CONSTITUTION OF ERHS DANCE CLUB

Eleanor Roosevelt High School

2016-2017
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be ERHS Dance Club, hereinafter referred to as Dance Club.
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to encourage and improve upon each individuals ability to
use dance as a form of expression, performance, fitness, and enjoyment. ERHS Hip Hop teams and
select groups of performers will perform at Rallies, Athletic Events, School Events, and Recitals on
campus, as well as seeking competition and/or off campus performances with a selected group of
Dance Club members. ERHS Jazz/Lyrical team in its first year, will focus on competition at 3
competitions this year and will also perform one of their competition routines at the Winter Pep
Rally. All guidelines within apply to all teams unless specificity is stated.
Article III - Membership
A.

Qualifications of Members Small Hip Hop Team

1.

To perform, students will need a 2.0 GPA and should at all times model positive
citizenship at ERHS.

2.

Voting privileges shall be granted to members in good standing and in attendance at

the meeting.

3.

The responsibilities of all members shall include:

- following school policies and rules

- maintaining a positive role model for other students
- dressing appropriately (school dress code) to practice and performances
- not chewing gum at practices/performance
- using appropriate language & displaying a positive/ respectful attitude to Advisor and others
- mandatory attendance at all meetings/rehearsals (activities in other programs/clubs/etc will
not be excused; membership in other performance groups/programs which may
conflict is prohibited).
- mastery of all routines
Qualifications of Members Large Hip Hop Team
1.

To perform, students will need a 2.0 GPA and should at all times model positive
citizenship at ERHS.

2.

Voting privileges shall be granted to members in good standing and in attendance at

the meeting.
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3.

The responsibilities of all members shall include:

- following school policies and rules

- maintaining a positive role model for other students
- dressing appropriately (school dress code) to practice and performances
- not chewing gum at practices/performance
- using appropriate language & displaying a positive/ respectful attitude to Advisor and others
- mandatory attendance at all meetings/rehearsals occurring within one week of performance
(activities in other programs/clubs/etc will not be excused).
- mastery of all routines
Qualifications of Members Jazz/Lyrical Team
1.

To perform, students will need a 2.0 GPA and should at all times model positive
citizenship at ERHS.

2.

Voting privileges shall be granted to members in good standing and in attendance at

the meeting.

3.

The responsibilities of all members shall include:

- following school policies and rules

- maintaining a positive role model for other students
- dressing appropriately (school dress code) to practice and performances
- not chewing gum at practices/performance
- using appropriate language & displaying a positive/ respectful attitude to Advisor and others
- mandatory attendance at all meetings/rehearsals within the week prior to performance
(activities in other programs/clubs/etc will not be excused).
- mastery of all routines
B.

Membership may be terminated by:

- displaying disrespect/defiance to the advisor or other students
- dressing inappropriately for practices/performances
- wasting time/lack of focus/not learning the routines
- non participation, non-attendance, tardiness
- academic ineligibility of lower than 2.0 GPA,
- poor citizenship at ERHS as displayed through disciplinary occurrences on campus
-Non-compliance with policies listed in the contract

Article III Membership Continued

C.

Dance is a year-long commitment (April 2016-April 2017). Participation in other programs on

campus shall not conflict with team responsibilities. Members who do not complete the entire
year are prevented from auditioning in the following year.

D.

Alternates: Each team will carry 1-5 alternates (dependent on size of team and routine).
Performers will be selected based upon their attendance, attitude, and performance quality.

E.

