Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán
National Constitution
National Constitution
Preamble
Chicano
and Chicana students of Aztlán must take upon themselves
the responsibilities to promote Chicanismo within the community,
politicizing our Raza with an emphasis on indigenous consciousness
to continue the struggle for the self-determination of the Chicano
people for the purpose of liberating Aztlán.
The
following structure will make every MEChista accountable to its
chapter, every chapter accountable to it's central (where applicable),
every central accountable to its region, every region accountable
to its state (where applicable), and every state accountable to
the national.
->->->->->equest.
Article IV: National MEChA Guidelines
Section 1. A MEChA National Conference shall be held once a year and shall rotate from state to state. Section 2. The purpose of this conference shall be to bring all MEChA chapters together in an effort to bring a MEChA National Conference that maintains and reaffirms the principles and philosophies of MEChA. Section 3. At the MEChA National Conference, steps will be taken to establish ties among the MEChA chapters in the spirit of Aztlán. The purpose of the National is to create a vibrant and responsive network of Chicano and Chicana activists who will respond as a unit against oppression and racism and will work in harmony when initiating and carrying out campaigns and liberation for our people. Section 4. MEChA National Conference Rules: A) Only MEChA chapters recognized by their respective regions can vote. B) Individuals and/or groups with a history of party-building and cadre raiding inside of MEChA will not be able to participate or attend the MEChA National Conference (see MEChA's Philosophy Papers: Relationship to Outside Organizations). C) Non-voting individuals and/or groups can not attend or participate in any workshops or meetings wherein constitutional issues or resolutions will be discussed or voted upon, unless these individuals and/or groups meet both of the following criteria: 1) Have sponsorship from a MEChA chapter which is recognized by its respective MEChA Region; 2) Be approved by unanimous consent by all recognized MEChA Chapters in attendance when these constitutional issues or resolutions are discussed or voted upon.
D) All entertainment shall be culturally oriented.
Section 5. All MEChA National meetings shall be conducted by Robert's Rules of Order until an alternate method can be found. Section 6. MEChA National Conference Liaison Process: A) Prior to each MEChA National Conference there shall be a minimum of three (3) MEChA National Conference liaison meetings held with the intent of having equal input from all officially recognized MEChA chapters into the conference. B) Each of the MEChA National Conference liaison meetings shall be held in different states chosen by the NMCC. C) All MEChA National Conference liaison meetings must be hosted by a MEChA chapter which is officially recognized by its respective recognized MEChA Region. D) All non-MEChA individuals or organizations who wish to attend a MEChA National Conference liaison meeting must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Have sponsorship from a MEChA chapter which is recognized by its respective recognized MEChA Region; 2. Be approved to attend the MEChA National Conference liaison meeting by the recognized MEChA Region in which the liaison is being held; 3. Be approved by unanimous consent the day of the MEChA National Conference liaison meeting by all the regionally recognized MEChA chapters in attendance.
E) Decisions regarding the MEChA National Conference shall be made at each MEChA National Conference liaison meeting, with timeless issues (i.e. theme, registration fees, keynote speakers, workshops and presenters) being a priority as any given meeting agenda.
Section 7. The MEChA National Conference hosting campus shall be required to submit a written report to the NMCC at each of the NMCC meetings that outlines their progress with respects to organizing the MEChA National Conference (i.e. funding, logistics, etc.) and the MEChA National Conference liaison meetings. Section 8. The MEChA National Conference hosting campus must be prepared to attend any NMCC meetings in which a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the recognized MEChA Regions represented on the NMCC may have questions or concerns regarding the MEChA National Conference. Section 9. National MEChA Communications Center: A) The MEChA National Conference hosting campus is responsible for distributing the resolutions to all the regional communication centers one month (30 days) prior to the MEChA National Conference. B) The MEChA National Conference hosting campus must forward all information regarding MEChA National Conference planning to next year's hosting campus within two (2) months after the MEChA National Conference.
Section 10. MEChA chapters may establish "terms of agreement" with any outside entities, organizations, and/or individuals who they choose to have a working relationship with. If these "terms of agreement " are violated, documentation explaining the violation must be distributed to all regional communication centers through the National MEChA Communications Center and the NMCC.
Article V: Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to the MEChA National Constitution shall be as follows: A) Amendments and/or changes to the MEChA National Constitution shall be first submitted in writing to the MEChA National Conference hosting campus two (2) months prior to the MEChA National Conference and shall be mailed out to the regional communication centers by the hosting campus. B) A national structure workshop at the MEChA National Conference is required for the proposed amendments so to that regionally recognized MEChA chapters have an opportunity to discuss proposed changes. C) The general body shall vote on the proposed amendment at the resolution session. D) A two-thirds (2/3) vote of officially recognized MEChA chapters present at the MEChA National Conference shall pass the amendment.
Hosted by MEChA at the University of California - Berkeley
Amendments:
Article V: Section A A) Amendments and/or changes to the Constitution shall be first submitted in writing to the hosting campus two (2) months prior to the MEChA National Conference and shall be mailed out to the communication centers by the hosting campus.
Hosted by El Sexto Sol de MEChA at the University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg
Amended on April 14,1997 MEChA National Conference
Hosted by MEXA at Michigan State University, Lansing
