The name of the Association shall be the Louisiana Academic Advising Association.

The official acronym of this Association shall be LACADA.

Article II. Definition of Academic Advising

Academic Advising is an interactive process in which the advisor assists students in setting and achieving academic, social, and personal goals that are consistent with their interests, values, abilities, degree requirements, and career expectations. Advisors provide a wide range of information to students and may refer them to other appropriate campus resources. Advisors create a supportive environment in which they may challenge students to take responsibility for making appropriate academic and career decisions. Advising is personalized to consider the particular needs of each student.

Article III. Purpose

The purpose of the Louisiana Academic Advising Association is to gain recognition for academic advising and to support the development and professional growth of academic advisors in higher education in Louisiana. LACADA serves a constituency that includes academic advisors, counselors, faculty members, administrators, students, and others in academic and student affairs concerned with the intellectual, personal, and vocational needs of students. LACADA is the representative and advocate of academic advisors in both public and private institutions and is a forum for discussion, debate, and the exchange of ideas.

Article IV. Goals

Provide quality academic advisement services for students.
Establish a communication network among institutions of higher education.
Support and provide professional development opportunities for those involved in academic advisement.
Promote professional standards for academic advising.
Establish a liaison to governing boards of higher education in Louisiana.
Establish the goals and programs of and affiliate with the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).
Establish relationships with other professional organizations.
Promote an awards system for academic advising.

Article V. Membership

Sec.1. Equal Opportunity

Membership in LACADA and opportunities for leadership shall be open to all individuals and there shall be no discrimination for reasons of religion, age, race or color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

Sec. 2. Types of Membership

Regular

Eligibility. Regular membership shall be open to academic advisors, counselors, faculty members, administrators, and others whose interests are in the area of academic advising.

Procedure. An eligible individual shall become a regular member in good standing upon payment of annual LACADA dues.

Rights. All regular members in good standing shall be eligible to attend meetings, vote, hold office, and are entitled to all the services and benefits provided by LACADA.

Student

Eligibility. Student membership shall be open to all students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) currently enrolled at regionally accredited institutions of higher education in Louisiana.

Procedure. An eligible individual shall become a student member in good standing upon payment of annual LACADA student dues.

Rights. All student members in good standing shall be eligible to attend meetings, vote, and are entitled to all the services and benefits provided by LACADA. (Student members are unable to hold office.)

Institutional

Eligibility. Membership shall be open to any regionally accredited institution of higher education in Louisiana. Institutional membership is a demonstration of an institution’s support of the purpose and goals of LACADA.

Procedure. An eligible institution shall become a member in good standing upon payment of annual LACADA dues.

Rights. Institutional members in good standing may send representatives to all regular meetings, but shall have no voting or office-holding privileges. Institutional members are entitled to all other LACADA services and benefits.

Other

The LACADA Executive Board may establish eligibility criteria, application procedures, rights of membership, and dues for other categories of membership which might be identified, except that such category may not be entitled to vote or hold office without the approval of the voting membership.

Sec. 3. Dues

Annual dues shall be established by the LACADA Executive Board with the approval of the voting membership. Student dues shall be one-half of the regular membership dues. Institutional dues shall be set by Executive Board and approved by the membership.

Annual membership dues are payable upon joining the Association. The membership year is from September 1st to August 31st.

Article VI. Meetings of the Membership

Sec. 1. The Annual Meeting of LACADA shall be held at a time established by the LACADA Executive Board.

Sec. 2. Special meetings and/or conferences may also be held at the discretion of the Executive Board.

Sec. 3. The proceedings at meetings of the Association shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article VII. Executive Board

Sec. 1. Composition and Tenure

The Executive Board shall be comprised of nine (9) regular members: the President; Vice-President for Programs; Vice-President for Membership; Vice-President for Multiculturalism/Diversity; Secretary; Treasurer; and one representative each from community colleges, private colleges, four-year colleges and universities and comprehensive institutions.

Executive Board members shall be members of LACADA.

The new Executive Board shall meet each year after the Annual Meeting. Members may serve up to two consecutive terms in any one capacity on the Executive Board. No member may hold more than one seat on the Executive Board at one time.

Sec. 2. Selection

Executive Board members shall be elected as described under Article VIII.

Sec. 3. Powers and Responsibilities

The Executive Board shall manage the affairs of the Association between its meetings, shall represent the Association, shall make recommendations to the Association, shall perform any duties stated in the Bylaws, and shall act as directed by the Association.

Specific Powers and Responsibilities

The Executive Board shall be responsible for meetings of the Association.
The Executive Board shall prepare an annual budget.
The Executive Board shall prepare and submit an annual report at the Annual Meeting.
The Executive Board determines the amount of annual dues, subject to ratification by the membership.
The Executive Board must approve all contracts and/or other agreements obligating the organization.
The Executive Board may authorize expenditures not included in the annual budget, and may authorize variations in budgeted expenditures as necessary to fulfill Association goals.
The Executive Board may meet informally or by telephone at its discretion.

