Climbing Club Constitution
Article I: Name and Purpose
For official purposes the official name of the club will be CSB/SJU Climbing Club, hereafter referred to as “the club.” Any business or legal transactions will use the name “CSB/SJU Climbing Club” when referring to the club.
The club intends to make outdoor climbing, advanced climbing techniques, and extensive climbing knowledge more accessible to persons without any rock climbing experience whatsoever. In a deeper sense: the club fosters self-reliance and teamwork in hopes of opening members to a higher understanding of themselves and their relationship with others. The club practices good climbing etiquette as defined by the international rock climbing community and, specifically, those guidelines set for the climbing sites the club uses. The club teaches safe climbing techniques and care of equipment to minimize risk of injury and instill an understanding of safe climbing methods. Safe climbing is always the number one priority of the climbing club.
Article II: Membership
Any CSB/SJU student may become a CSB/SJU Climbing Club member. There is no prior experience necessary to take part in climbing events. However, members without experience or prior training will be restricted to the act of top-rope belayed climbing. That is, unapproved members may not belay, either for top-rope or lead/free climbers, may not set climbing anchors for top-rope or lead/free climbing routes, may not lead/free climb. Any member on the roster may be considered a voting member. Non-students will not be allowed to vote, per the restrictions outlined by Student Activities and Leadership Development.
If any member repeatedly disregards rules enforced to create a physically safe atmosphere, that member runs the risk of being removed from the club. Blatantly ignoring said rules more than two (2) times will result in a vote to remove a member. Such a vote will require at least two-thirds of the club officers to be present, and two-thirds of the officers present must concur on the removal. If removal does not occur, another vote may not take place until the same member infracts upon the rules again. Any member may request an officer to make a motion to remove a member for a reason other than poor physical safety practices. If that officer and at least two (2) other officers agree with the cause, a vote will take place. A quorum of two-thirds of the eligible voters must be present. Two-thirds of the quorum must agree on the removal. As above, no re-votes will occur until further infractions occur.
Article III: Officers
Any member eligible to vote may nominate any other member, who must also be eligible to vote. One restriction on this applies to the president position. To be nominated for president, one must have attended at least four (4) club meetings and one (1) club event. Additionally, he/she must also be top-rope belay certified, as well as free/lead climb certified and free/lead belay certified.
President – Any person nominated for the office of president must meet the requirements as outlined above and in Article IV. The president leads administrative meetings club meetings; oversees the approval of techniques for members and the associated actions of club-approved teachers (he/she may revoke the teaching privileges of any teacher found to certify unqualified members) helps organize and/or lead club events; coordinates nomination and election of new officers; coordinates with the equipment manager in purchasing new climbing equipment; facilitates all other officers in their duties. In the event that the vice president is no longer able to uphold the duties of his/her office, the president will assume the privileges and responsibilities of the vice president until a new officer is elected.
Treasurer/Vice president– The treasurer and Vice-president are equivalent terms, and refer to the very same position, hereafter the position will be referred to solely as “vice-president.” The vice president acts as a liaison between the club and the student Senates; keeps records of the financial status of the club; organizes and oversees the presentation of funding appeals; coordinates any fund raising activities; helps organize and/or, if qualified, lead climbing club events. In the event that another officer is unable to uphold the duties of their office, the vice president will assume the privileges and responsibilities of the office until a new officer is elected. If the president is removed from office or otherwise unable to perform duties, the vice president will act as president until a replacement can be arranged or the president is able to resume duties. For further information, see the “special election” section of Article IV.
Secretary– The secretary organizes staffing of club fair booths; publicizes club meetings and events; advertises campaign drives for new membership; administers the club’s computer network media, including the World Wide Web pages and electronic mail accounts/lists, etcetera; records minutes for club administrative meetings and officers’ meetings; and completes other duties as directed by the president.
Equipment Manager– The equipment manager oversees check-out and usage of club equipment; documents usage and retirement of use-degraded equipment; coordinates with the president in purchasing new equipment; helps organize and/or, if qualified, lead club events.
