Constitution of the Israel and Law Society
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Israel & Law Society.
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of this organization is to:
- Bring students together to discuss issues concerning Israel, Israeli law, and international law affecting Israel.
- Organize events to celebrate Israeli holidays and share the culture of Israel with the WCL community.
Article III – Membership
- Regular membership in this organization shall be open to any Washington College of Law student.
- Associate membership in this organization shall be open to any faculty member, staff member, or administrator of the Washington College of Law.
- We shall not discriminate on the basis of: ancestry, color, race, cultural or ethnic background, economic status, ideological, philosophical, or political beliefs or affiliations, marital or parental status, national or regional origin, physical disability, religion, or religious or denominational affiliation, gender or sexual orientation.
Article IV – Officers
Officers of this organization shall be as follows:
- Chairman
- Vice Chairman/Treasurer
- Political Communications Chair
- Cultural and Humanitarian Rights Chair
- Media Chair
- General Advocate
Officers shall take office immediately upon being elected and shall serve for a period of one school year.
After an elected officer has finished their term, they may run for the same or a different office in the next election. NO person is precluded from holding an elected office for more than one term so long as they are elected by a majority of the society. No elected position can be held by more than one person. In the case of a tie in an election for an officer, the officers of the term ending along with the Faculty Supervisor shall case votes to break the tie.
Duties of officers
Chairman: Shall preside over all meetings, conduct official organization business, co-sign checks, represent the organization to the institution, and serve as a spokesperson for the executive board and organization.
Vice Chairman/Treasurer: Shall support the Chairman in his/her duties and shall be responsible for keeping accurate records of all financial matters and collecting dues. He/she may also co-sign checks with the Chairman, prepare the organizational budget, and make quarterly reports of all receipts and disbursements.
Duties for other position will be determined at each election.
Nominations and Elections
- All officers shall be elected at the first program board meeting and shall serve for one academic year.
- Members may self-nominate or may be nominated by another member (unless the nominee declines the nomination).
- Each officer shall be elected by a simple majority vote of the members present at the selection meeting.
- In the case of more than two candidates for an Officer position, the two candidates with the most votes in the first election shall compete in a second run-off election.
- If any officer steps down or is removed before the end of the term, another member shall be elected at the next chapter meeting to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.
Article V – Removal of Officers
- Officers failing to fulfill the given responsibilities and duties may be removed by the active organization.
- The removal of an officer requires the vote of one half of members present at a chapter meeting following the notification of the officer in question, subject to the condition that at least half of the active members of the Chapter be in attendance.
- The officer who is the subject of the removal must be afforded an opportunity to speak at least one week in advance of the meeting where the removal will take place.
Article VI – Replacement of Officers
- In the case where the Chairman’s office is vacant, the Vice Chairman will immediately fill the position of Chairman.
- All other officers should be filled through appointment or election.
Article VII – Meetings
- Chapter meetings shall be open to all Washington College of Law students.
- Orders of business may be raised by anyone in attendance at a chapter meeting.
Article VIII – Committees
The officers of the organization shall have the authority to create any committees, standing or special, that will further the purpose of the organization.
Article IX – Finances
Dues shall be determined by the officers of the organization subject to the approval of majority vote at a meeting of the organization.
Article X – Amendments
- All amendments to the constitution require notice of one week prior to being discussed and voted upon.
- Any member may initiate proposed amendments to the constitution.
- All amendments require a 2/3 vote of at least half of the chapter for adoption. Voting can take place at either the meeting if at least half of the Chapter is present or via email.