Article VIII. Officers

Sec. 1. Composition and Tenure

There shall be (9) nine officers of the Association: the President; the Vice-President for Programs; the Vice-President for Membership; the Vice-President for Multiculturalism/Diversity; Secretary; Treasurer; and one representative each from community colleges, private colleges, four-year colleges and universities and comprehensive institutions.

All officers shall serve terms of two years. Terms commence at the beginning of the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Board after the Annual Meeting.

Officers shall be members of LACADA.

Sec. 2. Selection

After initial election, subsequent elections for officers will be held in even-numbered years.

Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting by a majority vote of members present. An announcement of upcoming elections shall be sent to all LACADA members. Eligible members interested in serving as an officer of the Association may submit an application of candidacy to the Nominating Committee before the Annual Meeting. A Nominating Committee appointed by the President shall select two candidates for each office provided there is more than one applicant. (The President cannot serve on the Nominating Committee.) The annual meeting notice shall specify the names and qualifications of the nominees.

Sec. 3. Duties and Responsibilities

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and Executive Board. The President is generally responsible for overseeing all of the Association’s activities. The President may call special meetings of the Executive Board and will serve as an ex officio member of all ad hoc committees. The President shall appoint an Audit Committee and a Nominating Committee and may appoint ad hoc committees as needed. The President shall be a member of NACADA.

The Vice-President for Programs will assist the President in planning the annual meeting and develop special retreats and seminars to promote educational growth and development of the membership; encourage members to publish in professional journals, and present at state, regional, and national conferences.

The Vice-President for Membership shall maintain accurate records of membership, including collection of dues, category of members, status of members, and other data deemed necessary; provide cumulative demographic data about members as necessary; provide recognition of academic advisors within the Louisiana system of higher education; and develop recommendations for the Executive Board concerning eligibility and requirements for membership.

An officer of the Executive Board shall be appointed to chair the Newsletter Committee and shall establish a regular newsletter which will comprehensively address issues pertinent to academic advising in Louisiana; and other officers in publicizing events of interest to the LACADA membership; establish liaisons with NACADA, governing boards of higher education in Louisiana, and other appropriate groups; and establish a contact person from each college and/or university in Louisiana.

The Vice-President for Multiculturalism/Diversity shall promote standards for academic advising regarding multicultural needs and concerns of a diverse student population; assist in development of state meetings and workshops with such emphasis; provide initiative in involving minority professionals as members and participants in programs; provide the membership with current trends and data relating to advising students of a diverse background; and provide cumulative demographic data about tributary groups on campuses across the state and the national impact on changing employment trends.

The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings of the Association and the Executive Board and shall give notice of special and regular meetings to all members.

The Treasurer will have custody of all LACADA funds and shall maintain such deposits in a federally insured depository institution approved by the Executive Board. The Treasurer shall also maintain a register accounting for all receipts and disbursements, provide year to date and annual reports at Executive Board and Annual Meetings, present the books to the Audit Committee for audit prior to the Annual Meeting. The fiscal year will be from September 1 through August 31.

Sec. 4. Removal

Officers may be removed for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board or by a majority vote of the Association members present at the Annual Meeting. Officers removed by the Executive Board may, upon protest, have their removal confirmed or disaffirmed by a majority vote of the Association members present at the Annual Meeting.

Sec. 5. Interim Officers

In case of vacancy, resignation, or removal of the President the Vice-President for Programs shall become President for the remainder of the term.

In case of vacancy, resignation, or removal of any other officer, the Executive Board shall appoint a new officer to fill the remainder of the term.

Article IX. Amendments to the Bylaws

Amendments to the bylaws must be ratified by a majority vote of members present at the Annual or a special meeting.

Article X. Dissolution

Upon dissolution of this Association, the Executive Board shall provide for the payment of all debts and claims against the Association. All remaining funds and property of the Association shall be transferred to the National Academic Advising Association.

LACADA Constitutional Amendments

Amendment 1

The membership year will be for a calendar year (January to December) instead of an academic year as was previously delineated.

Ratified and adopted, March 24, 2000

LACADA Annual Conference Business Meeting

Amendment 2

An Honorarium will be awarded to LACADA members who have presented sessions at the National meeting, with evidence of completed session evaluations (to be submitted by presenter to LACADA Board).

Ratified and adopted, March 2002

LACADA Annual Conference Business Meeting

Amendment 3

An Executive Board position, State of Louisiana Representative for the Region 7 Steering Committee, will be instituted beginning with the 2006-2008 term. The office will be responsible for documentation and communication between the Region and the State organizations.

Ratified and adopted, March 11, 2005

LACADA Annual Conference Business Meeting

Amendment 4

An Executive Board position, Vice-President for Communications, will be instituted beginning with the 2006-2008 term. The office will be responsible for all web-based communication.

Ratified and adopted, March 10, 2006

LACADA Annual Conference Business Meeting (and through email correspondence with Executive Board Members not present at Regional NACADA conference).