Bend Senior WP - Constitution

LINKS: Intermountain WP ... Oregon HS Water Polo
Bend SR HS WP: 2008; 2007; 2006; 2005

Updated Tues, Mar 25, 2008. Questions? Contact me at "tuleya@yahoo.com"

Club Constitution

The purpose of the Bend Senior High School Water Polo Club is to provide an opportunity for boys and girls interscholastic water polo teams at Bend Senior High School until it can be sanctioned as a varsity athletic sport with the Bend-LaPine School District. The Water Polo Club shall be an Activities Club at Bend Senior HS. The Club shall follow all direction of the Activities Office and Athletic Department, as well as that of the School Administration.

The Water Polo Club teams shall be dues paying members of the Oregon HS Water Polo Committee (or succeeding authority) and follow all guidelines required by this organization. The teams shall compete in a Central Oregon (IMC) until the Intermountain Conference recognizes Water Polo and/or it becomes an OSAA sanctioned sport. The teams shall only compete against high school varsity athletic teams and HS activity clubs. If necessary, the club might practice and/or compete as a combined team with another HS club(s) from the Bend-LaPine School District.

Membership during the Fall athletic sports season shall be open to all Bend Senior HS students in good standing with Bend Senior HS and its Athletic Policy. These members shall be referred to as Players. Players shall follow the same rules and deadlines, file the same paper work, and pay the same fees as the schools Athletic Policy requires. Players may be responsible for additional fees and/or fund-raising activities as necessary to cover the expense of the club.

Appropriate behavior is mandatory of all players. Violations of general school policies set down in the schools Code of Conduct and Student Handbook will be reported to the coaches, advisors, Athletic Director, Activities Director and School Administration. Players must also follow team rules and coaching directives. Unauthorized absence from practices, games, tournaments, fund-raisers or other meetings will not be tolerated. Violation of any of the above, school eligibility requirements, or school disciplinary action may result in loss of privileges; or may result in temporary and/or permanent suspension from the club after a conference with a parent(s) and coach(es) and/or school officials in accordance with school policies on activities and athletics.

Membership during the off-season (the remainder of the school year after the Fall water polo season has been completed) shall be open to all Bend Senior HS students interested in promoting the Water Polo Club at the school and in the community. Attendance is required to a majority of all meetings and fund-raising activities of the Club. Any fees, if necessary, for off-season membership shall be determined by the Water Polo Club. Off-season members may be dropped from the club at any time for non-participation or violations as described above.

The Water Polo Club at Bend Senior HS shall dissolve upon the establishment of a varsity program at the school. Any funds remaining shall be spent on water polo equipment prior to this dissolution. Any equipment remaining at dissolution shall be used in the establishment of the varsity program at the school, unless specified differently by Bend Senior High School.

Club Sponsor/Advisor Duties

1) Take ultimate responsibility for control over group.

The Water Polo Club Advisor shall have all coaches approved by the School Administration. Coaches at their sole discretion shall determine game participation and strategy. However, coaches serve at the discretion of the Bend Senior HS Administration and its designees. The Advisor shall delegate responsibilities to other supervised adult volunteers as needed.

2) Take responsibility for financing, budgeting, fund-raising, etc. for club.

One of these delegates shall be an independent adult Treasurer. All finances must be run through the school account.

3) Express interest in club activities.

The advisor or a coach must be in attendance at any club activity.

4) See that club charter, constitution, agendas, and misc. paperwork is up-to-date and on file.

The Club must be recognized and chartered by the Bend Senior HS Student Council.

5) Help plan and supervise specific events related to the club goals during the course of the year.

6) Supervise elections of officers (if applicable).

The Officers of the Water Polo Club shall be the Team Captains. There shall be two Captains for each the girls and boys teams. Team Captains shall be selected by each team The coach and/or advisor shall determine eligibility for Captains and may temporarily appoint Captains in the event of any vacancies. One Captain of each team shall be in charge of communication, while the other is in charge of finances. Student club decisions can be made by either the agreement of 3 of these 4 Captains or the majority of the club members.

Lettering Criterion: Players who complete the season who participate in at least half of a game in the majority of games. Additional weight can be given by coaches for seniors or participation in the playoffs. Players can lose their ability to letter for violations of rules.

7) Coordinate club activities with the school Activities Director and the Principal or designee.

8) Understand legal implications accompanying club activities and sponsorship.

Transportation to any away game or tournament must be provided by parents. Parents may arrange car pools amongst themselves, but no student may drive another student. Drivers must be an adult, with a valid Oregon Driver’s License, current insurance, and be a competent driver per Activities Policy. Emergency forms must travel with the Chaperones.

9) Sponsors are responsible for End-of-the-Year reports concerning club activities.