CSB LaCrosse Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1:
College of Saint Benedict Women’s Lacrosse Club (CSB Lacrosse)

Section 2:
The Woman’s Lacrosse Club offers students at the College of Saint Benedict an opportunity to actively learn, participate in, enjoy, and promote the growth and development of the sport. Members of the club represent CSB/SJU in competition within the North Central Women’s Lacrosse League (NCWLL)

Section 3:
We commit to following the mission of the College of Saint Benedict as a Catholic, Benedictine institution and will respect its policies and guidelines.

Article II: Membership

Section 1:
Members of the CSB student body are eligible to join CSB Lacrosse. They must do so under the expectations of learning the game, working hard to improve skills, and promoting the game within the student body. All club members must act in accordance and comply with the institutional policies listed in the Bennie Book Membership within the club includes the following statuses: active member with voting rights and affiliate members without voting rights. The club treasurer reserves the right to charge dues to all members if needed and active participation in fund-raising effort is mandatory for all members. Although the Club makes all efforts to defray costs, members must be aware that substantial personal monetary expenditures may be necessary in order to purchase the proper equipment required for full participation in the sport. Personal monetary expenditures may be necessary for transportation to games and tournaments as well. Members are expected to put full effort into attending practices and scheduled events. The club will thrive off of dedicated members, no matter the skill level. Officers of the Club will do everything in their power to ensure fair treatment of all Club members.

Section 2:
A student becomes a voting member after paying the required dues and attending practices and scheduled events, including fundraising and other events. Attendance at seventy-five percent of the activities would grant voting rights.

Section 3:
The coaches and captains reserve the right to dismiss members from the team for poor attendance at practices, games, Club functions, or other reasons deemed worthy of dismissal by the team and/or officers. Ultimate authority for such dismissal rests upon the concurrence of the officers. A notice or warning must be made to the member in consideration for dismissal prior to dismissal. If the particular member continues to display dismissal worthy behavior after the two weeks of notice, the member will be removed from the club.

Article III: Officers

Section 1:
In order to be eligible for an officer position the member must be a current CSB student. The Club promotes previous experience and length of time in organization as good qualifications and things to consider when voting.

Section 2:
Officers of the Lacrosse Club include four captains, two administrative captains and two coaching/field captains. All four work together as a unified unit to ensure a positive experience for all members of the club. Elections will be held on a yearly basis after the conclusion of the regular season in the spring. Contacts for the Department of Student Activities, CFB, and JCB include all four captains.

Section 3:
Administrative Captains: Administrative captains will be responsible for all team finances. Financial duties include: establishing a budget for the officers to present to the Student Senate for allocation of funds, completing Club audit forms monthly and submitting to CFB contact, overseeing the Club’s account(s), notifies organization of financial issues, and prepares budget/allocation request.

Coaching Captains: Coaching captains run the team with the CSB/SJU Benedictine Tradition; scheduling games, practices, and tournaments, presiding at league meetings and running practices when coaches are unavailable.

Section 4:
In the event a vacancy should occur (resignation or removal); the remaining officers will assume the responsibilities of the vacant officer position. Since there are two officers in each position, it would not be necessary to have an immediate election, unless felt necessary.

Section 5:
An officer may be impeached for improper, or lack of performance of duties. A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to another officer. This petition must contain the signatures of 2/3 of voting members. When such a petition is received, the officer shall call a meeting of the Club to determine whether or not the officer should be removed. The officer in question will have an opportunity to present a defense either in person or writing. Then a vote shall be taken, however 2/3 of the Club must be present. The vote of the voting members shall decide upon removal or not.

Section 6:
The officer removed from office will be eligible for holding office again the next term.

Article IV: Elections

Section 1:
Officer Candidates will be nominated by a current member or through self-nomination. These nominations must be made 1 week prior to the voting.

Section 2:
Elections should be held before April 1. In order for an election to take place 2/3 of voting members must be present. The vote will then take place through a secret ballot. A person can serve up to 3 terms (not necessarily consecutive).

Section 3:
If an officer leaves or is removed from office the same election procedures will take place. This election will take place prior to April 1 when all other officer positions will be elected. Until then the officer’s duties will be assumed by the other officers. The election would ideally be held within 2 weeks of the removal.

Article V: Advisor

Section 1:
The Club will choose an advisor that is an employee of CSB and shares common goals, expectations, has previous working experience working with clubs and is a good communicator with the Club and its officers.

Section 2:
The duties and expectations of the club advisor include supporting the Club and its members, offering advice on club decisions, working in close contact with club officers, attending certain meetings, and overseeing business transactions.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1:
Meetings will be held when necessary (to discuss upcoming events, games, tournament, and business transactions). When these business meetings are held officers and members will be notified through announcements at Club functions (games, practices, scheduled events) and through e-mail.

Section 2:
A special meeting may be called to discuss something of importance that may have been unexpected or may need to be dealt with as soon as possible. These meetings will primarily address the issue of importance but will be run in similar fashion to a business meeting.

Section 3:
Prior to a meeting an agenda will formed. At these meetings the Club will attempt to discuss and deal with each issue. The officers will lead these meetings. At meetings where the entire Club is involved the members will be allowed a chance to ask questions or offer input.

Section 4:
In order for official club business to be voted upon 2/3 of the Club’s membership must be present.

Article VII: Committees

Section 1:
As of right now the Club does not have any committees. In the future there may be a need for a Fundraising, Field Maintenance, Finance, and Promotional committees.

Section 2:
Special/ad-hoc committees may be formed if needed.

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1:
The Club will receive funding from the CSB Senate and if allocated resources, the Club will follow all institutional regulations.

Section 2:
Officers and members will not receive and honorarium or stipend from the organization.

Section 3:
It is expected that Club members will pay dues. The dues will be adjusted with monies allocated, number of members, and league/game expenses.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1:
When an amendment is proposed special meetings will be held to inform the Club members of the situation and possibilities. Here discussion and a vote will take place. 2/3 of the Club’s members must be present in order to vote.

Section 2:
Any changes made to this constitution must be submitted to the Department of Student Activities and the JCB.

Article X:

The College of Saint Benedict Women’s Lacrosse Club admits students without regard to their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and other activities, generally accorded or made available to members of the organization.

Article XI:

The College of Saint Benedict Women’s Lacrosse Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization. The College of Saint Benedict Women’s Lacrosse Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Article XII:

The College of Saint Benedict Women's Lacrosse Club agrees that its activities, mission statement and goals are consistent with the Benedictine Values.