Preamble 

We, the members of the Alpine Team at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, do ordain and
establish this organization to compete in the United States Collegiate Ski Association and the Midwest
Collegiate Ski Association, enrich scholastic endeavors, build lifelong relationships, serve the University
community, and ensure the future of this organization, indefinitely.

Article I: Membership

1. Composition of Membership

   1. The active membership of the Alpine Ski Team shall consist of all those that have agreed to team bylaws, paid team membership dues in full, and are accepted by the active team.

   2. Racing members shall be recognized by the United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association as a full-time student in order to compete

   3. Every member shall be enrolled at The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

      1. Must be enrolled in at least 12 credits in the fall semester and be in good academic standing 

      2. If a member has left the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities for a study abroad program, sabbatical from studies, or government/military service, their membership shall be suspended. Such a member shall be granted full membership upon their return to the university.

   4. Affiliate Acceptance:

      1. Must be in good standing with the team.

      2. Must be a competitor in the United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association

   5. Social Membership:

      1. Must agree to team bylaws, be enrolled at the University of Minnesota, adhere to all obligations except racing and practicing requirements and associated fees

      1. Participation in gatekeeping, teardown, and other team obligations at race weekends is expected

      2. A discounted membership dues may be awarded to social members, price to be agreed upon by the executive board and expressed at the beginning of the season with racing membership dues.

      3. Registration with United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard as a volunteer is required

   6. Membership shall be adjusted case by case (i.e. study abroad, ineligibility, social members, etc.)

2. Obligations

   1. All members shall be required to volunteer at one team-sponsored volunteering event or coach for a local alpine ski team (high school teams, Courage Kenny, etc.).

      1. A credit of $50 will be added to the team membership dues total and upon completion of the volunteer requirement the $50 will be returned to the athlete 

      1. if the requirement is not met, the team will keep the $50 fee and allocate it to use for team and race expenses 

      2. The volunteering requirement must be completed by March 15th unless granted an extension by the Executive Board.

   2. Racing Members are expected to attend practice.

   3. Racing Members attending race weekends are expected to race in each race they sign up for. If they decide not to race they will be charged $15.

      1. The $15 charge will be waived if the athlete is injured, sick, or for circumstances deemed outside of their control.

   4. Racing Members are expected to attend racer meetings at the beginning of each race day.

      1. Two or more racer meeting missed will result in punishment at the discretion of the executive board (with exceptions, i.e. other people making you late)

   5. All Members are required to contribute to Midwest Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association race assignments (gatekeeping, teardown, etc). 

   6. Graduating members will have the option to buy their racing bib at the end of the season for $20

Article II: Governance

Article III: Officers

1. All officers must be currently registered, student services fees paying students at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Exceptions to the requirement are permitted for graduate students upon receipt of a letter from the Director of Graduate Studies of the student’s department certifying that the student is actively pursuing a degree. Officers must be in good standing with the University; and free of any sanctions defined within the Board of Regents Policy-Student Conduct Code administered by the Office for Community Standards.

2. Currently registered students at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities campus must comprise no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the total voting membership.

3. Officer Roles: 

1. President

2. Vice President

3. Treasurer

4. Secretary

5. Captains (Men’s, Women’s, and Snowboard)

6. Community Outreach

7. Underclassmen Representatives

4. Chain of Command

1. President

2. Vice President

3. Treasurer

4. Secretary

5. Captains (Men’s, Women’s, and Snowboard)

6. Community Outreach

5. Terms

1. The installment of all officers shall take place after the seasons end and transition meetings have been held; terms will run approximately June to June 

1. Term run time will be determined year by year based on dates of meetings and duties

6. Criteria for Nomination

1. All executive board members must reside within driving distance of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus during the fall and spring semesters.

2. Anyone seeking an executive position shall disclose year-long plans for their term, including study abroad, internships or other activities that could affect their ability to conduct their role.

