1

Constitution of 909 Hip Hop Dance TroupeUniversity of California, Riverside

2011 – 2012

PreambleWe, the members of 909 Hip Hop Dance Troupe, at the University of California, Riverside, in order to better the awareness and development of hip hop dance through educational and social means, with the cooperation of administration, faculty and students, do approve and establish this constitution.

1) Article I – Name

a) The Official name of this organization shall be 909 Hip Hop Dance Troupe and may be referred to as “909” for the remainder of this constitution.

2) Article II – Purpose

a) Purpose of the Constitution

i) To List and Define the Responsibilities and qualifications of the Cabinet and the members of “909”

ii) To provide a guideline of the selection and termination of members (Dancers, Cabinet, and Advisors)

iii) May be modifiable when absolutely necessary

b) Purpose of the Organization

i) To further seek and attain the goals outlined in the preamble

ii) To further the development of hip hop dance while exploring other dance forms.

3) Article III – Membership

a) All those who complete the designated requirements and are selected by the Cabinet are official members and are entitled to one term of “909” benefits. One term consists of the duration from first activation (which is established by way of audition and finalized at First General Meeting) to the “End of the Year Banquet” in the course of the UCR school year.

b) Membership is open to all UCR students and individuals with college eligibility regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender. Members shall be responsible for attending all “909 events/activities”, such as performances/appearances, meetings, dance rehearsals, and fundraisers. As well as assisting in the choreography and teaching of dance routines as needed, promoting troupe spirit, and other responsibilities upon discretion of the Cabinet. Promoting and advertising/marketing of membership will be done annually. Selection of membership is based upon the criteria of this constitution and upon the discretion of the Cabinet of “909.”

2

i) Guidelines are as follows:

(1) Host auditions

(2) Have five judges consisting of the Director, Dance Coordinator, Dance Captain, and two advisors, chosen by Cabinet.

(3) Record all Auditions

(4) Refer to scores sheets and video tapes of try-out participants.

(5) Refer to history of any past 909 member.

(6) The quorum shall be 100% of the 909 cabinet members present at the time of voting.

4) Article IV – “909” Cabinet

a) The Cabinet shall be members and registered UCR students (undergraduate or graduate) for the academic year unless specified otherwise by the previous Cabinet. The officers consist of: Director, Dance Coordinator, Dance Captain, Historian, Manager, Music Technician, Special Events Coordinator, Internal Relations and Public Relations. All positions are all appointed upon the discretion of departing senior Cabinet. All prospective Cabinet members are nominated by current members and will be considered for the position. Final approval falls to the discretion of the graduation senior Cabinet based upon the criteria of this constitution. Under the circumstance in which there are only one or no departing seniors, all the advisors will be granted voting privileges to select the succeeding year’s Cabinet.

i) Guidelines are as follows:

(1) “909” members must nominate candidates.

(2) Get acceptance by Cabinet nominee.

(3) Discuss candidates’:

(a) Qualifications for Cabinet

(b) Qualifications for position

(c) Attitude

(d) Commitment

(e) Passion

(f) Potential for growth

(g) Trust

3

(h) Ability to contribute to the team

(i) Experience

(j) Chemistry with other potential Cabinet members

b) The term of office shall initiate from the point of induction until the new Cabinet is chosen and inducted the following year. The term is limited to one year, unless reappointed for another term. All officers are responsible for advising current newly inducted officers in their respective positions.

i) The general duties of the Cabinet are to:

(1) Assist all officers as needed.

(2) Be responsible for the promotion of troupe spirit.

(3) Assist in troupe auditions.

(4) Shall be a current member of the Ultimate Brawl (“UB”) committee.

(5) Be on time.

(6) Shall keep the Director informed at all times of all “909” concerns.

c) The specifications of Cabinet duties shall be:

i) Director

(1) Shall be the primary representative of “909.”

(2) Shall preside over all meetings, dance rehearsals, and activities; shall call to order and adjourn all meetings, dance rehearsals, and activities.

(3) Shall preside over “909” auditions.

(4) May delegate responsibilities to any member regarding “909” concerns.

(5) Shall be the primary signature on all official “909” documents.

(6) Shall be responsible for scheduling, confirming, and finalizing all upcoming “909” performances/appearances and rehearsals.

(7) Shall oversee all incoming and outgoing mail.

(8) Shall oversee all financial concerns and needs of “909”

(9) Shall not have a vote, unless the event of a deadlock decision- then shall make the final decisions concerning “909.”

