Bylaws of the Latin American Student Association (LASA) of Azusa Pacific University ARTICLE ONE Functions I The Executive Council shall establish and maintain the Bylaws: A. Bylaws shall be created, amended, and repealed according to the provisions of the Constitution. B. All Bylaws shall receive a majority vote for approval and shall remain binding until changed by a new vote. The Executive Council shall work closely with the LASA Advisor to keep in mind the goal and standards held important for the advancement of Latina/o students at Azusa Pacific University. ARTICLE TWO Leadership Any Executive Council or Programming Committee member shall hereafter be referred to as an Officer. Leadership Empowerment Advancement Development program members shall hereafter be referred to as LEAD. A. Each Officer shall have the power to examine all records and shall fulfill all duties vested in them by the Constitution and Bylaws. B. Each Executive Council member is hereby required to attend all Executive Council meetings, familia gatherings, and LASA general events, unless granted the privilege of abstention by the President. C. Each Programming Committee member is hereby required to attend all Programming Committee meetings, familia gatherings, and LASA general events unless the privilege of abstention has been granted by the Vice President. D. All of LEAD is hereby required to attend all LEAD meetings, unless granted the privilege of abstention by the President. E. No Officer shall assume a position during their term of office that would hinder their ability to fulfill their duties and/or responsibilities. F. No Executive Council member may take more than 18 units in one semester. G. If an Officer fails to fulfill and maintain the qualification as outlined in the descriptions of duties and responsibilities, they may be dismissed after due consideration, as stipulated in the Constitution and Bylaws. 1
H. In the case of unusual or extenuating circumstances, the Executive Council may allow a petition to be presented to and voted upon by the Executive Council. Acceptance of this petition by a majority vote shall effectively waive the petitioned restrictions for the candidate. I II Replacement Procedures for Dismissed or Replaced Officers, LEAD members, and Advisor: A. Procedure for Dismissal: i. An Officer, LEAD member, or Advisor may be dismissed if they fail to meet the requirements and duties set forth in the Bylaws. ii. An Officer, LEAD member, or Advisor may be dismissed by a majority vote by the Officers. B. Procedure for replacement: i. The President: a. In the event of the resignation or dismissal of the President from office before the end of their term, the Vice President shall become the President and assume all presidential duties and responsibilities. b. The Executive Council shall then appoint a new Vice President who will take office immediately after receiving a majority vote in the Executive Council. ii. Executive Council: a. In the event of the resignation or dismissal of an Executive Council member from office, the Executive Council shall appoint another person, by a majority vote, to assume the position for the remainder of the term of office iii. Programming Committee: a. In the event of the resignation or dismissal of a Programming Committee member from office during their term, the Vice President shall nominate another person to assume the position who will take office immediately after receiving a majority vote in the Executive Council approving their appointment. iv. Advisor: a. In the event of the resignation or dismissal of the Advisor, the Executive Council shall appoint a new Advisor, by a majority vote. Duties of the Executive Council, Programming Committee, and LEAD members: A. The President shall: 2
ii. Attend all Executive Council and LEAD meetings. iv. Administrate and evaluate the functions of the LASA structure: a. Call and chair Executive Council meetings. b. Prepare meeting agenda for Executive Council. c. Communicate regularly with members of the Executive Council on an individual bases to evaluate project execution, participation as a leader in the Latina/o community, and to review duties and responsibilities. v. Establish continual communication with the administration, representing the Latina/o student body s needs and concerns. This includes but is not limited to: a. Meet monthly with MEP Director. b. Meet with the Director of Communiversity twice a semester. c. Meet with the office of Diversity Planning and Assessment once a semester. vi. Serve as the LASA representative on the following committees: a. MEP Presidents Committee b. Communiversity Clubs & Organizations Committee vii. Present Presidential Reports at Executive Council Meetings. viii. Chair Executive Council. ix. Chair LEAD. x. Meet monthly with Advisor. B. The Vice President shall: ii. Attend all Executive Council, Programming Committee, and LEAD meetings. iv. Perform the duties of the President in their absence. v. Communicate regularly with LASA President to evaluate project execution. vi. Present Programming Committee reports at Executive Council meetings. vii. Chair the LASA Programming Committee. a. As Chair, the Vice President shall: 1. Keep LASA Master Calendar, until filed with Director of Internal Affairs at the end of each semester. 2. Manage Program Proposals, filing each proposal with Director of Internal Affairs within a week following event date. 3
