BALLROOM DANCE TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION

Transcription

1 Ballroom Dance Team Constitution BALLROOM DANCE TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION PART 1: INTRODUCTION PREAMBLE The Ballroom Dance Team at the University of Michigan aims to promote competitive ballroom dancing at the university while fostering a social and active community between both new and experienced dancers. ARTICLE I Title The Ballroom Dance Team at the University of Michigan (BDT). ARTICLE II Purpose The purpose of the Ballroom Dance Team at the University of Michigan is to promote the social and competitive sport of Ballroom dancing in the University community. BDT aims to provide the infrastructure for its members to train and compete in Ballroom dance competitions and foster a social and active community among both new and experienced dancers. PART 2: TEAM OVERVIEW ARTICLE III Membership Requirements Section 1: Membership Requirements 1. The Ballroom Dance Team admits all individuals regardless of their dance experience as long as they are students in a degree-granting program at any educational institution. 2. The BDT does not discriminate on basis of sex, race, ethnic background, religion, financial standing or sexual orientation in either

2 its membership policies or coaching methods. 3. At the beginning of each fall semester, all members seeking placement on a non-beginner team must try out. At the beginning of each winter semester another set of try-outs are offered for couples who a. wish to advance a level, b. were placed into their current level provisionally at the fall tryouts, or c. are new members with previous dance experience. 4. To be elibible for tryouts, each individual must meet one of the following requirements: a. Be a full or part-time student, pursuing a degree at an accredited university. b. Have graduated within the past year and been a member of the A, B, C, or Pre-C team for at least one semester. See Amendment II for more information 5. Team members are identified by the possession of a membership card. 6. Team members who joined as students but graduated while on the team can continue their memberships for up to five years from the time of their graduation, as long as they are still eligible to compete in amateur USADance competitions. 7. Team members are required to do a minimum number of service hours set by the executive board at the beginning of each semester based on the team s needs. The service hours may include: coaching, teaching, advertising, recruiting or various other duties as necessary. Members who do not fulfill the minimum requirement in service hours may be required to pay a fee for each missing hour. 8. Team members are strongly encouraged to compete at least twice per school year. Failing to do so may result in a fee set by the executive board.

3 9. All members are required to pay their dues as stated in Article VII. 10. Upon joining the team, all members agree to all the terms and conditions set by the team constitution and rules set by the executive board. Section 2: Removal of Team Members 1. Grounds for Immediate Expulsion a. Stealing team equipment, funds, or personal belongings of a team member following legal conviction. Should the victim not press charges, cases will be considered on an individual basis. b. Willful violence toward and/or assault of a team member. c. Failing to pay team dues and fees within two weeks after a verbal or written warning of expulsion. 2. Grounds For a Verbal and Written Warning of Expulsion a. Endangering the safety of others. b. Chronic verbal harassment. c. Verbal, physical, or other sexual harassment. d. Willful destruction of team equipment. e. Threats of physical harm toward a team member. f. Failing to pay team dues and fees within an appropriate time frame. 3. Warning procedure in cases that are not grounds for immediate expulsion. a. The victim/witness shall bring the situation to the attention of a team officer. Upon notification, the situation shall be discussed in detail with the victim/witness and all team officers.

