CONSTITUTION OF THE TEXAS A&M POWERLIFTING CLUB ARTICLE I PURPOSE & OBJECTIVE Section 1. The purpose of this organization shall be to provide an opportunity for members to compete in intercollegiate powerlifting competitions. Section 2. The objective of this organization shall be to establish and maintain a winning powerlifting program while developing educated, ethical, and responsible leaders. Section 3. In accordance with the purpose in Section 1, the objective in Section 2 shall be achieved through organized training and competition and through the advancement of this organization. ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Any Texas A&M student, faculty, or staff member who subscribes to the purpose and objective of this organization may become a member of this organization, subject to compliance with this constitution. Each member shall pay semester dues as established by this organization. Section 2. All members are subject to removal for behavior not in compliance with the purpose and goals of this organization. This includes but is not limited to offensive behavior toward other members including offensive language, failure to actively participate in team practices, events, and competitions, abuse of equipment, abuse of facility, failure to pay dues by the date established each semester by the President, or stealing, vandalizing, or destroying Powerlifting Club property. A member may be removed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee. Prior to voting, the member shall be given notice of the issue and be given the opportunity to share his/her perspective on the issue. Until that vote the President may remove the member and keep them from using the facility. 1. All incidents that break the above criteria and may lead to a removal must be documented and signed by all involved parties plus the presiding president. Section 3. A tryout period shall last the first 3 weeks of each semester. Throughout this period all lifters, excluding the officers from that year, will be judged on 4 main factors: potential, coachability, availability, and attitude. (See Article III, Section 7 for removal of officers) 1. Definitions of the criteria: a. Potential: A lifter with high potential has a higher chance of succeeding in our organization and placing well at intercollegiate powerlifting competitions. b. Coachability: A lifter who is coachable is able to accept and implement
constructive criticism and always willing to learn. c. Availability: A lifter is available is if he or she is able to attend a significant portion of the required training sessions and/or the make-up training sessions. He or she places a priority on attending powerlifting functions. d. Attitude: Lifters with good attitudes are motivated to improve themselves, respect and support their team mates, and are willing to put in the work required to be competitive. Their presence on the team contributes positively to the atmosphere. Section 4. Members must be present at fundraising events as determined by the fundraising officer each semester. Section 5. the President. All members must follow team training unless they receive prior approval from Section 6. Practice Attendance. 1. If a member misses three practices that are deemed unexcused by the President or Secretary, then he or she will not be allowed to train in PEAP 120 for the remainder of the semester or compete in the main meet for that semester. If a member is late to practice by more than 30 minutes then it is considered an unexcused absence. If a member is tardy (under 30 minutes) three times then it counts as an unexcused absence. If a member leaves practice without prior approval from the Secretary or President, then that member will be counted absent for that day. 1. If a member is going to miss practice for any reason, for which an officer was not previously notified, then he or she must notify the Secretary at least three hours prior to the start of practice. The Secretary and President have discretion on whether the reason for missing practice is excused or unexcused. 1. Members are required to attend practice at least three times a week. 1. If a member is not able to attend practice on the mandatory days (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) then that member shall be required to attend a make up practice (Monday, Wednesday) in order to satisfy the mandatory three practices a week requirement. 1. An excused absence includes class, structured tutoring activities (ex. SI Session, A+ tutoring), work, illness, family illness, events for other organizations, and others depending on discretion of president and secretary. 1. Examples of unexcused absences include homework or test due soon, sleeping in, illnesses due to activities the night before, dirty team uniform, and traveling from out-of-town. Section 7. Testing for prohibited substances: 1. Upon approval of the Executive Committee, any member may be tested for the presence of prohibited substances in his/her body at any time for the purpose of protecting the integrity of this organization and its members.
a. A prohibited substance is defined as any substance prohibited by the competition-sanctioning organization in which this organization competes. b. Testing shall be conducted in accordance with standard procedures of the above competition-sanctioning organization. c. In order to cast a vote of approval to test a member, a member of the Executive Committee must believe there is just cause to test the member in question. 2. If a member tests positive for any prohibited substance, that member shall be immediately suspended from all competition and further action shall be taken at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Section 8. The Officers may obtain the services of a Coach, who must serve in accordance with the guidelines established by Sport Clubs. In particular, Coaches must respect the student leadership and may not vote in meetings of this organization. Section 9. Members will be required to wear official team practice shirt at all mandatory team trainings (Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday). Each member will receive two t-shirts at no cost at the beginning of their membership on the team. Additional t-shirts will be available for purchase at cost. Members not wearing the team uniform will receive a third of an absence. Section 10. All members who have been on the team for at least 4 semesters will be required to take and pass the USA Powerlifting State Referee Test. Members are encouraged to take it after 2 semesters on the team. ARTICLE III - OFFICERS Section 1. The Officers of this organization shall meet the following requirements: (a) Have a minimum cumulative and semester grade point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum cumulative and semester GPR in the semester immediately prior to the election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office. 1. For undergraduate students, the minimum cumulative and semester GPR is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s). 2. For graduate level students the minimum cumulative and semester GPR is a 3.00 and for first professional students the minimum cumulative and semester GPR is 2.50. In order for this provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits) must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio
prior to election/appointment, at least four credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required as they complete the final stages of their degree. (b) Be in good standing with the university and enrolled: 1. at least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring and fall semesters) during the term of office. Students enrolled in the Blinn TEAM program are also eligible to hold an office, as long as the student is meeting all applicable Blinn TEAM requirements and is in good standing with the program. 2. at least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office. (c) Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b). Section 2. The Officers shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Safety Officer, Fundraising, and Public Relations Officer. Section 3. All officers shall be elected by the membership. Election shall take place mid spring semester and new Officers shall assume their official duties the monday following the USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals. Section 4. Rules for electing officer positions: 1. A candidate for any official position must have been a member of this organization for at least one semester immediately prior to their election. 2. All current members are eligible to vote. 3. In the event of a tie, a re-vote will be conducted. 4. An elected officer must receive a majority of the votes otherwise a run-off system will be implemented. 5. All voting must be anonymous. 6. Potential officers must speak on why they are suitable for the position and how they can contribute to the team. 7. All GPRs for potential officers must be verified to be above 2.5 GPR prior to their election. Section 5. All officers will attend a mandatory meeting bi-weekly to discuss relevant information pertaining to upcoming club events, fundraising opportunities, recruiting efforts, or any other topics deemed appropriate by the President. Time and location for said meetings will be determined by the President by the second week of practice. Section 6. The duties of the Officers of this organization shall be as follows:
President 1. Call meetings to order and preside over meetings. 2. Perform necessary organizational tasks as determined at general meetings and Officer meetings. 3. Serve as a liaison between advisors and membership. 4. Serve as organizational representative to Sport Club meetings, or delegate other club Officers to do so. 5. Arrange facility reservations for all Club functions. 6. Organize competitions and events. 7. Oversee recruiting and fundraising. 8. Delegate duties to other Officers and coordinate the work of other Officers in order to advance the club objective. 9. Keep a record of the current constitution. 10. Complete the annual recognition process with Student Activities for the organization. 11. Ensure that club members act in accord with the purpose and objective of this organization, and take appropriate action with regard to any club member not acting as such. 12. The President has the ability to make executive decisions regarding matters with minimal impact on the team, assuming the president informs the officers regarding the decision in a timely manner. Treasurer 1. Collect membership dues. 2. Present a financial report of the Club at Officers meetings and general meetings. 3. Pay Powerlifting Club bills. 4. Assist with creating and coordinating fundraisers. 5. Assist in budget proposals for organizational activities. 6. Assist in the purchase of club equipment and apparel. Vice President 1. Act as an aide to the President. 2. Check team mailbox on a weekly basis. 3. Organize club travel and lodging. 4. Complete and turn in all forms necessary for club travel, including trip request forms and driver agreement forms. 5. Report the results of all Club-sponsored activities to the Director of Sport Clubs. Safety Officer 1. Must be present at all club activities. 2. Obtain completed Assumption of Risk (AOR) forms from all members. 3. Ensure that at all times two current members are certified in first aid and CPR. 4. Aide the VP in getting all correct forms turned in for travel. 5. Take steps to minimize the risk involved with club participation. 6. Travel with a team emergency contact list for all members.
Secretary 1. Keep minutes at all team and officer meetings. 2. Keep record of practice attendance. 3. Keep record of judging attendance. Fundraising Officer 1. Plan, coordinate, and organize at least one fundraising event per semester. a. Including, but not limited to: meet judging, profit shares, apparel sales, etc. 2. Assist in the development of t-shirts & awards. Public Relations Officer 1. Take photos at team events. 2. Keep record of team accomplishments and ensure their safe keeping. 3. Publish annual newsletters. 4. Maintain proper alumni relations, and keep them informed with our goals/upcoming events. 5. Maintain all social media outlets. Section 7. An Officer may be removed from his/her official position by a unanimous vote of the other officers or by 2/3 vote of the membership. Prior to removal, the Officer will be given notice of the issue and the opportunity to share his/her perspective with the Club. 1. Officers may be demoted to a general membership if he or she is not fulfilling their duties as an officer. 2. Officers may be removed from the team completely for not complying with criteria set for the general membership. 3. In the event of the removal of an officer, it will be up to the remaining officers to absorb the responsibilities of that officer or hold elections for an officer to finish the remainder of the year. 4. All incidents that break the above criteria and may lead to a removal or demotion must be documented and signed by all involved parties plus the presiding president. Section 8. Executive Committee 1. The executive committee will be made up of the officers excluding the President. 2. The executive committee will deal with disciplinary actions of club members. 3. The President will not be a member of the executive committee and will be able to veto any decision that the committee makes. Section 9. All officers will be required to be a USA Powerlifting State Referee by January 1st of their elected year. ARTICLE IV - FINANCES Section 1. Dues shall be paid by all members at the beginning of each semester. The
Officers will decide upon the amount. Failure to pay dues by the date established by the President will result in suspension from the team until payment is remitted. If a member is not able to pay the dues in full by the established date, he or she may use an installment plan. All members on installment plans for dues must pay by the established team competition for that semester or the member will accrue the full cost of attending said competition. These cost include but are not limited to airfare, gas, hotel, entry fees, and food. Section 2. All monies belonging to the organization shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for the organization at the Texas A&M Student Organization Finance Center and/or the Fiscal Office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours of collection. Section 3. The faculty advisor or Recreational Sports advisor must approve and sign each expenditure before each payment (University Regulations, 69.1.3). Section 4. All monies that are generated by the organization are to be used for the benefit of the organization. ARTICLE V AMENDING CONSTITUTION Section 1. Amending the club s constitution shall require a unanimous vote of the officers or by 2/3 vote of the membership. If the need arises the constitution may be amended any time at a date specified at least one week in advance. In order for the date to be set a member must present a petition signed by at least 20% of the membership in order for the amendment to be called to a vote.