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Constitution
CONSTITUTION OF THE HISPANIC SOCIETY OF LAFAYETTE COLLEGE
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Hispanic Society of Lafayette (HSL).
ARTICLE II. MISSION
The mission of the HSL is composed of one long-term purpose and a set of 5 definite goals that contribute to the accomplishment of the long-term purpose.
Section A. Purpose
The purpose of the HSL is to increase awareness of the Hispanics’ social contribution and presence on campus, in the United States and worldwide; and to generate and strengthen a sense of inclusion to and from Hispanics on Lafayette’s student body, staff, faculty and administration. All efforts on behalf of the HSL must remain loyal to this ultimate purpose. No activity, event, or financial support on behalf of the HSL may contradict, undermine or harm the integrity of the HSL’s purpose.
Section B. Goals
- To inform about current events in Latin America and about Hispanics in the United States;
- To educate objectively about the Latin American politics, history, geography, language; celebrities, music, traditions and any other sphere relevant to the Hispanic cultures;
- To provide on campus opportunities to celebrate the Hispanic cultures;
- To integrate the Hispanic and local student bodies;
- To contribute to the development of the Hispanic community of Easton.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the HSL is open to any student, faculty or staff member of Lafayette College in cooperation with the colleges and universities of the greater Lehigh Valley community, who has an interest in pursuing the HSL’s purpose, supporting or taking advantage of the HSL’s goals and activities or participating in any form that is compatible with the purpose and goals of the HSL.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
The HSL shall have an Executive Board composed of a President, Vice-President, Public Relations Officer(s), Treasurer and Secretary.
Section A. Elections
Elections will be organized and run by the Vice-President of the HSL Board with participation of all other board members except the President. Elections shall take place in March of every year. They shall be held at an HSL club meeting of which every member in the HSL mailing list must be informed. The HSL members present at the Elections Meeting shall elect the members of the Executive Board for a one-academic-year term.
Section B. Eligibility
Executive board positions for the HSL are open to all organization members regardless of offices previously held, except for the President. The President must have served in the HSL board for at least one (1) year in order to be eligible for candidacy.
Section C. Elections Process
The candidates for the Executive Board positions must submit a Statement of Purpose to the members of the board describing the reasons for their candidacy and future changes or contributions to the HSL and its purpose. If considered acceptable by the Board, it is then the Board’s duty to organize the Elections Meeting in the month of March. This is an opportunity for the candidates to address the general HSL body regarding their candidacy for an Executive Board position. At this same meeting, all members present may vote for their preferred candidate. In case there are more than two (2) candidates for a single position, the two top contestants determined through simple majority will take part in a second round of elections. A majority of 50+1 is necessary to win.
Section D. Duties
The first duty of every newly elected board member shall be reading, understanding and pledging to the HSL Constitution.
While all members of the Executive Board are expected to contribute to and participate in any HSL activity that demands his/her efforts, each Executive Board member will have his/her respective duties.
- President (1) - The president shall be responsible for the general growth and accomplished development of the Hispanic Society of Lafayette. He or she must conduct the board and the general body in conformity with the HLS’s purpose and goals by:
- Developing a year-long plan to accomplish the goals and purpose of the HSL;
- Being responsible for the performance of the board and the satisfaction of the members;
- Conduct mid-year evaluations to better assess the effectiveness of the HSL board and activities and the satisfaction of HSL members
-Making sure that its members carry out all tasks and activities with responsibility and integrity;
-Presiding HSL board meetings;
-Being responsible for the HSL’s general body meetings (not necessarily preside);
-Outstandingly representing the HSL in any relevant event organized or not organized by Lafayette College and/or making sure the HSL is outstandingly represented in such events;
-And setting the example in terms of conduct, work ethic, dedication and enthusiasm for the HSL board, club and the general Lafayette community.
- Vice-President (1) - The Vice-President shall fulfill any or all of the President’s tasks in absentia of the President or as justifiably requested by the President. In addition, the Vice-President shall support and contribute directly to the fulfillment of the board’s and the general group’s tasks continuously. The Vice-President shall also be in charge of the executive board elections process by :
- Ensuring that the elections process is carried out in conformity with the HSL Constitution-Objectively informing HSL members about the duties, responsibilities and expectations for each position according the HSL Constitution;
-Plan and conduct the elections session as indicated by the Constitution;
-Tabulate the results and present them to the HSL board and general body within a week of elections;
-And help the new board members smoothly transition into their board positions.
- Public Relations Officer (1 or 2) - The Public Relations Officer(s) shall be responsible for:
-Being the main link between the HSL and other student organizations on campus or Hispanic groups of other colleges and universities;
-Timely and effective advertisement for all HSL events;
-Attending all HSL activities and filling out an HSL Event Review Form for each activity to be discussed in the next board meeting;
-Taking digital pictures of every event;
-Keeping a file (soft copy and hard copy) for each event that includes the HSL Event -Review Form and the digital pictures for future reference;
-Creating an HSL website that portrays the HSL’s nature and purpose, HSL activities and its impact on campus, and HSL members and their experiences;
-And creating and publishing the HSL Newsletter in May of every year to be uploaded into the HSL website.
- Treasurer (1) - The Treasurer shall be responsible for:
-All financial transactions on behalf of the HSL, including but not limited to check requests, reimbursements and purchase orders;
-Create and maintain an EXCEL file of all transactions (revenues and expenses) and have it updated every week;
-Present a financial report to the HSL board every month;
-Determine the need for and organize fundraising activities.
- Secretary (1) - The Secretary shall be responsible for:
-Sending all emails announcing or reminding about meetings, activities or any special requests to all HSL members in a timely fashion;
-Being the main contact with local businesses and Wood’s Services;
-Taking notes during meetings if necessary;
-Recording and distribute minutes to the board and general body members throughout Hispanic Heritage Month only;
-Having an updated HSL mailing list and any other mailing lists relevant to the HSL such as specific sign ups or Spanish professors;
-And keeping a file of all businesses, music groups, restaurants, organizations, speakers etc. previously and currently used by the HSL with all its contact information readily available.
ARTICLE V. AMMENDMENTS
- Any amendments to the HSL Constitution must be done with the approval of the entire board and a 50 + 1 majority of the club’s active members.
- Any amendments to the HSL Constitution must be made public to the general HSL body and advisor(s).
We approve of and pledge loyalty to this revised HSL Constitution.
Hispanic Society of Lafayette College | 2007-2008 | Easton, PA | Contact webmaster at hsl@lafayette.edu
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