4 b. If the alleged offender has violated the team s unsafe activity/inappropriate behavior policy, the officers shall draft a written warning explaining the offender s infraction(s), and that any following infractions may result in expulsion from the team. The written warning shall be approved and signed by no less than five out of nine team officers (all officers must be present at the vote). The team president will serve any agreed upon warnings. c. The offending team member, having been served with a written warning, shall sign the warning in order to acknowledge that it has been served. Signing the warning does not imply guilt. The offending member and each officer shall receive a copy of the signed written warning. d. If subsequent unsafe or inappropriate behavior is exhibited by a team member who has already received a verbal and written warning, the victim/witness shall bring the situation to the attention of a team officer. Upon notification, the situation shall be discussed in detail with the victim/witness and all team officers. e. Upon discussion of said infraction, the officers shall vote upon the issue of expulsion for the offending team member. If a unanimous vote is reached, the offending team member shall be expelled. The offending team member or accusers shall not be present during this vote. f. If a unanimous consensus should not be reached, all the officers, unless he or she is the accused, witness, or the accuser, hall vote upon the issue of expulsion for the offending team member. The officers shall present to the team the case for the offending member s expulsion. The offending member shall then present to the team any defense or mitigating testimony. Upon conclusion, the members of the team shall vote upon the issue of expulsion. If a majority of the present members is found, the offending team member shall be expelled. The offending team member or accusers shall not be present during this vote. g. If the team member s behavior is found to be in violation of the team s policy regarding unsafe activity or inappropriate behavior, the offending member shall be served with a written document expressing his/her expulsion from the team. The document shall

5 contain a detailed explanation of the grounds for expulsion. The team president, pending a vote, will serve the document from the team officers. h. Upon expulsion from the team, the offending member s dues will not be refunded. ARTICLE IV Creation of the BDT Executive Board Section 1: Overview Article IV of the BDT constitution authorizes the creation of an executive board within the Ballroom Dance Team. The board will be the decision-making apparatus of the dance team and will be in charge of enforcing the BDT constitution and other team regulations. The executive board will be comprised of eight officers, all with equal political weight, to oversee the overall function of the team. Section 2: Composition The nine officers that shall comprise the executive board are: President, Competition Coordinator, Curriculum Chair, Treasurer, Technology Chair, Away Competition Chair, Publicity Chair, Recruitment Chair and Practice Coordinator. Section 3: When and How Officers Are Elected: 1. Officers are elected at the end of each academic year (usually in April) during a general team meeting. 2. Candidates are nominated via to the executive board prior to the election, and voting occurs during the meeting via a secret ballot process. Absentee ballots may be sent to the executive board prior to the election if the voter is not able to attend the meeting. The new board is in charge immediately after the end of the elections. Section 4: Duties, Responsibilities and Minimum Requirements of Officers All officers must be students at the University of Michigan in Ann

6 Arbor. 1. President: The President is ultimately responsible for overseeing all team operations as well as long term planning for the growth and improvement of the team. Responsible for overseeing the timely execution of all team operations and making sure all other officers are fulfilling their positions. The President ensures the smooth functioning of team events and also leads board meetings. At the beginning of each semester, he/she is to brief board members on the upcoming events and allocate tasks accordingly. Eligibility: At least 1 year on executive board and current member of the A/B team. 2. Home Competition Coordinator: The job of the Competition Coordinator is to organize and facilitate the running of the annual Michigan Ballroom Competition. This includes managing and overseeing the Competition Committee, which will be in charge of scheduling judges, the showcase couple, sponsors, etc. It is the responsibility of the Competition Coordinator to ensure that every aspect of the competition is taken care of down to the tiniest detail. Eligibility: At least one year as an executive board or competition committee member. 3. Curriculum Chair: Responsible for the scheduling of lessons and hiring of instructors, as well as overseeing the lessons in general. The Curriculum Chair also schedules coaches for practice at DTS and is the main communicator between the executive board and the team coaches. This person also oversees the running of mock competitions to make sure that competitors are ready to compete. Eligibility: Current member of the A/B/C team. 4. Treasurer: The Treasurer is responsible for balancing the team s SOAS and TCF Bank accounts. The Treasurer also pays for room rentals and instructors and is in charge for booking the rooms that are needed for lessons, parties, workshops, etc. The Treasurer submits funding proposals to MSA and LSA every semester. The Treasurer also gives a financial report to the board every 2 months. The Treasurer is responsible for keeping track of team finances, collecting membership and lesson dues, and applying for other financial aid and grants. The Treasurer is also in charge of monitoring if newcomers on the team have paid. Eligibility: Current member of the A/B/C team.

