Constitution For Florida State University Seminole Club of Greater Washington DC

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Florida State University Seminole Club of Greater Washington DC. The organization is formed as a Seminole Club affiliated with the Florida State University.

Article II - Purpose

1. The organization is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The purpose shall be to support the activities of the Florida State University toward the realization of its educational program in every manner possible; to establish and promote goals and club projects which tend to strengthen the ties between the members, the club, the community and the University; to unite for social purposes those persons who are interested in the distinguished record and future progress of the Florida State University; and to act as an agency for the dissemination of information regarding the educational advantages of the Florida State University.
2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
3. Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

Article III - Membership

All alumni of and individuals interested in Florida State University shall be eligible for membership. Individuals may apply for single or family memberships with dues being set at the discretion of the Board of Directors. A single membership entitles each club member to one vote either by mail-in ballot or at any annual or special meeting of the club. A family membership will be limited to those individuals living as a family unit in a single household and will entitle that family up to two votes either by mail-in ballot or at any annual or special meeting of the club. Only members in good standing and current on their dues shall be allowed to vote.

Article IV - Officers

The government of the club shall be vested in its officers and other members of the Board of Directors. The officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, elected in the manner provided by the bylaws. Officers shall carry out their duties in accordance with the bylaws.

Article V - Meetings

There shall be an annual club meeting for the election of the club Board of Directors, including its officers. There shall be other regular club membership meetings each year as the President and the Board of Directors deem desirable.

Article VI - Amendments

The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of all members present at any duly called meeting of the club membership.

Article VII - Adoption

This constitution may be officially adopted upon its approval by a majority vote of the members of the club in attendance at any regular meeting.

Florida State University Seminole Club of Greater Washington DC Bylaws

1. Meetings
   
   1. Meetings shall be run according to Roberts' Rules of Order.
   2. The Seminole Club shall hold not less than one general membership meeting per year in order to elect officers and directors. Only current paid members may vote on club matters. Family memberships constitute up to two votes.
   3. Additional meetings may be held at the discretion of the President or by order of a majority of the Board of Directors.
      
2. Officers and Directors
   
   1. Officers and directors shall be elected for a term of one (1) year, concurrent with the club membership and fiscal years. The President shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms.
   2. The President shall appoint members of the Nominating Committee, consisting of no fewer than three (3) persons and approved by the Board of Directors, approximately four months prior to the end of the Board's current term. When a vacancy occurs among either officers or other directors of the Board, the President shall appoint a club member to fill the unexpired term of office with the consent of the majority of the Board of Directors. Should the club president not be able to serve out his or her term and under six months remain in that term, then the Board of Directors shall appoint an interim club president. Otherwise, there shall be a special election called by the Board to fill this vacancy.
   3. The President shall preside at all meetings and shall have general supervision of all the affairs of the club. The President shall be the official representative of the club on all occasions except when otherwise designated.
   4. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence.
   5. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings as well as a list of the club's membership with the address and telephone number of each member. The Secretary also shall conduct the correspondence of the club, including overseeing the coordination of newsletters and other mailings. This officer shall furnish the Associate Director of the Alumni Association and the Executive Director of Seminole Boosters Inc., the names of the incoming Board of Directors immediately after the general elections.
   6. The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the club and deposit same in a bank approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall pay all club debts and submit a report at every business meeting. The Treasurer also shall file the annual financial report with Seminole Boosters, Inc., as required by the NCAA.
   7. The immediate former President of the club will serve in an ex-officio capacity. The former President will have no voting status with the Board.
   8. The Board at the first meeting of the club membership year will appoint the Area Chairperson. The Chairperson will serve in an ex-officio capacity on the Board. The Chairperson shall report at each meeting any updates from the Seminole Boosters in relation to the club and on the Booster status of the club. The Chairperson will have no voting status at Board meetings.
      
