Penn State Swing Dancing Club
Swingin' Lions
I. Purpose
I. Purpose
The purpose of the Penn State Swing Dancing Club is to provide students with an opportunity to learn specifically swing dancing, and in turn meet new people and partake in a fun, safe, drug-free activity. This organization will focus on the appreciation of swing dancing and the era it came from. The goal of this club is to have the members learn and most importantly apply their knowledge of swing dancing through activities.
II. Membership
The membership shall be divided into active and associate members.
A. Active Members
Only currently employed faculty, staff, and currently registered students shall be eligible for active membership. The majority of active members, that is 50 percent plus one, must be currently registered undergraduate students. Currently registered students must be admitted as active members.
B. Associate Members
All others interested in furthering the purpose of the Penn State Swing Dancing Club shall be associate members. Associate members may not hold office, vote, preside, officiate, or solicit funds on behalf of the organization.
C. New Membership Recruitment
Any and all new members will be given full disclosure during recruitment, including but not limited to the disclosure of:
- New membership manual
- Schedule of new member events and activities
- A list of responsibilities
- A definition of personal rights, and a copy of the University Hazing Policy, prescribed by Policies and Rules for Student Organizations
All of these documents will be available upon request by the USG Supreme Court.
All members, including but not limited to new members and recruits, reserve the right to refrain from participation in any activities without consequence, based upon personal/religious beliefs, personal values, or moral reserve as defined by the member.
Any and all interaction/activity between members and/or new members will be limited to guidelines stated by University policy, as well as local, state, and federal laws.
D. Membership Removal Policy
The Penn State Swing Dancing Club reserves the right to revoke membership of any member, thereby removing their name and email address from the event listserv and/or in extreme circumstances, bar such members from Swing Dancing Club events, when their participation negligently endangers the safety or rights of other persons.
Recognizing the large membership of the club, recommendations for a member's removal shall be put forth to the club officers. Removal of membership requires a unanimous vote of the officers.
III. Officers
Only full-time, officially registered shall be eligible to serve as appointed or elected officers. Limitations are subject to USG Supreme Court approval.
A. Offices
President: The president is the spokesperson for the organization. The president presides at all meetings.
Vice-President: The vice-president serves as president when the president is unable to do so.
Secretary: The secretary will take minutes at the meetings, be in charge of organizing paperwork, and adding new members onto the membership roster. If needed, they will assist in correspondence with club members.
Treasurer: The treasurer will take care of all club related finances such as income and expenses, along with funding.
B. Term of Office
All officers serve for a term of one year, beginning in the month following elections and ending the month of elections.
C. Filling Unexpired Vacancies
Nominations are taken at the meeting following the vacancy. When nominations are being taken to fill unexpired terms, any member of the organization may nominate another member of the organization, by simply raising his/her hand and indicating such when recognized. Elections occur at this meeting. The quorum is thirty-three percent of the active membership. The majority required to elect a new officer is fifty percent plus one active members present at the meeting. If this is not obtained, the candidate receiving the lowest number of votes is eliminated, and the active members shall vote again. The majority is derived from the active members present at the meeting.
IV. Meeting
The Penn State Swing Dance Club will meet at least two times per semester, and once every month or more if possible. Adequate advance notice will be given to all members through e-mail, phone calls and flyers of all meeting times and locations.
V. Voting
Only active members may vote. The quorum is thirty three percent of the membership, and the majority is fifty percent plus one members of the active membership, that is, the majority is derived from the active members present.
VI. General Business Meetings
The quorum needed for general conduct of business is thirty-three percent.
VII. Finances
All funds are to be deposited and handled through the Associated Student Activities (ASA) in 202 HUB. This organization shall collect dues on an as needed basis for specific activities. These dues shall not be excessive.
VIII. Advisor
This organization will retain an advisor at its discretion. The advisor will be a member of the University Community.
IX. Elections
Nominations will take place during the first meeting in the first week of March. Elections will take place one week following nominations.
A. Election Codes
- The quorum to conduct nominations and elections shall be thirty-three percent of the membership.
- The majority needed to elect shall be fifty percent plus one.
- Any member may nominate an active member for office by raising his/her hand at the appropriate time and being recognized by the presiding official. Next, the active members shall cast secret, written ballots for the candidate of their choice. Each active member shall have one vote per office.
- If majority cannot be obtained, the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be dropped from consideration, and the active members shall vote again.
X. Amendments
Amendments to this constitution may be introduced at the conclusion of any meeting. Voting shall occur at the meeting following its introduction, with the amendment taking effect following USG Supreme Court approval. Quorum is thirty-three percent of the active membership. Majority is fifty percent plus one active members present at the meeting. Any member may introduce a constitutional amendment, as outlined in the article on voting. If the amendment passes, it shall be sent to the USG Supreme Court for approval. All amendments are subject to the approval of the USG Supreme Court.
XI. Parliamentary Authority
Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, by Sarah Corbin Roberts shall be used in all cases not covered by this constitution.
XII. Copies of Constitution
Copies of this constitution shall be made available to anyone upon request.