BYLAWS OF THE BLACK LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF

OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW

ARTICLE I: NAME

  The name of this organization shall be the Black Law Students Association of Ohio Northern University, hereinafter referred to as "BLSA," or "the Association." The organization shall be affiliated with and conform to the provisions of the National Constitution and Regional BLSA Bylaws.

ARTICLE II: DECLARATION AND PURPOSE

  The Ohio Northern University chapter of the National Black Law Students Association is dedicated to articulating and promoting the professional needs and goals of Black law students; fostering and encouraging professional competence; and providing a forum for the discussion of local, national and school community issues affecting both the Black law student community and the university community as a whole. BLSA seeks to increase the presence of minority students at the College of Law and provide an avenue for social activities for its members.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

  Section 1: Membership in the Ohio Northern University chapter of BLSA shall be open to 1) all minority law students and 2) any other student with a proven interest in the goals and objectives of BLSA.

  Section 2: The various types of membership in the organization shall include:

•  Active Members: Law students who have paid their dues.

•  Inactive Members: Law students who have not paid their dues by the end of the first semester and have not attended two-thirds of the meetings.

•  Elected Officers: An active member who has been voted to an office by a majority of the active members.

•  Appointed Officers: A member who has been voted to an office by a majority of the executive board.

•  Auxiliary Members: Those persons recognized by our association who are committed to the purposes of the organization with the right to participate in all activities of the organization as a non-voting member.

ARTICLE IV: ELECTED OFFICERS

  Section 1: There are five elected officers that comprise the Executive Board:

•  President

•  Vice-President

•  Secretary

•  Treasurer

•  Public Relations Officer

Section 2: Appointed Officers

  There may be any number of appointed officers. They will be given a title appropriate to their appointed duties. The duties of the appointed officers are commensurate with the function for which they were appointed. The appointed officer will report to the president or his/her designate.

Section 3: A first-year representative shall be elected by the first year class members at the first BLSA meeting in October of each academic year.

Section 4: Duties of Elected Officers

  A. President: Candidates for this office must be a second or third year student at the time of running for office. The president shall be       responsible for:

    1. Supervising all official, administrative, and productive functions of this Association;

    2. Presiding over all Executive Board meetings, and over the general meetings;

    3. Co-signing with the Treasurer all checks issued by this Association;

    4. Serving as an ex-officio member of all Association committees;

    5. Maintaining and overseeing the web page; and,

    6. Performing such other functions and exercising such further duties as the National Board, this Association's Board, or the General Assembly may assign.

  B. Vice-President: The vice-president shall be responsible for:

    1. Exercising general executive authority over the business and activities of this Association, and presiding over all board meetings in the event of the incapacity or absence of the President;

    2. Coordinating, along with the President, the annual Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition and the annual Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition;

    3. Co-signing all checks; and,

    4. Performing such other functions and exercising such further duties as the President or General Assembly may assign.

  C. Secretary: The secretary shall be responsible for:

    1. Maintaining and distributing the minutes and agenda for all meetings of the Board and the Assembly;

    2. Maintaining the records of all correspondence of this Association;

    3. Coordinating internal and external communications of  information;

    4. Distributing a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws for this Association to:

      (a) Each Board member at the first board meeting

      (b) Each new member of the Association; and,

    5. Performing such other functions and exercising such further duties as the President, the Executive Board, or the General Assembly may assign.

  D. Treasurer: The treasurer shall be responsible for:

    1. Handling all funds and securities for this Association such as dues, fundraising proceeds, Student Bar Association and/or Student Senate disbursements, and from any other valid source;

    2. Ensuring that all funds and securities for this Association are deposited in such facility, and in such manner, as the Board may designate;

    3. Making regular financial reports to the Board;

    4. Co-signing with the Association President, all checks issued to this Association;

    5. Assuring that entries are regularly made in the financial records accounting for all funds received and disbursed by this Association;

    6. Submit an Association Budget for the year at the first regularly scheduled Board meeting, to include:

      a) Statement of accounts;

      b) Statement of unpaid bills with explanation;

      c) Statement of transfers between accounts;

      d) Statement of income;

      e) Detailed account of how all funds are used; and,          

      f) Detailed account of all anticipated expenses based on future program needs, history, and accounting for emergencies; and,

    7. Performing such other functions and exercising such further duties as this Association's President, Executive Board, or the General Assembly may assign.

  E. Public Relations Officer: The Public Relations Officer shall be responsible for:

•  Serving as a liaison between this Association and the National, and Regional Board;

•  Serving as a liaison between this Association and the Black Student Union of the Ohio Northern Community;

•  Serving as liaison between this Association and the rest of the Ohio Northern University Law Community;

•  Disseminating National and Regional information to this Association; and

•  Performing such other functions and exercising such further duties as this Association's President, Executive Board, or the General Assembly may assign.

•  First-Year Representative: The first-year representative shall be responsible for:

•  Serving as a liaison between the first year class and the executive board;

•  Attending executive board meetings as a non-voting member.

