Carnegie Mellon University

Women's Water Polo Club Constitution

created: 10/17/08

updated: 11/27/11

Mission Statement:
The Women's Water Polo Club exists to provide women at Carnegie Mellon University with an opportunity to play water polo and to encourage the spread of water polo throughout the region. Our purpose is to compete with other women across the nation, and this gives our players the ability to forge connections with other women water polo players at different schools. We also strive to encourage relationships between Carnegie Mellon students from different backgrounds, majors, and beliefs through the common interest of water polo.

Membership Clause:
The Carnegie Mellon University Women's Water Polo club does not discriminate on a basis on race, ethnicity, nationality, age, ability, or sexual orientation. It is open to all students, undergraduate and graduate, and faculty, in accordance with Carnegie Mellon University’s Statement of Assurance, found at: http://www.cmu.edu/policies/documents/SoA.html.
Members are required to pay dues before the end of the semester. Both the dues amount and date are set by the treasurer every semester and are directly affected by the JFC funding of the team. Exceptions for students who cannot pay dues for financial reasons may be discussed with the treasurer and other members of the board. All individuals must communicate with a board member prior to attending practices whether at an activities fair, via email, or in person.

Officer Positions/Responsibilities:
President: The president is the face of the organization, and actions performed by the club or against the club are her responsibility. It is the president’s responsibility to conduct board meetings, meet with University representatives, arrange pool times, organize team scheduling and transportation, and be able to respond to any situation that arises. If there is doubt to the role of a board member or who should accomplish a task, the president has ultimate say on the decision that is reached.
Captain: The captain is in charge of running practices by organizing warm-ups and drills beforehand. The captain is also in charge of addressing the team with sport-related matters, such as games and practices.
The captain is also in charge of the roster. During practice, the captain may instruct the other board members to facilitate practice as she sees fit. The position “captain” may be held by one or two women, provided the board agrees with the decision.
Treasurer: The treasurer is responsible for all fiscal matters in the organization.  She is the representative for JFC and has access to the budget and funds. The treasurer should have updated figures on expenses and income and be able to report to the other board members on the financial status of the club at any time.
Public Relations Chair: The PR chair is in charge of advertising, communicating with the greater campus community and maintaining all team web-pages.
Fundraiser: The fundraiser is in charge of organizing events targeted at increasing available funds for the club. Responsibilities include finding workers, obtaining the materials to be sold (if there are any), and overseeing at least the beginning and end of the fundraising activity. If cash is directly involved, she must acquire the cash box and provide it with change.

Procedure for Selection of Officers:
*Elections are held annually at the end of the semester during the fall semester. All members are encouraged to come, as their vote counts as much as anyone else’s. Officers must be current undergraduate or graduate students who will be attending the University both the following spring and fall semesters. Exceptions may be made in this case, and will be decided by a simple majority vote.
*If reading day conflicts with too many members of the team, an alternate date must be decided upon before the last day of practice that semester.
*Officers are voted upon in the order presented above, with the newly elected president immediately assuming responsibility over the elections once she is elected. In the event of a tie, the candidates have the opportunity to reiterate their positions and a second vote will be tallied. If this is still a draw, the candidates must decide between themselves who is to gain the position in contention. If this cannot be resolved, the current or former (if president is the contested position) president may act as arbitrator. Other cases may be decided by using the board as arbitrator, such as an incumbent president receiving the same amount of votes as a new candidate after multiple votes.
*In emergency situations (officers stepping down, becoming unable to belong to the board, etc.), the remaining board members will decide how the position will be replaced. Two scenarios are shifting the board around to accommodate the absence or holding open elections to fill the void as described above. If the vacant spot is president, the treasurer immediately assumes presidential responsibilities until a new president is chosen.

Procedure for Removal of Officers:
*In the event an officer neglects their duties or attempts to assume too much power within the organization, the rest of the board can elect to remove that officer by a simple majority vote. Additionally, the members of the team may submit a complaints about the board or individual officers if they feel the interests of the board members are not in accordance with those of the club and its mission statement.
*In the event an officer decides to step down from his/her position, the remaining board members will decide how the position will be replaced. Two scenarios are shifting the board around to accommodate the absence or holding open elections to fill the void as described above.

