Student OrgsGustavus Speech and Debate Team

Constitution of the Gustavus Speech and Debate Team

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Gustavus Speech and Debate Team.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this team is to provide opportunities to improve skills in communication, rhetoric, and argumentation through competitive speech and debate.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Membership in this organization is open to any Gustavus student interested in speech and debate.

Section 2: Members are accepted continually throughout the year.

Section 3: Members are not expected to attend all tournaments, but are encouraged to compete as much as their schedule allows. Weekly team meetings and practice sessions are highly encouraged.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1: The following officer positions shall exist within the Gustavus Speech and Debate Team: President (or Co-president), Vice President, Treasurer, and Risk Manager. All officers must be students in good standing with the College.

Section 2: The duties of each officer are as follows: 

A. President (or Co-presidents): 1. To lead and facilitate team meetings and practices.  2. To take a long-term role in setting out team expectations and competition schedule 3. To assist other officers in their responsibilities

B. Vice President: 1. To assist the President in their duties 2. To act second voice to important team decisions 3. To assume the duties of President should the current President be unable to perform said duties

C. Treasurer: 1. To lead the team in applying for funding from the Student Senate 2. To organize fundraising events 3. To keep an accurate record of financial matters 4. To ensure the team pays all tournament and travel expenses in a timely manner

D. Risk Manager 1. To adhere to the guidelines set by the College in supervising team activities with potential risk

Section 3. Members will be able to put run for officer positions in an annual election to be held in the Spring Semester following the last competitive experience. The candidate receiving the most votes will be named officer for the following academic year. In the case of a tie with three or more candidates, a runoff election will be held with the candidates receiving the most votes. In the case of a tie between two candidates, the tie will be broken by a vote among current officers.

Section 4. Terms shall last for one academic year, or until an officer should resign. In the case of resignation, a special election will be held according to the rules in Section 3.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Weekly meetings will be held on a day deemed suitable by a majority of members. Attendance is encouraged, but not required. Members are also expected to attend at least one practice weekly, and this expectation shall be considered a requirement if the member wishes to compete in an invitational tournament that weekend.

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of the President or Co-Presidents, Vice President, Treasurer and Risk Manager.

ARTICLE VII: CREATING AMENDMENTS/BY-LAWS

Section 1: Any active member of the team is allowed to propose an amendment/by-law. The President must first approve the Amendment/By-Law and suggest any changes. Then, it will be presented to the members of the team followed by deliberation. There must be a move to vote and a second in order to put it to member vote. The Amendment/By-Law will pass with a ⅔ majority and be effective directly after it is passed.

ARTICLE VIII: FINANCES

Section 1: Funds of the organization shall be raised primarily through requesting funds from Senate in the spring. This is one of the duties of the Treasurer.

Section 2: Funds may also be raised for the organization through College-sanctioned student organization fundraising events. The Treasurer will be responsible for managing the funds raised through these events.  

Section 3: Upon dissolution of the MCS Club, any financial assets will be credited to the Gustavus Student Senate. 

ARTICLE IX: BY-LAWS

a. Section 3 of Article IV will be changed to "Members will be able to put run for officer positions in an annual election to be held in the Fall Semester at the second to last meeting of the calendar year. The candidate receiving the most votes will be named officer, and will be trained by the current officer during January. They will move into their position the end of spring semester. The change from Spring Voting to Fall Voting allows the new officer(s) to understand their roles and make it an easier transition."

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS 

a. The position of secretary is added to the Exec Board. Their responsibilities are to record meeting notes and voting outcomes. Handle all printing needs and communicate costs with the Treasurer.

b. Captains shall be leadership positions on the team that do not exist within the Executive Board (as they will have no responsibilities other than supporting the members of the team).

-They shall consist of The Debate Captain, Public Address/Limited Prep Captain, and the Interp Captain.

-Captains cannot also hold the office of President or Vice President and vice versa.

-Captains will be nominated and chosen by the Exec Board present at the meeting. A Majority vote will win. In the case of a tie, the voting will be open to all members at the meeting.

-The Exec board should look for members who have the most competitive experience at the collegiate level, show time management skills, interest in the position, and are a role-model in practice & academics.

-Captains shall be chosen after the first competitive experience and hold
their position for one academic year.