Wheaton College Café Theatre

Constitution
As Established by the 2023-2024 Executive Board

Preamble & Vision

Café Theatre envisions a campus where all Wheaton students have access to quality
theatrical experiences as artists and audience members, regardless of academic program,
ability, prior experience, or time commitment.

Mission Statement
Café Theatre produces accessible theatrical experiences with varying levels of
commitment, amplifying student voices and supporting inclusivity within the arts.

Article I: Name of the Club

The name of this organization shall be Café Theatre.

Article II: Sources of Authority

Café Theatre shall function under the Student Government Association of Wheaton
College (MA) and is subject to all rules established thereof as well as the Wheaton
College Honor Code. Café Theatre will function as a democracy and members will have
input on both the executive board as well as events.

Article III: Governmental Structure

Café Theatre will have an executive board composed of the following officers:
One (1) President & Artistic Director
One (1) Vice President
One (1) Treasurer
One (1) Secretary
One (1) Social Media Manager

Section I: Responsibilities of the President & Artistic Director

The President shall be the primary representative of Café Theatre on campus to students,
faculty and staff. They enforce all rules and regulations of the organization as set forth
by this constitution and other documents related to it. The President shall be responsible
for maintaining general leadership of the club. They shall plan and facilitate executive
board meetings and act as the point person for large events. The President shall be
responsible for delegating tasks to club members and other executive officers.

The President shall serve as the primary contact on Café Theatre’s Engage page. The
President is responsible for maintaining the Engage page by uploading events or
delegating this task to another officer or club member.

The President should keep the club’s website up to date or delegate this task to another
officer or club member.

The President shall be the Artistic Director of the club’s theatrical programming, unless
another individual is appointed or elected to this role. In this capacity, they shall create a
vision for the club’s programming. They may with the advice and consent of the
Executive Board, appoint Directors and Producers for theatrical productions and
performance events when necessary. For their appointees the President shall serve as the
primary contact and liaison between them and the Executive Board.

Section II: Responsibilities of the Vice President

The Vice President shall work with the President to enforce all rules and regulations of
the organization as set forth by this constitution and other documents related to it. In the
absence of the President or when mutually agreed upon with the President, the Vice
President shall plan and facilitate executive board meetings and act as the point person
for large events.

Section III: Responsibilities of the Treasurer

Each semester, the Treasurer shall attend all trainings as required by Student Activities,
Initiative and Leadership, the Student Government Association or any similarly
empowered organization. They shall be responsible for managing and documenting
finances and club spending. The Treasurer shall maintain a working relationship with the
SGA Finance Committee and the Student Bankers. The shall be responsible for
submitting all funding requests, budget proposals and funding reports to the appropriate
governing bodies.

The Treasurer shall be the cardholder for Café Theatre’s club card. In the event that they
are prohibited from holding the card due to campus regulations, another executive board
member may hold the card.

Section IV: Responsibilities of the Secretary

The Secretary takes notes at both club and Executive Board meetings. They are
responsible for sending out newsletters and weekly communications to club members. At
all club meetings and Executive Board meetings they take attendance.

Section V: Responsibilities of the Social Media Manager

The Social Media Manager shall be responsible for maintaining an active social media
presence through all club profiles. They shall maintain a posting schedule for event and
workshop promotions. They are responsible for creating posters and digital media
content for all social media platforms. When the need arises to create additional social
media pages, they may choose to create the new profile.

The Social Media Manager is responsible for monitoring and reviewing comments and
direct or private messages on all club social media profiles.

It is the responsibility of the Social Media Manager to ensure the accuracy of all
passwords and usernames to social media accounts and keep an updated list of account
passwords and usernames belonging to the club.

Section VI: Additional Executive Board Positions

When the Executive Board deems it necessary, additional Executive Offices may be
created. Examples of these are included below but not limited to anything included in
this constitution. When a position is created a job description should be drafted and
included as an amendment to this constitution.

Executive Board Member-At-Large

The Member-at-Large should have knowledge about other events happening on campus
that may conflict with club meetings or events and advise the Executive Board on this.
They should collect information from club and community members regarding what they
want to see from the club and convey this information to the Executive Board.

