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Mission Statement

Latinas/os have emerged and will continue to grow as the largest racially diverse community in the United States, but receive little attention and few services. This is especially true for Latina/o LGTBQI individuals who often are victims of homophobia and heterosexism in the Latina/o and larger community. Therefore:

CLARO*, Connecticut Latinas/os Achieving Rights and Opportunities, is dedicated to advocacy and education on behalf of Latina and Latino LGBTQI individuals and groups and all members of the Latina/o community in the State of Connecticut.

CLARO seeks to celebrate, support, empower, validate and strengthen the Latina/o LGTBQI community by promoting policy and education addressing homophobia and heterosexism.

CLARO seeks to forge partnership and coalitions by building bridges with the Latina/o community and with individuals, groups, organizations and communities that work toward equality for LGTBQI who combat discrimination.

CLARO is cognizant of the need to especially support and advocate on behalf of Latina/o LGTBQI youth.

*CLARO is a Spanish language word meaning “clear, bright, obvious, and not obscure”. It also means sky light and, with an exclamation point after it, CLARO means "of course!"

Mission/Vision in Spanish

Visión

Un estado que promueve la igualdad para Latinos/as LGTBQI (Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales, Bisexuales, Queers, Intersexuales) y abarca la justicia social y los derechos humanos.

Declaración de la Misión

La Comunidad Latina es y continua siendo la más numerosa de las comunidades racialmente diversas en los Estados Unidos, pero recibe poca atención y pocos servicios. Esto es especialmente cierto para los individuos LGTBQI que a menudo son víctimas de la homofobia y heterosexismo tanto en el estado como en el resto de la Comunidad Latina. Por lo tanto:

*CLARO, (Connecticut Latinos/as logrando derechos y oportunidades), se dedica a la abogacía y la educación en beneficio de individuos y grupos Latinos/as LGBTQI y todos los miembros de la Comunidad Latina en el Estado de Connecticut.

CLARO procura celebrar, apoyar, capacitar, validar y fortalecer la Comunidad Latina LGTBQI promoviendo política y educación oponiéndose a la homofobia y el heterosexismo.

CLARO procura forjar alianzas y coaliciones con otros en la Comunidad Latina y con individuos, grupos, organizaciones y comunidades que trabajan hacia la igualdad para individuos LGTBQI que luchan contra la discriminación.

CLARO está conciente de la necesidad de apoyar y abogar en nombre de la Juventud Latina LGTBQI.

A listing of our Articles and Policies

Click below to download our membership application



Click below to download our Conflict of Interest Policy

CONNECTICUT LATINAS/OS ACHIEVING RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES, INC.
BYLAWS

ARTICLE I-The Organization

The Organization shall be known as Connecticut Latinas/Latinos Achieving Rights and Opportunities, Inc. herein referred to as CLARO. CLARO is dedicated to advocacy and education on behalf of Latina/Latino Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) individuals and groups and members of the Latina/Latino community in the State of Connecticut. It shall be referred to in these Bylaws as the Organization.

ARTICLE II-Offices

The principal office of the Organization shall be located in the City of Hartford, State of Connecticut. The Organization may also have other offices as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or its business may require. Documents pertaining to the Organization must be kept at the principal office of the Organization or such other place as the Board of Directors may determine or its business may require.

ARTICLE III-Members

The Organization shall have members. Members of the Organization shall be committed to the purpose and principles of the Organization. Members shall pay an initial membership fee of twenty ($20.00) dollars and ten ($10.00) dollars per year thereafter. All fees are set by the Board of Directors and are subject to change. Members shall have the opportunity to participate in all the activities conducted by the Organization. Members shall have access to and use of all the facilities owned by the Organization, as well as the services provided. All members must be current with the membership dues. The Board reserves the right of admission of new members upon review of applications by the membership committee and approval of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV-Board of Directors

Section 1-Powers

The Board of Director shall administer the activities, properties and affairs of the Organization. The Board of Directors may exercise all of the power of the Organization and delegate any and all such power as it sees fit, subject to restrictions imposed by the certificate of Incorporation, bylaws, Non-Stock Corporations Act of the State of Connecticut, Chapter 600 of the Connecticut General Statues, Revision of 1958, as amended, and section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1999, as amended (or the corresponding provision of any future federal tax code).

Section 2-Number, Qualification, Election and Term of Office

There shall be not less than for (7) or more than eleven (11) directorships, the number to be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The initial Board of Directors shall be elected by the Incorporators, and shall serve for a period of two (2) years. The Directors shall be elected thereafter at the annual meeting as defined in Article IV, Section 4 of these Bylaws, in the same number as there are directorships. Each elected Director shall serve until the next annual meeting and or until his / her successor has been elected and qualified. In the event of failure to hold and annual meeting, the Board of Directors may elect Directors at a special meeting called for that purpose. The annual meeting shall be held in the month of December.

