The Latino Heritage Month Committee Constitution
Article I
The name of this organization is Latino Heritage Month Committee (LHC) at Iowa State
University. Latino Heritage Month Committee will abide by Iowa State University rules
and regulations, state and federal laws.
Article II
The goal of the organization is to promote cultural awareness within and outside of the
community, and to promote in our members a level of political, social, cultural and ethnic
awareness. Its main focus will be to plan cultural and folkloric events to be held during
Latino Heritage Month (September/October) while integrating the Latino community on
campus throughout the entire year.
Article III
Membership shall be open to all students at Iowa State University, their spouses/partners,
alumni and faculty and staff members who are interested in the Latino culture and wish to
help in the planning of events. LHM will not discriminate against anybody wishing to
join the committee. LHM does not ask for membership fees and does not require
attendance in a specific number of meetings to be eligible for membership.
The organization shall abide by and provide evidence through governing documents that
outlines adherence to the Iowa State University non-discrimination affirmative action
policy as adopted.
Article IV
The officers of LHM must meet the following requirements:
(a) Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as stated below and meet
that minimum GPA in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the
semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office. For
undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, the minimum GPA is 2.00. In order
for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for
the semester under consideration.
(b) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: at least half time (six or more
credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in
the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office, and at least half time (four or
more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final
stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during
their term of office.
(c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as
prescribed in (a) and (b).
Positions are as follows:
 President: Providing overall leadership within the group by scheduling and
amicably presiding over meetings. Overseeing fundraising efforts and public
relation matters. Encouraging cohesiveness and support amongst the different
Latino groups at Iowa State University. Giving final approval on group matters.
Proactively resolving conflicts and problems as they arise. Representing the
group overall.

Vice-President: Providing assistance to president’s role. Promoting political and
social awareness of Latin American countries through the sharing of current
events in their weekly report. Presiding over meetings when the need arises.
Providing assistance, guidance and support to all other roles.

Treasurer: In charge of accounting – ledger and budget, making deposits, GSB
budget and proposal, communication of money matters within the group, and
weekly budget account at meetings.

Secretary: In charge of minutes, attendance, typing of proposals and calendars,
room booking for events.

Logistics & Operations Chair: In charge of event coordination – designating
and overseeing roles of volunteers, items needed for performances, assistance to
event performers.

Advertising Chair: In charge of creative flier/poster/calendar ideas, sandwich
boards, event e-mail communications and recruitment of new members.

Webmaster: In charge of official website – acquiring updated photos, uploading
event calendar, posting important meeting information.

Adviser: A staff or faculty member who is familiar with the Committee’s projects
and goals. The link between the students and the university concerning rules and
regulations. Provide counsel to cabinet members and aid in election process as
well as in the removal of an official from a position.
After nominations have been offered in November, annual elections are to be held (open
to all members of the committee) and officials elected into office for the following year
(beginning in January) through the process of tallying the votes. Officers and advisers
will be elected by a majority vote by secret ballot. This is to be done by the advisor
and/or an impartial member of the committee.
Officers and advisers may be removed from office by ½ vote of the other officers and ¾
vote of the general membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership.
The officer is permitted to speak before the Executive Committee and the general
membership about the charges made concerning his/her performance. The officer is not
permitted to participate in the deliberation of the Executive Committee regarding the
charges.
If an officer or adviser is removed the replacement procedure is the same as the election
procedure described in Article IV. It shall take place at the first meeting following the
removal of the previous officer/adviser.
Article V
All monies belonging to this organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a
bank account established for this organization at the Campus Organizations Accounting
Office and/or approved institution/office (must receive authorization via Campus
Organizations Accounting Office). All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after
collection. The Adviser to this organization must approve and sign each expenditure
before payment.
Funds are to be handled mainly by the President, Vice-President and Treasurer and are to
be used for the sole purpose of bettering the organization. If the organization were to
become dissolved, its funds should be held in place for at least one year before being
dispersed among the other Latino organizations on Campus to help in events to be held
during Latino Heritage Month.
As of this original constitution, no dues are currently being collected. In the future,
however, the question of dues (and their amount) is to be left up to the cabinet’s
discretion.
Article VI
Constitutional amendments and ratifications may be made at any time with the majority
consensus of the LHM cabinet and the approval of the advisor. The Latino Heritage
Month Constitution is to be read and reviewed by the members of the committee at the
beginning of each calendar year in order to meet the current needs of the committee, the
Latino community, and the university. Any changes made to the Constitution should be
promptly submitted to the Student Activities Center should the document be amended
following recognition.
The Latino Heritage Month Constitution is thereby validated by the following officials:
Cilia Maria Ruiz-Paz_____ this _04_ day of February, 2006
President of LHM
________________________ this ____ day of _______, 2006
Advisor of LHM
________________________ this ____ day of _______, 2006
Assistant Director of Student Activities