Women Law Students' Association

Constitution of the  Florida Coastal School of Law
Women Law Students’ Association

Adopted April 5, 2001

Article I. Name and Organizational Purpose

1.10 The name of this organization shall be the Women Law Students’ Association.

1.11 The mission of the Women Law Students’ Association shall be to encourage the Florida Coastal School of Law community to critically examine the impact of gender on the legal community and to help women thrive in our law school. We are a non-partisan organization, dedicated to promoting the interests of women law students and seeking equality in the law. We strive to ease the transition between law school and the work environment while creating a community that will raise awareness of women’s issues and move toward the betterment of women in the legal profession.

1.20 The rules and regulations contained in this constitution shall govern the Women Law Students’ Association.

Article II. Membership

2.10 All law students at the Florida Coastal School of Law who self-identify as women are eligible to be voting members and to serve as officers of the Women Law Students’ Association.

2.11 All members of the law school community at the Florida Coastal School of Law are invited and encouraged to attend Women Law Students’ Association meetings, and all public programs and events. Many events will be open to the community at large.

Article III. Organizational Structure

Organizational Structure

3.10 The Women Law Students’ Association shall have the following structure: The Association shall be governed by a Steering Committee comprised of three to five students, depending on the number of members in the Association. Duties shall include, but not be limited to: developing a budget, fundraising, planning and hosting guest speaker events, planning community service events, networking activities, career programs with the Center for Professional Development, 1L Mentoring, and other activities that the Association would like to participate in.

Officer Selection 3.20 All members of the Steering Committee shall be elected each March for a term of one calendar year. Members may nominate themselves or other members of the organization for positions. The dates for nominations and elections shall be determined by the Steering Committee.

Transition Between the Outgoing and Incoming Boards

3.30 The incoming committee members shall effectively hold their respective offices at the commencement of the first meeting after elections. The committee members of the new board shall call the first meeting and the new board will be responsible for applying for funding for the following year. In order to provide an effective transition, outgoing and incoming committee members shall be required to attend two meetings following elections. Outgoing committee members shall be responsible for conducting organization events planned prior to elections.

3.31 In the event a candidate does not receive a majority of the votes cast, a second election shall be conducted between the two candidates receiving the most votes in the first election.

Procedure of the Meetings

3.40 Meetings shall be informal and not run in strict accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. When parliamentary order is necessary, the rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the organization.

Article IV. Steering Committee Members' Responsibilities

4.10 The Steering Committee of the Women Law Students’ Association:

• shall be the official spokespersons of the organization.
• shall have the authority to fill vacant officer positions by appointment, provided all committee members concur in the appointment.
• shall be responsible for calling and publicizing meetings of the organization and of the Steering Committee.
• may prepare agendas for all meetings.
• shall assist all committee members in their work whenever necessary.
• shall be responsible for ensuring the general health and productivity of the organization.

4.20 Budget - Every committee member shall have a current copy of the budget and be familiar with the organization’s finances. The committee members shall draft a proposed budget to be submitted to and approved by the Florida Coastal School of Law Student Bar Association.

4.30 Career Development - The Association shall work with the Center for Professional Development to provide career-related programs and guidance for women at the law school. Additionally, the committee shall work to increase networking and communication between current women students and Florida Coastal School of Law alumnae.

4.40 Community Service - The Steering Committee shall foster a spirit of service and dedication among the members of the Women Law Students’ Association through organizing, encouraging, and participating in projects and programs that will improve and aid the Jacksonville community.

4.50 Social Events - The Steering Committee of the Women Law Students’ Association shall arrange social events for the Women Law Students Association, including events with other organizations or groups.

4.60 Guest Speakers - The Steering Committee shall coordinate the luncheon discussion series and panel discussions, in addition to other educational programming and events.

4.70 1L Mentoring - The Steering Committee shall plan for and arrange 2L and 3L mentors to foster the successful transition of women into their first year of law school at Florida Coastal School of Law.

Article V. Meeting Schedule

5.10 The organization shall hold a general meeting approximately once per month.

5.11 If the Steering Committee of the organization fail to call a general meeting for the period of eight academic weeks (excepting final exam periods) any member shall have the authority to call and publicize a meeting.

5.20 The Steering Committee shall meet separately from the organization approximately once per month.

5.21 If the Steering Committee of the organization fails to call a board meeting for the period of eight academic weeks (excepting final exam periods) any committee member shall have the authority to call and publicize a board meeting.

Article VI. Adoption and Amendment

Adoption

6.10 This constitution shall be adopted with the approval of 2/3 of the members present at a meeting publicized to the membership. Prior to that meeting, the board will present the proposed constitution to the membership for a comment period.

Amendment

6.20 To amend this constitution, members must be notified of the proposed change at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment will be subject to a vote. The process for receiving feedback during the two week comment period shall be determined by the current board.

6.21 All proposals to amend this constitution must be adopted with the approval of 2/3 of the members present at a meeting publicized to the membership.