Constitution of: Women’s Fast Pitch Softball Club
Adopted on: 10/16/06
Updated on: 6/20/2024
ARTICLE 1 - Name
Michigan State University’s Women’s Fast Pitch Softball Club, known as “club softball”.
ARTICLE 2 – Purpose
The purpose of the club shall be to foster a wide female student interest and participation in softball activities by providing leadership, programs, and service to assist female club members in developing skills and leadership.
ARTICLE 3 – Membership
Only undergraduate and graduate female students are eligible to try out for the club softball team & be team members. Women will not be discriminated against, and all women interested in being a part of this organization are encouraged to try out.
In order to be recognized as a full member of the club softball team, members must pay the dues in full and have handed in all insurance policy papers. Club officers are responsible for paying dues as well. If a member does not attend practices and does not inform one of the officers that she is not able to come she may be unable to play in games, the decision is up to the officers. Players must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to be a team member. Players are made aware that school is their number one priority and if they chronically miss class and have a failing average, then they will be removed from the team.
Only MSU students may be officers and/or voting members.
The organization will not discriminate on the basis of age, color, gender, gender identification, disability status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight.
An individual must have the skills necessary to compete in fast pitch softball and must be approved by the executive board.
A full member has rights to practice and participate in club softball activities and vote on actions taken by the club.
ARTICLE 4 - Meeting
There are to be at least four meetings of the membership each school year, as well as practices held dispersed throughout the year.
For calling meetings there will be communication of them by phone, text, or e-mail.
Officers will meet separate from the team to discuss management and future plans.
ARTICLE 5 - Executive Board
A. There will be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The President and Vice President are responsible for:
Sharing the presidential workload, serving as the team’s captains, handling all executive decisions, ensuring that all rules and guidelines are followed, providing adequate supplies and necessities for all members of the club, planning club events, publicizing the club and its events, attending general sports meetings, making sure all members can fulfill their duties and working together to choose teams, chairing official committee meetings, providing prompt and proper problem solving skills, as well as any other duties that need to be performed. Organizing an agenda for each meeting, scheduling practices and games etc, along with any other organization duties. Vice President is specifically responsible for filling out travel forms, contacting and coordinating with other similar student organizations, and completing IM Leagues registration.
The Secretary is responsible for:
Providing a full, detailed list of members, recording minutes of meetings, compiling necessary information for members such as waivers and emergency forms, keeping a log that records all activities and events of the club, updating player stats to the webpage, keeping an itinerary of upcoming scheduled events. Help choose members of the team. Attend general sports meetings, respond to all emails that come through on the club email, and keep faculty advisor involved.
The Treasurer is responsible for:
Keeping track of the club’s finances, co-producing a financial plan and budget for each year, recording all income and expenses by the club, ensuring that all expenses are paid, ensuring that substantial funds are kept at all times and informing the executive board when there are not, setting up fundraising and donation opportunities, and collecting fees. Booking travel stays such as hotels. Attend general sports meetings, keep track of bank account, and attain a debit card linked to the club bank account.
B. For handling vacancies within the executive board, there will be a vote of all of the members and a majority chosen candidate will take the vacant position.
C. Non Executive Board Position
The Social Media Chair is responsible for:
Responsible for updating the website, Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram for the organization. The Social Media Chair is not involved in executive board decisions.
ARTICLE 6 - Elections
A. Except for the first year, members will vote for the executive board. They will hold positions for a year.
B. At the last meeting at the end of each season, nominations will be made for the following year.
C. The nominees can present themselves at the meeting where the voting will take place.
D. In the case of a runoff election, committee members would decide the occupant of the position.
E. Officers of the organization may be dismissed for cause if due process is followed. Grounds for dismissal include dereliction of duties. A motion for recall of an officer requires a 2/3 vote by the team.
F. If an officer leaves before their term is up; nominations will be immediately made for replacement, with the agreement of other officers.
ARTICLE 7 - Funds
A. The club will provide various fundraising activities as well as accepting donations following all Michigan State Guidelines.
B. Allocated funds will be put toward club expenses such as equipment, travel, etc.
ARTICLE 8 – There will be no other committees beside the executive board within our group.
ARTICLE 9 – Affiliations
The club softball team is a member of the National Club Softball Association (NCSA) which is the governing body for collegiate club softball in the United States. The MSU Club Softball team pays a league fee and is responsible for providing academic eligibility verification to the league
The NCSA rules include participation in all league games, weather permitting, and all players must meet academic eligibility requirements. The annual league dues must be paid for by the end of February and a team cannot play games until a verified roster is submitted. Only 25 players can be on the team roster, and players are on the roster for an entire year since the league lasts for the fall and spring semesters. The softball club agrees to adhere to all the rules, policies, and bylaws set forth by the NCSA.
ARTICLE 10 - Coach
A. The coach must have an extensive knowledge of softball as well as promote good sportsmanship and quality play. Experience is preferred.
B. Any interested parties may interview with the board and if replacement is needed, a team vote will be in effect.
ARTICLE 11 - Advisor
A. An advisor must be a helpful and resourceful person who promotes and believes in goals of our organization.
B. A qualified individual may be sought out by the executive board or such an interested person may interview with the board.
ARTICLE 12 - Ratification
The constitution will be constructed by the board and a final draft will be approved by the rest of the members. If changes need to be made, a vote by the members will be put into effect.
ARTICLE 13 - Amendments
If an amendment is needed a complaint will be filed, followed by team discussion, and vote by the executive board on whether the amendment will be approved or not.
ARTICLE 14 - Bylaws
All of the rules set forth by Michigan State University, along with affiliated organizations, will be followed and presented to all members. If any new rules or regulations come up, the executive board will discuss and present the new additions to the club.
Michigan State University
Non Discriminatory Clause
The constitution must state that the organization will not discriminate on the basis of:
Age
Color
Gender
Disability Status
Height
Marital Status
National Origin
Political Persuasion
Race
Religion
Sexual Orientation
Veteran Status
Weight
Also, only MSU Students may be officers and/or voting members.