CSB Club Volleyball Constitution

Article I

Section 1: Name

CSB Club Volleyball Team, CSB is an abbreviation for the College of Saint Benedict

Section 2: Purpose/Mission

The purpose and/or mission of the CSB Club Volleyball Team is to give volleyball players a more competitive league to play in than what is offered through the intramural program. Many Bennies who have played volleyball in high school are used to a higher level of competition, more specific rules and experienced referees. This league will give these players a chance to be a part of a team again, a team that is working hard to achieve the same goal. This league will give Bennies a chance to be committed to something they love and be a part of a team even if they may not have the right characteristics to be a part of the Blazer Volleyball Team. This club is for Bennies who are passionate about the sport of volleyball and would love the opportunity to increase their competitive level of play.

Section 3: Affiliation

We are working with the Northern Intercollegiate Volleyball Conference (NIVC) to gain membership of Region V in the NIVC.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership

Eligibility for becoming a partial member/member of this club team will include maintaining a 2.5 GPA at CSB/SJU of 12 or more college credits. Faculty and staff can become partial members if they follow the criteria mentioned in Article II, Section 2.

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria

  • A student will become a voting member of the CSB Club Volleyball Team after they have attended over 50% of all tournaments and/or games. The attendance will be recorded by punch cards and once a certain number of punches are reached that student or faculty/staff member will become a voting member.
  • A student and or faculty/staff member will become a voting member if they contribute to the overall fund of the club whether it’s a monetary donation, sponsorship or team equipment. 
  • After attaining voting membership it must be maintained each year by following the same criteria.

Section 3: Removal of Members

If a member of the CSB Club Volleyball Team does not meet the rules and regulations of the club, it will result in the removal of that member. The problem will be addressed by the officers and the advisor; they will then consult with the member about the issue. The removal process will be discussed well in advance before any final decisions are made, to give that member an opportunity to change their faulty habit(s). They will be given the chance to defend their position in the club and the final decision will be determined by the advisor and the officers. After a complaint has been brought in front of the committee about the member, within a two week time period a decision will be made about the status of that club member. If the member does not agree with the final decision they may appeal this process in front of all the club members and there will be a vote. That member will also be given equal opportunity to be a part of the club the following year.

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications

The number one qualification of a student officer is to maintain a 3.0 GPA and taking a minimum of 12 credits at CSB/SJU. The officer must have had four years of high school volleyball experience. This officer must commit themselves to the full Club volleyball season and all it entails (games, meetings, practices, Club activities, etc.).

Section 2: Elected Officers

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary

Section 3: Duties of Officers

President- Formation and recruitment of club members

  • Contact sponsors, advisor and coach
  • In charge of scheduling, equipment/uniforms and event planning
  • Call/Prepare club meetings
  • Addressing concerns/problems of club members

Vice President- (Assisting the President in the same duties)

  • Organizing fundraisers
  • Advertising
  • Plans training programs

Treasurer- In charge of the club team’s finances and budget/allocations requests

  • Keeps financial records

Secretary- Keeps and distributes minutes of the information covered at club meetings

  • Notify members of meetings

Section 4: Vacancy in Office

In the event that the President resigns or is removed, the Vice President will then be nominated President of the club. In the event that the Vice President does not want to take on this responsibility an election will be held. For further information refer to Article IV.

Section 5: Removal of Officers

A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. This petition must contain 50% of voting members signatures. After the request a meeting will be called to discuss the removal of that officer. After the petition is submitted the officer in question will have a chance to defend themselves in person or in writing. The majority of the voting members’ decision shall decide the officer’s fate in the Club.

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers

Once an officer is removed from the club they may go through the same appeal process that a voting member must go through. They will bring their case in front of the board and state their defense, in a period of two weeks a final decision will be made by all voting members of the club. If the decision is upheld, the officer will be given the opportunity to become a member of the club the following year.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination Process

After the club team has been established for one year, all interested in becoming an officer will submit an application for their desired position.

