Exploring Latin America Culture (ELAC) Constitution

Article I:
Name and Purpose

Section 1:
E.L.A.C. (Exploring Latin American Culture)

Section 2:
The overall purpose of our club is to spread awareness throughout our CSB/SJU community about the Latin American Culture. With the growing Latin American community, it is imperative for our CSB/SJU community to become exposed to the Latin American culture. While doing so we seek to unite the existing Latin American students, and create a sense of community, consistent with the Benedictine values, for incoming students of Latin American background, as well as welcome supporters of the Latin American culture.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
The Latin American Club is open to all CSB/SJU students that agree to abide by the rules of the constitution and are respectful to its members and purpose.

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
Immediately following the annual involvement fair all those that expressed interest in our club automatically become members of the club, and will be regularly receiving correspondence via campus mail or email regarding club activities. Those who wish to join that were not signed up at the involvement fair can do so by attending a meeting and speaking to our secretary.

In order to become voting members, members should attend a minimum of 50% of the meetings and be active in the clubs activities.

Section 3: Removal of Members
Members who fail to follow Article II will be sent notification regarding their loss of voting rights for 3 consecutive meetings. Should the members continue to neglect Article II, his or her removal shall be contemplated and suggested by the governing board in which case a club vote involving all members shall be held to see if the member(s) who fail to abide by Article II shall be removed.

Article III: Officers and Duties of Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications
Any member in good standing with the club can run for office.

Section 2: Elected Officers

President:
To schedule meetings and events with the approval of the Executive Board, run meetings, and oversee club events. Along with the secretary, the President is responsible of overseeing the Executive Board. Duties are not limited to the above and may be added to by the Executive Board.

Vice-President:
Must stand in place of President and take over duties in the absence of the President. Also, works with the Executive Board and ensures the Executive Board is executing its duties.

Co-Presidents:
Schedule meetings and events with the approval of the Executive Board, run meetings, and oversee club events. Along with the secretary, the President is responsible of overseeing the Executive Board. Duties are not limited to the above and may be added to by the Executive Board. Both Co-Presidents will work with the executive board and share responsibilities.

Religious Liaison:
Will be responsible for setting up times and locations for club events with campus ministries. The religious Liaison will also be establishing a relationship between club members, student body and staff.

Secretarial Advisor:
Keep records for the club, minutes of club meetings, take roll and keep an organized record of club members' attendance, update club member roster every semester, and keep track of topics discussed at club meetings, perform other duties as assigned by co-chairs. Role of secretarial advisor is not limited to these duties.

Treasurer:
The Treasure will keep the financial records of the Club. They will work with their assigned Club Auditor in such things as turning in monthly audits. Will keep the Club informed of their allocations and budget. And most importantly will be in charge of preparing annual budget requests for the Co-Funding Board's annual allocation or Spontaneous Funding.

Public Relations Co-Chairs:
Will be responsible for promoting the E.L.A.C. club and club events. Public Relations Co-Chairs duties are not limited to the above.

Events  Planning Co-Chairs:
Will be responsible for setting up times and locations for club events as directed by the Executive Board as well as for establishing a relationship between club members, student body and staff.

Article IV.

Section 5: Removal of Officers
Grounds for removal of an officer must be clearly identified. Similar to the removal of members, due process must be followed. A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. This petition must contain the signatures of 75% of voting members. When such petition is received, the officer shall call a meeting of the club to determine whether or not the officer should be removed. Grounds for removal are to be presented by the officer in charge at a regular or special club meeting the advisor must be present and willing to vote. The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing. A quorum shall be present, and a (75%, 2/3, simply majority not 50% plus 1) vote of the voting members shall decide upon removal.

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
Any officer that partook in the removal process and was effectively removed from his or her position may appeal said removal through an appeal process. The removed officer must petition a request for an appeal which will be granted to him or her within the timespan of two club meetings. The said officer will be allowed to plea his or her case in an attempt to persuade why he or she should retain his or her position after which the present quorum shall vote on whether to retain said officer or reject his or her appeal. Ideally, a 75% vote and a vote of approval by the advisor must be acquired for an appealing officer to retain his or her position.

Article V: Elections

Section 1: Nomination:
Any active voting member is eligible to run for the open positions as stated in Article 3 Section 1.  Elections will be held every year. Every running candidate will write and present a platform to the overall club. Whichever candidate wins with majority will take the position

Section 2: Special Election
In the event that a member of the executive board cannot withhold their position for any various reasons, special elections will be held as follows:

The active members would be informed of the open positions.  The same regulations states in Article 4 Section 1 would apply for special elections.

Article VI: Advisor

Section 1: Selection
Our advisor will be any faculty or staff who is willing to endorse, cooperate, guide, and set goals and expectations for E.L.A.C. and it constituting body.  In the event that the Advisor cannot hold their position for any various reasons, a nomination from the Advisor should be given to the executive board.  The nomination that has a majority approval from the executive board will be given the Advisor position.

Section 2: Duties
Provide accurate information about the Latin American/Latino/Hispanic culture in its entirety, and filling out any paperwork necessary/consisting with Advisor signature, revision, approval, etc.

Article VII: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
Meetings will be held twice a week on a regular basis, unless notified 2 days prior to scheduled date. Reminders will be sent via e-mail.

Section 2: Special Meetings
Special Meeting will be called on in the eve of big events being put on by the club. Members will be notified via e-mail, and at previous meetings.

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
At the beginning of each meeting the Secretary will read the minutes of the previous minutes and bring up old unfinished business and introduce new business. After this the floor will be open for new ideas from club members. This will be overseen and regulated by the president and vice-president.

Section 4: Quorum
50% of voting members are required to be present during a vote.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-Funding Board
The Club will apply for annual funding from the Co-Funding Board and if needed Spontaneous funding as well. The Club Promises that if funded monetarily by the CFB they will oblige by all CFB and institutional regulations.

Section 2: Honorariums
No officer or member of the Club will receive honorarium/stipend from the organization.

Section 3: Dues
The members of the Club will not be required to pay dues.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification
This Constitution becomes official upon approval of 2/3 of the members present at a special meeting called by the Constitutional Committee and held no later than April 16, 2010.

Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board
Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed through a petition signed by 1/3 of voting members. Amendments may also be proposed by the Executive Board.  Proposed amendments will be presented to members within one weeks of their proposal, discussed and voted on at a meeting held two weeks following distribution.  A 2/3 vote of those present at said general meeting is necessary for ratification.

Section 3: Submittal
Any changes to this Constitution will submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the JCB no later than one month following the change

Article X: Non-Exclusion
The Exploring Latin American Cultures Club (E.L.A.C.) admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.

Article XI: Prohibition of Hazing
The Exploring Latin American Culture Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. E.L.A.C. recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.