Constitution of the Columbia University Women’s Ice Hockey Club
Ratified on March 27, 2007
Article I
The name of this institution shall be the “Columbia University Women’s Ice Hockey Club”.
Article II
Purpose:
i) The purpose of this organization shall be to provide an opportunity for all eligible individuals to participate in the sport of ice hockey through practice, competition, and social events while promoting the sport through education and sportsmanship.
Article III
Membership:
i) Membership is open to all individuals who are deemed eligible to participate by the Columbia University Club Sports Governing Board and any affiliated leagues of the Columbia University Women’s Ice Hockey Club.
ii) Membership Requirements: As a condition of their continued membership, all members must remain in good standing by abiding by the following requirements:
§ Agreement to abide by any and all relevant club, Club Sport Governing Board, Athletic Department, University, and affiliated league by-laws and requirements.
§ Completion and submission of all relevant legal waiver forms
§ Timely payment to the club Treasurer of required annual dues
§ Purchase of a jersey and socks (uniform) in the first season
§ Return of all club assets at the conclusion of the season
§ Attendance at required club business meetings
iii) Member Rights and Privleges:
§ Entitlement to one vote for each officer position during executive board officer elections
§ Entitlement to one vote during any other election deemed necessary by the team leadership
§ Request of team leadership a formal grievance process for any concerns, with relevant parties present, moderated by the team leadership
iv) Tryouts: If member enrollment exceeds 25 players at the beginning of the season, it is up to the discretion of the team leadership and coaching staff to determine whether club participation will be determined by tryouts. If there are fewer than 25 members, no tryouts shall occur. If tryouts do occur, the team leadership reserves the right to deny membership to those who do not participate in the tryouts.
Article IV
Officers:
Officers shall consist of the executive board and the team leadership, and shall be made up of Members who are in good standing and who have been selected by the team, in the methods specified below, to fulfill these roles according to the following criteria:
i) Leadership: These members, termed the “Captains,” shall be appointed by the outgoing team captains the year preceding intended captainship, and prior to the conclusion of the spring academic term. They must be an undergraduate student and during appointment must be concluding their Junior year. All captains must hold Senior class standing during their tenure as captain. There may be multiple captains serving at once. Captains may serve as other club officers.
a. The responsibilities of the Captain(s) include:
§ Represent the team in all games
§ Communicate player requests and grievances to the coaching staff
§ Maintain current season statistics
§ Serve as mediator in all grievances processes requested by team members
§ Demonstrate drills in practice
b. The privileges of Captainship include:
All of the benefits of membership, in addition to:
§ A veto against any and all unilateral action undertaken by the executive board or an executive officer.
§ The power vested to officially represent team interests to all external non-governance organizations
§ The position of official liaison between coaching staff and team interests
ii) Executive Board: The executive board is comprised of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and is responsible for the day to day administration of the Club. All members are eligible for executive board positions.
a. President: The responsibilities of the President include:
§ Secure ice time at a local rink priror to the start of the season for all events and undertaking all risk-mitigating policies as required by the Club Sports Governing Board, Columbia University, and the rink.
§ Schedule the practice and playing eason
§ Act as the administrative liaison between other teams and the club
§ Confirm all competition events via e-mail or telephone with opponents prior to the date of competition
b. Vice President: The responsibilities of the Vice President include:
§ File all forms with the Club Sports Office
§ Maintain a current, official roster
§ Liaise with the Club Sports Office regarding all matters relevant to club business
§ Prepare in conjunction with the Treasurer the annual budget proposal
§ Reserve any necessary transportation and lodging with respect to away tournaments
c. Treasurer: The responsibilities of the Treasurer include:
§ Assist the team Vice President in preparing the annual budget proposal to be submitted to the Club Sports Governing Board
§ Request and receive regular budget reports from the Club Sports Office to ensure that the team will maintain a balanced budget by the conclusion of the season
§ Maintain complete and on-going financial records for the club and confirm these records on a monthly basis with the Club Sports Office
§ Collect all dues, jersey fees, and any miscellaneous money to be collected from the team members for the team
d. Secretary: The responsibilities of the Secretary include:
§ Reserve from the Club Sports Office vans for local games and practices
§ Order jerseys and team clothing, and arrange for its initial financing by invoicing the club allocation
§ Maintain of minutes of all club business meetings
§ Possess all club archive information
§ Attend all Club Sport General Assembly meetings, acting as official club representative
Article V
Dues:
i) All club members must pay annual dues to be determined by the Vice President and Treasurer
Article VI
Coaching Staff:
i) Appointment: The head coach shall be determined on an annual basis during the Spring semester business meeting by the team leadership (outgoing and incoming)
ii) Any mid-year coaching staff change proposals will trigger a club business meeting in which all members in good standing shall elect their coaching staff.
iii) Compensation: Coaching staff compensation shall be determined by both team leadership and the team executive board and is subject to change each year
iv) Responsibilities: Coaching staff responsibilities include:
§ Creation of team strategy and practice curriculum
§ Assignment of players to lines during games
§ Appointment of assistant coaching staff
v) Assistant Coaching Staff: The assistant coaching staff are named by the head coach and approved by team leadership
Article VII
Club Business Meetings:
i) Frequency: Club business meetings are to be held at least once per semester, with all elections for officer positions and coaching staff occurring during the annual Spring semester meeting. A meeting may also be called by the executive board and/or the team leadership should it be deemed necessary by these parties
ii) Quorum: Quorum on any matter taken to a vote shall be 2/3rds of the team members in good standing who participated in at least one on-ice event. Votes may be collected electronically from any members who cannot be present at the club business meeting
Article VIII
Ratification and Amendments:
i) Ratification: This constitution shall be ratified by a minimum 2/3rds majority of he club members in good standing.
ii) Amendments: Any proposed amendments to this constitution may be made to the team leadership, who will then call a club business meeting to present. Amendments are rendered successful with a 2/3rds majority vote of club members in good standing.
Article IX
Other Business:
i) All matters not directly enumerated by this constitution fall under the jurisdiction and responsibility of the team leadership