GHvZ Constitution

Constitution of “Gator Humans versus Zombies,” University of Florida

(Revised November 25th, 2019)

ARTICLE I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of this organization shall be Gator Humans versus Zombies. This organization will utilize the acronym GHvZ in all publicity materials and correspondence, but may refer to the organization as HvZ in any non-official medium.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE STATEMENT

The purpose of GHvZ is to host events of Humans versus Zombies on the University of Florida main campus for the enjoyment of the individuals attending. All are welcome participants.

ARTICLE III. COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

Upon approval by the Department of Student Activities and Involvement, Gator Humans versus Zombies shall be a registered student organization at the University of Florida. GHvZ shall comply with all local, state and federal laws, as well as all University of Florida regulations, policies, and procedures. Such compliance includes but is not limited to the University’s regulations related to Non-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment (including sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking), Hazing, Commercial Activity, and Student Leader Eligibility.

ARTICLE IV. UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS

Section A.    NON-DISCRIMINATION

GHvZ agrees that it will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations genetic information and veteran status as protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

Section B.    SEXUAL HARASSMENT

GHvZ agrees that it will not engage in any activity that is unwelcome conduct of sexual nature that creates a hostile environment. Behaviors that could create a hostile environment include sexual harassment (which could include inappropriate sexual comments), sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

Section C.    HAZING

GHvZ agrees that it will not initiate, support, or encourage any events or situations that recklessly, by design, or intentionally endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a student for any purpose including but not limited to initiation or admission into or affiliation with any student group or organization.

Section D.    RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT

If this organization becomes aware of any such conduct described in this article, GHvZ will report it immediately to Student Activities and Involvement, the Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, or the University’s Title IX Coordinator.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in this organization is open to all enrolled students at the University of Florida.  Non-enrolled students, spouses, faculty, and staff may be associate members; however, they may not vote or hold office.  All members and associate members are free to leave and disassociate without fear of retribution, retaliation, or harassment.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

Section A.    EXECUTIVE BOARD

  1. The elected officers of GHvZ shall make up the Executive Board of GHvZ, hereafter referred to as the ‘e-board.’

Section B.    ELECTED OFFICERS

  1. The elected officers of GHvZ shall be: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Special Projects Manager.
  2. No person shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same elected office.
  3. No person shall hold more than one elected office at the same time.

Section C.    ELECTED OFFICER DUTIES

  1. The President shall preside at the meetings and coordinate the planning and operation of the organization. The President will act as a Main Game Moderator for their elected term (see Article XIV.).
  2. The Vice President shall assist the President in all duties including planning and operation of the organization. The Vice President shall also be aid to the President and serve in their stead should the President be absent or unable to serve. The Vice President will act as a Main Game Moderator for their elected term (see Article XIV.).
  3. The Treasurer will receive and handle all money of GHvZ as well as keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures. The Treasurer will provide a detailed financial statement upon request. The Treasurer may apply to become an appointed position (see Article XIV.) if they so choose.
  4. The Special Projects Manager, hereafter referred to as the SPM, will be responsible for organizing community building events and other non-main-game related events to boost involvement in the organization. The SPM will confer with the rest of the executive board to vote on proposed events. The proposed events will be approved by a super majority vote (three-fourths) of the e-board. The SPM may apply to become an appointed position (see Article XIV.) if they so choose.

Section D.    TERMS OF OFFICE AND VACANCIES

  1. The term of elected officers shall start on the first day of Reading Days of each spring semester and end on the first day of Reading Days of the subsequent spring semester.
  2. Should a vacancy in an elected office occur, there will be another nomination procedure and election for that vacant office, which will occur at the next General Body Meeting. In the meantime, responsibilities and duties will be equally distributed amongst the remaining elected officers.

Section E.    REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

  1. Officers may be removed from office through the following process:
    1. A group of ten (10) or more members and/or associate members submit a written complaint to an officer of the e-board of the organization, who will then notify the rest of the e-board, and then notify the officer under examination.
    2. Given the conditions in Article VI, Section E.1.a, a General Body Meeting will be called to vote on the motion of impeaching the officer. A two-thirds (2/3) majority shall be required of the members present to impeach the officer in question.
  2. Should a removal from office occur that causes a vacancy in office, procedures will be followed as described in Article VI, Section D.2.
  3. The President reserves the right to remove an individual from an appointed position if it is deemed that person is unfit to hold that office. This shall require secondary approval from the super majority of the e-board.
  4. All officers have the right to step down from their office, in the cases including but not limited to changing schools and family issues. In the event that an officer willingly steps down from their position, procedures will be followed as described in Article VI, Section D.2.

ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS

Section A.    VOTING

  1. An eligible voter is defined as an Active Member in good standing with the organization. An Active Member is a member who has participated in at least one GHvZ event in the previous two semesters.
  2. Absentee voting will be permitted. An absentee ballot may be acquired by contacting a member of the e-board, and can be requested starting on the day of the Post Game Meeting announcement and ending when voting concludes.