Section 3-Meeting and Notice

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held within the State of Connecticut and shall be called by the Secretary for any time or place requested by the President of the Board or by at least one third (1/3) of the members of the Board of Directors. Written notice via regular mail, personal notice, telephonic notice, or e-mail notice of the time and place of each meeting shall be given to each Director at least five (5) days before such meeting. The first meeting of the newly-elected Board of Directors may be held immediately following the meeting at which the Directors shall have been elected, in which case new members shall be entitled to one vote for each matter voted upon at each meeting.

Section 4-Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held during the month of December upon such day as may be chosen by the Board of Directors. Written notice of the time and place of each Annual Meeting shall be given to each Director at least twenty (20) days prior to the Annual Meeting. At the annual Meeting, pursuant to Article IV, Section 2, the sitting Directors shall elect the new Directors that will serve on the Board of Directors. Sitting Directors may be nominated for re-election.

Section 5-Regular Meetings

Regular meeting of the Board of Directors may be held at such date, time and place as the Board of Directors may determine and fix by resolution.

Section 6-Special Meetings

The Secretary shall call special meetings of the Board of Directors for any time and place requested by the President of the Board of Directors or by at least one-third (1/3) of the members of the Board of Directors. Such request shall state the purpose of the proposed meeting. The business transacted at such special meeting shall be confined to the purpose stated in such request.

Section 7-Quorum

Unless otherwise required by law or by these Bylaws, the quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the entire Board of Directors (1/2 +1). The act of the members of the Board of Directors present at any meeting having a quorum shall constitute an official act of the Organization.

Section 8-Telephone Meeting

A Director may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of a telephone conference or other device enabling all participating Directors to hear one another and such participation shall constitute presence in person.

Section 9-Action by Written Consent

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meting if all members of the Board of Directors consent in writing. Such written consent must be filed with the Secretary of the Organization.

Section 10-Vacancies

The Board of Directors may, by nomination, fill additional unfilled positions on the Board of Directors up to maximum number of Eleven (11), for the remainder of the term, by majority vote of the entire Board of Directors then constituted, at a special meeting of the Directors. Also, in the event of death, disability, resignation or removal of a Director during his or her term, the Board of Directors shall have the right to appoint a successor to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of such director’s term.

Section 11-Suspension or Removal of Directors

The Board of Directors by affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the Board of Directors, may suspend or expel a Director, after an appropriate hearing, for unethical, illegal or for any action that is detrimental or contrary to the mission of the Organization. When a Director is suspended, the Board of Director shall fix the term of the Suspension.

After three (3) successive un-excused absences or inappropriate behavior, such as sexual harassment, threats, violence, or actions contrary to the Organization’s mission, during or after an official meeting or activities coordinated by the Organization, the President of the Organization may automatically remove Directors from the Board of Directors.

When removal is due to absences, the Secretary of the Organization must show that the director to be removed was not excused from the three (3) successively held official meetings; thus the Secretary must receive a formal communication by letter or e-mail, twenty-four (24) hours before scheduled meetings. The removed or suspended Directors shall be notified and given an opportunity to be heard as specified in Article V, section 14.

Section 12-Resignation

Any Director and/or Officer may resign from the Board of Directors by submitting a letter of resignation to the Secretary of the Organization for action and recording. The letter of resignation must be addressed to the Organization’s Co-chairs of the Board of Directors.

Section 13-Reinstatement of Suspended Director

A Director under suspension may be reinstated after the expiration of his or her suspension. The Board of Directors, however, shall determine if the Director merits reinstatement. The Director may be reinstated if two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Directors votes in favor of reinstatement.

Section 14-Reinstatement of Directors Removed for Cause

A Director that was removed for cause may file a written appeal for reinstatement with the Secretary of the Organization. The Board of Directors shall consider the request for the appeal and may hold hearings on the matter. The removed Director may be reinstated if a majority of the members of the Board of Directors vote in favor of reinstatement.

