Preamble: This constitution shall set forth the rights and responsibilities of Allegheny College Equestrian Club members. This document will be used for reference and guidance throughout the year, and amended as necessary, should the need arise.

Article I
Name: Allegheny College Equestrian Club (ACEC) and Allegheny College Equestrian Team (ACET)

Article II
Purpose: The purpose of the ACEC and ACET shall be to allow horse enthusiasts to meet other equestrians and further their knowledge via:

1. Providing access to horseback riding at all levels for the Allegheny College Community.
2. The opportunity to participate in shows, as a team, as members of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
3. To support and sponsor the IHSA showing team in accordance with ISHA policy.
4. Planning and carrying out events including, but not limited to, trail rides, field trips, and clinics.

Article III
Membership: ACEC and ACET:

1. The ACEC shall be a student run organization assisted by a faculty or administrative advisor.
2. Membership is open to the Allegheny College Community, under- graduates, faculty members, administrators, and alumni.
3. All active members in attendance have voting rights for general meetings. An active member is defined by one who has had no more than 1 unexcused absence to mandatory events for the semester.
4. No previous horse experience is necessary to become a member.
5. No one shall be rejected membership based upon gender/ race/ sexual orientation/ or disability.
6. Must read/sign paperwork in a timely fashion.

ACET:
Showing Eligibility:

1. All members in compliance with the IHSA showing guidelines are eligible to compete. This includes at least one supervised practice the week before a competition, as well as IHSA membership.
2. Members are eligible to show only if they are in active member status with the ACEC as defined above. Members must own an approved riding helmet and field or dress boots.
3. Coach must approve riders to compete in each show in accordance with the above guidelines.

Retaining membership:

1. To retain membership with the ACET, a member must be in good financial standing with the IHSA, and must be an active member of the ACEC.

Expulsion:

Members may be expelled by:
1. Unanimous vote of all officers, coach and faculty advisor.
2. The coach's discretion for safety reasons.

Article IV
Executive Board/ Officers: The Executive Board of the ACEC shall consist of a President, Team Captain, Secretary, Treasurer, and Activities Coordinator. Members of the Executive Board are required to attend all meetings of the club, unless excused by the Captain, or because of a serious health concern.

A. The President shall:

1. Have been a member of the club for at least one year prior to being elected to the office.
2. Along with the Team Captain, preside over all meetings of the club.
3. Act as a liaison between the club and the host stable by:
   a. Carrying out all activities, along with the Activities Coordinator and the host stable, not related to IHSA competition.
4. Organize showing schedules with the host stable.

B. The Team Captain Shall:

1. Have been a member of the club for at least one year prior to being elected to the office.
2. Along with the President, preside over all meetings of the club.
3. Act as a liaison between the club and the IHSA by:
   a. Completing all IHSA paperwork, including registration for all showing members.
   b. Keeping track of members' points from competitions.
4. Organize showing schedules with the host stable.

C. The Secretary Shall:

1. Take minutes and attendance at all meetings.
2. E-mail minutes to all members.
3. Upkeep the club roster and the website.

D. The Treasurer Shall:

1. Prepare and submit financial requests to ASG.
2. Maintain records of all money transfers in and out of the teams account.
3. Keep lesson records with the host stable.

E. The Activities Coordinator Shall:

1. Generate ideas for club activities.
2. Approve these activities with club members.
3. Organize and carry out these activities, with the aid of the President, Team Captain, and team members.

F. The Fundraising Chair Shall:

1. Generate and carry out fundraising activities with the help of his/her committee and the rest of the ACEC.

Article V
Elections:

A. Candidates

1. For President or Team Captain must have been an active member of the club for at least one year.
2. For Secretary, Treasurer, or Activities Coordinator must be active club members as defined above.

B. Nominations:

1. Any member seeking an Executive Board position must be nominated by another club member or hi/herself.
2. Nominations will open during the week before the election during the Spring semester.
3. Nominees are permitted to give a short speech before the voting on the day of the elections.

C. Voting:

1. All active members present at the voting meeting are eligible to vote.
2. Voting will be done by secret-ballots, created and approved by the current officers.
3. Voting results will be calculated by the Faculty Advisor.

Article VI
Terms of Office:

1. Newly elected officers shall assume responsibilities of their office at first meeting in the fall.
2. Officers serve one-year terms, fall to fall.

Article VII
Removal of Officers:

1. Removal shall only be discussed with the active members if previously discussed with the Executive Board.
2. Officers may only be removed for violations of their Constitutional duties,

IHSA rules, or Allegheny College policy.

1. Officers may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of the present active members at that meeting.

Article VIII
Mandatory Events / Excuse Policy:

A. Mandatory Events include but are not limited to:

1. Weekly meetings
2. Lessons as scheduled by lesson packages.
3. At least three IHSA competitions (for ACET members only)
4. ACET sponsored horse shows.
5. Other events as approved by the executive officers.

B. Excuse Policy:

1. Meetings:
   a. Written excuse to either the secretary's mailbox or e-mail account no later than 24 hours before the scheduled meeting or event.
2. Lessons:
   a. Written excuse to either the president's mailbox or e-mail account no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson.
   b. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence, the inability to reschedule the missed lesson, and the forfeiture of prepaid lesson fees.
   c. Members with excused absences from lessons have the ability to reschedule the missed lesson on an individual basis. Regularly scheduled riders get priority.
3. Showing:
   a. Members must submit an excuse by a date determined by the team captain based on the IHSA showing schedule.
   b. Members may submit an excuse after that date up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure for the show, but will be responsible for refunding the club for the entry fees of their scheduled classes.
   c. Failure to do the above will result in an unexcused absence and loss of showing privileges for the next IHSA show.

Article IX
Meetings:

A. Regular meetings will be held weekly with the day and time to be decided by club members at the beginning of each semester.

B. Special meetings may be called by the President or Team Captain, faculty advisor, or coach at any time. The excuse policy is not in effect for special meetings.

C. Meeting agenda:

1. Meeting called to order by President
2. Roll Call by Secretary
3. Minutes read/ approved from previous meeting
4. Officer reports
5. Committee Reports
6. New Business
7. Announcements
8. Adjournment by President

Article X
Amendments:

1. Amendments may be submitted by active members of the club, the faculty advisor, coach, or member of the Allegheny College administration.
2. Amendments must be submitted in writing and read to the club members during an official meeting.
3. Amendments will be voted on after being presented to the club, and a 2/3 vote of active members present at the meeting is required to pass the amendment.
4. Amendments must be presented and approved by the Allegheny Student Government before being officially added to the Constitution.