DRAFT

Law and Entrepreneurship Student Association

at the University of Oregon School of Law

These bylaws are subject to the ASUO Constitution, Executive Rules, University Rules, and State and
Federal Law.

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of our organization is the Law and Entrepreneurship Student Association (“LESA”).

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
A. LESA will promote the interests and goals of its members by providing a forum for discussion of business
law and entrepreneurship and from time to time organizing events open to the Oregon Law student body
where students can engage with business law practitioners or entrepreneurs;
B. LESA will promote Oregon Law’s mission of supporting the interests of students as they pursue a career
in business or business law; and
C. LESA will, from time to time, partner with or informally coordinate with other student organizations, and
off campus organizations or individuals, to put on events. For example, such relationships might take the
form of financial sponsorship to informal marketing or advertising support.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to all law students. During the fall semester of any academic year, Oregon Law students
may apply to join LESA as a Member or a Board Member. See Exhibit A. Current Board Members
determine application criteria.

1. Exec. R 88.1 Membership: No individual can be excluded from a program on the basis of political
ideology, but every individual in a program must be sincere to the goals of the.
2. Exec R 83.1 Elections: Membership in a program may be defined by the program as long as the
membership rules allow an equal opportunity for all students to participate in the program and there is no
other violation of the rules of the ASUO, the University of Oregon, or the State of Oregon.
3. . Exec. R 82.1 Equal Opportunity: The ASUO affirms the right of all individuals to equal opportunity in
education, employment and access to incidental fee-funded programs and their funded activities, without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, different ability, national origin, marital status,
veteran's status, or any other considerations not directly and substantially related to effective participation.

ARTICLE IV - GOVERNANCE

Section I - Positions
The following positions may be filled, but not all must be filled for LESA to operate. LESA must have at
least one Director; if there is only one Director, that Director assumes the responsibilities of both Co-
Director positions described below. Further, in addition to a Director, LESA must have one of the following:
a Secretary or a Treasurer. All positions except Member are considered Board Members and are referred to
herein as “Officers” or “Board Members” interchangeably.
A. Co-Director – Internal: This co-director oversees operations of the organization, including:
a. Recruitment of board members and members
b. Communications with students via listservs
c. Reserving rooms
d. Facilitating meetings
e. Managing delegation and assignment of tasks to group members in preparation for events
f. Ensuring organization documents and records are passed to next year’s board members in
coordination with the Secretary
g. Compliance with UO rules governing student groups in coordination with the other co-director
as they apply
B. Co-Director – External: This co-director oversees LESA’s contacts with anyone outside of the law
school, including:
a. Making the final decisions regarding potential speakers and panelists for events
b. Working with the law school/UO to set up travel and lodging accommodations for guests
 c. Coordinating with the Community Outreach Chair, assisting in the search for panelists/speakers
d. Securing event space outside of the law school, i.e., for Law of Beer and Wine
e. Compliance with UO rules governing student groups in coordination with the other co-director
C. Secretary:
a. Taking minutes at meetings
b. Preserving and organizing any documents and records necessary for UO rule compliance
c. At the end of the year, compiling documents in a manner accessible to the following year’s
board members
D. Fundraising Officer/Treasurer: Because LESA is not ASUO funded, it can be hard to fund our events.
This position will:
a. Manage LESA’s budget and finances
b. Come up with ways LESA can raise money to cover events
c. If LESA decides to become ASUO funded, this position will be primarily responsible for
managing those changes
E. Community Outreach Chair:
a. Brainstorm and reach out to potential speakers, guests, and panelists
b. Communicate with guests to ensure we understand their needs for their visit, including any
travel expenses we need to cover
c. Work with Co-Director - External as needed to ensure UO rule compliance for covering travel
costs, etc.
F. Portland Outreach Chairs:
a. Brainstorm and reach out to potential speakers, guests, and panelists for any events LESA
might host in Portland
b. Work with Co-Director - External as needed, particularly on matters like reserving event space
in Portland
G. Members:
a. Assist in event planning, take on projects assigned by board members re: events
b. Have requirement that members take on a project to actively help with one of the two events,
so, either a fall panel or Law of Beer and Wine in the spring (?)
c. Attend meetings periodically throughout the school year
d. Advertise events at the law school
e. Make class announcements about events

Section II - Officer Elections

LESA elections take place during spring semester. Any Member or Board Member may run for any position.
Candidates self-nominate.

