Emory Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Society Constitution

Preamble:

            This Constitution is written with two goals in mind.  The first goal is to create an efficient simple core governance process.  The second goal is to help preserve the institutional knowledge through time. 

            A central element of institutional knowledge is a clear purpose of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society.  The ADR Society exists to provide Emory Law students with opportunities to learn about Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, utility, and technique.  It does this by sending members to tournaments and conferences, promoting the role of ADR at Emory Law, and constantly encouraging new and innovative practices throughout the community.

Specifically the ADR Society has five goals:

1.     Promotion of ADR as a necessary skill for today’s successful attorney,

2.     Development of students’ advocacy skills,

3.     Lobbying the law school’s administration for a more comprehensive ADR program,

4.     Participation in and creation of community ADR programs, and

5.     Successfully competing in regional and national ADR competitions.

Membership:

            To qualify for membership in this organization, prospective individuals must be a student, professor, or otherwise associated with Emory University School of Law in accordance with the regulations of Emory University.  Thus, membership is open to all members of the Emory University School of Law community.  This organization will not discriminate, in accordance with the Emory University Policy Statement on Discriminatory Harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or veteran’s status.

Board of Directors:

Positions:

1.     Chief Director – Any individual who was a member of the ADR Society during their residence at Emory Law.  The goal of this position is to provide a contact person if current officers have questions or need advice.  The ideal person is an Alumni but where there are no available alumni a 3L may serve in this position.

2.     Two Senior Directors – A Senior Director maybe any ADR member who is a 3L.  The role of a Senior Director is help the new officers become familiar with their duties.  In addition the Senior Directors are responsible for coordinating conference attendance.

Appointment:

            The outgoing Board of Directors appoints their successors.  Individuals interested in serving on the Board of the directors have the responsibility of notifying the board.  Each person who notifies to board will be considered for the following year’s appointment. 

Officers:

Positions:

1.     President – May be any rising 2L or 3L.

2.     VP of the Treasury  – May be any rising 2L or 3L

3.     VP of Outreach – May be any rising 2L or 3L

Election:

            All Officer positions will be elected by popular vote of all current ADR Society members.

Duties:

1.     President:

·      Submit tournament entry

·      Coordinate travel

·      Organize meetings

·      Organize elections

·      Securing ongoing funding

·      General operation

2.     Vice President of the Treasury:

·      File reimbursements

·      General accounting

·      Take/file notes at meetings

3.     Vice President of Social Outreach:

·      Coordinating Keg Sponsorship

·      Coordinating ADR Society’s involvement in all Emory Law or Emory University events.

Ad Hoc Appointment:

            In addition to the above required executive positions, the President, upon consulting with the other Officers, may appoint a new officer position to assist in operations for a term not to extend past the Presidents tenure.

Operations:

Approved Activities: All activities or events will not become approved by this organization unless they are approved by a quorum of executive officers.  Once activities are approved, all officers may be called upon to assist in the planning of or supervision of such activities.

Meetings:  At least one general membership meeting must take place per semester.  Special meetings may be called by the Officers who must give members 24 hour advanced notice.

Handbook: the ADR Society Handbook guides day-to-day operations.  It is the collective responsibility of the Officers and Directors to ensure the Handbook is up to date.  It should have a rough timeline of due dates for tournaments, information on funding sources and contacts, and any other general information required by new officers to successfully execute events.

Events: Any event sponsored or run by the ADR Society must be open to any student at Emory Law.  Some events, in particular tournaments, cannot logistically support a large number of participants.  For these events the selection criteria will be set by the Officers but must ensure that every desiring students has a reasonable opportunity to compete regardless of skill or grades.   

Amendments: This constitution may be amended by unanimous vote by this organization’s officers.  All amendments must be submitted to the SGA office for approval within 72 hours of the vote.