MEChA Startup Kit

8/7/2019 MEChA Startup Kit

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M.E.Ch.AMovimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan

STARTER KIT


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HISTORY OF MEChA 2

EXTERNAL MEChA. .3

QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED ABOUT MEChA NATIONAL MEChA.4

ORGANIZING A CAMPUS MEChA CHAPTER...6

MEChA REGIONS10

ARGUMENTS SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MEChA STUDENT

ORGANIZATION IN HIGH SCHOOLS..12


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HISTORY OF MOVIMIENTO ESTUDIANTIL CHICANODE AZTLN

The Chicano Movement, of the late l960s, helped spark cultural and historical pride in

our people. Chicana/os demanded to be treated as equals, denounced acculturation, andassimilation. Chicana/os expressed their pride through poetry, literature, art, and theatre.

The contributions of the Chicano movement are numerous and continue to be valuable to

our society.

In March of 1969 the Crusade for justice organized the first National Chicano Youth

Conference in Denver, Colorado. At this conference the Plan de Aztlan was drafted;giving way to the Chicano movement. This document asserts that Chicana/os must work

to better the conditions of their communities.

Following the National Chicano Youth Conference, in April of 1969, over 100Chicanas/Chicanos met together at the University of California Santa Barbara to

formulate a plan for higher education: El Plan de Santa Barbara. With this document they

were successful in the development of two important contributions to the ChicanoMovement: Movimiento Estudintil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) and Chicano Studies.

MEChA is a Chicano Nationalist organization, composed by students that promote higherEducation, political involvement, cultura, and historia. MEChA was founded on

the principles of self-determination for the liberation of our people. We believe that

education is the avenue for improving the conditions of our gente.

MEChA uses El Plan de Santa Barbara and El Plan de Aztlan as guiding documents.

Today, over 35 years after its creation, there are MEChA Chapters from coast to coast,

and there are an even bigger Number of MEChAs at high schools and junior collegesthroughout the United States.

Our gente still faces the same problems of the 1970s, Chicana/Chicano junior high, highschool and college push out rates have risen since 1969, forcing many Chicanas and

Chicanos to a life of poverty. These factors along with a growing right wing trend in the

nation are combining to work greater hardships on Chicanas and Chicanos. New

repressiveand racist immigration laws are continuously directed at our Gente. ThusM.E.Ch.As spirit of activism is conduced within experience and expression for the

betterment of our community.


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collection of chapters in a particular area or community within a MEChA region.

EXTERNAL MEChA STRUCTURE

In the past, the structure of M.E.Ch.A allowed any individual wanting to organize

a chapter on any particular campus the opportunity to do so. This could occur without

prior knowledge of the history and philosophical objectives of M.E.Ch.A. Thus, vastnumbers of M.E.Ch.A chapters with dissimilar and contradictory objectives as well as

conflicting philosophies.

Recognizing the ineffectiveness of this previous M.E.Ch.A organizationalstructure and the philosophical polarity that it allowed, we propose that the following

structure be adopted which makes every Mechista accountable to its chapter, every chapteraccountable to its central (where applicable), every central accountable to its region, everyregion accountable to its state (where applicable), and every state accountable to the national(The Philosophy of MEChA).

MEChA adopts the bottom up structure:

Mechista (Individual)An individual who adopts the philosophies of MEChA

ChapterThe group of Mechistas at a College, University or High School campus

Central(if applicable)

ReginA collection of Chapters/Centrales in a particular area or state(s).

Statewide(if applicable)A collection of regions, centrals and/or chapters within their respective state.

National MEChAComposed of the following ten regions:

Alta Califas Norte, Alta Califas Sur, Calpulli Montaas del Norte, Centro Aztlan, CentroCalifaztlan, Este Aztlan, Mictlampa Cihuatlampa, Tierra Mid-Atl, Pacific Northwest, and

Southeast Tejaztlan.


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QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED ABOUT MEChA

What is MEChA?

MEChA is an acronym for Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. MEChA is aNational student organization. The goals of MEChA are to promote and recruit students

into higher education, retain our cultural identity, preserve and study our history,

maintain ties with the Chicano community, and become politically active.

What are the Guiding Documents?

MEChA has three guiding documents: El Plan de Aztlan, El Plan de Santa Barbara, and

the Philosophy of MEChA.

Our guiding documents serve as the base for MEChA. They serve to guide our

organization and outline our philosophy and principles. These documents must be

discussed fully by the chapter.

What are the Governing Documents?Each Chapter is governed by its respective constitution, central constitution, regionalconstitution, statewide constitution, National MEChA Constitution and the Philosophy

of MEChA. These constitutions govern our affairs.

