Northwestern University School of Law ·  South Asian Law Students Association ·  Chicago, IL

Constitution:

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CONSTITUTION- SOUTH ASIAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION 
 

Article I 
 

Name and Object 
 

This organization shall be known as the South Asian Law Students Association.  SALSA serves to bring greater awareness and deeper understanding of political, cultural, historic, and legal roles of South Asian Americans.  
 

Specifically, the objectives of the society are to:

• sponsor debates, feature speakers, and host public events to encourage dialogue, education, and awareness
• bridge the gap between the law school community and the community at large by providing opportunities for volunteerism and social activism
• facilitate programs to help members adjust and acclimate to the Northwestern University Law School environment and the legal profession by offering programs addressing academic concerns and career choices
• serve as a forum to discuss the cultural concerns of South Asian Americans working in the American legal profession
• establish a national network of exchange among South Asian American law students and attorneys

In order to achieve these objectives, the Society shall arrange to host speakers and panels regarding matters of interest and concern to members of the Society; create an alumni network and database; promote social and networking activities with other organizations within the law school community and greater legal community.  
 

Article II 
 

Membership 
 

Section 1: Membership in the South Asian Law Students Association is open to all students currently enrolled at the Northwestern University School of Law.  
 

Section 2: The officers shall be elected at the end of the spring semester in accordance with Article VIII. Officers shall serve in their elected positions until the next election of officers by the Society. Officers may resign or be removed in accordance with Article IX.  
 

Section 3: The officers of the Society shall constitute an Executive Board, consisting of the following positions:

1. President
2. Treasurer
3. Secretary
4. Social Chair
5. 1L Representative
6. Webmaster

Section 4: The powers and responsibilities of the officers shall be as follows: 
 

1. The President is responsible for overseeing all Society activities, coordinating the duties of other officers, communicating information with Society members, and facilitating the creation of networking, professional, and social activities for Society members. The President also oversees with all routine logistical operations of the Society.
2. The Treasurer is responsible for the budget and organizes and coordinates all fundraising efforts to support Society activities. The Treasurer also assists with all routine logistical operations of the Society.
3. The Secretary is responsible for managing the calendar of events and keeping records as well as creating networking opportunities with the greater South Asian legal community. The Secretary also assists with all routine logistical operations of the Society.
4. The Social Chair is responsible for the organization and coordination of social activities for member, including activities with other members of the law school community, members of the greater legal community, and members of the greater South Asian community. The Social Chair also assists with all routine logistical operations of the Society.
5. The 1L Representative is responsible for recruiting and membership. The 1L Representative also assists with all routine logistical operations of the Society.
6. The Webmaster is responsible for maintaining the SALSA website and for assisting the President with publicity of events. The Webmaster also assists with all routine logistical operations of the Society.

Article III 
 

Executive Board 
 

Section 1: The Executive Board (Board), as stated in Article II, is comprised of the officers of the Society. 
 

Section 2: The function of the Board is to supervise all activities of the Society. The Board shall establish guidelines for the routine logistical operations of the Society as well as for Society-sponsored activities, such as panel presentations. The Board shall have the power to approve the operating procedures established by the officers.  
 

Section 3: The Board shall strive to make consensus-based decisions. In the event this is impractical, each member of the Board will have one vote, and all matters on which the Board votes shall pass with a simple majority of the Board members present. In the case of a tie, the matter in question shall be presented to the general membership for a vote.  
 

Article IV 
 

Meetings and Activities 
 

Section 1: General meetings of the Society and Board meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Board. Committees to organize specific events shall meet at their own discretion. 
 

Article V 
 

Voting 
 

Section 1: All members shall have one vote per matter at general meetings. All Board members shall have one vote per matter at Board meetings. 
 

Section 2: With the exception of matters concerning Articles VII and VIII, all motions shall pass by a simple majority of the members present. 
 

Section 3: The Board may establish a means of voting by proxy as it deems advisable. 
 

Article VI 
 

Selection of Executive Board 
 

Section 1: Officers shall be selected in the middle of the Spring semester as the Board decides. 
 

Section 2: Any first or second year Society member is eligible to apply for a Board position. 
 

Article VII 
 

Resignation and Removal 
 

Section 1: Any Board member may resign from a position on the Board by submitting a written resignation to the Board. 
 

Section 2; Any Board member may be removed from the Board and relieved of all duties of the position by a unanimous vote of other Board members. 
 

Section 3: Any Society member may be removed from the Society by two-thirds majority of the membership at large. 
 

Article VIII 
 

Amendment 
 

This Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any general meeting held after notification of at least one week in advance of the meeting. The Board may establish a means of voting by proxy for the purpose of Constitutional amendments.