Article I

NAME, ADDRESS, PURPOSE

Section 1.1 Name

The name of this organization is the Hispanic American Law Students Association.

Section 1.2 Address

The address of this organization is 1700 College Topeka, KS 66621.

Section 1.3 Purpose

The Hispanic American Law Students Association is a diverse group of law students governed by its members. The purpose of HALSA shall be to ensure the recruitment, academic achievement, and retention of Hispanic law students, to enhance the employment opportunities of Hispanic law students, and to cooperate with other law student organizations in furtherance of the aforementioned purpose.

Article II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 2.1 Qualifications

A. An applicant for membership shall be a student who is currently enrolled in classes at Washburn University School of Law.

B. An applicant shall become a member upon payment of dues. Said dues shall be applied towards membership for the corresponding fiscal year.

Section 2.2 Privileges of membership

A. All members are entitled:

1. to attend all meetings

2. to hold office

3. to vote

B. The suspension of any member from Washburn University School of Law will result in the loss of all privileges of membership during the periods of suspension.

Section 2.3 Meetings of the Membership

A. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings may be held at such time and place as the active president shall direct with at least one-week notice to the membership.

B. Quorum. At all meetings of the membership, the members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

C. Voting. At all meetings of the membership, voting shall be by majority vote of attending members.

D. Executive Board. The executive board shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Director of Finance and the Director of Fundraising and Events, along with any other Director that the President shall appoint.

E. Executive Board Meetings. There shall be a monthly executive board meeting presided over by the President during which the executive board will discuss the planning and execution of events conducted by HALSA. All members are invited to attend executive board meetings, however, only the executive board is allowed to vote at that time.

F. Taking Minutes. The Secretary shall take minutes during the executive board meeting and advise the general membership of the discussion that transpired during said meeting.

Article III

OFFICERS

Section 3.1 Membership

Officers of this organization shall include a President, Vice President and Secretary.

Section 3.2 Elections

Officers shall serve for one year and will be elected every April.

Section 3.3 Qualifications

Officers, that are students of Washburn University School of Law, must be in good standing with the University.

Section 3.4 President

The President Shall:

a. Preside over all meetings

b. Be responsible for all matters in the efficient administration and operation of the organization.

c. Assist in the planning of events and programming of the organization.

d. Act as the Chief spokesperson for the organization.

e. Appoint the Director of Finance.

f. Appoint the Director of Fundraising and Events.

f. Post notices of regular meetings, agendas, and any other public function of the organization at appropriate locations.

h. Create and forward the organization’s orientation letter to incoming law students.

Section 3.5 Vice President

The Vice President shall:

a. Assist with Presidential duties.

b. Serve as President in the President’s absence.

c. Oversee the activities of the Directors of Finance and Fundraising and Events.

d. Assist in general operation of the organization.

e. Be a liaison between the organization and other law school organizations.

Section 3.6 Secretary

The Secretary shall:

a. Record minutes of all regular membership meetings and executive board meetings.

b. E-mail minutes from regular and executive board meetings to the membership.

c. Maintain correspondence with other organizations.

Section 3.7 Director of Finance

The Director of Finance shall:

a. Keep organized records of all financial transactions, balances, and correspondence relating to financial matters involving HALSA.

b. Review all funding requests with the President and Vice President.

c. Provide a “state of the Treasury” report to the membership at every regular meeting.

d. Perform such other functions involving monetary transactions of HALSA.

Section 3.8 Director of Fundraising and Events

The Director of Fundraising and Events shall:

a. Be responsible for planning and coordinating fundraising events for the organization.

b. Be responsible for coordination of the organization’s social activities.

Section 3.9 Responsibilities of Directors

Each Director shall regularly inform the President and Vice President of his or her activities. No Director will commit funds of the organization without the consultation and permission of the President and Vice President.

Article IV

AMENDMENTS

Section 4.1

Any member of HALSA may propose amendments to this constitution.

Section 4.2

All proposed amendments shall be brought before the membership and approved by a two-thirds majority of the organization’s dues-paying members.

Section 4.3

Copies of the proposed amendment shall be provided to all members at least one week prior to the date of the approval vote.

Article V

RATIFICATION

This constitution shall be considered ratified upon a vote of approval by a two-thirds majority of the organization’s dues-paying membership.