M.E.Ch.A. de Georgetown Constitution

M.E.Ch.A. de Georgetown Constitution Mission Statement Founded in spring of 1993, M.E.Ch.A. de Georgetown is a political organization with the purpose of increasing and maintaining U.S. Latino/a recruitment, retention, graduation, community involvement, and awareness. In order to achieve this mission, M.E.Ch.A. relies on the ideological practices of Chicanismo, which emphasizes the development of a political consciousness through education for the development of U.S. Latino/a communities. Its purpose is to aid Chicanxs in adjusting as students to Georgetown University, by acting as a political, social and support organization respondent to student needs. The name of the organization is the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán, which is abbreviated as M.E.Ch.A. Movimiento - recognizes that we (as part of the Georgetown Community) are part of a larger cause and do not limit ourselves to a simple campus organization. Estudiantil - acknowledges your role as students first, who are responsible in being the voice of your community. Chicanx - denotes anyone who lives in and celebrates his/her/their dual culture. It transcends further than an identity; it s a philosophy. Chicanx is inclusive of any person of any ethnicity or race. Although M.E.Ch.A. caters to the Latinx community, M.E.Ch.A. is open to anyone willing to liberate and empower the oppressed. De Aztlán recognizes the ancestral roots of our indigenous culture. It proudly claims our indigenous past as the root of our own history and culture. It marks our becoming conscious of our own history and identity as a people. The organization is also part of a higher forum, East Coast Chicanx Student Forum, which serves to unite all Chicanx organizations on the East Coast and offers support and a safe familiar environment that allows for educational development and maturation within society. National Preamble Chicanx students of Aztlán must take upon themselves the responsibilities to promote Chicanismo within the community, politicizing our Raza with an emphasis on indigenous consciousness to continue the struggle for the self-determination of the Chicanx people for the purpose of liberating Aztlán. Article I: Name and Purpose Section 1. Name

A. The name of this organization shall be the National Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (MEChA). B. The official symbol of this organization shall be the eagle with its wings spread, bearing a macahuittle in one claw and a dynamite stick in the other with the lighted fuse in its beak. The acronym MEChA shall be above the symbol with the phrase "La Union Hace La Fuerza" below. Section 2. MEChA Historical Context: A. In April 1969, MEChA was founded at UC Santa Barbara one month after the first National Chicanx Youth Liberation Conference in Denver, Colorado. MEChA was founded to unite Chicanx student organizations (MAYA, UMAS, MASC, etc.) and advocate for the implementation of a Chicanx Studies program in higher education. B. MEChA s definition of Chicanismo the self-determination of our community is now the only acceptable mandate for social and political action; it is the essence of Chicanx commitment. Culturally, the word Chicanx, in the past a pejorative and class-bound adjective, has now become the root idea of a new cultural identity for our people. It also reveals a growing solidarity and the development of a common social praxis. The widespread use of the term Chicanx today signals a rebirth of pride and confidence. Chicanismo simply embodies and ancient truth: that a person is never closer to her/his/their true self as when he/she is close to her/his/their community. Chicanismo draws its faith and strength from two main sources: from the just struggle of our people and from an objective analysis of our community's strategic needs. We recognize that without a strategic use of education, an education that places value on what we value, we will not realize our destiny. Chicanxs recognize the central importance of institutions of higher learning to modern progress, in this case, to the development of our community. But we go further: we believe that higher education must contribute to the information of a complete person who truly values life and freedom We pledge our efforts and take as our credo what Jose Vasconcelos once said at a time of crisis and hope: At this moment we do not come to work for the university, but to demand that the university work for our people. '' (Plan de Santa Barbara, 1969). Article II: Meetings Section 1. General Body Meetings

A. Meetings will be held on a bi-monthly basis, at the discretion of the board. The board may decide to change the date and time of the general body meetings during the school year. B. Any individual wishing to attend a board meeting with the purpose of adding an item/announcement to the agenda of the meeting should contact one of the two Co-chairs, prior to the meeting. A non-petitioning group or member may attend board meetings without notification. B. Non-board members will not have voting privileges within a board meeting, unless otherwise determined by the board. Section 2. Executive Board Meetings A. The date and time of Board meetings will be decided at the beginning of the academic year. The date and time can be adjusted for scheduling purposes with the approval of the board. B. Board meetings should occur at least once a week with the exception of special events including school breaks. C. Will set agenda for the general body meeting. Additionally, these meetings allow for the discussion/planning of MEChA events and other club activities held throughout the school year. D. The co-chairs are responsible for setting the agenda and conducting of the Board meetings. E. The secretary is responsible for taking notes at the Board meetings. Section 3. Definition of a Quorum A. In order to validate the proceedings of any meeting, one co-chair and two executive board members must be present. Article III. Membership Eligibility

