RM Constitution

The constitution of the AU Rude Mechanicals, was created in the Spring of 2003 and last edited in the fall of 2008.

Preamble

The purpose of the club is to promote an awareness of Shakespearean theatre to the American University Community, while providing various opportunities for artistic expression to its members. 

Article 1

The name of the club shall be Rude Mechanicals: American University’s Shakespeare Troupe, also referred to as Rude Mechanicals.

Article 2


Rude Mechanicals will not discriminate in our membership selection on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, personal appearance, disability, martial status, family responsibility, political affiliation or source of income, or other rights secured by the First Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. All members of the US community are welcome regardless of major or amount of experience.

Article 3

Rude Mechanicals will adhere to policies set forth by the University as well as local and federal laws.

Article 4

Membership in Rude Mechanicals shall be open to all American University faculty, staff and students (alumni, graduate and undergraduate). Full-fledged membership, or active member, is defined as eligible individuals who participate in at least 10 (ten) hours of Rude Mechanicals related activities. 

Article 5

Section 1 – Responsibilities of the Board

  1. President – shall be responsible for overseeing Rude Mechanicals activities, shall carry out policies and procedures and provide leadership.  The President shall conduct general meetings and act as a liaison to other groups and the to faculty advisor. The President has no voting power, but acts a tiebreaker.
  2. Vice President – shall assist the President and take on duties in the case of his/her absence. The Vice President is responsible for producing the current season unless otherwise decided by the board.
  3. Treasurer – shall manage all monetary affairs and keep accurate accounts of all deposits and expenses. He/She will also be responsible for petty cash refunds.
  4. Secretary – shall keep accurate minutes of meetings, both general and board. He/She will also be responsible for reserving rooms for general meetings and auditions, and many other paper transactions between Rude Mechanicals and Student Activities.  When there is no Secretary, the President shall take on the responsibilities of the Secretary.
  5. Public Relations Manager – shall be responsible for the visual effects of the season, which includes, but is not limited to: playbill, fliers, set design, costume design, etc. He/She will work closely with the directors in this process. 

 

Section 2 – Elections

  1. President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary Public Relations Manager – shall be elected every year, four (4) to six (6) weeks prior to the end of the spring semester. To be eligible one must have been an active member for two (2) semesters; exceptions may be granted by the current board.
  2. Elections will be announced three (3) weeks in advance. All members present will vote for elected positions, with two-thirds (2/3) majority winning.

 

Section 3 – Transfer of Power

The new board shall receive all records from the past performances and shall take office during the last scheduled meeting of the spring semester.

Section 4 – Termination of Power

  1. Impeachment – in any member of the board is not fulfilling their role, as set forth by this constitution, an impeachment hearing may be organized by any active member of the club. Impeachments can only occur after an open forum with two-thirds (2/3) majority winning.
  2. Resignation – any member of the board may resign at any time during the year, after giving two weeks notice to the remaining board members, if she/he wishes to remain an active member of Rude Mechanicals.

 

Section 5 – Vacancies

  1. President – the Vice President shall assume the President’s responsibilities until the next election.
  2. All other board potions – the remaining members of the board may:
    1. Appoint a replacement until the next elections.
    2. Hold an emergency election.

 

Article 6

The role of the Advisor shall be to help the board and the members of the club create and maintain a sense of community amongst the group, by enforcing University policy, suggesting improvements and offering guidance where needed.  The Advisor can also serve as a point person in order to assist with facilities issues, matters of copyright, communications with other student groups, etc.

Article 7

Section 1 – Regular e-board Meetings

Regular e-board Meetings shall be held at the beginning of the fall semester, as an information session, and at the end of the spring semester, for the transfer of power.  More meetings can be scheduled, at the discretion of any member, if certain matters arise necessitating it, or if a busy performance season calls for stringent organization, frequent updates or delegation of necessary tasks to achieve a successful season.

Section 2 – Special Meetings

Special meetings shall be called throughout the semester, by members of the board, usually for auditions and emergency reasons.

Article 8

Amendments and Ratifications to this constitution shall occur after an open debate with two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present voting in favor of the Amendment and/or Ratification

Amendment 1 May 2003

Directors shall be chosen by the board from a pool of submitted applicants. Directions for submitting application below:

Section 1 – If the show is chosen, before hand, by the board

The applicant submits his/her name, experience directing and a concept for the show being produced. The application should also include a proposed budget-break down, which contents will not affect the board’s decision.

Section 2 – If show is to be chosen by director

The applicant submits her/his name, experience, reason for wanting to direct the show and a concept. The applications should also include a proposed budget break-down, which contents will not affect the board’s decision.

Amendment 2 December 2005

All active members will receive one comp ticket to every show that season, excluding the show in which they received the title “active member”

Amendment 3 December 2005

All actors will be urged to fill out the “Director Evaluation”.

Amendment 4 September 2008

"Membership" shall be adjusted to include those members who have participated in 10 (ten) hours of Rude Mechanicals related activity within the past three fall or spring semesters, starting with the current and working backwards.  (e.g. an "active member" for Fall 2008 would have participated in at least 10 (ten) hours of activity in Fall 2007 and/or Spring 2008 and/or Fall 2008.)

Amendment 5 September 2008

The comp ticket policy shall be adjusted to include one comp ticket per semester per active member, according to the standards set in Amendment 4.  The "one comp ticket per semester" rule also applies to emeritus e-board and alumni.

Amendment 6 February 2009

A sixth position, Technical Director, shall be added to the e-board.  The Technical Director will be in charge of monitoring club props, costumes and supply inventory, and working with Stage Managers to meet the spacing, lighting and sound needs for each production.

Amendment 7 February 2009

The e-board position "Public Relations Manager" shall now be referred to as "Arts & Publicity Director."  This position still includes all aspects of advertising and art design for shows, and this new appellation shall more fully express the intended duties of said position.