Constitution

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I: NAME
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP, MEETINGS, AND FEES

SECTION I: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION II: MEETING & ATTENDANCE

SECTION III: DUES

ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION I: LIST OF OFFICERS

SECTION II: POWERS & DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SECTION III: NOMINATIONS

SECTION IV: ELECTORAL PROCESS

SECTION V: EMERGENCY ELECTIONS

ARTICLE V: ADVISORS

ARTICLE VI: CLUB POLICIES

SECTION I: USAGE OF CLUB & UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

SECTION II: COMPETITIONS

ELECTIONS

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE I: NAME

  1. The name of this organization shall be the University of Maine Figure Skating Club or UMaine Figure Skating. The University of Maine Figure Skating Club is a member of the United Skates Figure Skating Association. This organization is a recognized student organization at the University of Maine and adheres to all rules and obligations of the University of Maine Student Government. 

 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

  1. The purpose of this organization is to make the sport of figure skating more accessible to the University and surrounding communities. We aim to create an encouraging environment where members can pursue their skating goals and to provide equipment and educational opportunities to further their progress. The University of Maine Figure Skating Club follows the general policies and objectives of the University of Maine, the guidelines listed in the University of Maine Sports Handbook as well as the U.S. Figure Skating Association.

 

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP, MEETINGS, AND FEES

SECTION I: MEMBERSHIP 

  1. The University of Maine Figure Skating Club is open to all members of the University of Maine community following University of Maine’s guidelines. 
  2. Members of the University of Maine Figure Skating Club are defined as members who have attended two (2) Club meetings, who have filled out all requisite paperwork, are in good standing with the University, and have paid dues. 
  3. Members receive the privileges of voting on Club decisions, electing officers, and competing with Club. 
  4. Members of the club shall complete five (5) volunteer hours each semester or ten (10) per academic year unless given an exemption from the executive board. Competition Team members shall complete ten (10) volunteer hours each semester, and the Executive Board members shall complete fifteen (15) volunteer hours each semester.
  5. Alumni members are full members who have left the University of Maine. These members are always welcome and an Alumni event shall be held in their honor each year. 

 

SECTION II: MEETINGS & ATTENDANCE

  1. Both Club and Executive Boardmeetings shall be scheduled weekly or bi-weekly during the academic year. Attendance will be taken by the Secretary at all meetings and practices, including Executive meetings.

 

SECTION III: DUES

  1. General membership dues shall be announced at the beginning of each semester.
  2. Competition team dues shall vary based on the price of coaching and how many ice times are attended by the member. be announced at the beginning of each semester and will include the entrance fee for one competition. 
  3. Dues should be paid by the third ice attended by the member of the semester. Members who have not paid dues by the due date will be considered as not in good standing and shall lose all membership privileges until dues are paid. The due dates may be extended on a case by case basis at the discretion of the President and the Treasurer. 

 

ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE BOARD

SECTION I: LIST OF OFFICERS

  1. The officers shall be the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Publicity Chair, the Volunteer Chair, and the Fundraising Chair. 

 

SECTION II: POWERS & DUTIES OF OFFICERS

  1. The President shall serve as the chief executive officer of the organization, shall preside at all meetings, shall prepare meeting agendas, shall request funding and schedule ice time through the Office of Athletic Facilities, and shall establish clear goals for the club. The President shall be the official spokesperson of the organization, representing the policies, views, and opinions of the organization in its relations with the campus and community at large. In order to be nominated for and hold the position of President, a member must have been an active member on the Executive. Board for the year prior to the election and must be an undergraduate student. The President will be in charge of the President’s box. 
  2. The Vice-President, VP, shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President, perform all legal duties assigned by the President, shall assist all other members of the Executive Board when required, shall be in charge of all duties related to registering for competitions, and shall be prepared to assume the office of President upon its vacancy if approved by the Board. 
  3. The Treasurer shall handle all financial affairs and budgeting of the organization and maintain all necessary accounting records. Said records shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Treasurer shall maintain bank accounts in the organization’s name, requiring signatures of both the Treasurer and President for authorized disbursements, and shall collect and deposit all dues and fees in a timely manner. The Treasurer must be an undergrad student and will be in charge of the Treasurer’s folder.

 

  1. The Secretary shall take minutes at all meetings of the organization, keep these on file, and submit required copies to all organization members. The Secretary shall be responsible for all organization correspondence and shall keep copies thereof on file and shall maintain records of membership. 
  2. The Publicity Chair shall be responsible for the public publishing of information, , managing all social media accounts connected with the Club name, and planning advertisements for club events, and planning advertisements for club events.
  3. The Volunteer Chair shall be responsible for any and all events related to community service. The Volunteer Chair will plan volunteering events for the Club, keep track of all volunteering done by members of the Club, and ensure that all records are handed in to the Club’s advisor in a timely manner. 
  4. The Fundraising Chair shall be responsible for all fundraising for the organization. The Fundraising Chair shall create and execute a fundraising plan to ensure that the Club is adequately funded, shall plan and execute all Club fundraisers, and shall work with outside organizations for donations and sponsorships.

