National Women Law Students' Association Constitution

I.  Title

This organization shall be known as the National Women Law Students' Association, Suffolk University Law School Chapter.

II.  Purpose

The National Women Law Students' Association (hereinafter "NWLSA") is an organization dedicated to promoting the issues, concerns and interests specific to women.  We are a venue for female law students to involve themselves with legal issues occurring at Suffolk University Law School, and will attempt to create a forum for open discussion with all students at Suffolk University Law School on issues of interest, as well as other universities both locally and nationally.  NWLSA is dedicated to the interests of all female law students regardless of race, sexual orientation, class or nationality.  As a group we intend to provide not only opportunity for open discussion, but a support system and informational resource for those women in need of assistance in their educational endeavors and beyond.  

III.  Officers

The executive offices are: Executive Coordinator, Treasurer, Public Relations Coordinator, Special Programs Coordinator, Alumni Liaison, Women's Bar Association Representative, hereinafter referred to as the Executive Board (the "Board"). 

While the responsibilities in running NWLSA are specified according to each respective position, the Board is committed to working as a group on all major decisions affecting the organization as a whole, and will refrain from making individualized decisions without communication with the entire Board.  The responsibilities of each position are as follows:

A.  Executive Coordinator:  The Executive Coordinator calls and runs the general and officer holder meetings. She is the point person whom all other officer holders report to by keeping her informed of their progress and actions within their positions and projects.  In addition, the Executive Coordinator meets with the faculty advisor to keep her informed of the organization's activities.  Further duties are to attend the Counsel of Presidents meetings and Deans' meetings.  She works closely with the treasurer to complete any and all paperwork necessary as mandated by Student Bar Association (hereinafter "SBA") policy and procedure.  Lastly, she may attend SBA meetings.  Other incidental duties include attending any meetings deemed mandatory or otherwise by the SBA.

B.  Treasurer:  The Treasurer keeps account of all money allocated to NLWSA by the SBA and any money the organization raises through its own efforts or obtains by other means.  She reports her accountings to the Executive Coordinator and the general members as needed.  The Treasurer contacts and obtains updated financial information from the SBA Treasurer as needed.  In addition, she works closely with the Executive Coordinator to complete any and all financial information required by the SBA policy and procedure to disburse and reimburse NLWSA money.  In the event that the Executive Coordinator cannot make it to any meeting that she is required to attend, the Treasurer will attend in her place.  Finally, the Treasurer is responsible for drafting a proposed budget for NWLSA.

C.  Public Relations Coordinator:  The Public Relations Coordinator keeps the minutes of all general and other NLWSA meetings, maintains an updated member list and reserves the rooms for all meetings.  She must place the minutes from each meeting in the notebook located in the SBA office in the NWLSA file cabinet.  It is her responsibility to notify all members of upcoming meetings and programs, including times, places, and any other relevant information.  Additionally, she makes, posts and removes all flyers, posters and/or other forms of advertisements for any and all meetings and programs.

D.  Special Programs Coordinator:  The Special Programs Coordinator is the point person for all programs planned.  She keeps track of all orders placed with the school or outside vendors, set up times, pick up dates, return dates, makes sure all rooms are reserved for programs, as well as, taking care of any other needed arrangements.  She reports the status of all programs and their progress to the Executive Coordinator and general members.  In addition, the Special Programs Coordinator consults with the Treasurer, to ensure the organization has the funds available before any expenditures are made and notifies the treasurer of any members who need reimbursement for personal funds spent on behalf of the organization.

E.  Alumni Liaison:  The Alumni Liaison corresponds with the Suffolk alumni updating them on NWLSA activities.  She is responsible for sending out invitations to the alumni for social events and coordinating with the Special Programs Coordinator.  In addition, the Alumni Liaison should comprise a list of alumni willing to speak at any programs.

F.  Women's Bar Association Liaison:  The Women's Bar Association Liaison is responsible for contacting the Women's Bar Association.  She attends their meetings and reports to the general members the activities of the organization.

IV.  Elections

Elections for the offices shall be held in the spring semester for the following academic year.  Any member who is interested in running for a particular office shall fill out an intent to run form and submit the form to the Executive Coordinator by the deadline designated.  During the meeting which elections are held, each candidate will have the opportunity to give a two minute presentation.  Every general member in attendance at the meeting may vote on the candidates.  The candidate with the most votes for each position will be elected to the office.  Any person of any year may run for any office.

A.  Reasons:  Any office holder may be removed from office for any of the following reasons:

1.  If a member is subject to disciplinary action by the law school, including suspension or expulsion.  However, the members may refuse to invoke this clause in the interest of justice.

2.     If someone is improperly or not performing the duties of her position.

B.  Due Process:  No office holder will be removed from office without due process, which includes, but is not limited to:

1.     The right to speak on her behalf;

2.     The right to confront her accuser and the right to ask questions;

C.  Procedure:  Removal of an office holder requires:

1.     A unanimous vote of all office holders

2.     In the event that the office holders cannot reach a unanimous decision, removal may occur with a ¾ vote of the members present at the meeting.

VI.  Adoptions, Amendments and/or Modifications

The Constitution shall be subject to amendment.  Any NWLSA member may propose an amendment.  A proposal must set forth the proposed change(s) and reasons supporting thereof and be presented at a general meeting.  A two-thirds (2/3) vote of NWLSA members in attendance in favor of the proposed amendment shall be required for its incorporation thereof.  Should NWLSA members vote unanimously in favor of an amendment, the Executive Coordinator shall make such changes to this Constitution.

VII.  Membership

Any Suffolk University Law School student may be a member and/or officer of NWLSA.

VIII.  Miscellaneous

This Constitution shall be interpreted in conformance with the rules and regulations of Suffolk University Law School and be consistent with the by-laws of the SBA.