La Raza

Constitution

 

La Raza Law Student Association

University of San Diego

 

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

Section A: Name                                                                                                                                                   Part 1.  The official name for this organization is LATINO-LA RAZA LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION; or LATINO LAW STUDENT ASSOCIATION (LaLSA), or LA RAZA for short.

            Part 2.  This organization will use either of the above names in publicity materials and correspondence.  The decision of which of the names to use founding Part 1 will solely depend on the membership of the given school year.

Section B: Purpose                                                                                                                                          Part 1.  The purpose of this organization is to create a positive and encouraging environment to prospective USD Law School candidates and currently enrolled in SD Latino Law Students.  LALSA shall explore and promote academic, career, and social issues relating to the practice of law.  LALSA will encourage the interpersonal aspects of law school and the law field through social events that promote networking opportunities.

            Part 2.  Historically, during the 1970’s the Chicana/o Social Justice Movement, groups formed to recruit and retain students of Mexican descent into institutions of higher education.  Over time, our diversity has increased within our communities and have come to embrace and welcome our latina/o brothers and sisters to embrace the ideals of “La Raza.”  As a result, our latina/o brothers and sisters have enveloped the ideals of “La Raza”, but do not relate to the background we adopt the principles founded in “la Raza” and apply those principles to Latino-La Raza Law Student Association.

 

ARTICLE II:  AFFILIATIONS

Section A: USD                                                                                                                                                    Part 1.  Latino Law Student Association is a recognized student organization at the University of San Diego, but is not part of the University itself.

            Part 2.  In all correspondence and business transactions, LALSA may refer to itself as an organization at USD, but not as part of USD itself.

            Part 3.  LALSA agrees to abide by all pertinent USD policies an regulations.  Where USD policies and regulations and those of LALSA differ, the policies and regulations of USD will take precedence.

            Part 4.  This organization recognizes and understands that USD may be legally liable for the actions of LALSA, and that USD is not providing blanket indemnification insurance coverage for any LALSA activities, unless those activities expressly benefit and further the goals of the University, and have received prior review, approval and consent of the Offices of Student Activities, Risk Management and/or General Counsel.

 

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section A: Requirements                                                                                                                              Part 1.  All currently enrolled USD Law School students are eligible to be voting members

            Part 2.  All other USD students and USD staff, faculty, alumni and alumnae are eligible to be non-voting members

            Part 3.  All members are required to demonstrate support for the purpose of this organization.

            Part 4.  Membership decision will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion or creed, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability or sexual orientation

Section B: Rights                                                                                                                                              Part 1: All members are eligible to attend all meetings and events of this organization.

            Part 2.  If a fee is charged to attend a particular event, the membership will establish the fee scale for voting members, non-voting members and others, as appropriate.

Section C: Withdrawal of Membership                                                                                                Part 1.  Members may have their membership withdrawn for failure to adhere to the requirements for membership as stated above.

            Part 2.  A two-third vote of the quorum of the membership at a regular or special meeting shall be sufficient to withdraw membership.

            Part 3.  Members to be voted upon in this regard will be notified of the intention to do so in writing at least one week prior to the meeting at which the vote will be taken.

 

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section A: Officer Titles

3rd year President                                                                                                                                     2nd Year President                                                                                                                   Secretary                                                                                                                                   Treasurer                                                                                                                                                 SBA Representative

Section B: Duties                                                                                                                                               N.B.: The duties listed below are not meant to be exhaustive.  There should be cooperation between the officers.

            Part 1.  The 3rd year president will chair all LALSA meetings and will call special meetings as needed.  The President will vote on LALSA matters only in case of a tie.  The 3rd year President will act as a mentor to the 2nd year president as to train her/him correctly in leadership of the organization.

            Part 2.  The 2nd year president shall chair any ad hoc committees or task forces of the organization.  The 2nd year president will be the Program committee chair.

            Part 3.  The secretary will take, record and file meeting minutes; and produce all official correspondence for the organization.  The secretary will upkeep the main bulletin board, inform members of upcoming meetings, post announcements, check the LALSA mailbox on a daily basis, file career opportunities, and conduct spring semester elections.  The Secretary will be in charge of office key distribution at the beginning of the year and collection at the end of the year.

            Part 4.  The treasurer shall maintain records and make monthly reports regarding the financial transactions of LALSA.  The treasurer, with the help of all LALSA officers and members, shall plan and conduct fund raising activities.  Fundraising should occur at least once a semester.

