Scotch'n'Soda Constitution as of April 14, 1999

• Section 1 - Purpose of the Organization
  • [2.1] The purpose of Scotch'n'Soda is to promote a theatre community at Carnegie Mellon University, provide an area for all members of the Carnegie Mellon Community to improve theatre related skills, and provide opportunities for artistic growth.
• Section 2 - Purpose of the Constitution
  • [2.2.0] The purpose of this constitution is to create and define the organizational structure for Scotch'n'Soda. The constitution shall also contain all policies of an integral nature to the operation of Scotch'n'Soda.
  • [2.2.1] Scotch'n'Soda may not have any policies that contradict the constitution.
  • [2.2.2] The Constitution shall serve as a supplementary document to the policies of Carnegie Mellon University and the Student Senate. In the case of a conflict between the Constitution and the policies of Carnegie Mellon University or the Student Senate, the policies of Carnegie Mellon University or the Student Senate are to be considered binding.

• Section 1 - Eligibility
  • [3.1] An individual is eligible to be a member of Scotch'n'Soda if he or she is eligible to participate in a student organization as detailed in the policies of the Student Senate.
• Section 2 - Dues
  • [3.2] No dues shall be extracted for membership except as required by Student Senate for non-activity fee paying members.
• Section 3 - Induction
  • [3.3] An eligible individual becomes a member of Scotch'n'Soda if he or she meets any of the following qualifications:
    • [3.3.0.1] He or she has attended three meetings of the organization.
    • [3.3.0.2] He or she has fulfilled a commitment to a project, show, or troupe.
    • [3.3.0.3] By any other methods as specified by the Board of Directors.
• Section 4 - Duration
  • [3.4.0] An eligible individual remains a member of Scotch'n'Soda for one semester after they have met the qualifications for induction, provided he or she remains eligible for membership.
  • [3.4.1] Membership may be renewed at any point as specified in Article III, Section 3.
• Section 5 - Rights of Members
  • [3.5.0] All members have the following rights under membership:
    • [3.5.0.1] The Right to introduce resolutions for consideration by the Board of Directors.
    • [3.5.0.2] The Right to nominate individuals for positions on the Board of Directors during the nomination period, or to second nominations for these positions.
    • [3.5.0.3] The Right to initiate an appeal of a Board decision as in Article IV, Section 14.
  • [3.5.1] Members who will be returning the following academic year have the following additional rights:
    • [3.5.1.1] The Right to stand for election on the Board of Directors.
    • [3.5.1.2] The Right to vote for positions on the Board of Directors.
• Section 6 - Non-Student Participants
  • [3.6] Individuals ineligible for membership may be allowed to participate in the organization at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