Section 1. General Membership A. MEChA general membership is open to Georgetown undergraduate students dedicated to the purpose of the organization as outlined in Article I regardless of sex, race, religion, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, nationality or ethnic origin. Membership is only open to undergraduate/graduate students. Section 2. General Membership Requirements: A. Uphold this Constitution at all times in adherence with school regulations; B. Attend a minimum of one-half of meetings/functions per semester. Attendance will be taken at general body meetings for this purpose. Section 3. General Membership Privileges A. Members who additionally have fulfilled the majority of the requirements are entitled to the privileges that follow: 1. Priority to participate in MEChA activities; 2. Voting in MEChA officer elections, recall, amendment or impeachment; 3. Access to MEChA resources; 4. Eligibility for office. Article IV: Officers and Elections Section 1. Titles and Responsibilities of the governing body will consist of the following: Executive Board Members. Board Positions are yearlong and the general body may fill in a vacancy, via executive board vote. A. Two Executive Co-chairs (Co-mandantes) 1. Oversee and organize meetings with officers and general membership; a. Set and conduct agenda for Board meetings; 2. Search for new opportunities/activities that may be helpful in fulfilling MEChA's purposes for cultural and political awareness; 3. Approve minutes for all meeting; 4. Maintain open communication with all MEChA Affiliations; 5. When necessary Chairs hold the privilege of making executive decisions that need to be approved or denied at the subsequent board meeting;

6. In regards to split votes Chairs will discuss the topic further and have a re-vote. If the split remains after the re-vote the chairs will convene together and settle the split vote, the chairs will convene and settle the split vote; 7. In charge of communication between MEChA alumni and the organization (and building a network between the two; 8. One chair should fulfill the Este duties. 9. Responsible for SAC logistics a. Reserving rooms, submitting EAFs b. Training other board members on SAC logistics 10. Must be elected in the Spring B. Treasurer 1. Must attend SAC Treasurer Training. 2. Keeps accurate account of records of MEChA fund; 3. Keeps communication with the SAC commissioner; 4. Has records available for review by any MEChA member; 5. Prepare and present a budget report at General Body, Board, and SAC meetings; 6. Should inform the board of SAC Decisions related to club activities; 7. For any major financial decisions, budgeting, or proposals, treasurer should seek approval from executive board. 8. Year-long position. 9. Responsible for SAC logistics a. Reserving rooms, submitting EAFs b. Training other board members on SAC logistics 10. Must be elected in the Spring. C. Secretary 1. Shall keep the minutes of all MEChA meetings. a. For Board meetings, minutes should be emailed out within three days of the meeting. 2. Shall keep a record of attendance at general meetings and function; 3. Announce all upcoming meetings to all members of MEChA through the ListServ. 4. Maintain list of current, active, and non-active members; 5. Work together with Co-chairs and Historian to maintain an update Alumni list. D. East Coast Chicanx Student Forum (ECCSF) /National MEChA Representative 1. Attend ECCSF conferences as a representative of MEChA de Georgetown; 2. Help organize preparations for each conference; 3. In the case that the ECCSF cannot attend the meetings or conference she/he/they should appoint to a board member to act as a temporary ECCSF representative at the time of the conference;

4. Relay ECCSF information to MEChA. 5. Coordinate National & Regional MEChA conferences, all of the responsibilities with National MEChA are similar to the ones for the ECCSF. 6. Create budget and plan logistics to attend conferences. 7. Elected in the Spring. E. Student of Color Alliance (SOCA) Representative 1. Attend SOCA meetings; 2. Report SOCA related activities at board and general body meetings; 3. Will update Hoyalink and allow active member to vote F. Public Relations 1. Responsible for marketing events (creating flyers, postings, etc.); 2. Oversee community service related activities; 3. Serve as a liaison between MEChA and other Georgetown and Non-Georgetown groups; 4. Primary overseer of the MEChA de Georgetown Facebook. 5. Responsible of keeping members updated through MailChimp. G. Historian 1. Keep record of MEChA-related events on the MEChA Facebook (take pictures); 2. Shall keep a historical record of MEChA members; 3. Responsible of keeping members updated through MailChimp. H. First-Year Representative 1. Work for the recruitment of first-year s; 2. Must focus on the establishment and development of a relationship between first-year s and other MEChA members; 3. Elected in the fall; 4. Serve as the alternative SOCA representative; 5. Organize one first-year event for the general body during the school year; 6. Plan activities for first-year members. I. Alumni Liaison 1. Will establish and maintain contact with graduating seniors by working closely with the Despedida Graduating Committee. 2. Keep a listserv of Georgetown alumni that are interested with our Chicanx/Latinx activities on campus, send out a monthly report 3. Invite local alumni to our events for support 4. Facilitate the creation and maintenance of a yearly Chicanx/Latinx Reunion at Georgetown. J. Latino Leadership Forum Representative 1. Will attend weekly LLF meetings. 2. Serve as liaison between LLF and MEChA.

