Constitution and By-Laws

Article One. Name.

The name of this organization shall be the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund of Lewis & Clark Law School (hereinafter referred to as “SALDF”).

Article Two. Purpose.

SALDF is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship, aims to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system, and strives to raise the profile of the field of animal law.

The activities of SALDF shall include, but are not limited to: hosting speakers, debates, and conferences on current issues in animal law; 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, which may include a joint event with Animal Law Review in the fall semester and/or Meatout in the spring semester.

Article Three. Criteria for Membership.

Membership in SALDF shall be open to all students currently enrolled in Lewis & Clark Law School, regardless of gender, race, creed, age, color, national origin, physical disability, diet or sexual orientation.

Article Four. Officers.

The Officers of SALDF shall preferably include two Co-Directors, but may be a single Director. Given sufficient interest, other officers may include, but are not limited to, the following positions: conference coordinator, pro bono coordinator, outreach coordinator, treasurer and secretary, The Co-Directors or Director will be responsible for communicating with the designated SALDF contact person at the Animal Legal Defense Fund (hereinafter referred to as “ALDF”). Qualifications for persons who are eligible to serve as officers of SALDF are as follows:
* Registration as a student at Lewis & Clark Law School,
* Membership in SALDF,
* Attendance at a majority of SALDF functions,
* Taking part in the annual Animal Law Conference,
* Agreement to uphold the goals and purposes of SALDF, and to comply with all bylaws, rules, regulations, and duly adopted policies of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

In the event that an officer, for whatever reason, expected or unexpected, is unable to continue in the capacity of their office, the vacated office shall be filled in two weeks. However, if there is no current SALDF member willing to run for, be confirmed by majority vote by the chapter and fill the vacant office, the duties of the vacant office shall be absorbed by the current Co-Directors or Director.

The Co-Directors’ duties shall included, but shall not not limited to, the following: 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, including the annual Animal Law Conference; encouraging participation and/or participating in the National Animal Advocacy Competitions; applying for grants when necessary to fund additional events and activities; ensuring that SALDF is represented at Law School events, such as the Spring Open House and Fall Orientation; maintaining the SALDF website, which should at least include up-to-date general information about the chapter; maintaining a current list of SALDF members; encouraging pro bono projects with animal law attorneys and organizations; overseeing and ensuring that the other officers’ duties are being fulfilled; delegating SALDF responsibilities; and maintaining the SALDF budget pursuant to the budget award and pursuant to SBA budget guidelines. In any year where an office is not filled, the Co-Directors or Director shall absorb and fulfill the vacant office’s duties.

The Conference Coordinator’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: working with the Co-Directors or Director to plan the Conference; strategizing the steps that need to be taken to plan the Conference; organizing meetings to discuss the planning necessary for the Animal Law Conference; coordinating the chapter’s efforts with the National Center for Animal Law (hereinafter “NCAL”); contributing to the development of the Conference theme, including discussion of speakers and speaker panel topics; coordinating efforts to seek outside funding, support and/or donations; participating in major decisions involving the Conference logistics, including but not limited to the location(s) for the panels and banquet, speaker accommodations and concerns, and general advertising; delegating Conference responsibilities to SALDF members; and ensuring to the best of his or her ability, that speakers, attendees and students have an enjoyable Conference experience.

The Pro Bono Coordinator’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: working with the Co-Directors or Director to strategize about pro bono projects for 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 ensuring to the best of his or her ability, that students complete their pro bono projects to the best of their abilities.

The Outreach Coordinator’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: working with the Co-Directors or Director to strategize about community-oriented outreach projects and activities for SALDF members; promoting local opportunities for members to volunteer at local shelters and Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary; seeking information on local events that would benefit SALDF’s purposes and members if SALDF were able to participate in such events; and organizing and encouraging outreach activities whenever possible.

The Treasurer’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: working with the Co-Directors or Director to create an annual budget; following Lewis & Clark Law School’s Student Bar Association (hereinafter “SBA”) budget process to obtain SALDF’s annual budget; applying for grants and/or outside funding, with direction from the Co-Directors or Director, when necessary to fund additional SALDF events and activities; and maintaining appropriate receipts and records in accordance with the chapter’s budget, pursuant to SBA budget and treasury guidelines.

The Secretary’s duties shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: taking notes and keeping minutes of the SALDF meetings; emailing the members after each meeting with the minutes; keeping the SALDF bulletin board up to date, which may include notices of events and activities and newsworthy items; making his or her best efforts to ensure an up-to-date supply of animal advocacy flyers, pamphlets and information; and making his or her best efforts to learn about and share noteworthy animal law news with the chapter

Article Five. Elections.

Officers shall be elected each school year by a majority vote of the SALDF membership, shall serve a term of one year, and may be reelected. Students in their second year are preferred. In the event that no candidate attracts the requisite number of votes for election, a run-off shall be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.

Any SALDF member interested in running for office shall so inform the chapter at least one week prior to elections, by providing a written statement, to be placed in the elections binder, summarizing why he or she would qualify to fulfill the duties of the office for which he or she is running. In electing officers, each current member shall have one vote.

Officers may be removed for poor conduct or failure to act in good faith upon their duties as described in Article Four. Notification of any proposed removal action will be given to all current SALDF members. A two-thirds vote by all current members shall be required for removal of an officer. Members whose votes have not been submitted one week from notification shall be considered abstaining from the vote.

Article Six. Meetings.

Regular meetings of SALDF shall be held at least once each month. Decisions at meetings shall be made by a majority of the members, with every present party agreeing to, dissenting to, or abstaining from every action there decided.

Any SALDF member may call a special meeting if necessary or in the interest of SALDF, and shall inform the Co-Directors or Director at least one week prior to the date of the proposed meeting.

Article Seven. Annual Animal Law Conference.

The members of SALDF are responsible for hosting the SALDF Annual Animal Law Conference traditionally held during fall semester.

The Co-Directors or Director, along with the Conference Coordinator are primarily responsible for the Conference and shall delegate duties to SALDF members as necessary. Additionally, the Co-Directors or Director must be available to help coordinate the Conference during the summer prior to when the event is held.

Article Eight. Affiliation with Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Activities of SALDF shall be consistent with the current purposes of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (hereinafter “ALDF”) as of May 15, 2003. 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.

Article Nine. Amendments.

Any two current members shall be entitled to propose amendments. Proposed amendments shall be consistent with these By-Laws, and shall be communicated to the ALDF and all seated officers, who shall schedule a meeting for the purpose of deciding on these amendments. If the date of submission of these amendments is near the date of a regular or special business meeting, then no additional meeting need be scheduled. Notification of any proposed amendment will be given to all current SALDF members. A majority vote by all current members shall be required for any changes to this constitution. Members whose votes have not been submitted one week from notification shall be considered abstaining from the vote.