CONSTITUTION OF THE GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WORLD PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE Founded: November 29, 2007 Constitution Ratified: April 28, 2013 Preamble The students and faculty of Georgetown University acknowledge the vast musical possibilities of the percussion family and therefore recognize the performance of percussion ensemble literature as an indispensable component of a dynamic, inclusive performing arts program, particularly within the context of a liberal educational tradition. The Georgetown University World Percussion Ensemble exists to support the performance of percussive music on the University s campus and to educate both members of the ensemble and the Georgetown community at large about this unique musical niche, thus expanding the role of music in Georgetown University s educational mission. This Constitution, which shall replace the original Constitution (ratified on November 29, 2007), is hereby ratified by the Georgetown University World Percussion Ensemble on this April 28, 2013. Article I: Name The name of the organization is the Georgetown University World Percussion Ensemble. The organization may also be referred to as WPE. Article II: Purpose WPE exists to promote the performance and study of percussive music i.e., music that is performed primarily, if not exclusively, on percussion instruments. WPE shall consistently attempt to broaden the scope of its repertoire by including music from different regions, cultures, and eras. While focus for a particular event s music may be relatively narrow (depending on the nature of that event), per semester, the ensemble should explore at least several distinct styles of percussive music including, but not limited to: traditional Western (concert) percussive literature; orchestral percussion; African percussion; Latin percussion; Eastern percussion; et cetera. In addition, improvisation should feature prominently in WPE s musical endeavor. 1
Members of WPE shall make every effort to use percussive performance to further the good name of Georgetown University and that of the Department of Performing Arts (DPA). Article III: Membership Membership in WPE is intended primarily for undergraduate students presently enrolled at Georgetown University. If necessary or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Faculty Advisor, WPE may recruit from other student populations at Georgetown University. Also if necessary or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Faculty Advisor, alumni and faculty may be members of WPE. However, at least fifty percent of WPE members must be undergraduates, and only undergraduate members may participate in elections. (Nonundergraduates will be considered non-voting members.) While no prior musical experience is absolutely required for membership in WPE, the ensemble prefers members with at least rudimentary musical knowledge e.g., the ability to read music, understanding of basic terms and concepts, et cetera. Knowledge of percussive instruments is particularly sought. Because no prior musical experience is necessary, no audition is required for membership in WPE. New members will, however, be subject to an evaluation whether formal or informal by WPE s Faculty Advisor of their musical skill. As such, certain members may be given more or less involved musical roles in the ensemble, depending on their skill level and at the discretion of the Faculty Advisor. Should the Faculty Advisor determine that a larger number of members accepted into the group is beginning to sacrifice its musical quality, the advisor reserves the right to institute policies that contradict or ; i.e., the advisor may institute a requirement of prior musical experience or of audition. Article IV: Officers As required by DPA, there must, at all times, be a President and a Treasurer. These two responsibilities may be fulfilled by the same person with the permission of the Faculty Advisor and DPA, usually due to the relatively low number of members in WPE. The elected President or Treasurer shall preside at business meetings of WPE. The President is responsible for communication among WPE, 2
the Faculty Advisor, and DPA. The Treasurer is responsible for the group budget and all financial activity of WPE. Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Section 8 The President and Treasurer shall be elected by members of WPE in the Spring Semester at the last meeting of the ensemble prior to the University s first undergraduate Study Day. At least two thirds of the eligible voting members of the ensemble must be present in order for this election to be valid. The election shall occur by secret ballot, and the Faculty Advisor shall count the results. The member who receives the most votes shall be the winner. In the case of a tie, the Faculty Advisor shall decide the winner. The President and Treasurer shall assume office immediately upon the announcement of the winner and shall serve until the next election. WPE members who are studying abroad shall be allowed to participate and be candidates in this election. The President may appoint deputies, called officers, as needed, such as a Secretary, Director of Communications and/or Publicity, et cetera. The President shall define their responsibilities and jurisdictions. The President, with the advice and consent of the Faculty Advisor, reserves the right to terminate these deputies and/or eliminate their positions. Officers may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the entire WPE membership. To impeach an officer, any eligible voting member may submit a formal written statement of grievance(s) to the Faculty Advisor, who shall determine whether to hold a vote to remove the officer. If deemed appropriate, the vote shall occur at the next meeting of WPE at which the Faculty Advisor is present. At least two thirds of eligible voting members must vote to remove the officer in order for him or her to be removed. Should the office of the President or Treasurer suddenly become vacant, such as by resignation, impeachment, or choice to study abroad, a new election shall be conducted immediately, and the newly elected officer shall serve until the next election. The Faculty Advisor shall make members aware of the details of this election. The number of officers in WPE, including the President and Treasurer, shall not exceed one third of the total number of members in the group. The WPE Board shall consist of all officers, and only of officers. In the case of Board decisions by vote, the Faculty Advisor shall be a nonvoting member but shall have the ability to break ties. 3
