Constitution of Samford Crew

In 1909, ten men sought to begin a crew tradition at Howard College, located in East Lake, AL. This was a noble ambition, as the sport of crew is something of value to all universities. In 1900, the New York Times reported, There is no doubt that rowing heads the list of sport in all our universities, and rightfully so, for it is a sport that absorbs all the gray matter you have to put into it, and at the same time it can take care of any amount of physical strength. We revive this challenge for Samford University students with the Constitution below and thus form the Samford Crew Club. I. State of Organization A. Name The organizations official name shall be Samford Crew Club, herein referred to and abbreviated as Samford Crew or the Crew. B. Legal Independence Samford Crew Club recognizes that it is an independent organization and is not legally affiliated with Samford University or its constituents. Samford University, solely upon its discretion, decides to host the Crew as an independent student organization and thus maintains no legal affiliation with the organization. II. Mission The mission of Samford Crew Club is to create a culture of crew that develops students physically, spiritually, and personally as they compete in regattas, contribute to the community, and enhance university life. III. Membership and Meetings A. Non-Discrimination The Samford Crew Club aims to foster a culture of excellence and does not get distracted by frivolity. The crew, whether in calling coaches and advisors, electing leadership, accepting support, or welcoming new members, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, or national or ethnic origin. B. Stakeholders The crew community includes more than its rowers or coaches and recognizes stakeholders as any individual or representative of an organization that has invested in the crew with their time, donations, or finances. C. Rowers 1. Joining The opportunity to join Samford Crew shall be open to all interested students enrolled at Samford University. New rowers, known as members, shall be invited to row with the Samford Crew each semester based on the recommendations of the President and contingent on strong athleticism, respectable character, and evident potential to contribute to the crew culture of Samford.
Samford Crew samfordcrew.com president@samfordcrew.com P.O. Box 294040, Birmingham, AL, 35229

Constitution of Samford Crew

2. Removal The Board of Directors can elect to dismiss a member when he or she ceases to effectively contribute to the athleticism or culture of the Crew. When necessary, the Board of Directors will hold a hearing and dismisses a member with a 75% majority vote of no confidence from a 90% quorum. Dismissed members are eligible for re-admission as the Board sees fit. D. Semi-Annual Meetings Twice a year the crew President shall call a meeting for all stakeholders and members of the crew. The purpose shall be to conduct general business, update the stakeholders on crew progress, induct new members, and show appreciation to the crews supporters. The Board of Advisors and Board of Directors should be explicitly invited, and any Board member can exercise their right to address the Crew at a semi-annual meeting. E. General Meetings General meetings of Samford Crew members may be called at the Presidents discretion. Common purposes include conducting business, holding votes, disseminating information, and soliciting feedback. F. Governing Procedures 1. Guidance Business proceedings of meeting should be conducted in an orderly manner as prescribed by the Standing Code. 2. Quorum A quorum of 75% members is necessary to pass any business of the crew, unless otherwise noted in the Constitution. 3. Suspension As the President sees fit, he or she may temporarily suspend the Standing Code and all other sections of the Constitution except for this one to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the crew. He or she must notify the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors within two days and revert to proscribed order as soon as possible. Either Board or the rowers may override the suspension with a vote of 50% its members. IV. Leadership A. Board of Directors 1. Responsibilities and Authority The Board of Directors is responsible for the crews general guidance and direction. Its authority is sourced from the Constitution and it passes binding resolutions in all matters delegated to it by the Constitution. 2. Composition The Board of Directors is composed of crew officers who should seek regular consultation from requisitioned coaches and the faculty advisor(s). 3. Meetings The Board of Directors shall hold, at minimum, two meetings a year to conduct general business, monitor the well-being of the crew, and entertain requests of the crews stakeholders. B. Board of Advisors 1. Purpose The Board of Advisors serves as a high-level group of advisors, removed from day-to-day operations, that consults with team leadership to ensure the continued success of Samford Crew. 2. Composition
Samford Crew samfordcrew.com president@samfordcrew.com P.O. Box 294040, Birmingham, AL, 35229

Constitution of Samford Crew

The President, at his or her discretion, appoints 3-9 qualified stakeholders of Samford Crew to the Board of Advisors on an annual basis. Advisors serve one-year terms, with no limit on the number of terms they can be appointed. 3. Responsibilities The primary responsibilities of Advisors are to guide the President and Board of Directors on issues related to the long-term, sustainable fulfillment of its mission. Advisors are expected to offer their respective expertise and other distinctive resources to support Samford Crew. 4. Removal and Resignation An Advisors, at their discretion, may resign their position for any reason they feel prohibits them from effectively serving on the Board. Also, should the Board of Directors feel an Advisor is no longer qualified to effectively serve Samford Crew, it may remove him or her with a 75% vote, from the full Board of Directors, of no confidence. C. Team Leadership 1. Officers i. Positions a. President The President is the public face and primary leader of the organization. He or she should have experience rowing and be well acquainted with the crew and Samford University. Responsibilities include overseeing team operations, interfacing with the University, leading crew meetings, effectively leading the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, and progressing the spirit and culture of crew at Samford. b. Vice President for Development The Vice President for Development works under the Presidents vision to maintain and develop the relational components of the crew, including marketing, sponsorships, partnerships, and public relations. c. Vice President for Regattas The Vice President for Regattas represents the crew to regattas, races, and competitive events. He or she is responsible for organizing the team for competitions, registering with appropriate bodies, coordinating contest records, and having a fluent understanding of the crews competitive components. d. Vice President for Finance The Vice President for Finance is responsible for all financial aspects of the Crew, including administering a budget, administrating bank accounts, interfacing with the University, and coordinating audits as necessary. d. Vice President for Administration The Vice President for Administration is responsible for maintaining records of meetings and official crew business, in addition to coordinating all communication and administrative duties for the Crew. ii. Appointment, Election, and Confirmation a. Time The team shall elect and confirm officers at the conclusion of the calendar year to serve the following academic year. Officers shall serve a full years term and can serve an unlimited number of terms. b. Eligibility Any stakeholder of the crew is eligible for election contingent they are in good standing with the crew

