Constitution
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:
- Enforce the laws, by-laws, and regulations of the organization contained in this document and any other subsequent governing documents.
- Hold at least one planning and governance meeting per month.
- Call and preside over the election process.
- Represent the IU Swing Dance Club in an official capacity.
Section 2: Duties of the treasurer
The duties of the treasurer shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following activities:
- Responsible for maintaining the IU Swing Dance Club SOA (Student Organization Account).
- Responsible for the collection and deposit of IU Swing Dance Club dues, fees, and moneys.
- Responsible for all IU Swing Dance Club expenditures. The treasurer may not spend any IU Swing Dance Club funds without the expressed approval of the executive board.
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:
- Secretary
- Web master
- Equipment technician
- Marketing liaison
- Graphic designer
- Club Historian
- Librarian
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.
