University of Wisconsin-Madison's Badger Skydiving Club

Constitution and By-laws

Article I. Title of Organization

The name of this student organization shall be the University of Wisconsin-Badger Skydiving Club (UW-BSC), and may also be known as the Badger Skydivers.


Article II. Purpose

A. To avail the sport of parachuting and skydiving to its membership and others, and in general to promote and advance safety.
B. To promote skydiving through club activities.

Article III. Dropzone Location

The location of the UWBSC will be a USPA Group Member drop zone and members will abide by USPA safety guidelines.

Article IV. Membership

A. Requirements of Membership

  1. Dues must be paid in full. All initiation fees and dues shall be paid within thirty (30) days from the date of the annual meeting or from the date of acceptance as a member, whichever is sooner.
  2. If solo freefall skydiving and not just observing, individual USPA membership is required in accordance with guidelines for the dropzone as a USPA Group Member.
  3. Non-student membership must comprise less than 50 percent of total active membership, in accordance with National Collegiate Parachuting League and UW Student Organization requirements.
  4. Members who are absent from two consecutive meetings by both person and proxy lose their voting rights.

    5. *Note -- In order to participate in the USPA NCSC, one must have been a student enrolled for 12 credit hours or the equivalent for the previous semester (NCSC are held over the Christmas break.)

B. Voting

  1. Regular members are entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, on each matter submitted to a vote of the membership.
  2. Members shall be limited to Two (2) proxy votes.
  3. Voting on most issues and amendments will be done by voice vote; election and membership termination votes will be by secret ballot.

C.  Removal of members

The removal of a regular member from membership for just cause shall be accomplished only at a special meeting called expressly for that purpose and by two-thirds vote for removal.  If membership is terminated, the club will retain membership dues for that semester and refund any dues paid for future semesters.

Article V. Officers

A. The principal officers shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, elected by the membership at the annual meeting. The principal officers shall serve a term of one year, effective after the close of business at the annual meeting. Any two offices may not be held by the same member, except by majority vote of the membership.  An officer must not hold an administrative position in any other collegiate skydiving club, as this would be a conflict of interest.  The president, vice-president, secretary must be UW-Madison students to facilitate dealing with University departments. Officers wishing to serve more than one term will be subject to the renomination and re-election processes.  Officer positions vacated during the course of the year will be filled by a regular majority vote of the membership.

B. Positions and Duties
  1. President--Presides over regular and special session meetings, coordinates club activities and communicates with all officers and club advisors.
  2. Vice-President--Assists the president in completing club objectives and presides over meetings in the absence of the president.
  3. Treasurer--Collects dues, pays bills, oversees other monetary transactions including fundraising activities, and advises other officers and club members on financial matters. The club president must approve each expenditure, other than bills, before payment.
  4. Secretary--Records minutes of all club meetings, maintains a current membership list, and provides new members with all relevant club information.
C. Removal of an Office

 The recall of any officer from office for just cause shall be accomplished only at a special meeting of the membership called expressly for that purpose, and by two-thirds vote for recall.

Article VI. Meetings

A. The business and affairs of the club shall be managed by the membership and its officers, through the conduct of regular, annual and special meetings.

  1. Regular meetings of the membership shall be convened monthly, or as determined by the membership, for the purpose of transacting the regular and recurring business of the club.
  2. Annual meetings of the membership shall be convened near the close of each fiscal year for the purpose of electing officers, and for transacting all other business as may come before the meeting.
  3. Special meetings of the membership may be convened for any purpose, provided that a statement of the nature of the meeting is included in the notice of the meeting, and shall be called by the President.

 B. QUORUM

  1. No business shall be transacted at a meeting of the membership unless a quorum, defined as 25% of the membership, is present in person or by proxy.
  2. Meetings of the membership shall be conducted in accordance with the Modern Edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, where applicable to and consistent with these by-laws and applicable state and federal law

Article VII. Finances

 A. Dues

  1. Membership dues collected from all club members. Members may opt to pay annually or by season, defined being the date of the Annual Meeting till September 1st and the September Meeting till the Annual Meeting.

B. Limitations on Financial Transactions

  1. No agreement, loan, commitment or other evidence of indebtedness of any nature, obligating the club in any manner, shall be contracted or made for an amount in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00) without the prior authorization of either the President, or the membership.

Article VIII. Amendments and Revisions to the Constitution

A. Amendments to these by-laws shall be made in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, and only by resolution of the membership at an annual meeting or specially called meeting, the notice of which shall have stated, the by-law to be amended, and the text of the said amendment. Amendments must pass by a two-thirds vote of the active membership.

B. Club members will be notified ten (10) days prior to the annual or specially called meeting of any changes to these club by-laws.