We, the members of the Georgetown University Step Team, do hereby establish this Constitution on Sunday, February 22, 1998, in so that our purposes are realized to their fullest extent. 

The name of this organization shall be the Georgetown University Step team, also to be referred to by the acronym GUST. 

Section One. GUST is established to demonstrate and build school spirit through the performing art of stepping; to build unity among its members and the Georgetown University Community through stepping; to perform service activities in the community in the name of Georgetown University; and to host social, cultural, and professional events for the Georgetown University Community. 

Section Two. GUST understands and is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities of abiding by Georgetown University policies. 
 

Section One. Voting membership shall be limited to enrolled, full-time undergraduate students of Georgetown University. 

Section Two. Students may join at any time, but are encouraged to join at the beginning of each semester.  Students joining mid-semester must have been in attendance in at least three consecutive practices and meetings in order to have voting privileges. 

Section Three. The Secretary of GUST will maintain the official membership list, with copies given to all members as necessary. 

Section Four. All members are expected to attend every event of GUST, unless special circumstances prevent the member from attending.  Steppers who miss a practice must schedule a make up time with their Captain before the next practice. 

Section Five. Interested students must declare a division of GUST at the time of joining.  The divisions of the organization will be the Steppers (those students who actually perform) and Staff (students who are unwilling and/or unable to perform). 

Section Six. Members who wish to withdraw from GUST may do so with a written letter to the executive board within two weeks of planned exit. 

Section Seven. GUST openly admits undergraduate students to its membership and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or stepping ability. 

Section Eight. A quorum of the membership shall be a majority of the voting members, 50% + one. 
 

Section One. There will be six business officers of GUST.  They will be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant At-Arms, and Historian.  There will also be officers for the performing division of the organization, the Captain of the Female Steppers and the Captain of the Male Steppers.  Co-Captains may be selected for each performing division as they are needed.  The business officers of GUST and the Captains of the performing division shall constitute the executive council of the organization. 

Section Two. The Duties of the Officers 

A. The President will be the chief officer of GUST.  He or she will preside at all meetings of GUST.  The President will oversee and be responsible for the daily operation and activities of the organization.  He or she will be the official representative of GUST at University and non-University functions.  The President will be responsible for communication between GUST, the Student Activities Commission, and the Office of Student Programs. 
 

B. The Vice-President will assume the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence or disability.  The Vice-President is also the overseer of committee work. 

C. The Secretary will keep accurate minutes of all meetings of GUST, maintain a roster of members, and handle all official GUST correspondence. 

D. The Treasurer will be responsible for collecting and disbursing the monies of GUST.  He or she will also keep accurate records of all financial transactions of GUST. 

E. The Sergeant At-Arms will assist in keeping order at GUST meetings and activities. 

F. The Historian will keep a scrapbook and a bulletin board of GUST’s activities of the year.  The Historian is also responsible for arranging media coverage of GUST events. 

G. The Captain of the Female Steppers will be responsible for the performance of the female steppers.  She will also arrange practice dates and times, secure facilities for practices, and will coordinate with the Captain of the Male Steppers as needed.  The Captain will make the final decision on exactly who will perform in female GUST routines. 

H. The Captain of the Male Steppers will be responsible for the performance of the male steppers.  He will also arrange practice dates and times, secure facilities for practices, and will coordinate with the Captain of the female Steppers as needed.  The Captain will make the final decision on exactly who will perform in male GUST routines. 

I. Co-Captains of both the male and female steppers may be elected as they are needed. 

Section Three. Officers may be elected from any division of the organization, with the exception of the Captains.  The Captain of the Female Steppers must herself be a female stepper and the Captain of the Male Steppers must himself be a male stepper. 

Section Four. Officers must be full-time undergraduate students. 
 

Section One. Those members meeting all of the requirements of active membership are eligible to vote. 

Section Two. Procedure for Electing Officers. 

A. Officers shall be selected by majority vote of the voting members of GUST. All elections will be held on an annual basis by February 15 of each academic year, at a meeting composed of a quorum of GUST’s members. 

B. The President shall take nominations from the floor, the nominations shall be closed and the motion seconded.  The nominated parties will be allowed to vote if they are eligible voting members. 

C. At the meeting immediately following nominations, each candidate will receive the opportunity to speak for no more than three minutes so that the membership may understand the platform of each candidate.  Voting shall be done by secret ballot immediately following candidate speeches.  The ballots will be collected and tabulated by the Secretary and one representative from each division, to be appointed by the outgoing President.  If the Secretary is attempting to assume an office, any other officer may substitute him. 

D. Newly elected officers will assume office on the evening of the last day of classes of the Spring semester, except in the case of special elections, in which case they will assume office immediately following their election. 

Section Three. Officers of GUST in violation of the organization’s purpose or Constitution or failure to fulfill duties as stated may be removed from office by the following process: 

A. A written request to the Executive Board must first be made by at least three members of the organization, with no more than two coming from one division of the organization. 

B. Written notification to the officer in question, by the remainder of the board, asking the officer to be present at the next meeting prepared to speak in his/her defense. 

C. Written notification of the meeting to the membership by the Executive Board. 

D. 75% of the voting membership must be in attendance to vote on the removal of an officer.  A two-thirds majority is necessary to remove the officer. 

Section Four. Should an officer resign or be removed, a special election will be held within two weeks of the vacancy. 

Section Five. Meetings will occur on a bi-weekly basis or other regular basis at a time and place selected by GUST and will follow basic parliamentary procedure. 
 

Section One. The annual dues of GUST will be determined by the Executive Council of that academic year. 

Section Two. All members of GUST must purchase the GUST T-shirt unless the organization is able to provide them. 

Section Three. GUST will submit a budget to the Student Activities Commission on an annual basis and request funding appropriate for the effective operation of the organization for each year. 

Section Four. GUST will conduct fundraising activities throughout the year. 

Section Five. GUST will conduct all financial activities in accordance with University policy and place all funds in its University account. 
 

Section One. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in writing by any voting members of GUST at any meeting in which two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members are present. 

Section Two. These amendments will be reviewed by the Executive Council at their meeting following the introduction of the amendment. 

Section Three. Proposed amendments will become effective following approval by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of voting members. 
 
 

Ratified February 1998