THE MICHIGAN STATE CHAPTER

OF THE

LABOR COUNCIL FOR LATIN AMERICAN ADVANCEMENT

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

Latin Americans are mostly working people. Therefore, we have a need for jobs with adequate pay, schools to educate our children, decent housing, and fair access to these things in the richest country in the world.

We Latin Americans have found the labor movement to be the most effective ally in the achievement of our needs and aspirations as working people.

As Latin American trade unionists, we have found that the organizational and political experiences we have gathered in our unions place us in a position to make a substantial contribution to both the Latin American community and to the labor movement in general.

The traditional enemies of the aspirations of workers to a decent life are also, in the main, the enemies of the aspirations of the Latin American people. It is, therefore, our intention to unite for a common goal in repelling the nefarious aims of such negative forces. To achieve these objectives we must first improve communications and cooperation amongst ourselves as trade unionists and the rest of organized labor as a whole. (Members voted to have this paragraph re-written by by-laws committee)

Accordingly, it is in this spirit that the Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement is created in the pursuit of achieving social dignity, economic and political justice and a decent standard of living for every Latin American worker, and as a vehicle to attain the respect and equality to which every citizen of this great nation is rightly entitled.

Article I: Name

This organization shall be known as the Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).

Article II: Aims and Objectives

1. The aims and objectives of the Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement shall be to work within the labor movement-and other organizations with comparable goals and ideals to encourage voter registration, voter education and greater participation by workers in America of Latin decent and their families in the American political process; to maximize support for economic and social policies and legislation that are essential to advance mutual interest of trade unions, and access to benefit the economically disadvantaged and Latin Americans; to work within the labor movement to improve and strengthen trade unions by ensuring equal benefits and protection of union membership for all workers, regardless of national origin, sex, religion, or race in accordance with the National Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Bylaws and the 501c3 requirements.

2. The Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement will not endorse candidates for political office. The Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement will not endorse, promote or encourage candidates for positions or office within the labor movement.

Article III: Membership

1. Any Union member who is in good standing with his/her union or any union member who has retired in good standing, who believes in the principles and policies of the trade union and is willing to abide by the Bylaws and Declaration of Principles of this organization shall become a member by qualifying under the standards and requirements of this organization at the time of his/her application.

2. Only members in good standing with Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and with their own Union shall be eligible to participate in business meetings or serve in any of its elected or appointed positions.

3. Associate members shall be those persons upon whom membership is granted in accordance with the National Bylaws of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. Associate members shall not be eligible to serve as officers, unless necessary to fill vacant positions. Associate members shall be entitled to attend membership meetings, shall have the right to voice and vote and will be recognized at such meetings by the presiding officer.

4. All members shall abide by these Bylaws and other internal rules that may be adopted by the Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

5. Dues shall be paid annually to the Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: $10.00 per year for members and associates and $1.00 per year for retirees and students, not to exceed the the dues of National LCLAA.

Article IV: Michigan State Chapter Executive Board

The Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Aadvancement’s Executive Board shall be elected every four years by members in good standing of the Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

1. The Executive Board shall direct the affairs of the chapter.

2. The Executive Board shall designate the work of the standing committees.

3. The Executive Board shall meet at least quarterly.

4. The Executive Board shall have the authority to fill vacancies on the board. Such vacancies shall be filled for the un-expired term.

5. The Executive Board members shall be automatic delegates to the National Membership Meeting.

Article V: Officers

1. Officers of this organization shall consist of the President, 1st Vice President, 2^nd Vice President, Financial Secretary-Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Member(s) At Large from each chapter not represented.

2. The members in good standing of this organization shall elect the Officers every four years.

3. Any member in good standing at the membership meeting shall nominate officers. Notification of said meeting will be to Chapter Presidents by telephone, e-mail, facsimile, or U.S. mail at least 15 days prior. Chapter Presidents will be responsible for notifying their membership by telephone, e-mail, facsimile, or U.S. mail.

Article VI: Duties of Officers

1. The President shall preside at all meetings; appoint all committees: shall perform such duties as may be prescribed in these Bylaws or assigned to him/her by the membership or the Executive Board; and shall coordinate the work of the officers and committees,

2. The 1st Vice-President shall act as an aide to the President. In the absence of the President he/she shall perform the duties and exercise the power of the President.

