Constitution

 

 

African-Latino Society Constitution 2010-2011

 

Preamble

We, the students of Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, in order to represent, promote, advocate, and serve the political, social, economic, and cultural welfare and concerns of ALANA students, do hereby adopt this Constitution of the African-Latino Society. This document shall be amended as deemed necessary by the ALS general body members and/or Executive board, or thereupon every four years from the date of its last revision.

 

Article I – Name

 

Section 1

The name of this organization shall be the African Latino-Society/ La Sociedad Africana-Latina (ALS)

 

Article II- Purpose/Mission Statement

 

Section 1

The mission of the African-Latino Society/La Sociedad Africana-Latina shall be to promote the political, social, economic, and cultural welfare of ALANA students in the Ithaca College community. ALS will foster a collaborative dialog and relationship with the administration of Ithaca College, Cornell University, and the greater Ithaca community. The three main objectives shall be:

• To educate and empower its members
• To strengthen the ALANA (students of color) community through programs and policies
• To nurture, encourage, and provide academic support and a cultural outlet for general body members and its future leaders

 

Article III- Membership Criteria

 

Section 1

Membership in this organization is open to all irrespective of race, creed, color, gender, gender identity, class, age, nation of origin, nationality, disability, marital status, religion, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

 

 

Section 2

Full or active membership constitutes anyone who attends 51% of all ALS events and meetings. Only full-time matriculated Ithaca College students can serve on the Executive Board.

 

Section 3

Eligibility requirements are good academic (2.5 GPA) and judicial standing.

 

Section 4

There shall be no hazing permitted

 

Article IV- Meetings

 

Section 1

General body meetings shall be held every other week (bi-weekly) during the fall and spring semesters while classes are in session, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board.

 

Section 2

ALS general body meetings shall be presided over by the Executive Board and shall be open to any interested person of the greater Ithaca community.

 

Article V- Criteria for Voting

 

Section 1

All active general body members are eligible to vote for open positions, events, or any ideas presented to them by the Executive Board

 

Section 2

An active member is defined as one who attends at least 51% of all ALS events and meetings during the current academic year

 

Section 3

The Executive Board members shall determine the method of voting

 

Section 4

The Spokesperson of ALS shall vote solely in the event of a tie.

 

 

Article VI- Elections

 

Section 1

All positions are open to active members who are in good academic (no lower than a 2.5 GPA) and judicial standing. No one on academic or judicial standing probation is eligible.

 

Section 2

All general body members reserve the right to submit an appeal for review by the Executive Board and advising bodies of the organization should they not be eligible for a position based on the criterion due to special circumstances.

 

Section 3

A student who is currently holding a position on the Executive board, or who has held a position in the past, may fill the position of Spokesperson if the position becomes vacant. However if they are not elected by a majority vote from the general body am active general body may be elected into the position of Spokesperson. 

 

Section 4

All other vacancies will be filled by an active general body member via to a special election.

 

Article VII- Executive Board Election Procedures

 

Section 1

Elections for the new Executive board of the African-Latino Society/La Sociedad Africana-Latina shall be held every spring of the academic school year

 

Section 2

If there are vacancies left in the Executive Board at the beginning of the fall semester, special elections must be held before the end of the first academic block period to fill the/those vacancies.

 

Section 3

In the event of an untimely resignation or impeachment the Executive Board will hold elections within four (4) weeks of that officers vacancies

 

Section 4

Each candidate for the new ALS Executive board shall have a chance to present their platform to the general body members, whether in person or by phone, or in written format unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board

 

Section 5

Students currently studying abroad at the time of elections are eligible to run

 

Section 6

For a full and democratic vote to take place each candidate must present their platform to the general body members, a question and answer period then takes place. One the answer and question period is completed those running for positions shall vacate the room so the general body may deliberate the candidacy. The active members then must vote and once all the votes are collected the candidates may return to the room. The majority vote is thereby announced before the general body to complete the election process for that position

 

Section 7

Once of the new ALS Executive board members for the new academic year have been selected, the election procedure is hereby closed and no re-election shall take place, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board.

 

 

Article VIII- Executive Board

 

Section 1
The Executive Branch of the African-Latino Society/La Sociedad Africana-Latina shall henceforth be known as the Executive Board. All officers of this organization must be full-time matriculated Ithaca College students

Section 2
The Executive Board shall consist of (listed in order of chain of command)

• Spokesperson – Aja Houpe
• Internal Affairs – Oluwayeni Ropo-Tusin
• Information Coordinator – DeAsia Gilmer
• Treasurer – Danny Alveraz
• Public Relations – Arik McNally
• Historian – Turquoise Collins
• Peer Recruiter – Richard Onyejuruwa

Section 3

The current ALS Executive Board of that academic year will be in charge of holding the second to last general body meeting and last ALS event of the academic year. The newly elected Executive Board will be in charge of the last general body meeting of the academic year under the support of the previous Executive Board.

Section 4

Shall be held at least once a week during the fall and spring semester when classes are in session, unless otherwise specified by the Executive Board.

Section 5

• All active members in attendance are eligible to vote.
• All Executive Board members (except the Spokesperson) shall have one (1) vote.
• The Executive Board will vote on money on their own digression.
• The Spokesperson shall have one (1) vote in the event of a tie.