Historian
The Historian documents club activities through various mediums (film, photographs and
written compositions). They coordinate with the Secretary to maintain an active club
portfolio. They should coordinate with Media Services regarding information,
documents or items that are worthy of preservation in the archives. The Historian is
responsible for keeping the history page of the club website up to date.

Graphic Designer
 The Graphic Designer creates artwork in both printed and digital formats that is used by
the club for marketing purposes. They collaborate with the Social Media Manager to
create a calendar of content that needs to be created.

Section VII: Holding More than One Office

Maintenance of the club requires a minimum of three Executive Officers. These are a
President, Secretary and Treasurer. In cases where there is not enough interest in holding
an Executive Board position, Executive Officers may hold up to two positions, provided
that they are elected to both positions. Responsibilities from positions that are not active
may be delegated to other Executive Officers.

Article IV: Procedures

The Executive Board will organize the general premise of each club meeting, as well as
larger events. Active members will make decisions regarding group activities, and
possible campus events on a simple majority basis.

For theatrical productions or performance-based events, the Executive Board may

appoint a Director and/or Producer to manage a production. Individuals responsible for
productions are not Executive Board members however they do have increased
responsibilities over general club members and participants and broader creative freedom
over the events they manage. Directors and/or Producers are responsible for managing
the budget of their event and report to the Executive Board. They must work with the
Executive Board to coordinate marketing and report budgets. The Director and/or
Producer’s primary contact is the President who, whenever possible, should act as
Artistic Director of all club programming unless such a title is given to another elected
Executive Officer.

All decisions brought before the Executive Board, including those requiring advice and
consent, shall be decided by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board.

At the end of each academic year, the outgoing Executive Board will train the incoming
Executive Board members. Together, both Executive Boards will conduct an inventory
of club owned items, close out the budget and do any paperwork necessary to ensure club
registration and funding for the next year through the Student Government Association.

Article V: Elections
End-of-year elections will be held during a club meeting. Members will be notified of the
election at least two weeks in advance and given information on the role expectations.
Candidates for election must show expressed interest and commitment to the club prior to
elections. Those running for an executive position must give a quick speech as to why
 they want to be elected and a simple majority vote by active members will choose who is
elected. Mid-Year Elections can be held when a current Executive Member steps down or
goes abroad in which a new candidate will be chosen for the coming semester. Current
non-graduating Exec Members have the option to keep their position on the Executive
Board for the upcoming academic year if unanimously agreed upon by the rest of the
Executive Board.

Article VI: Impeachment & Removal of Executive Officers

Any active Executive Member of Café Theatre may call for an Impeachment Vote with
justified cause. If active club members have a concern with the Executive Board, they can
bring it to an Executive Board member who will continue the process. Justified causes
can vary and must be agreed upon by the rest of the Executive Board. The President (or
Vice President if required) must publicize the Impeachment Vote to active club members
at least one week before the vote. The Impeachment Vote shall be taken through a secret
ballot by the Executive Board, and will be approved on a unanimous vote (exempt of the
individual in question). If missing by one Executive Board vote, a further discussion shall
be held and impeachment may still occur. Impeachment from an Executive Position does
not necessarily constitute removal from the club and in most cases will not.

Article VII: Inclusivity Statement

In accordance with Cafe Theatre’s mission to uphold the art of theatre for all who are
interested, amplifying their voices and supporting inclusivity within the arts; Café
Theatre dedicates itself to upholding Wheaton’s overarching goal of inclusivity through
the following actionable steps:
● Hosting at least one social event for Wheaton College students that address one
(or more) themes of sexuality, gender, and inclusivity per semester.
● Holding weekly club meetings and events in an accessible location so all students
of any ability can access the location and participate in events (with a Zoom
option if requested).
● Offering members the opportunity to voice their current frustrations and troubles
with other (consenting) members of the club and the Executive Board in a safe,
supportive, and affirming environment.

Article VIII: Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution can be made continuously and as seen fit. The voting
process for adding an amendment or altering a current article will occur under a simple
majority vote by the Executive Board.