3. To qualify for nomination for President, the candidate must have completed at least one full cycle as an officer 

1. In the case of a board comprising of graduating seniors, at least one year of participation on the team 

7. Election Process

1. Elections will take place at a mid-season meeting with the date to be determined by the executive board.

1. Must be done by the fourth race of the season

2. To be considered for a position within the chain of command, a platform must be submitted.

3. President will administer the process by accepting nominations and platforms

4. Elections will be conducted in descending order of the chain of command to allow for trickled down nomination and running (Ex: a presidential candidate does not receive the position, but can still run for Vice President).

1. Anyone running for the Treasurer position must write a treasurer-specific position platform. 

5. The election format shall be set by the outgoing President, who will facilitate each position’s statements, interviews, and election.

6. The executive board shall provide no less than one week notice for an election.

7. No less than half of the team must vote in order for the election to be binding.

8. In the event of a tie, the highest ranking, non-returning executive member will break it.

1. Refer to Article II. Section 1. for chain of command.

9. During the election there will be allotted time for team discussion after candidate speeches.

10. In the event that a role is not filled the President shall designate a person to fill the role.

8. Vacancies

1. Removal from Office

1. Officers may be removed from office by a majority vote (greater than half) of the alpine board.

2. Officers may be removed from office for failing to perform their duties as outlined in the team bylaws.

2. Filling Vacancies

1. In the event that the President is unable to complete their term, the Vice President shall perform their duties until such time as nominations may be taken and an election held.

2. An appointee, as determined by the President, shall fill other vacancies until such time as nominations may be taken and an election held.

9. Officers Roles

1. President

1. Manage the overall operations of the ski team.

2. Act as a resource for the executive officer team.

3. Direct communication with external organizations such as:

1. The University of Minnesota

2. The United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association

3. Midwest Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association

4. Coaches

5. Ski areas and staff

4. Plan the team budget along with the Treasurer 

5. Pre and Post SSF budget meeting

6. Monitor SSF timeline and providing periodic updates to the Alpine Board on the funding process

7. Renew 501(c)3 non-profit status with the Treasurer.

8. Preserve order on the team.

9. Administer the election process.

10. Apply for the Explore U Fair, and Activities Fairs in July of each year.

11. Lead officer meetings with the Executive Council or the Board.

12. Ensure that team members, and the team itself, register with the Midwest Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association.

13. Attend mandatory Student Services Fees Grant Informational Meeting between October and December.

14. Coordinate with the Captains to carry out dry land practices, beginning at the Captains’ discretion.

15. Finalize and coordinate weekend Midwest Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association races.

16. Apply for the Student Services Fees Grant

17. If applicable, plan and carry out Nationals operations with the treasurer and the rest of the executive board.

2. Vice President

1. Reserve meeting space for Information Sessions, Registration Meetings, Executive Council Meetings, and fundraisers.

2. Pre and Post SSF budget meeting

3. Coordinate and manage hotel bookings for team members and coaches for all racing events throughout the season.

4. Write an information packet for every race weekend with key information such as tickets, hotel assignments, and car assignments.

5. Create Google Form to collect race weekend information from team members

6. Manage gas reimbursements and ensure that members of the team are reimbursed for team-sanctioned expenditures.

7. Plan hotel room and car assignments for each race 

1. Communicate all race information in a timely manner to the rest of the team

2. Plan and make hotel/housing/lodging reservations throughout the entirety of the year.

8. Act as a resource for the executive officer team.

9. Assist the President in registration efforts, specifically, the USCSA registration.

10. Assist President and Treasurer with Student Services Fees grant as needed 

11. Write end-of-the-year thank you letters to MCSA race crew, Afton Alps, Team Coaches.

12. Lead recruitment efforts throughout the year.

3. Treasurer

1. Ethically manage the financial assets of the ski team.

2. Assist President in the planning and execution of the team budget

3. Pre and Post SSF budget meeting

4. Maintain the budget throughout the year.

5. Keep an updated, ongoing ledger to accompany bank statements that are completed before transition of executive board.

6. Make purchase and expense reports for the team.

7. Assist Vice President with hotel/housing/lodging reservations throughout the entirety of the year.

8. Review state of accounts at Executive Council meetings

9. Plan the team budget with the President at the beginning of the year.

10. Direct communication with Huntington bank and be the primary contact in any case of interaction.

11. Coordinate with the President/Captains during race days in order to deliver checks to the Midwest Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association.

