I figured we should make our Constitution available for all to see, so here goes:
CONSTITUTION OF LAW STUDENTS PRO-LIFE
AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS SCHOOL OF LAW
Purpose Statement
1. The purpose of Law Students Pro-Life is to bring together like-minded students in order to facilitate respectful discussion and debate of pro-life issues (especially in the context of the legal world), assist in disseminating information on pro-life issues, engage in service projects to improve and benefit the school and community, and provide a social outlet for students with similar views on pro-life issues.
Article I: Name
1. The name of the organization shall be Law Students Pro-Life at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.
Article II: Membership
1. Membership in the organization is open to any and all students, faculty and staff; however, the voting membership of the organization shall be limited to recognized organization members in good standing who are current Washington University School of Law students.
2. A “recognized” member is one who registers with the organization.
3. “Good standing” shall be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board.
Article III: Meetings
1. At least one meeting of the general body of all recognized and prospective members shall be held per semester, and in excess of one meeting, on an “as needed” basis, as determined by the Executive Board of the organization.
2. No meeting of the general body shall be held without at least three (3) days notice to the general body by e-mail.
3. Special meetings of only the Executive Board shall be held on an “as needed” basis, as determined by the Executive Board.
Article IV: Membership and Voting
1. The voting membership shall be comprised of all recognized members in good standing, one vote per member.
2. A majority of votes of said members present at a meeting and voting shall decide.
3. The presence of a majority of the voting membership present plus all Executive Board members shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is required only for amendments of this Constitution, and for certain Impeachment procedures per Article V, §6.
4. In the event of a tie in a vote of all recognized members in good standing, the vote of a majority of the Executive Board shall decide. In the event the Executive Board itself is divided equally on a vote, the President shall decide.
Article V: Executive Board
1. The administration of the affairs of Law Students Pro-Life shall be vested in the Trustees known as the Executive Board, who are also members of the organization.
2. The Board shall consist of: a President, three (3) Vice-Presidents in control of the Treasury, Publicity, and Events of the organization respectively.
3. Qualifications. Any recognized member in good standing is eligible to hold a position on the Executive Board.
4. Elections. Elections for Executive Board members shall be held at a general body meeting during the spring semester of the school year immediately preceding the school year in which the Executive Board will hold office.
5. Vacancies. A “vacancy” is found where no one will fill a given position on the Executive Board, or a current Board member is unable or unwilling to fulfill his or her duties. In such a situation, the Executive Board may or may not appoint a current member in good standing to fill the role vacated until the next Executive Board elections are held.
6. Impeachment of Board Members. Any Board member may be impeached by the coincidence of a unanimous vote of the remaining Board members, plus a two-thirds supermajority of all recognized members in good standing. In the event of the impeachment of a board member, said member shall be removed from office and the immediate election of a replacement officer shall commence.
Article VI: Duties of Board Members
1. President. The President shall: provide leadership to the group; serve a spokesperson and representative of the organization; generally promote the interests of the organization; and act as a liaison to the faculty advisor of the group; and handle other like duties.
2. Vice-President of the Treasury. The Vice-President of the Treasury shall: prepare and submit to the Executive Board for approval a budget proposal; submit an approved budget proposal to the Student Bar Association according to its deadlines and format; maintain the financial records of the organization and accept responsibility for the deposit and withdrawal of funds for organizational needs; report on the financial status of the organization at meetings as needed; and handle other like duties.
3. Vice-President of Publicity. The Vice-President of Publicity shall: co-ordinate and execute various means of promoting specific activities of the organization as well as the organization in general; handle emailing announcements to members and the student body at-large when necessary; maintain and update the website of the organization as needed; and handle other like duties.
4. Vice-President of Events. The Vice-President of Events shall: organize member only extracurricular events; organize extracurricular events open to the entire student body; organize and facilitate community service projects; assist in set-up and organization of meetings; and handle other like duties.
Written and respectfully submitted by the 2007-2008 Executive Board:
Steven Wichmer, President;
Hilary Reid, Vice-President of the Treasury;
Alana Hake, Vice-President of Publicity;
Michele Marxkors, Vice-President of Events.
Approved on September 17, 2007
