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University
of Wisconsin - Whitewater Forensics Team Constitution
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Forensics Team. We are affiliated with the following forensic organizations: Wisconsin Collegiate Forensics Association, National Forensics Association, Mid-America forensics League, and Pi Kappa Delta.
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote and improve one's speech and one's ability to communicate with others through involvement in the team, community service, and/or intercollegiate competition. This organization upholds the equal rights of all its members.
Article III: Membership
The University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Forensics Team offers membership to any student interested in advancing their educational and communication abilities. The Forensics Team prides itself in helping our teammates to prepare for the challenges that the working world offers. The art of communication is an attribute that every student should hold. It has been a part of our past, it is part of our present, and will present itself as part of our future. Communication is the key to peaceful global coexistence.
Article IV: Requirements for General Membership
1. Members must be in compliance with University Standards, such as having a 2.0 GPA or higher.
2. Members must have a willingness to assist teammates as well as the campus and community in the pursuit of speaking excellence.
3. Forensics is an open organization to competing as well as active/non-competing members. See article V.
4. Members must respect the stature of the organization, the coaching staff, and other participants at all times.
5. All General Members must meet the criteria for their membership classification or they will be removed from the team rosters. (See Article V. for criteria)
6. Each member should be able to pay ten-dollars ($10.00) in membership dues per semester.
7. If a member does not achieve the above requirements due to extenuating circumstances, the Executive Board may decide not to remove the individual from the team.
Article V: Classifications of Membership
1. Competing
A. Competing members participate in intercollegiate tournaments.
B. Only active members are eligible to compete.
C. Competing members must attend two or more tournaments per semester.
D. Competing members are expected to be on one or more team sponsored committees per semester.
E. Attendance at General Member meetings is mandatory, unless excused by a member of the executive board or Coaching Staff.
F. Competing members must be familiar with the information outlined in the Tournament Policies Statement.
G. Competing members must abide by the point system.
2. Active/Non-Competing
A. Non-competing members must serve 12 office hours per semester.
i. Office hours include, but are not limited to:
Ø Peer coaching
Ø Attending special meetings such as Sorber Prep meetings or
committee meetings
Ø Logged forensics office hours
Ø Forensics related meetings with Coaching Staff
Ø Practicing pieces in office (must be logged)
ii. Office hours do not include:
Ø Attending general member meetings
Ø Practicing pieces outside the office
Ø Other full team meetings
B. These members are expected to serve on team-sponsored committees per semester.
C. Attendance at General Member meetings is mandatory, unless excused by the a member of the executive board or Coaching Staff.
D. All members considering or planning to compete at any time must be familiar with the information outlined in the Tournament Policies Statement.
E. Active/Non-competing members must abide by the point system.
3. Non-Active/Non-competing members
A. These members may not vote.
B. Attendance at General Member meetings is optional.
C. These members are not officially part of the organization, but are provided for support only.
Article VI: Voting Rights
1. Graduating seniors cannot vote in official team business for the following year.
2. Non-active members cannot vote in any team business.
3. Any absentee ballots must be submitted by an appointed date.
Article VII: Election Process
1. Candidates may be nominated for all offices they feel they are qualified to execute.
2. Nominations can be made by any team member, including self.
3. Candidates must be nominated at least one meeting prior to elections.
4. Candidates may be nominated for more than one office, but can only be elected to one office.
5. The order of elections shall be: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Liaison, and Programmer.
6. All voting is done on written ballots that will be tabulated by the Coaching Staff, and one general member not seeking office.
7. Should a vacancy exist of an office after preceding elections, nominations will be taken from the members and be voted upon at the next General Member meeting.
8. All new positions must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the Executive Board prior to the day of nominations.
9. Members should run for office with the understanding it is a one-year term.
Article VIII: Executive Board
1. The Executive Board for the team shall be: President, Vice-President, Treasure, Secretary, Membership Liaison, Programmer, and any other positions added by the addition process outlined in Article VI, Section 8.
