Date: October 12, 2023

Constitution
JMU Club Swimming

Article I - Name of Organization

The official name of this organization shall be JMU Club Swimming.

Article II - Purpose of Organization

The purpose of this organization is to ensure the sport of swimming at James Madison
University.

Article III - Organization Structure

Section I. Requirements for Officers
The president, as well as the vice president if possible, must have completed one full term
on the executive committee to be eligible to run. Members interested in becoming an
officer must meet the following academic requirement: 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. The term
of office will be one full year (Fall Semester through Spring Semester). All officers shall
comprise the Executive Committee of the organization. The Executive Committee shall
meet in addition to regular organization meetings. The Executive Committee shall
appoint such committees that are needed to carry out organization goals. The officers and
individual duties shall be:

Section II. Executive Board Positions

A. President
• Preside over all meetings
• Represent organization on campus
• Ensure that the organization is operating in conformity with the
standards set forth by James Madison University and Student
Organization Services
• Plan and organize the meet schedule
• Act as the point of contact for other teams
• Cosign organization checks with Treasurer
• Maintain communication with organization adviser
B. Vice-president
• Preside over meetings in the absence of the President
• Schedule meetings/events with appropriate University offices
• Coordinate organization promotion and publicity of events
C. Secretary
• Maintain an accurate record of all organization meetings and post for
members
• Maintain membership directory
• Maintain the attendance and points system for the team
• Correspond when necessary with University administration and other
recognized organizations
 • Be in charge of weekend updates
D. Treasurer
• Maintain accurate record of organization transactions
• Collect dues if required
• Develop organization budget and present to officers
• Cosign organization checks with President
• Solicits additional funding if needed from the Student Government
Association or UREC officers in conjunction with the President
E. Community Service Chair
• Plan and see out all community service events
• Ensure that all community service related paperwork is complete and
turned in on time
F. Fundraising Chair
• Plan and see out all fundraising events
• Ensure that all fundraising related paperwork is complete and turned in
on time
• Ensure that money made from fundraising goes towards team’s funds
G. Social Chair
• Plan and monitor social events
H. Spirit Chair
• Be responsible for team apparel

Section III. Elections

Election of officers will require a majority vote from the general membership. If a
candidate fails to receive a majority of votes, a run-off election will be held within the top
two candidates that received the most votes. Elections will be held at the end of each
spring semester to determine the officers for the next year and will be done through an
anonymous online form.

Section IV. Officer Removal Process

Officers may be removed from office by ½ vote of the other officers or ¾ of the general
membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership. The officer is
permitted to speak before the Executive Committee and the general membership about
the charges made concerning his/her performance. The officer is not permitted to
participate in the deliberation of the Executive Committee regarding the charges.

Section V. Position Vacancies

If a position vacancy occurs, either the position will be filled by the runner-up of the
election for that position, a social chair will take the position, or the work of that position
will be divided between the remaining members of the executive board.

Article IV - Membership
Section I. Non-Discrimination Statement
Membership in this organization is open to all JMU students and will not be
restricted on the basis of age, ability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, color,
religion, veteran status, sexual orientation or political affiliation except in circumstances
outlined in federal and state laws.
Section II. Eligibility
Students in good standing with the University (2.0 cumulative G.P.A.) are eligible for
membership after attending or participating in an organization event/meeting.

Section III. Selection Process

Students looking to join must get in contact with a member of the executive board and
pay dues in order to be a part of the organization.

Section IV. Member Expectations

As a member, one is required to attend organization meetings regularly, pay dues if
required, and actively support organization projects. Membership fees shall be
determined by the executive officers at the beginning of each fall semester, and will be
based upon the predictions of expenses made for the upcoming year.

Section V. Member Removal Process

Membership will be revoked by ½ vote of officers or ¾ vote from the general
membership if actions are deemed inappropriate by the membership. Actions deemed
inappropriate and worthy of removal may include, but are not limited to physical
violence, harassment, sexual violence, destruction of property, specific threats towards an
individual or group of individuals, hazing, stalking, hate speech.

Article V - Adviser
Section I. Policy No. 3101 (Faculty Advisors to Student Organizations)
The adviser shall be a full or part time faculty or staff member at James Madison
University. The adviser shall be a full time faculty or staff member at James Madison
University. The adviser will assume those responsibilities as outlined in this constitution
and/or found in University Policy No. 3101 entitled “Faculty Advisers to Student
Organizations.”

Section II. Adviser Selection

The adviser will be selected by a ½ vote of the Executive Committee and then presented
to the general membership for a ¾ vote. Advisers not fulfilling responsibilities or abiding
by the organization’s purpose may be removed from the position by a ½ vote of the
Executive Committee.

Section III. Adviser Role

The responsibilities of the advisor will include: interpreting university policies,
representing the JMU Swim Club to the university administration, and providing for the
general well being of the organization.

Section IV. Adviser Removal

This process shall be the same as it is for executive board members.
Article VI - Meetings
Section I. Meeting Structure
The organization shall hold regular meetings (when needed) during the academic term
except when holidays, examination periods or other events make meeting impractical.
Organization meeting day/time will be determined in the beginning of each semester by a
¾ vote of the general membership. Attendance at organization meetings is expected. If a
member must miss a meeting, correspondence with the secretary is appreciated.

