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Activities and Organizations

Black Law Students Association (BLSA)

Constitution
Article 1–Name

The name of this organization shall be the (National) Black Law Students Association, Inc. of Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington Chapter (hereinafter referred to as "organization" and either BLSA or IUB-BLSA).

Article II–Purpose

The purposes of this organization shall be as follows:

  1. To promote and articulate the professional needs and goals and encourage professional competence of Black law students.
  2. To promote increased Black legal representation through the recruitment of students and faculty from colleges and universities.
  3. To strengthen Black law students in the skills needed to successfully complete academic requirements for this law school and the ensuing bar examination.
  4. To facilitate a conducive atmosphere for the Black law student’s intellectual and social development.
  5. To participate on law school faculty and Student Bar Association committees to influence policy decisions affecting the financial and academic futures of Black law students.
  6. To instill an awareness among Blacks in the local community of the law affecting their rights as citizens.
  7. To do all things necessary and lawful to accomplish these purposes.
  8. To remain in good standing with the National Black Law Students Association. In the absence of a national provision, the local chapter reserves the right to interpret its local constitution. In doing so, the local chapter may use the national constitution as a guidepost.
Article III–Eligibility for Membership

Students of Indiana University School of Law who are concerned with and take active steps toward promoting the goals and purposes of this Constitution, as outlined in Article II, shall be eligible for active membership.

Active Membership:

Active membership shall consist of general members who pay all required dues (set forth in Article IV).

National Membership:

National active membership shall consist of active members who meet the requirements of the National Black Law Students Association Constitution and by-laws.

Associate Membership:

Associate membership is open to any non-law student who satisfies the general membership criteria and pay all required dues (set forth in Article IV). Associate members, however, shall not vote nor hold office.

Honorary Membership:

Honorary membership is open to any alumni or distinguished person who is approved upon petition and ratification by two-thirds of the active membership. Honorary members, however, shall not vote nor hold office.

Article IV –Dues
  1. Active dues shall be determined by the Executive Board and shall be made known to the general membership by September 1. Dues shall be paid by September 30 of each year. Upon financial hardship or special circumstances, petitions can be made to the Executive Board.
  2. Associate dues shall be determined by the Executive Board and be no more than 25 percent of the Active dues. Payment shall be accepted throughout the academic year. Dues collection procedures shall be left to the discretion of the treasurer. Each dues paying member shall receive a receipt of payment.
Article V–Officers
  1. Elected offices shall be the President, First Vice President, Director of Programming, Treasurer, Secretary, and First-Year Representative.
  2. The office of Parliamentarian shall be appointed by the President.
  3. Elected officers shall be elected annually for a term of one year by a simple majority of the active membership.
  4. Duties are detailed in Article VII.
Article VI–Executive Board
  1. The Executive Board shall consist of all elected officers.
  2. The Board shall act in an advisory capacity and have a general power to make recommendation concerning policies of the organization. It shall meet only at the call of the President during the interim between regular meetings, or upon the request of a majority of the Board members.
  3. Each Executive Board member shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, the president shall have an additional tie-breaking vote.
Article VII–Duties of Officers
  1. In the event a vacancy occurs in the other offices, the President shall appoint a successor to serve the remainder of the term, with the approval of the Executive Board.
  2. Duties for Vice President
    1. exercise general executive authority over the business and activities of BLSA, and chair all Executive Board meetings and other functions in the event of the incapacity or absence of the President;
    2. serve as an internal manager to the Executive Board and oversee all intraboard relations;
    3. serve as an ex-officio member of all BLSA committees;
    4. attend Regional Conventions as the Executive Board representative when the President is unable to attend, whenever financially and logistically feasible;
    5. develop and finalize the Executive Board meeting agendas in accordance with the ideas and input of the President;
    6. evaluate projects, programs, and initiatives proposed by Executive Board members;
    7. perform such other functions and exercise such further duties as the President or the Board may assign;
    8. compile a brief synopsis of his/her yearly activities for the BLSA National Annual Report; and
    9. produce an official transition report at the close of the term of office.
  3. Duties for Director of Programming
    1. develop and evaluate programs that keep with the goals of BLSA;
    2. work with president to develop and coordinate u programs to maintain the goals of NBLSA;
    3. oversee projects, and other programs including:
      1. Regional Academic Retreats;
    4. develop methods to facilitate the implementation of programs
    5. perform such other functions and exercise such further duties as the President may assign;
    6. compile a brief synopsis of his/her yearly activities for the BLSA Annual Report; and
    7. produce an official transition report at the close of the term of office
  4. The Treasurer shall receive all funds, pay all the bills, and make financial disbursements upon consent and advice of the President. The Treasurer shall have primary responsibility to sign checks. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all receipts and expenditures and report in full at regular meetings upon request of the President. A full financial report shall be issued at the close of each semester. The Treasurer also serves as executive chair of the Self-Sufficiency standing committee (see Article IX)
  5. The Secretary shall record the minutes of all general membership meetings. The minutes are to be maintained as permanent records. The Secretary is responsible to serve notice of all general membership meetings. The Secretary shall have the authority to appoint two (2) administrators to assist in the maintenance of these duties but remains ultimately responsible for upholding the duties and responsibilities of this office.
  6. The First-Year Representative shall serve as a liaison to all first-year law students and perform any duties as requested by the President. The First-Year Representative may serve as the executive chair of a standing committee at the discretion of the Executive Board.
  7. The Parliamentarian shall maintain order at all formal meetings (see By-Laws, Article V).
Article VIII–Discipline/Removal/Impeachment of Officers
  1. Failure of officers to perform the duties prescribed in this Constitution or By-Laws, or conduct detrimental to the well-being of this organization shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the President.
  2. Formal Charges of Misconduct of any officer or chair shall be brought by petition of at least two active members. Reprimand of the President is in order upon a two-thirds vote of the active membership. Impeachment or elected officer shall be conducted by secret ballot. A three-fourths vote of the active membership is needed for impeachment.
Article IX–Committees
  1. Standing committees of this organization shall be:
    • Election
    • Self-Sufficiency
    • Recruitment and Retention
    • Enlightenment
    • BLSA Symposium and/or Conference
    • Community Service
    • Barristers Ball
    • Alumni Relations
  2. Such other committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President as deemed necessary to carry on the work of the organization in common with the purposes listed in Article II.
  3. The chairpersons of all standing and special committees shall be appointed by the President subject to the approval of the Executive Board. The Board may delegate such appointive powers as are necessary to facilitate the organization and operation of a committee.
  4. Executive Chair assignments can be modified at the discretion of the Executive Board. Standing committee chairs report to the Executive Chair assigned to that committee. Executive Chairs shall have the right to vote at standing committee meetings to break any ties.
Article X–Voting
  1. Active members (see Article IV) shall have the right to vote. Associate and Honorary members do not have the right to vote.
  2. Each member giving a proxy must give it in writing to the Secretary at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the next general meeting.
Article XI–Amendments
  1. The Constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote and the by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the active membership at any general meeting, provided the proposed amendment(s) has been presented to each member in writing and posted in a conspicuous location at least seven (7) days to prior to the meeting, or with good faith intent.
  2. The Constitution or by-laws of the organization or any amendment thereof, shall become effective immediately upon ratification, except where an alternative date is specified therein.