Swing Catz Constitution
Article I: Name and Purpose
Section 1: Name Swing Catz
Section 2: Purpose/Mission
The CSB/SJU Swing Catz mission is to introduce CSB/SJU students to the history, various styles, and culture of swing dancing while teaching members various dance skills and techniques.
Section 3: Affiliation:
The CSB/SJU Swing Catz is not affiliated with any organization, but we recognize the value in both going out to local dance communities as well as bringing in professional dance instructors for the enrichment of the club.
Article II: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility for Membership
The Swing Catz shall, at all times, consist of student executive members, student members, and an advisor. Each student member of the Swing Catz shall hold Swing Catz membership for one academic year, and may rejoin annually.
Section 2: Voting Member Criteria
Students become voting members of the Swing Catz when they have met two conditions:
1) Attend 80% of the club meetings or events for an entire semester.
2) Have knowledge of the basic steps of six and eight count Lindy Hop.
Section 3: Removal of Members
All members not expressing continued interest at the end of each academic year will have membership revoked.
Non-voting membership has no requirements other than expressed interest.
Voting members attending fewer than 80% of a semester's events will may be notified that they are not in good standing. If this process is started, they and will have one semester to meet the original 80% requirement. If the member does not comply, a quorum of voting members will vote on said members club status. Removal from the club requires a 2/3 majority.
Voting members subject to removal will be given an opportunity to defend themselves in writing or in person before a vote takes place.
Voting membership review and removal will take place at the end of each semester.
There is no appeal process.
A removed member may regain voting membership status the following semester by attending at least 80% of all club events and meeting the basic dancing requirements set forth in Section 2.
Article III: Officers
Section 1: Officer Qualifications
All officers must:
1) Be current CSB/SJU students.
2) Have an intermediate knowledge of six and eight count Lindy Hop and Charleston swing styles.
3) Have at least one semester of club membership.
See Article IV for Election procedures.
Section 2: Elected Officers (Deleted three positions that have not been filled as long as I've been a student here)
Head Lead (Department of Student Activities Contact)
Head Follow (JCB Contact)
Treasurer (CFB Contact)
Section 3: Duties of Officers
Head Lead and Follow:
Term in office-One Calendar Year
•1) Organize club recruiting
•2) Teach lessons
•3) Preside at meetings
•4) Call special meetings
•5) Notify members of meetings
•6) Primary contacts with the institutions and JCB
•7) Run the election process
•8) Schedule meet/practice rooms/facilities
•9) handle official club correspondence
•10) primary contacts with outside professionals
Treasurer:
Term in office-One Calendar Year
1) Keep all financial records
2) Submit monthly audit statements to CFB
3) Notify organization of financial issues
4) Prepare budget/allocation requests
Section 4: Vacancy in Office
In the event of any vacancy, duties will be temporarily fulfilled on a voluntary basis by other Officers with the exception of the Treasurer duties, which will be fulfilled by the Head Lead/Follow.
See Article IV Section 3 for special elections
Section 5: Removal of Officers
A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer.
This petition must contain the signatures of 25% of voting members.
When such petition is received, the officer shall call a meeting of the club to determine whether or not the officer should be removed.
Grounds for removal are to be presented by the officer in charge at a regular or special club meeting.
The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present a defense either in person or in writing.
A quorum shall be present, and a 2/3 majority vote of the voting members shall decide upon removal.
Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers
A petition to appeal removal from office must be submitted to another officer.
This petition must contain the signatures of 75% of the general club membership.
When such petition is received, the officer shall call a meeting of the club to determine whether or not the individual should be reinstated to office.
The officer in question shall be provided an opportunity to present an argument either in person or in writing.
A quorum shall be present, and a 3/4 majority vote of the voting members shall decide upon reinstatement.
Article IV: Elections
Section 1: Nomination Process
Any club member fulfilling the officer requirements may be self-nominated or nominated by any other club member.
Nominations must be seconded and submitted to the Head Lead/Follow and nominees must accept by March 15th.
Unless running on a split semester ballot with an agreed upon switch mid-year, all nominees are running for a full year position.
Section 2: Election
Elections will be chaired by the Head Follow.
Elections will take place before April 1st.
A quorum shall be present, and a 3/4 majority vote of the voting members shall decide upon the officers.
All ballots will be secret and take place without discussion.
Campaigning is limited to self-promotion; there will be no campaigning against candidates.
When reregistering as a club, it is the newly-elected officers' responsibility to notify Student Activities of the leadership for the following year.
Section 3: Special Elections
In the event of a vacating Head Lead/Follow:
Special elections will occur within two weeks of a vacancy occurrence and follow the procedures detailed in Article IV Section 2.
Article V: Advisor
Section 1: Selection
Club officers will choose a club advisor annually by simple majority. This may be any interested faculty member.
Section 2: Duties
Take an active part in facilitating the development of group goals.
Promote group activities to other faculty/staff.
Article VI: Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities
Officer strategic planning meetings will occur at the beginning and end of each semester to set club goals, events, and lesson schedules.
It is the responsibility of the Head Lead and Follow to organize all general meetings and notify members in advance. They also will be responsible to notify members of cancelled, postponed or additional meetings.
•· These meetings will be the chance to explore swing dancing techniques and express any concerns as to upcoming club functions or club organization.
•· Club Officers will organize periodic trips to swing dancing events and notify members via e-mail and announcements at regular meetings.
Section 2: Special Meetings
The Head Lead/Follow may call special meetings.
Special meetings will function as regular meetings do.
Section 3: Parliamentary Authority
Meetings will be chaired by the Head Lead/Follow and will follow Roberts Rules of Order.
Section 4: Quorum*
2/3 of voting members must be present for elections.
2/3 of the officers must be present for non-election club decisions
Article VII: Committees
Section 1: Committee Structure
SwingCatz committees will be formed as necessary to plan and organize club activities and events. A volunteer club member will become the committee chair.
Article VIII: Finances
Section 1: Co-Funding Board
The Swing Catz will apply for Co-Funding Board (CFB) monies and will comply with all CFB rules and regulations.
Section 2: Honorariums
No club member shall receive an honorarium.
Article IX: Amendments
Section 1: Ratification
•1. All changes must meet the guidelines of the JCB and must not conflict with the institutional mission and policies of CSB/SJU.
•2. Amendments may be submitted to the Head Lead/Follow by any voting member
•3. Grounds for ratification of a proposed amendment are to be presented by the officer in charge at a regular or special club meeting.
•4. Voting members will be given 15 minutes to discuss said amendment
•5. A quorum shall be present, and a 2/3 majority vote of the voting members shall decide upon ratification.
Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board
Any changes made to this constitution must be submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the JCB.
Article X
The CSB/SJU Swing Catz admit 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 Swing Catz consider hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The Swing Catz recognize the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.