• Section 1 - Purpose of the Board of Directors
  • [4.1] The Board of Directors (henceforth "The Board") serves as the administrative body of Scotch'n'Soda.
• Section 2 - Composition of the Board of Directors
  • [4.2] The Board of Directors consists of the following individuals (henceforth "Members of the Board" or "Board Members"), elected in accordance with Article VI: The President, the Vice-President, the Artistic Director, the Managing Director, the Secretary, the Public Relations Coordinator, the Technical Coordinator, and two (2) Executive Board Members.
• Section 3 -- Rights and Responsibilities of Board Members
  • [4.3] All Board Members have the following rights and responsibilities:
    • a. To attend all Board Meetings unless unforseen circumstances exist;
    • b. To vote on decisions of the Board of Directors;
    • c. To be aware of and support all shows, projects, troupes, and other Scotch'n'Soda activities.
• Section 4 -- The Auxiliary Board
  • [4.4.0] Auxiliary Board Members may be appointed to the Board of Directors by the President with the consent of the Board. These members do not have voting rights on decisions of the Board unless otherwise specified by the Constitution, Board Policy, or decision of the President.
• Section 5 -- The President
  • [4.5.0] The rights and responsibilities of the President include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • a. To call general meetings of the Scotch'n'Soda membership;
    • b. To chair all meetings of Scotch'n'Soda's Board of Directors and General Membership;
    • c. To act as a representative of the organization, or to delegate a proxy for such purposes;
    • d. To appoint all committees, committee chairs, and Auxiliary Board Members with the consent of the Board;
    • e. To extend voting rights on decisions of the Board of Directors to some or all Auxiliary Board Members on a case by case basis;
    • f. To set the agenda of all meetings of the Board of Directors;
    • g. To act as an ex-officio member of all committees;
    • h. To bring all decisions of the Board of Directors to a vote.
• Section 6 -- The Vice-President
  • [4.6] The rights and responsibilities of the Vice-President include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • a. To perform the duties of the President if the President is unable to perform them.
    • b. To oversee and present recommendations on all matters relating to long-term organizational planning;
    • c. To perform those duties delegated to the Vice-President by the President.
• Section 7 -- The Artistic Director
  • [4.7] The rights and responsibilities of the Artistic Director include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • a. To serve as a primary resource all artistic endeavors of the organization.
    • b. To frequently attend meetings of all productions, including rehearsals, design, production, and otherwise.
    • c. To research a proposed production and present recommendations on approval of production.
    • d. To act as a resource on artistic matters for the organization.
    • e. To aid any artistic aspect of a production, or to delegate someone for that purpose.
    • f. To perform such duties as delegated by the President.
• Section 8 -- The Managing Director
  • [4.8] The rights and responsibilities of the Managing Director include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • a. To maintain and report the Scotch'n'Soda budget.
    • b. To prepare for and attend necessary budget meetings;
    • c. To be responsible for all expenditures and income of the organization;
    • d. To maintains and report on any insurance policies and liabilities of the organization;
    • e. To present recommendations on matters relating to fiscal policy;
    • f. To ensure that Scotch'n'Soda's fiscal policy conforms to the standards required by the Student Senate; and
    • g. To perform such duties as delegated by the President.
• Section 9 -- The Secretary
  • [4.9] The rights and responsibilities of the Secretary include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • a. To prepare, post, and distribute minutes of all board meetings;
    • b. To maintain and make publicly available a current list of all members of the organization;
    • c. To maintain a record of all decisions of the Board of Directors and any other documents produced by the Board of Directors;
    • d. To perform such duties as delegated by the President or the Board of Directors.
• Section 10 -- The Public Relations Coordinator
  • [4.10] The rights and responsibilities of the Public Relations Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • a. To coordinate and serve the publicity needs of the organization;
    • b. To work in coordination with the Secretary in alerting the General Membership of all meetings;
    • c. To act as a resource for all individuals in the organization interested in publicity and public relations;
    • d. To perform such duties as delegated by the President or the Board of Directors.
• Section 11 -- The Technical Coordinator
  • [4.11] The rights and responsibilities of the Technical Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • a. To coordinate and oversee technical aspects of productions or to delegate those responsibilities to another individual;
    • b. To maintain an accurate inventory of Scotch'n'Soda's technical equipment;
    • c. To present recommendations on what equipment is needed or no longer needed;
    • d. To perform such duties as delegated by the President or the Board of Directors.
• Section 12 -- Executive Board Members
  • [4.12] The rights and responsibilities of the two Executive Board Members include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • a. To aid all members of the Board of Directors in their respective responsibilities;
    • b. To perform such duties as are delegated to them by the President or the Board of Directors.
    • c. To report on the opinions of the general membership.
• Section 13 -- Powers of the Board of Directors
  • [4.13.0] The Board of Directors is responsible for passing resolutions in order to enforce the Constitution of Scotch'n'Soda, set the policies necessary for Scotch'n'Soda, set and maintain the by-laws, rules of order, or other such documents as needed for the administration of the organization or the Board of Directors.
  • [4.13.1] All resolutions must be approved through a vote.
  • [4.13.2] Except where specified in this Constitution, specific policies of voting on Board Resolutions shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
  • [4.13.3] All resolutions other than those concerned with Shows or Projects as stated in Article V Sections 4-5 are considered to bind subsequent elected boards unless otherwise specified by the resolution.
  • [4.13.3.1] No Board of Directors may pass a show or project exceeding the term of the Board of Directors as stated in Article VI, Section 1.
• Section 14 - Appealing a Decision of the Board
  • [4.14.0] Resolutions of the Board of Directors, with the exception of those relating to the establishment of a Show or Project or those relating to removal from the Board of Directors or Expulsion from Scotch'n'Soda, may be challenged by the General Membership.
  • [4.14.0.1] To challenge a resolution of the Board of Directors, a member must collect a number of signatures no less than ten percent (10%) of the total general membership from members of the organization challenging the resolution within two weeks of the public notification of the resolution's passage.
  • [4.14.0.2] The member must then present the challenge to the President, Vice-President, Secretary, or Artistic Director.
  • [4.14.0.3] The President shall then call a meeting of the general membership between one and two weeks from the presentation of the challenge. The Secretary and Public Relations Coordinator shall attempt to notify all the general membership of the meeting.
  • [4.14.1] If two-thirds of the attending general membership vote in favor of upholding the challenge, the resolution is considered overturned and no longer binding.

