CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS

ARTICLE I
NAME, DOMICILE AND MOTTO

The name of the organization shall be Louisian Council for Human Rights (LCHR).
The office of the organization shall be at Saint Louis University campus.
The motto of the Constitution shall be “YOUR RIGHTS, OUR PRIMARY CONCERN.”

ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES

The GENERAL OBJECTIVES of this organization shall be to promote and protect

human rights of studentry including members of society and make them aware of
their rights and guide them towards actions that respect the rights of all,
particularly those who cannot defend themselves — the deprived, marginalized,
and vulnerable.

The SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES are as follows:

1. To be the leading powerhouse of the Louisian students in strengthening
respect, understanding, and practice of human rights as the essential
cornerstone of peace, unity, and justice.

2. The establishment and maintenance of a Louisian students’ committee

that would assists the students in addressing human rights issues and
violations.

3. To undertake such programs and activities that would promote human

rights protection and awareness inside and outside the university.

4. To assist and provide ways for students or community members who have
suffered human rights violations to seek legal remedies.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION

The membership of this human rights organization shall be composed of ALL

BONAFIDE ENROLLED STUDENTS in the School of Law.
There shall be membership fee in the amount of ONE HUNDRED PESOS ONLY (P
100.00) per student member per semester to be collected upon registration.
The candidates who shall garner the highest number of votes cast by the
members of the organization present shall be deemed elected.
An unopposed candidate shall at least garner a single vote to be deemed
elected.
For this purpose, the filing of certificate of candidacy shall be made on the
date prescribed by the COMELEC who shall likewise determine the qualification
of candidates.
 ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF COUNCIL

SECTION 1. Policy-making body

The policy-making body of this human rights organization shall be the Board
of Council for Human Rights headed by the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson
for Internal Affairs and Vice Chairperson for External Affairs, the
Secretary, the two Head Advocates (Public Relations Officers), the two
Business Managers, and the Auditor. There shall be two faculty advisers to
guide, advise and monitor the Board of Council and all the committees in
their meetings and activities.

SECTION 2. Qualifications of the Board of Council

a. No member shall be nominated and elevated to the Board of Council who
does not carry a load of at least nine (9) units.
b. A member of the Board shall have taken or is currently taking up a
Human Rights subject under the School of Law’s curriculum.
c. Any elected member of the Board of Council who shall for any reason,
drop any subject shall be automatically ousted from his/her position,
therefore his/her position shall be declared automatically vacated.
d. An elected member of the Board shall fulfill his/her duties and
responsibilities with utmost dedication and commitment to serve without
any reservation.

SECTION 3. Powers of the Board of Council

The Board of Council shall have the regulatory and administrative power to
prescribe the policies, rules and regulations consistent with this by-law and
the policies of the University and shall exercises general administration,
supervision and control over the organization.

SECTION 4. Duties of the Board of Council

As a Board, they must embody not only the kind of leadership as befitting the
law profession but also as the prime mover in strengthening respect,
understanding, and practice of human rights as the essential cornerstone of
peace, unity, and justice.
As individuals, each member of the Board of Council shall conduct him or
herself inside and outside of the University campus in a manner befitting the
student leader and a human rights advocate.

SECTION 5. Election of the Board of Council

The members of the Board of Council shall be elected by secret ballot by a
majority every First Saturday of August.
The candidates who shall garner the highest number of votes cast by the
members of the organization shall be deemed elected.
An unopposed candidate shall at least garner a single vote to be deemed
elected.
For this purpose, the filing of certificate of candidacy shall be made on the
date prescribed by the COMELEC who shall likewise determine the qualification
of candidates.
SECTION 6. Tenure of Office
The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of (1) year until the
election qualification and assumption into office of their successors.
The members of the Board who are seniors shall automatically cease in their
office upon graduation.

SECTION 7. Board Meeting

A regular meeting shall be held once a week within the campus premises and at
a time designated by the Board.
Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or in his/her absence, by
the Vice-chairperson or by a majority of the members of the board.
The notice for regular or special meetings shall be posted by the Secretary
on the Bulletin Boards of the School of Law.

