CONSTITUTION
for
Latinos Involved in Further Education
at the
Illinois Institute of Technology
Amended on April 25, 1997
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PREAMBLE
We, the students of Latino origin and those with common interests at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), recognizing the needs and responsibilities within the Latino community of Chicago, resolve to establish Latinos Involved in Further Education to act as ambassadors to our community. LIFE is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, and to the development of one’s capacity to the fullest potential. We believe the richness of our cultural identity will aid us in achieving our academic and social goals. The problems that beset Latinos can only be effectively resolved by our collective efforts. We commit ourselves to use our skills, and knowledge in order to contribute to the welfare of our people, our society, and the world in general.
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ARTICLE I- Name
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Section 1
The name of this organization shall be Latinos Involved in Further Education (LIFE).
Section 2
LIFE shall be composed by three sub-organizations:
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Latinos In Fields of Technology (LIFT)
Arquitectos
ARTICLE II- Purpose
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Section 1
The purpose of this organization shall be:
To share our Latino culture and customs with the IIT community.
To encourage Latino and other students to become involved in IIT’s social and academic environment.
To unite the Latino community at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
To ease the transition from high school to college.
To provide support groups for Latino students at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Section 2
The purposes of the sub-organizations shall be :
SHPE- To promote the development of Latinos in engineering, science and other technical professions to achieve the educational excellence, economic opportunity and social equality.
LIFT- to promote the pursuit of higher-education to high-school students, to work in conjunction with the Admission office to recruit minority students to IIT when possible.
Arquitectos- To foster the development of the professional and cultural awareness within the IIT architectural community, recruit and retain Latino architecture students, and to establish and maintain contact with those in the professional field of architecture.
ARTICLE III. The Constitution
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Section 1
The constitution may be amended at a regular meeting by a 2/3 vote of the voting membership present, provided that written or printed notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all members at least one week prior to the date of the meeting. Amendments may be tabled for vote at a later meeting. Amendments go into effect the following fall semester.
Section 2
This constitution shall be made available throughout the school year.
ARTICLE IV. Membership
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Section 1
Classes of membership:
A. Active Membership
Any student currently enrolled at IIT
Paid membership dues
Completed membership application(s)
B. Inactive membership
Any student who does not fulfill all of what is required in Art. IV; Sec 1.4.
C. Honorary membership
Any person other than a student at IIT who has contributed in a worthwhile manner to any part of LIFE or its goals.
Section 2
Definition of voting members:
A voting member is any active member present to at least two consecutive meetings or should be able to demonstrate an adequate amount of knowledge of the issue(s) in question.
Section 3
A member of LIFE has the option of becoming an active member of SHPE and/or Arquitectos by paying an extra fee; and every LIFE member is considered a member of LIFT.
Section 4
An honorary member of LIFE is a person, not a student at the Illinois Institute of Technology who has contributed in a worthwhile manner to any part of LIFE.
Section 5
Duties of members are as follows:
To be informed and knowledgeable on any issues undergoing discussion.
To promote and support L.I.F.E.
To inform the executive board if he/she feels that an officer is not upholding his/her responsibilities as stated in the constitution.
To attend general meetings.
To participate in LIFE activities whenever possible.
To appeal to any of the decisions taken by the Executive Board.
To vote and run for office.
Section 6
Removal of members:
If it is the opinion of the majority of the executive board that the member in question has condoned in a criminal and disrespectful activity which misrepresents this organization, then a removal-of-membership-status process will follow. A 2/3 minimum vote of the total members present at the general meeting is required to remove him/her from membership status. Both, the total membership and the member in question must be notified at least one week prior to a vote. Section 7
Appeal process:
Any active member having a concern regarding any of LIFE decisions or proceedings or feels unjustly served has the option of filing an appeal. The concerned member must approach the executive board in an executive board meeting to discuss the issue prior to filing an official appeal. Failure to comply with this requirement will be enough grounds for the appeal not to be considered and this behavior will be considered disrespectful. An official appeal consists of a completed appeal form accompanied by the signatures of at least 3/4 of the membership. Upon receipt by the executive board of an official appeal, it is required to reconsider the decision or proceeding in question and to discuss it with the membership. An unofficial appeal consists of a completed appeal form signed by the concerned member. Unofficial appeals serve as a mechanism to inform the executive board of any concerns members may have. Appeals must be submitted to the executive board at an executive board meeting.
ARTICLE V. Executive Board
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Section 1
The executive board will consist of the President, Executive Vice President, Vice President for SHPE, Vice President for LIFT, Vice President of Architectos, Treasurer, Secretary and Publicist.
Section 2
Executive board meetings shall be held twice a month. All members are allowed to attend executive board meetings but have no voting rights.
Section 3
Powers and duties of the executive board:
Appoint chairpersons and establish committees when necessary.
Make special temporary appointments for any office that is vacant, until a new election can be held,
Appropriate funds for activities.
Report any existing or pending activities to the membership.
Set membership dues.
Select Honorary members.
ARTICLE VI. Officers
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Section 1
The offices of this organization shall be: President, Executive Vice President, Vice President of SHPE, Vice President of LIFT, Vice President of Arquitectos, Treasurer, Secretary and Publicist.
Section 2
Qualifications for each office shall be to:
Have completed a semester of active participation in L.I.F.E.
Have a G.P.A. of at least 2.00.
Show responsibility and leadership qualities.
Section 3
Term of office:
The term of each office shall be one school year.