            Part 5.  The Student Bar Association Representative will attend ALL general SBA meetings and represent LALSA interests.  The SBA Rep will make an oral report at each LALSA meetings as to the items of interest discussed in the SBA meetings.  The SBA Rep should preferably be a first year; although a second year can fill the position.  The SBA Rep should be accompanied by the 2nd year President to SBA meetings until a time in which the 2nd year President and SBA Rep sees fit.

            Part 6.  The Third Year Representative will attend all LALSA meetings and will serve as student advisor to LALSA officers.  The Treasurer and the Third Year Representative shall coordinate special graduation arrangements, such as honorary diplomas and annual year-end dinner for graduate and their families.  The Third Year Representative will also serve as alumni liaison for its class year.

Section C: Requirement for Running and Holding Office                                                       Part 1.  All  officers and candidates for office must be currently  enrolled USD students

            Part 2.  All officers must be voting members of LALSA

Section D: Nominations and Elections                                                                                                 Part 1.  Nominations for all officers will be taken from the floor of the third-to-last regular meeting of the spring semester each year.

            Part 2.  Any member may nominate any other member, including herself or himself.

            Part 3.  Elections will be held at the second-to-last meeting of the spring semester.

            Part 4.  Nominations may also be made during the election meeting itself, prior to the closing of nominations and taking the vote.

            Part 5.  A simple majority vote of the quorum present at the meeting will be sufficient to elect an officer.  If there are more than two candidates and no candidate receives a majority, there will be a run-off vote between the top two vote recipients in the general voting.

Section E: Removal from Office                                                                                                              Part 1. Officers may be removed from office for failure to perform duties or for violations of the membership clause.

            Part 2.  Officers to be voted upon in this regard will be notified of the intention to do so in writing at least one week prior to the meeting at which the vote will be taken.

            Part 3.  A two-thirds majority of quorum present at a regularly scheduled meeting shall be sufficient for removal form office.

Section F: Terms of Office and Vacancies                                                                                         Part 1.  The term of office shall be from the last meeting of each spring semester until the end of the second-to-last meeting of the subsequent spring semester.

            Part 2.  Should a vacancy in office occur, there will be another nomination procedure and election for the vacant office, during LALSA’s next regular meeting.

 

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEE

Section A: Academic Committee                                                                                                                Part 1.  the Academic Committee is one of two standing LALSA committees, whose purpose is to plan academic events and programs for the benefit of all LALSA members, but most importantly for the benefit of the first-year membership.  The head of the Academic Committee is the LALSA president.

            Part 2.  All decisions of the Academic Committee involving committing organization funds in amounts greater than $100.00 will require the approval of the majority of those members present at the regular or special LALSA meeting.

            Part 3.  All LALSA officers are automatically part of the Academic Committee.  The President is responsible for efficiently collection and distributing outlines before the fifth week of classes in fall and spring semesters and for coordinating outlining the test taking skill workshops.  The rest of LALSA’s officers are to help the President.

Section B: Program Committee                                                                                                                 Part 1.  The Program Committee is one of two standing LALSA committees, whose purpose is to plan events and programs for the organization.

Section C: Other Committees                                                                                                                      Part 1.  Other committees may be appointed by a majority vote of the members at a regular LALSA meeting.

            Part 2.  In appointing such committees, LALSA members must specify the purpose and chair and co-chair of that committee, and establish its duration.

 

ARTICLE VI: FACULTY/STAFF ADVISOR

Section A: Advisor Requirements                                                                                                           Part 1.  As a recognized student organization at the University of San Diego.  LALSA is required to have an official advisor from the USD faculty and staff.

            Part 2.  Other persons may serve as special advisors as needed.

Section B: Duties                                                                                                                                               Part 1.  The advisor must sign any applicable recognition application each year.

            Part 2.  Officers should meet with the advisor at least one time per semester.

            Part 3.  An advisor, may not vote in LALSA matters, hold office or unduly influence of the student organization.

 

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

Section A: Meeting Times                                                                                                                              Part 1.  Regular meetings will be held within the first two weeks of every month.

Section B: Special Meetings                                                                                                                       Part 1.  Special meetings may be called by any combination of three of the officers.  Notice of special meetings must be communicated to all members at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

Section C: Executive Board Meetings                                                                                                   Part 1.  Board Meeting shall take place once a month

 

ARTICLE VIII: BY-LAWS AND AMENDMENTS

Section A: By-Laws                                                                                                                                          Part 1.  By-laws can be added to this constitution by a 2/3 vote at a regular meeting of LALSA.

            Part 2.  This constitution takes precedent over any and all by-laws.

Section B: Amendments                                                                                                                                 Part 1.  This constitution can be amended by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership at a regular LALSA meeting.

            Part 2. Notification of such a motion must be made to members at least one meeting in advance of the one in which the actual vote is taken.