4

(10) Shall be responsible for scheduling and heading all Cabinet meetings at their discretion.

(11) Shall be responsible for scheduling and conducting the Cabinet/Advisor “909” retreat.

(12) Shall oversee Ultimate Brawl with the Special Events Coordinator.

(13) Shall be responsible for dealing with all quarterly troupe evaluations.

(14) Shall oversee and facilitate all concerns of “909.”

(15) Shall be the liaison between Cabinet and Advisors.

ii) Dance Coordinator

(1) Shall be responsible for the choreography. (Artistic)

(2) Shall be responsible for the choreography-team and overseeing the final outcome of the routine.

(3) Shall preside over troupe auditions.

(4) Shall be responsible for costume committee.

(5) Shall be responsible for communicating all practice agendas and informing all cabinet members of agenda prior to practice.

(6) Shall be responsible for conducting the “909 Hip Hop” classes.

(7) Shall be responsible for the artistic vision of “909.”

iii) Dance Captain

(1) Shall be in charge of and ensure the productivity of all dance rehearsals. (Executive)

(2) Shall be responsible for cleaning of pieces.

(3) Shall understand and implement the artistic vision.

(4) Shall ensure that the troupe is prepared at all performances/appearances.

(5) Shall judge at troupe auditions.

(6) Shall oversee any improvements necessary for the set and implement thoughts and ideas through Cabinet.

(7) Shall be in charge of training and implementing actions needed to improve the dancers individually and as a team.

5

iv) Music Technician

(1) Shall be responsible for obtaining all music as needed in conjunction with Cabinet, to create and produce the music.

(2) Must ensure that the music is in appropriate media format and present at performances/appearances.

(3) Shall be assistant coordinator of overall production of routine and of the choreography team.

(4) Shall be responsible for all of “909” audio equipment.

v) Manager

(1) Shall be responsible for all financial concerns and needs of “909” as needed and provide financial documents regarding transactions of the “909” account.

(2) Shall be responsible for scheduling of all “909” fundraisers.

(3) Shall be responsible for taking attendance at all “909” activities; shall be responsible for enforcing attendance policy.

(4) Shall contact/inform all members of all “909” events.

(5) Shall be responsible for the roster and submitting it to all pertinent facilities and events.

(6) Shall maintain a master calendar of all “909” activities and make it available to the members.

vi) Historian

(1) Shall keep track of alumni; shall be the liaison between members and “909” alumni1

(2) Shall be responsible for preserving the history of “909.”

(3) Shall facilitate organization/collection of photographs; shall maintain and update media library; shall take and update troupe pictures.

(4) Shall educate troupe of past traditions of “909.”

(5) Shall write biographies of “909.”

(6) Shall assist internal relations with the organization of “End of the Year Banquet.”; shall be responsible for the event’s slideshow/DVD.

(7) Shall keep records of past, present, and future events.

1 An alumnus is a former member who, under cabinet discretion, has completed one full term.

6

vii)Public Relations

(1) Shall be responsible for developing the relationships with organizations on and off campus; Liaison between the team and the community.

(2) Shall be responsible for organizing auditions.

(3) Shall be responsible for the promotion/publicity/marketing of all “909” activities, which include: Bear Facts Orientation, Auditions, Ultimate Brawl, Fundraising etc.

(4) Shall be responsible for all “909” publications as well as all other social media maintenance.

viii) Internal Relations

(1) Shall be responsible for creating ice-breakers and socials that encourage troupe bonding.

(2) Ensure well being of all 909 members (Develop one-on-one relationships)

(3) Assist Historian in coordinating 909 alumni socials

(4) Responsible for organizing “End of the Year Banquet”

ix) Special Events Coordinator

(1) Shall be responsible for philanthropy. (E.g. community outreach, dance workshops, etc.); shall administer “909” events with Public Relations.

(2) Shall coordinate “909” sponsored events upon the approval of Cabinet.

(3) Shall be responsible in coordinating and organizing the annual hip-hop dance competition, “Ultimate Brawl: Battle of Distinction.”

5) Article V – Enactment of the By-Laws

a) By-Laws are enacted upon the approval of the Cabinet.

b) By-Laws:

i) Section 1 – Recall of a Member

(1) Any member who neglects his/her responsibilities shall be temporarily placed on probation from all “909” activities until his/her case is reviewed by Cabinet. After Cabinet will decide if recall is necessary.

(a) Clause 1: The Director, upon the discretion of the Cabinet, shall advise the member that he/she is failing in his/her responsibilities. This constitutes as the first warning.