Attendance at meetings:
- Only members in attendance at all mandatory practices will be able to perform.
- All members who audition into the competition team are required to be at all practices,
performances, and attend entire competitions (starting at call time and may not leave at any
time until release time after awards). Should an emergency arise, members must let the
advisor know when they will not be able to attend as soon as possible and prior to missing
practice. Failure to do so will result in their being taken out of the performance/competition
routine, and will most likely result in removal from the team.
- In case of emergency and absence, student must provide written documentation to the
Advisor to clear their absence (from a Doctor).
- Members should be plan accordingly to be present at all practices and rehearsal. Summer
rehearsals are an expectation and attendance will count toward membership/participation in
the team.
*Small Hip Hop team practices will be held Wednesdays and Fridays 3-4:45pm afterschool
and every other Saturday morning 8am-10am. Competition season rehearsals will be extended
to include Wednesdays and Fridays 3-5pm and Saturdays 8am-12pm, additional dates for
fundraising, competition prep, and other team performances will also be added to the regular
schedule as needed. Students will have scheduled practice during Thanksgiving and Winter
Recess and possibly the Presidents Day holidays, as well. (Calendar will be provided)
*Large Hip Hop team practices will be held Wednesdays 3-4:45pm afterschool and
competition season rehearsals will be extended as needed, as well as other dates for
fundraising, competition prep, and other team performances. Students may have scheduled
practice during Thanksgiving and Winter Recess and possibly the Presidents Day holidays,
as well. (Calendar will be provided each month)
*Jazz/Lyrical team practices will be held Mondays 3-4:30pm afterschool, as well as other
dates for fundraising, choreography sessions, and competition prep. Students may have
scheduled practice during Thanksgiving and Winter Recess and possibly the Presidents Day
holidays, as well. (Calendar will be provided each month)
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- Members tending to academic needs must get prior approval from the advisor and bring a
signed note in order to enter practice.
-Members may NOT attend practice late in cases of Detention.
- Failure to come on time or stay the length of time will result in an absence.
-Even one absence may result in being removed from a performance/competition/team.
F.

Fundraising/Expenses
- Funds will all be handled and held by the ERHS ASB/Student Store. Class recital funds will
be submit as general deposits and the funds will be rolled to each year to cover maintenance
of Dance program room/audio equipment and Recital expenses. Each team will deposit funds
raised by their team under their teams name for book-keeping. As expenses will often be paid
for by all teams in one expenditure (competition fees, costume orders, Choreographers for
master classes, whole group fundraising expenses, camp, etc.) funds will be held in one ASB
account with separate accountings of each teams funds raised kept.
- Fundraising is not mandatory. However, members should understand that money can
not be spent unless it is raised, so everyone should help to reach team/program goals.
- Funds made by the team are donations to the dance club. Assets raised by the team members
are divided evenly among team members and no items or monies will be returned.
- Camp and Master Classes are optional opportunities for voluntary participation. Attendance
at these will not be utilized in the criteria for selection of performers/alternates.
-In the event a member should quit prior to the end of the season, they will reimburse the
team for any monetary loss to the team above and beyond their fundraising contributions. Undisbursed items that are able to be cancelled/returned to the purchasing company for full
reimbursement may be returned to the team. However, any restocking/shipping fees for the
return, and/or the cost of non-refundable/used items will be assigned as student obligations.

Article IV - Officers & Committees

A.

Criteria
1.

All officers must be regularly enrolled students in good standing at ERHS.

President and Vice President MUST be returning Small Hip Hop team members from
the previous year.

B.

2.

Secretary and Treasurer will be by popular vote in the Small Hip Hop team

3.

One Captain from Jazz/Lyrical and One from Large Hip Hop.

Election & Removal

President & Vice President will be appointed by the advisor following suggestions by the
team. Secretary & Treasurer will be voted upon at the second Small Hip Hop practice of the
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year by all members in attendance. Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by a simple
majority vote with at least 15 members present to constitute a quorum. Captains will be
selected in the same manner as the President & Vice President. Removal of officers may be
done by the Advisor for: lack of performance or adherence to the policies and rules set forth
for all members, for Non-Attendance, for displaying inappropriate attitude/disrespect, abusing
their authority, and/or by a two-thirds majority vote of the total voting membership. If there
is a vacancy, interim officers will be appointed by the Advisor until the next years vote.
C.

Duties & Responsibilities

1.

The President shall assist the advisor with presiding at all meetings of the officers,
represent the club to the school and others, and shall convene the executive committee
at least monthly when school is in session.

2.

The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence and
serve as a member of all sub-committees.

3.