3. May be filled by an executive board or general member. Section 2. Additional Duties A. All outgoing officers shall be required to train all incoming officers from elections through the transition period. 1. Transition period will occur from election time until the end of the school-year. B. All board members must attend board and general meetings with the allowance of special exceptions. Section 3. Election of Officers A. Nominations for spring-elected officers will occur within a month before the ending of the school-year. 1. Candidates may nominate themselves. B. Elections will occur in a subsequent meeting. C. A simple majority of the present membership will elect a candidate. D. Semester division of board positions 1. Spring elections must consist of the following positions: Co-chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, and ECCSF Representative. 2. Fall elections must consist of the following positions: Historian, SOCA, and First-Year Representative. E. Candidates abroad 1. During the time of elections, a member abroad may be nominated and run for a board position. 2. Nominated candidates abroad can only participate in the election of their own position. Section 4. Requirements for Eligibility A. Individuals must have member status in accordance with Art. II Sec. 2. B. Members are eligible to run regardless if the member cannot serve full term (academic school-year), except for the treasurer. Section 5. Voting A. Votes shall be conducted by secret ballot. B. Voting can be in-person or online via Hoyalink 1. If voting is in-person, ballots shall be counted and announced at the same meeting where elections are held immediately following the tallying of votes; must be oversaw by a third person party (SAC commissioner, etc.) 3. If voting is online, it is up to the discretion of the executive board to decide how long elections should be live

C. In the case of a tie, the voting body shall vote again. If a tie occurs a second time, another vote will follow until a majority is established. Section 6. Impeachment A. In the case of impeachment of an executive board member, another executive board member must present the articles of impeachment (reasons). In this case the board must reach a simple majority in order for the impeachment to follow a vote in the general membership. B. Immediately following the board meeting the secretary will notify the general membership by email that the subsequent general meeting discussion and impeachment voting will occur 1. Included in the email must be the name, position of the board member up for impeachment, the time, the date, and location of where the impeachment voting will take place. C. Once on the floor at the subsequent general body meeting, discussion will be heard on the issue followed by a vote. D. Only a super majority can approve/reject the articles of impeachment. Article V. Affiliations A. Georgetown s Student of Color Alliance: Student of Color Alliance was created to foster collaboration among students of color at Georgetown University; promote cultural and diversity initiatives; provide support and resources; prevent and resolve problems; and maintain a sense of unity within the University community. B. East Coast Chicanx Student Forum: In 1984, the East Coast Chican@ Student Forum was founded as a result of the yearly gathering at Yale University known as Pachanga. The forum has since grown to be a dynamic social, cultural, and political organization that includes Latin@s from all over the United States who are attending East Coast schools. C. Latino Leadership Forum: In Fall of 2014, 15 Latino student leaders joined with the Provost s Committee and the President s Office to create the first ever, university-sponsored, Latino Heritage Month. Thus, they founded the Latino Leadership Forum to unite Hoyas who share a passion for Latino culture and community. Following the Forum s success, the students decided to utilize the Forum as a platform to organize, celebrate, and advocate for Latinidad on the hilltop. Casa Latina is an initiative spearheaded by the Latino Leadership Forum to create another multicultural home at Georgetown University. D. The National MEChA Conference takes place every year in the spring. It is an opportunity for MEChistAs from around the nation to get together and network. The conference is composed of many workshops, speakers and some sort of action. National MEChA business is also done at the conference. E. Casa Latina: In the Fall of 2016, Casa Latina opened its doors with 5 residents to the Latinx community on Georgetown s campus. Casa Latina is the space for Latinx s on campus to come together for a sense of community.

Article VI. Sponsorships Section 1. Event Financial and Non-Financial Sponsorship A. Non-Financial Sponsorship 1. Clubs, affiliations, general or board members seeking non-financial sponsorship can present a proposal in any general body or board meeting. 2. The board will decide to approve the sponsorship at a subsequent meeting. B. Financial Sponsorship 1. Clubs, affiliations, general or board members seeking financial sponsorship can present a proposal at any general body or board meeting. They must present two or more weeks prior to the proposed date of event. 2. The board must approve the proposed event and budget in order to present to SAC. Article VII. Amendments to the Constitution Section 1: The following procedure shall be used when amending the Constitution: A. General or board members can propose an amendment at any general body meeting. B. In the following board meeting, the board will vote by a simple majority to allow the amendment to be heard and voted on. C. If the amendment passes to a vote, the board will announce the general body the date, time, and location of the voting. D. The voting process held with the general membership will occur as follows: 1. The board will introduce the amendment. 2. The amendment will move to a vote. 3. Amendments will pass through a super majority (2/3) of members present.