By-laws and Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of Lewis & Clark Law School (hereinafter LC SALDF).

Section 2: The purpose of LC SALDF is to provide a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship, aiming to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system, and to raise the profile of the field of animal law. LC SALDF primarily fulfills this purpose in two ways: (1) by facilitating opportunities for all members of the Lewis & Clark community to learn about topics in animal law, allowing those who are focused on animal law to deepen their understanding, and those who are not to build connections between animal law and their particular academic focus; (2) by supporting our members in integrating animal law into their legal and professional futures.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: General Membership in LC SALDF shall be open to all students currently enrolled at Lewis & Clark Law School and shall not be restricted on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, race, creed, age, national origin, physical disability, diet or sexual orientation.

Section 2: Voting privileges are restricted to general members who regularly attend and participate in LC SALDF events/meetings; are on the LC SALDF listserv; and actively support the purposes (Art. 1 §2) of LC SALDF. All Officers and Coordinators are voting members of LC SALDF.

Section 3: General and Voting Memberships can be revoked if a member’s actions are deemed inappropriate and contrary to Art. 1 §2 of this Constitution by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board.

Article III: Officers, Executive Board, Coordinators

Section 1: The LC SALDF Executive Board shall include two Co-Directors, but may be a single Director. Given sufficient interest, other Board Officers may include up to the following: a Public Relations Chair, a Pro Bono Chair, an External Projects Chair, a Treasurer, and a 1L Representative.

Section 2: Board Officers shall be elected annually for a term of one year. A Board Officer’s term shall commence at the beginning of the fall semester, unless otherwise necessary, and may be reelected.

Section 3: Qualifications required for holding office are as follows: A student with a voting membership in LC SALDF who agrees to uphold the purposes (Art. 1 §2) of LC SALDF and adequately performs the responsibilities of the position.

Section 4: In the event that an Officer is unable to continue in the capacity of his or her office, or after elections, a board position is left vacant, the office can be filled at any time by an eligible student (Art. IV §3) in conformity with Art. V of this Constitution.

If there are no candidates to fill the vacant office, the duties of the vacant office shall be absorbed by the Executive Board.

Section 5: The elected officers of LC SALDF shall form the Executive Board.

Section 6: The Executive Board shall have the authority to create coordinator positions.

Section 7: At the Executive Board’s discretion, Coordinator positions may be created to facilitate specific programs, tasks, or events. Coordinators shall serve a term pre-determined by the Executive Board.

Article IV: Duties of Officers and Coordinators

Section 1: The Co-Director(s)’ duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: representing LC SALDF to the larger Lewis & Clark community, other SALDF chapters, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, other groups outside LC SALDF; working with the Treasurer in creating an annual budget to obtain funding from the Lewis & Clark Law School’s Student Bar Association (hereinafter SBA) through the requisite SBA budget planning process; leading meetings; planning, organizing and promoting events and activities; encouraging participation in the National Animal Law Competitions; applying for grants when necessary to fund additional events and activities; ensuring that LC SALDF is represented at Law School events, such as the Spring Open House and Fall Orientation; maintaining the LC SALDF website; overseeing and ensuring that the other officers’ duties are being fulfilled; delegating LC SALDF responsibilities; coordinating the annual LC SALDF Speaker Series; and sending out a regular member-wide email consisting of action alerts, news, and opportunities.

Section 2: The Pro Bono Chair’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: working with the Co-Director(s) to strategize about pro bono projects for LC SALDF members; organizing discussions about potential projects with animal law attorneys and/or organizations; coordinating student efforts to research and work on pro bono projects, which may include calling meetings from time to time, and public commenting; ensuring to the best of his or her ability, that students complete their pro bono projects to the best of their abilities; and ultimately organizing an animal law networking event with local animal law attorneys each year.

