Our Consitution

Preamble
We, Los Hermanos de Leland Stanford, Jr., University, stand as one, united, in exercising our beliefs: Active participation in the Chicano/Latino community, servicing those less fortunate than ourselves who may find our assistance beneficial; A dedication to academic excellence, developing marketable skills and mental fortitude in preparation for life outside of the university; And the practice and preservation of our Chicano/Latino culture, values, and ideals, never forgetting who we are and from where we have come. Every individual member, as he will expect his brother to follow suit, shall dedicate his sweat, heart, and soul to the accomplishment of these objectives, providing unique thought, insight, and ability to the construction of one formidable unit. Los Hermanos is not the base for a club or a fairweather association — in its most pure state, it is the essence of a familia. Through a support of a family and the strength derived from unity, we stand with fortitude.
Article I : Our Core Beliefs
  •  Section 1: Community Service
Los Hermanos share a common interest in putting back into the local community, both that at Stanford and that within the surrounding area, any type of assistance which we may offer as unique individuals and as one collective group.
  • Section 2: Academic Excellence
Los Hermanos recognize that a good education is the primary key to achieving and maintaining success in the world outside of Stanford University. Los Hermanos seek to develop knowledge and skills for empowerment in the workplace to make an even greater impact in the future. Los Hermanos shall actively encourage the optimal academic performance of each and every member.
  • Section 3: Cultural Awareness
Los Hermanos strongly value the importance of cultural awareness in creating and sustaining a proud sense of self-identity. We aspire to obtain a more concrete understanding and appreciation of the various backgrounds and experiences which define Latinos. Los Hermanos seek to explore and carry on our Latino customs and traditions so as to inform and pass them on to later generations.
Article II: Powers of the OfficesIn regards to self-government and the distribution of powers and resources, Los Hermanos uphold the fundamental principles of a democracy: the power invested in the state is ultimately in the hands of all of those individuals who comprise the independent unit. Each and every member of Los Hermanos has a voice in deciding the path upon which the brotherhood travels in practicing its ideology; in formal proceedings to determine group activities and prominent debates concerning issues relevant to Los Hermanos, every member is allotted one equal vote. However, a strong ruling body, one consisting of officers elected by the general assembly, is imperative to the governing structure, especially in those matters pertinent to the maintenance of social order, distribution of selected responsibilities, public affairs, and the preservation of the values, beliefs, and convictions of the brotherhood. Thus, the powers of Los Hermanos shall be vested in the following offices, all of which have terms of one academic year and a term limit of one year for same office.
Powers shall be vested in the following offices:
  • Executive Council
  1. Shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Administrative Associate, and Advisor to the Executive Counci
  2. Shall formalize all proposals for any decision to be voted upon
  3. All offices shall be directly elected by the core group with exception of the Advisor
  4. Advisor shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Council members
  • President
  1. President will set the agenda and preside over each general meeting
  2. Act as the chief representative and public relations contact for Los Hermanos
  3. Serve as Liaison to Alumni
  4. Advisor to the Recruitment Committee
  5. Head the Foundations Council
  6. Head the Executive Council
  • Vice-President
  1. Assume all responsibilities of the President in his absence
  2. Assist with public relations matters
  3. Head and organize recruitment committee
  4. Serve on the Executive Council
  • Treasurer
  1. Collect member dues
  2. Present a line-itemized financial report at all quarterly retreats
  3. Handle all monetary transactions
  4. Present budgetary proposal and resources
  5. Serve on the Executive Council
  • Administrative Associate
  1. Take records at all meetings and email notes to group list
  2. Tally all votes
  3. Charge of distribution of group’s paraphernalia
  4. Serve on the Executive Council
  • Advisor (if deemed necessary)
  1. Advise members of the Executive Council
  2. Serve on the Recruitment Committee, if deemed necessary
  3. Serve on the Executive Council
  • Foundations Council
  1. Shall consist of Community Service, Cultural Awareness, and Academic Excellence elected Directors
  2. Implement and maintain three central pillars of Los Hermanos de Stanford
  • Community Service Director
  1. Implement yearly mentorship program targeting under-privileged students
  2. Design or certify alternative programs for Hermanos truly unable to commit to mentorship program
  3. Investigate possible one-time service events for Hermanos to participate in
  4. Serve as liaison to staff and advisors at the Haas Center for Public Service
  • Academic Excellence Director
  1. Set-up mandatory study hours for the group. Amount to be determined by Academic Excellence Director.
  2. Formalize workshops
  3. Organize an incentive/recognition program for academic achievement
  • Cultural Awareness Director
  1. Organize trips and group activities conducive to fortifying brotherhood
  2. Promote cultural activities beneficial to the organization
  3. Serve as a liaison to cultural events taking place in the community
  4. Organize quarterly retreats
  • Alumni Council
  1. Shall consist of the Historian, Webmaster, Administrative Associate and a non-office holding Hermano
  2. Compose annual alumni letter detailing group’s progress and activities
  3. Produce and maintain Hermanos Alumni webpage as offshoot of Hermanos page
  4. Collect and continually update contact information for Hermanos alumni
  • Historian
  1. Preserve a historical record of Los Hermanos de Stanford
  2. Take pictures at Hermanos events and maintain a group photo album
  3. Assist Webmaster in maintaining historical accuracy of Hermanos web page
  4. Retain original copy of Constitution and logo
  5. Serve on Alumni Council
  • Webmaster
  1. Maintain and continually update Los Hermanos web page
  2. Conduct regular workshops to ensure that all Hermanos have personal web pages
  3. Ensure that all graduating senior register for alumni email accounts
  4. Serve on Alumni Council
  • Recruitment Council
  1. Shall consist of Vice President, all members of the Foundations Council, and any other interested non-office holding Hermanos
  2. Design and implement annual recruitment process, spread over Fall, Winter and Spring quarters
  • Club Caliente Planning Council
  1. Headed by two co-chairs chosen by Executive Council
  2. Shall consist of all non-office holding seniors
  3. Finalize location and date of Club Caliente by end of Fall Quarter
Article III: Amendment ProcedureLos Hermanos recognize that, as a result of changing social and political policies and a variation in accessible resources at any given time, the brotherhood may deem it necessary to make revisions and/or additions to the original Constitution. Thus, to maintain success and longevity through times of change or turmoil, Los Hermanos have adopted an amendment clause which shall allow for the restructuring of articles regarding questionable or previously disregarded issues. Any amendment to the constitution must pass with a 2/3 vote of all current members of the organization. It is important to note, however, that the primary principles upon which the brotherhood was founded, particularly the three pillars, shall remain intact and in no way be dismantled or dishonored.
​
Article IV: Code of Los HermanosThe code of Los Hermanos de Stanford is a unified understanding by all active members that the concept of brotherhood is an integral part of the organization, an ideal which must be fostered and strengthened through signs of solidarity which include, but are not limited to, the following practices:

Punctuality: At the beginning of each academic quarter, the President will lead a vote to determine an accommodating weekly meeting time that shall not conflict with the schedules of any active member. Los Hermanos recognize that punctuality to meetings and functions is not only important in dealing with organizational matters, but also an admirable virtue of courtesy towards other members, each of whom has individualized academic and work schedules.

Uniform: When deemed necessary, Los Hermanos shall wear a designated uniform, the attire and specifics of which are to be arranged by the general assembly, to all group functions and social events. In donning the uniform, every Hermano vows to publicly represent the organization with the utmost class and pride, thus keeping all garments clean and tidy and refraining from any alcohol consumption or other activity which may cause a member to act in any matter detrimental to the public image of the group.
Notebook: Every active member shall maintain a notebook which will be brought to every general meeting. This notebook shall contain all updated information regarding matters concerning Los Hermanos and shall be kept tidy. Notebooks shall be assigned to members once they are inducted into the brotherhood.

Dog tags: Dog tags, adopted by Los Hermanos as standard uniform, shall always be worn with pride and solidarity around the necks of active members, though it is not required that they are visible to the public.

Article V: Election ProcedureElections for the offices of the Executive and Foundations Council will be held during Spring quarter, every academic year. Each member who is pursuing an office must submit a candidacy statement one week before the general elections. Time and date of the general elections shall be decided by the Executive Council and shall be posted one month prior. Voting will cast by secret ballot and counted by the incumbent President and Administrative Associate.

Article VII: Probation and Dismissal of MembersDisciplinary action against Hermanos members will occur upon outright violation of the Hermanos Code. The Code of Los Hermanos de Stanford not only serves to unify the organization, creating the strong essence of a familia amongst the various individuals within the brotherhood, but also serves to institute a greater sense of self-pride, as well as a more dominant public image, amongst the active members. Any contempt of the code by a member shall result in a formal apology to the group during the ensuing general assembly. Failure to officially apologize may result in greater penalty, given at the discretion of the Executive Council, including possible expulsion. x