League of United Latin American Citizens Council Meeting Handbook

League of United Latin American Citizens Council Meeting Handbook

Greetings LULAC Brothers and Sisters ,

On behalf of the LULAC National Board of Directors and staff, enclosed find our LULAC Meeting Handbook. This Handbook has been designed to assist all

members stay within the scope of their responsibility in conducting the business of the League. Feel Free to reproduce this handbook as needed.

As we enter our 92nd year of volunteer service in our communities throughout the country and Puerto Rico we thank you for all your accomplishments.

We urge you to remember to wear your LU LAC pin.-That is LULAC Pride! Since ramente,

Sindy Benavides

LULAC National Chief Executive Officer

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MISSION

The Mission of the League of United Latin American  Citi z ens  is to advance the economic cond itio n, educational attainment, polit ical influence, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the  United States.

LULACCode

Respect your citizenship and preserve it; honor your country, maintain its tradition in the spirit of its citizens and embody yourself into its culture and civilizat io n.

Be proud of your origin and maintain it immac ulate , respect your glorious past and help to defend the rights of alI the people.

Learn how to discharge your duties before you learn how to assert your rig hts; educate and make yourself worthy, and stand high in the light of your own deed; you must always be loyal and courageous.

Fi ll ed with optimism, make yourself socia ble , uprig ht, judicious, and above all things be sober and collected in your habits , cautious in your actions and sparing in your speech.

Believe in God , love Humanity and rely upon the framework of human progress, slow and sound,  unequivocal and firm.

Always be honorable and high-minded; learn how to be self-re liant upon your qualifications and resources.

In war serve your country, in peace your convictions; discern, investigate , meditate , think, study, and at all times be honest and generous. Let your firmest purpose be that of helping to see that each new generation shall be of youth more efficient and capable and in this let your own children  be included.

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AIMS AND PURPOSES

Based on the spirit of philosophy of our League and having unequivocal fa ith in its righteousness we propose:

I .  To  use all constitutional  means  at  our disposal  to  implement  with social  actio n  the  principles  set   forth in our philosophy;

  • To foster the learning and fluent use of  the English language  that we may thereby equip ourselves and our families for the fullest enjoyment of our rights and privileges and the efficient discharge of  our  duties and responsibilities to our country, but at the same time, exerting equal effort to foster the fluent mastery of the Spanish language which is part of our heritage and means of extending the cult ural horizons of our nation;
  • To constitute the League into a service organization to actively  promote and  foster suita ble  measures for the attainment of the highest of our American  society,  and to establish  cooperative  relations  with civ ic and governmental institutions and agencies in the field of public service.
  • To exert our unite d efforts to uphold the rights guaranteed to every individ ual by our state and national laws and to assure justice and equal treatment under these laws.
  • To combat with every means at our command all un- American tende ncies and act ions that deprive American citizens of their rights in educationa l institutions , in economic pursuits and  in social, civic and political activities:
  • To maintain the League free of all involvement in partisan politics  as  an  organization; however, we shall oppose any infringement upon the constit utio nal political rights of an individual to vote and/or be voted upon at local, state, and national levels;
  • To oppose any violent demonstrations or other acts that defy constitute d law and authority, desecrate the symbols of our nation, and threaten the physical and spiritua l welfare of individuals or inst itutio ns;
  • To promote and encourage the educat ion of youth and adults thro ugh scho lars hips. the constant vigilance of administrative and instructio nal practices in sc hools which depr ive persons of educational op portunities , the spo nsorship of c lasses in c itizens hip and other areas. and through the dissemination of informatio n about available training opportunities:
  • To make use of every medium of communicat ion at our disposal and to exert our combined efforts to promulgate and propagate the principles of the League, and augment its  influence  and  numerical growth;

I 0. To undergird the efforts postulated  in  our  Aims  and  Purposes  with  the  overall  objective  of  creating among our fellow cit ize ns, through example and a mutual exchange of concepts, an understanding and recognitio n of and an appreciation for the dignity, worth and potential of the in dividual.

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LULAC PRAYER

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage , we humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will.  Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning and pure manne rs. Save us from violence discord and confusion; from pride and arrogance , and from every evil way. Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindred and tongues.

