The Constitution of

Liga Filipina
Est. 1992

The Constitution of Liga Filipina

(Revised 09/16/13)
Preamble

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WE THE MEMBERS of Liga Filipina hereby dedicate our time and efforts to fulfilling the goals
of our mission statement, advocating unity among peer cultural and social groups within the
campus community and with other Filipino contingents under the FIND umbrella, and
providing social opportunities for all those interested in reaching out to our family.

Article I. Name of Organization - Liga Filipina

The name Liga Filipina derives its name from the revolutionary group La Liga Filipina,
founded by Jose Rizal against Spain. It is the Filipino Cultural Organization of the State
University of New York at Albany and one of the seven member schools of District IV
under the FIND (Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue) umbrella.

Article II. Purpose

A. To promote unity among Filipino students and those interested in Filipino culture.
B. To represent Filipino students in the University and the community through service.
C. To provide members various social activities that represent Filipino culture and/or
other interests of the members.
D. To promote and encourage interaction and mutual understanding amongst the
club’s members.
E. To provide forums for contemporary issues faced by Filipinos and Filipino
Americans.
F. To educate and influence the campus and local Albany communities on Filipino
history and culture.

Article III Membership

A. Any student is eligible for membership including non-Filipinos. No discrimination

on any grounds or justifications will be tolerated.
B. A member will be given the autonomy to decide how actively involved he/she is
throughout the course of the school year.
C. A member will be informed of Liga Filipina’s events and workshops through the use
of various media to the best of the Executive Board’s (E-board) ability.
D. A rubric for formal membership and eligibility for attending F.I.N.D. conference and
voting in Executive Board elections is to be determined at the beginning of each fall
semester by members of the new Executive Board.

Article IV. Organization

A. Mass Meetings:
1. Mass Meetings will be held twice per academic year; once at the start of each
semester.
2. Mass Meetings will be organized and promoted by Liga Filipina’s E-board.
3. For a Mass Meeting to be valid, quorum shall consist of E-board and at least two-
fifths of the previous year’s active roster.
4. Mass Meetings are to be open to the public; both to current members and to
those with any specific interests in Liga.
5. Mass Meetings will be informative about the semester to come and about major
events to be held during the school year.

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 B. Executive Board:
1. The Executive Board consists of eleven chairpersons: President, Vice President,
Treasurer, Secretary, Cultural Chairs (2), Public Relations Officers (2), Social
Chairs (2), and Programming Chairperson.
2. The E-board will meet at least once per week.
3. Executive Officers are authorized to speak and act to further benefit the interests
of Liga Filipina.
4. Executive Officers are responsible for all communications and actions issued
under their title during their tenure.
5. Executive Officers are responsible for teaching newly elected officers the internal
structure of Liga Filipina.

C. Board of Directors (Intern Positions):

1. The Board of Directors shall be revised every year to reflect the needs and wants
of Liga Filipina.
2. The revision shall be decided by the newly elected Executive Board.
3. Here are the possible board of directors positions (positions may be edited,
added, or removed at the discretion of the newly elected E-board):
i. FIND Representative(s) (Intern Position for FIND/D4
Representative)
ii. Cultural Committee Assitant Director(s) (Intern Position for
Cultural Chair)
iii. Treasury Intern (Intern Position for Treasurer)
1. The Executive Board shall appoint the Board of Directors.
2. The Executive Board shall decide which meetings the Board of Directors’
attendance is required.
3. The Board of Directors is authorized to speak and act to further benefit the
interests of Liga Filipina and the members.
4. The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing committees.

Article V. Official Duties of Executive Board Members

A. The Duties and Powers of the President :

The Presidency is the office specifically catering to the organization’s external

affairs.

1. The President is hereby empowered to carry out this constitution.

2. The President will have the authority to take any action necessary in accordance
with this constitution to develop Liga Filipina further.
3. The President shall have the power to set all meetings and agenda for said
meetings.
4. The President will be responsible for the operation of Liga Filipina as a whole.
5. The President will also be responsible to the Student Association, and ergo:
6. The President is required to take the annual Comptroller’s Treasurer’s Exam in
the fall of their term.
7. Should the President fail to take or pass the Comptroller’s Treasurer’s Exam,
Liga Filipina’s allocated budget shall be frozen.
8. As a result of passing the Comptroller’s Treasurer’s Exam, The President shall
receive signatory powers toward the Student Association Budget of Liga Filipina,
Account No. 2007.