Procedure for Amending Constitution:
*Changes to the Constitution may be made directly by the president, with the entire board’s unanimous approval. At least four members out of five (or six) on the board must ratify a new amendment that the board suggests.
*Members of the team may put together a proposal regarding the Constitution and submit it to the board for approval. Ultimately, the decision to change the Constitution lies with the board.

Meeting Structure & Miscellaneous:
*Board email: cmuwwp-board “at” lists.andrew.cmu.edu
*Three practices will be held at the University Center pool weekly. Day, time, and addition of the men’s team depends on the competitive season and scheduling.
*Board meetings will be conducted once a week at a time when all board members are available.  All team members are invited to board meetings.

Carnegie Mellon University

Women's Water Polo Club By-Laws

created: 10/14/09

SECTION I.

Participation in a club sport at Carnegie Mellon University is considered a privileged opportunity. As visible members of the campus community who travel to other institutions it is the responsibility of those involved to have a standard of behavior which places themselves and the university in the best possible light. Academic integrity as well as good sportsmanship are just some of the values to be demonstrated. Additional key standards are as follows: As a sport, we value the environment of mutual trust and respect. Participation in athletics is a privilege available to all in good academic and community standing. Student-athletes must demonstrate exemplary conduct during all team travel.

SECTION II.

In accordance with Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Athletics, the abuse of alcohol and other drugs is considered incongruent with the goals and principles of athletics. The use of alcohol or drugs during a team function, including but not limited to practice, competition, and travel, is prohibited and will result in action by the board and school administration as stated in Section V.

SECTION III.

As found in The Word issued by Carnegie Mellon University: Hazing is strictly prohibited. The University defines hazing as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off University premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment or ridicule. Hazing clearly violates state law and university policies and will not be permitted.

SECTION IV.

Executive board meetings are held on a weekly basis. These meetings are held after practice on Tuesday nights. Meetings are open to the team. Meetings will be held at a place to be determined by the board at the end of Wednesday night practice.

SECTION V.

Participants who are disruptive to practice and/or games will be evaluated on a 3 strike policy procedure and brought to board meetings for review before removal from the team. Disruption of practice, games, or other team functions includes that the rules of the facility must be followed. Each evaluation will be completed on a case to case basis. Strikes can be determined by the board and members of the team are asked to present issues with the board. After the third strike, a unanimous vote of the board is required for the removal of participant from the team. In the case that the strike is against a member of the board, they will be removed from the voting procedure. After each strike the offender is to be informed that they have a strike and are invited, but not mandated, that they attend board meeting to explain themselves.

Once the situation is explained, the board then has the opportunity to vote again to determine if the strike will remain or be removed. If after the 3rd strike they still do not feel necessary to come to board meeting to explain themselves, the situation will be left to board to discuss and vote on without their input. Voting is to be done by the board. A majority (3/4) of the board must be present. To asses a strike a majority (3/4) vote of the board present is required. To asses the third and final strike and remove the member from the team a unanimous vote is required.

The president is responsible for informing the offender that a strike was assessed, why the offender was assessed a strike, the potential consequences of continued disruptive behavior and inviting, but not mandating, the offender to come to the next board meeting to explain him- or her- self to the entire board. The president shall inform other board members who a strike was assessed to and why. The board should be made aware of when this is completed. This can be done by CCing the board on the email.

While the team operates under a 3 strike policy, any issues will be brought up with the University through the facilities coordinator and the club sports advisor. Additional actions including suspension can be taken by the University. Removal from the team by either the board or the University entails a forfeit of dues already paid to the club. Outstanding payments (dues not paid but attended tournament) are still required to be paid in full. Strikes are accumulated over the course of 1 academic year. Once removed from the team they are removed for the remainder of the academic year. If the following year the player wishes to return, they need to present their case to the board and the board must have a majority (3/4) vote of members present to allow the player to return. Additional judicial process through the University may also determine the length of removal from the team.