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Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan

Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan

Article I - Name and Location

The name of this organization shall be Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan

MEChA de San Bernardino Valley College

Article II - Purpose of Organization

The primary purpose of MEChA shall be to emphasize the urgent necessity of education in La Raza community. In order to successfully carry out this task, MEChA will bring into the campus as many Chicano students as possible, and shall emphasize the importance of organizational involvement in education, culture, social and political empowerment of our gente. Mechistas ultimate goal is to become politically conscious (aware), strive for self-determination and liberation.

the following goals are including but not limited to:

1. To maintain unity among all Chicano students, faculty and classified on campus.

2. To be of service to our Chicano communities and our campus.

3. To encourage Chicano students to desire and to continue in higher education.

4. To encourage students to establish and maintain a Chicano Studies Department on campus.

5. To provide information about educational opportunities.

6. To encourage interest to participate in school student government.

7. To encourage Chicano students to participate in field trips to any Chicano gatherings.

8. To educate our respective campuses on issues facing Chicanos on campus and in the community.

9. To establish and provide financial assistance through a scholarship program for Mechistas.

10. To establish a tutorial program on and off campus.

11. To be a training ground for future leadership of the Chicano people.

Article III- Membership

1. Members of MEChA shall be accepted without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, color, physical handicap, age, martial status or national origin. Membership shall be open all students on campus. Faculty, classified and interested community members are also welcome to participate on a non-voting capacity only.

2. Every voting Mechistas shall be accountable to its chapter, central, region, state, nation and community

3. An application process shall establish membership.

Article IV-La MESA Directiva

1. The MESA of MEChA shall be two co-chairs (preferably one male and one female), secretary, treasurer, publicity director, historian, ICC representative and external representative.

2. All MESA members must attend SBVC and maintain at least a 2.0 g.p.a. or better.

3. Any MESA member absent for three or more consecutive meetings in a semester will need to vacate their position.

Section 2, Qualifications

1. Any student campaigning for any MESA position must be a student at San Bernardino Valley College.

2. Members campaigning for any desired position shall be nominated and elected only by members of MEChA.

3. Every elected member must have completed one semester within our campus MEChA. NOTE: Exceptions to the rule: A new MEChA or if all potential MESA members are new.

4. Elected MESA members must be familiar with EL Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan and MEChA’s philosophy papers.

Section 3, Term of Office

1. All MESA members shall serve for a period of one year, beginning the day after the end of the spring semester.

2. No MESA member shall have the right to seek re-election to the same office, once that MESA member has completed his/her term and/or has resigned or impeached from that position.

3. Active MEChA members shall be limited to four years service in MESA positions. Active members must refrain from taking these positions so that new leadership will develop.

Section 4, La MESA Directiva’s Duties

1. Members of La MESA Directiva shall be responsible for coordinating the total program of the organization as set forth in the MEChA constitution.

2. Members of La MESA Directiva shall be in charge of recruitment and help promote involvement in the organization.

3. La MESA Directiva shall have the authority to ask for the resignation of any MESA member:

a. Who does not accept the ideology, philosophy, history or literature of MEChA.

b. Who has not performed the duties of La MESA in question.

c. Who has not met the requirements of attendance.

d. Who has not maintained a 2.0 g.p.a. or better.

4. La MESA Directiva shall appoint temporary MESA members in the case of a vacancy with the exception of

5. La MESA Directiva shall appoint special comities, as deemed necessary.

6. La MESA Directiva shall work together to create agendas for general body meetings

7. La MESA Directiva shall create a one-year agenda right after their election into their positions. La MESA

Directiva must meet in the summer following their election at least three times for the formation of such an

8. La MESA Directiva shall collect memorabilia from the historian at the end of each year. This material is to

be stored and brought out at specific occasions/events for the display of MEChA history on campus.

9. La MESA Directiva shall collectively decide on what is an unexcused absence. All MESA members must

report to the Co-chairpersons if he/she is going to be absent during a MESA meeting or general body

Article V - Duties of La MESA Directiva

Section 1, Co-Chairpersons

1. Shall consist of two persons (male and female)

2. Shall chair all MESA, general and special meetings

3. Shall form committees on community relations (High School outreaching, Community education)

4. Shall form committees on campus relations (Chicano administration, faculty, classified staff, Associated students)

5. Shall submit recommendations from la MESA Directiva for appointments and removal of all committee chairs to general body meetings.

6. Shall give a report at general body meetings.

7. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue.

8. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers.

Section 2, Secretary

Shall take and keep minutes of all meetings and present them at each subsequent meeting

Shall take attendance at all meetings and keep a list of voting members

Shall crate a membership list with telephone numbers (after permission is given for release of telephone number), to be distributed to the members.