These terms will begin and end on the last general meeting of the spring semester. Vice President of Arquitectos will begin and end on the last meeting of the fall semester.
Section 4
Duties of Executive Board members:
A. As an officer you must:
Be a member of at least one committee, your function in the committee is:
a. To serve as a link between the executive board and the committee.
b. To oversee the operations of the committee.
c. To ensure that the goals of L.I.F.E, and the deadlines set by the executive board are met.
d. To bring up to the attention of the executive board any concerns that the committee may have.
Shall work in conjunction with the treasurer and fundraising committees to ensure appropriate funding for the program(s).
Attend all executive board and general meetings.
Provide an excuse, preferably prior, in the event of an absence.
Failure to comply with assigned duties will result in appropriate action by the executive board.
B. Duties of the officers:
PRESIDENT
a. Will be held responsible for ensuring that the officers’ duties if are carried out.
b. Shall preside over all meetings and activities.
c. Is responsible for all proposals.
d. Will assist in financial matters.
e. Will be the Public Relations person for LIFE.
f. Will chair the Banquet committee.
g. Will be a voting member in the event of a tie.
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT
a. Will assist in Public Relations for LIFE.
b. Will be in charge of on campus recruiting for LIFE.
c. Will initiate a revision of the constitution every year.
d. Shall preside over meetings when the President is absent.
e. Shall be liaison between the committees and the executive board.
f. Will be held accountable for all information on committee projects.
g. Will chair the Latino Heritage Month committee.
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR SHPE
a. Will attend meetings of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
b. Will report all SHPE information at executive board and general meetings.
c. Shall represent LIFE or ensure proper representation in SHPE events.
d. Shall assist in Public Relations for LIFE.
e. Shall promote SHPE within the Chicago Community , Colleges and assist in the creation of their SHPE student chapter.
f. Will oversee the activities of coordinators and representatives and inform them of their duties.
g. will complete and submit SHPE’s End-of-year report.
h. Will chair the NTCC (National Technical Career Conference) and co-chair any other SHPE committee(s) which may arise.
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR LIFT
a. Will plan and coordinate events for the Latinos Involved in Fields of Technology program.
b. Will be held accountable for all information on LIFT projects.
c. Shall assist in off and on campus recruiting for higher education.
d. Shall develop a plan, make appropriate contacts, and implement the LIFT program.
e. Shall chair the LIFT committee.
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR ARQUITECTOS
a. Will coordinate and plan all Arquitectos meetings.
b. To promote Arquitectos and its mission within the Chicago community.
c. To attend and represent the interests of Arquitectos at the professional Arquitectos meetings.
d. Will function as a liaison between other Arquitectos chapters.
e. Will chair the Latino Heritage Month Arquitectos committee and co-chair any other Arquitectos committees that may arise.
TREASURER
a. Will be in charge of all financial matters.
b. Will keep a record of all receipts and bills.
c. Will keep an updated list of paid members.
d. Will submit a written financial report of LIFE budget, income, and expenses to the general membership in a bimonthly basis.
e. Will co-chair the fundraising committee.
SECRETARY
a. Keep the minutes of all general and executive board meetings.
b. Responsible for correspondence to faculty and members.
c. Take attendance at all meetings.
d. Responsible for reserving rooms f or meetings and activities.
e. Will post an agenda of the next general meeting at least two days prior to the regular meeting.
f. Will inform members of meeting agenda at the general meetings.
PUBLICISTS
a. Responsible for advertising the general meetings and events on the newspaper and Internet systems.
b. Mail fliers to the members when needed.
c. Will be the editor of the LIFELINES newsletter.
d. Shall the International Fest committee.
Section 6
Resignation of officers:
Officers must submit a letter of resignation to the executive board and provide two weeks notice.
Section 7
Removal of Officers
If it is the opinion of the majority of the executive board that the officer in question has not upheld his/her responsibilities as stated in the constitution, an impeachment process may follow. A 2/3 minimum vote of the total voting members present at the general meeting is required to remove him or her from office. Both, the membership and the officer in question must be notified at least one general meeting prior to a vote.
ARTICLE VII- ELECTIONS
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Section 1
Article VI of this constitution shall be read before each selection.
Section 2
Slections of officers shall be held during by the last month of the spring semester unless special elections are needed.
Section 3
Voting students must show that he/she are eligible voting members.
Section 4
Members shall be informed at least two weeks prior to elections.
ARTICLE VIII- GENERAL MEETINGS
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Section 1
Regular meetings of this organization shall be held twice a month, except when otherwise necessary due to special activities.
Section 2
Special meetings may be called at any time by the president upon petition by 2/3 of the executive board. Members must be notified at least four days prior to the special meeting.
ARTICLE IX- COMMITTEES
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Section 1
All committees and their duties shall be established by the executive board.
Section 2
Any committee requiring a budget must submit proposals to the Executive Board on month prior to the scheduled event(s).
Section 3
The following committees shall be established the last general meeting of the spring semester:
The Latino Heritage Month Arquitectos Exhibition Committee
The Fundraising Committee
The SHPE Committee
The Latino Heritage Month Committee
The International Fest Committee
The LIFT Committee
The Banquet Committee
The Chapa-walk-a-thon
The Arquitectos Committee
Section 4
Committees will meet, at minimum, once a month to collect efforts and prepare a report for the Executive Board.
Section 5
Committees can also be formed on an as needed basis, with chairs being appointed by the Executive Board.
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