Section 2: Election

When a club season comes to an end an election process will be held to determine the officers for the following season, which will give those elected time to prepare and fundraise for the upcoming season. All interested in becoming a member of the club will gather for a meeting to hear each of the candidates speak about why they are right for the position. A secret ballot vote will be held following the speeches to determine the officer positions (majority rules). Applications will be submitted a week prior to the first officer meeting. A decision will be made at the second club meeting, a week later. An officer may serve for four consecutive years if elected.

Section 3: Special Elections

If an officer is removed see Article III, Section 4.

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection

In selecting our advisor the club will take into consideration athletic knowledge, experience and reputation. As well as willingness and interest to be a part of the club team and help us further our knowledge and achieve our team goals.

Section 2: Duties

The advisor -responsible for attending all executive meetings

  • meet with the President/Chairperson before/after all meetings
  • attend a specified number of club events (the number to be determined)
  • promote group activities to other faculty/staff

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities

Meetings will be held twice a month, unless otherwise noted. Members of the club will be notified of the meetings by the secretary via email. Once a month we will meet as a club to do a team-building activity outside of volleyball obligations. For those club members interested we will participate in volunteer activities throughout the academic year.

Section 2: Special Meetings

A special meeting would be called if an infraction were to occur within the club or members. These special meetings would be run by the President and the Secretary would notify other club members via email. These meeting will mainly address the issue at hand. Special meetings may also include special recognition of the team or member.

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority

The President will be the primary speaker at all club meetings, but each and every member is welcomed and encouraged to bring their own thoughts and opinions to the attention of the club at each meeting. If in any case that the President cannot attend a meeting or a special meeting, the Vice President will step in for the President; communicating to the President the matters discussed.

Section 4: Quorum

At least 2/3 of the club members must be present at any one meeting. For those that cannot attend, the secretary will send out an email consisting of the matters discussed at the meeting. If a vote is held during a meeting the members not in attendance will have an opportunity to vote through contact with the President. Every member will be granted one unexcused absence and three additional excused absences from meetings or activities. If they fail to meet these requirements a meeting will be held to discuss the removal of this club member.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure

At this point our club will have a membership committee as well as a fundraising committee. As far as the latter goes, the treasurer will be in charge of organizing and the organizations account records and all other active club members will participate in the fundraising activities.  The membership committee will be headed up by the president of the club with the assistance of the vice president, treasurer and secretary along with the clubs coach.  Membership will be determined based on the results of volleyball tryouts executed by the aforementioned officers and coach.  Membership will be based on determination, attitude and overall skill of the women trying out for the club.

Section 2: Special/ Ad-Hoc Committees

At this point we determined that if need be, special/ ad-hoc committees will be formed.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Funding

Our club will receive funding from the CSB Senate and if we are allocated resources, our club will follow all institutional regulations.

Section 2: Honorariums

There will not be an honorarium issued to any member of the club or its officers.

Section 3: Dues

As of now, there are no mandatory dues that members are required to pay.  In the future if the club is not allocated enough funds to cover the required expenses there will be fundraisers by any member who would like to help increase the funding of the club.  In the case of a major shortage of funds, the amount needed will be decided and each member will be responsible for contributing that declared amount. 

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification

If there is a proposed constitutional amendment, it must be presented in writing to the board of officers as well as the advisor. If approved, the proposed amendment will be taken to all club members and a secret ballot vote will be held.  The majority of the decisions will decide if the proposed amendment is accepted.   The proposed amendment will be decided on within two weeks of the amendment being proposed. 

Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board

Any changes that will be made to this constitution will be submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the JCB.

Article X:

The CSB Club Volleyball Team 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 Club Volleyball Team considers hazing to be to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The CSB Club Volleyball Team recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Article XII:

The CSB Club Volleyball Team agrees that its activities, mission statement and goals are consistent with the Benedictine Values.

September 11, 2007