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Constitución
Constitution

UNIDOS POR UN MISMO IDIOMA

Constitution

Article I.     Name & Purpose

1.1     Unidos por un Mismo Idioma (UMI) – Spanish Speaking Society.

1.2     The purpose of UMI in Texas Tech University is to promote and to build a common understanding of the Spanish language and its culture among TTU students, faculty, staff and friends through social, cultural, and academic activities.

Article II.   Membership

2.1     Eligibility – Any person who is interested in the Spanish Language and its culture is eligible to become a member.

i.              Active membership – shall be limited to members who are enrolled at Texas Tech University, upon payment of dues, and 50% participation of semester activities.

ii.             Affiliate membership – shall be limited to members who are not enrolled at Texas Tech University, upon payment of dues. Affiliates are not eligible to vote or hold office.

2.2      Non-Discrimination Statement – Individuals shall not be excluded from membership on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.

2.3     Rights and Responsibilities – All members have the right and responsibility to participate in any activity of UMI.  All members with exception of affiliates have the right to vote in any election or proposed activities or proceedings brought up by the Executive Board.  All members have the responsibility to maintain and uphold the integrity of UMI.

Article III.  Meetings & Activities

3.1     All meetings and activities will be conducted in Spanish.

3.2     Activities will include, but are not limited to workshops, seminars, professional speakers, Spanish tutoring, fundraising, social, and cultural events.

Article IV.   Officers

4.1      Distribution of Powers – The Executive Board shall possess the distribution of powers.  The Executive Board shall consist of the UMI President, Executive Vice-President, VP-Marketing/Public Relations, VP-External Affairs/Fundraising, VP-Internal Relations/Socio-Cultural,
VP-Service, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian, and Webmaster.

4.2     Eligibility – members running for a position must be enrolled students at Texas Tech University.

i.              President Position – Must be a current or former member of the Executive Board.

4.3     Election – All elections will be conducted by secret ballot with selection
determined by majority vote. The presiding president will coordinate the elections and will not have the ability to vote unless an event of a tie.  In which case, the President will cast a tiebreak vote.  There will be time allotted, to be determined by the President, for nominees to address the voters.  The President with the UMI advisor present will conduct the counting of votes.  The President may elect a general member, who will forgo their voting privileges and are not running for a position, to act as a third party to participate in the counting and it’s verification.  Announcements will be made immediately following elections.

i.              Time of Election - Elections will be held at the end of every academic semester.  All nominations must be submitted at least one week prior to this date.

4.4      Terms of Office – All positions will be held for one academic semester

With permission to re-election and is limited to two consecutive terms in the same position. 

i.        Executive Vice-President Position – Doesn’t automatically take the President Position.  The Executive Vice-President including the rest of the Executive Board will be allowed to run for the President Position at time of election. 

ii.             Academic Semesters/Terms:  The Executive Board elected at the end of the Fall Semester will be responsible for all Spring Semester functions.  The Executive Board elected at the end of the Spring Semester will be responsible for Summer I, Summer II, and Fall Semester functions. 

4.5      Vacancy – In the event of vacancy for the office of President, the Executive Vice-President will assume the role of President.  An election will be conducted for the office of Executive Vice President in this case, with at least one-week prior notice to all members of the open position.  In case of other vacant officer positions, an election will be conducted for the vacant position with at least one-week prior notice to all members. 

4.6     Resignation & Expulsion – Resignations shall be submitted in writing and hand delivered to the President or Executive Vice-President.  The President and or/Executive Vice President reserve the right to ask for resignations due to unethical behavior or actions considered detrimental to the organization.  Any officer may be removed with a majority vote from the Executive Board.  In case of a tie, the President will hold the tiebreak vote.

4.7     Duties of Officers – Officers serve as role models for the officers and members.  The Executive Board shall have the responsibility for the proper, efficient, and effective operations of the organization. 

The Executive Board shall study and review policies and procedures as proclaimed by the Student Government Association.

President

·         Supervises and oversees the work of the other officers, ensuring that they function together as an effective team.

·         Provides the overall vision and sense of direction for the organization.

·         Spokesperson/representative/external liaison for the organization.

·         Schedules and runs officer and organization meetings.

Executive Vice-President

·         Shall assist President in scheduling and presiding over meetings.

·         Substitute during absence of President.

·         Will be responsible for keeping up with member’s information.

·         Will work closely with the Secretary.

·         Will be in charge of preparing and delivering Thank-You notes, Birthday cards, etc.

·         Will appoint the SOAC Representative.

VP-Marketing/Public Relations

·         Will be responsible for the creation and distribution of all UMI promotional materials.

·         Will work in coordination with the President and Webmaster to help design UMI website.

·         Post date, time, and place of general meetings and functions, i.e., flyers, University Daily, etc. to both membership and general public.

VP- External Affairs/Fundraising

·         Will work with President to create any correspondence that will be needed, whether to the University, local businesses, or any proposals necessary. 

·         Identify and maintain relationships with current and possible sponsorship.

·         Shall come up with ideas and ways to fund the organization.

·         Coordinate fundraising events: notify members of their shifts, delegate responsibilities, keep records of attendees, etc.

VP – Internal Relations/Socio-Cultural

·         Shall come up with ideas for Social, Cultural, and Spanish enrichment events.

·         Coordinate Social-Cultural events.

·         Will work to maintain order and good relations between members.

·         Will be in charge of Intramural Activities.

·         Will be responsible for taking attendance at every social event.

VP- Service

·         Shall promote the organization’s purpose through philanthropic activities and volunteer work.

·         Coordinate Spanish Tutoring Sessions.

·         Will plan and notify members of service events and keep a list of members who attended the event. 

Treasurer

·         Establishes and oversees the organization’s budget.

·         Reports monthly to the Executive board on the financial situation.

·         Manages day-to-day financial transactions, records accrued interest.

·         Collects money owed to the organization.

Secretary

·         Shall keep a true and complete record of all matters pertaining to this organization and shall certify those records when necessary.

·         Distributes all pertinent information to members, including meeting minutes.

·         Handles all organization correspondence.

·         Keeps accurate membership lists with names, addresses (including summer addresses), phone numbers, and birth dates.

·         Shall be the custodian of the organization constitution, by-laws, minutes, administrative records, and report of this organization. 

·         Take attendance at every meeting.

Historian

·         Shall keep copies of agendas and other reports on file. 

·         Maintain and update archives.

·         Shall keep documentation of the semester’s events in the form of a photo album/scrapbook.

·         Collect documentation of UMI activities, including newspaper clippings, posters, flyers, invitations, award letters, etc.

·         Shall work closely with the Webmaster to maintain the website’s photo gallery updated.

Webmaster

·         Shall maintain and regularly update UMI website.

·         Shall work closely with the Historian to maintain the website’s photo gallery updated and with Vice-President to keep the upcoming events page/calendar updated.

Article V.    Advisor

5.1     At least one full-time faculty or staff member shall be selected to serve as advisor to the Executive Board and members of UMI.  There should be an interest in Spanish and its culture, as well as a desire to make UMI succeed through their guidance and leadership. 

Article VI.   Amendments

6.1      Proposal - Amendments of the Constitution may be proposed by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

6.2        Adoption - An amendment may be adopted by the majority vote of the

Executive Board. 

Updated Fall 2008