Constitution

Black Law Students Association
The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University
Ratified August 24, 2003

ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Black Law Students Association of the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University, hereafter referred to as "BLSA," or "the chapter." The organization shall be affiliated with and conform to the constitutional provisions of the National Black Law Students Association.

ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to represent the views of Black students at the Dickinson School of Law; to promote the welfare of its members through educational, professional, cultural and social programs; and to provide a forum for the discussion of local and national issues affecting both the Black law student community and the University community as a whole.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: General Eligibility

Membership in the Dickinson School of Law of the Black Law Students Association shall be open to all matriculating students. The Black Law Students Association at the Dickinson School of Law does not discriminate on the basis of age, citizenship, color, disability, gender, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or status as a disable veteran or veteran of the Vietnam eras.

Section 2: Membership Categories

A. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

All students who have met the criteria established in Section 1 of this Article will be considered
ACTIVE MEMBERS if the following conditions are met:

(i) They have attended at least three-fourths of the General Body meetings during the fall semester, AND

(ii) They have attended at least three-fourths of the General Body meetings during the spring semester, prior to the election of chapter officers for the next academic year; AND

(iii) They have paid both national and local BLSA dues.

ACTIVE MEMBERS may vote upon all BLSA General Body decisions and elect chapter officers.

B. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

All students who have met the criteria established in Section 1 of this Article, and who have paid national BLSA dues will be considered GENERAL MEMBERS.

GENERAL MEMBERS may vote on all BLSA General Body decisions but will not be able to participate in the election process.

C. GENERAL BODY

All students who have met the criteria established in Section 1 of this Article, and who have met the criteria established in either Section 2A or 2B shall be considered the GENERAL BODY for the purposes of this Constitution.

ARTICLE IV
DUES

Section 1: Payment of Dues

It is incumbent upon each member to pay national and local dues on or before the date as established by the Executive Board Committee.

Section 2: Amount of dues

Local dues shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per semester. National dues are set by the NBLSA and are subject to change.

Section 3: Late Payment of Dues

Dues paid after the date set by the Executive Board Committee shall be accepted at the Committee's discretion. However, pursuant to Article III, Section 2, no one will be granted ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP until both national and local dues are paid in full.

ARTICLE V
MEETINGS

Section 1: General Body Meetings

There shall be a General Body meeting at least once a month during the academic year. Two-thirds (2/3) of the General Body present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum to do business. In the absence of a quorum, no voting business may be conducted. However, other business, of a non-voting nature, may proceed.

Section 2: Special Meetings

A. A special meeting may be called in either of the following ways:

(i) At the discretion of the President; or

(ii) By written petition, meeting the following requirements:

(a) Instructs the President to call a special meeting

(b) Has been signed by twenty-five percent (25%) of the General Body

(iii) For meetings called at the President's discretion, at least three days prior notice must be given to all members of the General Body. Upon receipt of written petition that meets the requirements of Section 2(ii), the President must give notice to each member within3 business days of the special meeting, which must be scheduled for a date within seven (7) days of receipt of the petition.

Section 3: Order of Business

A. Unless altered or suspended at any meeting by the majority vote of the members present, the following shall be the order of business at all general body BLSA meetings.

(i) Ascertainment of members present
(ii) Reading of minutes of previous meeting
(iii) Reports of Officers
(iv) Reports of Committees
(v) Elections
(vi) Unfinished Business
(vii) New Business
(viii) Advisor Remarks
(ix) Rules of procedures proscribed in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern BLSA meetings, except as otherwise herein provided.

ARTICLE VI
EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1: Meetings

A. The Executive Board shall hold regular meetings to be called at the discretion of the President. Meeting should be held prior to each regular and special meeting.

B. Except under special circumstances, meetings of the Executive Board shall be open to members of the General Body. Any member of the General Body wishing to bring an issue of concern before the Executive Board must request, before the meeting, that the President put the issue on the Board's agenda.

C. Members of the Executive Board shall be notified two (2) business days prior to each meeting, unless an emergency meeting is required.

Section 2: Membership

The Executive Board shall consist of the following elected and appointed officers of the chapter:

A. President

B. Vice-President
i. Carlisle
ii. University Park

C. Secretary

D. Corresponding/Financial Secretary

E. Treasurer

F. 1L Representative
i. Carlisle
ii. University Park

G. Parliamentarian

Section 3: Duties of Officers

A. PRESIDENT

The President shall: 1) be the chief executive and administrative officer of the chapter; 2) call
and preside at all General Body, Executive Board, and Special Meetings; 3) ensure that all other officers perform the duties for their respective officers; 4) serve as the official spokesperson for the chapter; 5) serve as an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees; 6) be responsible for the welfare and dignity of the chapter; 7) In the event that the president can no longer fulfill his/her duties, there will be a run-off between the vice presidents following election procedures stated in the constitution. The vice president receiving majority of vote from dues paying members will become the new president and the other will remain as vice president.