To remove an officer from office, a petition with at least one-quarter of the voting members must be turned in to another officer. A meeting will be called to give the implemented officer a chance to defend him- or her-self. Following the defense will be a rebuttal by the member or officer that submitted the petition (or another member that submitter determines). Afterword, a vote will take place regarding the fate of the targeted officer. If at least two-thirds of the quorum votes for removal, the officer will be removed. To appeal this decision, the officer must attend an administrative meeting, and the club advisor must be present. If the advisor and at least two other officers change opinions, the implemented officer will be reinstated. Removal from office does not mean removal of club membership.
Article IV: Elections
Any member eligible to vote may nominate any other member, who must also be eligible to vote. One restriction on this applies to the president position. To be nominated for president, one must have attended at least five (4) club meetings and one (1) club event. Additionally, he/she must also be top-rope belay certified, as well as free/lead climb certified and free/lead belay certified.
The elections will take place May 19th. The elections will be done either electronically, using the club’s website or by hand via secret ballot. A member may serve any number of terms.
Special elections will fill unexpected vacancies in office within two weeks of the appearance of such a vacancy. Special elections will be performed in the same manner as normal elections. That is, members may nominate other members, and a vote will be taken to decide the new officer. The first week will be for nominates, and one week will be given to members to decide on their choice.
Article V: Advisor
The advisor to the club must be a member of the CSB/SJU community. The advisor serves as a liaison between the club and institutions which recognize the club’s charter. The club will choose an advisor that has an enthusiastic attitude about rock climbing, and about expanding the rock climbing community. The advisor’s role in club meetings and events will be negotiated by the advisor and the executive board. The advisor may not vote on any club issues (disregarding the Officer Appeal Process). The advisor is obligated to stop the club from engaging in activities which are in violation of institutional rules.
Article VI: Meetings
Meetings will occur on a weekly basis. Campus-wide e-mail and the club’s group on Facebook.com will be used as the primary means of notifying members and non-members of meetings, events, and other activities. Meetings will be very informal. Regular meetings will consist of one group covering a basic introduction, one group covering a “technique of the week,” and the remaining attendees are free to climb at will. Attendance of either the basic introduction or “technique of the week” is completely optional.
Special meetings will be called only to address issues regarding removal of a member or removal of an officer, as well as event planning. No climbing will be allowed at special meetings until the issue at hand has been rectified. In order for official business to occur, at least two-thirds of the voting-eligible members must be present.
Article VII: Committees
Committees will not be used for the club. Ad-hoc committees may be implemented if the club or president deems it necessary. An example of such a committee may be an Instructor Committee.
Article VIII: Finances
Any issues requiring funds that the club intends to obtain from the CFB, must be voted on by a quorum. Any uses of money obtained will be used in a manner consistent with CFB and institutional regulations. No officer or member will accept honorariums, stipends, or any other compensation for services rendered for club functions.
The club may elect to assess dues of its members for the current year, at any time during the current year. Any member may move to assess dues. All members must be notified at least one week prior to voting on the motion to assess dues; the motion to assess dues may not be moved and voted upon in the same meeting unless all members that are eligible to vote are present at the meeting. Members may not represent other members in the vote. The motion to assess dues must be passed by a two-thirds majority of a quorum. The amount of the dues must be assessed each member and must be equal to that assessed any other member, including officers.
Article IX: Amendments
Any member may move to amend this constitution. The motion to amend this constitution must be passed by a hand counted two-thirds majority of a quorum. All members must be notified at least one week prior to voting on the motion to amend this constitution; the motion to amend may not be moved and voted upon in the same meeting unless all members that are eligible to vote are present at the meeting. Members may not represent other members in the vote. The effect of any amendment takes effect on a temporary basis immediately after passage. Permanent alteration occurs once the change has been submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the Joint Club Board.
Article X:
The CSB/SJU Climbing Club admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.
Article XI:
The CSB/SJU Climbing Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The CSB/SJU Climbing Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.
Article XII: The CSB/SJU Climbing Club agress that its activities, mission statement and goals are consistent with the Benedictine Values.