BYLAWS OF
THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
ARTICLE I
NAME & MAILING ADDRESS
Section 1.1. The name of this organization shall be called the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee at Lehigh University hereinafter “MLK Committee”. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee began producing commemoration programs around MLK birthday and dates back to 1988; however, it was in 2003 under the then Provost Dr. Mohamed El-Aasser when the committee's work expanded to year-round events.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE & MISSION
Section 2.1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this organization is to preserve the legacy and example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by planning and promoting innovative programming that addresses historical and contemporary social justice and social movements. This organization, which is housed under the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity at Lehigh University shall operate for educational purposes.
Section 2.2. MISSION. The MLK Committee is a university organization that works to educate on both national and globally relevant and intellectually engaging programming. As a result of providing these platforms of education, all people regardless of race, class, or generation will be engaged.
ARTICLE III
AUTHORITY
Section 3.1. This organization is a recognized university committee under the auspice of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1 OFFICERS. The officers of the MLK Committee shall consist of two co-chairs (one staff and one faculty), Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, Social Media Coordinator.
Section 4.2 CO-CHAIRS. The Co-Chairs shall preside at all meetings and be responsible for the agenda and arranging a meeting place for each meeting. The Co-Chairs will be appointed by the Vice President for Equity and Community and the Provost. One Co-Chair shall remain the Director for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The other Co-Chair appointed will by the Provost. The Co-Chairs shall also appoint the chairpersons of all committees.
Section 4.3 SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep records of minutes of all regular, special and executive meetings and ensure their accuracy, maintain records of all actions taken by the MLK Committee and reports of committees. The Secretary shall also be responsible for sending notices of meetings and responding to communications and correspondences received by the MLK Committee.
Section 4.4 TREASURER. The Treasurer shall keep records of funds transferring in and out at the request of the MLK Executive Committee. A financial report shall be made by the Treasurer at each meeting and an annual report at the end of the fiscal.
Section 4.5 ASSISTANT TREASURER. The Assistant Treasurer shall serve in the absence of the Treasurer and perform other duties as assigned by the Co-Chairs.
Section 4.6 SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR.
Section 4.7 ELECTION. The election of officers shall take place during the last meeting February. The election shall by by ballot or by standing vote of the majority of the members present. Officers shall be elected by a simple majority.
Section 4.8 TERM OF OFFICE. Officers shall serve of term of two years. Officers shall not serve more than two consecutive years in the same office. The term of office begins in the Month of July following the end of the fiscal year.
Section 4.9 RESIGNATION. An officer may resign at any time by communicating such officer’s written resignation to the MLK Committee. A resignation is effective when it is communicated, unless it specifies in writing a later effective date. If a resignation is made effective at a later date and the MLK Committee accepts the future effective date, the Executive Committee may fill the pending vacancy before the effective date if Executive Committee provides that the successor does not take office until the effective date.
Section 4.10 VACANCIES & REMOVAL. A vacancy caused by resignation or removal of any officer, or by the creation of a new office, may be filled by the Executive Committee. Any officer elected or appointed by the Executive Committee may be removed by the Executive Committee with or without cause, but said removal shall be without prejudice. The person appointed shall serve the remainder of the term.
ARTICLE V
MEMBERSHIP
Section 5.1 QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP. The MLK Committee is opened to all members of the Lehigh University community. Nominations shall be received via the MLK Committee and a vote will commence. Upon successful vote of new member, a letter of invitation will be sent to either faculty and/or staff by either the Provost (faculty) or Vice President for Equity and Community (staff).
Section 5.2 MEMBERSHIP. The membership year shall run from July 1 - the beginning of a new fiscal year through June 30th of the following year.
ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS
Section 6.1 REGULAR MEETING. Regular meetings shall be held twice a month on the first and third Monday unless some other time is set by the Co-Chairs with prior notice to the members with the exception of May and December.
Section 6.2 SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the MLK Committee may be called by the Co-Chairs or shall be called upon by the request of three (3) members of the MLK Committee. Such request shall specify the object the meeting.
Section 6.3 QUORUM. Five (6) members present at a regular or at special meeting shall constitute a quorum. Three (3) of the present members must be officers.
Section 6.4 VOTE.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
Section 7.1 COMMITTEES. The MLK Committee will have the following committees: Executive, Publicity, MLK Programming, and Outreach.
Section 7.2 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the MLK Committee, and shall be responsible for the general oversight of the work of the MLK Committee as a whole. The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill vacancies and appoint ad hoc committees when necessary.
Section 7.3 MLK PROGRAMMING.
Section 7.4 OUTREACH. The Outreach Committee
Section 7.5 PUBLICITY. The Publicity Committee shall be accountable to publicize the programs and the events of the MLK Committee. Members of the Publicity Committee will work closely with the Social Media Coordinator to promote upcoming programs and events. Additionally, they will be responsible to create flyers and other print materials.