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Constitution of 909 Hip Hop Dance Troupe

University of California, Riverside
2011 2012
Preamble
We, the members of 909 Hip Hop Dance Troupe, at the University of California, Riverside, in order to better the
awareness and development of hip hop dance through educational and social means, with the cooperation of
administration, faculty and students, do approve and establish this constitution.
1) Article I Name
a) The Official name of this organization shall be 909 Hip Hop Dance Troupe and may be referred to as
909 for the remainder of this constitution.
2) Article II Purpose
a) Purpose of the Constitution
i) To List and Define the Responsibilities and qualifications of the Cabinet and the members of 909
ii) To provide a guideline of the selection and termination of members (Dancers, Cabinet, and Advisors)
iii) May be modifiable when absolutely necessary
b) Purpose of the Organization
i) To further seek and attain the goals outlined in the preamble
ii) To further the development of hip hop dance while exploring other dance forms.
3) Article III Membership
a) All those who complete the designated requirements and are selected by the Cabinet are official
members and are entitled to one term of 909 benefits. One term consists of the duration from first
activation (which is established by way of audition and finalized at First General Meeting) to the End
of the Year Banquet in the course of the UCR school year.
b) Membership is open to all UCR students and individuals with college eligibility regardless of race,
ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender. Members shall be responsible for attending all 909
events/activities, such as performances/appearances, meetings, dance rehearsals, and fundraisers. As
well as assisting in the choreography and teaching of dance routines as needed, promoting troupe spirit,
and other responsibilities upon discretion of the Cabinet. Promoting and advertising/marketing of
membership will be done annually. Selection of membership is based upon the criteria of this
constitution and upon the discretion of the Cabinet of 909.
i) Guidelines are as follows:
(1) Host auditions

(2) Have five judges consisting of the Director, Dance Coordinator, Dance Captain, and two
advisors, chosen by Cabinet.
(3) Record all Auditions
(4) Refer to scores sheets and video tapes of try-out participants.
(5) Refer to history of any past 909 member.
(6) The quorum shall be 100% of the 909 cabinet members present at the time of voting.
4) Article IV 909 Cabinet
a) The Cabinet shall be members and registered UCR students (undergraduate or graduate) for the
academic year unless specified otherwise by the previous Cabinet. The officers consist of: Director,
Dance Coordinator, Dance Captain, Historian, Manager, Music Technician, Special Events Coordinator,
Internal Relations and Public Relations. All positions are all appointed upon the discretion of departing
senior Cabinet. All prospective Cabinet members are nominated by current members and will be
considered for the position. Final approval falls to the discretion of the graduation senior Cabinet based
upon the criteria of this constitution. Under the circumstance in which there are only one or no departing
seniors, all the advisors will be granted voting privileges to select the succeeding years Cabinet.
i) Guidelines are as follows:
(1) 909 members must nominate candidates.
(2) Get acceptance by Cabinet nominee.
(3) Discuss candidates:
(a) Qualifications for Cabinet
(b) Qualifications for position
(c) Attitude
(d) Commitment
(e) Passion
(f) Potential for growth
(g) Trust
(h) Ability to contribute to the team
(i) Experience
(j) Chemistry with other potential Cabinet members

b) The term of office shall initiate from the point of induction until the new Cabinet is chosen and inducted
the following year. The term is limited to one year, unless reappointed for another term. All officers are
responsible for advising current newly inducted officers in their respective positions.
i) The general duties of the Cabinet are to:
(1) Assist all officers as needed.
(2) Be responsible for the promotion of troupe spirit.
(3) Assist in troupe auditions.
(4) Shall be a current member of the Ultimate Brawl (UB) committee.
(5) Be on time.
(6) Shall keep the Director informed at all times of all 909 concerns.
c) The specifications of Cabinet duties shall be:
i) Director
(1) Shall be the primary representative of 909.
(2) Shall preside over all meetings, dance rehearsals, and activities; shall call to order and adjourn all
meetings, dance rehearsals, and activities.
(3) Shall preside over 909 auditions.
(4) May delegate responsibilities to any member regarding 909 concerns.
(5) Shall be the primary signature on all official 909 documents.
(6) Shall be responsible for scheduling, confirming, and finalizing all upcoming 909
performances/appearances and rehearsals.
(7) Shall oversee all incoming and outgoing mail.
(8) Shall oversee all financial concerns and needs of 909
(9) Shall not have a vote, unless the event of a deadlock decision- then shall make the final decisions
concerning 909.
(10) Shall be responsible for scheduling and heading all Cabinet meetings at their discretion.
(11) Shall be responsible for scheduling and conducting the Cabinet/Advisor 909 retreat.
(12) Shall oversee Ultimate Brawl with the Special Events Coordinator.
(13) Shall be responsible for dealing with all quarterly troupe evaluations.

