This document outlines the constitution of the Society for Space Law and Law of the Sea student organization at the University of Michigan Law School. The organization aims to deepen its members' understanding of space law and law of the sea through speakers and events. The constitution establishes the requirements for membership, leadership board positions including President and Treasurer, elections procedures, and amendment processes. It provides the framework for the student group to function and engage its members on these areas of law.

1. Constitution of the Society for Space Law and the Law of the Sea
Article I – Name
1) The name of this organization shall be Society for Space Law and Law of the
Sea.
Article II – Purpose
1) The Society for Space Law and the Law of the Sea (“SSLLS”) strives to provide
opportunities for personal and professional enrichment to its members and
the University of Michigan Law student body by deepening their
understanding of legal and policy framework governing use of space and the
sea.
2) This organization will focus on exploring professional opportunities for those
who hold career interests in space law or law of the sea as well as on drawing
speakers to campus who can discuss various aspects of both areas of law.
Article III – Jurisdiction
1) This organization shall be governed by all applicable rules set down by the
University of Michigan Law School and the University of Michigan Law School
Senate and the University of Michigan Student Senate.
Article IV – Membership
1) Eligibility – Any law student currently enrolled in good standing at the
University of Michigan Law School is eligible for membership in the SSLLS.
a. The SSLLS does not discriminate on any basis, including but not
limited to race, sex, national origin, color, age, appearance, religious
belief or lack thereof, sexual identity, disability or veteran status.
2) Requirements – All eligible individuals wishing to join the SSLLS are subject
to a series of requirements:
a. Dues – All members are required to pay dues, the exact sum of which
shall be determined by the Board before each academic year.
Members are required to pay the Treasurer, in full, before they may
officially qualify as a member of the organization and to take
advantage of any opportunities the Board determines available
exclusively to official members.
b. Responsibilities – Board members are required to execute their duties
in good faith and participate in a positive manner. All members are
encouraged to attend meetings, speaking events, or any events that
the organization may host.
c. ‘Good Standing’ – A member of the SSLLS is considered in good
standing by meeting all requirements outlined above.

2. 3) Rights – All members of the SSLLS in good standing are imbued with certain
rights:
a. Voting Rights – In all scenarios where voting is approved by the Board
or required by this instrument, all members in good standing shall be
permitted to vote.
b. Open Government – All members in good standing are entitled to the
benefits provided by transparent government and leadership. To that
end:
i. Any member may at any time request to view the financial
records of the SSLLS.
ii. Any member may at any time request to review the minutes of
any session where minutes are taken.
iii. Any member may at any time request an official meeting with
the Board to request aid, information or redress of grievances.
This meeting shall be held at the closest time of convenience to
all members.
1. In the case of a meeting called to achieve a redress of
grievances, the meeting shall be closed to all except the
Board and the parties involved.
4) End of Membership – A member may cease to be a member of this
organization. If the member graduates from the University of Michigan Law
School, transfers, is expelled or is placed on academic leave, they shall also
cease to be a member of the Society for Space Law and Law of the Sea.
Furthermore, a member may voluntarily resign their membership by
informing the Board of that wish.
5) Study Abroad – A member on a study abroad assignment may remain a
member and retain all other rights.
6) Removal of Members – Any member may be removed by the unanimous
decision of the Board.
a. The member whose removal is under review has the right to be
notified that this measure is being considered before the vote is taken.
Furthermore, that member has the right to a hearing before the Board
before the vote is taken, to present their case for remaining within the
SSLLS.
Article V – Leadership Board
1) Purpose - The Board shall function as the leadership of this organization.
2) Composition – The Board shall be made up of at least three members, elected
annually.
a. Duties – It shall be the duty of the Board to designate and oversee
meetings of the organization, to plan and execute events in the
organization’s name, to manage the organization’s finances, to open
and maintain relations with the University of Michigan Law School, to
represent the organization, and to ensure the proper execution of all
elements of this Constitution.

