About SALSA

The South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA) provides a forum for students in the Loyola Law School community who are interested in promoting a diverse network of legal professionals. The organization provides a sense of community for students of South Asian origin and reaches out to the wider law school student body to facilitate dialogue between all students interested in the legal, cultural, and political happenings in the South Asian region. We benefit the community through a variety of lectures, panels, film screenings, and social events aimed at educating and motivating students interested in South Asian culture and connecting students to law firms and legal professionals interested in diversity outreach.

SALSA had a great year in 2009-2010, thanks to the wonderful Board and SALSA membership. Stay tuned for all the great events planned for the upcoming year!

2010 – 2011 SALSA Board
President — Arpana Parikh
Vice-President — Kabir Chopra
Treasurer & Secretary — Andrew Dorado
External Chair — Puneet Toor

CONSTITUTION- SOUTH ASIAN LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

Article I

Name and Objective

This organization shall be known as the South Asian Law Students Association (SALSA).  SALSA serves to bring greater awareness and deeper understanding of political, cultural, historic, and legal roles of South Asian Americans.

Specifically, the objectives of SALSA are to:

• sponsor debates, feature speakers, and host public events to encourage dialogue, education, and awareness
• bridge the gap between the law school community and the community at large by providing opportunities for volunteerism and social activism
• facilitate programs to help members adjust and acclimate to the Loyola Law School environment and the legal profession by offering programs addressing academic concerns and career choices
• serve as a forum to discuss the cultural concerns of South Asian Americans working in the American legal profession
• establish a national network of exchange among South Asian American law students and attorneys.

In order to achieve these objectives, SALSA shall arrange to host speakers and panels regarding matters of interest and concern to members of SALSA; create an alumni network and database; promote social and networking activities with other organizations within the law school community and greater legal community.

Article II

Affiliations

SALSA is affiliated with the following organization(s):

The South Asian Bar Association (SABA)

Article III

Membership

Section 1: Membership in the South Asian Law Students Association is open to all students currently enrolled at Loyola Law School.

Section 2: The officers shall be elected at the end of the spring semester in accordance with Article VIII. Officers shall serve in their elected positions until the next election of officers by SALSA. Officers may resign or be removed in accordance with Article IX.

Section 3: The officers of SALSA shall constitute an Executive Board, consisting of the following positions:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• External Chair

Section 4: The powers and responsibilities of the officers shall be as follows:

The President is responsible for overseeing all SALSA activities, coordinating the duties of other officers, communicating information with SALSA members, and facilitating the creation of networking, professional, and social activities for SALSA members. The President also oversees with all routine logistical operations of SALSA.

The Vice-President shall assist the President in the daily functions of SALSA. And. In the event of absence, incapacity, resignation, or expulsion of the President, the Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President.

The Treasurer is responsible for the budget and organizes and coordinates all fundraising efforts to support SALSA activities. The Treasurer also assists with all routine logistical operations of SALSA.

The Secretary is responsible for managing the calendar of events and keeping records as well as creating networking opportunities with the greater South Asian legal community. The Secretary also assists with all routine logistical operations of SALSA.

The External Chair is responsible for the organization and coordination of social activities for member, including activities with other members of the law school community, members of the greater legal community, and members of the greater South Asian community. The External Chair also assists with all routine logistical operations of SALSA.

Article III

Executive Board

Section 1: The Executive Board (Board), as stated in Article II, is comprised of the officers of SALSA.

Section 2: The function of the Board is to supervise all activities of SALSA. The Board shall establish guidelines for the routine logistical operations of SALSA as well as for SALSA-sponsored activities, such as panel presentations. The Board shall have the power to approve the operating procedures established by the officers.

Section 3: The Board shall strive to make consensus-based decisions. In the event this is impractical, each member of the Board will have one vote, and all matters on which the Board votes shall pass with a simple majority of the Board members present. In the case of a tie, the matter in question shall be presented to the general membership for a vote.

Article IV

Meetings and Activities

Section 1: General meetings of SALSA and Board meetings shall be held at the discretion of the Board. Committees to organize specific events shall meet at their own discretion.

Article V

Voting

Section 1: All members shall have one vote per matter at general meetings. All Board members shall have one vote per matter at Board meetings.

Section 2: With the exception of matters concerning Articles VII and VIII, all motions shall pass by a simple majority of the members present.

Section 3: The Board may establish a means of voting by proxy as it deems advisable.

Article VI

Selection of Executive Board

Section 1: Officers shall be selected in the middle of the Spring semester as the Board decides.

Section 2: Any first or second year SALSA member is eligible to apply for a Board position.

Article VII

Resignation and Removal

Section 1: Any Board member may resign from a position on the Board by submitting a written resignation to the Board.

Section 2; Any Board member may be removed from the Board and relieved of all duties of the position by a unanimous vote of other Board members.

Section 3: Any SALSA member may be removed from SALSA by two-thirds majority of the membership at large.

Article VIII

Amendment

This Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any general meeting held after notification of at least one week in advance of the meeting. The Board may establish a means of voting by proxy for the purpose of Constitutional amendments.