Article 1 – Voting
Section 1 - Quorum
1.) Quorum for any BoVO meeting with an agenda item that requires a vote shall be the number of officers needed to have at least five (5) full votes.
2.) Quorum for any BoO meeting with an agenda item that requires a vote shall be sixty percent (60%) of the officers.
3.) Quorum for appeals of suspension of privileges or expulsions shall be two thirds (2/3) of all BoO members, half (1/2) of which must be also BoVO members, and the Club President.
Section 2 – Majority Rule
1.) The majority needed to overturn a decision of the Club Divemaster; to suspend a member’s privileges; to expel a member, requires a true majority of all BoO members, except the Club Divemaster
Section 3 – Format
Meetings of BoO and BoVO may be conducted in person, by correspondence, or through electronic media. Electronic media includes, but is not limited to: E-Mail, Telephone, and Instant Messenger Chat.
Article 2 – Board of Voting Officers (BoVO)
Section 1 - Requirements for eligibility:
No member may hold more than three (3) voting Club offices concurrently.
Additionally, to hold the position of Club Divemaster a member must possess a rating of PADI Divemaster, its equivalent, or better. At such times when no member is capable or willing to hold the office of Club Divemaster, the duties of the office will be exercised by the BoVO
Section 2 – Privileges:
In exchange for the time and effort needed to serve on BoVO, the following privileges are extended to its members.
1.) Exemption from Club membership dues and fees
2.) Rental of Club equipment at no charge, but for their personal use only.
3.) Participation in Club Trips and Activities at cost plus reserve.
In recognition of the scale of commitment and dedication required of the Club President, and Club Vice-President for Education, upon completion of their terms, they will each be given membership in the Club for life with no dues. In addition, any club member who has completed four non-concurrent terms as a member of the BoVO will be given membership in the Club for life with no dues. This membership does not include fees or dues required by Hoofer Council or the Wisconsin Union.
Section 3 – Election
The members of BoVO shall be elected by the general membership on the last Thursday before the end of the Club’s fiscal year. Nominations will be taken up to the time of the vote. Absentee ballots can be proctored (in writing with signature) to another member of the club who is present at the elections.
Section 4 – Vacancies
If an office is vacant, the Club President may appoint an eligible member to the office. This appointment must be confirmed by the remaining members of BoVO at the next official BoVO meeting. If more than twenty five percent (25%) of the voting offices are vacant, new elections must be held to fill the vacancies. In such cases, the member elected to the vacancies will serve until the end of term of the currently sitting BoVO.
Section 5 – Term of Office
The term of office shall last for one year, and will commence on the first day of the Club’s fiscal year.
Section 6 - Authorization of Expenditures
Authorization to commit the club to the expenditure of funds is limited to members of the BoVO.
Further, any such commitment may only be made for the express purpose of fulfilling the club’s goals and purposes.
All other authorizations are void and any remaining liability is the responsibility of the individual who attempted to issue an authorization.
Article 3 – Board of Officers (BoO)
Section 1 – Changes in Appointed positions
Additional appointed positions may be added or positions removed by an act of the BoVO, with the total number of appointed positions not to exceed the number of members of the BoVO minus one (1). Such additions/removals will be reflected in the bylaws, and will be the sole type of modification to the bylaws, that the BoVO may make directly.
Section 2 – Confirmation of appointments
All appointees must be confirmed by the BoVO at its next official meeting.
Section 3 - Requirements for eligibility:
Any Club member may hold a non-voting office.
Section 4 – Privileges:
In exchange for the time and effort needed to serve on BoO, the following privileges are extended to its members.
1.) Exemption from Club membership dues and fees
2.) Rental of Club equipment at no charge, but for their personal use only.
3.) Participation in Club Trips and Activities at cost plus reserve.
Any club member who has completed five non-concurrent terms as a member of the BoO will be given membership in the Club for life with no dues. This membership does not include fees or dues required by Hoofers or the Wisconsin Union.
Section 5 – Term of Office;
The term of office shall last for one year, and will commence on the first day of the Club’s fiscal year.
Article 4 – Meetings
Section 1 – General Meetings
A general meeting of the club will be called at least once per term, including summer. In addition, a general meeting will be called on the last Thursday before the end of the Club’s fiscal year.
Section 2 – Officer Meetings
BoO and BoVO meetings will be held as deemed appropriate by the President, in consultation with the BoVO.
Section 3 – Announcement of Meetings
All meetings must be announced, in all communication channels generally used by the club, at least six (6) days before the meeting. Communication channels include, but are not limited to: web pages, newsletters, bulletin boards, personal communication, and flyers.
Section 4 – Location of Meetings
All general meetings must be conducted on University property, but BoO and BoVO meetings may be held at any location known to and open to the general membership. The location of a meeting must be part of its announcement.
Section 5 – Rules of Order
The rules contained in the current edition of Hoofer’s Rules of Order shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with any special rules the Club may adopt. For all matters not addressed by Hoofer’s Rules of Order, Robert's Rules of Order shall be decisive.
Article 5 – Club Events
Section 1 – Definition
A club event is defined to be any event pertaining to the mission of the club that is publicized by the club to the general membership, is subsidized by the club, or is attended by two or more members of the BoO, and is not sponsored solely by another organization.
Section 2 – Eligibility
To participate in any Club event a member must have diving privileges appropriate for the skill level required by the activity. Further, it is the Club Divemaster’s prerogative, and solely hers/his, to determine if a member’s participation in an event posses a significant danger or threat to that member, other Club members, divers not associated with the Club, or Club resources. If so, the member may be deemed ineligible to participate in the event.
Section 3 – Guests
All members of the club are entitled to offer one (1) single day guest membership to a friend or relative each year. To enjoy this right, the guest must fulfill all the membership requirements of general members and pay the dues, for a single day membership, as set by the BoVO. A guest member may not vote on Club matters, nor can he/she be the guest of more than one (1) member in a single year.
Section 4 – Nonmembers
Nonmembers of the Club are prohibited from participating in any Club sponsored trip, class, or event. Further, they are explicitly barred from use or rental of Club owned equipment, specifically SCUBA Regulators, and SCUBA Tanks.
Vendors, whilst acting in an official capacity, contracted/hired by the Club to provide services or resources needed to realize the goals and/or purposes of the Club are exempt from this prohibition.
Section 5 – Participation
Members while participating in Club trips, classes, or events must substantively comply with the Club’s dive protocols.
Article 6 – Amendments, Bylaws, & Protocols
Section 1 – Consideration
A purposed amendment must be formally considered by the club if five general members, in addition to the member making the proposal, signify that, they will vote for the amendment in the affirmative. Bylaws must have two officers signify that they will vote for it in the affirmative, to be formally considered. All proposed protocols must be formally considered.
An amendment due formal consideration must be on the agenda of a general meeting within the timeframe specified by the bylaws. If no general meeting is scheduled within the time specified, a special meeting will be called by the BoVO.
A bylaw or protocol due formal consideration must be on the agenda of a BoVO meeting within the timeframe specified by the bylaws. If no BoVO meeting is scheduled within the time specified, a special meeting will be called by the BoVO.
Section 2 – Announcement
Any proposed Amendment, Bylaw, or Protocol, undergoing formal consideration, must be posted in all communication channels generally used by the club for at least six (6) days before the BoVO meeting at which it is to be formally considered. Communication channels include, but are not limited to: web pages, newsletters, bulletin boards, personal communication, and flyers.