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 9. Under new SA regulation effective Sept. 2012, the President may not use his/her
signatory powers with the exception of:
a) Upon approval of the Comptroller for validated reasons or
b) To sign off on a reimbursement for the Treasurer
10. The President is required to represent Liga Filipina at any Multicultural Affairs
Cluster meetings and meetings with the Director of Multicultural Affairs.
11. In the event that the President cannot attend, will appoint a person to do so in
their absence.
12. The President shall be a liaison to all external associations that can help further
the goals of Liga Filipina.
13. The President must attend meetings of the Asian Organization Council.
14. In the event that the President cannot attend, will appoint a person to do so in
their absence.
15. The President must attend meetings at the request of the Multicultural Office of
Student Success.
16. In the event that the President cannot attend, will appoint a person to do so in
their absence.
17. The President must attend Town-Hall meetings at the request of the Student
Association.
18. In the event that the President cannot attend, will appoint a person to do so in
their absence.
19. The President shall review and amend this constitution in conjunction with the
secretary as necessary during his/her fall semester in office.
20. Should Liga’s faculty advisor retire/graduate, the President is responsible for
seeking a new advisor.
21. The President should remember that as the Chief Executive of the organization,
he/she must act in good faith and at all times, conduct him/herself accordingly.
22. The President shall have the power to act for Liga Filipina in an emergency with
the approval of the Vice President.

B. The Duties and Powers of the Vice President:

The Vice Presidency is the office specifically catered towards internal affairs.
These powers shall also entail the following.

1. The Vice President will assume the role of the President and receive all of his/her
rights and responsibilities in the President’s absence.
2. The Vice President will be responsible for drafting a formal strike system for the
Executive Board the year they uphold their position.
a) They may edit the strike system at any time during the year with the
approval of the Executive Board.
3. All issues of internal affairs should be taken confidentially to the Vice President.
a) Issues will be resolved at the discretion of the Vice President.
b) Issues that involve the Vice President directly should be taken
confidentially to the President.
4. The Vice President will also be responsible for the running of elections under the
rules provided herein.
5. In the event of an absence of the Secretary or Executive Board meetings, the Vice
President is responsible for taking minutes.
6. In consultation with the President, shall act in emergency situations.
7. The Vice President shall be a liaison to all external associations that can help
further the goals of Liga Filipina.

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 8. The Vice President is required to represent Liga Filipina at any Multicultural
Affairs cluster meetings.
9. In the event that he/she cannot attend, he/she shall appoint an appropriate
attendee.
10. The Vice President shall receive signatory powers to Copies Plus.
11. The Vice President shall oversee oversee all activity of the FIND
Representative(s).

C. The Duties and Powers of the Treasurer:

The Treasury is the office that manages all financial and budgetary aspects of the
organization.

1. The Treasurer will be responsible for all funds of the organization.

2. The Treasurer is the chief director of all fundraising events.
a) They will develop and create ideas for fundraisers, as well as oversee
them.
b) These events include, but are not limited to:
- Fiesta
- Simbang Gabi
3. The Treasurer is required to take the annual Comptroller’s Treasurer’s Exam in
the fall of their term.
4. Should the Treasurer fail to either take or pass the Comptroller’s Exam, Liga
Filipina’s allocated budget shall be frozen.
5. Should the Treasurer fail to pass the exam after their second attempt, a new
treasurer must be appointed by the Executive Board.
6. As a result of passing the Comptroller’s Treasurer’s Exam, the Treasurer shall
receive signatory powers toward the Student Association budget of Liga Filipina,
Account No. 2007.
7. The Treasurer shall be responsible for checking and emptying the contents in
Liga Filipina’s group mailbox in CC 116 weekly and reporting all mail at E-board
meetings.
8. The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping an accurate, up to date, expense
spreadsheet and be prepared to provide it at the request of The President or The
SA Comptroller.
9. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the Treasurer’s Safe Box; its contents must
be organized and protected solely by the Treasurer.
a) In the Treasurer’s absence, the President is responsible for keeping the
Safe Box’s contents organized and secure.
10. The Treasurer shall oversee all activity of his/her respective intern.

D. The Duties and Powers of the Secretary :

The Secretarial Office specifically oversees all media production and official
documentation.