Shall distribute the typed minutes at all general meetings.

Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue.

Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers.

Section 3, Treasurer

1. Shall keep accurate record of all money, accounts payable and accounts receivable, for MEChA.

2. Shall be responsible for accounts of all funds.

3. Shall give a report at all general meetings.

4. Shall assist in fundraising activities.

5. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue.

6. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers.

Section 4, Publicity Director

1. Shall coordinate all publicity for the organization and its events.

2. Shall be responsible for making flyers, banners and posters for MEChA sponsored events.

3. Shall coordinate distribution and posting of publicity materials.

4. Shall be responsible for publicity materials: T-shirts, button-pins, business cards and whatever else is deemed necessary.

5. Shall assist in recruitment of MEChA

6. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue.

7. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers.

Section 5, Historian

1. Shall photocopy and distribute to the member’s copies of El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, MEChA’s philosophy papers and constitution.

2. Shall compile a visual and verbal record of all MEChA activities and members.

3. Shall conclude the year with an overview of MEChA activities in a photocopied yearbook.

4. Shall establish an information list of all members and create a file for future reference on who has been a member and when

5. Shall form a committee to educate the campus and community on Chicano History and culture.

6. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue.

7. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers.

Section 6, Inter Club Council Representatives

1. Shall be the representative at all ICC meetings.

2. Shall give a report at all ICC meetings on the status of MEChA.

3. Shall bring back a report of all ICC meetings on the status of ICC and the clubs on campus to the general body.

4. Shall assist with the fundraising committee to develop and implement fundraising activities.

5. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue.

6. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers.

Section 7, External Representative

1. Shall be the voice of MEChA at all central, region, statewide and national meetings

2. Shall give a report on the status of MEChA at the central, region, statewide and national level.

3. Shall give a report to the general body on all issues discussed at these meetings.

4. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue.

5. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers.

Article VI - Voting Process

Section 1, Open Forum

La MESA Directiva will establish an open forum in the months of April, close to the end of the spring semester. Members wishing to run for any position should submit their qualifications and positions requested to the general body.

Article VII - Meetings

1. La MESA Directiva shall prepare agendas for every general meeting. MEChA members will set the time and dates each semester.

2. General meeting shall be twice a week throughout the semester. One meeting shall be in the daytime and the other in the nighttime. The MEChA members shall vote the particular meeting day of the week at the beginning of each semester.

3. The Co-chair persons may call special meetings, given at least two days notice.

Article VII - Special Committees

La MESA Directiva may establish and abolish committees, define their purpose and determine their tenure.

All committee Chairs shall report to the general body at every MEChA meeting.

Article IX - Resignation of MESA Members

1. Any MESA member wishing to resign must submit a letter or make a formal presentation to La MESA Directiva citing the reasons for the resignation. The General body shall then be informed of the resignation. The resignation will then be accepted or rejected by a vote.

2. Any MESA member wishing to resign must submit a two-week written notice.

In cases of resignation, interim MESA members shall be nominated by LA MESA Directiva and approved by majority vote of the general body.

Article X- Impeachment of MESA Members

1. Any MESA member not complying with the established duties of the position held, following an evaluation and majority vote by LA MESA Directiva, will first be asked to resign before impeachment proceedings begin.

2. All impeachment proceedings shall be brought before a MESA meeting; in order to schedule a special designated meeting designed to review the proceedings.

3. Any elected MESA member of MEChA may be impeached if the duties pertaining to the office, as specified in the Constitution are not satisfactory performed and/or the MESA member misuses funds and/or is academically disqualified by this campus.

Procedures for impeachment are as follow:

a. Any MEChA member is allowed to submit a petition recommending resignation to the general body.

b. Each side in an impeachment proceeding shall be allowed up to twenty minutes to present their case

to the general body.

c. Impeachment will be effective by a secret ballot consisting of a majority vote of the general body at a

Special designated MEChA meeting.

Article XI - Amendments

1. Shall be first submitted to the general body one week in advance prior to voting.

2. Shall be voted on by the general body at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

3. Shall be made when two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members approve the amendment.

Article XII - Bylaws

Section 1, Tobacco Free MEChA

Spring of 2000, MEChA de SBVC began to work with the libreria del pueblo, Tobacco Prevention Program, grant number#99-85058, prop 99. In an effort to better our communities and stop the pollution and agenda of the Tobacco Industry, we passed bylaws and have taken a stand to be committed to have smoke-free MEChA events on and off campus.

Ultimate authority as to any interpretation of this constitution or anything not mentioned within this constitution shall be decided by the general body of MEChA de San Bernardino Valley College.

