Constitution

Article I:

Section I. As of the fall of the 2006-2007 academic year, we hereby re-establish the Puerto Rican Student Association of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Article II: Purpose and Goals

Section I. The purpose of the Puerto Rican Student Association shall be to bring cultural and political awareness through social activities and events to the campus community.

1. The Puerto Rican Student Association will not adopt any one single political platform be it independent, commonwealth, or statehood. The PRSA will conduct political events representative of all three stances on the island. The PRSA takes the stance of "self determination" for the island of Puerto Rico.

Article III: Membership

Section I. Membership is limited to UIUC students. Anyone that wishes to become a member can attend any meeting at any time and request to join. The Puerto Rican Student Association does not discriminate because of race, creed, sex, color, or finances. All members must be willing to work to promote the atmosphere of the association.

Section II. Non-voting membership may be extended to administrators, staff members, and alumni of the University.

Section III. Active member must pay dues at $10 per semester.

Section IV. Active membership shall be defined by attendance to one-half of the activities and one-half of the meetings per semester.

Section V. All requirements must meet the Board of Trustees policies regarding nondiscrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin.

Article IV: Officers

Section I: Elections of Office

1. Nominations for executive board positions shall be made one meeting prior to the elections. Election officers shall be performed by closed ballot and votes shall be counted by the executive board. If any member of the executive board is running for reelection or another post, that officer will not be able to participate in the counting of votes. Election officers will require a majority vote from the general membership.
2. Election of officers shall be held during the second to last meeting of the fall semester. The elected officers must serve a semester mentoring program under the active officer to become active in the fall of the following academic year.
3. If the elected officer is unable to fulfill his/her duties the runner up shall take there place.
4. Notice of upcoming elections and appointments will be communicated to the members through the monthly newsletter, meetings and E-mail.

Section II. The qualifications of officers shall be as follows:

1. Elected by members
2. Student at UIUC
3. Official member of the PRSA
4. A Minimum 2.0 G.P.A.

Section III: Term of Office

All terms for officers shall be for one academic year. The term will commence the first week of the academic year and end the last week of the same academic year.

Section IV: Duties of Officers

The executive board members shall consist of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, social chair, cultural chair, political chair, fundraising chair, philanthropy chair and historian.

President: Oversee all organizational activities. The President is responsible for ensuring members are aware of and fulfill their governance responsibilities, conduct board business effectively and efficiently; are accountable for their performance. Serves as the official representative of PRSA at special University and community events. Shall call and conduct meetings regularly with the executive board.

1. President: Implement policies determined by the President and the executive board. If the president is unable to attend a general meeting, the vice president will assume command of the meeting or event. The Vice President delegates responsibilities, ensures that tasks are completed and everyone works effectively. If the President is absent the Vice President takes charge and makes timely, efficient decisions.
2. Secretary: Maintain records of membership, general meetings and activities. Shall keep an updated list of active members and inform members of upcoming meetings and activities.
3. Treasurer: Regulate and maintain all finances of the organization. Works closely with the Fundraising Chair to ensure that money is not an issue for the success of PRSA. The Treasurer will assist every general meeting and give an estimate of funds at every Executive Board Meeting.
4. Social Chair: Is head of the Social Committee, and is responsible for program publishing. The social chair ensures that viable networks are made and maintained with other organizations and groups. The Social Chair publicizes PRSA events and ensures that there is quality programming.
5. Cultural Chair: Is in charge of the Cultural Programming Committee. Cultural chair delegates responsibilities within the committee and spreads cultural awareness as well as information about the PRSA and its mission, on campus and in the community.
6. Political Chair: Is responsible for political programming; also, the Chair ensures that a political consciousness is promoted within PRSA. Political Chair is concurrent with the news, and is overall aware of the political ambience. Political Chair ensures that all programs will demonstrate an equal representation of all three stances on the island.
7. Fundraising Chair: Works closely with the Treasurer and ensures that PRSA has funding for events. Fundraising chair is head of the Fundraising committee and must be able to conduct fundraising projects.
8. Philanthropy Chair: Is head of the philanthropy committee and is responsible for conducting philanthropic programs on campus and in the community.
9. Historian: Is responsible for maintaining photographic records of all PRSA programs.

Section V. Any officer found in violation of Article IV, Section II of this constitution shall be removed from office. Those who do not fulfill their duties as described in Article IV, Section IV shall be removed from office after review by the Executive Board, a petition signed by 30% of the general membership must be presented to the person. Discussion of the officer shall be placed on the agenda of the meeting occurring at least seven days after presentation of the petition. Two-thirds of voting members is required to remove an officer from his/her position.

Section VI. During the academic year, if an officer cannot fulfill his/her duties or is removed the runner up for that position will take office. If the runner up is unable to take office the president reserves the right to appoint a new officer to that position.

Article V: Meetings

Section I. Regular meetings may be held weekly. Meetings shall be scheduled at appropriate times and days during the week so that majority of membership and executive board attends.

1. The structure of general meetings shall consist of Old Business and New Business guided by a printed agenda.

Section II. Special meetings may be called by the President, Vice President, or petitioned by a member. Members must be notified at least one week prior to the meetings.

Article VII: Advisor

Section I. The advisor of this organization shall be a full time faculty or academic staff member at UIUC.

Article XI: Amendments

Section I. Amendments must be submitted to the Executive Board and approved by the majority of the total membership. A written proposal shall be required before voting on an amendment. Any member of the association may propose an amendment.

Section II. Advance notice of voting on amendments will be sent to all members.

Section III. The secretary is responsible for the distribution of the amended document.

Section IV. A two-thirds vote of general membership is required for Amendments, and must be proposed at least two weeks prior to the time of voting.

Section IV. The constitution of PRSA must be revised by the Executive Board every three semesters.