Starting A Council
What is a LULAC Council?
A LULAC Council is an affiliated unit of the League of United Latin American Citizens that is comprised of volunteer members who work within a community under the authority of a Charter granted by the LULAC National Board of Directors upon approval of an application for LULAC Charter.
There are currently more than 900 LULAC Councils throughout the United States and Puerto Rico who work to improve the quality of life for Hispanics in the communities in which they are located.
Who can become a LULAC member?
All persons of either sex who are residents of the United State of America, or citizens of the United States residing abroad, and are eighteen years of age or older, and whose loyalty to our country is unquestionable, are eligible for membership in LULAC.
How a Council is Organized
A local council may be organized under the sponsorship of an active council and/or of any District, State or National Executive Board officer or any combination of these according to the procedures set forth below. If there are no councils in your immediate area, active council sponsorship is waived:
- A group of not less than ten persons that meets all qualifications for membership shall, on its own initiative or that of one of the possible sponsoring entities, stipulated above, meet and elect officers and otherwise constitute itself into an organized body;
- After orientation as to the principles, work and structure of the League, the group shall fill out an Application for LULAC Charter form;
- The application includes a roster of all members and officers of the group, complete with mailing addresses and telephone numbers. The yearly fees include the 1) annual charter fee of $75.00, 2) a $15.00 annual membership fee for each member on the roster, and a one time initiation fee of $6.00 for each member on the roster. All this information is forwarded to the National Office in Washington, DC. All new councils chartered 30 days prior to the LULAC National Convention are allowed voting privileges.
- Upon approval of the application by the National Executive Board, a Charter will be issued by the National Office and sent to the Organizing Officer;
- The Organizing Officer shall arrange a place and date with the new Council for the initiation of members, installation of officers, and presentation of charter;
Membership Dues and Fees
Charter Fees:
An annual fee of $75.00 is set for issuance of a LULAC charter to a group that applies and is approved for affiliation as a local LULAC council. Said fee shall be renewed on an annual basis; payable and due to the LULAC National Treasurer on the 1st day of January each year and payable no later than February 28th of the same year by each local council. Any council not having paid said fee by the February 28 due date shall have its charter revoked and will be required to apply for a new charter and pay all fees as prescribed for chartering of a new council.
Initiation Fees:
- All new members shall pay a one-time initiation fee of $6.00 plus $15.00 in annual membership dues.
- Any ex-member who has been dormant for a year or more, and who desires to reapply for membership rather than pay dues in arrears must pay a total of $21.00 in membership and initiation fees. Said dues are to be collected by the Local Council and forwarded to the National Office in Washington, DC.
- Renewing members will pay $15.00 annual membership dues to the National Office to be in good standing. Dues must also be paid to the District and State offices in accordance with their requirements.
Active Members:
All active members shall be subject to National, State, District, and local council monthly dues in such amounts as may be set up and approved by each Assembly by majority vote, with the exception of Life Members who are exempt from National dues.
How to Contact Membership Services:
The Membership Services Department and the membership coordinator are located in the LULAC Office in El Paso, Texas at:
LULAC MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
201 East Main, Suite 605
El Paso, Texas 79901,
(915) 577-0726,
Fax: (915) 577-0914
email: GMorales@LULAC.org
Forms & Instructions
- New Charter Application Kit (PDF format))
- Member Roster Form (PDF Format)
- Re-Charter Application Kit (PDF format)
- EIN Application (PDF format)
- Important Reminder: IRS-New Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Tax-Exempt Organizations - e-Postcard (Form 990-N) beginning in 2008 - The IRS will revoke Tax-Exempt status of any organization that fails to meet its annual filing requirement for 3 consecutive years.
New Charter Application Instructions
Annual Council Charter Agreement: This agreement is part of the by-laws of the organization that explain the responsibilities and duties of the council, members and the national organization. Sign and date the document. Keep a copy for your records and return the original to the Membership Office.
Worksheet and Council Membership Roster: Clearly print or type the name, address city/state and zip code, telephone number with area code. Please note that 10 members are required to form and maintain a new council. Include fax numbers and email address. Please list members in alphabetical order if possible. Also, indicate the elected office of each member: Pres, VP, Sec, Treas, Parl, Chap, Sgt. At Arms. Also indicated whether Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Rev. or any other relevant title.
Once the forms are completed and the dues calculated, make your checks payable to LULAC National for the total remittance due. Contact your district and state director for their schedule of dues.
Remember to always keep a copy of all paperwork and checks for your records. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call the National Membership Director (see contact information below).
Re-Charter Application Instructions
- Application for Re Charter/ Contact Information Form: Complete the required information with the name of the person who will be the main contact, this person is usually the council president or treasurer. Also, be sure to put down your council's EIN number.
- Contact Information Release Form: This form is a contact information release waiver authorizing the LULAC National Office to post contact information on the LULAC website.
- New Member Application: Each new member is required to complete an Application for New Members. Two members of a neighboring council in good standing may sign to attest to the application. If a local council is not available, two members of the organizing council may sign for the person applying for membership.
- Annual Council Charter Agreement: This agreement is part of the by-laws of the organization that explain the responsibilities and duties of the council, members and the national organization. Sign and date the document. Keep a copy for your records and return the original to the Membership Office.
- Worksheet and Council Membership Roster: Clearly print or type the name, address city/state and zip code, telephone number with area code. Please note that 10 members are required to maintain a council. Include fax numbers and email addresses. Please list members in alphabetical order if possible. Also, indicate the elected office of each member: Pres, VP, Sec, Treas, Parl, Chap, Sgt at Arms. Also indicate whether Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Rev. or any other relevant title. Also, please do not forget to include your EIN number. Lack of an EIN number will cause your council to not be recognized as tax exempt from federal income tax under section 501c4 code of the Internal Revenue Service.
Application for Charter/Contact Information Form: Complete the required information with the name of the person who will be the point of contact. This person is usually the acting council president. The "organizing officer" is usually the local LULAC district director, state director or any current member (in good standing) who assisted and facilitated in the formation of the council.
Contact Information Release Form: This form is a contact information release waiver authorizing the LULAC National Office to post contact information on the LULAC website.
New Member Application: Each new member is required to complete a 2009 new member application. Two members of a neighboring council, in good standing, may sign to attest to the application. If a local council is not available, two members of the organizing council may sign to vouch for the person applying for membership.
NOTE: Once the appropriate forms are completed and the dues calculated, make your checks payable to LULAC National for the total remittance due. National will not accept dues for district or state. Remember to always keep a copy of all paperwork and checks for your records. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
Lupe Morales
Director of Membership Services
1-866-577-0726
or email GMorales@lulac.org
Mail check with completed forms to the Membership Office in El Paso, Texas.