7 5. Away Competition Chair: Responsible for encouraging and organizing students to go to competitions and addressing all the associated details, such as the collection of competition fees, the reservation of hotel rooms, and transportation. He is also in charge of the costumes that are in possession of the team. Eligibility: Current member of the A/B/C team. 6. Recruitment Chair: The Recruitment Chair is responsible for making the newcomers have a smooth transition as they join the team. He/she has an intimate relationship with newcomer couples and addresses any of their concerns. The Recruitment Chair is to be present at all beginner lessons on Saturday and is responsible for suggesting partnerships and also actively encourages participation in competitions. He or she also handles general inquiries addressed to the team (e.g. newcomer questions). The Recruitment Chair also plans recruitment events such as the annual fall barbeque and ice-skating socials. Eligibility: Current member of the A/B/C team. 7. Public Relations: Handles the recruiting events on campus including organizing Festifall and Winterfest. The PR Chair arranges instructors for the team workshop and handles requests for the team to do showcases. He/she is also responsible for organizing the distribution of flyers at the beginning of each semester, scheduling instructors for team events and scheduling team parties and getting team members to help decorate at these events. Eligibility: Current member of the A/B/C team. 8. Practice Coordinator: The practice coordinator is responsible for maintaining a healthy relationship with the Durbins and scheduling board members to open and close DTS. He or she is also responsible for reserving practice space in the Union, League, and CCRB and ensuring board supervision at these practices. Eligibility: Currently in at least second semester on the team. 9. Technology Chair: The technology chair updates and maintains the webpage as well as the lists. He/she is responsible for all technology related issues of the team including music at team parties and workshops. The Technology Chair also designs the posters/fliers needed for various team-related events. Eligibility: Currently in at

8 least second semester on the team. 10. Waiving Requirements: The board has the authority to waive any requirement for a specific position. A student requesting a requirement be waived must notify the board of his or her request at least one week prior to the end of the nomination process. Please see Amendment I. Section 5: Filling of Vacancies If an executive officer leaves his/her position for any reason during the academic year, his/her main opponent from the previous election (the one who was next in line for the position) may be asked to fill his/her position. If the opponent declines the position, the remaining members of the board may fill the vacancy by appointment through a unanimous vote. If there are several candidates, elections for the position may be held a second time. Section 6: Removal of Officers If an executive officer is for some reason unable to fulfill his/her responsibilities, he/she may be asked to leave the board. The rest of the board must unanimously agree on the removal of an officer. The removed officer s position is treated as a vacancy. PART 3: CONCLUSION ARTICLE V Meetings Section 1: Frequency and Purpose of Board Meetings Executive board meetings are called as needed, with a minimum of once per month. Most board meetings are closed to the team, but concerns voiced by team members will be discussed at these meetings. If an issue arises in which a vote is required, all officers are given one vote. In the case of a tie, deliberation continues until the deadlock is broken. If further discussion cannot break the deadlock, the president s vote shall represent the tie-breaker. This method, however, shall only be used as a last resort as unanimity and then simple majority should be sought insofar as possible.

9 Section 2: Minimum Attendance Requirements for Board Meetings Executive board members are required to attend at least 2/3 of all meetings and notify the board if they are not able to attend a meeting. ARTICLE VI Team Structure and Lessons Section 1: General Overview There are four dance levels within the BDT: Beginners, C, B, and A. A fifth level, Pre-C, is added as the need arises. Beginner and Pre-C lessons occur once per week while the A, B, and C teams have two lessons per week. Official practices occur four times per week, two of which are coached by A or B level members. Section 2: Payment of Lesson Fees 1. In order to participate on the A, B, C, and Pre-C teams, members of these levels are required to pay for these lessons, which include the cost of instructors as well as to rent to the practice venue. The total monthly cost of these lessons will be split up equally amongst the members in that level. Failure to pay the balance may result in a verbal or written notification from the executive board. 2. At the A, B, C level (and Pre-C level when applicable), members are expected to pay for a full month s worth of lessons each month, whether they were able to attend the lessons or not. 3. Two weeks advanced notice is required if a couple will be messing lessons for more than one month, in which case they would be excused from payment for that month. Failure to give notice will result in paying for the full month. Section 3: Minimum Attendance Requirements for Lessons 1. There is no minimum attendance requirement for the beginner level. Members of the A, B, C, and Pre-C levels are expected to attend the lessons regularly. If a person or couple in the A, B, C, or Pre-C level fails to attend lessons regularly, they will be asked to

