MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES CLUB CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I (Name)
The name of this organization will be the Mexican American Studies Club.
ARTICLE II (Purpose)
The purpose of the Mexican American Studies Club will be to promote the Mexican American Studies program, advocate for Mexican American issues, provide opportunities for students on the University of Texas Pan-American campus and the surrounding community with opportunities to become aware of Mexican American issues, and support the community through acts of service.
ARTICLE III (Membership)
1. Membership will be open to all students regardless of race, citizenship, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, disability, religion or creed, or any other discriminative reason.
2. Dues:
The presiding officers will set dues during the beginning of their corresponding semesters. The dues must always be reasonable and records shall be kept as to where those monies were allocated at any given time. Dues will include a fee for a club shirt, however, members are not required to purchase a club shirt.
3. Active Membership:
Membership will be maintained through a point system. Members will have to achieve 20 points a semester to maintain an active status. The coordination chair will keep track of points.
a) Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher - 5 points
b) Meeting Attendance - 1 point per meeting
c) Fundraiser Attendance - 1 point
d) Event Attendance - 1 point
e) Community Service - 2 points
f) Committee Work - Students on a committee will receive 1 point per each committee meeting they attend and an additional 5 points at the end of the semester for having completed the work assigned to that committee.
g) Achievement Points: Students will receive points for having work (poetry, essays, art work, photography, films, etc) published and or presented at conferences. (One point per activity will be awarded)
4. Inactive Membership:
A member will become inactive if she/he does not achieve 20 points by the final event of the semester. A member will be notified of her/his inactive status by the executive committee. A member can also choose to become inactive by writing a letter to the executive committee explaining her/his reasons for obtaining an inactive status. To become active, the inactive member must write a letter to the executive committee describing the reasons for having become inactive and the ways in which the member will remain active during the following semester. Inactive members cannot include Mexican American Studies Club in their resume, cannot receive letters of recommendation from the club nor can they partake in any of the benefits of the organization (i.e. fieldtrips, conference participation).
5. Removal:
Members may be removed from MASC by a 3/4 vote of members present. The reasons for removal must be deemed, by the club, executive committee, as detrimental to the reputation of its members and/or the purpose of the club. Suggested removal must be brought forward to the executive committee, prior to the vote, for removal. A written statement must be brought against any member in danger of being removed from office, stating the reasons for removal. The member whose conduct and or motives are in question must also bring forth a written document stating either 1) her/his reason for, or justification of the actions, behavior, and or conduct that led to the removal, and/or 2) her/his apology if she/he wishes to remain in the club. Any violation of any provision in the University of Texas Pan American student conduct code as expressed in the Handbook of Operating Procedures will lead to expulsion. Every member and/or officer who is up for expulsion will be given the opportunity to present her/his case, rebut accusations, conduct an investigation, and appeal any decision made against her/him. All appeals will be heard by the presiding officers and voted on by the members for reinstatement of membership.
6. Committees
In order for the Mexican American Studies Club to remain updated on all activities, events, and/or fundraisers involving the organization--the executive committee will occasionally create voluntary committees. The purpose of these committees will be to provide a forum for other members to participate and enhance the progression of the club. Such committees will remain active until their assigned duties have been met or as determined by the executive committee.
In order for the Mexican American Studies Club to remain updated on all activities, events, and/or fundraisers involving the organization--the executive committee will occasionally create voluntary committees. The purpose of these committees will be to provide a forum for other members to participate and enhance the progression of the club. Such committees will remain active until their assigned duties have been met or as determined by the executive committee.
ARTICLE IV (Leadership)
The Mexican American Studies Club will be managed by an executive committee to lead discussions and effectively represent the organization. The chairs will be the following: an Advocacy Chair, a Coordination Chair, a Public Relations Chair, a Secretarial Chair, and a Treasury Chair. MASC will be guided by an advisor who must be a full time faculty/staff member of UTPA and who supports the goals of the organization. The chairs will decide on a candidate for advisor.
Advocacy Chair
-Will lead discussions on current social issues relating to the organization.
-Will assist the club by forming networks with the school newspaper, local newspapers, social blogs, etc.
-Must maintain awareness of events (positive or negative) concerning the Mexican American Studies Club and the Mexican American Studies Program.
-Will be required to create and advise the Mexican American Studies Club on advocacy events that will, not only advertise the club, but also the university.
-Will be required to create community service project ideas for members on and off campus.
-Must encourage members and nonmembers to become positive activists on Mexican American issues.
-Will remain an effective representation of the organization at all times.
-Will have an active part in how the Mexican American Club is represented on the website by collaborating with the chairs in charge of the website to assure that community projects, activities, and information regarding advocacy issues are up to date and accessible to all members.
Coordination Chair
-Will coordinate scheduling of meetings of the general membership and the executive committee.
-Will coordinate the work of other chairs.
-Will manage the point system of the members.
-Will facilitate all meetings.
-Will represent the Mexican American Studies Club at UTPA functions.
-Will be a cosigner for the Mexican American Studies Club bank account.
-Must be an effective representation of the organization at all times.
-Will work with the Treasury Chair, during fundraising events, to make sure that a written record of the funds raised, is kept orderly and accessible at any given time, to members of the Mexican American Club.