Section 4: The External Project Chair’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: working with the Co-Director(s) to strategize about community-oriented outreach projects and activities for LC SALDF members; promoting local opportunities for members to volunteer at local shelters and sanctuaries; seeking information on local events that would benefit LC SALDF’s purposes and members if LC SALDF were able to participate in such events; organizing and encouraging outreach activities whenever possible; promoting LC SALDF events/meetings/activities by posting flyers and announcements; coordinating an off-campus opportunity allowing LC SALDF members to volunteer on behalf of animals and build connections between LC SALDF Members; and maintaining the community service webpage of LC SALDF’s website.

Section 6. The Public Relation Chair’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: working with the Co-Director(s) to promote SALDF and this Chapter in the news, both locally and nationally; create posts and events on Facebook and other social media sites; manage social media sites; work with local organizations and the Outreach Chair to create on-going partnerships; be available for student and public questions and comments; be dedicated to making/maintaining ties with the undergraduate campus’ animal welfare groups; act as liaison to the annual Human-Animal Studies Conference and related intra-campus LC Human-Animal Studies efforts.

Section 7: The Treasurer’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: being primarily responsible for creating an annual budget, following the SBA budget process to obtain LC SALDF’s annual budget; preparing and submitting to the Co-Director(s) any audit information requests required by the SBA; applying for grants and/or outside funding, with direction from the Co-Director(s), when necessary to fund additional LC SALDF events and activities; facilitating reimbursements for LC SALDF events; maintaining appropriate receipts and records in accordance with the chapter’s budget, pursuant to SBA budget and treasury guidelines; and coordinating selection and pairing of LC SALDF mentors/mentees.

Section 8: The 1L Representative will be responsible for ensuring all 1Ls are apprised of SALDF events and organizing the annual Meatout event which includes establishing a Meatout Committee. The Meatout Committee shall consist of interested SALDF members who will assist the 1L Rep in securing vendors, volunteering, advertising, and any other activities the 1L Rep deems necessary.

Section 9: The Executive Board will establish the duties of any other Coordinator prior to selecting a candidate.

Article V: Officer Elections, Coordinator Selection Process

Section 1: Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of eligible voters. Eligible voters are those members who have voting privileges (Art. II § 2). In the event that no candidate attracts a majority number of votes for election, a run-off shall be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes. In the event that a candidate runs uncontested, a majority of vote (of voting members) is required.

Any LC SALDF voting member interested in running for office shall, during the election application period, provide a written statement via e-mail summarizing why he or she would qualify to fulfill the duties of the office for which he or she is running.

Section 2: At the request of the Center for Animal Law Studies and the Animal Legal Defense Fund, LC SALDF will select a Conference Coordinator (hereinafter CC) to assist CALS and ALDF in preparing for the annual Animal Law Conference. All L&C Law students are eligible to apply for the CC position. The CC will hold the position for a term of one year, according to a timeline determined by CALS and ALDF. CALS and ALDF are responsible for and have authority over the CC’s duties and obligations, including its job description.

The selection process will consist of an application submission period beginning no later than November 5 and ending no later than November 30, or as otherwise requested by CALS and ALDF. By a two-thirds majority vote of the Board, the application period can be extended or shortened if deemed necessary, but must last at least two weeks. To apply, applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and answers to a questionnaire written by the previous CC to the Co-Director(s) at saldf@lclark.edu and to the previous CC at their given email address. Prior to the application submission period, the Board, through email and regular group meetings, will announce all required application materials and the specific dates of the application submission period. Within one week after the final day for submissions, the Co-Director(s) will present all the applicants’ materials to the Board, along with their recommendation, and a final selection will be made by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board. The previous CC will also give their recommendation to be included before the vote. The selected candidate will assume the duties and responsibilities of the CC on a timeline determined by CALS and ALDF.

Section 3: All other Coordinators shall be selected by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board.

Section 4: Officers or Coordinators may be removed from their position for poor conduct or failure to act in good faith upon their duties as described in Art. 4 or for actions deemed inappropriate and contrary to Art. 1 § 2.

