CONSTITUTION
Preamble
We the members of Georgia Dance Team, and subscribing to the regulations and policies of the
University of Georgia, establish this Constitution to govern the matters within our organization.
ARTICLE I: Name
a. The name of this organization or association is: Georgia Dance Team; GDT
ARTICLE II: Purpose/Mission
Georgia Dance Team allows highly trained dancers to promote multiple styles of dancing
including, but not limited, to jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary in a fun and creative way to the
students of the University of Georgia.
ARTICLE III: Membership
a. Qualifications
 Members shall be limited to regularly enrolled University of Georgia undergraduate
or graduate students.
 All members must be in good standing with the University and meet all the
requirements outlined by the Department of Student Affairs.
 Members must be able to demonstrate proficiency in highly technical dance
movements with prior dance experience in multiple styles to perform with the group.
b. Auditions
 Members are selected each spring (or fall if necessary) for the following year by a
panel of judges or through video audition.
 Every member must audition for the next year including the members of the
executive board.
 The panel of judges will list the members in order of scoring and then the Executive
Board will determine the composition of the team based on a combination of scoring
and judges comments.
c. Dues
 Dues will be collected each year for participation in performances, upkeep and
purchase of uniforms and team attire, choreography, and other pertinent matters that
may arise.
 The amount of dues will be decided by the Executive Board based on the needs of the
team.
 A budget must be available to all team members upon request.
 Recommended to give a budget to all members at the beginning of each year.
d. Rehearsal/Performances
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If a member is absent from the last practice prior to a performance, the member will
be unable to participate at that performance.
If a member misses rehearsal, they are required to make up what they missed with
another member of the team before the next rehearsal.
Appropriate dance attire is to be worn for all rehearsals and performances.
The President will decide what dances are to be performed at venues and costuming.
If a controversy should arise, a vote must take place. Whichever receives over 50% of
the team vote, shall be the dance performed/costume worn. If nothing receives over
50%, then the decision will be determined by the Executive Committee.
All team uniforms must be returned to the team at the end of the year.
e. Absences
 Each member is allowed 2 unexcused absences per semester.
o An excused absence includes- doctor’s note, out of town for a school function,
or a previously excused event by the executive board
 Tardies
o If you arrive more than 10 minutes late to an hour rehearsal, you will be
counted tardy unless there are extenuating circumstances.
o If you arrive more than 20 minutes late to a rehearsal longer than an hour, you
will be counted tardy unless there are extenuating circumstances.
o 3 tardies count as one unexcused absence.
 More than 2 unexcused absences will result in a $15 dollar fine for every additional
unexcused absence.
 Members must speak to a member of the Executive Board on the phone before
rehearsal if they are going to miss rehearsal. Failure to do so, in anything but
extenuating circumstances (death, bodily injury, etc.), will count as an unexcused
absence.
 Determination of unexcused absences is up to the Executive Board.
f. Injunctions/Dismissal
 If any team member is in violation of the constitution or by participating in any of the
below stated behaviors a formal injunction will be issued:
o Failing to show up to rehearsals and/or performances
o Does not participate in team activities during and outside of rehearsal
o Fails to follow duties of the team
o Frequent interruption/disruption of rehearsals
o Repeated negative attitude to team members, Executive Committee,
choreographer, or about the team in general
 The executive committee must draft a formal notice each time an injunction takes
place.
 After the first injunction, a warning will be given to the team member.
 After the second injunction, the member must have a meeting with the executive
board to discuss issues regarding their behavior.
 After the third injunction, the member will have another meeting with the executive
board in which a formal dismissal will be issued.
ARTICLE IV: Non-Discrimination
a. Membership and all privileges, including voting and officer positions, must be extended to
all students without regard to age, ethnicity, gender, disability, color, national origin, race,
religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. However Religious student organizations will
not be denied registration solely because they limit membership or leadership positions to
students who share the same religious beliefs.
b. Membership and all privileges, including voting and officer positions, must be extended to
all students as stated in the University of Georgia Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment
Policy. However, religious student organizations will not be denied registration solely
because they limit membership or leadership positions to students who share the same
religious beliefs. Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments Act of 1972 and Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex or handicap
in most educational programs and activities within the University.