B. VICE-PRESIDENT
The Vice-President shall: 1) assist the President in the performance of such chapter duties as
may be requested by the President. In the event of the absence, death, resignation, or removal from office of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties for the President; 2) be the Chair of the History and Events Committee and shall keep a chronicle of the history of the chapter as well as maintain a scrap book; 3) perform such other duties relating to the organizational structure of the chapter as the President may request.

C. SECRETARY

The Secretary shall: 1) be the chief recorder and correspondent of the chapter; 2) assist the
President in the calling and conducting of BLSA meetings; 3) keep a true and complete record of all minutes of BLSA meetings and other matters pertaining to the chapter for future reference; 4) maintain a record of all law school chapter, alumni, and honorary members, together with their current addresses; 5) dispatch notices of meetings to members as appropriate; 6) maintain an attendance list for all meetings, and a list of those members who are eligible to vote; 7) check the BLSA e-mail and respond to those e-mails when necessary; 8) be responsible for submitting official reports required of the chapter by the law school or university administration.

D. CORRESPONDING/FINANCIAL SECRETARY

The Corresponding/Financial Secretary shall be appointed by the President, subject to the
approval of a majority of the other executive board members. The Corresponding/Financial
Secretary shall: 1) assist the Secretary in the performance of duties outlined in (C) above as may be requested by the Secretary; 2) assist the Treasurer in the performance of such duties in the performance of the duties outlined in (E) below as may be requested by the Treasurer. In the event of the absence, death, resignation, or removal from office, the Corresponding/Financial Secretary shall perform the duties for the Secretary or Treasurer.

E. TREASURER

The Treasurer shall: 1) be the chief financial officer of the chapter; 2) collect all dues; 3) control all chapter funds and co-sign with the President all disbursements of chapter funds; 4) prepare a budget, under the direction of the President, which shall be approved by the Executive Board and chapter; 5) receive all funds which are available to BLSA from the law school and university; 6) serve as the Chair of the Finance Committee; 7) perform such other duties as the President may request.

F. FIRST-YEAR REPRESENTATIVE

There shall be a First-Year Representative elected solely by the first-year class. The term of
office shall be assumed from the time of the representative election until such time that a new
representative for the succeeding first-year class is chosen. The First-Year Representative shall 1) coordinate the activities of the first-year class; 2) be a voting member of the Executive Board; 3) alert the Executive Board of the concerns and ideas of first-year students; 4) perform such other duties as the President may request.

G. PARLIAMENTARIAN

The Parliamentarian is a non-voting Executive Board member. The Parliamentarian shall be
appointed by the President, subject to the approval of a majority of the executive board members. The term of office shall be subject to the President's discretion. The Parliamentarian shall: 1) assist the President in maintaining order during meetings, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and Robert's Rules of Order; 2) be the final authority on rules of parliamentary procedure during meetings; 3) perform such other duties as the President may request; serve as Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.

ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES

Section 1: Composition

Each committee shall consist of a Chairperson and at least two (2) members. Each Standing
Committee shall be responsible for all archives coming under its title with such additional
responsibilities as the Executive Board shall determine. The Chairpersons of the Standing
Committees shall be appointed by the President.

Section 2: Chairpersons

All Standing Chairpersons shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of a
majority of the executive board members unless otherwise stated in Article VI, Section 3. All
Standing Committee Chairpersons shall: 1) hold committee meetings as necessary; 2) submit to the President of the chapter a preliminary program of planned activities for the school year
within forty-five (45) days of election to office; 3) maintain records of all correspondence and
committee meetings; 4) report the committee's activities to the chapter; 5) perform such other
duties as the President may request.

Section 3: Standing Committees

A. Admissions Committee

B. Community Service Committee

C. Finance Committee

D. History and Events Committee

E. Social Affairs Committee

F. Newsletter Committee

G. Constitution and Bylaws Committee

Section 4: Ad-Hoc Committees

Ad-hoc committees and positions may be appointed at the discretion of the President and/or
Executive Board.

ARTICLE VIII
ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1: Coordination

A. The Faculty Advisor shall serve as the Chairperson of the Elections and coordinate all aspects of the election process.

B. Two elected third year ACTIVE MEMBERS shall be voted on by a majority of vote of the GENERAL BODY to assist the Faculty Advisor in the performance of such duties as requested.

Section 2: Time of Election

A. Notice of the meeting to conduct the election of officers shall be by written memoranda, to be placed in each BLSA member's mailbox, at least seven (7) calendar days before said meeting.

