THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

OF

BUCKNELL CHESS CLUB

 

ARTICLE I:   PURPOSE

The purpose of the Bucknell Chess Club is to provide and support chess-related recreational opportunities for the Bucknell community through meetings, study breaks, social gatherings, and tournaments.  It will also represent Bucknell University’s intellectual excellence to the best of our ability in competition both intra-Bucknell tournaments and tournaments at affiliated schools.  The Chess Club also wants to extend its support by offering tutoring to the Bucknell community and meetings open to Lewisburg residents, both young and old.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

            Section 1.        Qualifications

a)                  Membership shall be open to all individuals interested in chess-related activities.

b)                  Membership is voluntary and new members shall be welcome throughout the academic year.

Section 2.        Membership Standing and Responsibilities

a)                  Membership is renewed every academic year.

b)                  Membership is automatically maintained and confirmed by the member’s active participation with club activities and/or meetings.

c)                  One must uphold acceptable conducts and follow the bylaws and rules of the club in order to retain membership in good standing.

d)                  If an individual’s membership is in question, that person shall be notified and addressed by one of the executive officers.  If that person wishes to remain a member, the person’s name shall remain on the roster.  If that person chose not to remain as a member, the person’s name shall be removed from the roster.

 

e)                  Members no longer in good standing (i.e. disrespectful attitudes or incorrect conduct in a meeting) shall have their membership revoked with the consent of a majority vote.

f)                    Members abroad for a semester or a year shall have their membership renewed upon their return to Bucknell.

Section 3.        Membership Roll

a)                  Membership shall be recorded by the member’s name, year of graduation, campus box number and address, email address, and phone number.

b)                  Membership is recorded and maintained by all executives.

c)                  Directories shall be distributed to all members upon request.

ARTICLE III: TERM AND DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS

Section 1.        There shall be five elected officers: President, Vice-President, the Treasurer, Secretary, and a Webmaster.

            A) President
1)      Preside over general and executive meetings.
2)      Takes over when any officer is absent and/or negligent.
3)      Contacts other universities and chess clubs.
4)      Organize and manage intermural and intramural events.
 
                               B) Vice President
1)      Presides over meetings when the President is absent.
2)      Assumes full leadership over the club should the president leave or quit the club.
3)      Make any announcements needed through email to the Bucknell community.
4)      Organizes ice-breaker activities.
 
                               C) Treasurer
1)      Arrange for the funding for all of the Bucknell Chess Club activities and equipment through Bucknell Student Government.
2)      Provide and maintain a record for all of the club’s expenses.
3)      Provide and maintain an inventory for all of the chess club’s equipment and supplies.
4)      Arrange for the purchase of additional equipment and supplies when necessary.
5)      Attend at least one of the treasurer’s workshops sponsored by Bucknell University.
 
                               D) Secretary

1)      Keep track of the club’s books, magazines, and tournament data.

2)      Take notes at general and executive meetings.

3)      Welcomes visitors, introduces them to the club, signs them up, and gets them into games with a similar opponent.

                             

      E) Webmaster

1)      Maintains the Bucknell Chess Club website.

2) Provides the yearbook with the necessary materials.

 

 

ARTICLE IV- ELECTION OF OFFICERS

            Section 1.        Nomination and Election of Officers

                                    a)         The nomination of new officers shall occur in April of each year                                                 and reaffirmed in the following academic year or upon the                                                                      resignation or removal of any officers.

                                    b)         Nomination and election shall not be held during the same                                                                      meeting.  Election shall follow a week or two weeks after                                                                      nomination determined by what is seen as most fit.

c)         The nomination and election shall be called, organized, and                                presided over by the president and the vice president.

Section 2.        Nominee Qualification and Nomination Procedure

a)         Any members may be nominated for any of the offices as long as           1)         They are present during nomination.

2)                  They are not going abroad for any semester of the following academic year.

