The University of Michigan Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team Constitution and Bylaws Preamble: We, the members of the University of Michigan Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team, in order to develop student leaders and athletes, do hereby establish this constitution. Article I: Name The name of the student organization shall be The University of Michigan Alpine Ski and Snowboard Team, hereafter referred to as the Organization. Article II: Affiliation with other groups The Organization is affiliated with Outdoor Adventures at the University of Michigan. Article III: Mission Our mission is to provide a way for University of Michigan students to continue to pursue their love of ski and snowboard racing at the collegiate level. We are a group that puts a strong emphasis on balancing competitiveness, fun and racing education. We feel that our members have the opportunity to choose their own level of competitiveness which results in a group of individuals with a commitment to their own performance, and the well being of their team members. Article IV: Membership Section 1: Membership in the Organization shall be open to all individuals who are full-time students at the University of Michigan, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran status, who meet the requirements set forth in these Bylaws. The Captains, in accordance with the provisions set forth in these Bylaws, shall approve applications for competitive membership. In considering applications for membership, no person shall be discriminated against for any reason whatsoever. Section 2: Membership Classifications: A. Active Section 3: B. Competitive A. Active Membership : Active membership shall be available to any full-time University of Michigan student who has the interest in competing for the Organization. Active membership allows individuals interested in competing for the Organization the opportunity to apply for competitive membership. Active members must complete
Section 4: an application in order to review the skills and qualifications necessary to be a competitive member. B. Competitive Membership: Competitive membership shall be defined as individuals who are registered with United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) and are deemed qualified to compete in ski racing competitions. Competitive membership is available to any active member through application only. Upon completion of competitive member application, the Captains will extend competitive membership status to those deemed qualified and eligible to race. Captains will review competitive membership applications once annually during the Fall semester before competition. Application for competitive membership shall be submitted for approval by the Captains upon the applicant meeting the requirements as set forth by the Bylaws. Competitive membership will hereafter be referred to as Membership. A. Applicant shall pay Membership fee at time of acceptance. B. Membership may be closed by the Captains anytime it deems necessary C. Upon approval of advisor, Membership may be closed by the Captains anytime it deems necessary. D. Requirements for Membership are evaluated prior to each season and are subject to change depending on the applicant pool for Membership. Thus, all members are required to apply before each season. E. Competitive membership applications will be reviewed by Captains and acceptance will be based on the best skill fit with the Organization, and decisions will not be discriminated by race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran status, who meet the requirements set forth in these Bylaws. Article V: Officers Section 1: The elected officers of the Organization shall be four (4) or five (5) captains depending on the needs of the Organization, per season. These four (4) or five (5) captains will hereafter be referred to as Captains. Section 2: Elections A. Election of officers will be held annually prior to the start of each season, at a date in the Fall determined by the Captains. B. Qualifications of Candidates - Candidates for office shall be Competitive Members. Candidates must have Junior standing to be eligible for election. C. Qualifications of Voters - Eligibility of for voting is limited to Competitive Members, as defined in Article IV, Section 3 of the Bylaws.
Section 3: Section 4: D. Election of Officers - Nominations shall be opened during the beginning of the Fall semester and accepted by Captains until the start of the Fall meeting. All elections shall be held by secret ballot at the second meeting. Term of Office A. Officers shall serve a term of two (2) years. B. Vacancies - in the event of a vacancy of an elected officer, the position will remain vacant until the next election. C. Recall of Officers - Voting members shall have the right to recall any elected officer upon petition of 25% of the voting membership, and a majority vote of at least 2/3 of the voting membership is required for recall. Duties A. Captains will be responsible for registration of the team with the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association, and the transportation, lodging and feeding of the team during all race weekends. B. Faculty Advisor will be responsible for oversight of funds, providing counsel to the Captains and helping to coordinate on-campus events with Outdoor Adventures and the Organization. The advisor shall not vote on official organization business. Article VI: Operations Section 1 Section 2 Meetings A. An annual Fall meeting shall take place in a date chosen by Captains in order to educate new members about the team, and to begin acceptance of applications for competitive membership. B. Communication of membership status shall be communicated via email. C. Several times shall be made available by Captains for collecting dues, registration paperwork, and the Organization contract. Races A. The Organization s competitive members will attend all four (4) division races scheduled by the Midwest Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (MCSA) Michigan division, and the one (1) regional race. Section 3 Organization Responsibility
Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 A. The Organization shall not be liable to any member or guest, or to the relative of any member or guest, for injury or loss to person or personal property at any meeting or activity sponsored by the Organization. Parliamentary Procedure A. In the absence of any provision in these Bylaws to the contrary, all meetings of the Organization and the Captains shall be governed by the parliamentary rules and usage contained in the current edition of Robert s Rules of Order. Policy and Procedure Manual A. The Captains shall maintain a manual of Organization policy and procedures. Contents shall be available to Organization members. B. The Captains shall notify Organization members, in a timely manner, of any changes in the Manual. Outdoor Adventures and the Organization A. Outdoor Adventures will provide the Organization with office space, meeting room, and a drop-in location for team information. B. The Organization will host one even per year with Outdoor Adventures, and will assist with the operation of another. Article VII: Finances Section 1 Section 2 Dues A. Annual membership fees will be assessed, and approved by the advisor, prior to the beginning of each season based on needs of the Organization. B. Dues will be collected from all members, competitive and active. C. Dues will be set at different amounts for competitive and active members, depending on the needs of each type of membership. D. Once an individual pays dues, refunds will not be considered. Allocation of Funds A. Dues shall cover racer registration fees with USCSA and MCSA, race start fees, and transportation and lodging on the race weekends. B. Expenditures shall be the responsibility of Captains and reviewed by the Advisor.
Article VIII: Quorum Quorum: Three fourths (3/4) of the voting officers (Captains) must be present to constitute a quorum; majority vote of those present must approve to pass a motion. Article IX : Removal of Membership Competitive or Active membership may be terminated immediately per majority decision of the Captains if Bylaws are violated, or if a member puts themselves or others in a position of harm. Any member may request that the Captains review a membership for dismissal. Article X : Amendments Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended in whole or in part by a majority vote of the Captains, or a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all Competitive Members. Section 2: Amendments may be proposed to the membership by: Section 3: A. A simple majority vote, or B. A petition bearing the signatures of a minimum of twenty-five (25) Competitive Members. A. A copy of the proposed amendments must be submitted by e-mail to all voting members at least ten (10) days prior to the determined and published date for voting. B. Pro and con opportunities for discussion will be provided. Article XI: Ratification This constitution must be ratified by three-fourths of all Captains and shall be reviewed every 2 years. Article XII: Indemnification of Members The Organization shall indemnify each member at any time in participation with the Organization, whether prior or subsequent to the adoption of this Bylaw, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a member of the organization against expenses (including legal fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Organization, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plead o nolo contendere or its equivalent,
shall not of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Organization; and with respect to any criminal action proceeding, shall not have had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not preclude and indemnification of any such member or any employee or other person acting for or in the interests of the Organization, to which such member, Captain, employee, or other person may be entitled by law or by virtue of any document or agreement, or which may be legally provided or afforded by or under any action by the members an/or Board members or this Organization. All rights of indemnification shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executers, administrators, advisors and personal representatives of the person involved.