1. The Secretary will be responsible for the taking of minutes on each meeting, the
official documentation of these minutes and the approval of these minutes at the
beginning of each meeting.
1. The Secretary shall also edit all documentation.
a) This includes the revision of the Liga Filipina Constitution, annually.
2. The Secretary will also be responsible for the counting of votes when elections
are held (If the Secretary is running for a position on the Executive Board for the

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 following year, graduating Seniors on the Executive Board will assume this
responsibility).
3. The Secretary shall develop and create Liga Filipina’s Newsletter, La Solaridad.
4. Advertising and/or promotion of Liga Filipina’s events are directed toward the
Secretary in conjunction with the Public Relations Officer.
5. The Secretary shall review and amend this constitution in conjunction with the
President as necessary during his/her fall semester in office.
6. The Secretary shall receive signatory powers to Copies Plus.

E. The Duties and Powers of the Cultural Chairs:

The Cultural Chairs are responsible for planning and organizing all events including
cultural shows, and performances for external organizations.

1. The significant events that deal with the cultural officers include Asian Occasion
and Simbang Gabi in the fall and Fiesta Filipiniana in the spring.
2. The Cultural Chairs are also Cultural Committee Co-Directors.
3. The Cultural Chairs should be knowledgeable of the Filipino culture including
the national anthem, cultural dances, the language, and history.
4. The Cultural Chairs will coordinate with the Programming Chairperson should
he/she need aid in the development or execution of his/her program.
5. The Cultural Chairs shall oversee all activity of the Cultural Committee Assistant
Director(s).

F. The Duties and Powers of the Public Relations Officers :

The Public Relations Officers (PR) are responsible for the social and advertising
aspect of Liga.

1. The PR is responsible for the publicity and advertising aspect of Liga Filipina.
a) This includes the designing of all flyers.
a) The PR is responsible for posting flyers.
b) The PR is responsible for updating all social media outlets with content
that is stylistically, grammatically, and contextually appropriate.
2. The PR is to attend other organizations mass meetings, small-scale events and
publicize upcoming Liga events and activities.

G. The Duties and Powers of the Social Chairs:

The Social Chairs are responsible for managing relationships with all external
organizations and planning all social events on the internal end for Liga.

1. The Social Chairs shall plan all social events for Liga including but not limited to:
a) Simbang Gabi
b) Potlucks
2. The Social Chairs are responsible for establishing a community service event.
a) There should be at least one per semester.
3. The Social Chairs shall draft an active member roster in the fall semester and
manage it throughout the school year.
4. The Social Chairs are responsible for creating sporting activities that the
organization desires to participate in.

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 a) This includes all the logistics that is involved in establishing a sports
activity including providing the facility, contacting necessary
establishments, etc.)
5. Management of external relations with other organizations (i.e. performance
groups, cultural groups, greek organizations, faith groups, gender and sexuality
groups, groups in the Albany community etc.) is a priority for this position.
a) The Social Chairs are also responsible for
i. E-mail and other communication between Liga and other groups.
ii. Performance requests from other groups.
iii. Performance requests to other groups for Liga events.

H. The Duties and Powers of the Programming Chairperson

The Programming Chairperson establishes workshops and programs that

educate the UAlbany and local community on Filipino culture.

1. The Programming Chairperson is responsible for at least 2 programs/workshops

a semester NOT including:
a) The Nativity Scene (Simbang Gabi)
2. The Programming Chairperson should be familiar with Filipino culture/history.
3. The Programming Chairperson shall work in conjunction with the Cultural
Chairs should he/she seek aid.
4. The Programming Chairperson may opt to collaborate with other student groups
for a program.

Article VI. Official Duties of the Board of Directors

A. The D4/FIND Representative(s):

The D4/FIND Representative is the official intern position associated with the office
of Vice Presidency.

The D4/FIND Rep.(s) shall be elected by the general body of Liga Filipina members
at Executive Board elections in the spring.
Any additional D4/FIND Rep.(s) may be appointed by members of the Executive
Board during the Fall semester of the school year.

The D4/FIND Representative(s) are responsible for establishing D4/FIND in the

school community if at all possible. The D4/FIND Rep.(s) are responsible for all
information concerning FIND National and District IV (upstate NY).

1. The D4/FIND Rep.(s) are responsible for relaying all information aforementioned
above to the organization.
2. The D4/FIND Rep.(s) are responsible for attending District IV Representative
meetings and, if possible, organizing District IV gatherings on the UAlbany
campus.
3. There is to be a maximum of three interns for this available intern position.