 

SECTION III: NOMINATIONS

  1. Nominations can be made at any time after elections are announced. Members will nominate themselves for office. All candidates for all positions will submit written bids. The guidelines shall be published no less than ten (10) business days prior to the election. This requirement may be waived for emergency elections. 
  2. Bids will close no later than two (2) full business days before the election. An exception may be made if there have been no bids, in which case the bids for that office will close no later than 5 p.m on the day of the election. If no candidate steps forward by the election, the Board reserves the right to nominate a member of Club to fill the position. 

 

SECTION IV: ELECTORAL PROCESS

  1. Officers shall be elected annually. Elections shall be held at the end of the spring semester and will take place at a scheduled meeting of the club where a quorum is present. Elections shall be held before the start of finals week and at least one (1) week’s notice must be provided for any meeting at which an election is to be held.
  2. In the event of a sudden vacancy, emergency elections will be held according to the guidelines listed herein. 
  3. At a meeting where a vote is being held, members must be present to vote. Absentee or proxy voting is not permitted.
  4. The officers shall be elected one at a time by majority vote in the following order: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Publicity Chair, Volunteer Chair, and Fundraising Chair. 
  5. An officer may only hold one (1) office at any given time. An exception may be made  only in times of emergency and must be approved by the Executive Board and a majority vote of all club members present, regardless of standing, at the time of elections.
  6. In the event of a tie, a second vote is held and decided by a simple majority of all Club members present regardless of their eligibility to vote.
  7. If any member of Club has cause to believe that the votes may have been improperly counted and there are two (2) or fewer votes separating the winner and runner-up, they may call for a recount. The request must be made to the Board at the time of voting and must be completed before the meeting is adjourned. 
  8. If a newly elected officer doesn’t contact or respond to contact from any officer within ten (10) full business days of being informed of the results, barring extenuating circumstances, that newly elected officer forfeits all rights to their elected position. If an office is forfeit, an emergency election will be held at the next meeting of the club. 
  9. Incumbent and newly elected officers will have a transition meeting to turn over Club property related to their respective positions and to walk the new officers through their responsibilities. This meeting will mark the official passing of authority from one Board to the other. 
  10. Officers shall assume office no earlier than May 1st and no later than August 1st. Officers shall serve for one (1) academic year once elected, unless re-elected or elected to a different position. 
  11. The results will be written on the End of Year Report and turned in to the Club Advisor.

 

SECTION V: EMERGENCY ELECTIONS

  1. In the event of a vacancy, the Board will convene to create a concrete timeline for the emergency elections based on these guidelines. All members will be informed of the vacancy, open bid process, and the ensuing elections as soon as is feasible. 
  2. Members of the Club will have a minimum of one (1) business day to submit written bids. Club members may also submit a verbal bid at the time of the vote. If no bids are submitted, the Board may nominate a candidate to fill the position. 
  3. Emergency elections shall be held no more than fourteen (14) days and no less than two (2) days after the vacancy. 
  4. All present members may vote in emergency elections. 
  5. There are no recounts in emergency elections. 
  6. Members elected in emergency elections are eligible to run for President during the next election cycle if elected into office at least four (4) months before the regular election cycle. 

 

ARTICLE V: ADVISORS

  1. The organization shall appoint at least one (1) individual employed as a faculty or staff member by the University of Maine to serve as an advisor to this organization as required by the University of Maine Student Government. Auxiliary staff and student assistants are not eligible to serve as primary advisors. Advisors shall serve on an academic year basis or until their successor has been selected.
  2. The faculty or staff advisor will never have control of the organization or its finances.

 

ARTICLE VI: CLUB POLICIES

SECTION I: USAGE OF CLUB & UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

  1. All members of Club agree to respect and responsibly use any property that is loaned to them by Club. Usage of Club property shall incur no extra charge for full members of Club. (i.e figure skates borrowed from the rink or the club). All loaned property will be inspected for safety and damages before and after being loaned out. 
    1. Property belonging to Club shall be stored in the New Balance Student Recreation Center or an approved alternate area.
    2. Officers shall be responsible for upkeep and maintenance of club property. 

 

SECTION II: COMPETITIONS

  1. The University of Maine Figure Skating Club will participate in a minimum of two (2) collegiate events every year.
  2. At least one (1) member of the Executive Board shall be present at every competition.
  3. All competing members of the Club are responsible for their own USFSA membership fees.
  4. All members and affiliates of the club shall abide by the U.S Figure Skating Association’s Code of Ethics, which can be found on page 37, section GR 1.01 Code of Ethics. 

 

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

  1. Amendments may be proposed by any member of the University of Maine Figure Skating Club. Amendments must be proposed to the Executive Board at least one (1) week prior to being voted on.All members of Club must be informed of the proposed changes via email within 3 business days of proposal.
  2. Amendments will be voted on and must be approved by a ⅔ vote of all voting members present. The Executive Board reserves the right to veto any amendment up for approval deemed inappropriate before it reaches a Club vote. 
  3. Approved changes to the Constitution & Bylaws will take effect immediately after ratification. A copy of any amendments to these bylaws must be submitted to the Vice President for Student Organizations of Student Government Inc. at the University of Maine within two (2) weeks after adoption.