Article 1 – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Wisconsin Hoofers SCUBA Club of the Wisconsin Union of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, herein referred to as the Club. The address is c/o Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. Madison, WI 53706.
Article 2 – Goals & Purposes
The Club shall be a non-profit educational and social organization with the express purpose to:
1.) Promote safe participation in recreational SCUBA diving.
2.) Foster an interest in SCUBA diving by providing leadership, programs, services, and trips.
3.) Provide education in the skills of safe recreational SCUBA diving.
4.) Provide a non-hostile environment for social interaction between club members.
Article 3 – Membership
Section 1 – General Membership
General membership may be held by any member of the Wisconsin Union and the Wisconsin Hoofers upon payment of any club membership fees set forth by the Board of Voting Officers (“BoVO”).
Section 2 – Class Privileges
Class Privileges: are required to participate in club class. All Club members will be granted full privileges, commiserate with their level of certification, upon presentation of proof of current membership to a member of the Board of Officers (“BoO”).
Section 3 – Diving Privileges
Diving Privileges: are required to participate in club trips, or rent club equipment. Any Club member possessing SCUBA diving certification may hold diving privileges, further, all Club members will be granted full privileges, commiserate with their level of certification, upon presentation of diving certification to a member of the BoO.
Article 4 – Voting
Section 1 - Quorum
The Club shall be considered an organization of open membership; therefore, quorum shall be generally considered the attendance of any meeting with the following exceptions.
1.) Meetings of the BoVO, or BoO, where quorum is defined by the bylaws.
2.) Quorum for general meetings at which an agenda item is an addition to, or change of the Club constitution or amendments to the constitution, shall be ten (10) members, or one third of the Club membership, which ever is less. Additionally, a majority of all members of BoVO must part of the attendance of the meeting.
Section 2 – Majority Rule
All items of club business shall be decided by majority rule with the following exceptions.
1.) Changes to the Club constitution, bylaws, protocols, or amendments to the constitution shall require a super majority of two thirds (2/3).
2.) Additions of new bylaws, protocols, or amendments shall require a super majority of two thirds (2/3).
3.) The majority needed to overturn a decision of the Club Divemaster; to suspend a member’s privileges; to expel a member, will be specified in the bylaws
Article 5 – Board of Voting Officers (BoVO)
Charge & Composition:
Control of the general direction of affairs and the day-to-day operations of the Club shall be vested in the Board of Voting Officers. The members of which and their areas of responsibility are as follows:
1.) President
Responsible for all club business, with the exception of matters of dive safety, if there is a sitting Club Divemaster, and shall preside at all general, BoO, and BoVO meetings.
2.) Vice-President for Education
Responsible for all areas of the Club’s educational program. Including the scheduling of classes and resources associated with them. In addition, will assume the duties of the President in the President’s absence.
3.) Vice-President for Local Trips
Responsible for all areas of the Club’s Trips and Activities program within 250 miles of Madison lasting less than four (4) days.
4.) Vice-President for Remote Trips
Responsible for all areas of the Club’s Trips and Activities program that are more than 250 miles from Madison, or that last more than four (4) days.
5.) Secretary
Responsible for minutes of all meetings and club correspondences.
6.) Treasurer
Responsible for all financial records of the club and the yearly budget with notes.
7.) Club Divemaster
Responsible for all areas of dive safety.
Article 6 – Board of Officers (BoO)
Charge & Composition
The General Board of Officers shall consist of all members of the BoVO and a set of officers appointed by the Club President. The set of standing appointed officers shall serve on behalf of, and at the pleasure of the President in following areas.
1.) Hoofer Council Representative
Represents the Club at all meetings of the Hoofer Council or any subcommittees thereof.
2.) Equipment Manager
Responsible for storage of, maintenance of, and distribution of all Club owned equipment, with the exception of the Club’s boats, and affiliated materials. In addition, he/she is expected to take a complete inventory of all Club owned assets at least once per year.
3.) Publicity Officer
Responsible for the creation and implementation of a unified marketing and publicity strategy for the club in general, and for the marketing and publicizing of specific Club events, classes, and trips.
4.) Boat Captain (“Skipper”)
Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all the Club’s boats and affiliated materials.
Article 7 – Recall and expulsion (suspension of privileges etc.)
