Intellectual Property Law Society Constitution
Article I: Name
Section I: Name
This Constitution establishes our Organization at Oklahoma City University School of Law, hereafter known as “Intellectual Property Law Society” or “IPLS.”
Article II: Mission
Section I: Mission
The mission of this Organization is to promote the progress of science and the useful arts at the Oklahoma City University College of Law and across the world; to help educate people about the legal rights governing creations of the mind; to address contemporary issues affecting the public’s access to knowledge; to provide a professional networking resource to students and alumni. IPLS seeks to promote intellectual property interests both within Oklahoma City University School of Law and the greater legal community. Specifically, this Organization’s goal is to promote awareness and a greater understanding of intellectual property law issues, as well as provide opportunities for OCU Law students to engage with the intellectual property law community at large.
Section II: Compliance with Campus Policy
Our Organization is willing to abide by all campus policies and guidelines, especially relating to on or off-campus activities that our Organization may sponsor or in which we may participate.
Article III: Membership
Section I: Membership Eligibility
Any person who is registered as a law student at Oklahoma City School of Law may be a member of the Intellectual Property Law Society.
To qualify as a member, law students must pay the annual membership dues for that academic year.
Annual membership dues will be owed by either the first or second general meeting held during the fall semester of that academic year, exceptions will be made subject to President’s discretion on a case-by-case basis.
These annual membership dues will be determined by the Executive Board and fixed by the first general meeting for that academic year.
Section II: Categories of Membership
Voting membership is limited to currently enrolled students. Others such as faculty, alumni, professionals, etc. are encouraged to become members but as non-voting associates or honorary members.
Section III: Enrollment
Any student, faculty member, alumni, professional, etc. who attends 2 (two) meetings for that academic year, and pays the yearly dues shall be deemed a member of the Intellectual Property Law Society.
Section IV: Voluntary Member Withdrawal
Any member of our organization can voluntarily withdraw from the organization at any time.
Section V: Advisory Member
Professor Douglas Sorocco will “advise” the IPLS to ensure that the organization is taking the most efficient route to achieve its “purpose.”
Section VI: Non-discrimination
In keeping with OCU School of Law’s policy of non-discrimination, our organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, and physical or mental ability or disability.
Section VII: Membership Fees
The fee ensures we will have food and drinks at events throughout the year, graduating members who have paid the annual fee and attended at least two (2) meetings that academic year will receive a cord, executive members shall receive a stole, and will help with the general operation of the organization.
Article IV: Officers
Section I: Offices
The Intellectual Property Law Society shall have a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Student Bar Association (SBA) Representative. This group shall make up the positions of the Executive Board.
Section II: Office Placement
All of the above officers shall be elected by the general membership of the Intellectual Property Law Society.
Section III: Premature Office Vacancy
In the event any office, except for the President, becomes vacant, a special election shall be held at the next meeting of the general membership.
In the event that the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall assume the role, and take over the duties, of the President until the next election.
Section IV: Creation of Additional Executive Offices
The Executive Board reserves the right to create more offices as needed with the approval of a simple majority of active membership.
Article V: Duties of Officers
Section I: Duties of the President
The President and the Treasurer shall be responsible for signing all disbursements of funds.
The President shall be responsible for agenda preparation; all agenda items must be submitted to the President at least 48 hours before a regularly scheduled meeting, except in an emergency.
The President shall keep all permanent records for the IPLS.
The President shall be in charge of coordinating social activities for the IPLS.
The President will be responsible for the preparation and presentation of the IPLS budget proposal to the Student Bar Association (SBA) in conjunction with the Treasurer.
The President will be responsible for counting the votes cast on proposed amendments, along with the Vice President who will perform a recount.
The President will be responsible for fulfilling or appointing other officers to fulfill other duties as needed.
Section II: Duties of the Vice President
The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, assume the duties of the President.
In the event that the office of the President is vacated before the term of duty is completed, the Vice President shall assume the position of the President until the next election.
The Vice President shall be in charge of the development and preparation of social activities, fundraising, and general meetings for the IPLS.
The Vice President shall assist the President in the coordination of local activities.
The Vice President shall be responsible for performing a recount on votes cast on proposed amendments.
Other duties as appointed by the President.
Section III: Duties of the Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes of the meeting of the general membership and those of the executive body.