3. Manage Program evaluations; file each evaluation with Director of Internal Affairs within a week following event date. viii. Meet bi-weekly with each member of the Programming Committee to set individual goals and evaluate progress. ix. Meet monthly with LASA advisor. C. Director of Communications shall: ii. Attend all Executive Council meetings. iv. Communicate regularly with LASA President to evaluate project execution. v. Work with the Executive Council and Programming Committee to regularly inform LASA membership of relevant information. vi. Communicate with the Clause editors and inform them of any important upcoming events. vii. Present Director of Communication reports at Executive Council meetings. viii. Oversee the maintenance of the LASA Web Pages and respond to Internet inquiries. a. Update pictures and information bi-weekly. ix. Direct all publicity campaigns. x. Meet monthly with LASA advisor. D. Director of Internal Affairs shall: ii. Attend all Executive Council meetings. iv. Communicate regularly with LASA President to evaluate project execution. v. Coordinate Officer office hours. vi. Record minutes at all Executive Council and Programming Committee meetings, and distribute them to each Executive Council Member and Advisor within a week of the meeting. vii. Keep accurate records in accordance to Procedural Directives. a. Copies of all LASA receipts b. LASA calendars c. Program Proposals d. Program Evaluations viii. Keep up-to-date records of LASA s budget. ix. Coordinate fundraising campaigns. x. Meet monthly with LASA Advisor. E. Community Service Coordinator shall: ii. Attend all Programming Committee meetings. 4
iv. Communicate regularly with LASA Vice President to evaluate project execution. v. Facilitate Community Service report at each Programming Committee meetings. vi. Meet twice a semester with Director of the Office of Ministry and Service. vii. Meet once a semester with Director of Community Relations. viii. Represent LASA in Homework House Committee. ix. Organize LASA involvement in CHAMPS program. x. Meet with advisor at least once a semester. F. Recruitment Coordinator shall: ii. Attend all Programming Committee meetings. iv. Communicate regularly with LASA Vice President to evaluate project execution. v. Facilitate Recruitment report at each Programming Committee meetings. vi. Meet with SGA Commuter Senator twice a semester and work together to meet the needs of Latina/o commuters. vii. Meet with Communiversity Commuter Grad Interns monthly and work together to coordinate events that are relevant to the needs of Latina/o commuters. viii. Coordinate one event a month that meets the specific needs of Latina/o commuter students. ix. Represent and Coordinate LASA involvement in the following: a. First Generation Summit b. All Access Weekends c. Connections x. Meet with advisor at least once a semester. G. LASA Women s Network (LWN) Coordinator shall: ii. Attend all Programming Committee meetings. iv. Communicate regularly with LASA Vice President to evaluate project execution. v. Facilitate LWN report at each Programming Committee meetings. vi. Coordinate monthly LWN leadership meetings. vii. Coordinate bi-weekly LWN meetings. viii. Maintain regular communication with Woman s Resource Center. ix. Meet with LASA advisor at least once a semester H. Alumni Network Coordinator shall: 5