The Secretary shall keep all records of official business and sign in sheets/attendance
sheets for practices.

4.

The Treasurer shall keep all records pertaining to budget, fundraising and
expenditures. As well as serve as a member on all fundraising committees.

5.

Captains will assist in representing the club to the school and others, shall act as a
facilitator of information/communication between team members and the
coach/advisors.

D.

Committees
1.

The executive committee shall be comprised of the elected officers, as well as any
Fundraising Reps, of the organization and shall meet to finalize agenda items, prepare
informational reports and collaborate on the business of the organization.

2.

The Advisor and Elected Officers may appoint others to committees as needed.

Article V - Meetings
Elected Officers will meet at the start or end of regularly scheduled practices
Special Practices may be held on an as needed basis to prepare for performances.
Practices will be closed. NO onlookers or spectators will be allowed at Practices.
All rehearsals and performances are mandatory.
Article VI - Decision Making Process
A.

The process for general decision making including the expenditure of funds shall be a simple
majority of a quorum unless otherwise specified in the constitution. A quorum shall
constitute a minimum of 15 members in attendance at a scheduled meeting.
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B.

The executive committee may, with a majority vote, authorize expenditures of up to $300.00
for routine operational expenses.

C.

The Advisor will be responsible for organization of practices, disciplinary issues, performance

decisions, members performance eligibility, costuming, and/or routines to be performed by the

Dance Club. The Assistant Advisor will act as requested by the Advisor to support the needs of the
program.
Article VII - Advisor
A. A District Approved Advisor/Coach shall be present at every Practice and Dance Performance.
B. ALL decisions regarding performances, songs to be used, choreography, costuming, etc must be
approved by the advisor.
Article VIII - Amendment Process
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership in attendance at a regularly
scheduled practice.
Article IX - Disbursal of Assets
A. Should the club disband, the executive board shall disburse the assets to the Associated Student
Body General Fund.

Article X- Regulations and Consequences

1. Members shall abide by all rules and regulations set forth in this constitution. Whenever possible,
progressive discipline will be enforced. However, discretion will be left to the Advisor to apply
consequences on a case by case basis. Possible consequences include:
1. Verbal Warnings
2. Suspension from performance/practice
3. Termination of membership
2. Activities that may bring about the above consequences:
1. Tardy to call time or practice
2. Unexcused absence (Doctors note needed to Excuse Absence)
3. Talking back, defiance, and/or misuse of authority
4. Engaging in public displays of affection (in or out of uniform)
5. Lying or withholding information
6. Un-sportsmanlike conduct
7. Disrespect for teachers, security, or team members, and/or Profanity or vulgarity
8. Possession of tobacco/illegal substance/alcohol
9. Failure to submit fundraising materials
10. Cause or threaten to cause physical injury
11. Damage to school property
12. Use, negotiation, and/or sale of controlled substances/firearms/etc.
13. Robbery, extortion, stealing, or attempting to steal school/private property
14. Knowingly receiving stolen property
15. Proven use of tobacco/illegal substance/alcohol (ex-postings on websites, photos distributed
or displayed at school, etc.)
16. Violation of school/district rules
17. Posting of inappropriate material to social media.
18. Not being in assigned location and/or leaving a team event prior to end time.
19. All other situations that may arise over the course of the year, as deemed inappropriate by
coach/advisor.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE ABOVE AND HEREBY AGREE TO FOLLOW ALL
REGULATIONS SET FORTH HEREIN. FURTHER, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY FAILURE TO DO SO
MAY RESULT IN MY REMOVAL FROM THE ERHS DANCE TEAM, WITHOUT REFUND.
I, FURTHER, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TO A TEAM AND WILL
PLAN MY PERSONAL PLANS/APPOINTMENTS OUTSIDE OF PRACTICE TIME SO I CAN ATTEND
ALL PRACTICES. EMERGENCIES WILL BE DOCUMENTED WITH A DOCTORS NOTE AND I
UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY ABSENCES THAT WILL BE EXCUSED.

Member Signature

Date

Parents Signature

Date
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