7

(b) Clause 2: If the Director warrants a second warning, then the member shall be placed on probation

(c) Clause 3: Upon discretion of the Cabinet, the Director shall notify the member of whether he/she shall continue to be a member of “909.”

(d) Clause 4: In the Case that the Director is failing to uphold his/her responsibilities, the Director shall be placed on probation upon discretion of the Cabinet.

ii) Section 2 – “909” Performances/Appearances, Meetings, Dance Rehearsals, Fundraisers, and other Activities

(a) Clause 1: all “909” Performances/ appearances, meetings, dance rehearsals, fundraisers, and other activities (“‘909’ event”) shall be held upon the discretion of the Cabinet.

(i) All performances requests require submission of the Pre-Booking Form.

(b) Clause 2: The members shall be the only ones present unless otherwise specified by the Director.

(c) Clause 3: All Members of “909” shall participate in the 909 sponsored, annual hip-hop dance competition, “Ultimate Brawl: Battle of Distinction.”

(d) Clause 4: All “909” members must attend all “909” events designated by Cabinet.

(i) All members are required to pay a mandatory $30 membership fee at the beginning of their term.

(ii) Each member is required to pay $30 per quarter thereafter in order to remain active.

(e) Clause 5: Scholarship programs and Midyear Auditions may be enacted upon the discretion of Cabinet for the betterment of the organization.

iii) Section 3 – “909” Attendance Policy

(a) Clause 1: Rehearsal starts promptly at the practice/performance time given. There is no grace period. Punishment is upon discretion of the dance coordinator and/or dance captain.

(b) Clause 2: Each member must notify the “909” manager 24 hours prior to the scheduled rehearsal/call-time/performance if they will be late or absent.

(c) Clause 3: In the event of a dispute regarding the attendance policy, the validity of a member’s excuse will be evaluated by Cabinet.

iv) Section 4 – “909” Governmental Authority

8

(a) Clause 1: The governmental authority of “909”shall be vested in the Cabinet.

(b) Clause 2: Current Cabinet members will be exempt from annual auditions and automatically be granted “909” membership.

(c) Clause 3: The Cabinet and members shall have the authority to contribute input regarding “909” concerns.

(d) Clause 4: The Cabinet and members, upon approval by the Director, must vote regarding “909” concerns.

(e) Clause 5: Each Cabinet member may participate and contribute 1 vote to all “909” and Cabinet meetings.

(f) Clause 6: The Cabinet shall have the power to enforce all decisions passed by a majority vote. The quorum shall be more than 50% of the “909” members present at the time of voting. No absentee votes are allowed at any time. At the time of voting, no abstentions will be allowed.

(g) Clause 7: In the event of a tied vote, the Director shall make the final decision for the betterment of the troupe.

(h) Clause 8: In the event of a Cabinet member's resignation, actions taken will be upon the discretion of Cabinet and Advisors within 14 days.

v) Section 5 - “909” Advisors

(a) Clause 1: Shall be exempt from annual audition process at the discretion of Cabinet.

(b) Clause 2: Participation as a dancer must be granted by the discretion of the Cabinet.

(c) Clause 3: Advisors participating as dancers must uphold dancer’s responsibilities.

(d) Clause 4: The quorum shall be 100% of the 909 cabinet members present at the time of voting.

(2) Guidelines are as Follows:

(i) Selection could be based upon a candidate’s Availability, Commitment, Intensity, and Desire.

(ii) Advisors Requirements:

1. Shall participate in Cabinet/Advisor retreat.

2. Shall participate in the selection of the team meeting.

9

3. Shall participate in the selection of the following year’s Cabinet meeting.

(iii) Advisor Expectations

1. Shall participate in “909” functions and events.

2. Shall help interpret the “909” constitution and by-laws.

(e) Clause 5: The term for an advisor will be one year; new advisor(s) will be elected by new Cabinet.

(f) Clause 6: Shall serve as ex-officio at Cabinet meetings.

(g) Clause 7: There should be a campus-registered advisor.

(h) Clause 8: Advisor participation in the “End of the Year Banquet” shall be upon the discretion of cabinet.

6) Article VI – Certification

a) Upon 51% majority vote of “909” members present at the time of voting, this Constitution and its By-Laws shall be made effective on the given date. No absentee votes allowed at anytime.

10

Date this 10 th day of the month of October , 2011

Member Name

Member Signature

Justin Pelen /

Director Name/Signature