Article I Name
The name of the association is Chess Team.
Article II Purpose
The objectives and purposes of this organization
are:
1. To enable its members to play the game of chess through sponsorship of
tournaments, matches, and other chess events
2.To compete in tournaments and represent Drexel in competition
3.To provide an environment promoting general interest and/or learning among
members of the chess club through education, entertainment, or social
activity
4. To promote general interest in chess and Drexel University in
Philadelphia
Article III Membership
1. Membership is open to any full time
undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at Drexel University regardless
of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual preference, or ability.
Only undergrad students can benefit from SAFAC funding.
2. An active member is defined as a participant or officer who voluntarily
shows her/his true interest in chess. The details are described below.
Members are fully responsible for the following:
Official Membership
1. Members are responsible for attending any meetings required by the
Executive Board to compete on behalf of the Chess Team.
2. Members are responsible to keep communication with the Executive Board
for any required meetings not attended. Failure to do so may result in
immediate deletion off the E-mail list, exemption from tournament play, and
anything else sponsored and held by the chess club.
3. Members may be responsible for paying annual dues to the organization as
specified by the Executive Board. Members may also be required to pay
for part of their own tournament entire fees, damaged or lost equipment, or
food. Potential expenses are not limited to these items, but by the
context of each situation subjectively.
4. Financial aid of tournament, transportation, and hotel fees for members
by the Chess Team will be determined by the Executive Board based on the
members' participation in club events, and the amount of club funding.
5. Members will be permitted to put Drexel Chess Team on their résumé and
run for officer positions.
General Membership
1. Members come to meetings as they are able and can be on the email list.
2. Members can represent Drexel Chess Team at tournaments.
3. Members are required to pay for their own tournament entire fees, and may
be required to pay for damaged or lost equipment, or food. Potential
expenses are not limited to these items, but by the context of each
situation subjectively.
Alumni
1. If there are too many people in the vicinity of chess club proceedings,
meetings, or such, outsiders may be asked to leave first, followed by
alumni, followed by current graduate students. Alumni may be asked to show
their card or a letter stating that they are alumni if the situation calls
for it at the executive board’s discretion.
Tournaments
1. Members who participate in tournaments may be required to pay partially
or fully for tournament fees, food, gas, hotel, or airfare and the like. The
amount of this fee will be determined by the Executive Board.
2. Members are responsible for giving necessary information before deadlines
for tournament participation. Failure to do so may result in loss of club
funding for the members in question.
3. Members may be exempt from tournament play and any other chess club
sponsored events based on any misconduct or failure to pay any required
fees. This exemption will be determined by the Executive Board.
4. Members who compete are responsible for maintaining U.S. Chess Federation
and any local, regional, or state chess federation memberships required for
tournament play.
5. Officers will attempt to consult with members at meetings, but they have
primary decision in deciding who will be on teams if more than one team is
formed.
The Drexel Chess Club may reimburse membership
expenses as described below.
Transportation/Hotel
1. Members who are using cars and do not want to lend the maximum capacity
to other chess members may not be reimbursed for gas, tolls, or any fees of
this nature. Members who disrespect use of others’ cars can be refused
funding for future tournaments, reimbursements, and can be held liable for
any damages caused.
2. The Executive Board will have final discretion in assigning members to
hotel rooms paid for in whole or in part by the club.
Article IV Election of Officers
1. The government of the Club is composed of a
three member Executive Board: President, Vice-President, and Treasurer.
Positions shall be designated by election or the Executive Board. If it is
not possible to have more than two officers on the Executive Board, one will
be Treasurer and the other President.
2. To be elected, a student must be an active Chess Club member and in good
standing with both Drexel University and the Chess Club. There is no limit
to the number of times a member can be elected to office.
3. If a member desires to run for an open position, he or she must submit
his/her name to the Executive Board for consideration at least three days
prior to the election. Failure to do so will remove said person from
consideration for election.
4. Elections are to be held annually. An election must be announced at least
one week in advance and may be held by either calling a general meeting or
soliciting votes by e-mail. A quorum of 50% or more of the average
attendance of the term is required to select an officer. In the event of a
tie, the existing Executive Board shall select officers, which shall then be
approved by the membership. In the event that the membership shows
indifference, the Executive Board shall have final discretion.
5. New officer positions can be created based on the executive board's
decision and/or a request from a plurality of the chess club members.
Article V Faculty Advisor
1. One fulltime faculty advisor is required, but
additional advisors may be added as needed.
2. The faculty advisor should provide support and guidance to club members
in the general promotion of chess.
3. The faculty advisor is to be selected by the Executive Board, or by a
committee appointed by the Executive Board. The membership shall be informed
of the advisor chosen. Selection of an advisor shall be done only when
necessary.
4. There is no limit to the number of times an advisor may be selected.
Article VI Responsibilities of Officers
1. Each officer must learn how to manage hotel
reservations, chess team documents, fundraiser(s), and/or any other
objectives that help the chess club promote itself toward the university.
2. Should an officer resign or take leave, the remaining officers must take
over the responsibilities of the absent officer.
3. The Executive Board determines the responsibilities of additional
officers.
Individual Responsibilities:
1. President: must be a full time student
delegates responsibilities to other officers, helps other officers if
needed, informs advisor of anything that she/he should know; is specifically
responsible for organizing tournaments, club meetings, purchasing equipment,
and promoting interest through innovative concepts if applicable
2. Treasurer: must be a full time student
in charge of keeping track of finances, develops any desired advertisement
for the chess club, handles any reservations for possible on-campus chess
events or hotel reservations for tournaments.
3. Vice President:
regulates chess fundraisers, keeps track of and distributes minutes at
meetings, and helps post any advertisements for the club
Article VII Standing Committees
Standing committees may be appointed for any
purpose by a plurality vote of the Executive Board. A standing committee may
be composed of any number of people and may exist for any amount of time.
Article IX Ratification
Ratification occurs once annually and by a
majority vote of the membership.
Article X Amendments
Amendments to the constitution must be presented
to the Executive Board, and then may be presented to the general population
of active members if need be. Amendments must be approved by at least 2/3 of
all active members or by 2/3 of the Executive Board if active members show
indifference to the issue.
Article XI Bylaws
Bylaws are to be drafted by the Executive Board
and then will be ratified in the same manner as the constitution. After the
initial draft has been ratified, changes to the bylaws are to be presented
to the Executive Board. A general meeting shall be called, with at least one
week's notice, and the bylaw change will be ratified by the majority vote of
the attending members.
Article XII Dissolution
A general meeting must be called with one week's
notice. The concept and proposal of dissolution must be discussed with a
majority of members in attendance. Minutes of this meeting shall be e-mailed
to the full membership. A vote shall be taken no later than one week after
the sending of this e-mail, and if the proposal to dissolve is approved by a
two-thirds majority the club is dissolved.
Revision Date: July 25, 2007
