Constitution and Bylaws of the
Association of Latin American Students
August 24, 2006
Preamble
We, the members of the Association of Latin American Students (A.L.A.S.), have made a solemn commitment to take an active role in maintaining a prominent Latino presence/awareness at
We are diverse in philosophy, culture, and history, but remain bound by the same powerful values that make Latinos distinct. We recognize the highest potential of programs geared toward the betterment of this university and make a commitment to reach them.
A.L.A.S. does not encourage segregation, but promotes integration. We gather those with the same love and/or interest for all Latin American cultures, and use this organization to properly disseminate information regarding tradition and values. We will work with other groups with the same ideals to more effectively realize our goals.
Our mission, as the Association of Latin American Students (A.L.A.S.), is to promote awareness of Latin American/Latino/Hispanic (hence forth referred to as Latin American) cultures through educational, cultural, community service, and social events.
Goals
· Realize a stronger unity among Latinos and Non-Latinos on Campus.
· Create programs that will enhance the appreciation for cultural diversity.
· Assist the University in the recruitment and retention of Latin American Students.
· Work with other organizations regarding mutual concerns and interests
Article I – Name
This organization will be known as the Association of Latin American Students (A.L.A.S.). A.L.A.S. is a registered student organization and will adhere to the rules and regulations governing registered student organizations at
Article II – Role on Campus
A.L.A.S. will interact with the campus administration and other student organizations on issues of mutual interest.
Article III – Role in the Community
A.L.A.S. will be committed to serving the community through community outreach, programming, and/or other services.
Article IV – Action
A.L.A.S. will act as an advocate for Latino students at
Article V – Faculty Advisor
Section I Selection and Qualifications
Any person who is a member of
Section II Duties
The A.L.A.S. Faculty Advisor shall…
1) Serve as a liaison between the students and the administration, faculty, and staff at
2) Advise members on and provide support in matters including but not limited to the organization, academics, social, and personal areas by providing options and maintaining confidentiality.
3) Advise and provide guidance in organizational decision-making, but serves as a neutral party with no voting power.
4) Attend monthly A.L.A.S. meetings or as arranged between the Faculty Advisor and the Executive Board.
5) Be familiar with the university’s standards and regulations as they apply to organizations such as ours.
6) Get to know the university Student Activities Director and keep him/her informed of activities, plans, and problems.
7) Help A.L.A.S. develop and maintain effective membership and programming.
8) Help the organization maintain good community relations and promote participation in community service projects.
9) Become acquainted with members and inform them of the Faculty Advisor’s role in the life of the organization.
Section III Removal & Appointment of New Faculty Advisor
The removal of the Faculty Advisor shall be by a 3/4 vote of all paid members with the approval of the Executive Board. This vote shall take place after a proposal is submitted to and reviewed by the Executive Board. The Faculty Advisor shall be informed of such proposal immediately either in person or in writing/electronically. The Faculty Advisor shall be given the opportunity to be heard before the votes are cast. If the removal is passed, the Faculty Advisor shall be notified immediately either in person or in writing/electronically.
A majority 2/3 vote of all A.L.A.S. paid members shall be required to vote in a new faculty advisor.
Article VI – Membership
Section I Membership shall be open to all
Section II A.L.A.S. welcomes as members all students who share in the vision, purpose, and goals of the organization.
Section III Dues, having been decided on by the club should not exceed $20.00 per semester and shall be paid by members only.
Section IV Dues shall be paid in full by the 3rd (third) general meeting of the semester.
Section V The Executive Board shall annually review the membership fees and by a unanimous vote, increase or decrease the membership fees.
Article VII –Meetings
Section I Regular meetings shall be convened on a night or such a time as selected by the majority of paid members at the start of each semester. The time and date of these meetings will be decided upon the first 15 days of each semester.
Section II Meetings will not be held during Finals Week.
Section III A special meeting may be convened by the President provided that notice is given to all paid members at least 24 hours in advance. It may also be requested by 1/3 vote of all paid members with the same 24 hour advance notice as stated above.
Section IV The Executive Board shall meet once a week to initiate, evaluate, organize, and condense A.L.A.S. business. The time and date of these meetings will be decided upon the first 15 days of each semester.
Article VIII –Executive Board
The Executive Board shall function as a planning and coordinating body and shall exercise general supervision over the organization. The Executive Board can and shall hold separate meetings from the organization as a whole.
Article IX – Officers & Chairs
Elected offices will consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Chair, Service Chair, Marketing Chair, and Historian.
