Constitution

History     Article IV     Article VI     Article VIII     Article IX     Article XIII     Article_XV

    In the late 1980’s the first Latino-oriented organization was established at DePaul University: United Hispanics.  In the 1992 academic school year, the name was changed to DePaul Alliance for Latin-American Enrichment (D.A.L.E.). In 1995-1996 school year, the organization was renamed DePaul Alliance for Latino Empowerment. 

    D.A.L.E. host three signature events throughout the academic year entitled Noche Cultural, Noche de Ganatelos, and Diversity Day. In 2003-2004 academic school year D.A.L.E. members established a scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors. The Students believed that the different events, not only strengthened their Latin American roots, but also empowered Latinos to become unified leaders in the Latino community.  D.A.L.E. is referred to as the oldest and largest Latino-oriented organization at DePaul University.

 Preamble

We, the members of the DePaul Alliance for Latino Empowerment, adopt this constitution as a means of self-governance to ensure the efficient running of the organization.

Article I            Name

The name of this organization is the DePaul Alliance for Latino Empowerment here on out referred to as D.A.L.E.

Article II           Mission Statement

D.A.L.E. is a non-profit community focused organization that promotes cultural, political and social awareness, academic excellence, career development, and social functions.

Article III         Vision

To create a comfortable environment among Latinos at DePaul University; therefore maintaining a strong, empowered, and conscious DePaul community.

Article IV         Goals

A.   Promote community, political and social awareness, academic excellence,       cultural development, and social interaction for the DePaul community through an array of events.

B. Maintain a strong working relationship with DePaul University including student organizations, faculty, staff and alumni.

C. Maintain a strong working relationship within the student body at DePaul University.

D. Maintain a strong working relationship with Latino organizations at other college campuses.

E.    Strive to promote leadership development in the Latino community on and off campus.

Article V          Membership Criteria

Active members of D.A.L.E must meet the following requirements:

A.     Completion of membership form

B.   Payment of annual membership fee of $15 before set due date.  Due date to be set at the discretion of the Executive Board.

C.  Cannot miss more than 20% of all general meetings per year, after completion of membership form.  Failure to comply will result in inactive status of membership (Reinstatement will be at the discretion of the Executive Board).

D.     Active involvement in participating/planning one event per quarter.

E. Must complete a minimum of five hours of community service events as a member of D.A.L.E. per year. 

Article VI         Duties and Powers of Officers

Section 1        The Officers of D.A.L.E.’s Executive Board shall consist of:

A.     President

B.     Vice President

C.     Secretary

D.     Public Relations Officer

E.      Treasurer

F.      Historian

Section 2        The President shall:

A. Be the chide officer responsible for the effective functioning of the organization.

B. Make necessary provisions for the duties of the absent Executive Board members.

C.     Shall vote in case of a tie in all issues or debates. 

D.     Ensure that all board members fulfill their obligations.

E. Be a liaison with the faculty, administrators, and other student organizations.

F.      Chair and prepare agendas for Executive Board meetings

G.     Chair and prepare agendas for general meetings.

H. Be responsible for the keeping of updated folders containing            individual events’ information.

I.        Overlook a chairperson.

J.    Work alongside the Vice President to plan Noche de Ganatelos, Noche Cultural, and Diversity Day.

Section 3        The Vice President shall:

A.  Temporarily assume the duty of president in the event of the latter’s absence or disability.

B.     Bring Chairpersons Council minutes to general meetings.

C.     Head Chairperson Council, which will consist of all chairpersons.

D.     Be responsible for election procedures.

E. Work alongside the President to plan Noche de Ganatelos, Noche Cultural, and Diversity Day.

F.  Compile a binder to hand down to the following year Vice President, for reference.

Section 4       The Secretary shall:

A.     Take minutes at all General and Executive Board meetings.

B. Record and distribute minutes among members electronically upon request.

C.     Distribute weekly D.A.L.E. News.   

D.     Check the organization’s mailbox and voicemail on a regular basis.

E.      Create and update a database of all D.A.L.E. members and alumni.

F.      Overlook a chairperson.

G. Compile a binder to hand down to the following year Secretary, for reference.

H.     Keep all Chairperson Council minutes on file.

Section 5       The Public Relations Officer shall:

A.     Promote D.A.L.E. through on and off-campus media.

B.  Keep record of current events in the Chicago land area and in the DePaul Community.

C.     Create/post flyers for meetings and events.

D.     Maintain weekly contact with Webmaster.

E.      Reserve meeting sights.

F.      Maintain files and records of D.A.L.E. history.

G. Maintain contact with Cultural Offices, departments, and            organizations.

H.     Overlook a chairperson.

I.      Compile a binder to hand down to the following year Public Relations Officer, for reference.

Section 6        The Treasurer shall:

A. Be responsible for all funds belonging to or held in trust of the organization in addition to maintaining an accurate record of all fiscal matters of the organizations.

B. See that all D.A.L.E. bills are paid by the voucher after they have been approved by the Executive Board on a timely basis.

C.     Maintain active contact with funding mediums.

D.     Overlook a chairperson.

E.  Compile a binder to hand down to the following year Treasurer, for reference.

F.      Be responsible for the completion of program evaluations.

Section 7        The Historian shall:

A.     Maintain files and records of D.A.L.E. history.

B.     Create a scrapbook to be presented at the banquet.

C. Responsible for creating an online database of historical facts and pictures.

D.     Overlook a chairperson.

E.  Compile a binder and documentary to hand down to the following year Historian, for reference.  

Article VII        Terms of Office   

Section 1  The term of office of the Executive Board shall be one year,              starting at the time of inauguration of officers for succeeding year.