Public Relations Chair:
-Will manage, along with the Secretarial Chair and the Advocacy Chair, the website(s) of the club and the manner in which the Club will be represented.
-Must form and document MASC involvement/ cooperation with other groups/organizations on and off campus.
-Will be required to encourage students to submit artwork, photography, writing and musical pieces that are representative of the Mexican American culture for publication.
-Arrange for the club to have a bench/water tower/picnic table each year.
-Document the club by taking pictures at events, meetings, and fundraisers.
-Be an effective representation of the organization at all times.
-Put together a newsletter of activities monthly.
-Will work in coordination with the Secretarial Chair on the promotion and creation of flyers and advertisements for upcoming events.
Secretarial Chair
-Shall record minutes and take careful notes regarding the meetings.
-Must take attendance at all meetings and events.
-Must have a Secretarial report prepared to start each meeting in order to review the business of the Mexican American Studies Club.
-Will manage communications with the members (i.e. forwarding emails).
-Will manage the advertisement of the organization (e.g. flyers, website(s), and posters).
-Will work with the Public Relations Chair to decide how the Club should be promoted and represented on posters, flyers, and websites.
-Must be an effective representation of the organization at all times.
-Will notify the Coordination Chair of any events/opportunities available for students to submit work for publishing.
Treasury Chair
-Will be in charge of membership dues and fundraising monies.
-Must effectively keep records of all financial transactions concerning the organization. (i.e. receipts, written documentation of budget plans, and spending)
-Will provide detailed reports to the Office of Student Development and members at the end of each semester. The treasure chair prepares the updates with the coordination chair and presents to club members.
-Will be a co-signer for the Mexican American Studies Club bank account.
-Will manage fund-raising purchases, profits, and debts by closely monitoring the balance of the organization.
-Must be an effective representation of the organization at all times.
-Will coordinate fundraising activities.
ARTICLE V (Nominations, Elections, and Removal of Officers)
1. Nominations
All officers will be nominated and elected at the end of the Spring semester. Nominations will take place at the meeting prior to elections.
2. Elections
Officers must be elected by a simple majority. Officers will begin their duties at the start of the Fall semester of that year. Each office will have a one year term, officers may serve for up to two consecutive terms. In the case that a run off election is necessary it will be held on the same date as elections, or postponed to a later date as time allows.
3. Leaving Office and Removal of Officers
If an officer feels the need to leave their office they may write a letter explaining their reasons for leaving the Mexican American Studies Club membership. Should it be necessary for an officer to be removed from office, the officer will be asked, by the executive committee, to enter into an optional, month long probationary period. To enter into the probationary period for removal, there must be a 3/4 vote by executive officers. At the end of the month long probationary period, the executive committee will decide if the officer needs to be officially removed. Official removal must be decided upon by a quorum vote of the membership of the Mexican American Studies Club. In extreme cases, (as determined by the Mexican American Studies Club executive committee, membership) the Mexican American Studies Club may forgo the probationary period. For appeal process see Article III section 5.
All officers will be nominated and elected at the end of the Spring semester. Nominations will take place at the meeting prior to elections.
2. Elections
Officers must be elected by a simple majority. Officers will begin their duties at the start of the Fall semester of that year. Each office will have a one year term, officers may serve for up to two consecutive terms. In the case that a run off election is necessary it will be held on the same date as elections, or postponed to a later date as time allows.
3. Leaving Office and Removal of Officers
If an officer feels the need to leave their office they may write a letter explaining their reasons for leaving the Mexican American Studies Club membership. Should it be necessary for an officer to be removed from office, the officer will be asked, by the executive committee, to enter into an optional, month long probationary period. To enter into the probationary period for removal, there must be a 3/4 vote by executive officers. At the end of the month long probationary period, the executive committee will decide if the officer needs to be officially removed. Official removal must be decided upon by a quorum vote of the membership of the Mexican American Studies Club. In extreme cases, (as determined by the Mexican American Studies Club executive committee, membership) the Mexican American Studies Club may forgo the probationary period. For appeal process see Article III section 5.
ARTICLE VI (Order)
All business of Mexican American Studies Club will be conducted through the consensus method. A quorum will be simple majority of the Mexican American Studies Club membership. A quorum (simple majority) will be necessary for all elections and removal of members and officers.
ARTICLE VII (Meeting)
Meetings will be held twice a month, every month, except for summer sessions, and winter break. Meeting times will be decided on by the Mexican American Studies Club membership. The Coordination Chair will preside over all meetings, unless unable to attend, and will then be responsible for asking an executive committee member to preside. Executive committee meetings will convene monthly and will be facilitated by the Coordination Chair.
ARTICLE VIII (Founding Membership)
The founders of Mexican American Studies Club are Orquidea Morales, Teresa Hernandez, and Nickie Gonzalez Moreno.
ARTICLE IX (Amendments)
Any member of the Mexican American Studies Club may submit amendments in writing to the executive committee. The executive committee must make the amendment available to the Mexican American Studies Club membership within one week, at a Mexican American Studies Club meeting. Voting on the amendment will take place at the following Mexican American Studies Club meeting. Adoption of amendments to the constitution must have quorum (simple majority). The Committee on Student Organizations must approve any amendment proposed by the organization.
