Constitution of the Society for Space Law and the Law of the Sea

Article I – Name

1) The name of this organization shall be Society for Space Law and Law of the

Sea.

Article II – Purpose

1) The Society for Space Law and the Law of the Sea (“SSLLS”) strives to provide

opportunities for personal and professional enrichment to its members and

the University of Michigan Law student body by deepening their

understanding of legal and policy framework governing use of space and the

sea.

2) This organization will focus on exploring professional opportunities for those

who hold career interests in space law or law of the sea as well as on drawing

speakers to campus who can discuss various aspects of both areas of law.

Article III – Jurisdiction

1) This organization shall be governed by all applicable rules set down by the

University of Michigan Law School and the University of Michigan Law School

Senate and the University of Michigan Student Senate.

Article IV – Membership

1) Eligibility – Any law student currently enrolled in good standing at the

University of Michigan Law School is eligible for membership in the SSLLS.

a. The SSLLS does not discriminate on any basis, including but not

limited to race, sex, national origin, color, age, appearance, religious

belief or lack thereof, sexual identity, disability or veteran status.

2) Requirements – All eligible individuals wishing to join the SSLLS are subject

to a series of requirements:

a. Dues – All members are required to pay dues, the exact sum of which

shall be determined by the Board before each academic year.

Members are required to pay the Treasurer, in full, before they may

officially qualify as a member of the organization and to take

advantage of any opportunities the Board determines available

exclusively to official members.

b. Responsibilities – Board members are required to execute their duties

in good faith and participate in a positive manner. All members are

encouraged to attend meetings, speaking events, or any events that

the organization may host.

c. ‘Good Standing’ – A member of the SSLLS is considered in good

standing by meeting all requirements outlined above.

3) Rights – All members of the SSLLS in good standing are imbued with certain

rights:

a. Voting Rights – In all scenarios where voting is approved by the Board

or required by this instrument, all members in good standing shall be

permitted to vote.

b. Open Government – All members in good standing are entitled to the

benefits provided by transparent government and leadership. To that

end:

i. Any member may at any time request to view the financial

records of the SSLLS.

ii. Any member may at any time request to review the minutes of

any session where minutes are taken.

iii. Any member may at any time request an official meeting with

the Board to request aid, information or redress of grievances.

This meeting shall be held at the closest time of convenience to

all members.

1. In the case of a meeting called to achieve a redress of

grievances, the meeting shall be closed to all except the

Board and the parties involved.

4) End of Membership – A member may cease to be a member of this

organization. If the member graduates from the University of Michigan Law

School, transfers, is expelled or is placed on academic leave, they shall also

cease to be a member of the Society for Space Law and Law of the Sea.

Furthermore, a member may voluntarily resign their membership by

informing the Board of that wish.

5) Study Abroad – A member on a study abroad assignment may remain a

member and retain all other rights.

6) Removal of Members – Any member may be removed by the unanimous

decision of the Board.

a. The member whose removal is under review has the right to be

notified that this measure is being considered before the vote is taken.

Furthermore, that member has the right to a hearing before the Board

before the vote is taken, to present their case for remaining within the

SSLLS.

Article V – Leadership Board

1) Purpose - The Board shall function as the leadership of this organization.

2) Composition – The Board shall be made up of at least three members, elected

annually.

a. Duties – It shall be the duty of the Board to designate and oversee

meetings of the organization, to plan and execute events in the

organization’s name, to manage the organization’s finances, to open

and maintain relations with the University of Michigan Law School, to

represent the organization, and to ensure the proper execution of all

elements of this Constitution.

b. Positions – The Board shall be made up of at least three positions—

although one member may serve more than one position provided the

President and the Vice President are different individuals—serving

different needs of the organization.

i. Appointment - all organization members in good standing who

choose to participate in the voting procedure shall designate

each

ii. President –One member shall be designated as the President of

the organization. It shall be the duty of the President to open

and maintain relations with the Law School and otherwise lead

the SSLLS in all its pursuits and general activities. Further, it

shall be the responsibility of the President to provide official

signatures.

iii. Vice President — One member shall be designated as the Vice

President. The Vice President will be charged with the duty of

overseeing functionality of other decisions and proving

leadership and direction to the club in general.