ARTICLE V: Officers
a. The officers of this organization shall consist of: President, Vice President, and Treasurer and
be called the Executive Committee
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President
o Holds officer meetings
o Delegates who will provide choreography and/or obtaining choreography from
outside sources
o Gets in contact with any other organizations to schedule performances, reserve
rehearsal space, and/or any other communication with outside sources
o Sends frequent updates to the team regarding performances and team information
o Selects uniforms and other necessary equipment for the team
o Runs rehearsals
o Selects the team members during auditions for the upcoming year along with the
rest of the Executive Board.
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Vice President
o Sitting President if the President is unable to attend an event or rehearsal.
o Takes on all of the President’s duties, if that occasion arises
o Takes attendance and updates President on absence list
o Keeps track of important dates/notes for the group
o Takes notes at Exec meetings and emails them out to board members
o Promotes the team through all means including website, banners, signs, and
activities fairs through Student Affairs
o Plans events for the team including parties, dinners, etc.
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Treasurer
o Collects dues and develops payment plans for members
o Manages the bank account
o Balances the check book
o Keeps a record of all deposits and purchases throughout the year and emails
updates/changes to the President
o Writes a budget with the supervision of the President to distribute to members at
the beginning of each year and upon request, throughout the rest of the year
o Plans fundraisers for the team
o Makes purchases for the team including writing checks and use of the debit card
b. Qualifications for Office:
 All officers must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at the University of Georgia and
should be in good academic standing.
 You must demonstrate prior dance experience including proficiency in all three dance
styles as well as technical training with leaps, jumps, and turns.
 You must be on the team for one year.
c. Terms of Office
 An office will be held for one year. After this period of time, the officer will have to
reapply and be elected into the position again.
d. Term Limits
 An officer can serve for no longer than 4 years in one office.
e. Elections
 An election will take place every spring to elect new officers for the upcoming year.
 Each candidate must submit a completed application for the office which they wish to be
considered.
 A three-part point system will be in effect to determine who will be placed into office:
1. A popular vote will take place before spring auditions each year. All members
will have access to candidate applications prior to voting. Whoever wins the
popular vote for that office will receive one point.
2. The number of semesters you have been involved with GDT. Whoever has been
involved with the group the longest for that office will receive one point.
3. All graduating seniors will form a committee, and based on the following criteria:
technical skills, leadership, candidate application, and past participation
(including performances and rehearsals attended the previous year), the seniors
will be allowed to give one point per office to the member they feel demonstrates
the best capabilities based on these qualifications.
 Whichever candidate receives the most points, will be elected into office for the
following year.
 If there are less than two graduating seniors or a tie between the seniors, a run-off
election will take place before the team members which will consist of a short speech
explaining why they should be in office and a series of technical skills. Then a final
popular vote will be administered, and the winner of that vote is elected into office.
f. Provisions for Removal
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If there is a grievance against an officer, a meeting must be set up with the other two
officers in which a written concern is issued.
The other officer must be informed about the meeting.
If just cause arises in which the team feels that an officer is not fulfilling their duties
stated in the Constitution, then they can be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of all the
current team members following the meeting.
All members have one vote.
If the officer is selected to be removed from office, they have the option of submitting a
written appeal to the team explaining why they should stay in office.
Then, they can request to meet with a third party within the Department of Student
Affairs to read through the written complaint and appeal, and then suggest a course of
action for the team.
Based on this suggestion, a second vote with the same requirements will take place which
will be the final decision for the team.
g. Provisions for Officer Vacancies
 If an officer vacates their position at any point, a special election will take place.
 Each person who wishes to be selected for that position must submit an officer
application.
 Under these special circumstances, a popular vote will take place as soon as all
applications have been made available to the team.
 Any member who receives a majority of the votes will fill that position.
ARTICLE VI: Meetings
a. Meetings shall be held twice weekly and the President is responsible for notifying members
of upcoming meetings through email. This can also be delegated to the Vice President.
b. If less than four members are present, the group can decide if they would like to continue
with rehearsal.
c.
Stipulations for quorum
 A quorum shall consist of 2/3 of voting members (whether within the executive
committee or entire team depending on the vote) to conduct the business of the
organization
ARTICLE VII: Amendments
a. Amending the constitution should not be too simple a process for the sake of the stability of
the organization. All amendments must be decided on carefully; it is recommended that all
amendments are subject for final approval by the general membership of the organization.
b. The constitution may be amended by a vote of 51% of the entire group present at the meeting
with the President in attendance.