Section 5: Holding An Office

  To hold an elected or appointed office in this organization, an active member must have at least a 2.0 GPA at the time of election or appointment and be a full-time law student. Furthermore, the active member may not be on academic or disciplinary probation.

Section 6: Election of Officers

•  In order to participate in elections, members otherwise eligible to vote under Article III, Section 1 shall also be active.

•  Officers shall be elected by eligible members, as defined in Article III, Section 2 of these bylaws. Notice of the election shall be given at least four (4) weeks prior, and the election shall occur during the month of April.

•  Each officer shall be elected in April for a one (1) year term, which shall begin May 1 and end April 30 of the following year. An elected officer shall not hold an office for more than two consecutive academic years.

•  All elections shall be handled by an adjunct committee comprised of three (3) to five (5) members including the outgoing president, if not running for office, and any non-running members on a volunteer basis.

•  Nominations for officers shall be given to the election committee four (4) weeks prior to the election date. A list of nominees shall be compiled and posted on the BLSA bulletin board in plain view of all law students one (1) week prior to the election meeting.

•  A controlled question and answer period will be available so that every member will be able to hear each candidate. Questions pertaining to responsibilities, projects, or other undertakings of an officer shall be asked.

•  Each nominee shall be given an equal and appropriate amount of time, based on the amount of questions asked, to answer the questions presented. The order of the appearance shall be fair and determined by the election committee prior to the meeting.

•  All voting shall be conducted by secret ballot. The election committee shall tabulate the votes.

•  Voting for new officers shall be determined by a majority of active members present at the election. Authorized absentee ballots must be submitted to the election committee within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the election. Results of the election shall be posted on the BLSA bulletin board one (1) day after the elections.

Section 7: Removal of Officers

•  Any officer may be removed by either, a two-thirds (2/3) vote of eligible voting members, or a three-fifths (3/5) vote of the officers. The officer being voted upon may not participate in this vote.

•  Before removal of an officer, one warning must be supplied to the officer and allow her/him sufficient time for correction. The sufficient time for correction shall be determined by the executive board on a case-by-case basis, but shall not exceed thirty (30) days.

•  Elected officers are required to give notice to the president or secretary if unable to attend meetings or fulfill other duties. After three unexcused absences, officers may be subject to removal from office.

Section 8: Succession of Officers

  In the event that this Association's President is unable to complete a term of office, the Vice-President shall automatically rise to the position of President for the remainder of the term. If the Vice-President is unable to fulfill this duty, an acting President will be elected by a simple majority vote of active members. In the event that any other executive officer is unable to complete a term of office, the Board shall elect a replacement to serve the remainder of the term. In the event of a tie, the advisor shall make the deciding vote.

ARTICLE V: ALLOCATION OF FUNDS

  Section 1: All expenditures must be authorized by the executive board.

  Section 2: All requests for funding must be submitted in writing to the executive board prior to planning any events.

  Section 3: Requests for funding must contain an itemized list of expenditures and the estimated amounts for each item.

  Section 4: All reimbursements for expenses will be made based on the written budget request. Reimbursement requests must be made in writing to the       treasurer and accompanied by the applicable receipts within fourteen (14) days following the event.

  Section 5: Any expenditure without prior approval from the executive board or not accompanied by a receipt will not be reimbursed.

ARTICLE VI: STANDING COMMITTEES

•  Community Service - This committee is responsible for implementation and development of community service projects.

•  Fundraiser - This committee is for developing creative ideas to generate funds.

•  Programming - This committee is responsible for creating and planning special events.

•  Advertising - This committee is responsible for marketing and advertising strategies.

An executive board member shall be the head of each committee unless otherwise designated.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

  Section 1: Regular meetings for BLSA shall be held at least every two weeks (subject to academic calendar). The time and place of the meeting shall be       designated on the notice thereof. The executive board will meet at least two (2) times each month.

  Section 2: The President or three (3) members may call special meetings at any time and place as they determine, provided that there is a two day notice of such meetings.

  Section 3: Fifty (50) percent plus one of the members shall constitute a quorum. If a quorum does not exist, the meeting can be held but any vote shall be       postponed until the next scheduled meeting or a special meeting is called whereupon a vote can be taken even if no quorum exists.

  Section 4: For special meetings, notice shall be given at least two (2) days in advance of the date of such meetings. Notice of the Special Meeting shall       specifically state the purpose for the meeting. The party responsible for convening such meeting shall have the duty of notifying the membership.

  Section 5: The order and conduct shall generally conform to parliamentary procedure as outlined in Robert's Rules of Order or as otherwise specified       herein.

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

  The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the general active membership present at a prearranged meeting. When so approved, such amendment shall be effective as soon as adopted, unless otherwise provided by the amendment. Notice of the proposed amendment shall be posted or placed in each member's mailbox at least five (5) days before the amendment is offered.

ARTICLE IX: RATIFICATION

  Ratification of these Bylaws shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those general members voting at a special meeting called for the purposes of ratification. A quorum to ratify the Bylaws must consist of fifty (50) percent plus one of the general membership.