2011-2012 Constitution for the Christian Legal Society
of Thomas Jefferson School of Law:
Mission Statement:
The Christian Law Society is a co-ed nondenominational group of students who meet regularly for prayer, fellowship and discussions concerning the implications of the Christian faith on current legal issues and on the practice of law in general. Collectively, we hold the Nicene Creed, as it was drafted in 381 AD, as a statement of our values.
Membership:
Any member of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Community is welcome to join the Christian Legal Society. Every member is allowed to contribute to each discussion and is encouraged to lead Bible studies and committees created by the President. Given the diverse denominational backgrounds of our members, all discussions and potential disagreements are to be conducted civilly with mutual respect for each other as Children of God. All members are
expected to handle conflicts prayerfully and thoughtfully.
2011-2012 Bylaws for the Christian Legal Society of
Thomas Jefferson School of Law:
Article I: Officers
The Christian Legal Society’s Officers are as follows:
The President:
The President is in charge of the operations of the chapter. He or she has the power to delegate authority to committees and subcommittees alike. He or she has the power to set up the agenda to official Meetings and Bible studies remaining consistent with our collective values as stated in the Nicene Creed. The President is also reserved with the power to execute any tasks necessary and proper for the execution of the chapter so long as they do not contravene the powers of the Board or the organization’s Mission Statement.
The Vice President:
The job of the vice president is to assist the President in all tasks he or she is permitted to do. The Vice President is also charged with ensuring that the President does his/her job effectively and with acting as the primary support vehicle to the President.
The Treasurer:
The Treasurer is to collect all dues and keep track of all expenses incurred by the organization. He or she is to control the funds of the organization. The sources of funds he or she is to manage include all allotted Student Bar Association funds, all Student Services funds, and all dues collected, should the Chapter choose to collect dues. When a student desires reimbursement, he or she must submit a copy of the receipt to the treasurer first for the treasurer’s approval. After said approval the student or treasurer may submit a reimbursement form to the school. The Treasurer is charged with creating the annual Budget and handling any expense reports, reimbursement procedures should any students within the organization need assistance. The treasurer is to keep the minutes to any official meeting should the secretary be unable to attend.
The Secretary:
The Secretary of the Christian Legal Society is charged with keeping the minutes of each official meeting and promptly sending them to all members. Should the secretary be unable to attend the meeting, the Treasurer shall write the meeting’s minutes. The Secretary is also charged with assisting the President in communicating with the Chapter and other chapters as a liaison should the President make such a request.
Article II. Voting & Impeachment Procedures:
Voting Procedures:
The Cabinet for the following academic year shall be elected beginning every third week of April with polls closing at midnight Sunday. Each member may announce their candidacy and submit a statement to the organization beginning on the first of April of each year. After each candidate for office gets their message across to the organization, voting will take place via email and commence no fewer than three days prior to the closure of polls. A simple majority of members’ approval will be required to confirm the slating of the new Cabinet. Should one or more candidates for the Cabinet run unopposed by the deadline for members to announce their candidacy, the current Cabinet may vote to slate the candidate or candidates.
Upon Cabinet approval, the Cabinet shall inform the organization of whom they have slated, and the members shall have at least three days to vote on whether or not to slate the cabinet until polls close. Should the members vote against slating the upcoming Cabinet, then an election for each individual candidate shall be sought, and such a continued election shall begin the fourth week of April, with the same timeframe rules as above. In the event of a tie between two or more candidates for the same position, a run off election will be held between them until one receives a higher percent majority of the votes than the other candidate/s. The process shall continue each consecutive week until all candidates are voted in.
Quorum:
Beginning on the Fall 2010 Academic semester, the Secretary shall count each participant in each Bible study and meeting and calculate the mean average of those who attended during said semester. This process shall be repeated each succeeding semester to calculate quorum. In order to have a valid election or a valid vote on any matter, a simple majority must be reached based off of quorum.
• During the general election: The quorum shall be calculated based off of the previous semester’s attendance.
• During a special election: If such an election takes place during the second semester, then the calculations based off the general election applies. If said special election occurs during the first semester prior to calculating the semester’s mean average attendance, quorum shall be calculated based off of the mean average of all meetings and Bible studies attended up to the point of the election.
• For board meetings: Three of the four officers shall be present in person or in proxy.
Should quorum not be reached by the end of an election: The board may make any necessary final decisions.
Impeachment:
Should any officer not do their job properly, the board has the power to remove the offending officer from his or her position if a simple majority of the board approves such removal.
Membership Disclosure:
In order to maintain recognition with Thomas Jefferson School of Law, the board is obligated to disclose the names of the student members to ensure interest and confirm organizational activity.
Article III. Bylaw Changes & Amendments:
The board has the power by a simple majority vote to propose amendments to these bylaws. All bylaw amendments proposed by the board are to be approved and enacted by a simple majority of the membership.