Constitution of the MIT Ballroom Dance Club



The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ballroom Dance Club (MITBDC) constitution consists of twelve articles, each with one or more clauses. 
 
A R T I C L E  I Name
The organization will be known as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ballroom Dance Club (hereinafter known as "MITBDC" or the "Club"). 
A R T I C L E  II Purpose
The purposes of MITBDC shall include the following: 
  • To provide members of the MIT and greater Boston community the opportunity to learn and practice ballroom and latin dancing.
  • To promote and popularize ballroom and latin dancing.
A R T I C L E  III Membership
A. Eligibility 
All persons interested in ballroom and latin dancing are eligible to become members of MITBDC (unless eligibility has been revoked as per clause D).

B. Rights
All members have the right to vote at all general meetings of the Club. Each member may have one and only one vote on all matters. All members have the right to run for office (except when limited by MIT regulations).

C. Requirements
All eligible persons can apply for membership of MITBDC by filling out a membership request and paying the required annual membership fee set by the officers of MITBDC. At least five (5) members and fifty percent (50%) of the membership must be MIT students. All applications for membership from eligible MIT students will be approved automatically. All applications for membership from other eligible persons will be approved subject to membership quota limitations listed above. Membership will lapse unless renewed every year.

D. Removal of membership privileges
Membership privilages cannot be removed, except by due process.

E. Re-instatement
Any member removed from MITBDC will not be able to rejoin for the remainder of that membership year.

F. Due Process
The executive committee of MITBDC shall be empowered to remove a member whose actions are detrimental to the operation of the Club, or has by his or her actions tarnished the image of the Club. The executive committee shall hold a hearing at which the member may defend his/her actions. The officers may decide by a simple majority vote to remove the said member. 

A R T I C L E  IV Officers
A. Elected Officers
The Club shall elect its officers, who shall be the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Workshop Manager, Desk Captain, Publicity Chair, Music Director, Social Director, Newsletter Editor and Webmaster. No person may hold two offices simultaneously. The elected officers of MITBDC shall be automatically granted membership of the Club for their term of office.

B. Appointed Officers
The president may appoint additional officers as is required for the operation of MITBDC. These appointments will become void with the cessation of duties by the appointing president.

C. Executive Committee
The executive committee of MITBDC will consist of its elected officers. Each elected officer will have one and only one vote in the executive committee. Any decision of the executive committee maybe vetoed by the membership of the club by a 2/3 vote at a general meeting. Any such motion to veto an executive committee decision must be placed on the agenda prior to the meeting.

D.Term of Office
The term of office shall be one year.

E. Resignation
Any officer may resign from office before the end of his/her term by submitting a written resignation to the executive committee.

F. Removal from office
An officer may be impeached by any three members of the Club, and the officer may be removed by a 4/5 vote in the executive committee or a 2/3 vote at a general meeting of the Club.

A R T I C L E  V Elections
The officers shall be elected by the Club at a general meeting held during the month of April. They shall assume office on the 15th of May. The election procedure will be outlined in the By-laws.
A R T I C L E  VI Voting Procedure
Each member shall have one and only one vote on all matters. Non-members may not vote on Club business.
A R T I C L E  VII General Meetings
A. Call to Meetings
The President shall call regular meetings. At least one meeting must be held per MIT academic semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). The quorum for a general meeting shall be established at 1/3 of the membership or 30 members, whichever is smaller. General Meetings shall be open to all. 

B. Special General Meetings
Special general meetings of the Club may be called to consider a special item or items of business, by the President, by two officer of the Club, or by petition of any ten members of the Club.

A R T I C L E  VIII Open Records
Records and documents of the Club shall be open to inspection by any of its members, subject to Institute policy. 
A R T I C L E  IX Amendments
A. Constitution
Amendments to this Constitution may originate at a meeting of the Club, from the president, from any two elected officers, or through petition in writing by ten members of the Club. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the membership through the most effective means available (as decided by the executive committee) and conspicuously posted for a period of two weeks before action or adoption. Adoption requires at least a 3/4 vote at a general meeting of the Club. The amendments must be voted on within six weeks of posting. 

B. By-laws
By-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote at a general meeting. 

A R T I C L E  X ASA God Clause
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Ballroom Dance Club agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the Association of Student Activities, and its executive board. This constitution, amendments to it, and the by-laws of this organization shall be subject to review by the ASA Executive Board to ensure that they are in accordance with the aforementioned rules and regulations. 
A R T I C L E  XI Ratification
This Constitution and By-Laws were presented to the membership of the Club at a general meeting on August 24, 1999 and ratified by a majority of the membership at a general meeting on September 11, 1999.
A R T I C L E  XII Sunset Clause
This Constitution and By-Laws along with any amendments will cease to be valid as of August 31, 2004, unless re-ratified for a specified period of time (less than five years), by a 3/4 vote at a general meeting prior to this date.

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