The Secretary shall be responsible for informing the membership of the scheduled meetings.
The Secretary shall be responsible for collecting and distributing mail, and email.
Other duties as appointed by the President.
Section IV: Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for coordinating fundraising activities in conjunction with the Vice President.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial records of the IPLS.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for purchasing supplies necessary for maintaining the organization.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for balancing the budget.
Other duties as appointed by the President.
Section V: Duties of the SBA Representative[s]
The SBA Representative shall be the liaison between the IPLS and the SBA.
The SBA Representative shall report to the general membership information received from the SBA, including projects and programs which facilitate the purpose of the IPLS, or OCU School of Law.
Other duties as appointed by the President.
Article VI: Election of Officers
Section I: Election Process and Impeachment
Any member of the IPLS may run for office and begin campaigning 30 days from election day and must cease campaigning 2 days before elections.
Elections of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary shall take place at the last meeting of the Spring Semester. This meeting shall take place no later than one week before Final Exam week of the Spring Semester. Officers elected at that time will assume office immediately.
All voting shall be by secret ballot.
In the election for officers, the winning candidate must have a majority of the votes to be declared elected. The President will chair the elections, with full voting rights.
The President will count the ballots, and the Vice President will verify the count.
Officers may be impeached for abusing their power or engaging in other unethical conduct and may be removed by impeachment via secret ballot among the officers, not including the officer facing impeachment.
A vote for impeachment of an officer is warranted if any one officer recommends an impeachment hearing be held, during which the officer in question shall have time to explain themselves before the vote.
Section II: Officer Eligibility
Eligibility requirements for ALL office positions are as follows:
Student must be an active member of the IPLS;
Student must be in Good Standing at OCU School of Law; and
Student must be returning to OCU School of Law
SBA Liaison
Any member of the IPLS is eligible to fill this role.
A minimum of one (1) SBA Liaison must be active throughout the academic year.
Section IV: Voting Power
Each active member shall have one vote for the offices of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and SBA Representative.
Section V: Optional Officers
The President, with approval of board members, may appoint optional officers to positions in the event of demand.
Optional officer positions may consist of a Social Chairperson, Community Service Chairperson. Optional officer positions will be created at the discretion of the President and board members.
Optional officer positions will last only for the duration of an Academic Year or until the need of the position is no longer of service.
Article VII: Meetings
Section I: General Membership Meetings
The general membership of the IPLS shall meet at least three times a semester and may include events, panels, or any other gathering.
Meeting days and times shall be decided by the President.
A quorum shall be constituted by at least 3 members present at the beginning of each meeting.
Section II: Executive Meetings
The executive body shall meet at least once a month.
Meeting days and times shall be decided by the President.
Article VIII: Amendments and Ratification
Section I: Substantial Amendments
Amendments to vary the substance of this Constitution and the Bylaws shall be ratified upon proper motion and approval by two-thirds of the general membership as long as there is an affirmative vote from both the President and the Treasurer.
Section II: Collateral Amendments
The executive body shall have the power to amend this Constitution and Bylaws in order to correct typos and other similar errors.
Section III: Matters unaddressed by the Constitution or Bylaws
In the event that the Constitution and Bylaws are silent on an issue, the executive body will resolve the issue by a majority vote.
Section IV: Substantial Amendment Proposals
Proposals to amend a substantive matter may be proposed by any active member of the general membership as long as said member:
Has the written support of at least three other active members, or;
Has the written support of at least one member of the executive body.
Proposals to amend a substantive matter may be proposed by any executive board member.
Section V: Timeframe for Proposals
All proposals must be submitted via email to the IPLS Secretary within 48 hours prior to a general membership meeting; the additional members in support of amendment must be copied on the email, and their names must also be included within the email itself with a notation stating that they are also in support of the amendment.
Section VI: Voting on Proposed Matters
Voting on a proposed matter(s) will take place at the end of the next meeting of the general membership.
All members, both general and executive, shall cast a single vote on the issue via secret ballot; a two-thirds vote in favor of the amendment must be made in order for the amendment to pass.
Article IX: Organization Agreement
Section I: Organizational Compliance
The IPLS agrees to abide by the OCU Code of Conduct and Student Handbook.
The IPLS agrees to communicate via email upon request.
The IPLS agrees to update the organization’s records whenever there is a change.