Constitution
of
The
University of Michigan-Dearborn Players’ Club
Ratified:
1. Name: the name of this organization shall be The University of Michigan-Dearborn
Players’ Club.
2. Mission: The Players’ Club is the University of
Michigan-Dearborn theater club. The Players
are dedicated to providing the entire University of Michigan-Dearborn
community--students, faculty, staff, and alumni--with experience in all aspects
of acting, theater production, and theater appreciation. Toward this end, the Players will endeavor to
engage members in public performance, theater management, and technical theater
through free of charge productions staged for the University of
Michigan-Dearborn community.
3. Activities: the Players’ Club will conduct and sponsor
various activities to forward the mission of the Players. These may include, but need not be limited
to:
3.1.
Major productions: the
Players’ Club will, at least twice during each calendar year, perform a full length
theater work (e.g. play, musical), or combinations of short works gratis for
the university community. These are
productions which require members to be involved in several aspects of
production (i.e. performance, technical, managerial, etc.). Normally, they will involve, at the
least: set design, costuming, lighting
design, publicity, performance, direction, and production. Works considered for major productions must be
approved by a majority of voting members at a general membership meeting.
3.2.
Minor productions: the
Players’ Club may, from time to time, present public performances of short
works, works in progress, etc. The
intricacy of the these productions will vary with the purpose of the
performance. Any person(s) wishing to
stage a minor production must first receive the approval of the club by
majority vote at a general meeting, or the unanimous approval of regular
members of the Executive Committee.
3.3.
Meetings: the Players’ Club will hold regular meetings,
at an interval, time, and place to be established by by-law, to conduct club
business. Recognizing that the active
participation of the membership is vital to the life of the club, an attendance
policy will also be established by by-law.
3.4.
Lectures and guest speakers: the
Players’ Club may, from time to time, present lectures on relevant topics to
the university community. The Players
may also invite persons with relevant knowledge or experience to address the
group of the university community at large.
3.5.
Workshops: the Players’ Club may, from time to time,
present workshops or instruction to the university community on various aspects
of theater production (e.g. voice control, comedic delivery, playwrighting).
3.6.
Outings: the Players’ Club may, from time to time,
organize outings for members and/or the university community at large to
experience theater in production or attend workshops and conferences on
relevant topics.
4. Membership: membership in the University of Michigan-Dearborn
Players’ Club shall be open to all persons interested in furthering the
University of Michigan-Dearborn community’s experience with the theater, and
shall consist of several classes.
4.1.
Active membership: in
order to retain and exercise the privileges of membership, all members must, at
the least, participate in planning and executing one (1) major production or
three (3) other Players’ Club events, excluding membership meetings, per year
of membership.
4.2.
All
members shall have the privilege of the floor, a vote in the selection of
titles for major productions, and be eligible to participate in Players’ Club
events, regardless of class of membership.
4.2.1.
Other
restrictions may not be placed on membership in the Players, except as provided
for in this constitution.
4.2.2.
The
membership application process shall be established by by-law.
4.2.3.
All
members shall be assumed to be active to upon completion of the application
process.
4.2.4.
Active
membership privileges shall expire on the anniversary of the date the member
joined, if membership requirements have not been met.
4.2.5.
At
the discretion of the Executive Committee, participation for associate members
need not necessitate a member’s attendance at a Players’ event, if a member has
been sufficiently involved in the planning and preparation of the event.
4.3.
Student players:
University of Michigan-Dearborn students are expected to form the core
of the Players’ Club. As such, they will
have the following privileges and duties:
4.3.1.
Eligibility for office: except
as provided for in this constitution only student players will be eligible for
election to the Executive Committee.
Student Players shall also be eligible for appointment to provisional
offices.
4.3.2.
Right of election: except
as provided for in this constitution, student players will have the sole power
to elect members to the Executive Committee.
4.3.3.
Financial responsibility: except
as provided for in this constitution, the sole power to approve expenditures of
Players’ Club funds shall lie with the student players.
4.3.4.
Voting Rights: student players shall have the right to vote
on all club business conducted at general membership meetings. Each student
member shall have one vote in the assembly.
4.3.5.
Active Membership: in
addition to the provisions of {4.2} above, student players shall be responsible
to actively participate in the running of the organization, pursuant an
attendance policy to be adopted by by-law.
