Penn State Behrend Rugby Club
Penn State Erie, the Behrend College
September, 2005
Article I
Name of Organization
Section 1:
The name of this organization shall be the Penn State Behrend Rugby Club or
PSB Rugby. PSB has a men’s and women’s team. The men’s team shall be
known as the Behrend Hellhounds. The women’s team shall be known as the
Behrend Hellcats.
Article II
Statement of Purpose
Section 1:
Rugby Club gives students the opportunity to learn valuable leadership skills, play
rugby, and improve physical condition. The Rugby Club also looks to promote
philanthropy, appreciation rugby as a sport, and promote social relations with
other organizations.
Section 2:
The purpose of the Penn State Behrend Rugby Club shall be:
A. To provide an organized environment for beginning players to learn the
game of rugby.
B. To provide an organized environment for experienced players to improve
their rugby skills.
C. To promote interest in the game of rugby.
D. To provide the opportunity for new and experienced players to play the
game of rugby in a competitive environment.
E. To create a comfortable social environment in which new and experienced
players may interact and network through joint appreciation of rugby.
F. To encourage school spirit and team unity.
G. To do all of the above within university guidelines.
Article III
Membership
Section 1:
The majority of the membership of the Rugby Club shall consist of enrolled
Behrend students. Students from nearby Universities may also associate with
Rugby Club if approved by 2/3 of the club members.
Section 2:
All club members wishing to participate in games and tournaments must register
with the World Rugby Organization. Every member must recognize that there is a
risk of injury that comes with playing rugby as with any other sport and is
participating under his or her own free will.
Article IV
Officers
Section I:
Article IV: Officer Positions.
The officers of the organization shall include President, Vice President, Secretary,
and Treasurer.
Section II:
All officers shall be elected the second Wednesday in April by a majority vote of
all present members.
Section III:
If there is a vacancy of office for any member other than the Presidency then the
President can administer a special election to fill the vacancy. If the office of the
Presidency should become vacant then the Vice President shall take control by a
simple majority vote. If a majority is not held then a special election shall be held
the following meeting to elect a new President. The special election shall take
place no later than the second meeting after the vacancy of the office of President.
If an office becomes vacant during the summer then vacancy shall be filled
through an electronic vote administered by the in-coming secretary beginning the
day of the vacancy and ending when the majority of returning members cast their
vote for the vacant position through any verifiable manner deemed by the incoming secretary. If the position of in-coming secretary is the vacancy then the incoming President may administer the election process.
Section IV:
The executive board is required to be present at all meetings unless a formal
excuse is submitted to the President and/or the Secretary with at least 24 hours
advanced notice.
Section V:
Officers and members may resign at any time through written notification to the
executive board.
Section VI:
Officers and/or members can be impeached by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at
any time for any reason approved by the Faculty Advisor, for failing to comply
with University Policy, or for failing to complete duties as stated under the
Constitution.
Section VII:
The officer’s terms shall be one academic year. The officers shall not assume the
powers of their office until the end of the academic year in which they were
elected. They shall serve until the last meeting of that academic year.
Article V: Duties of Officers.
Section I:
The President shall be responsible for introducing topics for discussion and
presiding over the general meeting and the Executive Board meetings. The
president shall have the power to establish ad hoc committees to effectively deal
with developments within the organization. The President is required to attend
Treasury & Orgsync Training.
Section II:
The Vice President shall chair the meetings in the absence of the President. The
Vice President serves as Parliamentarian during both general and Executive
council meetings. The Vice President shall share the responsibilities with the
President when appointing ad hoc committees. The Vice President is also
responsible for securing the meeting room for general and executive meetings.
Section III:
The secretary shall be responsible for accurate recordings of both the general and
Executive Board meeting minutes. The Secretary shall also have the responsibility
of being the official liaison for inter organization correspondence. The Secretary
is also responsible for the sending out of minutes to all members by the following
general and executive meeting respectively. The Secretary is also responsible for
compiling an agenda to be distributed to all members to increase efficiency.
Section IV:
The treasurer shall be responsible for the recording and reporting of all funds in
the general meetings, as well as the head of any effort made by the organization
for fundraising. The Treasurer is also responsible for all monetary transactions of
the organization.
Article VI: Meetings.
Section I:
The general meetings of the club shall be held weekly or bi-weekly dependent on
the availability of organization members in order to discuss the business of the
organization. If necessary the President shall hold alternate meetings for members
who have notable interests in the organization but are not able to make meetings
due to time constraints. Meetings shall be run in accordance to Parliamentary
Procedure. All members will be presented with a pamphlet on Parliamentary
Procedure at the first meeting of every semester by the executive board.
Section II:
The general meetings shall be open to the public.
Section III:
Any member may make a written request to hold an emergency meeting and
submit it to the President. However, it is only the President or Vice President who
may call an emergency meeting.
Article VII: Voting.
Section I:
All active members present at a meeting have the right to vote. All executive
members with the exception of the President and Vice President also have the
right to vote on issues discussed during the general meeting. In the instance of a
tie, the President and Vice President shall make a joint tie-breaking vote. The
President and Vice President must in all instances make tie breaking decisions
with complete unanimity.
Section II:
A simple majority (50% +1) is all that is required to pass any order of business.
Article VII: Finance.
Section I:
The finance of the club shall be managed by the Treasurer and supervised by the
Vice-President.
Section II:
Any member is able to suggest strategies for fundraising. The President or the
Treasurer may appoint any active member to head a particular fundraiser.
Article IX: Amendments and Effective Date.
This Constitution shall take effect immediately. Any revisions to this Constitution may be
proposed by any member during a general meeting. The club shall hold a vote on the proposed
amendment the following week during the general meeting. A two thirds majority of all present
members is required to make a Constitutional amendment.
Article X: Statement of Nondiscrimination.
Section I:
The Rugby Club College at no time shall discriminate against a person because of
that person’s race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, color, national origin, ethnic,
background, age, differential ability, veteran status, as in agreement with
University Policy.