• Section 1 -- Categories of Productions
  • [5.1] There shall be three forms of Scotch'n'Soda productions: Troupes, Projects, and Shows.
• Section 2 -- Production Initiation
  • [5.2] The Board of Directors shall establish procedures for the initiation of these productions.
• Section 3 -- Troupes
  • [5.3.0] Troupes shall be defined as a continuing function of Scotch'n'Soda for the purposes of advancing certain elements of theatre. These may include, but are not limited to, troupes for Improvisational Theater, Acting and Directing, and Playwriting.
  • [5.3.1] Troupes shall include an artistic director and a liaison to the board. The Liason to the Board, if not a board member, shall be considered a member of the Auxilliary Board.
  • [5.3.2] Troupes shall develop rules of operation for themselves provided that the rules of operation do not contradict the Constitution or the policies of the Board of Directors.
  • [5.3.3] A troupe may be disbanded by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.
• Section 4 - Projects
  • [5.4.0] A project of Scotch'n'Soda is defined as a theatre event for which a compelling reason exists for Scotch'n'Soda's involvement and for which the Board of Directors shall commit the organization to the event's production and completion.
  • [5.4.1] The Board of Directors shall determine the procedures for finding the necessary staff for a project.
• Section 5 - Shows
  • [5.5.0] A show is defined as a substantial theatre production for which a performance and rehearsal space must be obtained. A show must have a director and a script.
    • [5.5.0.1] In the case of an unscripted Show, a script will not be required but a proposal regarding format shall be required.
  • [5.5.1] Scripts for shows may be submitted by any member of the Carnegie Mellon community.
  • [5.5.2] Scotch'n'Soda shall encourage the submission of student written scripts.
  • [5.5.3] For a show to be approved, both the director and script must be approved. Approval shall be through a process designated by the Board of Directors.
  • [5.5.4] Script approval shall be based on whether or not the given script is appropriate for production by Scotch'n'Soda for the Carnegie Mellon community.
    • [5.5.4.1] The Board may approve additional policies concerning script approval.
  • [5.5.5] Director approval shall be based on whether the Board of Directors has confidence in the Director's vision, process, design, and competence.
    • [5.5.5.1] The Board may approve additional policies concerning directorial approval.
  • [5.5.6] The Board of Directors retains the right to appoint an overseeing director.
  • [5.5.7] The Board's vote to accept both a script and a director's proposal signifies Scotch'n'Soda's committment to produce the show.
  • [5.5.8] The Board of Director's shall set the policies concerning contracts with the director, actors, and staff of a show.
  • [5.5.9] Board Preview. The Board of Directors shall preview a show approximately 2/3 of the way through the rehearsal period.
    • [5.5.9.1] All members of the Board of Directors and the show's directors must be present.
    • [5.5.9.2] After the preview a vote shall be taken with one vote for every member of the Board not in the cast or directing staff and one vote for the entire Director's Staff.
    • [5.5.9.3] The Board shall determine the audience of the Board preview and discussion.
    • [5.5.9.4] The show will pass the Board Preview if the final vote is unanimous in favor of the continuation of the show.
    • [5.5.9.5] If the show fails the preview, the Board of Directors shall take whatever action is appropriate. These may include, but are not limited to: removal of the director and appointment of a new director, termination of the show prematurely, or appointment of an overseeing director.
    • [5.5.9.6] If the show continues after a failed preview, a second Board preview shall occur. If the show fails the second preview, the Board of Directors shall determine the course of the show.
    • [5.5.9.7] If more than one-half (1/2) of the Board of Directors is ineligible to participate in the final vote of the Board Preview, the Board of Directors shall determine the policy of conducting the preview.
    • [5.5.9.8] The Board has the discretion to modify the preview process as circumstances warrant.

