LULAC National Women's By-Laws

Article I

By-Laws

LULAC NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

Section 1---This organization shall be known as the LULAC National Commission for Women (hereafter referred to as the Women’s Commission).

Section 2--- This organization shall function with the consent of the LULAC Institute.

Article II

Mission

The mission of the LULAC National Commission for Women is to raise the consciousness and build the capacity of Latina Women of all ages across the country and enhance their ability to become leaders and agents for change for the betterment of their communities, their families and persons by elevating their social condition through education, economic development, political empowerment, education and leadership development, health care and women’s rights.

Article III

Membership

Section 1---Membership. Any member in good standing can become a Commissioner as defined by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Constitution and By-laws of the LULAC National Commission for Women.

Article IV

Officers

Section 1---Board of Directors, Number and Tenure. The Board of Directors of the Commission shall constitute its policy making body. It shall oversee the affairs of the Commission subject to these by-laws and the by-laws of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The board shall consist of seventeen (17) Commissioners and shall include the LULAC National President, the National Vice-President for Women and two (2) appointees to be selected by each Regional Vice-President of the League.

• The Northeast Region
• Southeast Region
• Southwest Region
• Far West Region
• Midwest Region, and
• Northwest Region

The Regional Vice President shall submit two (2) recommendations to the LULAC Institute, in August, the year after the initial selection of commission members. Therefore, Regional Vice-Presidents should receive Letters for Consideration no later than July 31st. The term of each of the Commissioners shall be one year beginning at the Annual Meeting (in October). Commissioners may serve up to four (4) terms, upon annual recommendation by the Regional Vice-President from their respective region, and upon ratification by the LULAC Institute.

The National Vice-President for Women will accept recommendations for three (3) corporate/business appointees at the appropriate time. The corporate/business appointees will have staggered three-year terms beginning at the annual meeting in October. One Honorary Commissioner (without a vote) will be named annually in August, by the National Vice-President for Women with the Concurrence of the LULAC Institute.

Article V

Meetings

Section 1--Meetings. A regular annual meeting shall be held at the principal office of the Commission on the second Thursday in October of each year without other notice than these by-laws or at such a time and location as the Officers of the Women’s Commission decide with notice to the Women Commissioners.

The Officers of the Women’s Commission may decide by resolution the time and place, either within or without the District of Columbia for the holding of additional regular meetings of the Commission without other notice than such resolution. Additional meetings may be by Conference Call.

Section 2---Special Meetings of the Women’s Commission may be called by or at the request of the National Vice-President for Women or any nine (9) Commissioners. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Women’s Commission may fix any place, either within or without the District of Columbia as the place for holding any special meeting of the Women’s Commission called by them. Special Meetings may be by Conference Call.

Section 3---Quorum. A majority of the Women’s Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Commission: but if less than a majority of the Commissioners are present at said meeting, a majority of the Commissioners present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.

Commissioners may participate in a meeting of the Women’s Commission or a Committee Meeting by means of conference telephone or any other means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear one another, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 4---Manner of Acting. The act of a majority of the Women’s Commission present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Women’s Commission, unless the act of a greater number is required by law or by these by-laws.

Section 5---Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Women’s Commission, shall be filled in the same manner of the Commissioner previously occupying that position. A Commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the predecessor in office.

Article VI

Officers and their Election

Section 1---The Officers of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Commission shall be:
• President and Chair (office held by the National Vice-President for Women)
• 1st Vice-Chair
• 2nd Vice-Chair
• Secretary
• Treasurer

Committee Chairs will be selected as follows:

• Chair Committee Economic Development & Pay Equity
• Chair Committee on Political Empowerment
• Chair Committee on Education and Leadership Development
• Chair Committee on Health Issues and Gender Empowerment
• Chair Committee for Fund Development

Section 2---The Commissioners present shall elect the officers of the Women’s Commission annually, in October.

Section 3---Commissioners who would like to be officers shall submit their declaration to run in writing at least one month prior to the election to the President-Chair and to the Secretary.

Article VII

Books and Records

The Women’s Commission shall keep correct and complete books of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, the Women’s Commission and Committees having any authority of the Women’s Commission. The Women’s Commission shall establish a bank account. All checks, drafts, or other orders for payment shall be signed by the National Vice-President for Women and the Treasurer and/or National Fiscal Officer.

Article VIII

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Commission shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December in each year.

Article IX

Amendments to the By-Laws

These by-laws may be altered, amended or repealed and new by-laws may be adopted by three-fourths of the Commissioners present at any regular meeting or at any special meeting, if at least thirty days written notice is given of intention to alter, amend or repeal or to adopt new by-laws at such meeting, provided however that the Commissioners shall not have the authority to alter, amend or repeal those sections of the by-laws dealing with the number, term, or appointment of the Commissioners unless such amendment shall have been approved by a two-thirds vote of the LULAC Institute.

Revised 10/06
LULAC National Commission for Women