Constitution
PREAMBLE
Service, loyalty, unity, and dedication are the hallmarks of the Crimson Circle. Dating back to 1929, the Circle has always had a tradition of prestigious and diverse membership. The Circle dedicates their time and expresses many outstanding talents that contribute to giving service to Loyola Marymount and the greater community.
In order to obtain these objectives, the Crimson Circle does hereby establish the following constitution:
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Crimson Circle.
ARTICLE II: CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP
Section 1:
The Crimson Circle shall consist of 35 sophomore, junior, and senior men in good academic standing.
Section 2:
Selection to the Crimson Circle shall be done each spring by the Executive Board, comprised only of the five newly elected officers. No returning or graduating members, including the past Executive Board, shall attend the interviews. The following criteria shall be used for the selection of new members:
- A well conducted, professional interview
- Recommendation by an individual other than a fellow student
- Quality of application materials
- Input of active Crimson members
- LMU and/or community involvement
Section 3:
The number of new members shall be determined by the number of vacancies created by outgoing members. These vacancies shall be filled by the Executive Board.
Section 4:
Membership continues while effective performance is maintained and terminates upon graduation, voluntary withdrawal, or action unbecoming a member of the Crimson Circle, as established by the Executive Board.
Section 5:
Graduate members shall have the privilege of attending the Crimson Formal, retreats, barbeques, and socials upon the approval of the Executive board. They shall not have the right to vote, nor be eligible for any office, nor be counted in the established membership limit.
ARTICLE III: OFFICERS
Section 1:
The officers of the Crimson Circle shall be the President, the Vice President for Service, the Vice President for Finance, the Vice President for Social/Special Projects, the Vice President for Inter-Club Relations, and the Vice President for History and Technology. They shall be elected by a simple majority of the membership and they shall make up the Executive Board.
Section 2:
The officers of the Crimson Circle shall be elected from the sophomore or junior class, to serve in their junior or senior year. Such election is to be conducted at least ten weeks prior to the end of the academic year.
Section 3:
The duties of the officers shall be:
a) The President shall be vested with all authority necessary to carry out the proper functions of the Crimson Circle. This includes leading all meetings, keeping active contact with the Crimson Moderator, representing the Crimson Circle in the Service Organization Council, and being attentive to the wants of the organization.
b) The Vice Presidents are responsible for supporting the President and for working
together to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Circle. In the absence of the President, one of the Vice Presidents may be appointed to carry out the responsibilities of the President.
c) The Vice President for Service shall be responsible for the following:
i. for maintaining comprehensive records of the Crimson Circle
ii. for distribution of hours to the members
iii. for updating the President on each member’s current hours on a weekly basis
iv. for attending weekly meetings with the Center for Service and Action
v. shares responsibility with the other Vice Presidents for helping organize events such as Charity Ball, the Crimson Formal, retreats, and fundraisers
vi. is responsible for the process of New Member Development
vii. for other jobs as assigned by the President
d) The Vice President for Finance shall be responsible for the following:
i. for collection, disbursement and accounting of all funds of the Crimson Circle
ii. for keeping a weekly-updated list of member dues
iii. for ordering, payment and distribution of the sweaters, shirts and/or any other goods which are purchased
iv. for updating the President on the financial status of the Circle on a weekly basis
v. for maintaining close communication with the A.S.L.M.U. Vice President of Finance, in charge of club accounts.
vi. shares responsibility with the other Vice Presidents for helping organize events such as Charity Ball, the Crimson Formal, retreats, and fundraisers
vii. for other jobs as assigned by the President
e) The Vice President for Social/Special Projects shall be responsible for the following:
i. initiating, planning, and directing social events like barbeques, exchanges, the Winter Date Night, and Crimson Formal
ii. shares responsibility with the other Vice Presidents for helping organize events such as Charity Ball, the Crimson Formal, retreats, and fundraisers
iii. for other jobs as assigned by the President
f) The Vice President for Inter-Club Relations shall be responsible for the following:
i. for maintaining close contact with A.S.L.M.U., Student Life, Student Programs and Leadership, and all other university departments which affect the operations of the Crimson Circle
ii. for attending all Student Assembly meetings
iii. for maintaining the Crimson Circle mailbox in Club Commons and
iv. keeping the members of the Circle well-informed on events put on by University departments or other student organizations
v. for other jobs as assigned by the President
g) The Vice President of History and Technology shall be responsible for the following:
i. Regularly updating the Crimson Circle web site
ii. Maintaining a database of the alumni of the Crimson Circle
iii. At the end of the year, placing information and photos into the Crimson Circle archive in the Van der Ahe Library Archives and updating the historical roster to the present date
iv. Updating the Crimson Circle constitution whenever it is amended by the organization
v. for other jobs as assigned by the President
Section 4: The officers of the Crimson Circle shall hold office for one year.