B. The election of officers shall be conducted at a special meeting of BLSA during the first week of the moth of April.

C. Two (2) business days after the election meeting, the Chairperson shall post the results of the election.

D. If necessary, a run-off election shall be conducted at a BLSA meeting within two days of the first election.

E. Two (2) days after the run-off election, the Chairperson shall post the final results of the election.

F. If the election dates conflict with the University's Spring Break, the election must be held on the week directly following Spring Break.

Section 3: Nominations

A. A BLSA meeting for the nomination of officers shall be held at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the election. The Chairperson at such meeting shall receive and record submitted nominations. The names of the nominees shall be posted on the following day.

B. Each BLSA member is entitled to nominate him or herself or any other BLSA member for any elective office. Only ACTIVE MEMBERS are eligible to run for an elective office. The nominations and elections procedures of the office of First-Year Representative shall proceed pursuant to Section 4 of this Article.

C. A BLSA member may be nominated for more than one office but may hold only one elected office at a time. However, BLSA members may hold both an elected position and an appointed position.

D. Nominations for officers shall remain open from the period following the nominations meeting until the close of nominations on the election date. Nominations not coming from the floor on the nomination and election meetings must be submitted to the Chairperson of Elections and include the signature of the BLSA member making the nomination.

Section 4: Nomination and Election of First-Year Representative

A. The nomination of First-Year Representative shall take place at a BLSA Meeting in September.

B. Only first-year law students may make nominations for the office of First-Year Representative. ALL first-year students are eligible to hold office.

C. The election of First-Year Representative shall be held at a pre-determined meeting. A simple majority of the eligible votes cast (more than 50%) is required for election. Where no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a run-off election shall be conducted at the same meeting between the candidates with the greatest number of votes.

D. The First-Year Representative shall assume the duties of the office on the date of election.

Section 5: Voting Procedures

A. For the purposes of conducting election meetings, a quorum shall be two-thirds of the
General Membership. Only ACTIVE MEMBERS, however, may vote.

B. The Chairperson of Elections shall announce the candidates for each office before the floor is opened for additional nominations.

C. The Chairperson shall close the nominations for officers when all nominations have been received from the floor.

D. Each candidate will be allowed to address the chapter for a period of no longer than three (3) minutes.

E. Candidates shall speak in the following order based on the position sought:

(i) Treasurer

(ii) Secretary

(iii) Vice-President

(iv) President.

F. Upon the conclusion of the addresses, ACTIVE MEMBERS shall be instructed to vote by ballot.

G. A simple majority of the eligible votes cast (more than 50%) is required for election to any office. Where no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a run-off election shall be held among the candidates with the two highest vote totals.

H. In the event that one member shall have been elected to two or more offices, that member may select the office in which he or she will serve. A run-off election shall be held among the remaining candidates.

Section 6: Proxies

A. An ACTIVE MEMBER who will not be in attendance at any meeting may submit a proxy to the Chairperson of Elections.

B. Proxies must be submitted on forms exclusively provided by the Elections Committee. The proxies from the Elections Committee shall be the only valid proxy forms.

C. Proxies shall be included in determining the quorum for all elections.

D. Proxies shall not be accepted after 5 p.m. of the following business day of the election meeting and shall be submitted to the Chairperson of Elections.

E. Proxies will only be accepted from ACTIVE MEMBERS prior to the date of elections.

F. The proxy of a member may not be changed once submitted. A proxy shall be recalled, however, if the member is in attendance at the election meeting.

G. Proxies used in the general election shall not be valid for use in a run-off election. A new proxy must be submitted in the event of a run-off.

Section 7: Validation of Elections

Validation of elections shall be made by the Election Committee at the close of the election
process.

Section 8: Installation of Officers

Newly elected officers shall be installed at the final general meeting of the academic school year and assume all duties thereafter.

Section 9: Term of Offices

The terms of the office shall last for one year.

ARTICLE IX
VOTING ON GENERAL MATTERS

A. Make Motion to begin consideration of a matter for vote.

B. Second Motion to show that there is enough interest in the matter to warrant a vote.

C. Discussion to discuss the relevant factors through comments and questions by the general body

(i) Discussion is concluded when it is clear that no one has any further comments or questions

(ii) If discussion is consuming an unreasonably large amount of time, based on the best judgment of the Parliamentarian, the Parliamentarian may encourage the members of the general body to make their final comments in order to bring the discussion to a conclusion.

D. Voting shall occur under the direction of the Parliamentarian.

E. The Parliamentarian shall restate the Motion after discussion has been concluded.

F. When voting does not result in a majority, discussion shall be reopened. Votes will then be taken again to reach a simple majority.

G. Abstentions will be counted towards the majority vote.