B. The Treasury Intern:

The Treasury Intern is the official intern position associated with the Treasury office.

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 1. The Treasury Intern shall be elected by the E-board.
2. The Treasury Intern is to shadow the Treasurer once appointed.
3. The Treasury Intern will be given a copy of the Treasurer’s expense spreadsheet
to update for his/herself.
4. The Treasury Intern will assist the Treasurer in preparing the annual budget
proposal.
5. The Treasury Intern will attend at least one walk-in to SA Comptroller office
hours with the Treasurer.
6. The Treasury Intern will assist the Treasurer with at least one fundraiser.
7. There is to be a maximum of one intern for this available intern position.

C. The Cultural Committee Assistant Director(s):

The Cultural Committee Assistant Director(s) is the official intern position associated
with the Cultural Chairs.

1. The Cultural Committee Assistant Director(s) shall be appointed by the Cultural

Chairs.
2. The Cultural Committee Assistant Director(s) shall coordinate with the Cultural
Chairs in establishing committees for upcoming cultural shows, events, and
performances.
3. The Cultural Committee Assistant Director(s) are responsible for managing their
respective committees with help from the Cultural Chairs.
4. The Cultural Committee Assistant Director(s) shall develop their knowledge of
the Filipino culture including the national anthem, cultural dances, the language,
and history.
5. There is to be a maximum of two interns per chair for this available intern
position.

Article VII. Vacancy of Office

A. If any vacancy in office occurs, the executive board will be responsible in appointing
an individual that is qualified for the position.
B. If a qualified individual cannot fill the position, the duties of that position would be
divided amongst the rest of the Executive Board.

Article VIII. Impeachment of Officers, Removal of Directors and rules of Succession

A. Impeachment applies to any member of the Executive Board. Removal is applied to

directorships. In order to impeach or remove these offices, the following steps must
be taken:

1. A motion for impeachment must be made and seconded twice at an Executive

Board Meeting.
2. A written grievance against the officer must be submitted to the Executive Board.
3. The Executive Board and the committee heads will form a Central Committee to
review the grievance excluding all officers being impeached.
4. A hearing will be chaired by the President in which the Central Committee will
hear arguments from both sides starting with the accuser. If the President is
being impeached, then the Vice-President will chair the hearing.

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 5. The Central Committee will have a closed session after all sides have been heard.
They will render their decision through discussion and a vote.
6. A simple majority of the Central Committee is necessary to ask the officer to step
down or to allow the officer to remain.
7. The Central Committee must issue a statement on their decision for the entire
membership to examine.
A. Vacancies produced by resignation or impeachment shall be filled through the
appointment of a member of Liga Filipina by the Executive Board on an interim
basis.

Article VIII: General Elections

A. General Elections shall be held during the spring term.

B. Any member of Liga Filipina according to standards determined by the Executive
Board is eligible to vote.
C. Candidates must be nominated by a card-carrying member and seconded by two
others.
D. The Executive Board-elect shall consist of those nominees who received the greatest
sum of votes counted on all valid ballots.
E. The Vice President shall run the elections.
F. An eligible voter may NOT vote for a position that they were not present to hear all
the candidate’s speeches and interviews.
G. An eligible voter may choose to abstain from voting for any position.
H. If more than 30% of eligible voters abstain from voting for a position, the Executive
Board assumes the responsibility to nominate and elect a qualified candidate for said
position.
I. The Secretary shall tally the votes on the ballots (If the Secretary is a candidate for a
position the following year, a graduating senior on the Executive Board will assume
this responsibility).
J. The tally shall be recounted and confirmed by the Vice President.
K. Nominations shall take place five to ten days before elections.

Article IX: Constitutional Amendment

A. The President and Secretary shall review and draft amendments during their fall
semester in office.
B. All other prospective amendments must be written and submitted to an officer at an
Executive Board Meeting.
C. The Executive Board will be responsible for looking over and voting on the
prospective amendments to the Constitution.
D. A majority of the Executive Board is required to pass or fail a proposed amendment.
E. The Executive Board will be responsible for the rewording of the amendment for the
Constitution.
F. The Secretary will be in charge of the addition of the amendment to the Constitution
and that submission of the amended Constitution to MyInvolvement.org and the
Student Association.

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