Mission Statement and Bylaws

PACC Constitution and Bylaws

Mission Statement: The mission of the Policy Alliance for Communities of Color (PACC) is to promote awareness and understanding of policy issues affecting communities of color by initiating dialogue, activities and programs at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, hereby referred to as LBJ, and the LBJ School community. PACC’s programming endeavors reach out to the LBJ student body, greater UT campus, and the community of Austin.

 

ARTICLE I:  NAME 

Section A: Name – The official name of this  organization shall be Policy Alliance for Communities of Color (PACC). 

 

Article II PURPOSE

Section A: Purpose – The purpose of this organization shall be:

  1. To promote awareness and understanding  of policy issues affecting communities of color. 
  2. To endeavor towards increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the student body, faculty, curriculum and programming at LBJ.
  3. To champion causes for LBJ students of color and the Austin community. 
  4. To facilitate a safe space for students of color at LBJ. 
  5. To engage in thought provoking discussions regarding current policy and cultural issues relating to communities of color. 

 

ARTICLE III :  MEMBERSHIP & DUES

Section A: Eligibility – Membership shall be open to all LBJ students interested in learning about and advocating for communities of color.

Section B: Dues – The executive board shall establish dues for membership as they see fit each semester. 

 

ARTICLE IV:  EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section A: Responsibility – Management of this organization shall be vested in the executive board which is responsible for upholding these bylaws.

Section B: Membership – This board shall consist of the officers, as listed in Article III, and a faculty advisor if necessary.

Section C: Meetings – The executive board shall meet at least once between regular meetings of the organization and plan future activities.

 

ARTICLE V: THE OFFICERS

Section A: Officers – The officers shall be Co-Chairs, Event Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, and External Affairs Coordinator.

Section B: Eligibility – Executive Board must be LBJ students .  

Section C: Election – The officers shall be elected by PACC members through a  ballot held at the last meeting of the fall semester where each member is entitled to a single vote. The winner shall be chosen by a simple majority. 

Section D: Term Length – The officers shall serve for one year and their term of office shall begin at the commencement of the spring semester.

Section E: Vacancy – If a vacancy occurs in the office of Co-chair, the remaining co-chair shall serve for the remainder of the term and vacancies in any other office shall be filled by a special election.

 

ARTICLE VI: OFFICER’S DUTIES 

Section A: Co-chairs – it shall be the duty of the Co-chairs to:

  • Preside at meetings 
  • Set meeting agendas
  • Vote in democratic votes in case of a tie 
  • Represent the organization as leaders
  • Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office
  • Calls special meetings
  • Enforce the observances of the constitution and by-laws
  • There shall be two co-chairs elected 

Section B: Event Coordinator – It shall be the duty of the Event Coordinator to:

  • Create new events that will benefit PACC
  • Assist in the planning of events with PACC officers 
  • Create  promotional materials for events and post on all social media accounts 

Section C: External Affairs Coordinator  – It shall be the duty of the External Affairs Coordinator to:

  • Manage social media accounts 
  • Assist in the planning of events 
  • Help create promotional materials for events and post on all social media accounts 
  • Meet with outside stakeholders when co-chairs  are unable to

Section D: Secretary – It shall be the duty of the Secretary to: 

  • Record the minutes of all meetings 
  • Keep a file of the organization’s records 
  • Maintain a current roster of membership 
  • Issue notices of meetings and conduct the general correspondence of the organization
  • Secretary shall publish the organizations newsletters

Section E: Treasurer – It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

  • Receive all funds and process Request for Payment, Deposit Slip, and Officer Signature Forms. 
  • Keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and make report back to the organization about financials
  • Fill out UT reimbursement forms and manage PACC account

 

ARTICLE VII:  MEETINGS

Section A: Meetings – Regular meetings shall be held monthly during the regular school year.

Section B: Special Meetings – Special meetings may be called by the Co- Chairs with the approval of the leadership.

 

ARTICLE VIII:  AMENDMENTS

Section A: Selection – New bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the chapter membership.

Section B: Notice – All members shall receive advance notice of the proposed amendment at least five days before the meeting. 

Section C: Submission – Members should submit their proposed changes for the bylaws to the executive board who will bring it to the body at the next meeting for a vote.