iv. Secretary — One Board member shall be designated as the

Secretary of the organization. It shall be the responsibility of

the Secretary to maintain a historical record of the

organization, oversee website activities and to take minutes

and notes where necessary.

v. Treasurer – One Board member shall be designated as the

Treasurer of the organization. It shall be the duty of the

Treasurer to handle all financial and fundraising activities for

the Society of Space Law and Law of the Sea. It shall be the duty

of the Treasurer to open and maintain the organizational bank

account and to maintain regular reports on the status of

organizational finances. Further, it shall be the duty of the

Treasurer to collect dues from the membership in a timely

manner.

vi. Operations Chair—It shall be the duty of the Operations Chair

to take charge of logistical concerns for whatever the

organization may need including but not limited to: travel

arrangements, room reservations, oversight of a particular

committee, or any technical concerns that present themselves

in the course of business.

Article VI – Ratification

1) The document shall be ratified by a ¾ vote at the first board meeting of the

SSLLS.

2) Ratification of the Constitution – This document shall take effect immediately

upon ratification by the LSSS.

Bylaws

Elections – The Board shall be elected by the general body of the Society for Space

Law and Law of the Sea.

a. Quorum – These elections require quorum to be met.

i. Definition - In all scenarios where quorum is required, it shall

be defined as three-quarters (3/4) of the current membership.

If this calculation does not result in a whole number, the

number shall be rounded down.

ii. For members to be counted towards quorum, they must be

physically present at the vote unless the Board institutes an

absentee voting option.

iii. Members not capable of being present may vote by absentee

ballot only when voting on new board members, in a manner

and form to be determined by the outgoing Board.

b. Date and Time – These elections shall be held annually before the end

of the academic year at a date and time convenient to the

membership. It shall be the responsibility of the outgoing Board to

establish and announce this date and time.

c. Candidates – All members of the Society for Space Law and Law of the

Sea in good standing are eligible to run for election to the Board.

Candidates are required to announce their candidacy to the Board and

General Body one (1) week in advance of the date of the election.

d. Manner and Method – These elections shall be held by approval

voting, and accomplished by secret ballot.

i. Campaigning – The Candidates shall each be allowed a brief

speech before the vote is taken to detail their qualifications

and stances.

e. Run-off Procedure – In the event of a tie, a second round of voting in

the same manner shall take place between the two deadlocked

candidates. In the case of a run-off, members may vote during a

specified period of time either in person or via email to the President.

f. Recount Procedure – A candidate may dispute the results of an

election if they believe they have a good-faith basis on which to do so.

In this case, a group consisting of the outgoing Board and the

individual disputing the election results shall recount the ballots.

They are not permitted to reveal the exact vote totals beyond

returning the results of the recount.

3) Vote of No Confidence – Upon the petition of a member of the organization in

good standing, a vote may be held for the removal of a member of the Board

from that position.

a. Quorum – For a Vote of No Confidence, quorum is required as defined

above.

b. Manner and Method – A vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the

membership in the affirmative is required to effect a Vote of No

Confidence. If this calculation does not result in a whole number, the

number shall be rounded down. The vote shall be accomplished by

secret ballot.

i. Vote Counting – In a Vote of No Confidence the ballots shall be

removed from the room and counted by all Board members not

in question, in the presence of the petitioning member. All

parties to this counting are forbidden from revealing the vote

totals, beyond returning a simple ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ on the motion.

c. Effect – If the Vote of No Confidence passes the Board Member in

question is removed immediately from that position. They are not

removed from the organization as a whole.

4) Vacancy Provisions – In the situation that a member of the Board is removed,

resigns or becomes unable to fulfill their responsibilities, it is the duty of the

remaining SSLLS to hold an Election as soon as possible, pursuant to election

procedure above.

Appointed Officers

1) General Delegation of Duties – The Board may further delegate duties, and

may create specialized temporary Appointed Officer positions if necessary.

Amendment and General Voting Procedure

1) Amendment to the Constitution – Any member in good standing may present

the Board with a proposed amendment to the Constitution. If a quorum as

defined above approves a proposed amendment, it will be placed on the

agenda, discussed, and voted upon according to normal voting procedure.

a. A board member may place an amendment on the agenda at any time

provided it is seconded by another member of the organization,

including the Board.