12. Receive fall and spring Student Services Fees Grant checks from the Office of Student Unions & Activities

13. Collect all fees from team members.

14. Renew 501(c)3 non-profit status with the President.

4. Secretary

1. To maintain, and have available, typed copies of Executive Council or Board meeting minutes.

2. Distribute the Executive Council minute summaries to the entire ski team, via email, to ensure transparency with the team.

3. Plan, coordinate and ensure ski team apparel gets delivered before the season’s first race.

1. Including Alumni and families.

4. Assist in any and all Fundraising and Philanthropic activities.

5. Coordinate internal communications with the team.

6. Manage all social media accounts on behalf of the team.

1. Conduct senior interviews and spotlights via the website and the team’s social media accounts.

7. Send out newsletters monthly.

8. Plan the end of the year banquet and formal social events.

9. Organize season documents after the end of each season. All documents must be organized and owned by the team account.

10. Organize the Booster Club - an organization formed to support (e.g. food coordination at races, events, etc.) our team.

11. Coordinate with Booster Club members to inform them of unclaimed food dates leading up to and throughout the entirety of the season.

5. Captains

1. Act as a resource for members of the team

2. Coordinate with the coaches to set and submit run orders before every race

1. Run orders are based on skill, seniority and coaches discretion.

3. Plan and run all dry land practices, this entails:

1. Determine when the dry land starts, both date and time.

2. Lead dry land practice activities 

3. Determine where to hold the practices.

4. Communicate practice schedule with the team and coaches.

4. Organize on-snow practices with coaches

1. Coordinate rides to Afton Alps

2. Communicate with coaches and Afton Alps when practices are canceled

5. Attend all Captains/Coaches meetings at races.

6. Recruit potential members.

7. Preserve order on the ski team.

8. Organize bibs prior to November 1st and ensure each member has proper bib number

1. Collect bibs at the end of the season 

2. Report to President if additional bibs are needed from MCSA

6. Community Outreach

1. Chief of Fundraising Efforts

1. Plan at least two fundraising activities per season, with at least one event happening over the semester.

2. Monitor the hours each member of the team contributes towards philanthropy.

3. Plans high school invitational events. 

4. Be the primary contact for organizing fundraising efforts.

2. Manage alumni relations 

1. Create an alumni email list to keep alumni updated with team 

2. Plan at least one alumni event every year 

3. Ensure every graduating senior is added to the alumni Facebook group

3. External Relations / community outreach 

1. Recruit high school seniors to join their college ski team

1. Volunteer at high school races 

2. Maintain relationship with other ski teams in MCSA Lake Superior Division

1. Plan bonding events

4. Manage and execute initiatives of the Executive Council 

1. Assist Vice President with philanthropic activities

7. Underclassmen Representatives

1. Act as liaison between underclassmen and executive board reporting on any concerns or questions from the underclassmen

2. Assist other executive board officers with tasks and practices

3. Connect with new members and help create a welcoming culture

4. Present ideas to the executive board on how to increase team bonding

1. Officer Transitions

1. Officers Exchanging Responsibilities

1. Officers may not drop one of their roles without permission from the President.

2. Position descriptions and standard operating procedures will be written by current executive members and handed down to the transitioning officers.

2. The current Executive Council and the newly elected Executive Council should have at least one in-person meeting to ease the transition of positions

Article IV: Finances

Article V: Code of Conduct

To continue reading the remaining bylaws please click here.