Pre-Law Constitution

The Constitution of

Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict

Pre-Law Society

Article I. Name & Purpose

Section I.
The name of this organization shall be the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society.

Section II.
The purpose of the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict.  Pre-Law Society is to provide a pre-professional organization for students interested in law or provide for students planning to pursue a career in the legal profession.

Section III.
The Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society affiliated with the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA).

Article II. Membership

Section I.
The Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society Pre-Law Society's membership shall include voting members, affiliate members, and non-voting members. Voting membership shall be open exclusively to any student enrolled at the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict. Affiliate membership and non-voting membership shall be open to non-students, alumni, and faculty/staff.

Section II:
Voting eligibility shall be open exclusively to voting members of the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society. To maintain voting eligibility, voting members must participate in club activities in the fall semester immediately before the spring semester in which elections take place. This includes, but is not limited to, participating in the Mock Trial program and competing in at least one Mock Trial tournament, and/or attending no less than 75% of all club meetings. For voting members wishing to vote who do not meet either of these qualifications, the executive board of the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society shall vote to determine that member's voting eligibility.

Section III.
To remove any non-executive board member of the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society, a verbal warning must be given to the delinquent member by at least one member of the club's executive board. Exactly one week after the verbal warning is issues, the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society executive board may vote to bring the issue to the entire club. In the event of a tie during an executive board vote, the president or highest ranking officer not facing the threat of removal shall make the final decision. To formally remove a member from the club, 2/3 of club members must vote to do so.

Article III: Officers

Section I.
The Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society's Executive Board shall be open to any student enrolled at Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict and is a registered member of the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society. A student is considered a registered member after signing the register.

Section II.
The Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society's Executive Board shall be composed of: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Mock Trial Program Leaders.

Section III.
Duties and qualifications of the officers include:

The President shall:

  • Facilitate all meetings
  • Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees unless otherwise delegated by the president
  • Represent the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society to the School Senates and the Co-Funding Board.
  • Coordinate all activities of the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society
  • Call Special Meetings
  • Carry out the activities necessary to provide the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society members with information to prepare and compete in Mock Trial
  • Determine and delegate the responsibilities of the Mock Trial Program Leaders
  • Set the rules and procedures to carry out club elections. In doing so, the President shall confer with all executive board members; however, he or she shall retain ultimate discretion regarding the rules and procedures.

The Vice-President shall:

  • Plan and publicize all of the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society activities and programs
  • Assist in the activities necessary to provide Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society members with information to prepare and compete in Mock Trial
  • Compile a handbook guide containing current information available in the pre-law area including reading reference and law review articles on various topics of interest

The Treasurer shall:

  • Have responsibility of all funds, deposit all funds in the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society account(s)
  • Pay bills approved by the Executive Board by a majority vote
  • Submit records of accounts for auditing by the Board
  • Keep an itemized account of all receipts and disbursements and give a written report at all regular meetings
  • Submit a finalized budget to the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Co-Funding Board
  • Accompany the president to all Senate and Co-Funding Board meetings in which requests for additional funds and approval of activities are made
  • Comply with all policies of the School Senates and, Business Offices, and Co-Funding Board
  • Carry out the activities necessary to provide the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society members with information to prepare and compete in Mock Trial

The Secretary shall:

  • Keep all minutes of all meetings of the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society
  • Conduct general correspondences
  • Keep a roster of all members with current addresses and telephone numbers

Faculty Advisors shall:

  • Attend as many Executive Board meetings as possible
  • Meet with the standing committees as necessary
  • Assist in resolving group conflict
  • Be a resource to the organization

Section IV.
All officers shall deliver all account books, records, and files belonging to the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society to the newly-elected president for the following year.  The members of the Saint John's University | College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society may, by a 2/3 majority vote, agree on the expulsion of an officer who fails to perform his or her obligations or hinders the programs of the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society. The impeachment, removal, and election of new officers will be held as follows:

Impeachment Proceedings

  • The members, by a required 2/3 majority vote, can request the Executive Board to set the date and time of the impeachment hearing
  • The Executive Board must announce the date and time of the impeachment hearing which must be set within one week of the initial impeachment proceeding

Impeachment Hearing

  • The Executive Board shall facilitate the impeachment hearing
  • The members, by a required 2/3 majority vote, may impeach an officer, thereby requesting the Executive Board to set the date and time of the removal hearing
  • The Executive Board must announce the date and time of the removal hearing which must be set within one week of the impeachment hearing

Removal Proceeding

  • The Executive Board shall facilitae the removal of an officer
  • The members, with a required 2/3 majority vote, shall expel an officer who fails to perform their obligations or hinders the programs of the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society.

Line of Succession

  • In the event a vacancy should occur by resignation or removal from office, the Executive Board shall follow the chain of succession that follows: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary. If an officer is unwilling to assume the responsibilities of a higher office, the next executive member shall assume the position.
  • If no successor emerges or a new vacancy exists as a result of succession, a special election shall be held within one week of the officer's vacancy

Special Election

  • The Executive Board shall facilitate the Special Election, setting a date and time for elections that falls within one week of the vacancy of the office
  • The members shall nominate candidates from the general membership
  • A simple majority is required for a candidate to be elected.

Article IV. Standing Committees

Section I.
One Standing Committee

The American Mock Trial Association Committee is deemed necessary to carry out the goals of the Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society

American Mock Trial Association Committee:

  • Membership will consist of three members of each Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Mock Trial team.  Committee members are to be chosen by each team. The Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society President will serve on the committee as an ex-officio member, unless he or she has already been chosen by his or her team.
  • Function: The committee shall carry out the activities necessary to enter the Mock Trial teams in American Mock Trial Association competitions, arrange for lodging and transportation, and provide members with information to prepare and compete in Mock Trial

Section II. Ad Hoc Committeees

  • Ad hoc committees shall be established as necessary by a majority vote of the Executive Board

Article V. Meetings

Section I.
Meetings shall be held as necessary and feasible. Special meetings may be called by the president

Article VI. No Discrimination Policy

Section I.
The Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.

Article VII. Hazing

Section I.
The Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization.  The Saint John's University|College of Saint Benedict Pre-Law Society recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Article VIII Amendments

Section I.
This constitution may be amended annually by 2/3 majority vote of the total membership.

Article IX.  Ratification

Section I.
A 2/3 vote of the members shall be required to ratify this constitution