Student players will also be expected to enroll for at least three (3)
credits toward an undergraduate of graduate degree each Fall and Winter
semester.
4.3.6.
Status conversion: upon
termination of active membership, eligible student players will automatically
convert to associate player status under the provisions of {4.4} below.
4.4.
Associate players:
associate players shall be drawn from the faculty, staff, and alumni of
the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and other persons interested in furthering
the cause of theater at the university.
4.4.1.
Active membership:
associate players must fulfill the obligations of {4.2} above, except as
provided for in this constitution.
4.4.2.
Rights of membership:
associate players shall be accorded the rights provided in {4.1} above.
4.4.3.
Participation: associate players shall be eligible to
participate in all Players’ Club events.
4.4.4.
Active
associate players shall be eligible for appointment to provisional offices.
4.4.5.
Subclasses: in addition, some associate players may fall
into one of three subclasses, and be subject to certain additional rights or
restrictions.
4.4.5.1.
Charter players: In
recognition of the efforts of numerous people who made possible the formation
of the Players’ Club, persons who participated in University of
Michigan-Dearborn Writing Center productions prior to the formation of the
Players’ Club and persons signing as members on the application for club status
shall be eligible for the status of charter members of the Players’ Club.
4.4.5.1.1.
Charter
players shall be eligible to participate in Players events, regardless of the
provisions of {4.1} and {4.2} above.
4.4.5.1.2.
Charter
players shall have the privilege of the floor, regardless of the provisions of
{4.1} and {4.2} above.
4.4.5.1.3.
Charter
players shall be eligible for appointment to provisional offices.
4.4.5.1.4.
Charter
players fulfilling the requirements of {4.1} above shall be accorded the
privileges of {4.2} above.
4.4.5.2.
Alumni players: In recognition of the of the important role
of Alumni in the university community, persons who are active players of the
Players’ Club at the time of their graduation from the University of
Michigan-Dearborn will be eligible for the status of Alumni members of the
Players’ Club. Alumni players who are
not eligible for charter membership shall have the following rights:
4.4.5.2.1.
Alumni
players shall be eligible to participate in Players events, regardless of the
provisions of {4.1} and {4.2} above.
4.4.5.2.2.
Alumni
players shall be eligible for appointment to provisional offices.
4.4.5.2.3.
Alumni
players fulfilling the requirements of {4.1} above shall be accorded the
privileges of {4.2} above.
4.4.5.3.
Faculty players: In
recognition of the role of faculty in the university community, interested
faculty shall be eligible for membership in the Players’ Club. Faculty players who are not eligible for
charter membership shall have the following rights and responsibilities:
4.4.5.3.1.
The
provisions of {4.1} and {4.2} above shall not apply to faculty players.
4.4.5.3.2.
Except
as provided for elsewhere in this constitution, faculty players shall not be
eligible to vote on club business.
4.4.5.3.3.
Faculty
players shall have the privilege of the floor.
4.4.5.3.4.
Active
membership for faculty players shall be defined as participation in any one (1)
Players event.
5. Officers: the officers of the University of
Michigan-Dearborn Players’ Club shall be of two types: a standing Executive Committee, and a number
of Provisional Officers.
5.1.
The Executive Committee: the
Executive Committee shall be responsible for managing the day to day affairs of
the Players’ Club, and shall be composed of:
the President, Company Manager, Secretary, Treasurer, Spokesperson,
Associate Representative, and University Liaison.
5.1.1.
The
Executive Committee shall have the power to:
approve new members, according to the procedure to be established by
by-law; excuse absences by majority vote; propose by-laws and constitutional
amendments to the membership; approve minor performances by unanimous consent;
propose major productions to the membership; approve the use of the
organization’s name and logo for use in publicity; communicate with the media;
publicize functions; review membership status; and appoint persons to provisional
offices, as provided for in {5.2} below.
5.1.2.
Each
regular member of the executive committee shall be required to give a report on
the progress of his/her duties at each membership meeting.
5.1.3.
Members
of the Executive Committee shall be eligible for provisional office.
5.1.4.
Elections:
5.1.4.1.
Executive
Committee elections shall be held at the last membership meeting of each Winter
Semester.
5.1.4.2.
Candidates
for Executive Committee elections shall be nominated from the floor. A person whose nomination is seconded shall
be considered a candidate for office.
Candidates may refuse a nomination.
5.1.4.3.