V ii. Attend all Programming Committee meetings. iv. Communicate regularly with LASA Vice President to evaluate project execution. v. Facilitate Alumni Network report at each Programming Committee meetings. vi. Keep up-to-date records of Alumni and members who graduate in December and May ceremonies. vii. Order graduation medallions for graduating LASA members. viii. Regularly send out Alumni Newsletter. ix. Update Alumni Network s online resources. x. Meet once a semester with the Director of the Alumni Office. xi. Meet once a semester with The Office of University Advancement. xii. Meet once a semester with LASA advisor. I. LEAD Members shall: i. Attend all LEAD meetings, unless given permission to abstain by the President. ii. Strive for academic excellence. iii. Active involvement as an advocate for the Latina/o community. iv. Make oneself available for helping in familia gatherings, general events, and specific programming. v. Miss no more than two LASA events (familia gatherings of general events) in any given semester. Meetings: A. All LASA wide events and familia gatherings shall be open to anyone who wishes to attend. These shall occur bi-weekly. B. The Executive Council, Programming Committee, and LEAD meetings shall be closed sessions, unless special arrangements are agreed upon. C. The Executive Council shall meet no less than bi-weekly during the academic year. Meeting times shall be as decided by the President. D. The Programming Committee shall meet bi-weekly during the academic year. Meeting times shall be as decided by the Vice President. E. LEAD shall meet monthly. Meetings shall be as decided by the Executive Council. F. The President or Vice President may call special meetings of the Executive Council, Programming Committee, and/or LEAD upon giving at least 24 hours advanced notification to all Executive Council, Programming Committee, and LEAD members. 6
G. Agendas shall be e-mailed to Officers at least 24 hours before meetings. Minutes shall be e-mailed to Officers and filed within a week of each meeting. ARTICLE THREE Duties of the Advisor The Advisor shall perform the following duties: A. Read and understand the Constitution and Bylaws. B. Meet monthly with the LASA President to assist in evaluating group projects, direction, performance, needs, and concerns. C. Keep the President accountable to the LASA Constitution and Bylaws. D. Assist and advise the LASA President in effective ways of promoting group relationships, goal setting, evaluating purpose, leadership development, and logistical planning when needed. ARTICLE FOUR Procedural Directives Presidential Selection and Officer Appointment Directive: A. The successor to the LASA President shall be selected by the standing LASA President with the advice of the graduating Executive Council members and the Advisor. B. The Executive Council shall determine the date by which this must be done. i. Within five days of selecting the nominee for the LASA presidency the current President must notify the selected individual of their nomination. From this date the nominee will have five workdays to determine if they wish to accept their nomination. ii. The successor to the LASA presidency shall then be introduced to LEAD at the next meeting. C. All officers, with the exception of the President and the LASA Women s Network Coordinator, shall be selected from a pool of LEAD applicants. D. The application process shall be determined and executed by the standing Director of Internal Affairs with the approval of the rest of the standing Executive Council. i. If this individual has been selected as successor to the presidency, or desires to apply for a officer position in the coming academic year, then the standing President shall appoint this responsibility to a graduating Executive Council member. E. Unfilled Positions: 7
i. In the event of an unfilled position, the position will be filled by presidential appointment by the succeeding President with a majority vote of approval from the Executive Council. I II LEAD Program Member Nomination Directive: A. New LEAD members shall be nominated by an Executive Council member and approved by no less than a majority vote by the Executive Council. Attendance Directive: A. Each Officer is allowed one meeting absence and one event/familia gathering absences per semester. B. An Officer is absent if they arrive fifteen (15) minutes after the meeting is called to order. Additionally, if an officer is tardy three times, it will count as an absence. C. An Officer is tardy if they arrive after the meeting is called to order. D. Upon an absence the Director of Internal Affairs shall issue a warning to the Officer. E. Two unexcused absences may be grounds for dismissal if approved by a majority vote of the Executive Council. F. A leave of absence in cases of serious illness or injury or a personal tragedy shall be no longer than one month. After this time the Executive Council with the aid of the Advisor will decide what action shall be taken in regards to that Officer s position, which may include dismissal. Any motion involving the dismissal of an officer must adhere to the guidelines established in the Constitution. ARTICLE FIVE Presidential Veto The President shall have the power to veto any measures approved by the Programming Committee, in their entirety or in part. A. The veto can be overridden by a majority vote by the Executive Council. 8