Constitution Of The Roial Players

Constitution of The ROIAL Players ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE Section 1. The name of this organization shall be The ROIAL Players. Section 2. The ROIAL Players is to be an organization that serves the following purposes: to provide an education in the theatrical performance arts for its members, to perform its productions with the highest standard of excellence possible, and to strengthen the community of Michigan State University. ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Any person may serve as a member of the ROIAL Players, although, if possible, the organization shall consist mostly of students of Michigan State University. The ROIAL Players will not discriminate on the basis of age, color, gender, gender identity, disability status, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or weight. Only Michigan State University students may become officers or voting members (hereafter referred to as equity members). However, due to the necessity of casting appropriate actors for appropriate roles, not all members or equity members can be cast in any given production, although the officers must make an effort to do so. If not cast, any member or equity member may serve the organization in any capacity demanded of the organization. Section 2. A person becomes a member through regular attendance at meetings and completing work in at least one ROIAL Players production. A member becomes an equity member by participating in two consecutive productions. If a member or equity member does not participate in a production for two consecutive semesters, fall and spring or vice versa, his/her membership or equity membership is suspended. A member or equity member may resign at any time, although doing so during production is strongly discouraged. The production’s director may also dismiss a member or equity member from a production at any time, although this option will only be exercised in extreme cases with reasonable cause and the approval of the Executive Director. ARTICLE III: OFFICERS Section 1. The only officer position mandated is that of the Executive Director, who will serve the office indefinitely unless he/she resigns or is asked to resign. Section 2. The Executive Director position is assumed when the previous Executive Director resigns and names a successor. The Executive Director creates any and all other officer positions as needed and he/she shall name the holders of said positions. Section 3. The Executive Director oversees and is responsible for any and all operations of the organization, including, but not limited to: budget management, choosing of productions and casting; creation of new offices, appointment and removal of officers and members; scheduling meetings, auditions, rehearsals, performances and social events; distributing

advertising and publicity; meeting with faculty and administrators; the direction, management and running of productions. To that end, the Executive Director may delegate any or all of these duties to officers he/she appoints, while maintaining the right of final decision. Section 4. Removal of officers between productions is the duty of the Executive Director. Equity members and officers may also call for an officer’s removal through vote. Removal of officers during production is strongly discouraged and should only be done in extreme cases. If for any reason other members protest removal of an officer, or call for an officer’s removal, then the equity members must privately voice their protest and grievances to the Executive Director. If the Executive Director is unwilling to remove the officer, and he/she and the equity members cannot reach an agreement, then the issue must be addressed in a meeting and then a vote. Officers and equity members are required to attend, while members may attend by choice. Any officers and equity members will be allowed to voice opinions. The organization must then vote in the following fashion: equity members and officers vote separately, with the officer in question abstaining. The equity members vote and reach majority, and the officers vote and reach majority. If either party cannot reach majority, the vote is suspended for one week until the next meeting. If both are in accord, the decision shall be carried out. In the event of a split between equity members and officers, the officer vote shall win out. If the equity members then wish to protest the decision, they may override it with a unanimous decision. ARTICLE IV: OPERATING PROCEDURES Section 1. The Executive Director shall determine time and place for meetings. Meetings should be held at least weekly between productions, excluding the summer. However, if the organization is between productions and there are no items on agenda, the Executive Director may suspend meetings until necessary. The presence of the Executive Director and a majority of equity members shall constitute quorum. If the Executive Director is absent, and his/her absence is an attempt to avoid quorum, then the presence of all equity members shall constitute quorum, and any decisions of the organization must be made through a vote approved by four-fifths of equity members, with the equity member of most organization production experience presiding. If tied, then the oldest will preside. Section 2. The Executive Director shall conduct meetings, as he/she deems appropriate. Section 3. No committees shall exist within the ROIAL Players unless organized by the Executive Director. ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS Section 1. The Executive Director and any equity member may propose amendments to this document, although equity members may only propose one amendment per semester. Section 2. The person who proposes the amendment shall draft it, with any assistance

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and advice solicited and accepted as they see appropriate. Amendments shall be approved by the same voting procedures as removal of officers.