Liberty University Fencing Club
Constitution and Bylaws of the Liberty University Fencing Club.
Article I: Name
The name of this club shall be “Liberty University Fencing Club.”
Article II: Purpose
Purpose
The purpose of the Liberty University Fencing Club is to provide an enjoyable place to learn to fence competitively and to practice fencing skills. The primary goal of the Liberty University Fencing Club is to train Liberty University students, affiliates, and those interested in the classical skill of sport fencing. The LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Fencing Club will use and teach the three main weapons of sport fencing: foil, saber, and epee. Secondary goals of the LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Fencing Club include promoting the physical fitness of club members, providing times of fellowship, and promoting school spirit.
Article III: Membership
Section 1: Qualifications
In order to become a member of the Liberty University Fencing Club, one must be a student or faculty member at Liberty University. There is no other academic requirement for membership. Membership is allowed to those who are not affiliates of Liberty University if they are able to provide their own equipment. Membership may be annulled or banned by the head executive officer with a recommendation that the officer consult the executive council.
Section 2: Minimum membership requirements
There will be no minimum membership requirements for the Liberty University Fencing Club. Members who desire to fence regularly are encouraged to obtain their own mask, glove, jacket, foil, and chest plate. A buyback policy will be established so that the LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Fencing Club may buy any serviceable equipment for half of what the student paid for it. This equipment will be used for other members in the club. It should be remembered that being a part of the club is a privilege, not a right, and any members that agree to be a part of the club are there by their own will.
Section 3: Club joining process.
Any person that wishes to become a member must sign a waiver that will be kept on file by the officers of the club. Upon signing this form and paying dues an individual will become a member. Prolonged nonparticipation in the activities of the club will be interpreted as the desire to annul membership.
There will be two different levels of membership dues. The first level is the Team dues. Members who are a part of the Liberty University Fencing Team are required to pay either $50 for the semester or $90 for the year. The second level is club commitment fees. In order to use the club equipment and practice with the club, members must pay $25 for the semester. Club members are also given the option to pay $50 a semester or $90 a year which will null them any fees for Liberty University Fencing Events that require a charged fee. This does not include public outings or any event not hosted by Liberty University Fencing. It is understood that being a part of the club includes physical activity such as warm ups, stretching, and workouts provided by the Head Coach.
Club dues are optional until initiated to be required as decided on by Club Advisor, Club President, and Club Vice President.
Section 4: Team joining Process
The Liberty University Fencing Club will provide a team for collegiate and individual competition. A member may join the Team from approval of the coach, the club adviser, and the club president. A team member must understand and agree to be present and on time at all meetings including practice. Failure to do so may result in corrective action provided by the Head Coach.
Article IV: Organization
Section 1: Relationship of LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Fencing Club to Liberty University
The LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Fencing Club is directly affiliated with Liberty University as a club type sport. It is established for the benefit of the LIBERTY UNIVERSITY community. The goal of the club is to become an official club sport.
Section 2: Fiscal year and administrative term
The fiscal year is that of the regular calendar year from January to December. A term may last as long as the person holding the position is willing. Membership and offices will normally continue until 1) graduation or 2) members deem it necessary with a documented rational and definitive cause to remove a member or officer by means of a majority vote, or 3) the person in question voluntarily ceases to participate in the club.
Section 3: Team organization
The club will attempt to provide two teams, one for each gender. Each Gender team will consist of 4 Fencers for each Weapons and alternates if available.
Team members are encouraged to have their own equipment with their name and country code on the pants, glove, mask, jacket, and/or lame as well as any appropriate weapons, body cords, and mask cords. Team members are also encouraged to have a current USFA membership and pay for individual events if the club decides to attend such events.
Article V
Officers: Appointment of Officers
1. Club officers (Advisor, President, and Vice President) will nominate members for selected executive and director offices. President will appoint secretaries on a need basis.
2. Officers will be elected by a majority vote of the members attending the annual meeting of the club.
2. If openings arise during the year or if a new office is found to be necessary, the Executive Committee can appoint officers as needed by majority vote of the committee.
3. The following offices are described but not mandated by the constitution.
4. All officers are to adhere in accordance and action to Robert’s Rules of Order.
5. All officers are expected to abide by the Liberty Way and can be discharged if found at fault of not doing so.
Executive Officers
President: The roles and duties of the president consist of
1. Regular attendance at club events.
2. Presiding over meetings and having the power to cast a tie-breaking vote in the case of a stale mate among the club officers.
