|
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.