3)                  They are in good standing and are active members.

b)         All members present shall participate in the nominations.

c)         All nominations shall be in the open.

d)                  Self-nominations shall require the endorsement of at least two members.

e)                  Nomination of a person by a third party requires at least the endorsement of one other member.

f)                    Nominees may refuse to accept a nomination, but must do so before the close of the nomination process in order for another member to be able to be nominated in place.

g)                  Nominees can only be candidates for the position(s) they have been nominated for.

h)                  A candidate can be nominated for a maximum of two positions but can only hold/accept one position if elected.

Section 3.        Election Procedure

a)                  Each nominee shall give a speech before the general membership on the day of the election.

b)                  Elections shall be by secret ballot and require the affirmation of a majority of the general membership present and voting.

c)                  Ballots shall be counted by all of the current executive officers.

d)                  A nominee running unopposed shall be required to give a speech and still be voted upon.  If that person is not elected by a majority of the membership present and voting, the nomination and election procedure shall take place immediately afterwards.

e)                  A second round of nomination and elections shall take place immediately following elections or in unforeseen circumstances as soon as possible if:

1)                  An unopposed nominee is not elected.

2)                  A position has no candidates.

f)                    Current Executives can be reelected.

g)                  Newly elected officers shall assume their responsibilities at the start of the next academic year of in case of an immediate vacancy, they shall take their post immediately after election.

ARTICLE V:  REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF OFFICERS

a)         An officer continuously failing to execute the duties shall be removed either with the trilateral consent of any three officers, or the unanimous consent of the general membership.

b)         An officer may resign provided the person continues to fulfill their responsibilities until a replacement may be found.

c)         An officer removed or resigned shall be replaced following the normal nomination and election procedure.

d)         In the case of the Presidency, the Vice President shall assume the role of the President until a new president is elected with a popular majority of the general membership.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

Section 1.        General Membership Meetings

a)         General membership meetings shall occur twice a week (for two hours) unless otherwise specified.

b)         Place of general membership meetings shall be located at the niche unless otherwise advised or with unforeseen circumstances.

c)         All present members shall vote the time and date of general membership meetings at the start of every semester.

c)                  Meetings shall be open to everyone interested in chess.

Section 2.        Executive Meetings

a)                  The five elected executive officers and appointed officers shall meet at least an hour a week to discuss all club matters.

b)                  Time, date, and place of executive meetings shall be decided upon the elected officers at the beginning of every semester.

c)                  All executive members shall meet during the assigned meetings unless there are valid reasons.  In this case, at least two executives have to be present in order to conduct club issues.

d)                  Urgent executive meetings can be hold when deemed necessary by the bilateral efforts of any two elected officers.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS AND BYLAWS

a)                  Any members in good standing at a general membership meeting may propose an amendment to this constitution for consideration.     

b)                  Passage of any amendments requires the unanimous approval of all current executive officers after a majority approval from the general membership.

c)                  Matters unspecified in this Constitution shall be decided upon by the executive officers upon informing the general membership when necessary.

 

 

 
Bylaws
 
 
I. Membership
 
Any member of the Bucknell community may become a member of the Bucknell Chess Club at any time during the academic year.  The chess club does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, age, sexual orientation, Greek affiliation, or academic status of choice of study.
 
 
II. Participation in Events
 
All members may participate in club events, both intermural and intramural, provided that there is adequate space available.  When there is not enough room for full club participation, the officers of the Bucknell Chess Club shall do everything in their power to involve as many club members as possible.  However, the chess club may participate in events that are restricted to Bucknell students and/or faculty.
 
 
III. Meetings
 
The Bucknell Chess Club shall meet for at least three hours per week during the academic year, excluding school and religious holidays.  Meeting times may involve games between club members and officers,
Intramural events, guest speakers, simultaneous exhibitions, videos, meetings, discussion, or any other chess related events.  Parties and other non-chess related activities may be arranged, but cannot be counted as chess club meeting times.
 
IV. Executive Meetings
 
The officers of the Bucknell Chess Club shall meet at least once a week for one hour.  The officers shall decide who to include in intramural tournaments where space is limited, which events the club shall participate in, concerns about members and officers, and any other factors that involve the chess club.
 
 
V.  Amount of dues
 
Only in extreme circumstances and voted by the majority of the general membership can dues by collected for chess-related purposes.