3. The 2^nd Vice-President shall act as an aide to the President. In the absence of the President and the 1st Vice-President he/she shall perform the duties and exercise the power of the President.

4. The Financial Secretary-Treasurer will maintain accurate records of the membership; shall receive and keep a detailed record of all membership fees and donations; shall record and report all disbursements; shall receive and deposit all funds in a bank designated by the Executive Board and maintain books covering the financial operations, assets, liabilities and shall sign such papers, instruments, drafts and checks as are incidental to the office or directed by the Executive Board. Any drafts and/or checks must have two signatures: the Financial Secretary and the President or the 1^st Vice President.

5. The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for keeping and reading accurate records of the proceedings of all meetings:

6. Three consecutive unexcused absences to properly called meetings without proper and justifiable cause shall constitute grounds for the immediate vacancy of any elective position. The Executive Board shall fill such vacancies for the un-expired term.

7. LCLAA is strictly a voluntary organization. No reimbursement (lost time, travel, meals, or lodging) shall be given by the Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement unless paid by the member’s Local Union or the National Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

Article VII: Membership Meetings

1. Regular meetings will be held on a voluntary rotation basis sponsored by Michigan State Chapters of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

2. Order of Business will be as follows:

A. Call to Order

B. Appointment of Sergeant-at-Arms

C. Appointment of Parliamentarian

D. Reading of Minutes

E. Reports of Officers

F. Reports of Committees

G. Unfinished Business

H. New Business

I. Old Business

J. Good and Welfare

K. Adjournment

3. The Executive Board will meet prior to the general membership meeting.

4. Special meetings may be called by the President, and two members of the Executive Board.

5. These meetings shall be conducted by the Bylaws and rules of the Michigan State Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. On questions where the Chapter Bylaws or rules do not clearly speak, Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern.

6. A quorum will be 50% plus 1 of the top 5 officers.

Article VIII: Terms of Office

1. Executive Board Members shall serve for 4 years, starting on February 15, 2004.

2. All properties and assets of the organization in possession of each outgoing officer must be relinquished to his/her appropriate successor.

Article IX: Election Committee

1. An Election Committee shall be elected at the general membership meeting comprised of members in good standing.

2. It shall be the responsibility of the Election Committee to verify eligibility of all members nominated for election.

3. It shall be the duties of the election Committee to monitor and count the ballots and certify the election.

4. No members of the Election Committee shall be a candidate for office.

5. In the event that any member of the Election Committee shall become a candidate for office, he/shall immediately resign from this committee.

6. No member shall be eligible for election as an officer of this organization unless he/she shall have been in continuous good standing with the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and his/her Union for a period of twelve (12) months immediately preceding the election.

Article X: Standing Committees

1. All Chairpersons and members of Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President, with approval of the Executive Board. Each standing committee shall consist of at least 3 members and no more than 7 members, in good standing. Complete records and reports of each committee shall be made and kept by the Committee Chairperson.

2. There shall be 5 standing committees, as follows:

A. Fund Raising Committee

B. Political Action Committee

C. Membership Committee

D. Educational Committee

E. Community Publicity Committee

Article XI: Oath of Office

Please raise your right hand and repeat after me:

“I ___________ do solemnly swear to uphold the principles and policies of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement as prescribed by our declaration of principles for the Michigan State Chapter Bylaws and National Bylaws and the Labor movement.”

“That I will carry out the duties and responsibilities of the office to which I have been elected to the best of my ability and always act in accordance with the aims, objectives and policies of the Labor Movement for Latin American advancement.”

“That I will turn over to my appropriate successor in office at the close of my official term, all the properties and assets of the organization in my possession.

“All of this I solemnly promise, so help me God.

Article XII: Amending Procedures

1. These bylaws may be amended upon 50% plus 1 or plurality vote of the State of Michigan Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, present at membership meetings of the organization. The proposed amendment must be sent by E-mail, facsimile, or sent by U.S. Mail to each member at least 30 days prior to the vote. Chapter Presidents will be responsible for notifying their membership by telephone, e-mail, facsimile, or U.S. mail.

2. Chapter Presidents will also be responsible for notifying their membership by telephone, e-mail, facsimile, or U.S. mail of the proposed amendment change.

Article I: Name

Article IX: Election Committee

Article X: Standing Committees

Article XIII: Effective Date

February 15, 2004