2. Executive Board members are expected have a minimum of one semester competing member experience; or to compete in two tournaments per semester while in office, unless extenuating circumstances arise. Acceptable extenuating circumstances must be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the General Members. If General Members do not approve, the Executive Board member will be expected to resign.
3. The Executive Board has the power to temporarily increase dues as the need arises.
Article IX: Duties of the Executive Board
1. President
A. Shall set up and facilitate team meetings regularly and extra meetings as needed.
B. Set up and supervise committees as needed.
C. Assign miscellaneous duties to appropriate team members as needed.
D. Ensure a positive working environment for all members.
E. Represent the team at University meetings.
F. Facilitate team-improvement and team-builder activities.
G. Maintain communication with Vice-President and Coaching Staff.
H. Strive for constant improvement of team and its members.
I. Coordinates the annual Showcase Night
J. Chairperson of the High School Judging Committee unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
2. Vice-President
A. Coordinate the Edna Sorber Tournament and all activities associated with the tournament.
B. Register team members for all tournaments with aid of Coaching Staff.
C. Preside over meetings in the absence of the President.
D. Responsible for keeping team informed of activities relevant to affiliations.
E. Maintain communication with the President and Coaching Staff.
F. Chairperson of the Sorber Committee unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
3. Treasurer
A. Prepare budget, which is submitted to SUFAC and revise according to allocations.
B. Attend all mandatory SUFAC meetings and report back to team.
C. Know the balances in our accounts at all times.
D. Arrange travel plans with the aid of the Coaching Staff.
E. Has the power to deny any disbursement of any funds, with the approval of the executive board.
4. Secretary
A. Take minutes at all meetings and report the minutes for each meeting.
1.Minutes must be approved by majority of General Members present.
2. Minutes must be posted three days after approval.
B. Keep the filing cabinets organized.
C. Maintains files in relation to:
1. Hold harmless agreements
2. Meal signature sheets
3. Point system.
D. Organize focus nights/practice nights each semester.
E. Organize one new-member meeting per semester.
F. Prepare new member packets, which have been approved by the Executive Board and Coach.
G. Chairperson of the Social Committee unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
5. Membership Liaison
A. Contacts the Royal Purple about team competitions as well as other team news.
B. Keep all team members informed of team issues via email.
C. Coordinates community service activities.
D. Coordinate Mentor Program
E. Advertise all programs and the team in general.
F. Chairperson of the Newsletter Committee unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
6. Executive Board Member-At-Large
A. Aids other Executive Board members in previously stated duties when needed.
B. Additional necessary duties may be delegated to this Executive Board member.
C. Should a vacancy in the Executive Board occur, this person will fill in until a suitable replacement can be elected by the team. If approved by the team, the Member-At-Large can fulfill these duties permanently, electing a new Member-At-Large.
D. Delegated duties may need to be approved by the Executive Board and/or Coaching Staff at the request of the Member-At-Large.
E. Chairperson of the Recognition Committee unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
Article X: Resignation Process
1. Prepare a letter of resignation two weeks prior to resignation, stating why and when you plan to resign.
2. Discuss with Coaching Staff, giving them a signed copy of resignation letter.
3. At the following Executive Board meeting, explain the situation to the other Executive Board members.
4. The decision will be announced at the following General Member meeting.
5. People who plan to resign from an Executive Board position are still welcomed and encouraged to be a General Member of the team.
6. If the President resigns, the Vice-President will assume the position, with the Executive Board appointing a new vice-president.
7. If any other Executive Board member resigns, the remaining Executive Board will appoint a replacement.
8. (effective at 04-05 elections) The Member-At-Large will assume the position until a suitable substitute can be found.
Article XI: Impeachment Process
1. Two-thirds of the team must sign a petition stating their reasons as to why this person or persons should be removed from the Executive Board.
2. The petition must be presented to the Executive Board, and the board must present the petition at the next General Member meeting.
3. At the meeting, reasons for impeachment and defense arguments are stated. The person being petitioned must be allowed time to speak and defend his/her actions. A 2/3-majority vote is needed to close discussion.