Notice of a proposed removal will be given to the Officer or Coordinator suggested for removal in writing two weeks before a removal vote by the Executive Board. The Officer or Coordinator suggested for removal may request a special meeting to discuss his or her removal one week before a removal vote takes place; details of such a meeting will be determined in consultation with LC SALDF’s Faculty Advisor(s). A two-thirds majority vote by the Executive Board shall be required for removal of any Officer or Coordinator.

Article VI: Activities

Section 1: The activities of LC SALDF shall include, but are not limited to: hosting the LC SALDF Speaker Series, sending out regular action alert emails; organizing Meatout; organizing an animal law networking event; maintaining a mentor/mentee program for LC SALDF members; working as part of the LC Human-Animal Studies project; and organizing an off-campus event.  Activities of LC SALDF may include, given sufficient interest: carrying out research and pro bono projects for attorneys and organizations involved in animal advocacy litigation, legislation and policy; networking with students at other law schools, colleges, and universities who are pursuing interests in animal advocacy; conducting educational events such as information tables and video/DVD screenings on pertinent animal-related issues; advocating on behalf of vegetarian and vegan students within our law school; and hosting vegan BBQs throughout the school year.

Section 2: LC SALDF is responsible for planning, organizing, and hosting the Animal Law Speaker Series (hereinafter Speaker Series).

The purpose of the Speaker Series is to introduce LC community members to the issues affecting animals and to encourage open discussions on various animal-related concerns. The general discussion format is informal, allowing the speakers and students to interact in an intimate setting.

The Co-Director(s) are primarily responsible for the Speaker Series and shall delegate duties to LC SALDF members as necessary.

Section 3: LC SALDF is responsible for planning, organizing, and hosting MeatOut.

The purpose of the MeatOut is to educate Lewis & Clark Law School students on the veg-friendly dietary lifestyle and introduce them to alternatives to meat products.

Section 4: Each board member of LC SALDF will be responsible for creating at least one “news story” per year for the LC SALDF website as a means to expand visibility online and throughout the community.

Article VII: Meetings

Section 1: Regular meetings of LC SALDF shall be held at least once per month.

Section 2: Any member with voting privileges has the authority to call a special meeting. Notice of a special meeting will be communicated to the Co-Directors at least one week prior to the date of the proposed special meeting.

Section 3: The Executive Board shall hold at least one meeting per school month.

Article VIII: Parliamentary Authority

Section 1: The Executive Board and Officers shall have the power to promulgate rules, policies, and procedures necessary and proper for carrying into execution all foregoing powers vested by this Constitution in the Executive Board, or in any Coordinator or Officer of LC SALDF thereof.

Section 2: All rules, policies, and procedures promulgated by the Executive Board or Officers will require a two-thirds majority vote by the Executive Board.

Section 3: All rules, policies, and procedures promulgated consistent with Section 2 will be referred to, collectively as “the Bylaws.”   

Article IX: Affiliation with the Animal Legal Defense Fund

Section 1: Activities of LC SALDF shall be consistent with the current purposes of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (hereinafter ALDF). LC SALDF will not purport to speak for ALDF or commit it to any position on any matter of public policy or law on behalf of ALDF without ALDF’s prior written consent.

Section 2: Speaker Series and other such events will be provided solely with vegan food in order to be inclusive of student dietary and moral needs.

Article X: Amendments

Section 1: Any current member, coordinator, or officer shall be entitled to propose amendments. All proposed amendments must be submitted by email to the LC SALDF Co-Director(s) for review, who will present the proposal along with its recommendation to the Executive Board. LC SALDF’s general membership will be notified of any proposed amendment through a posting in the LC SALDF office prior to an adoption vote. A two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board shall be necessary to adopt any proposed amendment, but only if 5 of the Executive Board positions listed in Art. III are occupied; otherwise a two-thirds majority vote of the voting membership is required. Ratified amendments will be posted on the LC SALDF webpage immediately after adoption.