Article X – Elections
Section I Nominations shall be based on a member’s expressed interest in running for the position.
Section II Candidates must in good standing in all aspects of Campus Life.
Sections III Ballots will be counted by the A.L.A.S. advisor or another neutral party.
Section IV Elections will be monitored by the A.L.A.S. advisor or another neutral party.
Article XI –Elected Officers
Section I Elections of officers shall be held annually during the last week of March and elected officers will take their new roles at the start of the following school year (unofficially being at the end of that spring semester). Voting shall be by ballot and a 2/3 vote shall elect.
Section II Any officer or chair failing to adequately fulfill their duties or meet the University’s minimum academic performance standards shall be subject to removal of office by the Executive Board and the approval of the Faculty Advisor. Termination of an officer or chair shall occur upon written notice to the Executive Board by the officer or chair of his/her desire to resign or upon a thorough termination procedure by the Executive Board. This procedure shall consist of a verbal warning, followed by a written/electronic warning, the opportunity for the member to be heard, and finally concluding with written notice of termination.
Section III Vacancies caused by resignation, removal, or otherwise shall be filled by election by the Executive Board.
Article XII– Presidential Duties
Section I The President shall be the chief executive office as well as the official spokesperson and representative of A.L.A.S. The President shall be responsible for general supervision of the organization and coordinating organizational affairs in accordance with established programs and policies. He/She shall preside over all organizational meetings and Executive Board meetings unless the duty is properly relinquished to another member of the Executive Board.
Section II In all voting matters, the President may express his/her opinion but has no voting power except in the case of a tie.
Section III The President is the chair of the Executive Board.
Article XIII – Vice Presidential Duties
Section I The Vice President performs the duties of the president when necessary and other duties as needed. Shall also be responsible for the administrative duties of the organization (submitting proper paperwork to the University, faculty advisor, etc.) and perform other duties as needed.
Section II The Vice President is the Vice-Chair of the Executive Board.
Article XIV – Secretarial Duties
Section I The Secretary is responsible for maintaining the official records, minutes of meetings, and membership lists of the organization.
Section II The Secretary is a member of the Executive Board.
Article XV – Treasurer’s Duties
Section I The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining fiscal documents for the organization and taking a leading role in budgetary matters. He/She shall maintain an updated budget of expenses and shall be responsible for all financial matters. Any expenditure over $25 shall require 2 signatures (Treasurer & Vice President) as well as approval of the faculty advisor. Hence, all monetary requests shall be submitted in a timely manner. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President and Vice President shall preside over any necessary financial matters.
Section II The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on the first day of July and end on the last day of June of each year.
Section III The Treasurer is a member of the Executive Board.
Article XVI – Social Chair’s Duties
Section I The Social Chair shall oversee the arrangement and organization of all social events sponsored fully or in part by A.L.A.S. In addition, the Social Chair shall yield any assistance necessary to the Vice President of Chronological Records for proper execution of his/her duties. The Chair shall also insure that a finalized proposed calendar of events of social activities is submitted to the Executive Board before the organization’s approval. Once social activities receive final approval, a copy of the approved calendar of events shall be submitted to the Faculty Advisor, Student Activities Director, and all other relevant channels.
Section II The Social Chair is a member of the Executive Board.
Article XVII – Service Chair’s Duties
The Service Chair shall oversee the arrangement and organization of all service and philanthropic events that members will partake in and/or are sponsored fully or in part by A.L.A.S.
Article XVIII – Marketing Chair Duties
The Marketing Chair shall oversee and coordinate the public relations and publicity activities of the organization. This includes but is not limited to fliers, news articles, advertisements, etc.
Article XIX – Historian Duties
The Historian shall be the custodian of all organization archives. He/She shall keep a scrapbook of clippings and records of current and past events important in the history of the organization and maintain a memorabilia collection. The Historian will also be responsible for creating and/or maintaining the organization website.
Article XX – Amendments
Section I These Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of all paid members.
Section II The vote may be taken only after the proposed amendment has met the following requirements: it must be presented at an organization meeting when there are 2/3 of all paid members present; it must be presented at the succeeding meeting; this second time it is presented it will be voted upon. During this time, it shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board to check the laws and advise the group of any laws that would have to be changed if this amendment were to be accepted.
Article XXI – Miscellaneous
These Bylaws shall be referred to at the first meeting of the semester and shall be made available either in paper or electronically to all paid members.
Article XXII – Adoption
These Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon the approval of the majority of the membership vote and shall be the only set of Bylaws of the