3. Board of Directors
   
   1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the above-named officers­ and five additional directors to be elected by the club membership during the general elections. In addition the Board will have, as ex-officio members, the former President and the Seminole Boosters Area Chairperson, who serves by appointment of the Board.
   2. The government of the club and the direction of it activities shall be vested in the Board of Directors.
   3. The Board of Directors shall meet regularly during the course of the year. An agenda shall be distributed at least two days prior to each meeting to allow for preparation, including the filling out of proxy forms by any Board member who anticipates being absent from a meeting. A sample agenda is as follows.
      
      • Call to order
      • Minutes of last meeting
      • Treasurer's report
      • Officer reports
      • Committee reports
      • Unfinished business
      • New business
      • Adjournment
        
   4. The Board shall be called for special meetings on the order of the President, or on the order of any other three Board members. Only such business of which the Board has been notified may be transacted at such a called meeting. Board members shall be notified immediately by telephone, regular mail or e-mail of said meetings.
   5. A quorum is defined as five (5) voting members of the Board of Directors present.
   6. Should a quorum not be present, interim decisions must be reviewed and approved at the next board meeting that a quorum is present.
   7. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors must be called by the President upon the written request of two members of the Board of Directors.
      
4. Standing Committees and Special Committees
   
   1. The standing committees of the Board of Directors shall include the following: Events, Fund-Raising, Membership, Public Relations, and Community Service/University Support. A minimum of one Board member shall serve on each committee as Chair, or appoints a Chair, and be the liaison with the Board of Directors. All commit­tee members shall serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The duties of the committees are:
      1. Events—oversee the coordination of club events, including game-watching parties, meetings, service and social events and ticket sales.
      2. Fundraising—be the club liaison for the Seminole Boosters organization and the FSU Foundation, Inc., and oversee the coordination of any fund-raising efforts that support such club objectives as ensuring the club's fiscal viability, funding scholarships, and promoting Seminole Boosters activities. More specifically, a committee representative shall serve as area chairman for the Seminole Boosters organization to assist in its fund-raising efforts in the greater Washington metropolitan area.
      3. Membership—be the club liaison with the FSU Alumni Association and encourage membership in both the national association and coordinate club member recruitment and retention.
      4. Public Relations—to oversee updating the club's hotline and Web site and coordinate publicity for all club-sponsored activities.
      5. Community Service/University Support Committee—to plan, coordinate, and supervise the volunteer and community service events for the club. The Committee will oversee the club's relationship with the university and the colleges of Florida State with the club. To promote, plan and coordinate local area events that involve officials from the Florida State University or promotes the Florida State University in the club geographic area. The Committee will oversee the selection of the Spycher Scholarship and/or other academic scholarship recipients.
   2. Special ad hoc committees shall be appointed at the discretion of the Board of Directors to coordinate special events and projects sponsored by the club.
      1. Nominating Committee—to compile a list of eligible candidates for Board positions, oversee the preparation and mailing out of ballots to eligible member voters, count all mail-in votes and votes taken at the general elections meeting and validate the results to the Board of Directors. The committee is also responsible for seeing that each step of the elections process is carried out in a timely manner so that the process is completed not later than one month prior to the time the new Board of Directors takes office. The Chairperson shall not serve as a current member of the Board of Directors, unless no other such volunteer will serve. In such a case, the Chairperson will be appointed by the President.
         
5. Removal of Directors, Officers and/or Members
   Any director, officer, or member of the club, by a two-thirds majority vote of the full Board of Directors, may be removed whenever, in the judgment of the Board, the best interest of the club will be served thereby. This includes absences of any officer or director from regularly scheduled Board meetings that are deemed without merit by the majority of the other Board members.
   
6. Membership
   Club membership shall run concurrently with that of the Board of Directors' service and the fiscal year. The Board of Directors shall notify the club membership of any change affecting the current status of the membership, Board or fiscal year cycles; notification must take place at least 60 days prior to the effective date of said change.
   
7. Amendments
   Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the club membership by a simple majority vote of the members present and voting.
   
8. Scholarship
   Scholarships awarded by the club shall be awarded through an unbiased selection process. Family members (spouse, parents, siblings and children) of board members, officers, or trustees of the organization are not eligible to receive scholarship awards.