Section 1 – Members
Members of the club who act in a manner that does not uphold the principles and goals set forth by this constitution, or violates its terms, those of the club bylaws, code of conduct, protocols, or policies, or directly and consciously violates any local, state, or federal law in any matter are subject to disciplinary action by the BoO. Disciplinary action will be taken if such acts jeopardize the name of Hoofers, or the safety of its members. Such action may include, but is not limited to, suspension of some or all privileges, or expulsion from the club. Members subject to disciplinary action are entitled to an impartial hearing before the BoO. Both notifications of the general membership, as well as the member subject to disciplinary action is required at least seven (7) days prior to the vote on the action. Notification must also comply with the requirements of meeting of the BoO or BoVO.
Section 2 – Voting Officers
In addition to expulsion, and suspension, as specified in section 1, a voting officer is subject to recall. An officer may be recalled for the same reasons as stated in section 1, or if a petition signed by five (5) members is submitted to the Secretary or President, in care of the BoO. Officers subject to disciplinary action are entitled to an impartial hearing before the general membership. Both notifications of the general membership, as well as the officer subject to recall is required at least seven (7) days prior to the vote on the action. Notification must also comply with the requirements of meeting of the BoO or BoVO.
Section 3 – Non-Voting Officers
In addition to expulsion, and suspension, as specified in section 1, a non-voting officer is subject to removal by the general membership, or termination by the president (without cause). An officer may be removed for the reasons stated in section 1, or if a petition signed by five (5) members is submitted to the Secretary or President, in care of the BoO. Officers subject to disciplinary action are entitled to an impartial hearing before the general membership. Both notifications to the general membership, as well as to the officer subject to removal is required at least seven (7) days prior to the vote on the action. Notification must also comply with the requirements of meeting of the BoO or BoVO.
Section 4 – Use of membership / office for personal financial gain.
Any member who uses their membership, or office in the club for personal financial gain, is subject to expulsion. Further, the club, the Wisconsin Hoofers, the Wisconsin Union, and the University of Wisconsin System, retains the right to all financial gains derived from use of the club, its name, or property, and to seek reimbursement under any and all local, state, or federal statues that apply.
Article 8 – Amendments, Bylaws, & Protocols
Section 1 – Proposal
Subsection 1 – Amendments
Amendments to this constitution may be proposed to the general Club membership by any Club member.
Subsection 2 – Bylaws
New bylaws or revisions of standing bylaws may be proposed to the BoVO by any Club member
Subsection 3 – Protocols
New protocols or revisions of standing protocols must be proposed to the BoVO by the Club Divemaster.
Subsection 4 – Submission
Proposals must be made in writing, and must be submitted to the Secretary or President, in care of the BoVO.
Section 2 - Adoption
Subsection 1- Amendments
The proposed amendment shall become effective when it has been approved by general membership, the Hoofer Council and The Wisconsin Union Council.
Subsection 2 - Bylaws
The proposed Bylaw shall become effective when it has been approved by BoVO, and the Hoofer Council.
Subsection 3 - Protocols
The proposed protocol shall become effective when it has been approved by BoVO. BoVO may not amend the proposal; BoVO may only vote yea, or nay.
Article 9 – Bylaws
The Bylaws shall be enumerated in the document “HOOFER SCUBA CLUB BYLAWS”. This document shall be maintained by the club. An up to date version shall be on file with the outdoor programs office (“ODP”). The version on file shall be the only version in force.
Article 10 – Dive Protocols
The club shall use as the basis of its dive protocols those standards, procedures & protocols defined, and maintained by PADI. All matters not specifically dealt with by the club dive protocols shall be governed by PADI standards & protocols. In such matters where the club protocol speaks to a point, it shall be decisive if and only if it is more stringent than that set forth by PADI.
The Dive Protocols shall be enumerated in the document “DIVING PROTOCOLS for the HOOFER SCUBA CLUB”. This document shall be maintained by the club. An up to date version shall on file with the ODP. The version on file shall be the only version in force.
Article 11 – Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct shall be enumerated in the document “HOOFER SCUBA CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT”. This document shall be maintained by the club. An up to date version shall be on file with the ODP. The version on file shall be the only version in force.
Article 12 – Definition of terms
A list of specific and technical definitions, used in this or any other club document shall be enumerated in the document “HOOFER SCUBA CLUB DEFINED TERMS”. This document shall be maintained by the club. An up to date version shall be on file with the ODP. The version on file shall be the only version in force.
Certified Diver
Certified SCUBA Diver
Club sponsored
Fiscal Year
PADI