10 justify the absences and may be asked to relinquish their place in the lesson. ARTICLE VII Committees Supporting committees may be created by the decision of the executive board when the need arises for extra help, such as during the annual University of Michigan Ballroom Dance Competition. All decisions made by a committee may be overturned by a majority vote of the executive board. See Amendment III. ARTICLE VIII Finances BDT finances its activities through university funding, monetary allocations from the university of Michigan Ballroom Dance Club, as well as two types of membership dues explained below. The team treasurer is responsible for the finances of the organization. Section 1: Semester Dues Students interested in joining the team are first given 3 free trial lessons. Afterwards they are asked to pay a semester fee of $55, which covers all lessons and practices during the semester. Members of the Pre-C team or higher are required to pay a $60 membership fee each semester prior to tryouts. Section 2: Monthly Dues Members of the A, B, C, Pre-C levels are required to pay monthly dues as stipulated in Article VII to help pay for weekly classes. These lessons, however, ma be partially subsidized by the team and the executive board decides the amount of this subsidization at the beginning of each semester. Remaining lesson fees are then split equally amongst the members in each dance level. ARTICLE VIII Amendments

11 Section 1: Adding Amendments Constitutional by-laws can be amended by a majority (5/9) vote on the executive board. The proposed changes may be suggested either by a team member or by the executive board. There is no time requirement before bring forth an amendment to be voted upon. Section 2: Amendments 1. Amendment I: The executive board can waive any requirement for a board position by a 2/3 blind vote in favor of allowing an individual to run for a specific position. Before this vote occurs, the individual must be given the opportunity to present his or her case to the board. 2. Amendment II: To be elibible for tryouts, each individual must meet one of the following requirements: a. Be a full or part-time student, pursuing a degree at an accredited university. b. Have graduated within the past year and been a member of the A, B, C, or Pre-C team for at least one semester. This eligibility does not determine a person's ability to become a team member. It merely limits his or her ability to tryout. 3. Amendment III: All decisions made by any committee can be overturned by a majority vote of the executive board. The chairperson of the committee is responsible for explaining the original decision of the committee and how that decision was reached. 4. Amendment IV: The following requirements for board positions have been changed: a. Competition Coordinator two years on the team and one term as an executive board or competition committee member. b. Curriculum Chair current member of A, B, C, or Pre-C Team c. Away Competition Chair current member of A, B, C, or Pre-C Team d. To be eligible for elections, a candidate must have been a due paying member in one of the previous two semesters. 5. Amendment V: Removal of the Daily Operations position and creation of the Practice Coordinator position.

12 6. Amendment VI: Competition Coordinator title changed to Home Competition Coordinator 7. Amendment VI: The following requirements for board positions have been changed a. Home Competition Coordinator at least one year as an executive board or competition committee member b. Curriculum Chair current member of A, B, or C team c. Treasurer current member of A, B, or C team d. Away Competition Chair current member of A, B, or C team e. Public Relations current member of A, B, or C team f. Practice Coordinator currently in at least second semester on the team g. Technology Chair currently in at least second semester on the team ARTICLE IX Statement of Compliance The Ballroom Dance Team at the University of Michigan has read and fully complies with the University of Michigan s policies. The BDT acknowledges that the organization's registration is contingent on acceptance of these policies.