Section 2   No person may hold more than one Executive Board office or Chairperson position at a time.  

Section 3    No officer may hold the same position for more than two terms.

Section 4   All officers must maintain a 2.5/4.0 cumulative GPA.  If the GPA requirement is not fulfilled, the officer must step down from his/her position for the remainder of his/her term.  An application process will then begin for the replacement of his/her position and will be chosen by the Executive Board.

Section 5    Officer must be present for the full term at DePaul University.

Section 6    Grounds for removal:

A.     Failure to carry out the aforementioned duties specified in Article VI for the position held.

B.     Conduct which compromises the ability to fulfill the duties of the position or which reflect negatively on the organization as a whole.

Section 7  Officers shall maintain good relationship and communication with the advisor.

Article VIII       Chairperson

Section 1       The Chairs for D.A.L.E. shall consist of:

A.     Career Development

B.     Comunidad

C.     Empowerment

D.     Special Events

E.      Public Relations

Section 2       The Career Development Chairperson shall:

A.     Compile a binder to provide D.A.L.E. members with information on scholarships, internships, jobs, workshops, conferences, etc.

B.     Maintain a strong working relationship with the DePaul Career Development Center.

C.     Maintain a strong relationship with DePaul Latino Alumni.

Section 3        The Comunidad Chairperson shall:

A.     Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with community agencies, volunteer organizations, and schools throughout the Chicago land area.

B.      Maintain a working relationship with the DePaul Community Service Associations.

C.     Organize visitations to the Chicago land area schools.

D.     Organize community service events.

E.      Keep a log of hours for members completing community service.

Section 4        The Empowerment Chairperson shall:

A.     Organize panel discussions and invite guest speakers.

B.     Maintain political awareness and inform D.A.L.E.

C.     Compile media information on current issues affecting both the Latino local and global community.

D.     Organize events that develop leadership in the Latino community on and off campus.

Section 5        The Special Events Chairperson shall:

A.     Plan events that advocate cultural awareness and educate the DePaul community about Latino cultures.

B.     Organize D.A.L.E. parties, social mixers and fundraisers.

C.     Organize D.A.L.E. social outings.

Section 6        The Public Relations Chairperson shall:

A.     Assist the Public Relations Officer with promotion-related tasks.

B.     Promote D.A.L.E. events at other student organizations.

C.     Responsible for the promotion of chair events.

D.     Create a binder that consists of media information that D.A.L.E. can use to promote its events such as newspapers, radio stations, etc.       

Section 7          Chairperson Council meetings will take place biweekly.

Article IX         Duties and Powers of Chairpersons

Section 1        The Chairperson shall:

A.     Be chosen by the Executive Board after completion of application.

B.  Be responsible for performing duties as assigned by the Executive Board and outlines in Article VIII Sections 2-5.

C.   Complete all forms necessary for events and present the completed forms to the Vice President.

D. Attend all general, Chairperson Council meetings, and 80% of all D.A.L.E. events.

E. Maintain a log of all contributing members to their position and events.

F.      Create an agenda for his/her position.

Section 2       Grounds for removal:

A. Failure to carry out the aforementioned duties specified in Article VIII and Article IX for the position held.

B. Conduct which compromises the ability to fulfill the duties of the position or which reflect negatively on the organization as a whole.

Article X          Advisor(s)

Section 1        Advisor(s) shall be a professional faculty/staff member

Section 2       The Advisor(s) shall:

A. Support, advise, caution, question, and work closely with the Executive Board.

B. Function as a liaison between the students and the university administration.

C.     Maintain good relationship and communication with officers.

D.     Support D.A.L.E. events.

Section 3       Grounds for removal

A.     Failure to carry out the aforementioned duties specified in Article IX, Section 2.

B. Conduct which compromises the ability to fulfill the duties of the position or which reflect negatively on the organization as a whole.

Article XI         Meetings

Section 1          All meetings, both general and Executive Board, will be decided at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Section 2         Should the need arise for a special meeting of the Executive Board, the President shall notify each member of the Executive Board.

Section 3          Chairperson Council meetings shall remain consistent throughout the year.  The Chairperson Council and the Executive Board shall designate the meeting dates.

Section 4         In the event of a special general meeting, the President shall inform all members.

Article XII        Voting Privileges

To vote, a person must be an active member and present at the time of the vote. 

Article XIII       Elections

Section 1           Only active members may fun for an Executive Board position.

Section 2          Elections shall be held during the spring quarter solely for the       following year E-board.

Section 3          The Vice President shall be responsible for supervising the voting procedures unless seeking re-election, in which case an officer not seeking re-election shall supervise.

Section 4           All candidates are required to deliver a speech.

Section 5           In the event of a tie, a run off will occur.

Section 6          The elections will be opened and closed at the discretion of the Executive Board along with the majority vote of members.

Section 7           A person can run for no more than one office, which should be decided before the closing of nominations.

Section 8           Nominations cannot be closed until there is a candidate running for President. 

Section 9          Any position not fulfilled will be left open for nomination at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Article XIV      Procedure for removal from office

Section 1          Charges for removal from office may be initiated against any member of the Executive Board or Chairpersons for failing to comply with the duties and responsibilities set forth in this constitution by any active member of D.A.L.E.

Section 2          The member initiating the charges for removal will present complaints and suggestions to the Executive Board for removal of the Executive Board member or Chairperson.  The members of the Executive Board that do not have complaints against them will determine if removal from office is necessary.

Article XV        Amendments

Section 1          Amendments need a 2/3 majority to ratified and will come into effect one week after being ratified.  

Section 2          The constitution can only be amended at a retreat.