Section II. Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the membership plus one officer.

Section III. Rules of Procedure

Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern all meetings.

Section IV. Meeting Minutes

The secretary takes responsibility for creating meeting minutes and distributing them
within 24 hours of a meeting. All minutes will be stored within the JMU Club Swimming
Google Drive, which can be accessed by all executive officers.

Article VII - Finance

Section I. Dues
The organization may establish reasonable dues that must be paid by all members. The
amount of the dues will be determined in the beginning of the academic year by the
Executive Committee. Dues must be paid by the first two weeks of the season. The
treasurer shall maintain all financial records and shall cosign with the president for all
organization transactions.

Section II. Use and Responsibility of Funds

Organization dues will be used to support projects that match the mission of the
organization including, but not limited to, travel expenses, team apparel, and team
activities. Organization dues will not be used for projects or expenditures that do not
conform to the organization’s mission or that may put the organization at risk.

Section III. Bank Accounts

The organization maintains a bank account through Wells Fargo. Treasurer and president
or vice president are listed on the account.

Article VIII - Hazing

JMU Club Swimming, in keeping with JMU’s expectations for a positive academic and
social environment, unconditionally opposes hazing. No individual member of our group
or the group itself may engage in or plan any activity that may be defined as hazing.
JMU Club Swimming opposes any situation created intentionally to produce mental or
physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule to its members or potential
members. In addition, no individual nor recognized organization may, by physical or
mental stress or by subtle or covert technique, impair, make captive, or destroy an
individual's freedom of thought and choice.

J17-100 Hazing: The university prohibits any situation created intentionally to produce
mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule in connection with
or the purpose of initiation, admission into, or affiliation with or as a condition for
continued membership in a club, organization, or association, regardless of whether the
students participated voluntarily in the relevant activity. Students directing, engaging in,
aiding, or participating in, actively or passively, the forcing, compelling, requiring,
encouraging, expecting, whether direct or implied, of individuals to participate in hazing
activities shall be considered in violation of this policy. It is impossible to anticipate
every situation that could involve hazing. Behavior listed below does not, and cannot
encompass every circumstance that can be categorized as hazing. Further, this policy is
not intended to prohibit customary athletic events, contests, and competitions that are
sponsored by the institution or the organized and supervised practices associated with
such events or activity or conduct that furthers the goals of a legitimate educational
curriculum, extracurricular program, or military training program as approved by the
University.

Hazing activities include but are not limited to; physical abuse; kidnapping, blindfolding,
confinement, or binding and/or restricting movement; calisthenics or other strenuous
physical activity used to harass, punish, or harm an individual; excursions; spraying,
painting, or pelting with any substance; burying in any substance; nudity; servitude;
exposure to uncomfortable elements; verbal abuse or harassment; wearing of apparel
which is conspicuous or indecent; forcing consumption of any legal or illegal substance
(e.g. food, liquid, beverage, alcohol, drug, or other substance); depriving of sufficient
sleep; burning, branding, or tattooing; interrogation in an intimidating or threatening
manner; misleading members in an effort to convince them that they will not become or
remain members unless they complete tasks, follow instructions, or act in a certain way;
misleading members into believing that they will be hurt during induction or initiation;
carrying items that serve no constructive purpose or that are designed to punish or
embarrass the carrier; requiring or suggesting obtaining, possessing items or completing
tasks in an unlawful manner (i.e. scavenger hunts); any act that is designed to or likely to
compromise the dignity of a member or prospective member, cause embarrassment or
shame to a member or prospective member, cause a member or prospective member to be
the object of malicious amusement, ridicule, or emotional strain, or cause psychological
harm or substantial emotional strain; or any other activity which may result in physical
injury or endanger the health or life of the individual being hazed.

An individual cannot consent to being hazed; a victim’s voluntary or willful participation

in hazing activities will not be considered evidence that a violation of this policy did not
occur.Section 18.2- 56 of the Code of Virginia declares hazing illegal, establishes
conditions for civil and criminal liability, and outlines the duties of the university when a
student has been found guilty of hazing in civil or criminal court.

It is hereby incorporated as part of this constitution and will serve as a guide for action by
the university and JMU Club Swimming if there is an instance of hazing by this
organization or any of the members of this organization. It will be the duty of the officers
of JMU Club Swimming to educate the membership of this policy.

Article IX - Risk Management

The executive board is responsible for overseeing the well-being of the organization,
members and guests at activities and events sponsored by the organization. Violations of
JMU policy, local, state or federal law at any meeting or event is strictly prohibited. Any
violation should be reported directly to OSARP and/or Title IX.

Article X - Amendments
Amendments to this constitution must be submitted in writing at a regular meeting of the
organization. Said amendment(s) will be voted on at a subsequent meeting. In order to
adopt the amendment, a vote of 2/3 of the general membership is necessary.

Article XI - Ratification
This constitution shall become effective upon approval by a ¾ vote of the membership.
Ratified constitutions must be submitted to the Be Involved organization page in a timely
manner after substantial amendments and submitted each year with Annual Organization
Registration.

Article XII - Dissolution of Organization

Dissolution of the organization can be voted on with a ¾ vote by membership. Funds left
by the organization should be donated back to former members within two weeks of
voting.