Student Organization Name: Laya of Berkeley
Date Prepared: January 1, 2019
Date Amended: March 5, 2022
I – Name
This organization is hereby called “Laya of Berkeley”
II – Purpose
The purpose of Laya is to draw together individuals who have a passion for music. Although the primary focus is classical Indian music, the goal is to blend and fuse other genres of music from around the world to create a unique performing group. Along with performing, the group will focus on cultivating and rehearsing these fusions through regular practices. We will also be hosting experienced artists to expose ourselves and the campus to Indian music art forms. The primary focus of the group is to grow interest in classical Indian music as well as inspire individuals to expand their musical creativity.
III – Membership
Only currently registered students, faculty, and staff may be active members in a registered student organization. Only active members may vote or hold office.
We will not haze according to California State Law.
We will not restrict membership based upon race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services (including membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services).
Students interested in joining will go through the application process and auditions in front of the recruitment team. Each application will be seen by the team and voted on based on the club’s current availability. The recruitment team will then vote on making them fully active members. If accepted, they will remain active until their graduation, conditioned on consistently fulfilling membership requirements each semester. After that, they will become club alumni and may receive discounts in future events, or even be invited to perform in certain events.
The following are the requirements to become and stay a member of Laya of Berkeley:
Attendance to at least ⅔ of the semester’s club meetings.
Participation and involvement in a subgroup.
Willingness to participate in group performances and events whenever possible.
IV – Officers & Elections
There will be 2 director positions, specifically, Subgroup Director and Finance Director. The Subgroup Directors are in charge of leading various musical subgroups in Laya to produce a recording and foster an environment of learning and fun within these groups. The Finance Director is in charge of handling the financial aspects of events as well as interacting with ASUC.
There will be 5 executive positions. The executive positions are President, Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of External Affairs, Event Chair, and Marketing Chair. The Vice President of Internal Affairs is in charge of updating and notifying all members of upcoming meetings, events and deadlines as well as booking rooms for several events and rehearsals. The Vice President of Internal Affairs is in charge of advising the Finance Director and Subgroup Director and ensuring tasks are completed. The Vice President of External Affairs is in charge of being the spokesman with anyone outside of the club and organizing events such as concerts and lecture demonstrations. The Vice President of External Affairs is in charge of advising the Marketing Director and Events Chair ensuring tasks are completed. The Events chair is in charge of managing all the logistics for all events. The Marketing Director is in charge of maintaining the social image of Laya through social media and marketing upcoming events throughout the term. The President is in charge of maintaining balance between the performing and event aspects of Laya and ensuring Laya maintains its vision.
Elected officials will need to be elected by a majority of active, voting membership. Elections occur at the end of each semester and are run by the current officers. To ensure credibility, one active member will be chosen by the active members to count the ballots, preferably someone who will become an alum at the end of the semester.
The President serves as the primary signatory. Officers term is only for a semester and if an officer needs to be removed, a 2/3 majority of active members must vote to oust the officer.
V – Meetings
Meetings/rehearsals shall be held at least biweekly, if not more frequently. Meetings will be called by the president or by a majority of active members. Quorum is 1/2 of the active members. Emergency meetings can only be called by an elected official given 1 weeks’ notice to all active members accompanied by the reasoning for calling the special meeting. If business needs to come up before a 1 week timeframe, the Director of Internal Affairs can call a special meeting with unanimous approval of all the elected officials
VI – Constitutional Amendments
Amendments can be proposed by any voting member. They must be proposed in written form to the Officers who will bring the amendments to the next meeting. The period of time between an amendment and vote is as little as one meeting, as long as the Officers have the ability to turn around and inform the active body about the amendment before the meeting. For an amendment to be incorporated into the constitution it will need a 2/3 majority vote from active members to pass. All amendments, additions or deletions to this document must be filed with the LEAD Center in 432 Eshleman Hall.
VII – Sponsorship
This organization hereby wishes to seek ASUC sponsorship. This organization adopts and incorporates by reference Schedule A of ASUC Bylaw 2201, and the same may be amended from time to time, completely and fully as part of this Constitution. This organization cannot amend this clause unless and until the ASUC has certified that this organization has ceased to be ASUC-sponsored, all ASUC property has been returned to the ASUC, access to all ASUC resources and facilities has been relinquished, and any debts, liabilities, or other responsibilities to the ASUC have been resolved. This organization will continue to be bound by any provisions specified in Schedule A for actions it took while this clause was in effect, even if this clause is amended.
VIII – Dissolution
If the organization is ASUC or GA Sponsored, all unspent ASUC funds shall return to the ASUC; all Graduate Assembly funds shall return to the Graduate Assembly. If the organization is defunct for five (5) or more years, any privately obtained funds (including any funds left in miscellaneous accounts) shall be donated to the following nonprofit organization: Carnatic Chamber Concerts. In the event that the designated nonprofit organization no longer exists or has ceased to be a nonprofit, then the unspent funds shall be donated to the ASUC.
IX – Rules of Order
Meetings will primarily be in the form of rehearsals/practices. If any member of the elected officials feels the conversation is getting out of hand a motion may be entertained to use Robert’s Rules of Order. If this motion is seconded, no vote must occur and the session shall immediately begin to use Robert’s Rules of Order with the Vice President of Internal Affairs presiding as Chair. If the Vice President of Internal Affairs is unavailable then the Vice President of External Affairs will operate as the chair.