Pacific Northwest MEChA Regional Constitution

 

Preamble:

In the past, the structure of M.E.Ch.A. has allowed any individual wanting to organize a chapter on any particular campus the opportunity to do so. This could occur without prior knowledge of the history of M.E.Ch.A. Thus, a vast number of M.E.Ch.A. Chapters have had contradictory objectives, as well as conflicting philosophies.

Recognizing the ineffectiveness of this previous M.E.Ch.A. organizational structure and the philosophical uncertainty that it allowed, the following structure will make every Mechista accountable to its chapter, every chapter accountable to the state, every state to its Region, and every Regional accountable to the National.

 

Article I - Name

• Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Pacific Northwest M.E.Ch.A. Region.

 

Article II - Purpose

• Section 1: The Pacific Northwest M.E.Ch.A. Region outlines the following organizational objectives:
  • A)To execute and adopt the objectives set forth in the M.E.Ch.A. National Constitution: El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan Espiritual de Aztlán, the M.E.Ch.A. position papers on philosophy, constitutions, relationship to outside organizations, and goals and objectives.
  • B)Each state must create and execute plans of action on issues related to their Chicana/o Mexicana/o community.
  • C)To establish and maintain a state and regional communication center. State, regional and national information shall be kept, archived, and distributed from there.
  • D)To recruit, orient, educate, and nurture collegiate and high school campuses wishing to form a M.E.Ch.A. chapter.
  • E)To unite the PNW M.E.Ch.A. Regional chapters and their communities in activities for empowerment of Chicana/o Mexicana/o communtiy.
  • F)To promote the higher education of the Chicana/o Mexicana/o community.

 

Article III - Membership

• Section 1: In order for a M.E.Ch.A. Chapter to be recognized by their prospectiver region, they must abide by the following guidelines:
  • A) Be familiar with, adopt, and adhere to the M.E.Ch.A. National Constitution.
  • B) Submit thier constitution to the State M.E.Ch.A. Council along with a statement of why they should be recognized.
  • C) Send at least one representative to each state, regional, national conferences (high school chapters are encouraged but not required to attend national conference);
  • D) Elect two representatives from their chapter who will meet at the State Council meetings once a month.
  • E) Meet financial obligations to their perspective State Council.

 

Article IV - Regional Structure

The Regional structure shall maintain a Regional Communication Center and NMCC Liasons.

• Section 1: The Pacific Northwest Regional Communication Center shall be responsible for:
  • A) Storing all documents that pertain to M.E.Ch.A. and make them accessible to recognized and potential M.E.Ch.A. chapters in their Region.
  • B) Keeping regular dialogue with M.E.Ch.A. National Communication Center.
  • C) Updating and maintaining an offical Regional website.
• Section 2: The NMCC Liasons shall be responsible for:
  • A) Abiding by the guidelines of the M.E.Ch.A. National Constitution Article III section 4 a, b, c, and d.

 

Article V - State Structure

Each state shall consist of a council structure, State Council Communication Center and Liason.

• Section 1: Pacific Northwest Region consist of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Hawaii.
• Section 2: Each state shall establish a council that best suites its organizational needs.
• Section 3: The State Council Communicationl Center shall be responsible for:
  • A) Storing all documents that pertain to M.E.Ch.A. and make them accessible to recognized and potential M.E.Ch.A. chapters in their state.
  • B) Keeping regular dialogue with PNW Regional Communication Center.
• Section 4: The Liasons.
  • A) The liasion shall be the elected NMCC within the state.
  • B) The liason shall attend all state council meetings. (if unable to attend the liasion shall appoint a temporary facilitator).
  • D)The liasion shall be the spokesperson unless determined otherwise by council.

 

Article VI - Voting Privileges

• Section 1:
  • A) A chapter must be recognized by the State Council in order to vote at M.E.Ch.A. functions i.e. State, Regional, and National meetings.
  • B) Each recognized chapter holds one vote at M.E.Ch.A. functions i.e. State, Regional, and National meetings.

 

Article VII - Revocation of Recognition

• Section 1: Any MEChistA and/or state recognized chapter who does not follow the Pacific Northwest Regional Constitution, or whose actions causes a threat to the state council, may face revocationl of recognition or disciplinary action from their State Council.
• Section 2: Procedures for removal or disciplinary action of MEChistAs and/or chapter from the State Council is as follows:
  • A) A written state of the charges shall be presented at a State Council meeting by any chapter representative.
  • B) At the next regularly scheduled state council meetings the plaintiff(s) and the defendant(s) shall have a chance to present their case(s).
  • C) At the end of the proceedings, the recognized chapters must reach a consensus on whether the grievance is valid and must reach a consensus on the disciplinary action(s) to be taken.
  • D) Consensus is needed to remove a member and/or chpater from the State Council.
  • E) Any expelled member and/or chapter may apply for reinstatement during their following school term, or unless the state council decides other wise.
  • F) A member or chapter may reinstate their recognition under Article III.

 

Article VIII - Amendments

• Section 1: Amendments to this constitution:
  • A) Must be submitted to a prior stat council meeting before it is voted on, and passed by a (2/3) vote of present recognized chapters before it is taken to the region.
  • B) The amendment must now be passed by (2/3) vote through the region by the recognized chapters that are present at the regional meeting.

 

Article IX - Ultimate Authority

Ultimate authority as to any interpretation of this constitution or anything not mentioned within this constitution shall be decided by the State Council representatives at a State Council meeting, or by the recognized chapters from the region at a regional meeting.

 

Passed at Central Washington University , Ellensburg, Washington, November 8, 1998

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