CLUB SPORTS PHILOSOPHY:

The philosophy of the Club Sports program is to promote health, physical well being and the acquisition of physical skill development.

The Club Sports program is part of the Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation Department (P.E.A.R). Club Sports are designed to serve individual interests in different competitive sports and recreational activities. These interests can be competitive, recreational or instructional in nature. Clubs may represent the college in competition or may conduct intraclub activities such as practice, instruction, social and tournament play.

CLUB SPORTS OBJECTIVES:

(1)To make available to students opportunities for the instruction and participation in a wide range of recreational and competitive programs which can develop sound lifelong leisure values and skills. Staff, faculty and alumni may attend practices and instructional classes.

(2)To provide an avenue for camaraderie in the college community through common interests; to develop a feeling of belonging among individuals in the shared pursuit of leisure interests.

(3)To develop leadership by providing opportunities for students to organize, administrate and problem solve for individual clubs and to become officers thereof.

DEFINITION OF A CLUB SPORT:

A Club Sport is a group of students organized for the purpose of furthering their common interests in an activity through participation and competition. A Club Sport must have a minimum number of active participants to be eligible to be recognized as an active Club Sport. (A club becomes ineligible for active status if they are unable to fill the required club officer positions or field enough players to compete in a regional or state competition).

Club Sports are meant to be a learning experience for the members through their involvement in fundraising, public relations, organization, administration, budgeting, and scheduling, as well as, through the development of skills in their particular sport. Involvement in a group and team situation helps enhance the student’s overall education while living in the college setting.

TEAM CLUB SPORTS VS INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY CLUB SPORTS:

A Team Club Sport is defined as a club that is eligible to compete as a team (a set of two or more players competing together in a competition simultaneously) in a registered regional league.

An Individual Activity Club Sport is a club that does not meet the requirement of the above mentioned (team competition in a registered regional league).

ORGANIZATION:

Club Sports (both Team Club Sports and Individual Activity Club Sports) are ranked on a 2-tier system.This system is necessary in part due to the large increase in demand of groups wanting to develop new Club Sports. The 2-tier system gives clubs that qualify under the guidelines presented in Forming a new Club Sport a chance to demonstrate that there is support for such a club amongst the community. Further, this policy allows for a grace period in order that the Club Sports Program can better prepare to allocate its limited resources. The Club Sports Program recommends a maximum of 25 clubs (dependent on CSA funding and approval) per year based on space availability.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE CLUB SPORTS TO THE COLLEGE:

Tier System:

(1) Conditional:Receive no representation on Club Sports Council.

(a) All new clubs, regardless of Club Sports Classification

(2) Active Club: Allowed one representative per team to vote on the Club Sports Council. To be eligible to vote

the representative must be present at the council meeting.

(a) Team Club Sports:

1) Indoor/Outdoor (Rugby, Ice Hockey, etc.)

(b) Individual Activity Club Sports:

1)Martial Arts (Aikido, Karate, Fencing, etc.)

2)Indoor (Juggling, etc.)

3)Outdoor (Equestrian, etc.)

Active clubs are classified by Team Club Sports or Individual Activity Club Sports (as above).This will allow clubs with similar facility and administrational needs to be represented on the Club Sports Council by a representative(s) elected from within the club executives of each particular group. (i.e., who is the best person in that group to represent the group)?

(1) Conditional Status:

(a) All new clubs are assigned Conditional Status for the first year of operation.

(b) Each club has one year to demonstrate viability in terms of club administration, student interest, and support in terms of club members.

(c) Conditional clubs have lowest priority for facilities bookings and reservations.

(d) Financial assistance is not available for Conditional clubs. A club assigned Conditional status must be a completely self-supporting organization.

(e) Upon successful completion of Conditional status, a club will be automatically elevated to Returning status and as such be eligible for such support as deemed suitable (at the discretion of the Club Sports Director as recommended by the Club Sports Council, subject to available funding).

(f) Conditional clubs are not eligible to serve on the Club Sports Council.

(2) Returning Status:

(a) Returning status is the normal operating mode for a previously recognized club.

(b) Be primarily instructional, competitive or recreational with limited travel to competitions.

(c) Each club will be allocated the financial, promotional, administrative and resource support deemed appropriate for each clubs needs. CSA allocated funding is reserved for administration costs, facility rental, equipment costs, travel expenses and fees.