Candidates
for Executive Committee shall be elected by simple majority. In the event that no candidate receives a
simple majority, a run-off will be held between the top two (2) vote getters.
5.1.4.4.
Candidates
for ex-officio positions need not be present to be nominated or to win
election.
5.1.5.
President: the President shall be the chief executive of
the Players’ Club. The President’s
duties shall include:
5.1.5.1.
Chairing
all Executive Committee and membership meetings.
5.1.5.2.
Fulfilling
the duties of all Executive Committee offices, as needed.
5.1.5.3.
Providing
for the day to day conduct of Players’ Club business.
5.1.5.4.
Exercising
the powers outlined in {5.1.1} above, when convening the Executive Committee is
not expedient or practical.
5.1.5.5.
Other
duties necessary to the efficient conduct of Players’ Club business.
5.1.6.
Company Manager: the
Company Manager shall be charged with maintenance of the Players’ Club’
theatrical operations. The Company Manager
shall also serve as President Pro Tempore of the Players. The Company Manager’s duties shall include:
5.1.6.1.
Fulfilling
the duties of the President, in the President’s absence.
5.1.6.2.
Maintaining
all physical properties of the Players.
5.1.6.3.
Maintaining
current inventories of all Players properties.
5.1.6.4.
Proposing
acquisitions to the membership, with the consent of the President.
5.1.6.5.
Acting
as parliamentarian of all Players meetings.
5.1.6.6.
Overseeing
and evaluating provisional officers.
5.1.7.
Secretary: the Secretary’s duties shall include:
5.1.7.1.
Keeping
minutes of all membership meetings.
5.1.7.2.
Calling
the roll.
5.1.7.3.
Conducting
and logging all Players correspondence.
5.1.7.4.
Maintaining
a current roster of all Players, their appointments, and attendance at meetings
and events.
5.1.7.5.
Informing
members of changes in their status.
5.1.7.6.
Keeping
Players informed of their obligations.
5.1.7.7.
Maintaining
the archive of minutes and membership rosters.
5.1.8.
Treasurer: the Treasurer’s duties shall include:
5.1.8.1.
Proposing
an annual budget, with the advice and consent of the President and Company
Manager, to the membership no later than the first (1st) week of
October.
5.1.8.2.
Approving,
with the advice of the President and Company Manager, all event budgets.
5.1.8.3.
Proposing
expenditures to the membership, with the consent of the President.
5.1.8.4.
Preparing
a detailed audit, to be presented to the membership no later than the first (1st)
meeting of each Fall and Winter term.
5.1.9.
Spokesperson: the Spokesperson shall be responsible for
conducting the Players relationship with its public. The duties of the Spokesperson shall include:
5.1.9.1.
Publicizing
Players events.
5.1.9.2.
Interacting
with the various media entities.
5.1.10.
Associate Representative (ex-officio):
the Associate Representative shall be an ex-officio member at large of the
executive committee, selected from among the associate players. The associate representative shall have no
assigned duties, but shall assist as needed in all Executive Committee
functions.
5.1.11.
University Liaison (ex-officio):
the University Liaison shall be an ex-officio member of the executive
committee, charged with maintaining the Players relationship with various
University entities. The University
Liaison’s primary function will be the allocation of space for Players events,
and ensuring that the Players conform to applicable University standards and
codes of conduct. The players shall
prefer to appoint a faculty or staff member to this position, if any are
willing.
5.2.
Provisional officers: in
recognition of the unique requirements of theater production, an in order to
preserve artistic freedom and integrity.
The Players’ Club shall, from time to time appoint persons to
provisional offices. Provisional
officers shall be appointed as provided for in this constitution or by-law and
responsible for one production or one aspect of one production.
5.2.1.
Term of office: a provisional officer’s term of office shall
extend from his/her appointment until his/her production duties are discharged.
5.2.2.
Producer: the Producer shall be the chief executive of
a production. If necessary, more than
one co-Producer may be appointed.
5.2.2.1.
The
Producer shall accept responsibility for all Players funds and property used in
a production.
5.2.2.2.
A
Producer shall be appointed for each major production, and for any minor
production where a working budget is voted by the membership.
5.2.2.3.
Appointment: the Producer shall be appointed by President,
Company Manager, and Treasurer, with the consent of the membership
5.2.2.3.1.