Section 6

All ALS Executive Board members shall be responsible for the following

• Attending general body and Executive Board meetings, unless a valid excuse is presented.
• Attending and supporting ALS sponsored events, unless a valid excuse is presented.
• Keeping informed on issues before ALS and fulfilling the responsibilities of their positions as outlined by the constitution. 
• Maintaining the organization and cleanliness of the ALS room and office.
• Ensuring the stability and well being of the ALANA community and ALS general body constitutes.
• Maintain ALS website.

Spokesperson (Aja Houpe) shall:

• Act as Chief Executive Officer and contact person.
• Call and organize Executive Board meetings.
• Preside over general body meetings.
• Delegate responsibilities to the rest of the Executive Board members.
• Relay decisions made by the Executive Board to the general body.
• Meet with Advisor to give updates on the progress of the society.
• Ensure that the organization and its members are in accordance with the objectives outlined in the Constitution.
• Check mail in the Student Activities Center (SAC).
• Vote in the event of a tie in either Executive Board or general body meetings.

Internal Affairs (Oluwayeni Ropo-Tusin) shall:

• Act as a liaison between ALS, alumni, and other organizations on campus.
• Maintain communication between ALS, the Ithaca College Administration, and the Ithaca College community.
• Update and ensure that the society operates in accordance with college policies.
• Reserve rooms for events.
• Act as Chief Executive officer in Spokesperon's absence.

Information Coordinator (DeAsia Gilmer) shall:

• Organize ALS correspondences.
• Type and respond to all mail.
• Take and organize minutes at Executive Board and general body meetings.
• Schedule events in the ALS room and open the ALS room as necessary.
• Respond to all e-mail, concerns, functions, and seminars of importance to the organization.
• E-mail minutes general body and Executive Board within 48 hours after any meetings.

Treasurer (Danny Alveraz) shall:

• Keep a record of all monetary transactions in conjunction with the Spokesperson and approves the release of funds.
• Keep in close contact with the Ithaca College Student Government, VP of Business and Finance.
• Collect money at ALS functions.
• Coordinate and program fundraisers.
• Draft monthly reports of monetary transactions.
• Draft funding proposals.

Public Relations (Arik McNally) shall:

• Act as a liaison between media and the external public.
• Inform public of ALS activities in a timely fashion.
• Publicize all functions and meetings.
• Maintain the ALS bulletin board in the Campus Center.
• Create informational brochures, pamphlets, and flyers for distribution.

Historian (Turquoise Collins) shall:

• Keep records of all ALS activities, events, functions, and meetings.
• Organize the ALS office file cabinet (minutes, alumni relations, member directory, etc).
• Take photographs or video footage of events.
• Collect and compile items for albums and scrap books.
• Maintain an event log that should include flyers, pamphlets, contracts, and event evaluation forms.
• Maintain the ALS library, monitor all books and videos.
• Maintain ALS bulletin board by ALS room.

Peer Recruiter (Richard Onyejuruwa) shall:

• Act as a liaison between the ALS and prospective students.
• Inform prospective and transfer students of concerns on campus.
• Maintain a working relationship with admission counselors in charge of visits for ALANA students (Inside Look, Multicultural Ambassadors).
• Coordinate the Big /Little program.
• Create and maintain an attendance log to meetings and events.

 

 

Article IX- Executive Board Leave of Absence

 

Section 1

In the instance that an officer requests a partial leave of absence, upon total agreement of the Executive board, that officer will be exempt from their responsibilities. If circumstance allows, the officer should attend regular Executive board meetings. The time period on partial leave of absence is a maximum of 3 weeks.

Section 2

The Executive board member requesting a partial leave of absence must announce his/her request to the Executive board at least one week before he/she intends on taking a partial leave through a written formal letter.

Section 3

In the instance that the officer announces a full leave of absence (resignation), upon total agreement of the Executive board, that officer will be exempt from all responsibilities and Executive board meetings indefinitely

Section 4

The Executive board member requesting a full leave of absence must come before the entire Executive board with a written formal intent of resignation prior to addressing the general body with his/her decision. The member will then be given the opportunity to go before the general body and formally announce his/her resignation.

Article X- Impeachment

Section 1

In the instance that any Executive board member is not effectively fulfilling the responsibilities described in Article VII, that officer can be removed from office upon a written motion and petition requesting list of offenses committed by the member in question must be presented at a formal meeting of the Executive board by the member initiating the proceedings.

Section 2

A 2/3 agreement of the Executive board shall constitute the removal, impeachment of the officer.

Article XI- Amedments to the Constitution

Section 1

Any general body or Executive board member of the ALS may propose an amendment to this constitution.

Section 2

All proposed amendments must be presented in writing at least one (1) week prior to vote to ratify the proposed amendment.

Section 3

The proposed amendment must be brought before the general body before a final vote by the Executive Board.

Section 4

A 2/3 vote from the Executive Board in favor of the proposed amendment shall be required for ratification.

Article XII

Section 1

Members of the African-Latino Society/La Sociedad Africana-Latina Executive Board will not be paid for services rendered.