Leadership Handbook

A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. —Douglas MacArthur

Leadership Responsibilities & Guidelines

VOTING ON TOPICS

All major team decisions will be brought to a vote by the team and in the case of a tie, the captain(s) vote breaks the tie. In the case of a tie in which co-captains are on opposing sides, it is the duty of the captains to work together with the advisor to find a solution to the issue at hand and bring that new solution to a group vote. A best practice for the leadership group’s decision making process may be to vote on 2-3 solutions to bring to the team vote in case a single solution cannot be reached. When bringing a decision to the team, a majority vote will determine the outcome. If there is a tie, the Captain’s vote is the deciding factor. 

REVIEWING CHOREOGRAPHY FOR SELECTION

All members are welcome to submit choreography for approval. Members (including all leadership members) should either submit a video of the routine and the music to leadership, or perform the routine for the leadership group in person. If the member submitting choreo wishes to teach the group themselves, they must then demonstrate teaching ability by teaching members of leadership at least 20 seconds of choreography. If the member wishes to have someone in leadership teach the routine, leadership can decide among themselves if one of them is willing to teach the routine and the team member submitting choreo must then teach that leadership member. 

If the team member submitting choreo has previously taught a routine to the group, the teaching portion of the choreo submission may be omitted at the discretion of leadership. After viewing the routine, leadership may convene to discuss it and take a vote. Majority wins and in the case of a tie, the Captain is the deciding factor. Leadership is allowed to ask the team member to make changes to the choreography and/or music if necessary. 

SELECTION OF NEXT SEASON’S LEADERSHIP

For the selection of next year’s leadership, the current Lead Captain(s) should take note of dancer audition applications and pay special attention to those interested in leadership positions at auditions. Interviews or essays should be conducted with candidates who are applying for an officer position. After this has been done, the Lead Captain(s) should meet with the Team Advisor to discuss all candidate responses and come to an agreement on the leadership for next season. 

Expectations of all Officers

All officers are expected to uphold all responsibilities outlined in the general handbook and act as role models to the rest of the team in terms of conduct. On occasion there may be responsibilities not outlined in the leadership handbook that present themselves or responsibilities listed under one officer role that may be better handled by someone in another role. In these cases, work amongst yourselves to come to an agreement. Responsibilities shared by all officers are as follows: 

• Organize and attend a leadership group meeting once a month.

• Come to practices/performances on time and prepared (includes bringing the speaker to practice, choreo memorized, teaching ability, etc.)

• Determine uniforms and routines for any given performance or appearance. 

• Audition each routine before performance. In case of disagreement on individuals being cut from a performance, the Captains are the deciding vote. If there is a split between Captain votes, the Advisor is the deciding factor.

• Vote on use of team funds for decisions that do not impact team members individually, but the team as a whole (i.e. buying a new speaker, getting food for a bonding event, etc.)

• Organize and facilitate early move in and dance camp.

Descriptions and Responsibilities of Officer Positions

While the main responsibilities of each officer are outlined below, they may be asked to fulfill responsibilities or complete tasks as they arise. The responsibilities of each officer may change as the need arises through the season.

LEAD CAPTAIN

The Lead Captain acts as the head of the team. This position can be split by two people if necessary, both having equal leadership and decision making power. In the case of Co-Captains, they must be in communication with one another and decide prior to the start of the season what responsibilities they will each fulfill. Captains may reasonably call upon Lieutenants to help with any responsibilities if needed. The Lead Captain must be on all two teams: the Performance, and Competition Teams. Lead Captain(s) are responsible for:

• Facilitating practices and performances. Captains may ask Lieutenants to schedule or take lead on acquiring performance opportunities 

• Knowing all choreography and teaching it to the team (unless another team member has been asked to teach). The Captain(s) may also be called upon to clean routines and create choreography for the team.

• Knowing all sidelines and calling them at performances.

• Overseeing the team at competition, university, and community performance settings.

• Keeps detailed information of all team activities and oversees Lieutenants.

• Coordinates practice and performance schedules and facility reservations.

• Facilitates auditions and clinics.

• Attends and helps facilitate all Dance Team activities their year in office.

• Meets regularly with the advisor, ideally twice a semester.

• Maintains communication with all George Fox faculty and staff, community members, and any other outside authority.

• Approving any social media posts made on the team accounts and any marketing or promotional materials advertising the team.

• Handle disciplinary matters regarding individual members with the Advisor (i.e. an individual’s termination or suspension from the team).

• Fulfills all club president responsibilities as outlined by ASC.

• Maintain an organized collection of all necessary documents: release of liability forms, team agreement forms, etc.

• Checks and upholds uniform regulations for every performance and facilitates uniform check in/out.

LEAD LIEUTENANT

The Lead Lieutenant acts as the right hand of the Captain(s). The Lead Lieutenant is responsible for:  

• Facilitating practice when the Captain is unable or absent.

• Leading warm up and stretching at both Performance and Competition practices, unless captains specified otherwise. 

• Taking roll and noting absences and tardies of team members at every practice and performance, and reporting back to the Captain (for both Performance and Competition Teams)

• Overseeing disciplinary actions as deemed necessary by the proceedings outlined in the handbook and Captain approval (for both Performance and Competition Teams)

• Assists in uniform check in/out, clinics, and auditions.

• Attends and helps facilitate all Dance Team activities their year in office.

COMPETITION LIEUTENANT

The Competition Lieutenant acts as the leader of the competition team, working with the approval of the Captains. The Competition Lieutenant is responsible for:

• Facilitating practice when the Captain is unable or absent.

• Coordinate communications between the team and guests

• Researching possible competitions

• Coordinating fundraisers specifically for the competition team

• Assist with cleaning the routine

RELATIONAL COORDINATOR

The Relational Coordinator is in charge of managing relations for the GFU Dance Team and its surrounding community activities for the team. In addition, they serve as an event planner for the team itself, working to plan events for the team. The Relational Coordinator is responsible for:

• Seek out and organize service opportunities and community/university appearances for the team.

• Plan team bonding activities once a month for both Performance and Competition Teams 

• Set up “Bigs/Littles” for all team members as well as organizing events/activities/gifts for the groupings and teams.

• Attends and helps facilitate all Dance Team activities their year in office.

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

The Social Media Coordinator is in charge of running all forms of social media for the team (with the approval of the Captains). The Social Media Coordinator is responsible for:

• Maintain all social media for the team and create social media content. 

• Research social media trends that the team can use

• Work in conjunction with Captains to create a posting schedule 

• Handle the printing of any posters and fliers

FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR

The Fundraising Coordinator is in charge of facilitating all fundraising and community events for the team. The Fundraising Coordinator is responsible for:

• Coordinates and facilitates all team fundraising efforts for both the Performance and Competition team. 

• Coordinates all team community events. 

• Communicating all fundraising information with the team. 

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL OFFICERS: 

• Check To-do list weekly to ensure all tasks get completed. 

• Send any group messages to Captians for approval before sending them to the team. 

• Attend all leadership meetings and required events.