CONSTITUTION OF THE PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, INC.

PREAMBLE
We students, in order to achieve the incorporation of Puerto Rico as a Federated State of the United States of America, hereby establish the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association, Inc. (PRSSA) and ordain this Constitution, the supreme law of the Association.

ARTICLE I
SECTION 1 OFFICIAL NAME The Official name for this organization is Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association, Inc., shortened PRSSA. SECTION 2 MISSION The PRSSA shall promote Statehood for Puerto Rico on all forums, encourage pro-statehood youth participation in the democratic process, and develop the new leaders of the pro-statehood movement.

ARTICLE II
SECTION 1 ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP Active membership within the PRSSA is open for all enrolled students of high school, undergraduate and graduate schools in the United States. A student becomes an Active Member upon registering with the PRSSA or a PRSSA chapter. Active members have voting privileges. Active membership ends once the student is not enrolled in an academic institution. SECTION 2 HONORARY MEMBERSHIP The National Board may accord honorary membership to former Active Members who continue to support the PRSSA and its mission of Statehood for Puerto Rico.

CONSTITUTION OF THE PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, INC. SECTION 3 EXPULSION Membership can be revoked through a motion initiated by a National Board officer and unanimously seconded by all other officers of the National Board. Reasons for expulsion include: felony; sabotage; bringing disrepute to the PRSSA; sustained disrespect towards the PRSSA, its leaders and Constitution; and proof of favoring another status option that is not statehood. All reasons for expulsion shall be backed by proof provided by the accuser. All allegations are to be delivered in a written statement to the accused for the opportunity of appropriate defense. The accuser and the accused will submit statements before the National Board which shall take a final determination. SECTION 4 FORMATION OF CHAPTERS Members of the PRSSA may establish chapters in their respective universities and colleges. These chapters must have a minimum of five (5) PRSSA members and must have a chapter constitution in order to be recognized by the National Board. Upon creation of a chapter, the National Board may appoint a provisional Chapter Board, which may remain in office until chapter elections can be held.

ARTICLE III
SECTION 1 NATIONAL BOARD The PRSSA shall be governed by a National Board. The National Board shall be composed of the following Elected Officers: President, Executive Vice President, Associate Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. SECTION 2 ELIGIBILITY National Board officers must be Active Members during their term of service. Candidates for President must be Active Members for the desired term of service, must have been an Active Member for a minimum of one (1) year prior to filing their candidacy, and must have served as a National Board officer or Cabinet member for a minimum of six (6) months. Candidates for Executive Vice President, Associate Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer must be Active

CONSTITUTION OF THE PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, INC. Members for the desired term of service, and must have been Active Members for a minimum of six (6) months prior to filing their candidacy. SECTION 3 TERM OF OFFICE The term of office for each National Board officer consists of one (1) year, beginning June 1 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and ending June 1 at 12:00 p.m. EST of the following year. SECTION 4 DUTIES The National Board members shall have the duties described below, and any other duties that the President shall from time to time decide is expedient for the PRSSA. A. President The President shall be responsible for governing the PRSSA and assuring compliance with the Constitution and Mission. The President presides over meetings; establishes an agenda ratified by Board members; approves an annual budget; has check-signing authority for all bank accounts; appoints an Executive Director to personally oversee a cabinet, delegates, and advisors; represents the PRSSA before the general public; and has power to take necessary and proper action to execute the foregoing responsibilities. B. Executive Vice President The Executive Vice President shall assist the President and shall preside in case of the absence, vacancy, or disability of the President. The Executive Vice President shall execute directives as assigned by the President. C. Associate Vice President The Associate Vice President shall assist the President and shall preside in case of the absence, vacancy, or disability of the President and the Executive Vice President. The Associate Vice President shall execute directives as assigned by the President. D. Secretary

CONSTITUTION OF THE PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, INC. The Secretary shall maintain all Official Records of the PRSSA, including membership lists, email and mailing lists, meeting minutes, any historical records, and official documents, including the PRSSA Constitution. The Secretary shall announce National Board and general meetings. The Secretary shall take minutes of all National Board meetings and provide copies to fellow National Board officers. E. Treasurer The Treasurer shall be responsible for the finances of the PRSSA, and shall keep and preserve all financial documents. The Treasurer shall propose an annual budget to the President, supervise all PRSSA bank accounts, regularly inform the Board on the financial state of the PRSSA, and issue a financial report to the Board six months into the term of office and at the conclusion of the term of office. SECTION 5 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE Unanimous expression of no confidence from fellow National Board officers triggers a referendum to impeach a National Board officer. Impeachment occurs when two-thirds (2/3) of voting Active Members vote to remove the National Board officer. SECTION 6 VACANCIES IN OFFICE A vacancy is defined as an unoccupied National Board position. In the event the presidency is unoccupied, the Executive Vice President shall become President, and in the event the Executive Vice President is unable to fulfill the office of the presidency, the Associate Vice President shall become President. In the event other National Board positions are unoccupied, the National Board shall call for a special election to fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE IV
The procedure of all National Board elections are described below, with additional terms stated in the Bylaws.

CONSTITUTION OF THE PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, INC. SECTION I ELECTIONS Elections for the offices of President, Executive Vice President, Associate Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be held annually between the second and third weeks of May. National Board candidates shall be elected by a majority of votes cast by Active Members. A runoff election will be held between the top two candidates in the event no candidate initially wins a majority. Elections will be governed by the Elections Committee. A. Elections Committee The committee shall be composed of one Coordinator named by the President and by representatives chosen by each candidate participating in the National Board elections. B. Obligations of the Elections Committee The Committee is to revise the list of official members who are to vote. The Committee shall establish the voting method for each election, without violating the secrecy or privacy of each members vote. The voting method for each election shall be approved by the simple majority of members in the Committee and announced no later than the first week of May. The list of official members who are to vote shall be ready and ratified by the simple majority of the Committee by the second week of May. Each member shall have one vote upon matters that arise, and the Coordinator will only vote when a tie occurs. SECTION II VOTES OF CONFIDENCE In the event a candidate is running unopposed, the election will serve as a vote of confidence where the candidate must receive the favor of a majority of Active Members. If a majority rejects the candidate, the elected National Board officers may appoint an Active Member to occupy the position. SECTION III TERM LIMITS A National Board officer may run for an unlimited number of additional terms as long as the officer remains an Active Member for the desired terms of service.

CONSTITUTION OF THE PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, INC. ARTICLE V Active Members may propose amendments to this Constitution. Amendments may consist of adding provisions or modifying existing provisions. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the Secretary, and publicly endorsed by at least ten (10) Active Members. To be ratified, amendments must be approved by at least two-thirds (2/3) of Active Members through a referendum, and have the support of a majority in the National Board.