Martial Arts and Self Defense Club (MASDC) Constitution

Article I: Name and Organization

A. Name: The name of this organization shall be known as Martial Arts and Self-
Defense Club (MASDC)
B. Purpose: The purpose of this organization is to help fellow students improve their
own lives through the physical, mental, and spiritual lessons that martial arts and
self-defense teaches. The club provides different classes, each teaching a different
style. Some examples include Kickboxing, Systema, Goju-Ryu Karate, and
knife/gun removal, any non-martial arts form of self-defense.

Article II: Membership

A. Requirements: No requirements are needed to join MASDC. The club is open to
all undergraduate students at Fitchburg State University. The club accepts all
areas of martial arts experience, ranging from years to none at all.
B. Responsibilities and Privileges: The responsibilities and privileges one receives
in MASDC include learning self-defense, receiving a physical workout and
attending weekly meetings. But more importantly, the club members learn self-
confidence, independence, self-control, resilience, and a healthy respect for the
self and others.

Article III: Officers

A. MASDC includes a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public
Relations and Instructors.
B. All officers are required to attend a weekly meeting to discuss any business
relating to the club. During each meeting officers will discuss what happened last
class, what will be taught next class, and how to improve members’ skill set.
a. President: The role of the President is to, address and inform club
members for any schedule changes and upcoming events being hosted by
the club.
b. Vice-President: The Vice-President regularly goes to senate meetings to
report to SGA and other organizations on the club’s current activities,
including publicizing to the student body about classes being offered by
MASDC. Helps the club’s President in club duties.
c. Secretary: The Secretary notes down all relevant topics discussed during
club meetings, as well as keeping records on the club’s members’ emails
and attendance to classes and reserve time slots for classes.
d. Treasurer: The Treasurer manages the club’s budget and makes
purchases for the well being of the club.
e. Public Relations: The PR’s main role in the club is to inform and promote
club events and classes being held throughout the year to the Fitchburg
State University’s student body. Duties include making posters, flyers,
networking with other clubs and the student body.
f. Officers are required to inform other e-board members if they are going to
be late or absent 30mins-1 hour before class start.
 g. Officers are required to attend all events hosted by MASDC unless agreed
other wise
h. Officers must attend at least one class being held by MASDC

Article IV: Classes

A. Purpose: The purpose of each class offered by the MASDC is to teach its
members the principles of self-defense, self-respect, and respect towards others.
B. Choosing Classes: At the beginning of each year, club instructors will discuss
with the E-board what styles of martial arts will be taught and why they want
them to be taught. The E-board will ultimately vote on what classes will be
offered for the semester.
C. Times and Locations: The times and locations of each class will be discussed
according to the availability of space and time being used by other clubs and
organizations.
D. Instructor: The Instructors’ main role in the club is to instruct the other members
of the club in their specific fighting style and report on their students’ progress.
Instructors will also report on attendance and inform fellow club members of any
changes being made to their classes. Members of the executive board are also
eligible to be instructors.
E. Classes will be oriented, based on the instructor’s teaching and must uphold the
purpose behind the MASDC’s ideology.
F. All instructors must have at least a year to one and a half years of experience in
their style of self-defense. If Martial Arts form instructors must have written
confirmation from Sensei to teach art form.

Article V: Elections
A. Qualifications: The Qualifications that need to be met for all officers is that they
all must have dedication towards the club and its members by fulfilling the duties
of their officer’s position.
B. Time of Elections: The time of elections will take place two weeks before or two
weeks after SGA elections in the month of April.
C. Candidates running for office can either be voluntary or nominated.
D. Nomination Procedures: The E-board will nominate members to be added to the
ballot two weeks before elections in April.
a. If a club member is nominated for ballot, they have the option to either
accept or decline the nomination.
b. Nominated members will have one week to report to any member of the
E-board if they will accept/decline the nomination. In the event that the
nominated member does not report to any member of the E-board in the
given amount of time, then they will automatically be removed from the
ballot.
E. Voting: Club members will vote for candidates with majority rule during allotted
MASDC class time. The candidates will have the option to present a speech to
the club members, explaining why they would make a suitable candidate for
officer’s position they are running for.
 F. Resignations/Impeachments: If the club President chooses to resign, or is
impeached, then the Vice-President will take on the President’s duties until a
suitable candidate is chosen. If an officer other than the President chooses to
leave, or is impeached, then the club secretary will fulfill the departed officer’s
duties until a suitable candidate is chosen.
G. Length of Term: The term of office for each officer is one year.

Article VI: Advisors

A. The club advisor must be a full time member of the FSU faculty or staff and have
some experience in martial arts.
B. The club chooses the advisor that is suitable for the position.
C. The term of service for the advisor is as long as he/she wants, or when they
choose to resign.

Article VII: Rules and Procedures

A. The club shall be governed and its activities managed by a majority vote by the E-
board. Business regarding the club shall be conducted by an executive board of
club officers and instructors.
B. Quorum
1. In the event to carry out a vote, all officers must be present.
2. A quorum of the majority will be required whenever a topic or issue
leaves the club officers divided.
C. Meetings
1. All officers are required to attend weekly meetings.
2. Non-officer instructors are strongly encouraged to attend meetings but are
not required to attend.
3. Any officer who is an instructor that is absent from two meetings in the
same month with no explanation will have their class temporarily canceled
until those two absences are made up. Absences can be made up by
attending meetings
4. If an officer who is an instructor informs E-board members four hours
ahead of time that they will not be able to attend a meeting, then they will
be excused and their class will not be cancelled.
D. Officers are required to discuss relevant topics concerning MASDC and its
members.

Article VIII: Finances

A. The Martial Arts Club is a funded organization of Fitchburg State University
B. There are no dues required of club members.
C. Should the club decide to raise additional funds, the club treasurer will follow the
required course of action for any needed additional funds from the school.
D. Club finances will not be distributed to its members, officers, or advisors.
Finances will be used for essential equipment for the classes, uniforms for the
club members, and any provisions the club will purchase for any events being
held by the club.
Article IX: Amendments and By-Laws
A. If a change to the club constitution is requested or needed, it will be ratified by a
majority vote consisting of club officers and members.
B. Amendments to this constitution shall be made in accordance with established
Student Government and Student Development Policies.