• Section 1 -- Term of the Board of Directors.
  • [6.1] The Term of the Board of Directors shall run from the day after the last day of classes of the spring semester of the year of their election and will continue until the last day of classes of the spring semester of the year following their election.
• Section 2 -- Election Process
  • [6.2.0] Elections will be held once a year in the spring semester.
  • [6.2.1] The Board shall set policy as to election officials.
  • [6.2.2] The election official(s) will accept nominations from the general membership. These nominations must be seconded by another member. A person may be nominated for more than one office.
  • [6.2.3] Elections must take place by secret ballot.
  • [6.2.4] Nomination and election of officers will take place in the following order: President, Artistic Director, Vice President, Managing Director, Technical Coordinator, Secretary, Public Relations Coordinator, Executive Board Members.
  • [6.2.5] Each office will be filled by the person receiving the greatest number of votes for that office. The persons securing the two highest vote totals in the Executive Board Member election will be Executive Board Members. For all offices except Executive Board Member, in the event of a tie, a run off election is held. In the event of a tie for election of the two Executive Board Members, if the tie is between two people with the highest number of votes, both will obtain the office. If the tie is among more than two people with the highest vote, a run off election for the two officers will be held among the people securing the highest vote. In event of a tie between the second highest number of votes, a run off election is held between the candidates for the second Executive Board Member office only.
  • [6.2.6] Once a candidate wins an office, his or her name is removed from the list of nominees for other positions. No member may hold more than one office at any given time.
  • [6.2.7] The Board may set policy concerning absentee ballots.
• Section 3 -- Vacancy on the Board of Directors
  • [6.3.0] In the event the position of the President is vacant, the Vice President shall become the President. In the event both the positions of President and Vice President are vacant, the Managing Director shall become the Acting President and shall call for elections to fill the vacancy as specified in Article VI, Section 3.
  • [6.3.1] In all other cases of vacancy, the Board of Directors shall appoint one individual to take acting responsibilities for the vacant position. The Board of Directors shall also nominate one or more individuals to permanently fill the vacancy. At a meeting of the general membership, these nominees shall be voted on in a process consistent with Article VI, Section 2. In the event that there is only one nominee, the general membership may vote in favor or against the nominee. If the majority of the membership votes against the nominee, a new nominee shall be nominated by the Board and a new general meeting called.
    • [6.3.1.1] The Board of Directors may set additional policies concerning selecting a member to replace a position.

• Section 1 -- Removal from the Board of Directors
  • [7.1.0] No board member should be removed from office unless the Board of Directors have made reasonable attempts to remedy the situation.
  • [7.1.1] A Board Member is removed from the Board of Directors by unanimous vote of the remaining Board of Directors.
  • [7.1.1.1] No more than two (2) Board Members may be considered for removal at any one time.
  • [7.1.2] A vote on removing a member of the Board of Directors must be taken if any member of Scotch'n'Soda presents a petition with a number of signatures no less than ten percent (10%) of members requesting a removal vote on a Board Member.
  • [7.1.3] Once a board member is removed from office, the position is considered vacant, to be filled under the rules specified in Article VI, Section 3.
• Section 2 -- Expulsion from Scotch'n'Soda
  • [7.2.1] An individual may be expelled from Scotch'n'Soda by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. A Board Member may not be expelled unless first removed from office.
  • [7.2.2] The Board of Directors shall set policy regarding appropriate reasons for expulsion.

• Section 1 -- Ratification of Amendment
  • [8.1] An amendment is considered ratified by a minimum of two-thirds vote of the attending membership of a general meeting of Scotch'n'Soda.
• Section 2 -- Recommendation for Amendment
  • [8.2.0] A general meeting shall be called to consider an amendment if, by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, an amendment is recommended to the Scotch'n'Soda Membership.
  • [8.2.1] A general meeting shall be called to consider an amendment if any member gathers a number of signatures no less than ten percent (10%) of Scotch'n'Soda members supporting an amendment to the Constitution.
  • [8.2.2] All current members of Scotch'n'Soda may vote on Constitutional Amendments.
  • [8.2.3] The Board shall set policy concerning absentee ballots for amendments.

• Section 1 -- Ratification of Constitution
  • [9.1.0] This Constitution shall be considered ratified if two-thirds (2/3) of the attending membership of a meeting of the General Membership vote for ratification of the Constitution.
  • [9.1.1] All current members of Scotch'n'Soda must be eligible to vote for or against ratification.
  • [9.1.2] The Board shall set policy concerning absentee ballots for ratification.
• Section 2 -- Implementation of the Constitution
  • [9.2.0] Articles may be gradually implemented in order to aid transition between the previous Constitution and this constitution, with the exception of Articles VI and IX which are implemented upon ratification of the Constitution.
  • [9.2.1] The current board of Directors shall specify the policies for transition.
  • [9.2.2] Full implementation of the Constitution must be made by October 1, 1999.
  • [9.2.3] Initial policies shall be set by no less than a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors.

Revised 30 March 1999 - Recommended by Unanimous Vote of the Board of Directors of Scotch'n'Soda for approval of the general membership of Scotch 'n' Soda. Ratified by a vote of the General Membership on April 14, 1999.