Massachusetts Junior Classical League

* Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem *

By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty

PREAMBLE

We, the members of the Massachusetts Junior Classical League, in order to promote cooperation among the chapters, to establish a basis for order and to better unite the members of this organization and to promote friendship and understanding among the members, do hereby adopt the following constitution and agree to abide by its rules.

ARTICLE I

   Sec.1: Name: The name of this organization shall be the Massachusetts
   Junior Classical League.
  Sec.2: Purpose: The purpose of this organization shall be to promote a    more thorough knowledge of the Classical life, history, and literature, to    impart a better understanding of the practical and cultural values of    the Classics, and to interest other students in the Classical languages.   Sec.3: Emblem, Pin and colors:
   A. The emblem shall be a torch encircled by a laurel wreath.
   B. The pin shall be a reproduction of the emblem.
   C. The colors shall be Roman purple and gold.
  Sec.4: The meetings of the Executive Board of this organization shall
   abide by Robert’s Rules of Law and Order unless it is otherwise provided
   by the present Constitution, By-Laws or Standing Rules.

ARTICLE II

  Sec.1: Membership: The organization’s membership shall be of two kinds:
   chapter members and members at large.
  A. Chapter Members: Chapter members shall include the Junior Classical
   League chapters that wish to become part of this organization. 
   Chapters shall be admitted automatically to the MJCL upon payment of  
   MJCL dues. By payment of MJCL dues, local chapters are expected to
   affiliate with the National Junior Classical League.
  B. Members at Large: Members at large shall include the active members
   of the Junior Classical League without chapter affiliation.

ARTICLE III

  Sec.1: Officers:
    A. The elected offices of this organization shall be the following:   President, Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Historian, and State Publication Editor.
    B. The appointed office of this organizations shall be the following: Technical Coordinator. The executive board shall appoint this office after appropriate review of submitted resumes at the last board meeting before the State Convention.
  Sec. 2: Qualifications:
    A. A pupil must be enrolled in a Latin class for the entire term of office, or he/she must have completed all the Latin offered by his/her school. Post graduates and mid-term graduates shall not be eligible for office.
    B. Only one candidate for office shall be allowed from each chapter. No chapter may hold the same office, which it held the past year. Candidates for State Publications Editor and Second Vice President and Technical Coordinator shall be exempt from the latter two provisions.
  Sec.3: Terms of Office: The terms of office for each officer shall be for one year only, from the first executive board meeting following the annual election until the first meeting after the next election.
  Sec.4: Voting Method: Each chapter in good standing shall be allowed four voting delegates. Each delegate shall have one vote.
  Sec.5: Vacancies: Should any vacancies occur among the elected officers, the officer’s sponsor shall name an officer to serve the unexpired term, preferably from the same school.
  Sec.6: Executive Board: There shall be an Executive Board composed of the elected state officers and state JCL chairpersons, acting as an agent through which State JCL business between conventions can be transacted. The president of the state JCL shall serve as chairperson of the Executive Board.
  Sec.7: Duties of the Officers:

    A. Duties of the President
       1. The President shall preside at all meetings.
       2. The President has the right to appoint all committees and the committee Chairpersons, and to supervise their activities in an effort to see that all projects planned for the year are carried out. All committees appointed by the President shall be required to submit a report whenever requested.

    B. Duties of the Vice President
       1. The Vice President shall execute the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence, illness or inability to serve until the President’s sponsor chooses a replacement.
       2. The Vice President shall organize the Classics Day for Eastern Massachusetts.

    C. Duties of the Second Vice President
       1. The Second Vice President shall oversee all social activities promoted by the Massachusetts Junior Classical.
       2. The Second Vice President shall promote spirit within the state.
       3. The Second Vice President shall be the chairperson of the MJCL spirit committee.

    D. Duties of the Secretary
       1. The Secretary shall keep an accurate account of the minutes of the Executive Board meetings and the State Convention. The minutes of the State Convention must be submitted by September 20.
       2. The Secretary shall keep telephone numbers and address books and other pertinent records, which shall be passed on to the succeeding secretaries.

    E. Duties of the Treasurer
       1. The Treasurer shall deposit all moneys due the Massachusetts Junior Classical League in the name of the League.
       2. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of finances and membership of the Massachusetts Junior Classical League according to an approved form.
       3. The Treasurer shall pay the obligations of the Massachusetts Junior Classical League when approved by the State Chairpersons.
       4. The Treasurer shall furnish to any officer or the State Chairpersons monthly statements showing all receipts, disbursements, and current balances immediately upon request.
       5. The Treasurer shall have a financial report published in the State Publication upon request of the President.
       6. At every MJCL event, a raffle shall be held to raise money for MJCL funds.

    F. Duties of the Parliamentarian:
       1. The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for all matters concerning proposed constitutional amendments.
       2. The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for and shall make all decisions concerning the correct observance of the rules of parliamentary procedures according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
       3. The Parliamentarian shall execute the duties of the President in the event of the absence of both the President and the Vice President.
       4. The Parliamentarian shall send to each chapter, upon registration, a copy of the current Constitution. 5. The Parliamentarian shall send a copy of any new amendments proposed during his/her term of office, to each chapter in good standing by March 1.
       6. The Parliamentarian shall keep a record of Standing Rules and shall submit a copy of them to the Executive Board.

    G. Duties of the Historian
       1. The Historian shall compile records for annals, file all Junior Classical League materials of historic interest, keep a scrapbook, and properly safeguard these materials.
       2. The Historian shall be in charge of public relations for the Massachusetts Junior Classical League.
       3. The Historian shall be responsible for publicity and state membership. The NJCL Regional Membership Director for Massachusetts shall work with the Historian.

    H. Duties of the State Publications Editor
       1. The State Publications Editor shall produce at least three publications per year.
       2. The State Publications Editor shall file one copy of each issue of the state publication with the National Publication Chairperson.

    I. Duties of the Technical Coordinator
       1. The Technical Coordinator shall maintain the website of the MJCL.

ARTICLE IV

  Sec. 1: Constitutional Amendments: Suggested Amendments must be
submitted in writing to the Parliamentarian by February 1. If accepted by
a majority of the Executive Board, copies of the proposed amendments
shall be sent to all chapters in good standing by March 1.
  Sec.2: By-Laws: Suggested by-laws must be submitted in writing to the Parliamentarian by February 1. If accepted by a majority of the Executive Board, copies of the proposed by-laws shall be sent to all chapters in good standing by March 1.
  Sec.3: A ratified constitution shall take effect in September of the same year.
  Sec.4: Ratified by-laws shall take effect in September of the same year.

ARTICLE V

   Sec.1: Conventions: The date of the Convention must be in the springtime before May 30. Announcement of the decided date must be made at least three months in advance. The Convention shall be held at the school designated by the President of the Massachusetts Junior Classical League.