Section 15-Executive Committee

At each Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors shall elect an Executive Committee composed of not less than four (4) or more than six (6) of the Officers. Minimally, the Board of Directors shall elect a President, a President Elect, a Secretary and a Treasurer, from among its members to serve on the Executive Committee. This Committee shall meet at such times as it shall determine, at the call of the President. The Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Organization to the extent not exercised by, or reserved by law, to the full Board of Directors or as delegated to the President by the Board of Directors. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present. Any action taken by the Board of Directors with respect to minutes submitted by the Executive Committee shall be entered in the minutes of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V-Officers of the Board of Directors

Section 1-Titles, Election, and Duties of Officers

The Directors shall elect the Primary Officers of the Organization at the Annual meeting. The Primary Officers shall be the President, the President Elect, the Secretary and the Treasurer. The Directors, may, in addition to the Primary Officers, at the annual or any other Directors meeting, elect additional Officers. The Officers and Directors must be residents of the State of Connecticut. The duties of the Officers shall be such as are imposed by these Bylaws and from time to time prescribed be the Directors. After the elections, the outgoing Executive Committee of the Board of Directors will have a period of ten (10) days to submit all documents pertaining to CLARO.

Section 2- The President

The President shall be subject to the direction of the Board of Directors of the Organization. The President shall exercise general supervision and direction over the business and duties of the Organization, and shall do and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to her or him by the Board of Directors. The President shall manage the operations of CLARO. He or she shall exercise general and direct supervision and direction over the staff of the Organization. The President may appoint or hire Clerks and other employees and agents of the Organization, as she or he may from time to time deem necessary. The President, with the guidance and assistance of the Board of Directors, will be responsible for raising adequate funds for the operations of the Organization. He or she shall provide sound managerial, fiscal and social policy information to the Board of Directors to facilitate the corporate policy formulation process. The President shall implement the policy of the Board of Directors. She or he shall be responsible for designing and implementing policies for the effective management of the programs and employees of the Organization. These policies shall not be in contravention of the policies of the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
Section 3- The President Elect

In the absence of the President, The President Elect shall fulfill all the duties and responsibilities of the President, as described in Article V, Section 2. The President Elect will become the President of the Organization when the President’s term expires. If, for whatever reason, this is not possible, the Board of Directors will elect a President from among its members. The President and President Elect will work closely together as much as possible to assure a smooth transition from the President to the President Elect.

Section 4-Secretary

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Organization, and of the Board of Directors. He or she shall have charge of the Seal of the Organization and all books, records, and documents of the Organization, except those that shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer or of some other person authorized to have custody and possession thereof by a resolution of the Board of Directors. In general, the Secretary shall perform all duties required by law and incident to the office and the Board of Directors may assign him or her other pertinent duties from time to time. All records must be kept in the Main Offices of the Organization

Section 5-Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have the custody of all the funds, personal property and securities of the Organization, and shall render a full report to the Directors, annually, and when required by them. Such report shall include his or her fiscal transactions of the Organization and his or her official acts. The Treasurer shall also do and perform such other duties, from time to time, as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the President. He or she shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements and other customary financial records of the Organization, deposit all monies and valuable effects in the name and credit of the Organization in accounts designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall not pay for goods and services without the corresponding bills and prior authorization of the Board of Directors. The Board shall authorize those expenditures for which there is evidence that these are essential, qualitative, affordable and cost effective. All records must be kept in the Main Offices of the Organization.

ARTICLE VI-Terms of Office, Agents and Legal Counsel

Section 1-Terms of Office

The founding Directors shall serve for a term of two (2) years and until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified. Thereafter the Directors shall serve a term of one (1) year and until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified. Directors may be suspended or removed by the Board of Directors at any time for cause.

Section 2-Agents and Legal Counsel

The Board of Directors may appoint such Agents and attorneys, with such powers to perform such acts and duties on behalf of the Organization, as the Board of Directors may determine. Agents and Attorneys may accept said appointments on a Pro Bono basis and shall serve as parliamentarians.

ARTICLE VII-Committees

Section 1-Permanent Committees

The Membership, Fundraising, Social and Nominations Committees shall be the Permanent Committees of the Organization. With the exception of the Nomination Committee, Committee Chairs may recruit non-board members from the organization’s general membership. All Permanent Committee Chairs, however, must be members of the Board. When active, committees will report on their activities, through their Chair, at
regular scheduled Board meetings. Permanent Committee Chairs shall only serve during their elected terms. The President of the Board of Directors shall appoint all committee chairs and will serve as Ex-officio members of any committee. All Committee chairs will present written reports to the Board of Directors at the request of the Board. The Board of Directors will determine membership in any committee formed pursuant to Article VII, Section Two (2) of these Bylaws

Section 2-Other Committees

The Board of Directors may from time to time establish other committees it deems necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the Organization.