3. Supervising the instruction of others in the art of fencing.
4. Presenting new strategies to the board on what direction the program should take.
5. Creating and supervising club events. The club should try to do at least one event per semester.
6. Presiding over other offices in order to make sure everyone is doing their job efficiently and keeping the officers accountable to the Liberty Way and what is stated in the club constitution.
7. The president must make sure the club has a coach or fill in as the coach himself or herself.
Vice President: The roles and duties of the vice president consist of
1. Regular attendance at club events.
2. Taking the place of the president if s/he is absent.
3. Assisting the president in any way that they deem necessary.
4. Helping to supervise the instruction of others in the art of fencing.
5. May present new strategies to the board on what direction the program should take when asked of by the President.
Treasurer: The roles and duties of the treasurer shall consist of
1. Regular attendance at club events.
2. Maintaining a record of funds received and dispersed by the club.
3. Maintaining a log of which members have paid dues.
4. Appropriate any outside funding and dues to the appropriate bank accounts.
Directors: The roles and duties of the secretary consist of
1. Regular attendance at club events.
The Director of the Armory
Shall maintain the equipment as well as help keep inventory of the equipment.This includes washing the equipment and keeping it in clean shape. This role will fall under the duties of the Vice President and Staff Adviser if there is no one elected to the role. The Director of the Armory may appoint an equipment manager to help if needed if agreed upon by the President.
The Director ofAdvertisement and Production
Shall be responsible to advertise the club by any means necessary and represent the club at SGA and to the University administration. This role includes designing logos, creating products, and customizing equipment .S/he will also relay information from the President and Vice President that needs to be addressed to club members or to the general student body. This role will fall under the duties of the President and Vice President if there is no one elected to the role.
Secretaries: The roles and duties of the secretary consist of
1. Regular attendance at club events.
The Historian
Shall make sure that the members of the club will have a place to meet and train and file the schedule. S/he shall also schedule any needed meetings, notify the membership about the meetings, and keep a log of all members and the attendance of the members. S/he shall also record classes and keep a record of the duration of each individual’s membership. This will fall under the President and Adviser if this position is Vacant.
The Assistant
Shall provide any aid and service to any officer to support any duties and tasks assigned by said officer. S/he may also uptake duties of an office if the officer of the position is not present for a time, except offices of President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
The Club Chaplain
Shall help maintain the spiritual life of the club and keep the club accountable to a Christ-like atmosphere. The Chaplain shall also be responsible to make sure prayer takes place at every meeting, including practice. If any problems between club members arise, the chaplain shall be notified to help with the situation with the assistance of the officers. The club officers and directors shall be held accountable to a higher standard as described in the Holy Scriptures and the Liberty Way.
The Production and Media Assistant
Shall work together with the Director of Advertisement and Production on all the described tasks in the Director’s role as well as keep up with social media sites and help create video and audio advertisements. This role will fall under the Director of Advertisement if Vacant.
Article VI: Faculty Advisor
The faculty advisor for the Liberty University Fencing Club will be a Liberty University faculty or staff member who is invited by the club officers to serve in this role and who accepts this invitation. The role of faculty advisor does not involve monetary remuneration.
Article VII: Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Fencing Club will consist of the executive officers of the club. They will determine the frequency of their meetings according to the needs of the club.
Article VIII: Committees
The club may appoint ad hoc committees as it deems necessary. There are no standing committees other than the Executive Committee.
Article IX: Meetings
Section 1: Annual Meeting
At the beginning of every fiscal year a meeting is required to elect officers, discuss finances, and any other necessities.
Section 2: Weekly Meetings
The club will meet every week for practice at a time deemed convenient to the majority of the members and at the location determined in consultation with Campus Calendar, which is the office in charge of scheduling the use of facilities at Liberty University.
Section 3: Event Meetings
The Club will attempt to meet once every semester for a Liberty University Fencing Club sponsored event. The club will also attempt to take members to USFA tournaments as well as to scrimmage other schools.
If possible, the team will attend the Virginia cup, the Virginia Intercollegiate Women’s Fencing Association, as well as any other leagues available for the team to join.
Article X: Duration and Dissolution
Any money or profit gained is not to be used for the selfish gain of anyone but used for the benefit of the entire LIBERTY UNIVERSITY Fencing Club. This includes but is not limited to the purchase of equipment and promotional material.
Article XI: Parliamentary Procedure
The meetings of the committees of the club shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order (
Article XII: Amendments
The constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Committee at any time or a 75% vote of the membership at the annual meeting. It cannot be amended for selfish intent, but rather for the benefit of the entire club.
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