**Drafting Legislation - The La Raza Senator is responsible for drafting, supporting and pushing legislation that advances the organization's agenda.  The La Raza Senator is also expected to form Legislative Alliances with other Senators in an effort to defeat proposed legislation that is inconsistent with the agenda of our organization and its allies.  Legislation, also known as resolutions, should be drafted if and when the Executive Board authorizes the Senator to do so. 

In its first year, over 100 resolutions were presented to the Senate and La Raza's was the first one to be picked up and supported by the legislative body.  Our legislation called for an assessment of the transportation system, or lack thereof, that serviced Laird Campus - the home of the majority of minority students at the University of Delaware.  The Senate overwhelmingly embraced our concerns, paving the way for the creation of additional bus routes and the re-routing of existing lines to accommodate the Laird Campus for the 2005/2006 school year.  It is important to note: Drafting legislation should not necessarily be a high priority for the Senator, unless a REAL concern calls for action by La Raza and its allies.

**Monitoring The Senate Floor - Although resolution writing is somewhat limited by the Board, the La Raza Senator is expected to aggressively protect our organization's agenda by defeating resolutions that threaten our agenda.  For the most part, the La Raza Senator should place an emphasis on monitoring legislation that is embraced by the Senate and analyzing how it could potentially impact minority communities.

The Student Senate has historically consisted of mostly representatives from mainstream greek organizations.  Unfortunately, La Raza has only been consistently joined by The Black Student Union, HOLA, and The Caribbean Student Alliance in the Senate.  Apathy plagues many of our minority organizations, leading to their failure to send representatives to this important student body.  Based on this historical fact, as Senator, it will be important that you make sure the mainstream representatives, who with respect have agendas that deviate far from La Raza's, do not damage our communities. Closely monitor the proposed resolutions and defend our rights and privileges at the University of Delaware if they are ever threatened!

La Raza needs you to take more of a watch-dog approach than an active policy driven approach.  The Senate can and will serve our agenda when the time is right - therefore, resolution writing should take place strategically because there is no need to contribute to the flood of frivolous empty resolutions that often find their way to the Senate floor.

**Recruiting Junior Senators - As La Raza's Senator, it is your responsibility to recruit at least one Junior Senator - someone who will shadow you in the Senate and represent the interests of our organization in your absence.  La Raza places an emphasis on pulling each other up and passing the torch.  A Junior Senator will not only prepare the next generation of minority leaders for their rolls in the Senate, but it will also provide them with a sense of ownership of our organization.  It is also important to note that their insight and assistance will make your job much easier while simultaneously strengthening our organization and ensuring its healthy longevity.

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a. Representing the Campus Alliance de La Raza in a positive manner 
b. Aggressively pursuing the CALR's Agenda within the Student Senate 
c. Attending the majority of Senate meetings and hearings, while always acting within the CALR's best interests 
d. Reporting relevant information back to the Executive and United Advisory Boards 
e. Developing relationships with key officers and appointees in the respective organization 
f. Proposing, Developing, Supporting, and Voting on Legislation in a manner that is not inconsistent with the goals or objectives of the Campus Alliance de La Raza. 

For any additional guidelines or advice, please feel free to contact La Raza Alumni, Past Presidents, or the Board of Directors of La Raza In Action.  Once again, congratulations on your accomplishments and please, call on the Alumni for support if and when you need it.

Es La Verdad - En La Union Esta La Fuerza !!  - The Campus Alliance of La Raza