Section 5: The Executive Board, after due consideration, may recommend to the President disciplinary action for the dismissal of a Circle members, such as absences, not fulfilling the hour requirement, and failure to perform assigned duties. It is the responsibility of the President to determine the sanction of any member of the Crimson Circle and to inform that member of the Penalty.
ARTICLE IV: THE CRIMSON MODERATOR
Section 1:
The Crimson Moderator shall be chosen from the Loyola Marymount Community and be offered the position by consent of the members, under advisement from the University. The moderator shall serve as long as he or she sees fit or is able to perform the duties of the position.
Section 2:
The Crimson Moderator shall be responsible for the following duties:
- attending all weekly meetings of the Circle
- meeting with all new members each fall for a personal interview
- offering advisement to the Executive Board and members at large
- offering guidance to members in academic and personal settings
ARTICLE V: DOCTRINE FOR MEMBERS
Section 1:
Mandatory regular meetings of the Circle shall be conducted each week of the school year. They may be cancelled at the President’s discretion. The place, day, and time of each meeting shall be designated by the President.
Section 2:
Special meetings such as disciplinary action and committees of the Circle shall be called at the discretion of the President.
Section 3:
It is required of each member to obtain 25 hours per semester. The summer and fall semesters will be included together, and the spring by itself. If a situation arises where there are available hours for the new members during the end of the spring term, these hours will not be taken into account for the following academic year. These hours will be considered an initiation process in order to prepare new members for the fall semester.
Section 4:
Listed below is the proper attire for a Crimson member, please read carefully:
Formal
- Long-sleeved button-down white dress shirt. Note: when requested, the Full Formal Uniform includes a tie.
- Must have dark gray slacks with a black belt. No Dockers or jeans are
allowed - Black polished dress shoes with black socks
- The Crimson Sweater. If not worn, it shall be tied around the member’s waist
- Properly groomed, shaven, with clothes ironed and in good condition
Semi-Formal
- The white Crimson Circle polo shirt.
Casual/Informal
- Crimson Circle polo shirt
- Dress slacks, khakis, or jeans. Shorts may be permitted for certain events at the discretion of the President
- Properly groomed, shaven, with clothes ironed and in good condition
Section 5:
Each member is required to work the graduation ceremonies held in May.
Section 6:
Each member is required to pay semester dues to the Crimson Circle. The amount shall be determined by the Executive Board and will be collected within four weeks after the semester has begun.
Section 7:
Each member is encouraged to attend the Crimson Circle retreat – held during one weekend of the fall term, which is vital to the unity of the group.
ARTICLE VI: DISCIPLINARY PROCESS
Section 1: Demerits are as follows:
1) Not showing up for assigned hours without finding a replacement.
a) probation/formal letter
b) meeting with Executive Board
2) Drinking in uniform.
a) probation/formal letter
b) meeting with Executive Board
3) Attendance at meetings.
a) two unexcused absences from meeting
1. verbal warning and written letter
b) three or more unexcused absences from meeting
1. probation and meeting with Executive Board
4) Leaving early from duty when not dismissed by the contact person or when the event has not finished.
a) warning
b) written letter/probation
Section 2:
The amount of time for probation will be determined by the President.
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
Section 1:
Standing and Special Committees shall be appointed by the President of the Circle as required unless otherwise provided for in other sections of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE VIII: METHOD OF AMENDING BY-LAWS
Section 1:
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the Circle. Amendment proposals may be submitted at regular business meetings of the Circle or at special meetings called for that purpose.
Section 2:
The Circle may pass by majority vote By-Laws to define the operation procedure of any committee or aspect of the Circle not defined in the Constitution.
Section 3:
The By-Laws may be amended at any time by a simple majority vote of the membership.
ARTICLE IX: ENABLING
Section 1:
This document shall become effective as the Constitution of the Crimson Circle upon the approval of two-thirds of the membership. Upon adoption, this shall supersede all previous laws and rules and regulations of the Crimson Circle and shall nullify all contravening legislation enacted there under.