(d) Returning clubs have normal priority for facilities booking and reservations (facilities booking and reservations shall be at the discretion of the Club Sports Director and the council). Club Sports may have facility bookings and reservations superseded by Physical Education classes, Varsity Teams, Recreational Instructional Programs or Intramural Programs if and only if no other facilities exist, or no other arrangements can be made, and that such an arrangement be deemed to be in the best interests of the college and PEAR.

(e) Returning clubs that have been found, through a disciplinary meeting of the Club Sports Council, to be in violation of the rules and regulations may, at the discretion of the Club Sports Director, be reduced to Conditional clubs status at any given time.

(f) Eligible to serve on the Club Sports Executive Council.[1]

CLUB SPORTS COUNCIL:

Definition:

The Club Sports Council aids and advises the club representatives in administering the Club Sports Program. It exists to promote participation in the Club Sports Program and has as its primary objective to provide a medium for the exchange of information regarding the Club Sports guidelines and procedures.

Each Individual CLUB SPORT shall elect an officer to attend periodic Club Sports Council meetings and report back to the club. Others may attend as guests, but shall not have voting rights.

Club Sports Council Structure:

(1) Name:Club Sports Council

(2) Charge: (a) to recommend and monitor the CSA Recreational allocation of funds and resources for the maintenance of the Club Sports, including a non-allocated emergency fund based on 10% of the total Club Sports budget.

(b) To review applications for clubs desiring Club Sports Status and to determine appropriate status for each club completing the application process.

(c) To serve as an appeal board and rule on club appeals regarding decisions made by the Club Sports Executives and the Club Sports Director.

(d) To review each club’s adjusted budget request, and to make recommendations for allocation amounts.

(e) To formulate and enforce procedures which facilitate the development of the Club Sports Program.

(f) To make recommendations, offer advice, and assist in the decision-making process in other matters when requested to do so by the Club Sports Director.

(3) Membership:

Council Executive

(a) Chair (d) Safety Coordinator

(b) Co-Chair (e) Marketing/Publications Officer

(c) Secretary

Executive Council Responsibilities

Chair/Co Chair: responsible for conducting council meetings, reviewing budget requests for additional funding, responsible for sanctions against clubs who commit minor and major infractions affecting the organization of Club Sports.

Secretary: record the minutes of each meeting and post these on the Club Sports web site. Responsible for informing the council of previous business and decisions made concerning the management of clubs. Help the Club Sports Director to review policies based on decisions ratified by the Club Sports council.

Safety Coordinator: responsible for the issuing and maintenance of first aid kits to all competition or high risk clubs. Has to organize the safety training schedule for the club safety officers (includes American Red Cross certification and the sports injury clinic). Create a safety check list for traveling teams. Ensure that teams who compete at home and away are aware of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

Marketing/Publications Officer: responsible for collecting schedules and results from competing teams and ensuring that the Carletonian has this information for publication. Responsible for updating individual club web sites to stay current with season schedules and results.

The Club Sports Executives will also assist the Club Sports Director in the following ways:

-Administrative assistance and guidance.

-Budget preparation assistance.

-Assistance and supervision with finances.

-Field and facility reservations assistance.

-Equipment storage, checkout, and purchase.

-Assistance with transportation arrangements – limited basis.

-Consultation on publicity and promotion.

-Administrative record keeping.

Council

Representatives from each club

(i) The Club Sports Executives and club representatives will serve on the council.

(ii) Executive Council will serve as Co-Chairs for all regular meetings.

(iii) The Secretary will serve as recorder for all meetings.

(iv) Any Carleton club officer who is an active member of a Returning Club Sports may apply for a position on the Club Sports Council.

(v) Only one member per club may serve on the Club Sports Council.

(4) Quorum:A quorum is set at 8 members.

(5) Meetings: The Club Sports Council shall meet a minimum of once a term from September to May, with extra meetings at the discretion of the co-chairs. Any Club Sport can petition the Club Sports Executives to convene a meeting of the Club Sports Council.

RIGHTS AND EXPECTATIONS:

As a member of the PEAR Department at Carleton, each Club Sport is obligated to obtain the approval of the Club Sports Council prior to acting on items, issues or ideas that are not covered in this handbook. If a Club Sport chooses to act independently, that club will risk losing its Club Sports status, and all the rights and privileges associated with that status.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT:

The basic concept underlying the college’s standards of conduct is that students, by enrolling in the college, assume an obligation to conduct themselves and their organizations in a manner compatible with the college’s function as an educational institution. Individuals must always act in a manner that does not detract from the reputation of the college. This includes behavior in game situations. When involved in off-campus events or when traveling, be aware that you still represent the college, even though you are not on campus for the event.