What is the importance of Regional Voting Rights?

Voting rights give active chapters the right to vote on issues. There are guidelines

outlined for each respective region that must be followed in order to attain

voting rights. Once a chapter gains voting rights they can exercise their vote and becomerecognized at Regional, Statewide and National meetings.

How can my chapter obtain voting rights?

Voting rights vary by region. A chapter may only gain voting rights through their

respective region.

*For a detailed outline on gaining voting rights, contact a voting chapter within the

region or an NMCC representative. Find your region click here.


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What is Chicanismo?

Chicanismo involves a personal decision to reject assimilation and work towards the

preservation of our cultural heritage. Therefore, the term Chicano is grounded in a

philosophy, not a nationality. Chicano is a state of mind, not a birthright. Recognizing

that all people are potential Chicanas and Chicanos, we encourage those interested indeveloping a total commitment to our movement for self-determination for the people

of Aztlan to join MEChA. (Philosophy of MEChA)

What is Chicano Nationalism?Nationalism is usually defined in academic dictionaries as the connection/tie/pride in a

particular nation and connotes a sense of patriotism.

Chicano Nationalism within MEChA & the Chicano movement differs because there is

no specific nation to adhere to. Aztlan is not a necessarily defined territory. Instead,

Chicano Nationalism is more of an ideal, in which Raza no matter class or specificnationality sees one another as familia. It is a means of unification. It is an understanding

and realization that we share a common experience living as Raza in US society. Our

communities all face similar social problems such as poverty, the need for bilingualeducation, racism, etc...

What can I expect to gain out of MEChA?

MEChA is a training ground for leadership. Through participating and coordinating

MEChA events, one can gain invaluable leadership skills. Mechistas also have theprivilege of helping fellow students and their community in addition to finding a sense

of identity and self empowerment. It is a learning and fulfilling experience that helps

develop a political consciousness and provides a sense of familia.


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NATIONAL MEChA

Ten regions make up National MEChA. These regions include: Tierra Mid-Atl, Centro

Aztlan, Pacific Northwest, Mictlampa Cihuatlampa, Southeast Tejaztlan, Alta CalifasSur, Centro Califaztlan, Alta Califas Norte, Calpuilli Mantanas del Norte, and Este

Aztlan MEChA Region.

National MEChA is governed by the National MEChA Constitution.

National MEChA Conference

National MEChA meets once a year during the spring at the National MEChA

Conference held at alternate regions throughout the nation. The purpose of thisconference shall be to bring all M.E.Ch.A chapters together in an effort to form a

M.E.Ch.A. National Conference structure that advocates a common M.E.Ch.A.

philosophy, works towards unified goals and objectives, and reaffirms the principles of

M.E.Ch.A. to consolidate our Movement.

National Conference Activities

The National MEChA Conference is held from Thursday evening through Sunday

afternoon. Approximately, one thousand Mechistas attend the conference. On Thursdayevening there is a Noche de Cultura where we may enjoy Chicana/o comedy, poetry,

danza Azteca, and plays. Educational workshops are offered on Friday and Saturday,

most of which are facilitated by Mechistas. Sundays are reserved for the resolution circlewherein all voting national MEChA chapters vote on proposals and/or advocacy

agendas.

National MEChA Liaisons

There are at least three national liaisons held at alternate National MEChA Regions forthe planning of the National MEChA Conference.

National MEChA Coordinator Council (NMCC)

National MEChA is structured by regions. There are two Representatives from each of

the recognized M.E.Ch.A Regions in National M.E.Ch.A that make up the Council. Each

region elects two representatives, a male and a female. The NMCC elects the National

MEChA co-chairs. The council meets at alternate regions throughout the nation todiscuss issues affecting their respective regions among other issues. The NMCC has the

power to vote on important national issues on behalf of their region.


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ORGANIZING A CAMPUS M.E.Ch.A CHAPTER

This section of the Handbook covers setting up, maintaining, and building campus

M.E.Ch.A chapters. We hope that it will provide guidance, structure, and unity of

purpose for new and growing M.E.Ch.A chapters. M.E.Ch.A is much more than a club;it is a movementfounded on the principles of self-determination for the liberation of ourGente. We believe that political involvement and education is the avenue for change in

our society. In order to do this we need an organized, focused organization withcommitted leaders and members who are willing to be role models for our community.

We must be willing to build and demonstrate strong character in mind and body if we

are to accomplish significant change in attitudes and behavior in our families, friends,acquaintances, and leaders.

