The Constitution of the
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Dive Club
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Galveston , TX
Article I
Name
This organization shall be known as the Texas A&M University at Galveston Dive Club. It shall be an official and recognized activity of the Texas A&M University at Galveston , located in Galveston , Texas .
Article II
Objectives
The objectives of this organization shall be to:
1. promote interest in diving
2. promote safe diving
3. promote education of divers
4. provide practical open water diving experience for the members
Article III
Membership
Section 1: All students, faculty and staff members interested in diving shall be eligible for membership in this club.
Section 2: Undergraduate and graduate students of the Texas A&M University at Galveston shall be eligible for regular membership and therefore entitled to voting privileges. Voting privileges of a regular member may be suspended for non-payment of dues and/or attendance at less than 50 percent of the meetings of the previous semester in which he or she held regular membership.
Section 3: Faculty and staff members of the Texas A&M University at Galveston shall be eligible for special membership, with all the privileges according to regular membership except that of voting in association ballots.
Section 4: Honorary membership to this association may be awarded by a majority vote of a quorum of regular members at a scheduled association meeting to any non-member whose service is felt to merit honorary membership. Honorary members shall be privileged to attend general club meetings and participate in activities, as they desire.
Section 5: It shall be the duty of the faculty advisor to advise the club in the best interest of and according to the regulations of the Texas A&M University at Galveston and the Texas A&M University at Galveston Diving Control Board.
Article IV
Officers
Section 1: The officers of the Dive Club shall consist of a president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, and risk management.
Section 2: Duties of Dive Club Officers:
A. President: The president shall preside whenever possible at all meetings and functions of the Dive Club and will have the power to appoint committee chairmen when appropriate. The president shall be responsible for the actions of any subordinate officer or for the actions of any committee he/she may appoint, wherein such actions concern the Dive Club. The president shall also be in attendance at all meetings of the Texas A&M University at Galveston Diving Control Board.
B. Vice President: The vice-president shall perform all functions of the President in the latter’s absence. The vice-president shall work with the president on all club functions and activities.
C. Secretary: The secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Dive Club and shall prepare matter for publication and keep records of the same. The secretary shall be responsible for notices pertaining to meetings and shall maintain files of membership.
D. Treasurer: The treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the club and shall keep an accurate record of the same. He or she shall pay bills upon their approval by the faculty advisor.
E. Risk Management: The risk management officer shall identify risk issues for the dive club and develop appropriate responses as needed for each dive club event. It is recommended that he or she hold the title of Dive Master or higher.
F. One or more of the Dive Club officers must be present at any club sponsored dive.
Section 3: Qualifications of Dive Club Officers:
A. No person on scholastic or conduct probation shall be eligible for election.
B. A Dive Club officer must be an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing, registered at the Texas A&M University at Galveston .
Section 4: Method of Election
A. The officers of the Dive Club shall be elected by a majority vote of paid club members present at an election announced at least ten days in advance and held at a regularly scheduled meeting in the second half of the academic term or the second semester. Absentee or early votes shall not be allowed.
B. Nominations by regular members shall be obtained from the floor. Regular members must second nominations.
C. Candidates shall be nominated and elected separately in order of president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary.
D. A candidate may be nominated for only one office.
E. Candidates shall be voted upon by written ballot.
F. It shall be the policy of the club that all officers shall remain in office for one calendar year immediately following their election or until such time as they may leave the student body. However, a three-fourth’s majority vote of members at a regular meeting, subject to the ratification of the faculty advisor, shall have the power to invoke a re-election of any officer at any time.
G. Ballots resulting in a tie vote shall be decided by a runoff election involving only the candidates involved in the tie.
H. Under special circumstances declared as such by the faculty advisor, vacant officer seats may be filled by another club member after a unanimous nomination by the remaining club officers and a confirmation vote of a majority of paid club members present at a regularly scheduled meeting in a ballot announced one week in advance. Absentee or early votes shall not be allowed.
I. Under special circumstances declared as such by the faculty advisor, vacant officer seats may be filled by a current club officer after a unanimous agreement among current club officers and a confirmation vote of a majority of club members present at a regularly scheduled meeting in a ballot announced one week in advance. Absentee or early votes shall not be allowed.
Article V
Committees
The president shall appoint temporary committees. The committee shall be dissolved when the committee’s functions shall be deemed by the president to no longer be necessary.
Article VI
Meetings
Section 1: The scheduling of regular meetings of the Dive Club shall be decided upon during the first regular meeting of each semester.
Section 2: The president may call Special meetings at any time.
Section 3: The program procedure at regular meetings shall be left to the discretion of the president or his or her appointees.
Section 4: No meeting of the Dive Club shall be recognized unless it is presided over by an officer of the club. The order of authority shall be: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
Article VII
Diver Eligibility for Association Sponsored Dives
Section 1: All SCUBA divers must have a Texas A&M University at Galveston Certification.
Section 2: Attendance will be taken at meetings to help establish priorities of divers on limited group functions.
Article VIII
Dive Master
A dive master will be chosen according to Texas A&M standards to preside over all dives.
Article IX
True Amendments
I. Membership Requirements
1. Diver
Proof of Open Water or greater certification from a nationally recognized training organization
TAMUG Diving Program Application on File
Proof of DAN or equivalent insurance
Paid current membership dues
2. Non- Diver
Paid Current Dues
Article X
Amendments
This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of paid club members present at a regularly scheduled club meeting. The meeting must be announced at least one week in advance. Absentee or early votes shall not be allowed.
This constitution must be renewed every 2 years and approved by the Director of Student Life.
(revised 3/05)
