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Pre-Law Society Constitution
Northeastern Illinois University
Student Organization Constitution & By-Laws
A CONSTITUTION FOR THE PRE-LAW SOCIETY
PREAMBLE
This Constitution establishes the Pre-Law Society as a representative body of students, with the purpose of:
1) Sponsoring educational activities related to: the application process for law school, preparing to take the LSAT, choosing a pre-law major and minor, choosing a career in? law.
2) Sponsoring activities such as visits to law schools, visits to court buildings, and invited speakers that broaden our knowledge the law and careers in the law.
3) Sponsoring forums that inform us about the law and current legal issues.
4) Establishing relationships with students having common career goals and supporting each other in our academic and non-academic activities.
5) Promote the profession of the law, publicize the advantages of getting a law degree, and promote? understanding of the law among Northeastern students.
Article I: MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The membership of the organization shall consist of the following:
(1) Members of the organization shall be currently enrolled students; With the exception of students who graduate in December, will be considered members for the whole Academic term.
(2) Membership in the organization will not be denied to any person(s)on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or veteran status.
Article II: MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING
(1) Members who attend at least 2 meetings each term, shall be considered members in good standing;
(2) With the exception of the first election of officers for the organization and the??????????? election of officers to reinstate an inactive charter, only members in good standing have the right to vote on organization business.
Article III:? OFFICERS
(1) The officers shall consist of the following: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary who shall be called Executive Officers and shall comprise the Executive Committee;
(2) Students must be enrolled for at least 3 credit hours to be eligible to serve as an Executive Officer;
Article IV: ADVISOR
(1) An advisor, having been established prior to the enactment of this constitution in accordance with the Student Organization Charter Application and Student Government Association Charter Policy, shall provide guidance and support for the organization;
(2) The advisor must agree to serve and submit a letter indicating willingness to serve to the Student Activities Office.
Article V: POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Section A. PRESIDENT
(1) shall preside at the meetings of the organization;
(2) shall act as an ex-officio member of all committees;
Section B. VICE PRESIDENT
(1) shall make sure current organization Constitution and By-laws are on file in the Student Activities Office;
(2) shall file charter renewal forms, in accordance with the Student Government Association Charter Policy, Article IV, Section 2;
(3) shall preside at meetings of the organization in the absence of the president;
Section C. TREASURER
(1) shall collect funds raised ,make deposits to the University Cashier ?s Office and submit deposit receipts to the Student Activities Office;
(2) shall regularly make financial reports to the organization;
Section D. SECRETARY
(1) shall record organization meeting minutes and maintain attendance records;
(2) shall transmit to the Student Activities Office minutes and a signed attendance roster from meetings whenever:
(a) officers are elected
(b) an advisor is chosen
(c) decisions are made to request the expenditure of funds
(d) changes are made to constitution and/or by-laws
Article VI: THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(1) The Executive Committee are responsible for the overall functioning and coordination of the organization;
(2)The Executive Committee will have the authority to make interim decisions for the organization subject to review by the organization at the next meeting;
(3) Upon a vacancy in the advisor position, a replacement must be made within six (6) weeks and shall be recommended by the Executive Committee and selected by a majority vote of the regular membership of the organization;
(4) The Executive Committee shall recommend committee members of the Standing and Ad Hoc Committees and appoint each committee chair.
Article VII:STANDING AND AD HOC COMMITTEES
(1) The organization may establish Standing Committees as described in the latest edition of Robert ?s Rules of Order, whose names and duties will be in the By-laws;
(2) The organization may establish Ad Hoc Committees for specific short term tasks, duties will be in the By-laws (ex: Election Committee and Publicity Committee);
Article VIII:MEETINGS
(1) The organization shall follow the rules of order for meetings as outlined in the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order;
(2) The organization shall meet at least 3 times during each term of the regular academic year;
(3) The organization shall record minutes and collect signatures on an Attendance Roster (see Appendix A);
(4) Quorum must be established to conduct official business (see By-Laws Chapter 2, section 1).
Article IX:REGULAR ELECTIONS
(1) Elections for Executive Officers shall take place by the end of Spring Semester no later than the last day of April;
(2) Members in good standing are eligible to vote;
(3) To elect officers, a majority vote shall be necessary of those members present at the meeting where said officers are to be elected;
(4) All officers shall hold office until new officers have been elected, except in cases of graduation, resignation, or impeachment;
(5) No member shall be elected by regular election to the same position more than twice.
Article X: VACANCIES AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS
(1) A vacancy in the position of President shall be filled by the Vice President who shall become the President;
(2) Vacancies in the positions of Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer shall be filled within thirty (30) days by a special election following the regular election procedures;
(3) No member shall be elected by special election to the same position more than twice.
Article XI: IMPEACHMENT
(1) Officers of the organization may be impeached for:
(a) failure to regularly attend meetings without justifiable reason
(b) failure to fulfill the duties of office as outlined in this Constitution
(2) Impeachment charges can be brought forward by any member in good standing;
(3) The individual being charged must be notified (we recommend notification by phone, certified mail, and email at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting at which said impeachment will be presented;
(4) A special meeting, at which there must be a quorum, will be held within 10 days of the initial presentation of the charges at which time the individual being charged will be able to answer the charges;
(5) A 2/3 majority vote of those present at the meeting is necessary for conviction and removal from office;
(6) Vacancies created by impeachment shall be filled as prescribed in Article X.
Article XII: AMENDMENTS
(1) Amendments must be presented to the Executive Committee for approval before they may be submitted to this organization membership for a vote;
(2) This Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership at the first meeting of the organization at which a quorum is present;
(3) Amendments shall become effective following approval of the SGA Charter & Rules Committee, Student Government Association, and Student Activities Office.
Article XIII: ENACTING CLAUSE
This Constitution shall be effective as of the date that the Constitution is approved by the Director of Student Activities.
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