Bylaws
Article One: Name.
The name of this organization shall be Vermont Law School Animal Law Society (hereinafter referred to as SALDF).
Article Two: Purpose.
SALDF is dedicated to providing a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting the lives and advancing the interest of animals through the legal system, and raising the profile of the field of animal law.
SALDF is dedicated to the goals of education in the law school and surrounding community about forms of institutionalized animal abuse, and engaging in projects that combat that abuse. SALDF is equally dedicated to protecting the lives and advancing the interest of animals through the legal system. The activities of SALDF may include, but are not limited to: hosting speakers, debates, and conferences on current issues in animal rights and welfare law; carrying on research projects for lawyers and organizations involved in animal welfare and animal rights litigation; networking with students at other law schools, colleges, universities, and high schools who are pursuing interest in animal rights, environmental issues, and animal welfare law; conducting educational events such as information tables and video screening on pertinent issues; and advocating on behalf of vegan and vegetarian students within our law school. Our SALDF chapter further recognizes and abides by the purposes and goals of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Article Three: Criteria for membership.
Membership in SALDF shall be open to all students currently enrolled in Vermont Law School, regardless of diet, gender, race, creed, age, color, national origin, physical disability, or sexual orientation. Individual members in the Animal Legal Defense Fund is encouraged but not required for all Vermont Law School SALDF members.
Article Four: Officers
The officers of Vermont Law School SALDF shall be two Chairs (Co-Chairs), Secretary, and Treasurer. The Co-Chairs will be responsible for communicating chapter activities with the designated contact person at the Animal Law Society.
Qualifications for persons who are eligible to serve as officers of Vermont Law School SALDF are as follows:
- Registration as a student at Vermont Law School,
- Membership in Vermont Law School SALDF,
- Attendance at a minimum of two meetings of Vermont Law School SALDF,
- Agreement to uphold the goals and purposes of Vermont Law School SALDF, comply with all bylaws, rules, regulation, and duly adopted the 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 within two weeks.
Article Five: Elections
Officers shall be elected each school year by a majority vote of the membership of Vermont Law School SALDF, shall serve a term of one year, and may be reelected. In the event that no candidate attracts the requisite number of votes for election, a run-off shall by held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
Students interested in serving as officers shall so inform the Vermont Law School SALDF no later than one week prior to the elections. In electing officers, each member shall have one vote.
Article Six: Meetings
Regular meeting of Vermont Law School SALDF shall be held at least once each semester. 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. A necessary quorum for all decisions shall be at least 51% of all members present at the meeting and must include at least one officer.
Special meetings of Vermont Law School SALDF may be called by any number of members, who shall inform the Co-Chairs or the entire membership at least one week prior to the date of the proposed meeting.
Article Seven: Affiliation with the Animal Legal Defense Fund
Activities of the Vermont Law School SALDF shall at all times be consistent with the purposes of the Animal Legal Defense Fund. No legal action will be initiated, endorsed, or supported in the name of SALDF, without prior approval of Animal Legal Defense Fund. SALDF shall keep Animal Legal Defense Fund informed of all public policy positions taken in the name of SALDF. SALDF shall also copy Animal Legal Defense Fund on all documents and correspondence submitted on behalf of SALDF. SALDF will not purport to speak for Animal Legal Defense Fund or commit it to any positions on any matter of public policy or law on behalf of Animal Legal Defense Fund without Animal Legal Defense Fund’s prior written consent.
Article Eight: Amendments
Any two current members shall be entitled to propose amendments. Proposed amendments shall be consistent with the By-Laws, and shall be communicated to Animal Legal Defense Fund and all seated SALDF 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. A two-thirds majority of all votes shall be required for any changes to this constitution.
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