Constitution of the Hiking Club of Columbia University

Adopted February 2007

Article I--Name

The official name of the club is the Columbia University Hiking Club.

Article II--Purpose

The hiking club’s principal activity is to organize hikes throughout New York and New Jersey, giving members of Columbia University the opportunity to experience the outdoors.

Article III--Membership

The club is open to membership to all members of the Columbia University community /(students, faculty and staff). Members have the obligation to pay the then current semester dues in order to be members in good standing. Club members have the rights to participate in all day hikes and backpacking trips appropriate for their level of fitness.

Article IV--Meetings

There will be a meeting of the Club held at the beginning of each semester. The President will set the official meeting date. Additional meetings may be called by the officers as needed or by the special request of 10% of the members of the club.

Article V—Executive Board

The Executive Board will be comprised of at least four individuals but no more than ten individuals. The following officers will automatically be members of the board: President, Trip Coordinator, Treasurer, Webmaster/Publicity Officer. The President will be responsible for overseeing all club matters and liaising with the University about any and all club matters. The trip coordinator is responsible for coordinating leaders and drivers for trips, as well as scheduling transportation to/from the trail head. The Treasurer will be responsible for the financial affairs of the club. The Webmaster/Publicity Officer will be responsible for maintaining the website, and advertising each month’s schedule of hikes/events.

If vacancies in the Executive Committee occur during an academic, it will be at the sole discretion of the Executive Committee how (and if) that vacancy shall be filled.

Article VI--Elections

The Officers enumerated in Article V will be elected annually for a term of one year. There will be no term limits. Candidates are nominated and seconded for posts by the executive committee. In case of multiple nominations there will be an election at the annual meeting of the members. In the case of an election each candidate will present his/her qualifications at the meeting and the votes will be cast at the annual meeting. In the event of a tie for any given office, the two candidates receiving equal votes will share the office for the coming academic year.

Article VII--Funds

Funds received by the club by membership dues, trip payments and any allocation of funds from the University will be allocated first to any expenses incurred for each trip, second to equipment, including but not limited to trail maps, books, camping equipment as it is required, and third to social events to give all club members an opportunity to gather to foster a sense of community.

Article VIII--Committees/Divisions

The Executive Committee may create in its sole discretion standing or ad-hoc committees to deal with issues as they arise that require additional assistance from the membership.

Article IX--Affiliations

The Columbia University Hiking Club is not affiliated with organization outside of the University.

Article X--Ratification

The Constitution and any changes thereto must be approved by a majority of the membership at the annual meeting or any meeting called in accordance with the Constitution.

Article XI--Amendments

Any member of the Club is entitled to present an amendment to the membership for its consideration at either the annual meeting or any specially called meeting.

Article XII—By-Laws

The Executive Committee is empowered to adopt and change by-laws in its sole discretion.

By-Laws

1) Any board member may purchase equipment. Equipment is to be used only on official hiking club hikes, and may not be borrowed by members.