Student Organizations
Alliance of Independent Feminists
AIF CONSTITUTION
I. NAME OF THE ORGANIZATIONThe name of this organization shall be the Harvard Law School Alliance of Independent Feminists.
II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Our statement of purpose is as follows:
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We support gender equality, while respecting and appreciating the differences between, and the complementary nature of, the two sexes.
We recognize that there is no one universal "women's opinion."
We believe that to categorize certain issues as uniquely " women's issues" ignores the broader complexities of all issues and can implicitly discount women's contribution to general political discourse.
We reject as a limiting stereotype the notion that women who do not subscribe to the contemporary liberal political agenda are regressive, intolerant, or anti-feminist.
We reject the view that contemporary women are necessarily victims by virtue of their gender.
We recognize that diversity rests primarily and most profoundly in varying viewpoints.
We believe in equal opportunity for all, and we support individual recognition and reward based on merit, without regard to group membership or classification.
We affirm that the individual and the family, as opposed to the government, should be the animators of civil society.
We support the democratic resolution of political differences through the legislatures and the popular vote, and we oppose legislation through the courts.
We believe that the market economy is fundamental to the preservation of individual liberties.
OUR GOALS
We aim to build a community at Harvard Law School in which individuals may openly and comfortably discuss conservative/libertarian ideals and challenge the contemporary feminist liberal agenda, with a goal of improving our personal and professional lives.
III. OFFICERS
A. The organization shall be directed by an executive board, which shall consist of a President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President of Recruiting, Vice President of Events, Publicity Coordinator, and Scholarship Chairperson.
B. The President shall:
1. conduct formal meetings of the organization;
2. represent the organization before all university officials and serve as the liaison with the Office of the Dean of Students;
3. maintain favorable relations with the university community; and,
4. formally express this organizations' gratitude to all speakers, event participants and other supporters.
C. The Treasurer shall:
1. author an annual budget after consulting with executive officers as to anticipated expenses;
2. in April, present the organization's budget for the upcoming academic year to the Office of the Dean of Students;
3. maintain a checking account, and oversee the flow of funds into and out of the checking account;
4. determine which expenses are approved, consulting with the Office of the Dean of Students when appropriate;
5. secure reimbursement for all approved expenses in a timely manner; and,
6. submit a budget report to the Office of the Dean of Students twice annually when requested by that Office.
D. The Secretary shall:
1. record the proceedings of formal meetings;
2. maintain an adequate supply of stationary; and,
3. maintain a registry of all letters, memorandums, notices and other documents sent and received by this organization.
E. The Vice President of Recruiting shall:
1. solicit members;
2. organize and advertise all social events;
3. organize participation in student activity fairs;
4. maintain a current list of members;
5. in May, present a calendar of intended recruiting events for the upcoming academic year in a formal meeting; and,
6. direct the process of election of officers, except with respect to vacated offices.
F. The Vice President of Events shall:
1. schedule events consistent with this organization's mission statement;
2. secure the participation of all speakers and other participants at events and, when necessary, coordinate their travel arrangements;
3. secure the reimbursement of approved expenses related to all non-recruiting events;
4. consult the Office of the Dean of Students with respect to special procedures for hosting distinguished and/or especially controversial speakers and event participants;
5. arrange co-sponsorship of events when appropriate; and,
6. in May, present a calendar of intended non-recruiting events for the upcoming academic year in a formal meeting.
G. The Publicity Coordinator shall:
1. advertise all non-recruiting events;
2. coordinate coverage by the news media, when appropriate;
3. with the President, represent the organization before the news media; and,
4. obtain approval from speakers and other event participants for publicity materials.
H. The Scholarship Chairperson shall:
1. advance the achievement of excellence in members' academic and professional lives;
2. coordinate and inform members about fellowship, career, scholarship, and other opportunities consistent with this organization's mission statement; and,
3. promote the employment of university faculty and administrative officials representing political and social points-of-views consistent with this organization's mission statement.
I. Additional officers may be elected or appointed at the discretion of this organization.
J. The election of officers shall take place in April. Election of an officer shall be approved by a majority of the votes cast for the office. Except as provided in this constitution, the election process shall be directed by the Vice President of Recruiting.
K. No more than two students may share any office, except that only one student may occupy the office of President, unless ¾ of the aggregate membership approves the sharing of the Presidency by the two candidates for President.
L. The term of each officer shall be from May 1 until April 30 of the following year, except that the Treasurer shall serve from July 1 until June 30 of the following year. If an office is vacated, the office shall be filled within 14 days by appointment of the executive board.
IV. MEMBERS
A.embership of this organization is restricted to members of the Harvard University community. A preponderance of this organization's membership shall consist of Harvard Law School students.
B. To qualify as a member, an individual's name must be placed on the list of members maintained by the Vice President of Recruiting for at least 14 days.
V. FORMAL MEETINGS
A. A formal meeting shall be held at least once every eight weeks during the academic year.
B. There must be a quorum of members in order to commence a formal meeting. A quorum consists of eight members of this organization, including the President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President of Events, and Vice President of Recruiting.
C. The President shall call the formal meeting to order. The Secretary shall record the proceedings of the formal meeting.
VI. AMENDMENT
A. An amendment to this constitution may be introduced by any member of this organization.
B. An amendment to this constitution shall be introduced in a formal meeting at least 14 days before its consideration by vote.
C. An amendment to this constitution shall be approved by ¾ vote in a formal meeting of at least 12 members, except that this organization's name or mission statement must be approved by ¾ vote of the aggregate membership.