Samford Crew samfordcrew.com president@samfordcrew.com P.O. Box 294040, Birmingham, AL, 35229

Constitution of Samford Crew

as determined by the Constitution and the Board of Directors. c. Process i. Appointment At the end of each calendar year, each officer shall declare intent to continue serving or appoint a new stakeholder to his or her position. ii. Confirmation Within two to three weeks of the fall semesters end, the Vice President for Administration shall call a vote of confirmation. The crew, with a 80% quorum, must confirm each officer, whether appointed or declaring intent to continuing serving, with a 75% vote of confidence. iii. Election Every position which fails to receive a 75% vote of confidence from an 80% quorum shall fall to a general election, held one week after the vote of confirmation. iii. Removal a. Procedure for Removal Any stakeholder that deems the removal of an officer necessary should file a formal petition to the Board of Directors. The Vice President for Administration shall notify the team in writing and hold a meeting within two weeks of receiving the petition. A 75% vote of no confidence from a 90% team quorum dismisses an officer. b. Procedure for Replacement Upon a vote of no confidence the President shall appoint a stakeholder to the position within one week. If the Crew deems necessary, a motion can call an election to replace the appointed officer for the remainder of the term. iv. Succession Should an officer resign or be removed from officer, the duties of that officer fall according the the line of succession: President, Vice President for Development, Vice President for Regattas, Vice President for Finance, Vice President for Administration . Should the Vice President for Administration resign or be removed, those duties fall to the President. 2. Directors i. Appointment As the President sees a need, and as advised by the Board of Directors, he or she may appoint stakeholders to Director positions for duties such as managing equipment, coordinating recruitment, hosting a regatta, etc. ii. Term Director positions are created ad-hoc by the President and for the length of time he or she determines. All authority of the position is from the President, and the position operates under his or her direction. D. Coaching Staff 1. Responsibilities Coaches are responsible for developing the athletic competency and spirit of the team. They shall run practices, organize workouts, and develop personal relationships with crew members. 2. Solicitation Due diligence of the Board is expected to ensure the coach is well qualified, has strong coaching skills, can maintain a positive relationship with the team and University, and is a strong fit to the culture of crew. The

Samford Crew samfordcrew.com president@samfordcrew.com P.O. Box 294040, Birmingham, AL, 35229

Constitution of Samford Crew

Standing Code shall dictate the procedure for soliciting coaching staff. 3. Contract The Board shall create an oral agreement, written agreement, or legal contract stipulating expectations and compensation to solicited coaches within three weeks of the vote. Coaches enter agreement with the Crew, not with Samford University. 4. Removal Any Board of Directors member that deems the removal of a coach necessary should file a formal petition with the Board of Directors. The Vice President for Administration shall notify the team in writing and hold a meeting within two weeks of receiving the petition. A 75% vote of no confidence from a 90% team quorum dismisses a coach. E. Faculty Advisor 1. Responsibilities The duties of a faculty advisor include guiding the organization towards its purpose, supporting its activities from a University position, and acting as a liaison among the Crew, faculty, and university administration. 2. Solicitation Due diligence of the Board is expected to ensure the advisor is well qualified, has strong rapport within the University, and is a strong fit to the culture of crew at Samford. 3. Removal Any Board of Directors member that deems the removal of a faculty advisor necessary should file a formal petition with the Board of Directors. The Vice President for Administration shall notify the team in writing and hold a meeting within two weeks of receiving the petition. A 75% vote of no confidence from a 90% team quorum dismisses a faculty advisor. V. Standing Code The operational policies of the Crew are prescribed by the Standing Code, a living document which dictates dues, meetings, consequences and offenses, regulations for the crews image and brand, and other miscellaneous policies deemed necessary for the crews well-being. Its authority rests in and under the Constitution. VI. Other Power Powers and responsibilities related to Samford Crew and not explicitly addressed in this Constitution are delegated to the Board of Directors. Decisions by the Board are binding with the authority of the Constitution. VII. Amendments A. Procedure Amendments may be presented by any stakeholder of Samford Crew to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall notify the team within two weeks and shall hold a vote, with pro and con debate, one to three months after receiving the Amendment. The Amendment must be approved by 75% of the team and 50% of the Board of Directors. B. Amendments Amendments ratified by vote shall be listed here and appropriate sections of the Constitution edited. Operationally adopted spring 2011. Formally adopted fall 2011.
Samford Crew samfordcrew.com president@samfordcrew.com P.O. Box 294040, Birmingham, AL, 35229

Constitution of Samford Crew

Samford Crew samfordcrew.com president@samfordcrew.com P.O. Box 294040, Birmingham, AL, 35229