Latino Culture Show Constitution

Preamble

The Latin@ Culture Show seeks to educate Ann Arbor and the student body about the culture and heritage of Latinos both in and out of the United States. It is our mission to expose others to our traditions in order to create and/or encourage cultural appreciation. While doing so, we will work towards uniting the Latin@ population on campus through the fostering space for dialogue and community building.

Article I. Name

Latin@ Culture Show

Article II. Purpose

The Latin@ Culture Show is in its 10th year at the University of Michigan. Through artistic and oral presentation, we create a platform that gives voice and significance to the Latino culture. The purpose of the show is to educate students, faculty, staff and even those of us who participate in the planning and execution of the show about what it means to be "Latin@" and how, contrary to common belief, we have left our imprint on the world at large. In doing this, we hope to help fight stereotypes, overcome our own identity struggles and create a space where Latinos can build community and advocate for social change.

Article III. Membership

Section 1.

The Latin@ Culture Show has core members and performance participants. Everyone is eligible to be on core and a performer just as long as they show interest in the show. Participation is not limited to Latinos. In fact, we encourage, promote and always have participation from non-Latinos.

Section 2.

To become a CORE MEMBER you must fill out an application. This application process takes place in the Fall. You must select a position of interest and reasons why you are the best candidate for that position. Decisions will be made by the Coordinators of the show. The COORDINATORS of the show are appointed by the CORE immediately following the date of the show. To be a PERFORMANCE PARTICIPANT, you must attend the MASS MEETING winter semester and sign up for the acts you are interested in participating in. Every person is limited to 2 acts to ensure more space for others.

Section 3.

Voluntary withdrawal will require an email explaining reasoning behind the decision to withdraw.

Article IV. Officers

Section 1.

There are a maximum of two officers for every role. Coordinators: Responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of the entire show. This includes ensuring we have a space for the show two semester before, delegating tasks to core, ensuring sponsorships with departments and organizations and making sure that all administrative things are taken care of before and after the show. Performance Chair: Responsible for overseeing the musical acts in the show. This includes acting like the liaison between the choreographers and the coordinators. Responsible for attending rehearsals to ensure progress and, in some cases, video taping the rehearsals for promotional purposes. Funding Chair: Responsible for applying for grants, presenting to multi-cultural councils and attending meeting with departments to request funds for the show. Also responsible for administering the SOAS account. Publicity Chair: Responsible for publicizing the show to local media, on campus, online and creating flyers, Facebook event pages and email templates for mass promotion of the show. Ticket Sales Chair: Responsible for setting up a MUTO account, knowing the progress of ticket sales and encouraging departments to purchase tickets for their staff. Stage Management Chair: Responsible for ensuring the success of the show on the day of the show. This includes contacting sound, lighting and taking care of all technical aspects of the show. Also responsible for communicating tasks on the day of the show.

Section 2.

The officers constitute the Latin@ Culture Show Core members. All of which are involved in the planning and execution of the show.

Section 3.

Our advisor serve us as a resource by connecting us to funding sources we might have overlooked, helping with promotion and/or constructively criticizing the structure and function of the show.

Article V. Operations

Section 1.

Everyone is eligible to apply for these positions when the application becomes available Fall semester of every year. Positions are not limited to Latinos.

Section 2.

The officers are elected by the Coordinator(s) of the show. Coordinators, however, would be appointed by the core members of the show at the end of every academic year.

Section 3.

Officers assume their positions immediately following the appointing. This usually happens in late April of early May depending on which day the show falls that year.

Section 4.

Advisor has no role in elections. The advisor is only helps to forward the application.

Article VI. Finances

Section 1.

Our activities will be financed by university sponsorship and donations from local businesses. Ticket Sales also assist with financing.

Section 2.

The Funding Chair is responsible for fund raising but the Coordinators are the only ones who can pay artists, reimburse anyone and distribute the funds.

Article VII. Amendments

Section 1.

Amendments to the constitution are to be presented to the CORE members during a core meeting but only if it is emailed to core beforehand.

Section 2.

CORE members can propose amendments.

Section 3.

Amendments are welcomed at any point.

Article VIII. Registration Renewal

Section 1.

n/a

Article IX. Removal of Membership

Section 1.

Officers can be removed if they fail to live up to their responsibilities mentioned above.

Section 2.

Core members will discuss and vote on removal of any Core members.

Section 3.

Core members will be removed if their lack of commitment to the organization has caused trouble for the show that has disrupted the (1) progress and (2) vision of the event.

Section 4.

If we feel that an Officer is not performing up to part. We will first warn him/her. If following the warning the Officer does not show improvement, we will proceed to with voting him/her out of the process.

Article X. By-Laws

Core Meetings will be held once a week. All Officers are expected to attend. Performance Participant will have to attend mandatory rehearsals that the choreographers set up. On the day of the show, all participants are required to be present and ready to perform.