Duties: the duties of the Producer shall include:
5.2.2.3.1.1. Preparing, in consultation with the President,
the Company Manager the Treasurer, the Director, and the Technical Director, a
detailed working budget for the production, to be approved by the membership.
5.2.2.3.1.1.1.
Such
a budget may include plans for fundraising, if the Players do no have adequate
funds.
5.2.2.3.1.1.2.
Any
budget with a fundraising component must indicate where raised funds will be
spent, and where existing Players monies will be used.
5.2.2.3.1.1.3.
Once
approved by the membership, the Producer may request the Treasurer to disburse
funds for any budget item, up to the budgeted amount, without further approval
of the membership.
5.2.2.3.1.1.4.
Disbursements
in excess of budgeted amounts must be approved by the membership.
5.2.2.3.1.1.5.
The
Producer, with the approval of the Treasurer, may reallocate excess funds from
up to ten completed budget items to other budget items and disburse them
without prior approval of the membership.
5.2.2.3.1.2. The
Producer shall, in consultation with and with the consent of the President and
the Company Manager, and with the approval of the membership, appoint the
Director.
5.2.2.3.1.3. The
Producer shall, in consultation with and with the consent of the President and
the Company Manager, appoint the Technical Director.
5.2.2.3.1.4. The
Producer shall, in consultation with the Director and the Technical Director, appoint
the Production Manager.
5.2.2.3.1.5. The
Producer shall, in consultation with the President and the Spokesperson, shall
appoint the Publicist.
5.2.3.
Director: The Director shall be responsible for the
artistic and performance aspects of a production.
5.2.3.1.
A
Director shall be appointed for each major production, and such minor
productions as warrant an appointment.
5.2.3.2.
Appointment: the Director shall be appointed by the
President, Company Manager, and Producer, with the consent of the membership.
5.2.3.3.
Duties: the duties of the Director shall include:
5.2.3.3.1.
Casting
and directing performances.
5.2.3.3.2.
Assisting
in the development of the working budget, as per {5.2.2.3.1.1} above.
5.2.3.3.3.
Developing,
with the Producer and Technical Director/Production Manager, a plan for use,
acquisition, and/or construction of sets. Properties, etc.
5.2.3.3.4.
Recruiting
subordinate officers as needed to fulfill the Director’s obligations (e.g.
casting supervisor, associate director, prompter, script supervisor,
choreographer).
5.2.3.3.5.
Working
with the Producer and Technical Director to ensure a unified and efficient
production.
5.2.4.
Technical Director: the
Technical Director shall be responsible for all technical and material aspects
of production.
5.2.4.1.
A
Technical Director shall be appointed for each major productions, and for minor
productions as needed.
5.2.4.2.
Appointment: the Technical director shall be appointed by
the Producer and Company Manager, in consultation with the Director and the
President.
5.2.4.3.
Duties: the duties of the Technical director shall
include:
5.2.4.3.1.
Assisting
in the development of the working budget, as per {5.2.3.1.1}, above.
5.2.4.3.2.
Appointing
and overseeing the Production Manager, with the advice of the Producer.
5.2.4.3.2.1. The
Technical Director may serve as Production Manager, If he so desires.
5.2.4.3.3.
Recruiting
subordinate officers as necessary for the production (e.g. lighting designer, lighting and sound
technicians, stage hands, set builders, set designers, house manager, stage
manager, production electrician).
5.2.5.
Production Manager: the
Production Manager shall be responsible to ensure that all physical sets,
properties, and costumes are in place prior to final rehearsals and
performances.
5.2.5.1.
Duties: the Production Manager’s duties shall
include:
5.2.5.1.1.
Working
with the Technical Director, Producer, and Director to establish a schedule for
construction, costuming, etc.
5.2.5.1.2.
Recruiting
and overseeing necessary subordinate officers (e.g. set designer, set builders,
carpenters, electricians, costume designers).
5.2.6.
Publicist: the Publicist shall be responsible for all
public relations pertaining to a production.
5.2.6.1.
A
Publicist shall be appointed for each major production, and for such minor
productions as warrant an appointment.
5.2.6.2.
Appointment: the publicist shall be appointed by the
Producer, in consultation with the President and the Spokesperson.
5.2.6.3.
Duties: the duties of the Publicist shall include:
5.2.6.3.1.
Producing
a program for the production.
5.2.6.3.2.