Student Organizations

Women's Law Caucus

W.L.C. Constitution and By-Laws

Last ameneded August 30, 2004

Article I: NAME

The name of the organization is W.L.C. (hereafter, "W.L.C.").

Article II: PURPOSES

The primary purposes of the W.L.C. include the following:

  1. To support women's issues
  2. To incorporate an analysis and awareness of gender issues in law-related discussions and decisions
  3. To promote equality and equity through the legal and political systems and
  4. To function as a catalyst for community awareness and an educational resource by sponsoring and participating in community projects and outreach that are of interest to the organization.

Article III: GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

  1. General membership shall be open to any University of New Mexico School of Law student, faculty member or staff member.
  2. W.L.C. welcomes and embraces members of all races, cultures, ages, sexes, orientations, religions, philosophies, physical or mental abilities, medical conditions and family status.
  3. Voting members shall be those members who pay an annual membership fee determined by the Council and who miss less than three (3) consecutive general meetings or at the discretion of the Executive Committee after a showing of good cause.
    1. Examples of good cause include, but are not limited to actively participating in W.L.C. events but have school, work or serious family conflicts that prevent the member from regularly attending meetings.

Article IV: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  1. General Composition
    1. The Executive Committee (hereafter, the "Council" shall include five (5) officers. These officers shall share all responsibilities for the operations of the W.L.C.
    2. Five of the officers shall be elected annually in the last week of March. They shall serve for one (1) calendar year, concluding with the induction of a new Council.
    3. The sixth officer shall be elected in September from the new members of the first year class.
    4. An officer may be elected to two (2) terms.
    5. In the event any officer is unable to serve an entire term, the membership shall advise the Council to appoint a successor or shall elect a successor from the membership for the balance of the term. The membership will determine which procedure to follow.
    6. Any Council member who misses two (2) consecutive, administrative meetings or a total of three (3) meetings shall be brought before the Council to show good cause. If no good cause is determined by the majority of the Council, the general membership shall elect a successor to the position.
  2. Duties
    1. All Council members shall:
      1. Participate in the fall orientation for incoming, first year students and transfer students.
      2. Review the Constitution and By-Laws. This shall be the first duty of an incoming Council
      3. Concuct a 30-day membership period with the incoming Council to ensure a smooth transition between leadership. This shall be the last duty of an outgoing Council.
    2. The President shall:
      1. Act as spokesperson for the organization.
      2. Call and preside at meetings.
      3. Participate in committees and to provide guidance and assistance to committee chairpersons.
      4. Chair Continuing Legal Education (CLE) conference committee if the organization decides to host.
      5. Handle and maintain the central file.
      6. Act as co-historian.
    3. The Vice-President shall:
      1. Fulfill the President's duties in the case of abscence.
      2. Organize coffee breaks.
      3. Maintain a W.L.C. alumni database.
      4. Handle alumni affairs.
    4. The Treasurer shall:
      1. Prepare and submit a budget proposal for the approval of the membership at large.
      2. Prepare and submit a budget proposal to any necessary funding organizations, in a timely manner.
      3. Report at the general meetings the financial status of the organization.
      4. Maintain the financial records of the organization and accept responsibility for disbursement of such funds.
      5. Organize fundraising activities.
    5. The Secretary shall:
      1. Publish notice of all meetings: notice of either a Council meeting or a general meeting requires a minimum of three (3) school day's notice to the relevant attending members. The date or time of the meeting shall not be altered without providing a minimum of two (2) school day's notice to members. Notice shall also be published on the Law School general calendar.
      2. Reserve meeting times and rooms.
      3. Record and maintain the minutes of all general, special and Council meetings. The minutes will be published prior to the next general meeting and approval will be voted on at the next general meeting.
      4. Handle and maintain the central file.
      5. Act as co-historian.
      6. Keep hard copies of agendas and minutes.
  3. Elections
    1. The 3L Presidebt shall be the Election Committee Chairperson provided that the President is not running in the upcoming election. If the President is running in the upcoming election, the Council shall appoint a member for Chairperson.
    2. The Election Committee shall be appointed by the President and the Vice-President provided that the President and Vice-President are not running in the upcoming election. If one or both board members are running in the upcoming election, the Council shall appoint the members of the Election Committee.
    3. The Elections Committee shall consist of five (5) members including the outgoing President and Vice-President.
    4. The Elections Committee shall notify the membership that nominations are open at least three (3) weeks prior to the election.
    5. Candidates will be self-nominated.
    6. Candidates must be active, voting members of the W.L.C., as defined in Article III, section C.
    7. Candidates will be required to submit a one (1) page statement of candidacy to the Election Committee at least two (2) weeks before the election.
    8. Candidates will also be required to give a three (3) to five (5) minute speech at the general meeting preceding the election.
    9. The election shall be conducted in the following manner:
      1. The Election Committee will distribute the candidate statements to the membership for their consideration at least one (1) week before the election.
      2. The election will be held by written ballot.
      3. Ballots will be accepted for a one (1) day period during hours at the discretion of the Election Committee.
      4. Proxy votes will be accepted from active members for good cause up until the start of the regular election. Proxy votes must be submitted to a member or the Election Committee.
      5. The Election Committee will be responsible for maintaining a list of members who have voted while ensuring anonymity in the voting process.
      6. The Election Committee will be responsible for counting the ballots at the close of the election.
      7. Results of the election will be posted no later than midnight on the day of the election.
      8. Each candidate has the right to one recount. A recount demand must be made in writing and presented to any Election Committee member within 24 hours of the posting of the election results.
  4. Impeachment
    1. Notice and a list of alleged offenses will be given to the member whose membership is the target of an impeachment at least one (1) week prior to a closed, special meeting for impeachment proceedings.
    2. The target of impeachment will have an opportunity to state his or her position and address questions during a comment period at the special meeting.
    3. Voting will be held by ballot.
    4. Impeachment of any member will require a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting membership present.

Article V: MEETINGS

  1. Vote and Quorum
    1. All active members shall have one (1) vote.
    2. Active members may vote by written proxy given to any Council member present at the meeting.
    3. A quorum shall exist when a majority of active, voting members are present.
    4. A vote may be taken only when a quorum is satisfied.
    5. A vote shall be taken on all important decisions of the organization which includes but is not limited to:
      1. Any expenditure of W.L.C. funds over $50.
    6. Any motion will carry by a simple majority of the members present. This procedure does not apply to Amendments to the Constitution.
  2. Meeting Times
    1. General meetings shall be held at least once a month.
    2. Committee meetings shall be held at least once a month.
    3. Necessary special meetings shall be scheduled at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled meeting time.
      1. If the special meeting is for impeachment of an office or other such sensitive topics, the meeting shall be designated as "closed."
      2. Only active, voting members shall be present at closed, special meetings.
  3. Roll
    1. Attendance will be monitored by an attendance sheet that will be passed and initial at the beginning of each general meeting.

Article VI: AMENDMENTS

  1. Any amendments to the constitution or by-laws shall be submitted in writing to the Council and membership at least one (1) week prior to any meeting.
  2. Approval of an amendment shall require two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active, voting members present at such meeting.

Article VII: FACULTY ADVISOR

  1. The Faculty Advisor of the W.L.C. will be a faculty member of the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Article VIII: BY-LAWS

  1. The W.L.C. By-Laws shall govern the general and administrative operations of the organization.
  2. In all other matters, common fairness shall govern.
  3. The W.L.C. adopts the use Robert's Rules of Order to conduct meetings except as otherwise stated in the Constitution.