Amemnded by two thirds(2/3) of the voting members on July 17th 2002


	MEChA de SBVC \| home --Type Title Here-- MEChA Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan Constitution Article I - Name and Location The name of this organization shall be Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan MEChA de San Bernardino Valley College Article II - Purpose of Organization The primary purpose of MEChA shall be to emphasize the urgent necessity of education in La Raza community. In order to successfully carry out this task, MEChA will bring into the campus as many Chicano students as possible, and shall emphasize the importance of organizational involvement in education, culture, social and political empowerment of our gente. Mechistas ultimate goal is to become politically conscious (aware), strive for self-determination and liberation. the following goals are including but not limited to: 1. To maintain unity among all Chicano students, faculty and classified on campus. 2. To be of service to our Chicano communities and our campus. 3. To encourage Chicano students to desire and to continue in higher education. 4. To encourage students to establish and maintain a Chicano Studies Department on campus. 5. To provide information about educational opportunities. 6. To encourage interest to participate in school student government. 7. To encourage Chicano students to participate in field trips to any Chicano gatherings. 8. To educate our respective campuses on issues facing Chicanos on campus and in the community. 9. To establish and provide financial assistance through a scholarship program for Mechistas. 10. To establish a tutorial program on and off campus. 11. To be a training ground for future leadership of the Chicano people. Article III- Membership 1. Members of MEChA shall be accepted without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, color, physical handicap, age, martial status or national origin. Membership shall be open all students on campus. Faculty, classified and interested community members are also welcome to participate on a non-voting capacity only. 2. Every voting Mechistas shall be accountable to its chapter, central, region, state, nation and community 3. An application process shall establish membership. Article IV-La MESA Directiva Section 1, MESA 1. The MESA of MEChA shall be two co-chairs (preferably one male and one female), secretary, treasurer, publicity director, historian, ICC representative and external representative. 2. All MESA members must attend SBVC and maintain at least a 2.0 g.p.a. or better. 3. Any MESA member absent for three or more consecutive meetings in a semester will need to vacate their position. Section 2, Qualifications 1. Any student campaigning for any MESA position must be a student at San Bernardino Valley College. 2. Members campaigning for any desired position shall be nominated and elected only by members of MEChA. 3. Every elected member must have completed one semester within our campus MEChA. NOTE: Exceptions to the rule: A new MEChA or if all potential MESA members are new. 4. Elected MESA members must be familiar with EL Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan and MEChA’s philosophy papers. Section 3, Term of Office 1. All MESA members shall serve for a period of one year, beginning the day after the end of the spring semester. 2. No MESA member shall have the right to seek re-election to the same office, once that MESA member has completed his/her term and/or has resigned or impeached from that position. 3. Active MEChA members shall be limited to four years service in MESA positions. Active members must refrain from taking these positions so that new leadership will develop. Section 4, La MESA Directiva’s Duties 1. Members of La MESA Directiva shall be responsible for coordinating the total program of the organization as set forth in the MEChA constitution. 2. Members of La MESA Directiva shall be in charge of recruitment and help promote involvement in the organization. 3. La MESA Directiva shall have the authority to ask for the resignation of any MESA member: a. Who does not accept the ideology, philosophy, history or literature of MEChA. b. Who has not performed the duties of La MESA in question. c. Who has not met the requirements of attendance. d. Who has not maintained a 2.0 g.p.a. or better. 4. La MESA Directiva shall appoint temporary MESA members in the case of a vacancy with the exception of the Co-Chairs. 5. La MESA Directiva shall appoint special comities, as deemed necessary. 6. La MESA Directiva shall work together to create agendas for general body meetings 7. La MESA Directiva shall create a one-year agenda right after their election into their positions. La MESA Directiva must meet in the summer following their election at least three times for the formation of such an agenda. 8. La MESA Directiva shall collect memorabilia from the historian at the end of each year. This material is to be stored and brought out at specific occasions/events for the display of MEChA history on campus. 9. La MESA Directiva shall collectively decide on what is an unexcused absence. All MESA members must report to the Co-chairpersons if he/she is going to be absent during a MESA meeting or general body meeting. Article V - Duties of La MESA Directiva Section 1, Co-Chairpersons 1. Shall consist of two persons (male and female) 2. Shall chair all MESA, general and special meetings 3. Shall form committees on community relations (High School outreaching, Community education) 4. Shall form committees on campus relations (Chicano administration, faculty, classified staff, Associated students) 5. Shall submit recommendations from la MESA Directiva for appointments and removal of all committee chairs to general body meetings. 6. Shall give a report at general body meetings. 7. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue. 8. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers. Section 2, Secretary Shall take and keep minutes of all meetings and present them at each subsequent meeting Shall take attendance at all meetings and keep a list of voting members Shall crate a membership list with telephone numbers (after permission is given for release of telephone number), to be distributed to the members. Shall distribute the typed minutes at all general meetings. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers. Section 3, Treasurer 1. Shall keep accurate record of all money, accounts payable and accounts receivable, for MEChA. 2. Shall be responsible for accounts of all funds. 3. Shall give a report at all general meetings. 4. Shall assist in fundraising activities. 5. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue. 6. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers. Section 4, Publicity Director 1. Shall coordinate all publicity for the organization and its events. 2. Shall be responsible for making flyers, banners and posters for MEChA sponsored events. 3. Shall coordinate distribution and posting of publicity materials. 4. Shall be responsible for publicity materials: T-shirts, button-pins, business cards and whatever else is deemed necessary. 5. Shall assist in recruitment of MEChA 6. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue. 7. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers. Section 5, Historian 1. Shall photocopy and distribute to the member’s copies of El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, MEChA’s philosophy papers and constitution. 2. Shall compile a visual and verbal record of all MEChA activities and members. 3. Shall conclude the year with an overview of MEChA activities in a photocopied yearbook. 4. Shall establish an information list of all members and create a file for future reference on who has been a member and when 5. Shall form a committee to educate the campus and community on Chicano History and culture. 6. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue. 7. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers. Section 6, Inter Club Council Representatives 1. Shall be the representative at all ICC meetings. 2. Shall give a report at all ICC meetings on the status of MEChA. 3. Shall bring back a report of all ICC meetings on the status of ICC and the clubs on campus to the general body. 4. Shall assist with the fundraising committee to develop and implement fundraising activities. 5. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue. 6. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers. Section 7, External Representative 1. Shall be the voice of MEChA at all central, region, statewide and national meetings 2. Shall give a report on the status of MEChA at the central, region, statewide and national level. 3. Shall give a report to the general body on all issues discussed at these meetings. 4. Shall uphold the constitution and implement its procedure and dialogue. 5. Shall be familiar with El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan de Aztlan, and MEChA’s philosophy papers. Article VI - Voting Process Section 1, Open Forum La MESA Directiva will establish an open forum in the months of April, close to the end of the spring semester. Members wishing to run for any position should submit their qualifications and positions requested to the general body. Article VII - Meetings 1. La MESA Directiva shall prepare agendas for every general meeting. MEChA members will set the time and dates each semester. 2. General meeting shall be twice a week throughout the semester. One meeting shall be in the daytime and the other in the nighttime. The MEChA members shall vote the particular meeting day of the week at the beginning of each semester. 3. The Co-chair persons may call special meetings, given at least two days notice. Article VII - Special Committees La MESA Directiva may establish and abolish committees, define their purpose and determine their tenure. All committee Chairs shall report to the general body at every MEChA meeting. Article IX - Resignation of MESA Members 1. Any MESA member wishing to resign must submit a letter or make a formal presentation to La MESA Directiva citing the reasons for the resignation. The General body shall then be informed of the resignation. The resignation will then be accepted or rejected by a vote. 2. Any MESA member wishing to resign must submit a two-week written notice. In cases of resignation, interim MESA members shall be nominated by LA MESA Directiva and approved by majority vote of the general body. Article X- Impeachment of MESA Members 1. Any MESA member not complying with the established duties of the position held, following an evaluation and majority vote by LA MESA Directiva, will first be asked to resign before impeachment proceedings begin. 2. All impeachment proceedings shall be brought before a MESA meeting; in order to schedule a special designated meeting designed to review the proceedings. 3. Any elected MESA member of MEChA may be impeached if the duties pertaining to the office, as specified in the Constitution are not satisfactory performed and/or the MESA member misuses funds and/or is academically disqualified by this campus. Procedures for impeachment are as follow: a. Any MEChA member is allowed to submit a petition recommending resignation to the general body. b. Each side in an impeachment proceeding shall be allowed up to twenty minutes to present their case to the general body. c. Impeachment will be effective by a secret ballot consisting of a majority vote of the general body at a Special designated MEChA meeting. Article XI - Amendments 1. Shall be first submitted to the general body one week in advance prior to voting. 2. Shall be voted on by the general body at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 3. Shall be made when two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members approve the amendment. Article XII - Bylaws Section 1, Tobacco Free MEChA Spring of 2000, MEChA de SBVC began to work with the libreria del pueblo, Tobacco Prevention Program, grant number#99-85058, prop 99. In an effort to better our communities and stop the pollution and agenda of the Tobacco Industry, we passed bylaws and have taken a stand to be committed to have smoke-free MEChA events on and off campus. Article XIII Ultimate authority as to any interpretation of this constitution or anything not mentioned within this constitution shall be decided by the general body of MEChA de San Bernardino Valley College. Amemnded by two thirds(2/3) of the voting members on July 17th 2002