A. Starting a MEChA Chapter

1. M.E.Ch.A. Perspective:

As you set up your organization, it is very important that the membership be clear on the

purpose and perspective of M.E.Ch.A. M.E.Ch.A is a Chicano nationalist studentorganization, as stated in our Philosophy, Our fundamental drive is to organize andchallenge Chicana/Chicano estudiantes to maintain self-respect and dignity to overcome

historical prejudices and discrimination against the Chicana and Chicano Gente. The

historic mission of M.E.Ch.A involves an educational plan of action that builds an

educational ladder for the advancement of our people. Recognizing that the strength ofour movement is rooted in our barrios, M.E.Ch.A pledges itself to reach out to the

community and schools, to establish new educational opportunities. We also recognize

that our M.E.Ch.A chapters are much stronger when they are rooted in and accountableto the Chicana/Chicano community. Consequently, We, Mechistas commit ourselves to

return to our community and contribute to the development of the Chicana/Chicano

Nation (The Philosophy of MEChA). M.E.Ch.A serves as a supportive network to helpRaza students get through college, encourages our youth, and takes up issues that affect

our people on the campus, in the work place, and in our communities. Students come to

M.E.Ch.A to learn leadership skills and provide mutual support for each other.

2. Getting together a core:

If you are on a campus where there is no existing M.E.Ch.A chapter and wish to start achapter, the process is not difficult. The first step is to gather a core of interested

students, friends, or others who are willing to help. This could be as few as one or two

students, however your vision, enthusiasm, commitment, and organization will

determine how many students actually participate.

3. Soliciting help from an established MEChA Chapter:

At this point it would be helpful to contact the nearest recognized MEChA chapter to fora workshop presentation on the history, purpose, structure and philosophy of MEChA

(i.e. MEChA 101).


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4. Structure

You will want to make sure this structure insures that M.E.Ch.A will functiondemocratically. Most M.E.Ch.A organizations hold democratic election of officers who

are accountable to the general membership and use Roberts Rules of Order (or Betos

Rules of Order) as the form of parliamentary procedure to run meetings. Setting upcommittees such as Fundraising and Events or ongoing committees, which focus on

educational rights, political education, or cultural work examples. You may also want to

set up a steering committee/executive committee made up of the elected officers andcommittee heads, which can function in a collective manner.

5. Campus policies for student clubs and funding:

You will need to investigate your schools policies for establishing student clubs. This

information can be obtained through the student government (AS) or the Student

Activities department on your campus. These rules will inform you of the requirements

needed to set up a club/organization (i.e. number of members needed, advisors, officerrequirements, constitution, etc.). You will also want to investigate procedures for getting

AS funding, proposal deadlines, and the types of activities that can be funded. Most

campuses require clubs/organizations to have a faculty or staff advisor. Select someonewho understands their role as an advisor (an advisor is one who gives advice it is to the

discretion of the chapter if they choose to take it) and, allows the students themselves to

make the decisions. Choose someone who will not impose their personal agendas. Inmost cases, it is against the law of administrators or Associated Student Governments to

deny individuals the right to establish ethnic heritage organizations as long as all school

students are given the opportunity and encouraged to participate.

6. Recruiting new members:

An important part of maintaining a healthy M.E.Ch.A is to recruit new members. New

members bring new ideas to M.E.Ch.A. One key in attracting new members is to havehigh visibility of M.E.Ch.A on campus. This means posting leaflets, doing mail outs,

tabling during class registration and making classroom presentations. Many Raza and

other supportive professors will let you make a brief announcement and pass out flyersin their classes. However, the best way to recruit new members is to identify your

purpose and goals, and to plan and execute activities that promote that purpose and these

goals.

7. M.E.Ch.A. Meetings:

Be organized! No one likes to waste their time. Identify why you are meeting, make an

agenda and follow it, keep members focused, encourage participation, and use astructured form of procedure in every meeting (most organizations use a form of

Roberts Rules of Order). At the first meeting, you may want to have a brainstorming

session on the type of social, political, cultural, or educational activities that M.E.Ch.A

can take up, or what issues are of collective and democratic manner, involving as manystudents as possible. In this way you will ensure the success of your activities. You can

then make a calendar for M.E.Ch.A activities for the quarter/semester.


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8. Integrating members into the activities:

To keep your membership you need to encourage all members to participate. Because of

the conditions we face as a people, many Raza students today have to work, go to class

and study. As stated in EPSB, the strengths, weaknesses, and talents of each membershould be known so that they may be utilized to the greatest advantage. Know one

another. Part of the reason that students will come to the organization is in search of self-

fulfillment. Give that individual the opportunity to show what she/he can do. Althoughthe Movement stresses collective behavior, it is important that the individual be

recognized and given credit for his/her efforts. When people who work in close

association know one another well, it is more conductive to self-criticism and re-evaluation, and this every M.E.Ch.A person must be willing to submit to. Periodic self-

criticism often eliminates static cycles of unproductive behavior.

