Indiana University Swing Dance Club

The IU Swing Dance Club Constitution

Ratified August 31st, 2001

Preamble

The purpose of this organization is to encourage, advance, and promote the social, mental, and physical benefits of swing dancing and its history among the students of Indiana University Bloomington and members of the surrounding community. This organization shall concentrate on historical swing-era couple dances such as Lindy Hop, Charleston, Shag, Balboa, and East Coast Swing as well as swing-era, or swing-era inspired, group dances, such as the Shim-Sham, the Jitterbug Stroll, the Big Apple, and the Madison. This organization shall respectfully eschew the style of swing dancing associated with ballroom dance and will not encourage its members to compete in ballroom dance competitions. This organization shall provide its members with the means to learn, practice, and socialize in swing dancing events. This organization shall encourage its members, and provide the means for them, to learn about the historical roots and cultural significance of swing dancing in this country.

Article 1 - Title

This organization will be known as "The IU Swing Dance Club".

Article 2 - Membership

Section 1
Membership in and participation with the IU Swing Dance Club shall be free from discrimination based on race, ethnic group, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, or gender.

Section 2
Membership in the IU Swing Dance Club is open to all students, faculty, and staff of Indiana University. In addition, membership is extended to community persons with an interest in swing dancing.

Section 3
A majority of the IU Swing Dance Club's membership must consist of members that are either students, faculty, or staff of Indiana University.

Section 4
All members and attendees of IU Swing Dance Club lessons, practice, workshops, or dances must understand that they are not to hold Indiana University, the IU Swing Dance Club, or any member thereof responsible for injuries or damages resulting from participation in IU Swing Dance Club events.

Section 5
The paying of club dues, which are collected once a semester, is a necessary and sufficient condition for club membership. Cost of dues will be decided by the officers on a semester-by-semester basis. Membership shall consist of the following levels: Limited Membership: This level of membership shall be offered at a reduced rate and shall entitle members to attend open-dancing meetings and receive a discount for dances for which there is a charge. Full Membership: In addition to the benefits of the limited membership, full membership offers the additional opportunity for members to receive dance instruction. A discount will be given to those renewing full membership in the IU Swing Dance Club. Because we wish to attract both novice and experienced swing dance fans, we feel this arrangement is in the best interest of the Club.

Section 6
Voting privileges are granted with membership. Non-members do not have voting privileges.

Article 3 - Offices

Section 1
The direction and governance of the IU Swing Dance Club shall be entrusted to the club's executive board; the offices of this board shall be president, treasurer, and the committee chairs.

Section 2
Length and period of office All office terms shall be one year in length and shall begin on the second Tuesday of May and end on the second Monday of May. Offices may be held for consecutive terms. There is no limit to the number of terms an officer may serve.

Section 3
The IU Swing Dance Club advisor must be a current faculty or staff member. The term for the advisor will be a minimum of one year. The advisor may serve consecutive terms as the advisor.

Article 4 - Officer Duties

Section 1: Duties of the president

The duties of the president shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following activities:

Section 2: Duties of the treasurer

The duties of the treasurer shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following activities:

Section 3: Duties of the committee chairs

Committee chairs, and the duties associated with those chairs, shall be established and dissolved by the executive committee as need demands. These chairs may consist of, but may not be limited to:

Article 5 - Elections

Section 1
One-quarter (1/4) of voting members shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is needed for an election or vote to be considered official.

Section 2
Each voting member may cast one vote. All votes shall be conducted in a manner which can be tabulated and recorded for later review (e.g., ballots or email).

Section 3
The current president must preside over the election of officers and conduct a continuous election process.

Section 4
In the event an officer or committee chairperson resigns or becomes unfit for office, the president shall call an election to fill the vacancy.

Article 6 - Instructors

Instructors are to be selected by the officers of the IU Swing Dance Club. It is the responsibility of the club officers to determine the criteria by which to select instructors.

Article 7 - Meetings

The president has the responsibility of calling at least one planning and governance meeting a month. Members of the executive board are required to attend this meeting, and shall be the only members who shall vote, although meetings will be open to all members.

Article 8 - Responsibility

All persons accepting membership in the IU Swing Dance Club shall be required to agree that they will be governed by this living constitution and the by-laws of this club.

Article 9 - Amendments

This living constitution may be amended at any governance and planning meeting of the IU Swing Dance Club, or at any special meeting called for that purpose. A two-thirds majority of the executive committee must agree to the amendment for the amendment to pass. All amendments to the constitution and by-laws are subject to the approval of the Office of the Dean of Students.