GW Fencing Club Constitution

I. Preamble
GW Fencing, also referred to as Fencing Club, GW Fencing Club,  and GW Fencing Club Team, has the purpose of facilitating students’ desire to partake in the sport of fencing and educate all members on all aspects of modern fencing.


II. University Policies
1.  Fencing Club will abide by all university regulations. Any violations of university regulations by E-board members shall be their individual responsibility.
2. Fencing Club has a strict non-discrimination policy. Any discrimination against any group(s) or student(s) will result in removal from the Club. There are no exceptions to this policy.
3. The only persons eligible for membership are students at The George Washington University – all students are eligible for membership. All others are considered guests.


III. Membership
1. Any students at GW may become members. All members are eligible for E-board positions and are welcome to participate in club activities. Guests are welcome to vote or attend events, but cannot be members of the E-board or handle money on behalf of GW Fencing Club.


IV. Officers
1. President

The president is responsible for coordinating with the university, as well as being versed in financial matters and club participation in local, regional, and national events.  The president will rely on squad leaders for coordination in supplying full squads and meeting their needs without preference on the part of squad leaders or the president. The president will be responsible for maintaining all public communication including delegating responsibilities for these communications. The president is directly elected by the members of the team and will promote a successor once leaving the office.

2. Squad Leaders

Squad leaders, informally known as Squad Captains,  are responsible for resolving discord within their squad, educating and creating full gender squads.  They will present to the president their needs for the squad as well as any persistent issues and assist the president in fundraising and event and recruitment planning.

3. Secretary/Treasurer

The secretary and treasurer are appointed positions. Both aim to assist the President in matters of communication, financial needs, fundraising, and tournament coordination.  Responsibilities include handling and managing finances, writing for the president, and collecting, documenting, and maintaining all necessary forms and documentation for the upkeep of the club.

V. Elections

Elections are held every April by yea-nay voice vote. Only paid members of the team may vote. In the event of a tie a re-run email election will be held.  Candidates may nominate themselves or be nominated in turn which they may decide to accept. The president will appoint the secretary/treasurer. Squad captains are elected only by members of that squad while the president is elected by the team as a whole. All offices run a term of a single year.

1. Eligibility

All those seeking office must be active regularly attending members of the club. Candidates must be at least sophomores at the time of seeking the office of president.

VI. Operations
1. Dues

Dues are decided by the E-board and ratified by the team in reflection of events for the upcoming year and costs. Dues are paid in lump at the beginning of the year for a reduced amount or by semester for full fare.  Dues are required by the 3rd practice in attendance for each semester unless special consideration given by the president and concurred by the secretary.

2. Organization: E-board meetings, appointment of new other officers, expenditure process

E-board meetings may be called by any of the squad leaders once concur by president. Scheduled E-board meetings are the first Sunday of every month. At these meetings expenditures will be presented and concurred by squad leaders and president and will be executed by secretary/treasurer and president. If a squad leader is seen to be unfit to hold office it will be debated amongst the other squad leader, president, and secretary for re-election by the squad.

VII. Amendments

1. Method for Proposing and Ratifying Amendments  

Amendments must be proposed by squad leaders to the president, after which they will be proposed to the E-board.  Once co concurrence is reached in E-board it will be presented to the team as a whole for ratification.  Any team member that wishes to make an amendment must present it to their respected squad leader.  If the squad leader does not present the proposed amendment to the president for unjust cause the member may present to the president directly, after which the president may choose to present the amendment to the E-board for concurrence.