(14) Shall oversee and facilitate all concerns of 909.

(15) Shall be the liaison between Cabinet and Advisors.
ii) Dance Coordinator
(1) Shall be responsible for the choreography. (Artistic)
(2) Shall be responsible for the choreography-team and overseeing the final outcome of the routine.
(3) Shall preside over troupe auditions.
(4) Shall be responsible for costume committee.
(5) Shall be responsible for communicating all practice agendas and informing all cabinet members
of agenda prior to practice.
(6) Shall be responsible for conducting the 909 Hip Hop classes.
(7) Shall be responsible for the artistic vision of 909.
iii) Dance Captain
(1) Shall be in charge of and ensure the productivity of all dance rehearsals. (Executive)
(2) Shall be responsible for cleaning of pieces.
(3) Shall understand and implement the artistic vision.
(4) Shall ensure that the troupe is prepared at all performances/appearances.
(5) Shall judge at troupe auditions.
(6) Shall oversee any improvements necessary for the set and implement thoughts and ideas through
Cabinet.
(7) Shall be in charge of training and implementing actions needed to improve the dancers
individually and as a team.

iv) Music Technician

(1) Shall be responsible for obtaining all music as needed in conjunction with Cabinet, to create and
produce the music.
(2) Must ensure that the music is in appropriate media format and present at
performances/appearances.
(3) Shall be assistant coordinator of overall production of routine and of the choreography team.

(4) Shall be responsible for all of 909 audio equipment.

v) Manager
(1) Shall be responsible for all financial concerns and needs of 909 as needed and provide
financial documents regarding transactions of the 909 account.
(2) Shall be responsible for scheduling of all 909 fundraisers.
(3) Shall be responsible for taking attendance at all 909 activities; shall be responsible for
enforcing attendance policy.
(4) Shall contact/inform all members of all 909 events.
(5) Shall be responsible for the roster and submitting it to all pertinent facilities and events.
(6) Shall maintain a master calendar of all 909 activities and make it available to the members.
vi) Historian
(1) Shall keep track of alumni; shall be the liaison between members and 909 alumni1
(2) Shall be responsible for preserving the history of 909.
(3) Shall facilitate organization/collection of photographs; shall maintain and update media library;
shall take and update troupe pictures.
(4) Shall educate troupe of past traditions of 909.
(5) Shall write biographies of 909.
(6) Shall assist internal relations with the organization of End of the Year Banquet.; shall be
responsible for the events slideshow/DVD.
(7) Shall keep records of past, present, and future events.
vii) Public Relations
(1) Shall be responsible for developing the relationships with organizations on and off campus;
Liaison between the team and the community.
(2) Shall be responsible for organizing auditions.
(3) Shall be responsible for the promotion/publicity/marketing of all 909 activities, which include:
Bear Facts Orientation, Auditions, Ultimate Brawl, Fundraising etc.
(4) Shall be responsible for all 909 publications as well as all other social media maintenance.

An alumnus is a former member who, under cabinet discretion, has completed one full term.

viii)

Internal Relations

(1) Shall be responsible for creating ice-breakers and socials that encourage troupe bonding.
(2) Ensure well being of all 909 members (Develop one-on-one relationships)
(3) Assist Historian in coordinating 909 alumni socials
(4) Responsible for organizing End of the Year Banquet
ix) Special Events Coordinator
(1) Shall be responsible for philanthropy. (E.g. community outreach, dance workshops, etc.); shall
administer 909 events with Public Relations.
(2) Shall coordinate 909 sponsored events upon the approval of Cabinet.
(3) Shall be responsible in coordinating and organizing the annual hip-hop dance competition,
Ultimate Brawl: Battle of Distinction.
5) Article V Enactment of the By-Laws
a) By-Laws are enacted upon the approval of the Cabinet.
b) By-Laws:
i) Section 1 Recall of a Member
(1) Any member who neglects his/her responsibilities shall be temporarily placed on probation from
all 909 activities until his/her case is reviewed by Cabinet. After Cabinet will decide if recall is
necessary.
(a) Clause 1: The Director, upon the discretion of the Cabinet, shall advise the member that
he/she is failing in his/her responsibilities. This constitutes as the first warning.
(b) Clause 2: If the Director warrants a second warning, then the member shall be placed on
probation
(c) Clause 3: Upon discretion of the Cabinet, the Director shall notify the member of whether
he/she shall continue to be a member of 909.
(d) Clause 4: In the Case that the Director is failing to uphold his/her responsibilities, the
Director shall be placed on probation upon discretion of the Cabinet.
ii) Section 2 909 Performances/Appearances, Meetings, Dance Rehearsals, Fundraisers, and other
Activities
(a) Clause 1: all 909 Performances/ appearances, meetings, dance rehearsals, fundraisers, and
other activities (909 event) shall be held upon the discretion of the Cabinet.