Imbue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness; in the day of trouble suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

PHILOSOPHY

We believe in the democratic principle of individual political and religious freedom, the right of equality of social and economic opportun ity, and in the cooperative endeavor toward the development of an American Society wherein the cultural resources, integrity and dignity of every individual and group constitute basic assets of the American way of Life .

We believe that as American Citizen s we must assume our duties and responsibilities and assert our rights and privileges in pursuit of a fuller and richer civilization for our country.

We believe that education is the foundation for the cultural growth and development of this nation and that we are obligated to promote, protect and assure the right of our people to an education that is in accordance with the best American educational principles and standards; that we must deplore any infringement of this right wherever it may occur and regardless of whom it may affect.

We accept that it is not only the privilege but the obliga tio n of every member of this organization to uphold and defend the rights and duties vested in every American Citizen by the letter and spirit of the Law of the Land.

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LULAC HOUSE RULES

•         Do Not Personalize Issues

  • Be Courteous and Respectful of Others
  • Be Prepared-Do Your Homework
  • Give Everyone a Chance to Participate
  • Avoid One Person Monopolizing Discussion
  • Be Nice After a Vote-Move to Next Issue
  • Ask Significant Questions
  • No Surprises
  • Have Fun – Keep Your Sense of Humor
  • Be Honest – Keep Your Commitments
  • Disagree Agreeably
  • Listen Before Judging

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LULAC COUNCIL #                        _ ATTENDANCE SHEET

DATE: _   _   _   _   _

NAME              ADDRESS                                    PHONE

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LULAC COUNCIL#          

ATTENDANCE SHEET DATE:            

NAME               ADDRESS              PHONE

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LULAC MEETING AGENDA

«I declare this meeting duly convened and qualified to consider and transact such business as may come before this Council. Let us now rise and extend an invitation to our

Chaplain to give the official Prayer of the League. ..»

PRAYER: Chaplain or other designated member.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Sergeant-at-Arms or other designated member.

ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Secretary (all members and guests must sign the attendance sheet provided by Secretary. It must be dated and attached to the minutes of the meeting.)

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS OR NEW PROSPECTS: President or escort

READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: Secretary

TREASURER»S REPORT: Treasurer

OFFICER’S REPORT: All Council Officers, District, State, and National etc. ..

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: Committee Chair or designated member

UNFINISHED OR OLD BUSINESS: May be brought up by President or members (President may bring up the business and inform but cannot take part in the debate without giving up the chair)

NEW BUSINESS: May be brought up by President or members (President may present and inform but cannot take part in the debate without giving up the Chair)

ELECTIONS, NEW APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP, INSTALLATIONS:

President

GOOD AND WELFARE OF THE LEAGUE: Any member recognized by the Chair

ADJOURMENT: President

«The meeting is adjourned and the time is:               _

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Meeting Minutes of LULAC Council #                  DATE:                 _

Meeting called to order at _  _   _  _   _  _   _  _ _  _     by _  _  _   _  _   _  _   _  _   _  _ _  _

Prayer By:                                          Pledge of Allegiance Read By: _  _  _  _  _  _  _  _

Roll Call of Officers:

(Attendance sheet is circulated for sign in)

Introduction of Guests or New Prospects:

Reading and Approval of Previous Minutes:

Treasurer’s Report:

Officer’s Reports:

Meeting Minutes of Council #                              Date:                  _

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Standing Committee Reports:

Special Committee Reports:

Old Business:

New Business:

Meeting Minutes of Council #                                             Date:                 _

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Elections and New Applications:

«Good and Welfare of the League»:

Ad journ ment:

Meeting Adjourned At:                              _

Minutes Taken By:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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STANDING COMMITTEES OF LULAC

Membership ……….. …… …. Chairman                                                                                 _

Education…………………………. Chairman                                                                                         

Ways and Means .… ….  …. … Chairman                                                                                      

Issues..……. ….. . .. . ... Chairman                                                                                     

Public Relations/Media …… Chairman                                                                                        

Fundraising …..  . ……  ……… Chairman                                                                                      

Civil Rights ... …. .…. …. ….. Chairman                                                                                        

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PRINCIPAL MOTIONS AND RULES OF ROBERT’S RULE

GENERAL RULES:

I. A motion must be made to the Chair after you have been recognized by the Chair.

  • In gene ral, all important motions should be seconded, which may be done without rising or addressing the Chair.
  • When a motion has been made , seconded and stated by the Chair, the assembly is not at liberty to consider any other business until the motion has been disposed of.
  • The mover «cannot» withdraw the motion after it has been stated by the Chair.
  • The presiding Chair may participate in the debate of a motion only after releasing the  chair to the appropriate officer. The Chair should release the chair only to make pertinent points on the debate and not give personal  preferences on either side of the question before the assembly.

PRINCIPAL MOTIONS:

  1. TO AMEND: This motion is to change, add or omit words in the «original main motion’ ‘ and is debatable and requires a majority vote to pass.

(To amend the amendment) this is a motion to change, add or omit words in the «first amendment» and is debated and requires a majority vote to pass. METHOD: the first vote is on » changing words» per the amendment, the next vote (if first vote adopts change) is on adopting the main motion as changed. If the first vote DOES NOT adopt the change, the next vote is on the «original main mot io n»

Note: No motion can be changed or voted on with changes without going through the amendment procedures. This includes «Friendly Amendments» which must still go through the same procedure. There are no » Friendly Amendme nts.»

  • TO COMMIT: This motion is used when it becomes necessary for a motion to be studied or investigated further. Then, it can be moved «TO COMM IT» the original motion to committee for further consideration. This motion is debatable, amendable and requires a majority vote. The Committee must bring up this motion .

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  • TO LAY ON THE TABLE: The object of this is to postpone the subject under discussion in such a way that is can be taken up at some time » in the future». This motion is not debatable or amendable and requires a majority vote to pass.
  • TO POSTPONE: A motion to postpone the question before the assembly to some future time is in order and can be made anytime during discussion except  when a speaker  has the floor. This motion is unlike «to lay on the table» in that it is debatable and amendable which allows discussion on when to reconsider. It require s a majority vote to pass. Original motion can be brought up again just as regular «Old Business.»
  • TO RECONSIDER: This motion is to reconsider a motion that was lost on a vote of the assembly. This motion is in order only if made on the «SAME DAY»  and must be made by the person that voted on the prevailing side. This motion is debatable and requires a majority vote to pass. No question can be twice reconsidered. This motion requires two votes; first to reconsider and then a vote on the original motion being reconsidered.
  • THE PREVIOUS QUESTION: This motion is to close debate or discussion on the pending question before the assembly. This motion is in order anytime during debate but must be recognized by the Chair. The correct form is » Mr. Chairman (or other) I move the previous question .» The motion is not debatable . Chairman asks «shall debate be closed and questions to vote now puf’ and a vote is taken on the «previo us question motion» first. It requires two-thirds (2/3) vote to pass. If adopted, a vote on the question before the assembly is immediately take and no further discus s ion whatsoever is allowed.
  • POINT OF ORDER: This motion is always in order but can be used only to present an objection to ruling of the chair or some method of parliamentary procedure. The correct form is «Mr. Chairman (or other), I rise to a point of order.» The Chair answers, » Plea s e state your point of o rder.» Only at this time does the member state the objection . The Chair then answe rs: Your point is s ustained or your point is denied.  If any member is not satisfie d, then they may appeal the decision of the Chair. The Chair must address the appeal to the assembly. It is treated like any other motion and is debatable.  On this motion, the chair may discuss it without leaving the chair. A majority of  no votes reverses the ruling of the Chai r.
  • TO ADJOURN: This motion is  used to adjourn a meeting and is always in order during a meeting . When a speaker has the floor; when a vote is being taken; immediately after this motion has just been voted down; and when the assembly is in the midst of some business which cannot be «ab ruptly » sto pped. The motion is not debatable and requires a majority vote to pass.

When the motion is made to adjourn to a «defi nite place and time » then the motion is debatable and requ ire s a majority vote.