Section 9 0 Board meetings shall be called by the President. Before every WPE meeting or rehearsal at which the Faculty Advisor is present, the Board shall meet to evaluate WPE s progress and discuss the group s short- and long-term goals. The first Board meeting of each semester shall occur before the first WPE rehearsal of that semester. The President and Treasurer will maintain regular contact with all WPE members using any method deemed appropriate by the leadership, but WPE s correspondence shall occur, to the greatest extent possible, through Georgetown University s Hoyalink system. Article V: Finances The members of WPE state their commitment to uphold all University regulatory and fiscal policies. Funding for the activities of WPE shall be requested from the Performing Arts Advisory Council (PAAC). In accordance with University regulations and procedures, external sources of funding including but not exclusive to corporate sponsors and fundraising events may be sought with approval of the DPA Administrative Director. WPE (practically, the President or appointed financial officer) shall submit a budget to PAAC on an annual basis and request funding appropriate for the effective operation of the organization for each year. WPE will conduct all financial activities in accordance with the policies of Georgetown University and will place all funds in its University account. Article VI: Amendments Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in writing by any eligible voting member of WPE at any WPE meeting. All amendments must be submitted and approved by PAAC before going to membership for final vote. This can be done in the week after the amendments have been proposed and voted on at a meeting. Proposed amendments will become effective immediately following approval of a two-thirds majority vote of all eligible voting WPE members and the approval of PAAC. 4
Article VII: Expectations of Members Section 5 All members of WPE are expected to prepare for and attend all scheduled rehearsals. There shall be two or more rehearsals per week at times established by the President and Faculty Advisor in light of group members respective availabilities. The Faculty Advisor shall monitor the progress, providing the proper instruction needed to learn and prepare the music. The President, or some other designated officer, shall take attendance at each WPE meeting. He or she shall also keep a log of members attendance records. Attendance records shall track lateness, i.e. monitor how many minutes past the arrival time or start time (see VII.4) any particular member arrived to each rehearsal or meeting. In the event of an absence from rehearsal, participants must notify the President and Faculty Advisor via email not via phone call or text message at least twenty-four hours before the start time (see VII.4) of the rehearsal. Assignments or forthcoming examinations shall not be considered valid excuses for missing a rehearsal; members are to manage their time in such a way that they are able to complete their academic work and fulfill any other obligations (e.g. other extracurricular commitments, internships, papers, projects, studying, et cetera) while still upholding the integrity of their commitment to WPE. Members shall not miss more than two rehearsals per semester and shall miss none in the two weeks preceding either of the ensemble s concerts. Two beginning times will be established for rehearsals: an arrival time and a start time. Members are expected to arrive at or before the arrival time. The ensemble should be prepared to begin playing, meaning that all equipment is properly set up and music is readily available, at the start time. A member of WPE will be contacted by the President or designated attendance officer each time that she or he fails to comply with Sections VII.3-4 of this document. There shall be a five-offense process for these violations: First offense: A warning email explaining the nature of the infraction and consequences for a repeat offense, sent within twenty-four hours of the infraction. Second offense: Another warning email as well as a telephone call from the President or designated officer in order to discuss the infraction and how the member can work to improve the situation, both within twenty-four hours of the infraction. 5
Third offense: Another warning email, followed by an inperson discussion with the President during which a final warning will be issued and possible strategies to improve the situation will be discussed. In addition, officers shall be dismissed from their positions as officers (but not as members) upon a third offense. Fourth offense: Another warning email and in-person discussion. The President and Faculty Advisor may also choose to reduce the member s role in the ensemble as appropriate. Fifth offense: Final warning email and in-person discussion. The President, in consultation with the Faculty Advisor, reserves the right to dismiss the member from the group. Offense totals shall refresh at the beginning of each semester. Section 6 Section 7 Section 8 WPE shall rehearse and store its equipment in cooperation with DPA policies and procedures. Equipment shall be stored in an organized manner that maintains instrument quality, and the President shall file a report each semester with DPA on the state of the ensemble s supplies and storage. All members are to assist in taking out and putting back equipment, regardless of whether they specifically used any particular instrument. No member shall leave rehearsal until the rehearsal studio and all storage units are locked with all equipment neatly and carefully stored inside of them. Any member not complying with the expectations of members (as listed above) or deemed not to be putting sufficient effort and commitment into WPE can be dismissed from WPE with a two-thirds vote of the other members. Should a complainant wish to propose the dismissal of a member, a note must be sent from the complainant to the President who must share the nature of the complaint with the membership and then call a vote at the next WPE meeting. The member may then be dismissed immediately pending the outcome of the vote. The Faculty Advisor may be a complainant. Founded: November 29, 2007 Constitution Revised: April 8, 2013 Constitution Ratified: April 28, 2013 6