ARTICLE I
Section 1
The name of the organization shall be the Luso/Hispanophone Caucus of the African Literature Association (LHCALA). The Caucus exists as an affiliated but separately administered organization of researchers, writers and teachers of African and African Diaspora literatures in Spanish and Portuguese who may or may not be members of the ALA but who are committed to the Aims and Objectives of the ALA.
Section 2
Objectives
The objectives of this organization shall be:
To establish a network of researchers, writers and teachers who work on African and African Diaspora literatures and cultures in Spanish or Portuguese.
To promote the teaching, scholarship, practice and dissemination of African and African Diaspora literatures and cultures in Spanish or Portuguese.
To provide a forum for the dissemination of research in African and the African Diaspora literatures and cultures in Spanish or Portuguese.
To provide support and resources for the development and advancement of the practice, the scholarship and the teaching of African and African Diaspora literatures and cultures in Spanish and Portuguese.
To promote cross-cultural dialogue between African and African Diaspora literatures and cultures in Spanish or Portuguese, and other literatures and cultures that have been influenced by, or that have influenced, the latter.
To provide consultation to the African Literature Association, other related associations/organizations, media, universities, publishers, and journals on the nature, direction and issues of. African and the African Diaspora literatures and cultures in Spanish or Portuguese.
To form networks with other similar organizations interested in the promotion African and the African Diaspora literatures and cultures in Spanish or Portuguese.
Section 3
Governance
The Luso/Hispanophone Caucus of the African Literature Association (LHCALA) shall be governed by its Constitution and by-laws, and such other actions as the LHCALA may be consistent therewith.
Structure:
Chair
Vice Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
ARTICLE II. Membership and Affiliation
Section I. Members:
Membership of the Caucus is open to researchers, writers, and teachers and to others involved in, and interested in, the promotion of African and African Diaspora literatures and cultures in Spanish and Portuguese, and who subscribe to the goals of the ALA and the Caucus.
Section II. Membership:
A voting member shall be considered “financial” with payment of dues annually to the LHCALA Treasurer.
One may become a member by attending a Caucus session or by requesting to be on the mailing list.
Dues of $15 USD to be paid annually directly (separately to ALA dues) to the Treasurer of the Caucus. The dues will be collected during the ALA annual conference
Section III. Possible Activities
Holding Caucus Executive meetings at the ALA annual conference annually
Sponsoring meetings, panels, roundtables, etc. in conjunction with the annual meetings of the ALA
The suggestion of titles of through the Chair of the Caucus for the creation of panels and round tables at ALA annual conference.
Sponsoring of Panels at the ALA, ASA, ICALLALS and other related organizations.
Holding plenaries at the ALA annual conference and other significant events and meetings
A designated representative of LHCALA will represent the Caucus’s issues on key relevant committees including the conference committee and at the ALA executive meetings and other business meetings.
Section IV Meetings:
Notice of a place of annual LHCALA meeting shall be given in the program of the ALA conference. The caucus Chair will submit a preferred time to convene and will consult with members concerning possible time slots.
Other meetings of the caucus will be convened upon request of members.
Section V Officers
Officers shall be elected for a one-year term.
The Vice Chair shall succeed to the office of Chair in the year following his/her term as Vice Chair.
The Chair and the Vice-Chair will alternated between Hispanophone and Lusophone members.
The Chair will be the Caucus’s representative on the ALA Executive Council.
At each Annual Business meeting, officers shall submit a written annual report together with a recommended program of action for the year ahead.
ARTICLE III: Co-ordination and Management Duties
Section I
The Chair shall preside over meetings and facilitate and otherwise
manage the affairs of the Caucus.
The Chair shall call and co-ordinate meetings and shall work with the Secretary to make announcements public.
The Chair will also be the representative of the Caucus to other organizations and the public.
Section II
The Vice-Chair shall perform all duties of the Chair in the event that the Chair is unable to do so.
Section III
The Treasurer shall keep and manage all financial accounting of the Caucus.
The Treasurer shall provide a financial report to the LHCALA annually at The Caucus’s annual meeting.
Section IV
The Secretary shall keep all minutes, correspondence and records of the Caucus.
The Secretary shall correspond with members and be responsible for announcing meetings, times, dates and location.
The Secretary shall work directly with the Chair and Treasurer of the Caucus concerning membership.
ARTICLE IV
Section I: AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this constitution shall require prior notification of the proposed amendment in writing. Amendments will be adopted if approved by two-thirds majority vote of financial members present