Fishing Club Constitution

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1:

Name of the club – Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s Fishing Club

Section 2: Purpose/Mission

To provide all members of our College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University with an equal opportunity to fish on campus, outside of campus on Club trips, and to learn about fishing, all while instilling deep respect for the environment and the importance of service to others.

Section 3: Affiliation:

The competitive subdivision of the fishing club, the CSB/SJU Bass Fishing Team, may seek affiliations with organizations such as B.A.S.S., FLW Outdoors, and other organizations to be eligible for tournament competition(s).

 

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility for Membership

All St. John’s/St. Ben’s students are eligible for membership to the Fishing Club, but to receive benefits of discounted trips, activities, gear, products, etc. members must attend at least five outings (meetings, events, etc.) of the club every year and any specified community service/volunteer hours required by affiliate organizations. 

Membership of the Fishing Team (competitive subdivision) is available to all those who are willing to complete the proper community service and pay the necessary dues. If a student is unable to pay dues, they are welcome to be a part of the Fishing Team if all other requirements are met. However, members unable to pay dues will not be eligible for tournament competition or sponsorship/partnership benefits.

Section 2: Voting Member Criteria

To vote on issues pertaining to the St. John’s/St. Ben’s Fishing Club, members must attend at least five outings (meetings, events, etc.) of the club every year.  

To vote on issues pertaining to the competitive Fishing Team, members must attend 2/3 of all meetings and have paid all necessary dues in order to voting eligibility.

Section 3: Removal of Members

Officers of the group discuss the conduct of the member and vote to dismiss or not accordingly. A two-thirds vote is required to dismiss. In the case of a tie, the president’s executive power is exercised.

 

Article III: Officers

Section 1: Officer Qualifications

Active member for at least one semester. 

Section 2: Elected Officers

President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Conservation/Contacts Manager, Volunteer/Service Coordinator, President of CSB/SJU Bass Fishing Team, Vice President of CSB/SJU Bass Fishing Team

Section 3: Duties of Officers

Preside at activities and events coordinated by club, and conduct themselves in accordance with values of St. Johns/St. Bens Fishing Club.

Typical duties include:

President: Preside at meetings, call special meetings, primary contact with the institutions, appoint committee chairs, runs the election process, other

Vice-President: Assume President’s duties in his/her absence, schedule meeting/practice rooms/facilities, primary contact with the JCB, plans member/officer training programs, other

Secretary: Takes and distributes minutes of all club meetings, recorder keeper (current and past members, files minutes, etc), club historian, notify members of meetings, handles the official correspondence of the club, other

Treasurer: Keeps all financial records, submits monthly audit statements to CFB contact, notifies organization of financial issues, prepares budget/allocation requests

Conservation/Contacts Manager: Works closely with environmental issues, lake habitat, fishery education, and improving aquatic habitat especially on campus and throughout the local, state, and national community. Also works contacting sources of information and coordinating club opportunities

Volunteer/Service Coordinator: Handles service orientated responsibilities and activities involving the CSB/SJU Fishing Club and community service opportunities, also works in close proximity in involving the CSB/SJU student body.

Fishing Team Coordinator(s): Preside at meetings, call special meetings, primary contact with the institutions, appoint committee chairs, runs the election process, other for the competitive Fishing Team subdivision of the club. Ultimately answer to Fishing Club president on all matters. There may be up to 3 Fishing Team Coordinators.

 

Section 4: Vacancy in Office

If the President is unable for any reason to continue as President, the vice-president will assume his/her duties. A new Vice President will then be elected. If the Vice President position is vacant, then one of the current officers will simply take over the role. In the case of a vacancy in any other position besides President and Vice President, all active members of the club will be asked to run and voting will take place (paper and/or electronically). All members who have attended at least five meetings per year can vote, with the new officer becoming the person who gets the majority of the votes. In the case of a tie, the current officers will vote, with the President having the final say. If no active members fulfill the positions, the current officers will take over the role.

 

Section 5: Removal of Officers

To remove an officer the following must happen:

A petition to remove the officer in question must be submitted to the President or the highest officer not in question. This petition for removal must contain the signatures of at least 20 members with active (5 meetings a year) status. When such petition is received, the highest presiding officer not in question shall call a meeting of the club officers other than the officer in question, to determine whether or not the officer should be removed. A majority vote is required for removal. In case of tie, the President, or the highest officer not in question is the determining factor.

 

Section 6: Appeal of Removal of Officers

The removed officer must write a petition within two weeks stating why the club should consider reinstating him/her as an officer with evidence supporting his/her cause with signatures from 20 active club members. The officers vote to reinstate the officer, with a majority winning. In the case of a tie, the President or the highest ranking officer not in question will be the tie breaker.

