Bylaws of the University of Texas Water Ski Team

Date: November 12, 2001

Bylaw I. Membership:

Section 1. All members are active members. Membership is divided into A and B teams. These teams are always subject to change. Members of the A and B teams must satisfy applicable National Collegiate Water Ski Association (NCWSA) eligibility requirements.
A. The A team shall consist of the top five skiers in each event, male and female, as determined by the coordinators. The A team represents the University on competition.
B. The B team shall consist of the remaining skiers in each event, male and female, as determined by the coordinators. The B team competes, but does not score for the University.

Section 2. Membership can be terminated in the following ways:
A. Vote of a majority of the executive board if a member possesses alcohol in a team vehicle or accommodations, allows a non-member to ski at the team site, of violates NCWSA, American Water Ski Association (AWSA), South Central Conference (SCC), UT Water Ski Team, or University rules or eligibility requirements.
B. Failure to abide by the attendance policy (Bylaw IX).
C. Failure to abide by the terms of the financial obligation statement (Bylaw X).
D. Failure of a first semester member to remain in good standing (off probation) on the team (See Bylaw II, Section 3).
E. Membership will be considered terminated if an old member does not attend one of the first two scheduled meeting of the semester.

Section 3. Conduct detrimental to the team:
A. Conduct Detrimental to the team, as determined by the executive board, can result in probation, loss of skiing privileges, or termination of membership, etc. Punishment determined by the executive board.
B. Probation: notification that places member on alert that further sanctions can be taken if further team rules or regulations are broken.

Section 4. Any member not on the team roster for one or more semesters who wishes to be reinstated must go through formal or informal tryouts. Before re-admittance on the team, re-admitted member must pay all prior financial obligations owed to the team.

Bylaw II. New Membership:

Section 1. Tryouts will be held in February and/or September, according to the needs of the team. The officers will select persons for team vote. Membership will be granted upon affirmation vote of three-quarters of a quorum.

Section 2. The executive board, by a two-thirds vote, may grant membership (in order to allow experienced, competitive skiers to gain membership year round).

Section 3. The membership of any first semester member who is placed on probation (Bylaw I, Section 3) will automatically come up for review and will be subject to termination by the executive board.

Section 4. At the end of the semester, the new members will be reviewed by the executive board. If a new member has abided by the provisions of the bylaws, he/she will be granted continued membership on the team.

Bylaw III. Dues and Fees:

Section 1. Dues are collected each semester, and the amount is determined by the executive board and confirmed by a majority of a quorum. Dues must be paid in accordance with the Financial Obligation Statement.

Section 2. All members must pay AWSA annual dues (necessary for site, travel, and medical insurance as required for competition).

Section 3. New and reinstated old members are subject to a $25 initiation fee (to discourage members from periodically resigning).

Section 4. Fees may be assessed by the executive board with the approval of majority of a quorum.

Section 5. Members with outstanding dues of fees may not vote, travel, or participate in team activities at the site or elsewhere.

Bylaw IV. Officers:

Section 1. Powers and duties of elected officers.
A. President - shall preside at all meetings, appoint committee heads, be an ex-officio member of all committees, call board meetings, oversee the treasurer in his/her duties, and carries all other responsibilities assigned to him/her by the bylaws and the constitutions. Votes only in the case of a tie.
B. Vice-President - shall perform the duties of the president in his/her absence, coordinate functions through the proper committees, and act as committee chairman in their absence. In the event that the President is not longer able or wishes to carry out his/her duties, then the Vice President shall assume the role of the President until the next regularly scheduled election.
C. Team Captain - shall keep records, attendance, and minutes, handle correspondence not delegated to committees for the team, and preside as president in the absence of the officers above.
D. Treasurer - shall be in charge of all accounts of the team (along with the president), submit financial reports to the team at least twice a semester, and preside as president in the absence of the officers above.
E. Recreational Sport Representative - will be appointed by the executive board and shall be an elected board member.
F. Coordinators (2) - shall determine the A and B teams for competition; coordinate practices and workouts for all members.
G. Public Relations - keeping the appropriate and desired image of the team in the eye of the public.
H. Social Coordinator - organizes social functions.

Section 2. Vacancies of elected officers (due to permanent incapacitation, resignation, or removal) may be filled at a special or regular meeting by a majority of a quorum.

Section 3. Officers may be recalled by a vote of three-quarters of a quorum.

Section 4. The term of office for officers is one year.

Bylaw V. Committees:

Section 1. Special committee heads will be appointed by the president and confirmed by a majority of the executive board.

Bylaw VI. Elections:

Section 1. Election of officers will be held at the first Monday meeting of November or at a special meeting during the fall semester following the Collegiate Nationals, prior to the first Monday meeting of November.

Section 2. Election of officers and any other issue without the required vote specified will be a majority of a quorum.

Section 3. All members without outstanding fees may cast one vote.

Section 4. All elections of officers will be by secret ballot unless waived by majority of a quorum. Voting on all issues other than people shall be open.

Bylaw VII. Quorum:

A majority of voting members (those without outstanding dues or fees) shall constitute a quorum.

Bylaw VIII. Parliamentary Authority:

The source of authority shall be “Robert’s Rules of Order.” The treasurer shall serve as parliamentarian.

Bylaw IX. Attendance Policy:

G. Attendance at the Regionals of Nationals competitions are required by those members selected for the A team. Failure to do so will be considered conduct detrimental to the team and appropriate sanctions will be determined by the executive board.

Section 2. Attendance at all special events (as announced by the executive board) is mandatory. An unexcused absence will be subject to a $25 fine and will be considered conduct detrimental to the team.

Bylaw X. Financial Obligation Statement:

Section 1. Dues and Fees - dues and fees are to be paid within fourteen days of assessment, after which they will be subject to a $10 fine.

Section 2. Fines - All fines are due within fourteen days of assessment. Any fines not paid during this time (unless arrangements with the treasurer have been made to pay the fine) may result in termination of membership.

Section 3. Any member who commits to participating in a tournament, and is then unable to go (and the executive board is unable to find a replacement), is financially responsible for any expenses incurred by the team in anticipation of the member’s participation.

Bylaw XI. Ineligible Ski Team Members:

Section 1. U.T. Ski Team Members may ski one full semester for each Collegiate Regionals they skied in up to one year from the date they became ineligible.

Section 2. If a ski team member has skied in at least two Collegiate Regionals, and is therefore able to ski two semesters as an ineligible skier, then that member will also be able to ski during the summer between these two semesters.

Section 3. If a ski team member has only skied in one Collegiate Regionals, and therefore is only able to ski one semester after they became ineligible, then that member must choose one semester (either Fall, Summer, or Spring) to ski during the period of one year from the date that member became ineligible.

Section 4. To qualify to ski as an ineligible ski team member one must be a student (either graduate or undergraduate) at the University of Texas at Austin during the semester(s) in which that member is skiing. Ineligible ski team members will have second priority, meaning that if four or more eligible ski team members want to ski, then they must allow eligible skiers to ski two rounds for each round that the ineligible skier skis.

Section 5. Ineligible skiers may become eligible for the rest of the duration of their undergraduate career if they have obtained an EP rating in any event. To do so, the skier must be voted on the team by a majority of a quorum vote at the beginning of each semester.

Bylaw XII. Method to Amend the Bylaws:

Three-quarters of a quorum vote.