Article 1: Organization

The name of this organization shall be the University of Pennsylvania Band (The Penn Band).

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be to serve the entire community of the University of Pennsylvania through its support of the University's athletic teams and, in a wider context, through its participation in non-athletic University and community events. The organization shall strive to uphold the name and reputation of the University. Its purpose is, moreover, to provide a social atmosphere in which the individual band member's experience at the University is made more meaningful and complete.

Article III: Membership

The membership of the Penn Band shall be open to all undergraduate and graduate students of the University of Pennsylvania, as well as any alumni of the University. To be considered a member in good standing for any particular academic year, attendance is required at four (4) home football games and eight (8) music rehearsals throughout the fall semester. Members in good standing are eligible to vote in elections and are eligible to run for an Executive Board position. Individuals who do not meet the requirements of good standing have the right to appeal to the Executive Board for inclusion in good standing membership. Appeals for good standing shall be granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Board. Members not in good standing are otherwise entitled to participate in Band activities.

Article IV: Leadership

Section A: The Executive Board

1. Composition:

   The Executive Board shall be comprised of the following four (4) duly elected officers: the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, and the Secretary. The Board shall also consist of the Director and, if one exists, the Assistant Director, both of whom are appointed by the University of Pennsylvania administration.

2. Election Process:
   
   1. General:

      Elections for the Executive Board shall be held no later than two (2) weeks following completion of the football season. Any member who is currently a student and in good standing who wishes to run for office should declare his or her intentions to the Secretary prior to elections. Members may also be nominated from the floor at the time of elections. Officers shall be elected in the following order: President, Vice President, Treasurer, then Secretary. Voting for a position shall be taken by secret ballot following candidate speeches and a question and answer session between the candidates and the members in good standing. Candidates for the position of President may speak for up to four (4) minutes while candidates for the other three (3) positions shall be allowed two (2) minutes for speeches. After the voting takes place, the results shall be immediately tallied by those existing Board members not running for a Board position in the election. The victor shall be announced by the Board member who currently holds the position.

   2. Run-offs and Drop-downs:

      Should more than two (2) candidates vie for the same position, a run-off election between the two (2) candidates with the greatest number of votes shall be held immediately following the first vote. Members defeated in a vote for an Executive Board position have the option of "dropping down" to run for a different position if the election of that position has not already taken place. However, no member may run for more than two (2) positions in a general election.

   3. Absentee Voting:

      Absentee voting must be written, signed, and delivered to the Band office during the week prior to elections. Absentee votes shall count towards a candidate in a run-off election. Once a candidate is defeated, an absentee vote for that candidate is no longer valid should that candidate drop down to run for a second Board position.

   4. Assumption of, Resignation from, and Removal from Office:

      Board members shall take office on January 1st of the following year and shall serve a term of one (1) calendar year. Should an elected Board member resign his or her position, a special election adhering to the above-stated rules shall be held soon thereafter to fill the vacated office. A Board member shall be subject to removal from office at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members in good standing. A replacement shall be elected at a special election adhering to the above-stated rules as soon after the removal as possible.

Section B: The Council

1. Composition:

   The Council shall be comprised of the following appointed officers: the Equipment Manager, the Travel Manager, the Music Manager, the Archive Manager, the Electronic Information Manager, and Section Leaders. Where the Executive Board deems appropriate, it may create additional Council positions. The Board itself shall also be included in Council. The Council shall further be comprised of the following selected officers: the Drum Major and the Conducting Assistant(s). Where the Director deems appropriate, he or she may select an Assistant Drum Major who shall also serve on Council.

2. Appointment, Selection, and Confirmation Process:
   
   1. Managers and Section Leaders:

      Managers and Section Leaders shall be appointed by the Executive Board in January. In order to be appointed to these positions, members must submit applications to the Executive Board. Applications shall be provided to any interested member when the Band reconvenes following Winter Break.

   2. Drum Major, Assistant Drum Major, and Conducting Assistants:

      Drum Major and Assistant Drum Major selections shall be made in April by the Director with Executive Board confirmation. Try-outs for Drum Major are conducted prior to selections at a publicly-announced open meeting. Members present at the try-outs shall rate the performance of the candidates to assist the Director in his selection. These ratings shall not be binding to the Director in the selection process of to the Executive Board in the confirmation process. Conducting Assistants shall be selected by the Director, the Drum Major, and the Assistant Drum Major-if one exists-in November, prior to the commencement of basketball season.

   3. Assumption of, Removal from, and Resignation from Office:

      Council Members shall take office at the meeting immediately following their appointment or confirmed selection and shall serve a term of one (1) year. A Council member may be subject to removal from office at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Council. A replacement shall be either appointed by the Executive Board or selected by the Director depending on the position. A vacancy created by resignation shall be replaced in the same fashion.

Article V: Meetings

Meetings shall be held regularly. Time, location, and frequency of general meetings (rehearsals) shall be determined by the Executive Board except that the Band must convene at least weekly during academic periods. Time, location, and frequency of Board meetings shall be determined by the President except that the Board must convene at least twice a month during academic periods. Time, location, and frequency of Council meetings shall be determined by the President except that the Council must convene at least monthly during academic periods. An announcement of a meeting must be made at least seven (7) days prior to the event, except when unforeseen circumstances prevent such advance notice.

Article VI: Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed at a publicly announced open meeting by a member in good standing, the amendment having been submitted to the membership for review one (1) week in advance of the meeting at which it is proposed. Once duly proposed, amendments to the Constitution shall be ratified by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members in good standing voting at the meeting.

Article VII: Ratification

This Constitution shall be in effect, superseding all previous Constitutions, when approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those voting, a quorum being present, the motion having been submitted to the membership in writing at least two (2) weeks prior.