THE CONSTITUTION OF THE

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE

D&E (DRAGON & EAGLE)-L.A.S. (LEAP AUGUST SOCIETY) IN

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER

We the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Rochester of hereby establish the D&E (Dragon and Eagle)-L.A.S.(Leap August Society) of the University of Rochester and enact this constitution for its government. Failure to follow this constitution could result in revocation of Students' Association recognition of this group.

Article I- Name

This organization, formed on the 13^th day of October 1995, and in reminiscence of the 15^th day of the second August of the Lunar calendar-Leap August. The combination of Dragon, the most well known symbol of China, and Eagle, the most well known symbol of America, represents the purpose of cultural interchange. Hence the organization shall be called D&E (Dragon & Eagle)--The Leap August Society (LAS).

Article II- Affiliation

The society will be making an ongoing effort to seek affiliation with any groups, local or otherwise, that share some, if not all, of our concerns, interests, philosophies, and objectives.

Section A

We have an official affiliation with the National Chapter of L.A.S. in New York City as well as other branches of L.A.S. such as the one in Cornell University.

Article III- Purpose

This society is organized and shall be operated exclusively for the advocacy of educational and charitable purposes. We maintain that we will promote interests in the culture, heritage, and traditions of the Chinese people and that we will share our culture with all who would share theirs.

Section A

We will increase awareness of current cultural, social, economic, political events in and around China and the United States, especially those dealing with the exchange of American and Chinese ideals and culture.

Clause 1

We will represent the voice of both native and American born Chinese in all matters dealing with the fore mentioned issue.

Clause 2

We will promote friendship, equality, and respect by sharing our heritage with other peoples and cultures.

Section B

Out of all the difference aspects of Chinese culture, we focus mainly on Chinese art and literature as we will promote and increase the awareness of those among the Rochester community.

Section C

We will teach the old traditions of the Chinese people to all who are willing to learn. We will teach not only customs and courtesies but also the games, art, and the language of the people. We will also learn the cultures of others in order to help enrich our lives so that we can help to enrich theirs.

Section D

The group will meet as often as deemed necessary to carry out its goals.

Section E

Subcommittees will be formed to assign certain task of specific events.

Article IV- Meetings

Section A

The society shall hold a minimum of at least one meeting a month. The time and place shall be designated by the current board members.

Clause 1- Quorum

Quorum for all Executive Board meetings will be at least 2/3 of the Board members, which contains President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity and Historian. The Executive Board meeting must be held once a week.

Quorum for all subcommittees will be 2/3 of total subcommittee members. Each subcommittee will be responsible for meeting as frequently as necessary to carry out its purpose.

Quorum for all general meetings will be at least of the members in this society. The general eeting must be held once before each big event.

Clause 2

Location and times for all meetings will be decided by the board members.

Clause 3- referendum and recall

A meeting may be canceled only if it is canceled at least 12 hours in advance.

Article V- Membership and Voting
Section A- Membership
1) Eligibility

Membership in this society is open to the University community who wish to learn more about the Chinese culture and are willing to share theirs.

2) Qualification

Only those who have signed the registration form are qualified members. Their applications shall be reviewed by Board members.

3) Applicants

Anyone pursuing membership must simply contact a current Board member.

4) Members in Good Standing

Qualified members who participate of the events of D&E-L.A.S. are members in good standing.

Section B - Voting

Only qualified members are eligible to vote in general meeting, election, impeachment, vote of confidence and amendment of constitution.

Article VI- Officers and Qualifications
Section A- Qualification

Henceforth the D&E-L.A.S. chapter in University of Rochester shall be run by a board of offices consisting of:

1. President

2. Vice President

3. Treasurer

4. Secretary

5. Historian

6. Publicity (2)

Only members in good standing in D&E-L.A.S. are qualified to run for the positions listed above.

Section B - Duties of Officers

1.) The President shall be the chief executive and representative of the organization, and have good connection to association on campus. He/she shall serve, protect, and explore the interest of the group.

2.) The Vice-president has the responsibility of editing the magazine, and assist the president to reach the goal of the organization.

3.) The Secretary shall keep the record of all meetings of this organization, keep record of voting, prepare agenda for all meetings and conduct all correspondence.

4.) The Treasurer shall be responsible to pay all bills that are authorized, and keep an exact account of all receipts and expenditures and report them to the organization’s members at the close of the serving term.

5.) The Publicity shall edit the monthly newsletter, promote active recruitment of new members, and assist all activities of the organization.

6.) The Historian shall have background of Chinese history, and keep the record of history of the organization. He/she shall assist all activities and collect feedback from members.

7.) Every Executive Board member shall attend every Executive Board meeting and follow up his/her responsibility.

8.) All Board members are responsible for maintaining current copies of this constitution open to inspection by all members of this group, Senators, and all members of the Student Association.

Section C - Nomination and Election

1.) Nomination for officers shall be taken in the general meeting which is held three weeks after the Spring Break. The new officers shall take their positions in the first general meeting of the fall semester. In necessity individuals may be selected for an officer no later than May 1^st of the year, and their terms will end upon replacement the following year.

2.) The Executive Board members shall serve for one year (two semesters) unless impeached or removed from office. They shall not be able to hold more than one seat in the Executive Board.

3.) Election of Executive Board members shall be conducted by secret ballot by simple majority vote at the last Friday of April.

4.) Any individual member has right to bring up a vote of confidence against any officers, on the basis of neglecting duties, misappropriation of funds and disloyalty to the interests of the organization

Section D - Vacancies and Resignations

1.) In case of the resignation or impeachment of any officers in Executive Board, the same format of election written in Article 5 will be held to fill the vacancy.

2.) Resignation of any office must be preceded by a written statement with reasons, and must notify officers in Executive Board in advance.

Article VII - Finances
Section A.

D&E-L.A.S. must seek funding from Student Association of the University of Rochester.

Section B

The funding is needed to reach the purpose of promotion of Chinese literature, the purpose of assisting members to learn, and the purpose of cultural interchange.

Article VIII - Amendments
Section A.

1) The amendment shall be passed by 2/3 of the Executive Board before put to vote in the general meeting.

2) This constitution may be amended only by a 2/3 majority by members in good standing within the society.

Article IX - Adoption of the constitution.

Section A

Two-thirds of the membership must approve the constitution.

Section B

This constitution will be ratified upon approval of the Senate and the signature of the Speaker.

Section C

This constitution should not conflict with the students' Association constitution or by-laws.

Article X -Bylaws

Section A

Provision for adoption of by-laws is to be listed in this constitution.

Section B

At least two-third of the membership must approve the by-laws.

Section C

By-laws should not conflict with this constitution or the Senate Association constitution or by-laws.

Article XI - Hazing Policy

The harassment of one individual by another individual or group (sometimes called hazing) is not permitted by D&E(Dragon and Eagle)-L.A.S.(Leap August Society). Behavior prohibited under this rule includes actions threatening substantial risk of physical or mental injury; actions exposing the individual to distressing, repulsive, or a alarming situations or sensations; forced consumption of alcohol or drugs; actions in the form of social pressure which might cause harm to individual.

Article XII - Discrimination Policy

The University of Rochester D&E (Dragon and Eagle)-L.A.S. (Leap August Society) Club does not discriminate against any individual or group of individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap, or religious, political, ideological views or affiliations.

Approved by Student Association of University of Rochester on Feburary 16, 1998.