B. Gaining Chapter Recognition:

As outlined in the National Constitution-

In order to be a MEChA chapter recognized by the Regional, it (the chapter) shall adoptand abide by the following responsibilities:

A) Orient all members by discussing and reading historical documents of our

Movimiento including: El Plan de Santa Barbara, El Plan Espiritual de Aztlan, and

the MEChA position papers of Philosophy, Constitutions, Relations to OutsideOrganizations, and Goals & objectives.

CONTACT AN ESTABLISHED MEChA CHAPTER NEAREST YOUR CAMPUS FOR AN

ORIENTATION WORKSHOP ON MEChA AND THE MENTIONED DOCUMENTS.

B) Make important aspects of the Chicano Movement relevant to Mechistas.

C) Send at least one (1) representative to the Regional meetings to be recognized as a

voting chapter.

FOR DETAILED MEETING INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR RESPECTIVE MEChA REGION.

(SEE BELOW)

*(Article III National MEChA Structure Section 24).


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MEChA REGIONS

Any campus wanting to become a recognized MEChA Chapter must gain its affiliationand voting rights through their recognized regional. Voting rights within regions vary,

for detailed information contact your region.

Alphabetical order

Alta Califas Norte:The region is composed of MEChA chapters in northern California, which include the

southern boundary of San Joaquin County to the northern California/Oregon border.

Email: [email protected]

Alta Califas Sur:


Calpulli Montanas del Norte:MEChA chapters within the states of Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.


Centro Aztlan:The region is comprised of New Mexico, Arizona and El Paso, Texas.


Centro Califaztlan:The region is composed of chapters within central California, between the Southernboundary of San Joaquin County to chapters north of Ventura County.


Este Aztlan:The region is composed of MEChA chapters within the District of Columbia,

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont.

MEChA chapters in and south of Ventura County, and in and north of the San

Diego and Imperial Valley Counties


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Mictlampa Cihuatlampa:The region is composed of MEChA chapters within the state of Oregon.

Email:

Pacific Northwest:The region is composed of MEChA chapters within the states of Idaho, Alaska,

Washington and Hawaii


Southeast Tejaztlan:The region is composed of MEChA Chapters within all of Tejas except for the city of El

Paso.


Tierra Mid-Atl:Composed of the Midwest states North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas,

Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois,

Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.



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ARGUMENTS SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OFMEChA IN HIGH SCHOOLS

The tradition of student organization in the high school level is long standing. Student

organizations serve a viable and an important role in student development andleadership. El Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA), a Chicana/o student

organization which emerged in 1969, contributes to the goals and diversity of the

tradition of student organizations at the high school level. This list is by no wayexhaustive.

1. A central principle of MEChA is to affirm and celebrate diversity amongst itsmembers. This affirmation and celebration is significant in the development of positive

and strong cultural identity among Raza students. Research clearly indicates that an

individual who has a strong identity will also have a healthy self-image. A positive self-image contributes to how one interacts with others, academic performance and a variety

of other efforts and settings which students are involved in.

2. A second central principle of MEChA is to involve students in discussing and

acting on social-political issues relevant to their community. This involvement issignificant in introducing students to the political nature of our community. Political

activism is significant in producing civic-minded youth in our communities. There ismuch intrinsic value for students to put into practice the political ideals taught in the

classroom.

3. A third central principle of MEChA is the importance of developing leadershipamong students. Students who serve as MEChA officers gain much from this leadership

experience. Leadership development is significant since many ethnic studentsparticularly Chicana/os do not access mainstream student leadership opportunities.

4. A fourth central principle of MEChA is that of academic achievement andcompletion. MEChA strongly believes that self-determination of our community is basedon an educated community. This notion of academic achievement and completion is

based on an educated community. This notion of academic achievement and completion

is significant in terms of leadership, economics, and community.

5. MEChA also provides opportunity for students at a particular school to share and

be connected with other MEChA students at other high schools and colleges. This

opportunity for interaction is important in affording students opportunity for exchanging

ideas seeking mutual, support and sharing a MEChA organizational tradition thatextends throughout the United States. This interaction is supported by State, Regional,

and National MEChA conferences held annually.

6. MEChA also provides a significant forum by which to bring attention to culturalawareness. This notion of cultural awareness is relevant during current times of

multicultural diversity perspective in education.


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