ALAS Constitution

 

Constitution for the Association of Latin American Students

We organize ourselves under the name of the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS).

 

 

MISSION

On September 22, 1991 the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) was founded in order to provide a support network for the Hispanic/Latino community of Washington University. We state as our mission to maintain this support network as well as to make constant efforts to increase the environment of tolerance and diversity in Washington University through cultural, educational, and social activities.

 

PURPOSE

The Association of Latin American Students recognizes as its purpose:

To create and foster an atmosphere in which the Hispanic/Latino community of Washington University is able to work together to promote cultural awareness, education, and fellowship for the benefit of the Washington University community.

To serve as a resource for the provision and reception of academic support (e.g. mentor, tutor, etc).

To advocate student interests to the University administration and faculty.

To work closely with the Admissions Office, particularly with the Minority Recruitment and Retention Office, to encourage the recruitment of Hispanic/Latino students. (EXPLAIN IN BY-LAWS)

 

To encourage involvement with the St. Louis Hispanic/Latino community by creating community service opportunities.

To encourage Spanish proficiency through programs designed by ALAS members (e.g. Español Por Favor).

To work in collaboration with other Student Organizations at Washington University, in programs that will promote and environment of cultural tolerance and respect, as well as to provide educational opportunities for the Washington University community.

To foster an environment of growth within ALAS and design innovative programs that will constantly meet the changing needs of the ALAS community.

 

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to all members of the Washington University community, regardless of color, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, language proficiency and/or preference.

All members who attend at least 50% of the meetings each semester will acquire voting power (BY LAWS controls may be kept by the Executive Board by using sign-up sheets).

 

 

EXECUTIVE BOARD/LIASONS

 

The Executive Board is composed of:

 

 

A. President:

Preside at General Body meetings.

Facilitate and prepare the agenda, along with the Vice-President, for Executive Board meetings.

Serve as a spokesperson for the Executive Board and for the Organization to other Washington University Departments.

Meet biweekly with the Advisor.

Serve as the main contact for the Organization.

Provide timely follow-up to organizational tasks.

Organize Executive Board retreats.

Attend Budget Committee meetings to defend and support the ALAS budget with the Treasurer.

Facilitate elections.

Coordinate the transition of new officers to Executive Board positions.

Compile end of semester reports and evaluations.

 

B. Vice-President:

Preside at General Body meetings in the absence of the President.

Direct Constitutional updating and revision.

Serve as a coordinator for all exec board meetings with President and maintain weekly meetings with them.

Submit end of semester reports and program evaluations.

Perform other duties as directed by the President and agreed upon by both parties.

 

C. Community Awareness

Coordinate campus-wide programs and co-sponsorships to promote cultural awareness

Organize and coordinate the Español Por Favor programs and Amistad community service events

Coordinate other activities that will educate the Washington University community about Hispanic/Latino affairs.

Offer community service/educational opportunities to ALAS members that target directly the Washington University Hispanic/Latino community and/or the one in St. Louis.

Work closely with the Coordinator of Community Service at the Office of Student Activities.

 

D. Treasurer:

Prepare the budget for each semester and present it to the SU Treasurer.

Prepare timely appeals to the SU Treasury.

Prepare purchase orders, requisition forms, or supply requests.

Reimburse members for out of pocket expenses in a timely manner (no more than two weeks).

Keep accounting and budget documents and present a weekly report in the Executive Board meetings.

Maintain financial history of the Organization.

Maintain a working relationship with the SU Treasurer and the SU Business Manager.

Inform the Executive Board of all financial matters.

Coordinate fundraising activities with the Fundraising liaison and other Executive Board members.

Maintain records of supplies ordered, supplies used and supplies stored in office space.

Ensure ethical spending of SU allocated money.

Deposit all cash transactions in a timely manner.

Attend the SU Budget committee meeting to defend and support the ALAS budget request, with the President.

Perform other duties as directed by the President and agreed upon by both parties.

 

E. Secretary:

Record and maintain minutes of all General Body meetings.

Send minutes to all members and to the Advisor.

Prepare an agenda, in conjunction with the President, for Executive Board meetings.

Record and maintain minutes of all Executive Board meetings.

Work closely with Public Relations Chair to promote events

Record and maintain a scrapbook, which contains flyers, news articles, pictures, etc.

Maintain a calendar of events.

Reserve spaces for meeting and events.

Check the ALAS mailbox in OSA every week before Executive Board meetings.

Check the ALAS e-mail account and forward e-mails to all appropriate parties.

Send weekly updates to the ALAS listserv.

Collect and count votes with the President (unless running for office).

Submit end of semester reports.