3. b. Positions – The Board shall be made up of at least three positions—
although one member may serve more than one position provided the
President and the Vice President are different individuals—serving
different needs of the organization.
i. Appointment - all organization members in good standing who
choose to participate in the voting procedure shall designate
each
ii. President –One member shall be designated as the President of
the organization. It shall be the duty of the President to open
and maintain relations with the Law School and otherwise lead
the SSLLS in all its pursuits and general activities. Further, it
shall be the responsibility of the President to provide official
signatures.
iii. Vice President — One member shall be designated as the Vice
President. The Vice President will be charged with the duty of
overseeing functionality of other decisions and proving
leadership and direction to the club in general.
iv. Secretary — One Board member shall be designated as the
Secretary of the organization. It shall be the responsibility of
the Secretary to maintain a historical record of the
organization, oversee website activities and to take minutes
and notes where necessary.
v. Treasurer – One Board member shall be designated as the
Treasurer of the organization. It shall be the duty of the
Treasurer to handle all financial and fundraising activities for
the Society of Space Law and Law of the Sea. It shall be the duty
of the Treasurer to open and maintain the organizational bank
account and to maintain regular reports on the status of
organizational finances. Further, it shall be the duty of the
Treasurer to collect dues from the membership in a timely
manner.
vi. Operations Chair—It shall be the duty of the Operations Chair
to take charge of logistical concerns for whatever the
organization may need including but not limited to: travel
arrangements, room reservations, oversight of a particular
committee, or any technical concerns that present themselves
in the course of business.
Article VI – Ratification
1) The document shall be ratified by a ¾ vote at the first board meeting of the
SSLLS.
2) Ratification of the Constitution – This document shall take effect immediately
upon ratification by the LSSS.

4. Bylaws
Elections – The Board shall be elected by the general body of the Society for Space
Law and Law of the Sea.
a. Quorum – These elections require quorum to be met.
i. Definition - In all scenarios where quorum is required, it shall
be defined as three-quarters (3/4) of the current membership.
If this calculation does not result in a whole number, the
number shall be rounded down.
ii. For members to be counted towards quorum, they must be
physically present at the vote unless the Board institutes an
absentee voting option.
iii. Members not capable of being present may vote by absentee
ballot only when voting on new board members, in a manner
and form to be determined by the outgoing Board.
b. Date and Time – These elections shall be held annually before the end
of the academic year at a date and time convenient to the
membership. It shall be the responsibility of the outgoing Board to
establish and announce this date and time.
c. Candidates – All members of the Society for Space Law and Law of the
Sea in good standing are eligible to run for election to the Board.
Candidates are required to announce their candidacy to the Board and
General Body one (1) week in advance of the date of the election.
d. Manner and Method – These elections shall be held by approval
voting, and accomplished by secret ballot.
i. Campaigning – The Candidates shall each be allowed a brief
speech before the vote is taken to detail their qualifications
and stances.
e. Run-off Procedure – In the event of a tie, a second round of voting in
the same manner shall take place between the two deadlocked
candidates. In the case of a run-off, members may vote during a
specified period of time either in person or via email to the President.
f. Recount Procedure – A candidate may dispute the results of an
election if they believe they have a good-faith basis on which to do so.
In this case, a group consisting of the outgoing Board and the
individual disputing the election results shall recount the ballots.
They are not permitted to reveal the exact vote totals beyond
returning the results of the recount.
3) Vote of No Confidence – Upon the petition of a member of the organization in
good standing, a vote may be held for the removal of a member of the Board
from that position.
a. Quorum – For a Vote of No Confidence, quorum is required as defined
above.

5. b. Manner and Method – A vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the
membership in the affirmative is required to effect a Vote of No
Confidence. If this calculation does not result in a whole number, the
number shall be rounded down. The vote shall be accomplished by
secret ballot.
i. Vote Counting – In a Vote of No Confidence the ballots shall be
removed from the room and counted by all Board members not
in question, in the presence of the petitioning member. All
parties to this counting are forbidden from revealing the vote
totals, beyond returning a simple ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ on the motion.
c. Effect – If the Vote of No Confidence passes the Board Member in
question is removed immediately from that position. They are not
removed from the organization as a whole.
4) Vacancy Provisions – In the situation that a member of the Board is removed,
resigns or becomes unable to fulfill their responsibilities, it is the duty of the
remaining SSLLS to hold an Election as soon as possible, pursuant to election
procedure above.
Appointed Officers
1) General Delegation of Duties – The Board may further delegate duties, and
may create specialized temporary Appointed Officer positions if necessary.
Amendment and General Voting Procedure
1) Amendment to the Constitution – Any member in good standing may present
the Board with a proposed amendment to the Constitution. If a quorum as
defined above approves a proposed amendment, it will be placed on the
agenda, discussed, and voted upon according to normal voting procedure.
a. A board member may place an amendment on the agenda at any time
provided it is seconded by another member of the organization,
including the Board.