Environmental Law Society Constitution and By-Laws

Environmental Law Society

Article I: NAME

The name of the organization is University of New Mexico Environmental Law Society (ELS).

Article II: PURPOSE

The purposes of Environmental Law Society are:

  1. To promote awareness of environmental concerns, issues, and problems within the legal community.
  2. To bridge the communication and information gaps between the scientific and political/legal communities.
  3. To enhance the law school experience for students interested in environmental issues confronting New Mexico, the United States and the world.

Article III: MEMBERSHIP

  1. General membership shall be open to any University of New Mexico School of Law student, faculty, alumnus, or staff member as well as any member of the State Bar of New Mexico.
  2. ELS welcomes and embraces members of all races, cultures, ages, sexes, sexual preferences, 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 a majority vote of the Executive Committee.

Article IV: GOVERNMENT AND OFFICERS

  1. The Management and Government of the affairs of this Organization shall vest in the entire membership, except for those duties and obligations specifically delegated to the Officers or Committees as provided in this Constitution. Business necessary to the maintenance of the organization shall be performed between regular or special meetings by the Executive Committee or individual Officers.
  2. The Officers of this Organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
  3. All Officers shall be general members in good standing and shall be elected in accordance with Article VI of this Constitution. Officers shall serve for one (1) calendar year, terminating with the election of new Officers.
  4. An Officer may be elected to no more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.
  5. In the event any Officer other than the President resigns or is otherwise unable to complete a full term of office, the President shall appoint a successor. If the President resigns or is otherwise unable to complete a full term of office, a successor shall be elected by the general membership at a regular or special meeting. At least five (5) days notice of such an election shall be given and such election must be held within twenty (20) days of any vacancy. All officers selected under this sub-section shall hold office until the next regular election.

Article V: DUTIES

  1. The duties of the President shall consist of the following:
    1. To call and preside at meetings,
    2. To set agendas for meetings,
    3. To participate in Committees and meet regularly with Committee Chairpersons,
    4. To seek out and facilitate research, speakers, and other projects that will further the Objectives of the Organization,
    5. To ensure that such projects are carried out in a professional and timely manner and in accordance with Law School rules.
  2. The duties of the Vice-President shall consist of the following:
    1. To perform all the duties of the President if the President is unavailable,
    2. To assist the President in his/her duties,
    3. To update the ELS website as needed.
  3. The duties of the Secretary shall consist of the following:
    1. To record and maintain the minutes of all regular and special meetings,
    2. To handle and maintain a file of correspondence,
    3. To act as historian.
  4. The duties of the Treasurer shall consist of the following:
    1. To prepare a budget proposal for the approval of the membership at large,
    2. To submit budget proposals to the membership at large and supporting and funding organizations in a timely manner,
    3. To keep financial records and disburse funds.

Article VI: ELECTIONS

  1. The Elections Committee shall hold an election meeting at least two (2) weeks before the last Spring semester class.
  2. The Committee shall notify the membership that nominations are open at least two (2) weeks prior to this meeting.
  3. Candidates must be general members in good standing of the Organization.
  4. The Elections Committee shall prepare a panel of candidates for the elections.
  5. Elections shall be held by written ballot.
  6. All ballots shall be counted by the Chairperson of the Elections Committee at the close of the elections.
  7. Each position shall be filled by any person receiving a simple majority vote of the membership present.
  8. In the event no candidate receives a simple majority, a runoff election shall be held between the two (2) candidates with the greatest number of votes.

Article VII: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

  1. An officer may be removed only for mis-, mal- or non-feasance in office.
  2. A member may be censured only for violation of the Constitution of this Organization, the laws of the United States or New Mexico, the Regulations of the University of New Mexico, or the Honor Code of the University of New Mexico School of Law.
  3. Any removal or disciplinary action requires a supermajority or two-thirds (2/3) and shall be made in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.

Article VIII: MEETINGS

  1. Regular meetings will be held monthly on a day and time determined by the Executive Committee. Special meetings may be called by the President or by petition of five (5) general members in good standing.
  2. All meetings shall be in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.

Article IX: COMMITTEES

  1. The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected officers with the President as its Chairperson.
  2. There shall be the following standing committees consisting of the elected chairperson and any members that the relevant chairperson shall appoint: Research Committee and Speakers Committee.
  3. The President or a majority of the general membership shall have the power to create any special Committees when necessary to further the Objectives of the Organization. The President shall create an Election Committee consisting of at least three (3) members.
  4. Participation in any Committee, except the Election Committee and Executive Committee, is open to any general member and is voluntary. General members may participate in more than one Committee.
  5. Each special Committee shall select by oral nomination and vote a Chairperson for that Committee.

Article X: VOTE AND QUORUM

  1. All dues-paying members shall have one (1) vote.
  2. Members may vote by written proxy given to any member who is present at any regular or special meeting, except that members may not vote by written proxy at a meeting called in accordance with Article VI or Article VII.
  3. A quorum for the Organization shall be 10% of the general membership including officers but excluding general members who are not students, faculty, or staff of the University of New Mexico School of Law.
  4. In all other matters common fairness shall govern.

Article XI: AMENDMENTS

  1. Any amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws shall be submitted in writing to the membership at least one (1) week prior to any meeting.
  2. An amendment shall require a two-thirds (2/3) supermajority.