Perform other duties as directed by the president and agreed upon by both parties.

 

F. Public Relations Chair:

Promote events in a timely manner (BY LAWS)

Take an active role in the recruitment of members for ALAS (e.g. Activities Fairs, Multicultural Celebrations Weekend, etc)

Recruit and maintain regular communication with a committee of volunteers.

Participate in the set-up and during events.

 

G. Social:

Organize and coordinate social events for the ALAS members as well as for the Washington University Community.

The social committee is responsible for obtaining all necessary components of the social event (e.g. food, music, decorations, etc.)

Organize a party during the fall and the formal during the spring.

Participate in the set-up and during events.

 

H. Fundraising:

Organize and coordinate fundraising activities. At least one fundraiser each academic year.

Work closely with the treasurer.

Participate in the set-up and during events.

 

I. Cultural Production:

The annual cultural production must have two liaisons

The cultural production will take place during spring semester.

The liaisons will be in charge of recruiting a committee, including a point person that will serve as technician, starting in Fall semester

The committee must be up and working by February of Spring semester.

The liaisons will be in charge of overseeing all acts and of logistics of the show.

 

EXECUTIVE BOARD ELEG

 

IBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Any voting member is eligible to run for office as long as he or she is enrolled as a full-time student (min. 12 credits) for the entire duration of the term sought. The Executive Board is responsible for respecting, maintaining and promoting the mission of ALAS, and will be held accountable to this by the ALAS members. An Executive Board will be responsible for the coordination of policy, activities and ideology as it affects the ALAS members. The Executive Board will meet weekly. The Executive Board is responsible for attending all General Body Meetings. The Executive Board will maintain contact with the Administration, Faculty, the Office of Admissions, and the Office of Student Activities of Washington University. The Executive Board will serve as a mentor for the newly elected Board starting on April 1, prior to the end of the Spring semester.

 

ELECTIONS

In order to be eligible for President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Cultural Production positions, the candidate must be a full-time student for the duration of the academic year (People who plan to Study Abroad cannot run for these positions). The candidate must also be an active member of ALAS for at least one semester, before participating in elections. Students running for Community Awareness, Public Relations Chair, Fundraising, and Social positions can be freshmen. Elections will be determined by majority (50% + 1). The Secretary will collect and count the votes, in conjunction with the President, and will announce the results during the following meeting. Nominations will be taken one meeting prior to the elections. Anyone present at the General Body Meeting may nominate him or herself. A statement shall be made during the same meeting. Once officers are elected, a training process will begin, extending for at least two weeks, organized by the Executive Board.

 

 

IMPEACHMENT AND APPOINTMENT

Any officer may be recalled from his or her position if he or she fails to perform the assigned duties and for not adhering to the Constitution. Any General Body member can propose the removal of an elected officer at a meeting, by submitting a statement to ALAS members. This proposal will be documented and it will be included in the next General Body meeting’s agenda. At the following meeting, members will vote on the impeachment of that officer. If impeached, an immediate internal election will occur by eligible voting members to replace that position.

 

Executive Installation:

 

The newly elected Executive Officers of ALAS will undergo a period of training of no less than two weeks prior to assuming positions. The new officers will be installed during the last meeting of the academic year. They will assume full responsibilities at the beginning of the new one. At the installation, the officers must take the following oath:

 

 

GENERAL BODY AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

General Body Meetings will be held biweekly, in a location of choice of the Executive Board. The agenda of the meeting shall be designed by all members of the Executive Board during their weekly meeting. The President will preside over General Body Meeting, unless agreed otherwise by the Executive Board members. Team-building activities are encouraged, along with announcement from other organizations on and off campus, health and wellness activities, academic offerings, and community service.

 

 

ADVISOR RELATIONSHIP AND EXPECTATIONS

The Advisor to ALAS is expected to:

 

Meet weekly with the President.

Attend General Body Meetings.

Provide useful advice and assistance to the group.

Serve as a primary contact between ALAS and the Office of Student Activities (OSA).

 

AMENDMENT PROCEDURES

 

1. An amendment may be brought before ALAS by a majority vote and a statement must be submitted to ALAS members. The President will notify all current members that an amendment is being considered. To be accepted, the amendment must gain a 2/3 approval of the general member-body.

 

 

CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW

Every two years, the constitution shall be reviewed by the new general body under a committee headed by the Internal Vice-President of the organization. Any proposed revision must be communicated prior to the General Body meeting and be included in its agenda. Revisions, upon receiving a 2/3 majority vote of the general body, will then be signed by all Executive Board members, and will become part of ALAS’s governing rules for the course of the year.