BYLAWS

1. Membership: Membership to SOLAS is open to all those students registered in the Latin American Studies program, as well as UNM students and community members who are interested in Latin American Studies.
2. Officers: Officers will be elected by a majority vote of active members.
3. Purpose: To promote Latin American Studies on the UNM campus and Albuquerque community by sponsoring relevant lectures and speakers, presenting recent Latin American films, co-sponsoring relevant events with other campus or community groups, and creating community through academic, activist, and social events for students interested in Latin America.
4. Mission: The Student Organization of Latin American Studies is open to all UNM students and Albuquerque community members.

SOLAS works:

● To increase awareness about Latin America through the facilitation of intellectual dialogue and by supporting cultural activities;

●  To advocate for Latin American Studies and Latin Americanist students before the LAS program and Latin American and Iberian Institute (LAII), and to represent the interests of SOLAS members before the University administration;

●  To support actions in solidarity with movements for social justice in Latin America

● To promote a sense of community amongst members; and

● To work with other UNM and Albuquerque organizations that support our mission.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: Name

Section 1: This organization shall be known as The Student Organization for Latin American Studies.

ARTICLE II: Purpose

Section 1: The purpose of the Organization shall be to sponsor activities dealing with Latin America. Each academic year SOLAS:

• organizes weekly lecture series
• presents recent Latin American films
• co-sponsors events with other campus or community groups dealing with Latin American/ Southwest issues
• organizes social gatherings
• represents SOLAS at conferences

ARTICLE III: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility Requirements. All students registered in the Latin American Studies Program are automatically eligible for membership, but the group is also open to any UNM student who has an interest in Latin America.  SOLAS executive officer positions and SOLAS representatives for LAII committees (excluding the President) are open to any UNM students.  Voting will take place in the fall semester.  There are no limits to terms that an executive officer may serve.

Section 2: Rights of Membership. Only active members of the organization shall have the right to vote, the right to hold office, and the right to represent this organization. Community members may participate as non-voting members in all other activities of this organization.

ARTICLE IV: Provisions for officers

Section 1: Officer Titles.

• President, elected once a year by  majority vote.  The position of SOLAS President is open to any LAS student.  Voting will take place in the spring semester.  SOLAS president may serve up to two one-year terms if elected.
• Vice-President, elected each year by a majority vote.
• Sin Fronteras Coordinator, elected each year by a majority vote.
• Fundraising Coordinator, elected each year by a majority vote.

Section 2: Duties

• President

Maintain current copies of the SOLAS Constitution and Bylaws;

Organize and schedule weekly brown bag speaker series;

Maintain a record of attendance at all events;

Create and foster relationships with the community and other UNM student organizations;

Maintain files of all records of SOLAS and its committees;

Prepare the general coresspondance of SOLAS;

Take pictures of special events;

Make film, slide, or other visual presentations when needed;

Manage the organization's budget which includes:

Dispersing SOLAS funds when authorized to do so;

Keeping complete written records of all revenues and expenditures according to standard accounting principles;

Organizing and maintaining archival files for all matters related to finances including allocation summaries and reports of SOLAS expenditures for recent years;

Serving as a liaison between SOLAS and the Student Organization Accounting Office;

Take any other action necessary and proper to perform the foregoing.

• Vice President

Be up to date on the Constitution and Bylaws;

Work with the President to carry out the many duties associated with coordinating SOLAS events and meetings;

Record the minutes of all Executive Committee meetings and post them on the SOLAS listserve;

Maintain a record of attendance for Executive Committee meetings;

Maintain a record of all votes;

Maintain a current record of contact information for all Executive Committee members;

Update the SOLAS bulletin boards (in LAII and SOLAS offices);

Take pictures at special events;

Make film, slide, or other visual presentations when needed;

Perform the President's duties in the President's absence;

Take any other action necessary and proper to perform the foregoing.

• Sin Fronteras Coordinator

Manage Sin Fronteras email account;

Prepare schedule of events with film synopses;

Keep President updated on progress to ensure that the website remains current (with submission and guideline forms, schedule, etc...);

Prepare press releases and contact people in the media who might print or broadcast Sin Fronteras material;

Discuss budget expenditures with President and Vice President before dispersing funds;

Maintain record of all expenditures;

Coordinate a Film Committee to disperse the workload and perform the following:

Outreach to independent film makers,

Manage film entries,

Review films for relevant content;

Seek cosponsors of Sin Fronteras Festival both on and off campus;

Advertise the Film Festival;

Take any other action necessary and proper to perform the following.

• Fundraising/Event Coordinator

Be up to date on fundraising standards of the Student Activities Accounting Office;

Actively seek members to help with fundraising events;

Set a fundraising goal;

Design and implement creative fundraising events;

Stay up to date with events at the Office of International Programs and Studies where SOLAS might fundraise;

Submit raised funds to the President;

Arrange a volunteering event;

Take any other action necessary and proper to perform the following.

Section 3: Provisions for selection / replacement of officers

If the there is only one candidate for the officers positions (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary etc.) there would not be elections and the current President will appoint the only candidate as elected.

Section 4: Vacancies

If the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President will become President. If other positions become vacant, there will be elections to fulfill the positions.

A)    Voting Eligibility

1. Currently only LAS students and active SOLAS members may vote fro the SOLAS president.  We define active SOLAS members as those people who attend at least 4 SOLAS monthly-meetings per year.  Attendence will be taken at SOLAS meetings and we will maintain a list of eligible voters.  There will be ballot voting as well as on-line voting for those who wish.  Please note that LAS students may vote, regardless of their attendence at SOLAS meetings.

B)     Provisions for Meetings

1. Meetings are monthly.  They are open to Latin American Studies students or students in related fields, and require at least one officer to be present.  Voting is limited to members of the organization.
2. Committee meetings need no quorum, though decisions must be accepted by a majority of the organization.

C)    Definition of a Quorum

1. Quorum must have at least one officer present for a regular SOLAS monthly meeting and at least four members of the organization.

D)    Provisions for Amending the Constituion

1. A simple majority vote at the regular monthly meetings, provided there is a quorum, amends the constituion.  An amendment can only be proposed by an active member.