SECTION 8. Quorum
Excluding the Year Representatives, One half plus one (1/2 + 1) of the total
number of the Board of Council during the regular school year shall
constitute a quorum.
A majority vote of the quorum duly assembled shall constitute a valid act.

ARTICE V
OFFICERS

Section 1. Officer and Election

The officers of the organization shall be the following:
Chairperson;
Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs;
Vice Chairperson for External Affairs;
Secretary;
Two Year Advocates (Public Relations Officer);
Two Business Managers; and
Auditor, who shall hold office for one (1) year following their election.
They shall be elected by the general membership on the First Saturday of
August each year.

SECTION 2. The Chairperson

The Chairperson shall be either one from the Second, Third or Fourth Year Law
Students who shall have taken or is currently taking up a Human Rights
subject under the School of Law’s curriculum.
He shall have the following duties:
a. To preside over all the meetings of the Board whether general or
special meeting called for a purpose, and/or of the general membership;
b. To represent the School of Law in all university affairs regarding
human rights programs and activities; and
c. To primary conduct any other activities on human rights as deemed
necessary.

SECTION 3. The Vice Chairperson For Internal Affairs

The Vice Chairperson For Internal Affairs shall be either one from the
Second, Third or Fourth Year Law Students who shall have taken or is
currently taking up a Human Rights subject under the School of Law’s
curriculum.
a. He/she shall assist the Chairperson in the conduct of activities and
affairs of the organization within the University and shall preside
over all meetings and assembly in the absence of the Chairperson.
b. He/she shall be in charge as the supervisor of all internal affairs of
the special Committees.

SECTION 4. The Vice Chairperson For External Affairs

The Vice Chairperson for External Affairs shall be either one from the
Second, Third or Fourth Year Law Students who shall have taken or is
currently taking up a Human Rights subject under the School of Law’s
curriculum.
a. He/she shall assist the Chairperson in the conduct of activities and
affairs of the organization outside the University.
b. He/she shall coordinate with other organization of the same nature or
related sectors in the conduct of community-based activities and
programs.

SECTION 5. Secretary
The Secretary shall come from any level.
The Secretary shall keep and take the minutes of all meetings of the Board
and/or of the general membership. He/she shall be the custodian of all
meetings of all official papers and documents of the Organization.
The Secretary shall:
a. Keep a complete list of all members;
b. Give notices for all meetings;
c. Take and keep the minutes of all meetings the Board and/or of the
general membership; and
d. Shall be the custodian of all papers and documents of the organization.

SECTION 6. The Year Advocates

There shall be Two Year Advocates who may be from any year level who shall be
in charge of matters involving public relations of the organization.
The Year Advocates shall:
a. Have the duty to publish or to be published any activity or undertaking
of the Organization;
b. To disseminate among the year level the activities and plans of the
Board or the Chairperson.

SECTION 7. The Two Business Managers

There shall be two Business Managers who may be from any year level.
The Business Managers shall handle all business transactions and fund raising
activities of the organization. They shall also prepare a monthly report on
the financial condition of the organization.
He/she shall also perform the following duties:
a. Take custody of all money of the organization;
b. Keep a complete record of its past transactions;
 c. Pay upon the authority of the Board all money transactions and certify
the correctness of the cash position of the organization in all
financial statements and reports submitted to the Board of Council
and/or membership; and
d. Turn over all money and other property belonging to the organization
upon his successors.

SECTION 8. The Auditor

There shall be an Auditor who may be from any year level.
He/she shall audit and ensure the proper disbursement of the organization’s
fund and all other funds that may come into his hands.

ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEE/S

SECTION 1. SPECIAL COMMITTEE

A special committee(s) may be established by the board to attend a particular
undertaking or activity of the organization. It shall cease to exist upon
completion of the activity for which it was constituted or upon majority vote
of the board called for the purpose.