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Health Law Society

Constitution

WHEREAS, there is a community need for lawyers practicing in the health care/ public health law and policy areas; and

WHEREAS, the economic and social barriers confronting lawyers and law students interested in pursuing careers in health care/ public health must be removed; and

WHEREAS, the Indiana University-Bloomington School of Law has a responsibility to fulfill this community need;

NOW, THEREFORE, WE HEREBY ENACT THIS CONSTITUTION OF THE HEALTH LAW SOCIETY.

  • Angela Field, Founder's Committee
  • Elizabeth Lewis, Founder's Committee
  • Jane Sousa, Founder's Committee
Article I: Title and Purpose

  1. TITLE: The Health Law Society, organized with the knowledge and support of the Indiana University-Bloomington School of Law ("Law School"), shall be known as "HLS" and may be referred to as such.

  2. Purpose: The purpose of HLS shall be to provide:

    1. moral and financial support for students participating in health law, public health & policy work;
    2. a forum for exploring health care/ public health concerns, including career and employment opportunities;
    3. fellowships for law students who obtain employment in health care/ public health law/ policy; and
    4. support for initiatives engendering health care/ public health/ policy work within the Law School.
Article II: Membership

  1. HLS will be presided over by Executive Officers forming a HLS Board.

  2. HLS Board members shall be elected annually at a General Meeting of HLS.

  3. In order to become a member of HLS, students must pay annual dues set by the HLS Board.

Article III: HLS Board

  1. HLS will be presided over by Executive Officers forming a HLS Board.

  2. HLS Board members shall be elected annually at a General Meeting of HLS.

  3. HLS Board members, by unanimous vote, may remove an Officer for any of the following reasons:

    1. Acts of misfeasance with the organization's funds or name;

    2. Acting in a manner contrary to the organization's mission

    3. Failure to perform duties as ascribed by this Constitution; or

    4. Any other reason as determined by the Executive Board

  4. Should a vacancy arise in the HLS Board, the President shall have the power to appoint a temporary replacement until the next General Meeting of HLS, at which point a permanent replacement shall be elected.

Article IV: Executive Officers—Duties

  1. A. The HLS BOARD shall be composed of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Business Coordinator, Events Chairperson, and Public Relations Manager.

  2. The PRESIDENT shall:

    1. call and preside over all Board and General Meetings;
    2. frequently consult with HLS Board members, the HLS faculty advisor, and Law School administration concerning HLS activities and health care/public health matters;
    3. develop meeting agendas;
    4. have the power to create HLS Committees and appoint Chairs of those Committees;
    5. ensure the completion of all University and Law School paperwork;
    6. develop and maintain, upon consultation with the Treasurer, an organization budget;
    7. develop relationships and partnerships with professional organizations that can offer academic and professional opportunities to HLS;
    8. develop and maintain communications with leaders of health law related organization at law schools within the region;
    9. make all final decisions relating to the organization and operation of HLS;
    10. set HLS goals, both short and long term; and
    11. possess all reasonable powers relating to HLS not herein reserved to someone else.

  3. The VICE-PRESIDENT shall:

    1. plan and implement the Fall fundraising and outreach event at Upland Brewery or other location as determined by the HLS board, organize the law school's Relay for Life team and/or the Ambulance Chase (in conjunction with Sports & Entertainment Law Society) in the Spring;
    2. oversee publication of the HLS Cookbook, Briefs from the Kitchen;
    3. provide advice and support on all HLS activities; and
    4. jointly preside over HLS in the absence or incapacitation of the President.

  4. The SECRETARY shall:

    1. maintain an accurate list of all HLS members;
    2. act as liaison between the HLS Board and the HLS Membership by emailing the HLS newsletter to all HLS members on a regular basis;
    3. take and distribute minutes at all HLS General Meetings;
    4. publicize all meetings and HLS activities;
    5. submit announcements for upcoming events and meetings to the ILA in a timely manner.

  5. The TREASURER shall:

    1. maintain accurate records of HLS receipts and expenditures;
    2. deposit all HLS funds;
    3. provide reports as necessary to the law school administration;
    4. regularly present to the HLS Board a specific report of the HLS account; and
    5. ensure the fiscal responsibility of all HLS activities.

  6. The BUSINESS MANAGER shall:

    1. reserve meeting space for all HLS meetings and events on campus;
    2. order food and refreshments for meetings and events on campus;
    3. arrange for the rental of any equipment borrowed from the university (i.e., tables from the circulation desk, tent for Relay for Life, etc.);
    4. maintain HLS materials kept in the HLS office;
    5. assist the President in all other logistical matters relating to HLS activities.

  7. The EVENTS CHAIRPERSON shall:

    1. oversee the HLS Moot Court Team participating in the National Health Law Moot Court Competition (though he or she may not participate as an official team member) and act as a liaison between HLS and the host university; and
    2. coordinate a trip to the Annual Health Law Student Conference in Pittsburgh for interested HLS members.

  8. The PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER shall:

    1. maintain the HLS web site by emailing the law school webmaster with updates;
    2. create an event on Facebook© for all HLS events and invite HLS members and other law students;
    3. coordinate with the Office of Marketing and Communications to issue press releases and create marketing materials; and
    4. advertise HLS events throughout the law school by posting flyers and writing announcements on classroom chalkboards.
Article V: Advisor

HLS shall possess an official advisor, who shall be a member of the faculty of the Law School. The HLS Faculty Advisor shall advise the President on all HLS activities, including organization direction, goals, and responsibilities.

Article VI: Elections

  1. HLS elections shall be held once a year, during the Spring Semester.

  2. All HLS members in good standing with the Law School shall be permitted to vote in HLS elections. Only non-graduating HLS members in good standing with the Law School shall be eligible to run for elected office.

  3. Elections shall be advertised and members given ample time to nominate themselves or others to positions on the HLS Board.

  4. Voting shall be by secret ballot and results shall be publicized to all HLS members within a reasonable period of time.

  5. The term of the HLS Board shall expire at 5:00 pm on the last day of Spring Semester finals each year; at this point, the newly elected officers shall officially take office.

Article VII: Finances

  1. HLS will apply for and maintain a Student Organizational Account with the University.

  2. HLS, HLS members, and the HLS Board shall operate in accordance with the Student Organization Accounts office policies and procedures.

  3. Upon dissolution of HLS, all remaining assets shall be distributed to charitable organizations within Bloomington, Indiana that support the health care or public health law.

Article VIII: University Compliance

This organization shall comply with all Indiana University regulations, and local, state, and federal laws. All provisions of this Constitution, to the extent possible, are to be interpreted as consistent with University regulations, and local, state, and federal laws.

Article IX: Non-Hazing

Hazing is strictly prohibited. Hazing shall be defined as any conduct which subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, to anything that may endanger, abuse, degrade, or intimidate the person as a condition of association with a group or organization, regardless of the person's consent or lack of consent.

Article X: Amendments

  1. Members of HLS shall be informed of all amendments to this Constitution within a reasonable period of time.

  2. All amendments to this Constitution must be ratified by either:

    1. a majority vote of the HLS Board and a majority vote of the HLS Membership present at a General Meeting; or
    2. a unanimous vote of the HLS Board.
Article XI: Ratification

This Constitution of the Health Law Society shall be subject to ratification by unanimous consent of the HLS Board, and signed approval of the HLS President.