 

Article IV: Elections

Section 1: Nomination Process

Those seeking nomination must campaign for their respective officer position. Those campaigning must state their plans in the officer position to the club by March 1.

 

Section 2: Election

The voting members of the club will vote during the end of March for each respective position, the majority vote for each position wins. Voting can be done with paper ballots or electronically if desired (or both). The President will only have email authority during the electronic voting. If there is a problem the Student Activities Director will be asked to oversee the process. If an officer tampers with the election process, he is subject to removal with a two-thirds vote of the officers. If there is a tie in voting, the current officers are the tie breakers. If there still is a tie, the President has the final decision. Voting shall be done in secret. Terms are for the entire academic year or in the case an officer studies abroad, he/she can only run for the semester they will be here for. Another person can run for the semester they are absent. (Thus it is possible to have two different officers in two different semesters).

 

Section 3: Special Elections

In the case an elected position is not filled, a petition will be sent out to active club members. If people respond, the officers will vote with the majority winning. If there is a tie, the President has the last say. If no one responds, the current officers will resume the duties of the missing position.

 

Article V: Advisor

Section 1: Selection

The advisor must be interested in the purposes of the Club, understanding and supporting Club ideology. In the case a current advisor is unwilling/unable to continue a new advisor will be selected by the officers. To remove an advisor, a two-thirds vote is required of officers.

 

Section 2: Duties

The advisor must support the officers and the club members. He/she must challenge us continually with new ideas and goals. The advisor must be a medium of communication between the Club and the institution.

 

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular Meeting/Club Activities

Club meetings will be held regularly at a location/time determined by the members of the Club. Other regular fishing related activities will take place according to schedule or as necessary. The season will conclude with a special, end of year banquet. Members will be notified of meetings via e-mail and word of mouth.

The competitive fishing team subdivision may also hold separate meetings for those members who are a part of the subdivision.

 

Section 2: Special Meetings

Special meetings will be called by the highest ranking officer. Members of the Club will be notified of special meetings by e-mail and word of mouth. Special meetings most importantly address the issue at hand.

 

Section 3: Parliamentary Authority

The highest ranking officer will open the meeting, discuss orders of business pertaining to the Club. Then each remaining officer in chain of command order will have an opportunity to speak. Finally, any remaining member will have a chance to have his/her voice heard.

 

Section 4: Quorum*

Two-thirds of officers must be present for official club business to occur.

 

Article VII: Committees

Section 1: Committee Structure

Committee shall be determined upon importance/need of the group by the group.

  

Section 2: Special/Ad-Hoc Committees

Special committees will too be determined by the importance/need of the group

 

 

Article VIII: Finances

Section 1: Co-Funding Board

Yes, our Club and its competitive subdivision will apply for CFB Monies. If allocated, our club will follow all CFP and institutional regulations.

 

 

Section 2: Honorariums

No pay or stipend is received.  

 

Section 3: Dues (optional)

There is no mandatory due for the fishing club. The competitive subdivision may require members of the subdivision to pay yearly dues as required by certain affiliate organizations.

 

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: Ratification

In order to purpose a constitutional amendment a statement with at least 20 active (5 meetings a year) club signatures must be presented to the highest ranking club officer with the criteria for the new amendment. Then, the club officers must create a new amendment accordingly to be ratified by a two-thirds of the officers.

 

To change a constitutional amendment a statement with at least 20 active signatures must be presented to the highest ranking club officer with reason why the amendment must be changed. Then, the officers will vote and a two-thirds vote will change the amendment.

 

Section 2: Submittal to Department of Student Activities and Joint Club Board

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

 

Article X

The St. John’s/St. Ben’s Fishing 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 St. John’s/St. Ben’s Fishing Club considers hazing to be a degrading and destructive activity which is inconsistent with the standards of this student organization.  The Fishing Club recognizes the dignity of every person and opposes all forms of hazing.

Article XII

The CSB/SJU Fishing Team is a subdivision of the St. John’s/St. Ben’s Fishing Club in which members with competitive characteristics may pursue tournament fishing. This competitive subdivision will follow all the same rules and protocol as the Fishing Club and may have membership fees due to affiliate partnership(s). The CSB/SJU Fishing Team will be under the authority of coordinators who will ensure the longevity and well-being of this competitive subdivision. These two positions will report to the president of the Fishing Club on all matters. It is possible that the president and vice president of the Fishing Club may also be authority figures/coordinators of the CSB/SJU Fishing Team. All matters between the Club and its subdivision will be handled democratically and professionally amongst Club and Team authorities.