A. Exec. R 83.1 Student Organizations may elect their directors and other staff provided the following
criteria are met:
a. All candidates must be afforded the same opportunity to disseminate information to the
electorate.
b. The electoral process must insure that every constituent has an equal opportunity to vote, and
that every constituent's vote has equal weight in determining the outcome of the election.
c. Only active student members of the program may vote in an election for any position having
authority in an ASUO student organization. Only currently enrolled UO students may hold
leadership positions.
d. Membership in a student organization may be defined by the organization as long as the
membership rules allow an equal opportunity for all students to participate in the program
and there is no other violation of the rules of the ASUO, the University of Oregon or the State
of Oregon.
B. LESA elections take place during spring semester. Any Member or Board Member may run for any
position. Candidates self-nominate. Nomination and voting occur at the same meeting. No student
may spend any funds, make any bargains, or in any way campaign outside of that meeting.
C. Voting Procedure: (1) Quorum: Fifty percent (50%) of LESA members must be present at the
meeting for a vote to be valid. This includes Members and Board Members. For the purpose of
reaching a quorum, no distinction will be made between Member and Board Member. (2) How a
Vote Carries: A plurality (the largest percentage of votes) is sufficient to elect an officer.
D. The counting and handling of the ballots will be the responsibility of a Director and any other officer
present. If a Director is running for office, this responsibility will fall to the next officer who is not
on the ballot in the following order: other Director, Secretary, Treasurer.

Section III - Terms of Office

Officers will be elected during spring semester and will take office starting at the end of that spring semester.
Officers will serve for one year. Any officer may be re-elected.

Section IV - Vacancies in Officer Positions

LESA will not fill vacancies in officer positions unless a quorum determines the organization cannot operate
without filling that position.

Section V - Removal of Members and Officers

Removal of Members: A member may not be removed arbitrarily. Specific reasons for initiating removal are
a significant amount of unexcused absences from meetings/activities and violation of Oregon Law or ASUO
rules or Oregon law.

Reasons for Removing Officers: Officers are expected to fulfill all responsibilities of their offices as
described in Article IV Section I herein. Failure to fulfill the responsibilities of his or her office are grounds
for removal.

Procedure for Removing Members and Officers: Minimum due process must be followed: The Board
Members acting unanimously have the exclusive power to remove a Member or Officer. The accused person
must be provided written charges and an opportunity to defend him/herself before the Board Members take
action to remove that individual from his/her position. If a Board Member’s removal is at issue, that Board
Member’s vote will not count against unanimity. The accused Member or Officer must be notified in writing
of their status after the decision is made whether or not to remove the Member or Officer from the
organization.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

A. LESA meets throughout the academic year as necessary. There is no set meeting time.
B. A Director determines when a meeting is necessary. If a Member or Officer would like to call a
meeting, that person should notify the Director so that Director can take steps to organize a meeting.
C. A Director or the Secretary will notify Officers and Members of the date, time, and place of a meeting.
D. All LESA Officers and Members are expected to attend every meeting and event. Members and
Officers should contact a Director in advance of the meeting or event if they have a reason that
precludes attendance.
E. (1) Quorum: Fifty percent (50%) of LESA members must be present at the meeting to conduct
business and make decisions. This includes Members and Board Members. For the purpose of
reaching a quorum, no distinction will be made between Member and Board Member. (2) How a
Vote Carries: A plurality (the largest percentage of votes) is sufficient for an action to carry and be
in effect for the organization.

ARTICLE VI - FINANCES

Section I - Sources of funding

Funds may be generated from any or all of the following, and from other sources as approved at a meeting
by a quorum: donations, sponsorships from any person or entity associated with Oregon Law, partnerships
with other student organizations, and ASUO should LESA choose to be an ASUO group. Any fundraising
activity must be in compliance with University of Oregon and Oregon Law rules and procedures.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

Any Member or Officer may propose changes to the organization's bylaws by submitting those proposed
changes to a Director. That Director will share the proposed changes with all Members and Officers.
Members and Officers will have appropriate time to consider changes before a vote is taken on their
approval. A quorum is sufficient to pass any changes.
Exhibit A—LESA Application

Name:
Year:

1. Why are you interested in joining LESA?

2. What will you contribute to our student group?

3. BOARD POSITIONS ONLY (2Ls/3Ls): In addition to the information above, please state the board
position you are running for and why you are well-suited for that position.