voting member.

Section 2: Qualifications for Membership
Anyone who supports the mission of CAPE is eligible to become a member.

Section 3: Voting Rights
Only those identified as regular members of CAPE are eligible to vote.

Section 4 : Termination

1. A member will receive notification from the Treasurer at least one month before the expiration of their annual membership fees as a renewal reminder if the member is interested in continuing as a CAPE They will have a one-month grace period after the expiration date of their annual membership to pay their new annual membership fee, which would commence on the day after their previous membership expired. After the grace period, a membership shall officially terminate upon nonpayment of their annual membership fee.
2. A membership may also be self-terminated by the individual opting-out via non-payment of annual membership fees.
3. The Governing Board may terminate memberships by 2/3 vote based on what the Board deems unbecoming actions not aligned with the mission and purpose of CAPE.

Article III - Governing Board

Section 1-Governing Board Duties

1. Shall conduct, manage, and control the business of CAPE during the periods between the organization’s business meetings.
2. Shall meet at least once per month at a time to be determined by the Board at its first meeting following annual elections. Other meetings of the Governing Board may be called by the President or at the request of a simple majority of the Governing Board All Governing Board meetings shall be open to the membership.
3. CAPE Board members shall attend all Board and General meetings unless a unique circumstance prevents them from doing so. In the event a CAPE Board member cannot attend a meeting, they will be expected to share a report-out of their CAPE-related activities/projects via the Vice A Board member who misses two (2) consecutive Board meetings without notifying the President in advance will be considered inactive, and their position on the Board will be considered vacant.

Section 2- Duties of Elected Officers

1. President: In the initial year, the President shall begin their tenure upon It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all business meetings and all other general meetings of CAPE and the Governing Board of CAPE; to consider all motions regularly made; and to call special meetings. The President or their designee shall also be the representative of CAPE on appropriate college/community committees, task forces, and boards. The Vice-President shall automatically become President of CAPE upon the resignation, termination at the College, or in the event that the President is unable to continuously serve.
2. Vice-President: Shall assume the duties of the President in the event the President is unable to serve. In the event the position of President is considered vacant, the Vice-President shall assume the position of President for the remainder of that elected term. Shall accept special assignments as requested by the President.
3. Secretary: Shall maintain appropriate records and documents and prepare for the Board’s review copies of the minutes from the previous meeting, and have them ready at least 72 hours before the next Board meeting.
4. Treasurer: Shall receive all monies belonging to CAPE; keep an account of all receipts and expenditures; pay all approved bills charged against CAPE; present in writing a quarterly financial report and at the end of each fiscal year and/or at any other time upon request of the Governing Board.
5. Programming/Social Events Chair: Shall be responsible for identifying, planning and executing cultural and social events deemed appropriate by the Governing Board. Social events will be conducted to promote community building for all CAPE Shall establish a committee to assist in carrying out the functions of said events.
6. Scholarship Program Chair: Shall create CAPE scholarship program including an application with protocols and requirements. Shall lead advertisement, application, and selection processes each fall semester through the establishment of a committee, and in a timely fashion that allows for the CAPE scholarship(s) to be awarded at the annual General Scholarship Ceremony organized by the PCC Foundation.
7. Membership Coordinator-They shall be responsible for developing and facilitating outreach efforts to potential CAPE members. They shall manage the membership list, including details related to membership dues.
8. Social Media Coordinator: They shall be responsible for maintaining and continuously improving the CAPE website. They shall manage social networks, paperless processes, facilitate file sharing, create, manage and maintain the CAPE listserv.
9. APIDA Graduation Co-Chair(s): They shall be responsible for organizing a team of members to plan the APIDA Graduation for the spring semester. They shall coordinate with campus services, office, and organizations for this event.
10. Member-at-large: They shall serve as a liaison to the general membership of CAPE and assume duties as needed by CAPE to fulfill overall goals.

Section 3: Vacancy
In accordance with Article III.1.c, if a vacancy occurs among the elected officers, other than the President, the President shall appoint a person from the general membership, subject to the approval of the Governing Board, to complete the vacated term of office. Per Article II.3.b, if a vacancy occurs for the position of President, the Vice President shall automatically assume the position of President to complete the vacated term of office.

Section 4: Elections of Governing Board

1. Officers of CAPE shall be elected by mail/e-mail ballot by all dues-paying members of CAPE. Election shall be determined by plurality of votes cast.
   1. Method: Elections shall be conducted by a committee appointed by the President and chaired by the Vice President. It shall be held by written ballot, which may be electronically mailed and returned.
2. The elected officers shall serve a two-year term, which shall coincide with the fiscal year (July 1- June 30).
3. In an effort to maintain continuity amongst the Governing Board, no more than 3/4 of the board positions shall be open for elections.
4. Eligibility: Any dues-paying regular member is eligible to run for

Section 5: Authority of Governing Board
The Governing Board is authorized to make expenditures on behalf of CAPE.

Article IV – Dues

Changes to dues shall be recommended by the Governing Board and voted on at a general meeting. Approval of dues will require a majority vote of members present at that meeting.

1. Regular membership dues shall be $25.
2. Associate membership dues shall be $10.
3. All elected officers must be dues-paying members at the time of their election/appointment and through the end of their term.

Article V - Fiscal Matters

Section 1: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of CAPE shall be from July 1 to June 30.

Section 2: Budget
Annual income and expense budgets shall be drafted by the Treasurer and submitted to the Governing Board for its formal approval at its first meeting of the fiscal year.

Section 3: Audit
A Committee of three (3) will be appointed by the President to conduct an annual audit.

Article VI - Meetings

Section 1: Regular monthly meetings
Monthly meetings shall be held during the academic year at a time, date and location convenient to the membership as defined by the Governing Board. The agenda and meeting time and location should be distributed to the membership at least 72 hours prior to the meetings.

Section 2: Special Meetings
The President is authorized to call special meetings of the Governing Board and/or of the general membership. A simple majority of the Governing Board must be present to constitute a quorum for special meetings.

1. If physical meetings are not able to take place, electronic communication may suffice for discussion and voting amongst board members as long as a simple majority is active in the

Section 3: Conduct of Meetings
The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of meetings.

Section 4: Quorum
A simple majority of Governing Board members must be in attendance in order to call an official meeting.

Section 5: Majority Vote
A simple majority of those present is required to conduct official business.

Article VII - Dissolution of CAPE

Upon dissolution of CAPE, none of its property shall be distributed to any members, and all of such property shall be transferred to such other organization or organizations as the Governing Board shall determine to have purpose and activities most nearly consistent with those of CAPE.

Article VIII - Amendments

Section 1: Proposals
Proposed amendments to the CAPE By-Laws require a 2/3 majority vote of the Governing Board.

Section 2: 30-Day notice
The membership must be advised in writing of the nature of the proposed amendments 30 days prior to the vote.

Section 3: Voting Time
The membership shall be informed of the date, time and location when the amendment is to be voted on.

Section 4: Voting Majority
The vote may be conducted by intercampus or electronic mail provided that 30 days advance notice is given. A simple majority of those voting is required to pass the amendment.

Section 5: Date of Effect
Date of Effect These By-Laws and any amendments thereto become effective immediately upon adoption by a majority vote of the membership, as specified in Article II, Section 3.