4. A vote is then taken on whether or not to impeach the member being petitioned.
5. Every member will get one vote. The Coach will count the votes. Two team members, one which must be a General Member, will act as witnesses to the counting of votes.
6. If the result is impeachment, the vacancy will be filled as per Article IX, Section 6-7.
7. If the impeachment fails, that person may not be petitioned again for the same issues as before.
Article XII: Committees
1. Active members must participate in committees.
2. A list of active committees will be available at the General Member Meetings.
3. Committees may be created by the members of the executive board.
4. Committees will be validated by majority vote of the Executive Board and dissolved by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board at the next scheduled meeting.
5. Standing committees include:
A. High School Judging Committee
1. Chairperson is the President unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
2. Have members interested in judging fill out judge's profiles.
3. Contact area high schools advertising our availability.
4. Communicate all judging opportunities to members.
5. Serve as contact person between team and high schools.
6. Inform members of WHSFA certification process.
B. Social Committee
1.Chairperson is the team Secretary unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
2.Organize Holiday Party and Spring Banquet.
3.Organize other social events/activities throughout the semester.
C. Newsletter Committee
1. Chairperson is the Membership Liaison unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
2. Send out weekly newsletters to the team.
3. Organize, and send out an alumni newsletter once a semester.
D. Sorber Committee
1.Chairperson is the Vice-President unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
2.Design a plan of how the Sorber Tournament will be run.
3.Pre-plan extension committees and oversee these committees.
E. Recognition Committee (sub a) (effective until 04-05 elections)
1.Chairperson is the Programmer unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
2.Recognize achievements within the team.
F. Recognition Committee (sub b) (effective at 04-05 elections)
1.Chairperson is the Member-At-Large unless otherwise appointed by the Executive Board.
2.Recognize achievements within the team.
G. Web Page Committee
1. Chairperson is most qualified team member, with approval of the executive board.
2. Web page is to be updated as changes are necessary.
Article XIII: Meetings
1. Quorum, at least one-third of all members or 12 members, whichever is less, must be present in order to conduct business and voting.
2. All decisions made at meetings shall be decided by a majority rule of those present, with every member getting one vote.
3. Attendance at all meetings is mandatory for all active members as outlined in Article V, Sections 1 and 2. Repeated failure to attend or make necessary arrangements in advance may result in a subtraction of points.
Article XIV: Point System
1. Active members will be required to accumulate a minimum number of points per semester.
2. The Executive Board will set a suitable number of points per semester needed to be considered active.
3. All members will be responsible for keeping record of their activities using the point system worksheet, which will be kept in their file.
4. The Secretary is responsible for checking accuracy.
Article XV: Coaching Staff
1. Head Coach
A. May declare members eligible for competition.
B. Aid the treasurer in arranging travel plans.
C. Aids the Vice President in registering team members for tournaments.
D. Make office hours available to critique team members' pieces.
2. Assistant Coach
A. May declare members eligible for competition.
B. Handles immediate communication and daily business within the forensics team.
C. Aids the Vice President in registering team members for tournaments.
D. May be delegated duties by other members of the Coaching Staff.
E. Make office hours available to critique team members' pieces.
3. Student Coach
A. May declare members eligible for competition in consultation with other coaching staff.
B. Must have at least 1 year of competing experience.
C. Must hold weekly office hours.
D. May declare interest in the position, and be approved by the executive board and other coaching staff.
E. Student Coaching Assistants may join the Coaching Staff under the direction of the Student Coach.
F. Student Coaching Assistants may not declare members eligible for competition.
Article XVI: Tournament Policies
All competing members must comply with all guidelines presented in the Tournament Policies Statement.
Article XVIII: Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a 2/3-majority vote of the Executive Board with a 2/3-majority vote of General Members at two consecutive General Member meetings.
1st approval-MDW 4/23/03
1st approval-BPM 4/23/03
2nd approval-MDW 4/30/03
2nd approval-BPM 4/30/03
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