Constitution for the Bellydance Club

Ratified April 27, 2006

 Article I—Name and Purpose

Section 1—Name
The name of the organization shall be the Bellydance Club.

Section 2—Purpose
Our purpose shall be to promote and participate in Middle Eastern cultural dance.

 Article II—Membership, Qualifications, and Non-Discrimination Policy
           
Section 1—Membership
All students at the University of Oklahoma are eligible to join Bellydance Club. 

Section 2—Qualifications
Students interested in joining Bellydance Club must have an interest in Middle Eastern Bellydance and participate in club activities.

Section 3—Non-Discrimination Policy
Membership in, association with, and benefits emanating from Belly Dance Club and its related activities shall be based upon such considerations as performance, educational achievement, and other criteria related to the goals of the Belly Dance Club and purpose of the activities.   Judgments in this regard based solely on an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran’s status, marital status, or political beliefs are not judgments based on such considerations.  Further, the purpose of Belly Dance Club must be consistent with public policy as established by prevailing University policy standards.

Article III—Advisor: Qualifications, Responsibilities, and Role in Organization

Section 1—Titles
The titles of officers in Bellydance Club will consist of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Webmaster.

Section 2—Terms of Office
A student officer in Bellydance Club must be an OU student and fulfill their term of one year.  If that student ceases to be an OU student, that student can no longer serve as officer.

Section 3—Type of Selection
Officers will be elected every April to serve a term consisting of one year.  There must be a three-quarters majority.

Section 4—Duties of Leaders
President: Shall set the agenda and conduct meetings, act as community liaison, and oversee that all business is addressed and necessary paperwork in completed.

Vice President: Shall preside over meetings in case of absence by President, and assists President in all activities.
                       
Treasurer: Shall keep an account of all funds associated with Bellydance Club.
                      
Secretary: Shall keep minutes of meetings and attendance of members.
                       
Webmaster: Shall maintain website of Bellydance Club.

Article IV—Advisor: Qualifications, Responsibilities, and Role in Organization
           
Section 1—Qualifications
Bellydance Club shall have as an advisor a full time member of the University faculty or staff.

Section 2—Responsibilities
The advisor of Bellydance Club shall serve as liaison between the organization and the administration.

Section 3—Role in Organization
The advisor of Bellydance Club can vote on motions, participate in meetings, and serve as moderator during disputes.

Article V—Executive Committee: Size and Composition of Committee
           
Section 1—Name of the Committee
The name of the committee shall be Executive Council.

Section 2—Members of the Committee
The members shall consist of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Sponsor.

Section 3—Duties and Responsibilities of Committee
The Executive Council shall work to promote public performances and demonstrations of Middle Eastern cultural dance, and to advance the progress of Bellydance Club.

Article VI—Meeting of the Organization: Required Meetings, Frequency, Notification of, and Attendance

Section 1—Required meetings
Students are required to attend 75% of meetings to be considered a member of Belly Dance Club. Membership in the Belly Dance Club does not guarantee membership to Banmala. Banmala’s membership is determined by invitation and audition only. Members of Banmala must be at a minimum of three of the four rehearsals prior to scheduled performances. Only Banmala members are allowed in rehearsals. Anyone can attend classes given by the Student Belly Dance Club.

Section 2—Frequency
Meetings/classes are held every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the University of Oklahoma Memorial Union. See our Classes page for room assignments.

Section 3—Notification of Meetings
Notification to the student body will be in the form of flyers, e-mails, posted on our web site, and announcements in the OU Daily.

Section 4—Attendance
If there is a family or medical emergency, the student will not be penalized for his/her absence.  Excessive absences will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis between the student and the Executive Council.

Article VII—Method of Amending Constitution: Proposals, Notice, and Voting Requirement
           
Section 1—Proposals
Proposed amendments shall be in writing, and read in the general meeting when it is proposed, shall be read again at one subsequent general meeting, and read again at the general meeting in which the vote shall take place.

Section 2—Notice
Notification of an amendment to the members shall consist of an announcement in the general meeting to all the members.  Email will also be used to notify absent members.

Section 3—Voting Requirement
¾ of the majority is required to pass an amendment to the constitution of Bellydance Club.  Also, three copies shall be submitted to Kim Fairbanks in the Center for Student Life every time an amendment is made.

Article VIII—Miscellaneous Procedures
           
Section 1—Anything not covered in the constitution of Bellydance Club shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

Article IX—Preemption Statement

The organization of Bellydance Club is independent from any national or parent organization.