Club Constitution

ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Organization Title

USC Climbing Club

Section 2. Purpose

This organization promotes a social venue in the USC community which revolves around the activities of recreational rock climbing and outdoor adventure. This is done primarily by providing opportunities for rock climbing suitable and interesting for all members regardless of their personal equipment resources or level of experience. This includes specific functions such as:

• safely introducing rock climbing to non-climbers,
• aiding in the training and safe development of novice rock climbers,
• creating social venues for climbers of all experience levels,
• organizing and running day-trips to local climbing destinations,
• organizing and running multi-day trips to major climbing destinations,
• allowing members the use of club equipment during club run trips and events,
• providing general rock climbing advocacy in the USC community.

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership Eligibility

All full and part time students, alumni, faculty, staff, and bona fide members of the USC community are eligible for membership in the USC Climbing Club. Membership decisions will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion or creed, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, or sexual orientation. Student members are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA or better.

Section 2. Dues

Dues will be collected from all members at the beginning of the membership term. The dues must be paid before participation in any club trip or function.

Section 3. Membership Benefits

Members may participate in club trips and functions and use club equipment during these functions. Student members may participate in the voting of general issues.

Section 4. Membership Duties

All members, regardless of their skill level or experience, are responsible for their own and other club members' safety.

Section 5. Termination of Membership

Membership automatically terminates after the term for which the dues were submitted. Membership is renewed by paying dues for the next term. The executive committee may immediately terminate any member for safety reasons.

ARTICLE III - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Executive Committee Membership and Eligibility

The executive committee consists of the offices of president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. Student members who are knowledgeable in climbing are the only ones eligible for these positions.

Section 2. Officer Duties

All officers participate in leadership decisions and execution. Additional functions distinguish the different offices: the president provides primary leadership in the organization; the vice-president provides secondary leadership; the treasurer handles monetary functions and is the club's point of contact for monetary matters; the secretary keeps records and is charge of event sign-ups.

All officers have an equal voting weight in any voting situation.

In the event an officer cannot fulfill their position, this line of succession is followed: president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary.

Section 3. Officer Election and Terms

Executive committee members are elected into office by the student members. Elections are held in March, and are won by majority vote. Office terms are for one calendar year, starting from the Fall semester of the year the elections were held.

Section 4. Removal of Officers

Officers may be removed if they have broken the principles in this constitution, or are not acting in the best interest of the club. Officers are removed by three consecutive weekly voting sessions, where each session has 3/4 of the voting membership in attendance, and results in a 3/4 vote in favor of removal. Voting is to be done by secret ballot.

ARTICLE IV - GOVERNANCE

Section 1. Voting

Students are the only members permitted to vote in the organization. Passage of general issues require a majority vote in favor.

The members of the executive committee are the only ones permitted to vote on the termination of membership due to safety reasons, and any special safety issues.

Section 2. Amendments

Amendments may be made to this constitution. They must be proposed and voted on no less than two weeks later. Ratification requires a 3/4 vote from the student members. The Office of Student Activities will be informed of constitutional changes, and be provided with a revised copy of the constitution, in a timely manner.

Section 3. Bylaws

Bylaws may be created to fulfill the missions of this constitution, ensure safety, and facilitate smooth and fair operation of the club. Bylaws are ratified on a majority vote from the student members.

Section 4. Committees

Committees may be created according to need for a specific function or purpose. They will be appointed by the executive committee.

ARTICLE V - AFFILIATIONS

This organization is a recognized student organization at the University of Southern California, but is not part of the University itself.

In all correspondence and business transactions, it may refer to itself as an organization at USC, but not as part of USC itself.

The USC Climbing Club accepts full financial and production responsibility for all activities it sponsors.

The USC Climbing Club agrees to abide by all pertinent USC policies and regulations. Where USC policies and regulations and those of the USC Climbing Club differ, the policies and regulations of USC will take precedence.

This organization recognizes and understands that the University assumes no legal liability for the actions of the organization, and that the University is not providing blanket indemnification insurance coverage for any activities of the organization, unless those activities expressly benefit and further the goals of the University, and have received prior review, approval, and consent of Campus Activities, Risk Management, and/or General Counsel.