Note: A common mis ta ke is for the Chair to adjourn without a motion. At the end of the meeting , the Chair should ask » Do I hear a motion to adjourn?» and a vote is taken.

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NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

I . When allowed by the Council, a nomination committee can be used to present candidates for office to the council. The committee makes its report and  presents a slate; one name for each office to be filled by a vote. The committee’s nominations are treated just as if made from the floor by members . No vote is taken in accepting the nominations of the committee.

  • A er the committee presents the slate, the Chair asks if there are any more nominations. If there are more nominations from the floor, the names are added to those submitted by the committee. The nominations are taken  by preference of the assembly; office by office or all at one time.
  • Nominations are not seconded and thus seconds are not recognized.
  • A motion to close nominations  is in order only after the council  has had reasonable time to add nominations . It is not debatable and is incidental only to nominations. It may be amended only to time of closing nominations and can have no other subsidiary motions applied to this motion. It requires two-thirds (2/3) vote to pass. A motion to reopen nominations is in order anytime before voting begins.  It is  not debatable and  requires only a majority vote. It can be amended only at that time with no other motions applied to it.
  • A member may withdraw their name from nomination because they can not serve, but no member can withdraw «in favor of another member»
  • Each member may vote for any eligible person whether nominated or not.
  • After nominations are close d, the assembly proceeds to the elec tion . Voting is done as described in the by-laws or by the decision of the assembly.
  • The candidate with a majority of votes (or plurality if stated in the by-laws) is declared elected to fill the office. Majority means more than half of the votes cast. Voting may continue until one candidate reaches this number.
  • Chair Votes : On a ballot vote, the Chair marks his ballot and turns it in with the others. From the Chair, the presiding officer votes in a tie, casting the deciding vote. In elections, in case of a tie, the balloting continues until a candidate receives a majority.

10 . To move that an election be made unanimous is a mistaken courtesy and very common mistake . It forces those who did not vote for the candidate to unwil li ngly transfer their vote. thus making it look like a unanimous vote when it was not. One negative response defeats this motion and the vote cannot be unanimous.

11 . An election takes effect immediately after the business session is completed unless previously stated in the by-laws specifying a different date. This does not mean that officers assume office at the meeting. (The date is also described in the by-la ws or constitution) It just means that elections are over and official.

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DECORUM

Probably the most serious defect in most meetings is the lack of reasonable decorum. These are some general rules to follow:

I. Good order must be maintained if business is to be carried out. This responsibility is not only of the officers but of the whole council.

  • Courtesy would demand that there should be no whispering or commotion while a speaker has the floor.
  • Do not speak too frequently, whether an officer or member.
  • Beware of personalities. Note the question at hand and not who is presenting and what you thin k of them.
  • As much as possible, state facts rather as what you think want or believe.
  • Be tactful and respectful.
  • Respect the opinion of others as you would have them respect yours. Remember, not everyone agrees the same, but everyone has the right to their opinion and the right to state it.
  • Speak your ideas and opinions while the motion is pending, when in order and after being recognized. This is the time and not after vote has been  taken and «especially  not after the meeting is ove r.»
  • Each organization has its own specific decorum, protocol and rules of conduct. These have often taken long years of «experience.» Officers and members should be very careful not to infringe or steer away from those rules and traditions unless it is a consensus of the assembly to do so. Remember, this is what has made your organization what it is.

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LULAC Offices

Washington, DC

LULAC National Office

Sindy Benavides, National Executive Director 1133  I 91h   St,  NW, Ste  1000

Was hington, DC 20036 (202) 833-6130

EL Paso, Texas

LU LAC Membership Office

Lupe Morale s, Director of Membership Service s 221 N. Kansas, Suite 501

El Paso, TX 79901 (915) 577-0726

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Para trabajar por la Estadidad: https://estado51prusa.com Seminarios-pnp.com https://twitter.com/EstadoPRUSA https://www.facebook.com/EstadoPRUSA/
Para trabajar por la Estadidad: https://estado51prusa.com Seminarios-pnp.com https://twitter.com/EstadoPRUSA https://www.facebook.com/EstadoPRUSA/