(i) All performances requests require submission of the Pre-Booking Form.

(b) Clause 2: The members shall be the only ones present unless otherwise specified by the
Director.
(c) Clause 3: All Members of 909 shall participate in the 909 sponsored, annual hip-hop dance
competition, Ultimate Brawl: Battle of Distinction.
(d) Clause 4: All 909 members must attend all 909 events designated by Cabinet.
(i) All members are required to pay a mandatory $30 membership fee at the beginning of
their term.
(ii) Each member is required to pay $30 per quarter thereafter in order to remain active.
(e) Clause 5: Scholarship programs and Midyear Auditions may be enacted upon the discretion
of Cabinet for the betterment of the organization.
iii) Section 3 909 Attendance Policy
(a) Clause 1: Rehearsal starts promptly at the practice/performance time given. There is no grace
period. Punishment is upon discretion of the dance coordinator and/or dance captain.
(b) Clause 2: Each member must notify the 909 manager 24 hours prior to the scheduled
rehearsal/call-time/performance if they will be late or absent.
(c) Clause 3: In the event of a dispute regarding the attendance policy, the validity of a
members excuse will be evaluated by Cabinet.

iv) Section 4 909 Governmental Authority

(a) Clause 1: The governmental authority of 909shall be vested in the Cabinet.
(b) Clause 2: Current Cabinet members will be exempt from annual auditions and automatically
be granted 909 membership.
(c) Clause 3: The Cabinet and members shall have the authority to contribute input regarding
909 concerns.
(d) Clause 4: The Cabinet and members, upon approval by the Director, must vote regarding
909 concerns.
(e) Clause 5: Each Cabinet member may participate and contribute 1 vote to all 909 and
Cabinet meetings.
(f) Clause 6: The Cabinet shall have the power to enforce all decisions passed by a majority
vote. The quorum shall be more than 50% of the 909 members present at the time of

voting. No absentee votes are allowed at any time. At the time of voting, no abstentions will
be allowed.
(g) Clause 7: In the event of a tied vote, the Director shall make the final decision for the
betterment of the troupe.
(h) Clause 8: In the event of a Cabinet member's resignation, actions taken will be upon the
discretion of Cabinet and Advisors within 14 days.
v) Section 5 - 909 Advisors
(a) Clause 1: Shall be exempt from annual audition process at the discretion of Cabinet.
(b) Clause 2: Participation as a dancer must be granted by the discretion of the Cabinet.
(c) Clause 3: Advisors participating as dancers must uphold dancers responsibilities.
(d) Clause 4: The quorum shall be 100% of the 909 cabinet members present at the time of
voting.
(2) Guidelines are as Follows:
(i) Selection could be based upon a candidates Availability, Commitment, Intensity, and
Desire.
(ii) Advisors Requirements:
1. Shall participate in Cabinet/Advisor retreat.
2. Shall participate in the selection of the team meeting.
3. Shall participate in the selection of the following years Cabinet meeting.
(iii)

Advisor Expectations
1. Shall participate in 909 functions and events.
2. Shall help interpret the 909 constitution and by-laws.

(e) Clause 5: The term for an advisor will be one year; new advisor(s) will be elected by new
Cabinet.
(f) Clause 6: Shall serve as ex-officio at Cabinet meetings.
(g) Clause 7: There should be a campus-registered advisor.
(h) Clause 8: Advisor participation in the End of the Year Banquet shall be upon the discretion
of cabinet.

6) Article VI Certification
a) Upon 51% majority vote of 909 members present at the time of voting, this Constitution and its ByLaws shall be made effective on the given date. No absentee votes allowed at anytime.

Date this 10th day of the month of October , 2011

Member Name

Member Signature

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Justin Pelen /
Director Name/Signature