MercerUniversity Equestrian Club Constitution & By-Laws
ArticleI. Name
1. The name of this organization is: Mercer University Equestrian Club
Article II. Purpose
1. The purpose of this organization is:
a. To provide educational activities for equine enthusiasts
b. To promote the sport and discipline associated with competitive riding
c. To offer social activities to individuals interested in horses
d. To volunteer at horse related events
Article III. Membership
1. Club Eligibility
a. Any student/faculty/staff that is currently enrolled/employed at MercerUniversity
2. Club Membership. An active member will:
a. Pay dues of $25 per year.
b. Attend at least 2 club events/meetings per semester.
c. Participate in one fundraising activity per year.
d. Volunteer one hour each year at a horse related community or service event.
e. Receive a club t-shirt upon payment of dues and completion of volunteer hour.
3. An Active Member will have the opportunity to participate in:
a. Meetings on campus
b. Horse related events on and off campus
c. Riding lessons at local stables
d. Spectator events such as local and regional horse shows
e. All other club activities including movies, dinners, and recreational events.
4. Team Membership. An active team member must:
a. Be a member of the Mercer Equestrian Club in good standing.
b. Be a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher)
c. Complete the minimum weekly required barn work each week.
d. Participate in one additional fundraising activity per year.
e. Regularly attend all scheduled lessons and practices for team members throughout each semester up through the last day of classes. Make-up lessons, not to exceed 2, must be completed during the same semester.
f. Miss no more than one weekend of regular season IHSA competitions each semester and complete additional barn work or volunteer hours for each missed competition.
g. Provide their own food and apparel at competitions. Apparel must be approved by the coach (for hunt seat a show helmet, hair net, beige or khaki breeches, black field or dress boots, black riding gloves, white or pastel shirt and a monogrammed choker).
h. Provide their own transportation to lessons and competitions.
Article IV. Organization
1. The Equestrian Club Officer Group will consist of the following:
a. President - It will be the President’s duty to call club meetings, to bring each meeting to order, to write an agenda for each meeting and to act as the official representative of the club when interacting with Club Sports, Campus Life and other offices on campus.
b. Vice-President – It will be the Vice-President’s duty to act in the capacity of the President when the President is unavailable. The Vice President will keep a current official roster of all members, take attendance at each meeting and market the club to the campus.
c. Secretary – It will be the Secretary’s duty to keep accurate and complete meeting minutes, have the minutes approved by the Officer Group within one week of each meeting, and bring enough copies of the minutes for all members to each meeting. The secretary will also keep the meeting and events calendar current and available to members timely manner.
d. Treasurer – It will be the Treasurer’s duty to oversee fundraising, t-shirt ordering and meet with the other Officers and Advisor as needed to discuss budget issues.
f. Advisor – It will be the Advisor’s duty to advise the club, submit annual IHSA membership applications and maintain all records of the club.
Article V. Ethics Committee
1. Composition:
a. President
b. Vice-President
c. Three peer members elected by the individual in question
d. The advisor shall serve as an ex-officio (non-voting) member
2. Purpose.
a. Review alleged violations of club policies
b. Determine any appropriate action that may need to be taken
Article VI. Advisor
1. Advisor
a. Must be a faculty or full-time staff member of MercerUniversity
b. Attend all club and officer group meetings
Article VII. Quorum
1. A quorum shall consist of two-thirds (2/3) of paid, active members in good standing
09/08