Section 3-Membership Committee

The Membership Committee will be responsible for membership drives and for screening potential members through the use of a membership application form and, if deemed necessary, an interview. The Chair of this committee will present the committee’s written recommendations for new members to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will have the formal say on acceptance or non acceptance of new members. The committee shall have budgets approved by the Board of Directors. The committee Chair shall: make all arrangements necessary for the performance of its duties; pay for all goods and services purchased, in accordance with these Bylaws and with the approval of the Board of Directors, and submit written reports of its activities to the Board of Directors. The committee shall not enter into contracts for services without the approval of the Board of Directors. The custody of all the documents of the committee shall be governed as stipulated by these Bylaws. As much as possible, this committee should work in concert with the Social and Fundraising Committees.

Section 4-Social Committee

The Social committee shall coordinate and conduct social activities for the purpose of raising funds for the Organization or to establish positive rapport among all the organization’s members and members of the larger community. The committee shall have budgets approved by the Board of Directors. The committee Chair shall: make all arrangements necessary for the performance of its duties; pay for all goods and services purchased, in accordance with these Bylaws and with the approval of the Board of Directors; submit written reports of its activities to the Board of Directors. The committee shall not enter into contracts for services without the approval of the Board of Directors. The custody of all the documents of the committee shall be governed as stipulated by these Bylaws. As much as possible, this committee should work in concert with the Fundraising and Membership Committees.

Section 5-Nomination Committee

This committee shall recommend candidates for office and membership on the Board of Directors. The Chair of this committee shall submit a report, with the names and backgrounds of all nominees, to the Board of Directors two (2) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. Said report will include the process used for such recommendations and the recommendations may be adopted, modified or rejected by the Board of Directors. The Committee shall abide by these Bylaws.

Section 6-Fundraising Committee

This committee shall coordinate and conduct activities for the purpose of raising funds for the Organization. The committee shall have budgets approved by the Board of Directors. The committees shall: make all arrangements necessary for the performance of its duties; pay for all goods and services purchased, in accordance with these Bylaws and with the approval of the Board of Directors; submit written reports of its activities to the Board of Directors. The committee shall not enter into contracts for services without the approval of the Board of Directors. The custody by all the documents of the committee shall be governed as stipulated by these Bylaws. As much as possible, this committee should work in concert with the Social and Membership Committees.

ARTICLE VIII-Compensation

No Directors shall, for any reason of his of her office, is entitled to receive a salary of compensation. However, nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a Director from receiving reimbursement for previously approved expenses form the Organization for duties other than as a “Directors”, upon approval by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX-General Provisions

Section 1-Corporate Seal

The Seal of the Organization shall have thereon the name of the “Organization”, the word “Seal” and the word “Connecticut“ , and shall be in the custody of the Treasure or Secretary.

Section 2-Corporate Logo

The Organization “LOGO” shall be on the colors, size design determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3-Equal employment Compliance

It shall be the policy of the Organization to fully comply with the Federal, State, Municipal Laws, Executive Orders, Regulations and Requirements respecting Nondiscrimination, Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights.

Section 4-Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Organization shall commence the first (1) day of the month of July and end on the thirtieth (30) day of the month of June.

Section 5-Parliamentary Rules

The Parliamentary Rules to be used by the Organization shall be those found in the books of “Roberts Rules of Order”, by Henry M. Robert. The Board of Directors may modify these rules to suit the needs of the Organization.

Section 6-Availability

A copy of these Bylaws shall be made available to all Directors of the Organization and any Government official upon request.

ARTICLE X-Amendments

Amendments to these Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation may be proposed by any Directors and shall be passed upon by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Board of
Directors of the Organization, provided that written notice of any proposed amendment shall be mailed to all Directors at least five (5) days before the meeting at which the amendment will be considered. It is CLARO’s intent to serve as a non profit organization, consistent with its mission and purpose. CLARO will seek tax exempt status described in Section 501 (C) (3) of the internal Revenue Code 1986, as amended
(or Corresponding provision of any future tax code). Therefore, no amendments to these bylaws may be proposed that may contradict or violate 501 (C) (3) requirements.
ARTICLE XI-GENRAL MEMBERSHIP

In addition to the Board of Directors as specified in section Article III there shall be a class of members known as the general membership. This class of members shall be composed of persons who have previously completed a membership application and been approved by both the membership committee and the Board of Directors. General members shall be current in their membership dues. General members may serve on the permanent committees or other committees that may be established from time to time, with the exception of the Nominations Committee. All members will receive minutes of board meetings.

ARTICLE XII-RATIFICATION

These bylaws were approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of CLARO, Inc., on June 15, 2007.

The incorporators of CLARO, Inc. founded on the 19 day of June, 2006 (4:00 P.M.) are the following:

Julio Morales Jr., Ph.D.
Sarahi Almonte
Charlie Ortiz
Marysol Asencio, Dr. P.H.

Business Filling Number 0003233201
Federal Employer Identification Number 41-2219393
Business ID - 0863682
Customer ID- 001381657