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In 1969 Chicana/Chicano students, educators, and leaders from throughout the country met at the University of California, Santa Barbara.  It was at this gathering that the philosophy of Movimiento Estudiantíl Chicana/o de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A.) was born and El Plan de Santa Barbara was established.  It was this plan of higher education that opened the doors to student youth and the plan that today Colleges and University's recognized as Ethnic Studies and the operation of its Chicana/o Studies departments.  It is through M.E.Ch.A. that we continue to solidify our place as educated youth and leaders of tomorrow.

For over 30 years M.E.Ch.A. de Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) has committed itself to the student in a way that teaches dignity, self awareness, duality and gratification. M.E.Ch.A. de CSUF consistently strives to empower its community by initiating political, social and culture awareness through events, actions, and workshops.  M.E.Ch.A. de CSUF invites everyone to their cause regardless or race color or gender.  These very same ideas and values are a clear representation of the University's vision as we continue to work together and move forward.

| M.E.Ch.A. 101 | Philosophy of M.E.Ch.A. | M.E.Ch.A. Facts & Myths | El Plan de Aztlán | El Plan de Santa Barbara |

| M.E.Ch.A. Website Links | The History of M.E.Ch.A. de CSUF (coming soon) |

The E-Board Updated 9/11/2007

Chair: Diana Lira

Shall chair general body meetings. Shall be knowledgeable of and uphold the Constitution of M.E.Ch.A. at all times. Shall formulate the agenda for regular meetings in consultation with the general membership. Is responsible for networking and developing open relations with clubs/organizations on campus and Raza organizations off campus that will be beneficial to M.E.Ch.A. de CSUF. Shall be sensitive to and keep the body well informed and politicized as stipulated under El Plan de Santa Barbara.

Vice-Chair:  Jose Zamora

Shall assume office of the Chair if vacated during the term. Shall appoint committee chairs and oversee coordination of the standing committees and has the authority to appoint chairs to ad hoc committees when necessary. Shall also coordinate the calendar of events and be in charge of the major events sponsored by M.E.Ch.A. He/She must be knowledgeable of M.E.Ch.A. Constitution and by-laws to govern meetings at all times.

Treasurer:

Shall be responsible for all financial transactions of M.E.Ch.A. de CSUF. Shall collect all dues and keep record of all debts and assets acquired by M.E.Ch.A. Shall report on the financial condition of M.E.Ch.A. at every regular meeting. Shall submit a monthly report of the organization’s financial standing to the advisor, executive board, and general body. Shall chair fundraising committee and at the end of each semester must submit a complete financial report to the general body. All money must be deposited into ASI Inc. Accounting Office Agency Account. The university does not recognize off campus bank accounts for student organizations at CSUF.

Historian:

Shall maintain and organize a pictorial/historical background album and oversee the formation of the annual journal. Shall keep record of all minutes including general body and committee minutes in a binder to be filed at the end of spring semester. Shall maintain and organize the cabinets.

Secretaries: Rosy Amaya

Shall take minutes of general assembly and obtain minutes from California Statewide and National Meetings and keep the on file. Shall keep typed record of all minutes. Shall hold and provide all necessary information of each M.E.Ch.A member, area contact, phone numbers, class schedules, etc. Shall prepare prior to each meeting an Agenda for all officers and members. Will be in charge of qualifications for all elections in conjunction with the advisor and executive board. Must maintain an up to date list of all committees and their members. The preceding duties are shared responsibilities to be managed between both secretaries. Shall be given the right to tape record the meetings when minutes have been printed the tape should be recorded over in the following meeting(s). Shall provide a list of voting members to the general body at the beginning of each general meeting.

Our Committees Updated 10/12/07

Calmecac

Fridays @ 11 :OO a.m.

McCarthy Hall - M.E.Ch.A Office 104B, 714-278-3846

Calmecac means the “School for higher education” in Nahuatl, the language of the Mexica. This committee implements programs and develops strategies that promote, encourage, and give information on higher education to M.E.Ch.A. members and Raza students according to the Plan de Santa Barbara. The committee also promotes and provides information and deadlines on financial aid, scholarships, and add/drop procedures. Calmecac committee is also responsible for coordinating the recruitment of students into M.E.Ch.A. de CSUF which consists of presentations distributing flyers, brochures, and displaying posters, which will contain general information, upcoming events, and pertinent issues. The committee is also responsible for developing and publishing the M.E.Ch.A. de CSUF website and oversees the formation of the monthly newsletter.

Telpochcalli

Wednesday @ 3:00 p.m.

Pollak Library South - Chicana/o Resource Center, 714-278-2537

Telpochcalli means “School for warriors” in Nahuatl, the language of the Mexica. The committee is responsible for implementing M.E.Ch.A. Chapters at local high schools as well as organize the annual P.R.I.D.E. High School Conference. Telpochcalli committee also establishes consistent working relationship with Orange County high schools and provides workshops on higher education. The committee will also be working with the community about AB540 students.

History & Culture / Tlatoani

Friday @ 12:00 p.m.

McCarthy Hall - M.E.Ch.A Office 104B, 714-278-3846

The committee provides brief educational segments regarding History and Cultura significant to the organization at every meeting. History and Culture is also in charge of keeping the members inform of current issues going one in our Chican@ communities through workshops, forums, and debates. They also are in charge of maintaining the body inform of city, state, national, and global matters This committee is also responsible for conducting movie nights with dialogues. Tlatoani means “Speaker of the People” in Nahuatl, the language of the Mexica. The committee is responsible for establishing and developing relationships with businesses, community, and grass roots organizations. The committee also organizes and maintains voter registration drives throughout the semester. Tlatoani committee is also in charge of the coordinating annual events such as Cinco de Mayo, Dia de los Muertos, Indigenous People’s Day and other events.

Fundraising

Currently Inactive

McCarthy Hall - M.E.Ch.A Office 104B, 714-278-3846

Fundraising implements programs and develops strategies to raise funds for M.E.Ch.A. De CSUF. The committee will also organize necessary fundraising events to help meet a proposed budget, which will be developed at the beginning of the year. Proposals are also presented to businesses for fundraising purposes.

In Lak Ex

Friday @ 12:00 p.m.

McCarthy Hall - M.E.Ch.A Office 104B, 714-278-3846

In Lak Ex means “Tu eres mu otro yo” (Duality) in Nahuatl, the language of the Mexica. This committee implements programs and activities that educate M.E.Ch.A. Members and CSUF students about Nuestra Raza.  In addition, the committee also raises awareness of the gender, social and sexuality issues affecting the Chicana/o community. Committee also holds workshops, forums and/or presentations dealing with the contributions of mujers to our Movimiento. They also are in charge of conducting men and women circles to provide a safe space where members can converse about individual problems.

La Junta de Directiva - M.E.Ch.A. in el Barrio

Currently Inactive

McCarthy Hall - M.E.Ch.A Office 104B, 714-278-3846

La Junta de Directiva or M.E.Ch.A. in el Barrio embodies El Plan de Santa Barbara and the M.E.Ch.A. philosophy on working within our community. The focus of the committee is centered around the local community, where the committee will work toward establishing a link between M.E.Ch.A. and nuestra gente. The vision of the committee is to empower, learn, and make the university/institutions accountable to our community.