Section B.    NOMINATIONS

  1. Nominations for all elected offices (see Article VI., Section B.) will be taken from the conclusion of the Main Game of the same Spring semester until the closing of nominations at the Spring Post Game Meeting.
  2. Any member may nominate any other member, including themself, as long as the nominee meets the criteria for holding office set forth by the University of Florida.

Section C. ELECTION PROCEDURE

  1. The election for office(s) shall be held by the use of a Google Form ballot.
  2. Elections for office(s) shall be held annually. They are to be held no later than the third week of April of the Spring semester at the Spring Post-Game Meeting.
  3. The newly elected officers shall begin their terms as described in Article VI., Section D.
  4. Voting will be active from the closing of nominations and will conclude forty-eight (48) hours after voting begins.
  5. A simple majority of votes (fifty percent plus one vote) cast is required for election to any office. If no candidate receives a simple majority, then a runoff election between the two candidates receiving the most votes for the office in question shall be held at a physical meeting within the following two weeks.
    1. Runoff election –  The two candidates will both give a maximum three minute speech to the attending members and attending officers on how they plan to improve our organization. The present members will then vote using a secret ballot. The candidate who receives the majority of the votes will receive the office in question.
      1. If a runoff election is required and there is only a single candidate, the runoff election candidate will run against a vote of no confidence.
  6. In the case that there is an uncontested election, a vote of no confidence clause will be implemented, where if a majority of the votes do not vote in confidence of the applicant, another candidate will be found with the last resort clause (see Article VII. Section D.) or taken by pool of qualified applicants.
  7. Completed ballots will be counted and verified by two appointed positions, who are not potentially leaving or entering an elected office. The results will be posted after the election ends and once ballots have been counted and verified, with the voters’ identities non-disclosed, for club transparency.

Section D.    NOMINEE REQUIREMENTS

  1. All nominees are required be Active Members (see Article V.).
  2. Presidential nominees must meet the following requirements:
    1. Been an Active Member of the club for at least one semester.
    2. Last Resort Clause – In the case that there are no persons who fit this criteria, the elected officers may add any additional persons to the eligible applicant pool by a majority vote.
  1. Vice Presidential nominees must meet the following requirements:
    1. Been an Active Member of the club for at least one semester.
    2. Last Resort Clause – In the case that there are no persons who fit this criteria, the elected officers may add any additional persons to the eligible applicant pool by a majority vote.
  1. Treasurer nominees must meet the following requirements:
    1. Been an Active Member of the club for at least one semester.
  1. Special Projects Manager must meet the following requirements:
    1. Been an Active Member of the club for at least two semesters.
    2. Last Resort Clause – In the case that there are no persons who fit this criteria, the elected officers may add any additional persons to the eligible applicant pool by a majority vote.

Section F.    SLATING DOWN PROCESS

  1. Presidential nominees may slate down to Vice Presidential nominees.
  2. Vice Presidential nominees may slate down to Treasurer and/or Special Project Manager nominees.
  3. Treasurer nominees may slate down to Special Project Manager nominees.
  4. Should a nominee win simple majority in more than one office, the nominee will have the option to pick an office and relinquish the other office in question. A runoff election will be held within the following two weeks at a physical meeting and will abide procedures as per Article VII, Section C.5.a.

ARTICLE VIII. STUDENT ORGANIZATION ADVISOR

The student organization advisor shall be chosen by the officers of GHvZ from a list of willing faculty members. The student organization advisor shall serve as a resource and provide advisory support for the officers and members of the organization. The student organization advisor has the option to attend executive and general meetings; however, the student organization advisor may not vote in any GHvZ matters. In the event that the student organization advisor is unable to continue in their position, a new student organization advisor shall be nominated by the officers from a list of willing faculty members. The person receiving the highest number of votes from Active Members during a General Body Meeting shall receive the position. The student organization advisor will hold the position indefinitely.

ARTICLE IX. FINANCE

GHvZ will not require membership dues; all expenditures at present shall be made using funds from donations and funding received through UF Student Government. GHvZ elected members and officers reserve the right to hold fundraisers and apply for additional Student Government funding in accordance with UF policy.

ARTICLE X. DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION

In the event that the organization dissolves, the organization Gator Humans vs. Zombies will pay any outstanding debt or balance that is owed. Any remaining funds in the treasury shall be donated to Children’s Miracle Network.

ARTICLE XI. ELIGIBILITY TO PLAY THE GAME

GHvZ is open to any person that is holding their Gator ID card upon loaning out a bandana for the current or upcoming game. Non-students are qualified to participate upon completion of a liability waiver provided by the organization in accordance with the University guidelines.

Players must have a GHvZ bandana to play, and may only use the bandana loaned to them. Obtaining a loaned bandana requires recording the player’s contact information in the GHvZ Bandana Registry.

Players are required to return their own issued bandana and other materials loaned out by the club after each game or they may drop from good standing with the organization for each additional semester it takes to recover the materials. After four semesters, a case can be submitted at the end of the 4th semester to Student Conflict and Resolution for theft of club property.

When playing the game, players are required to follow all rules put in place by the GHvZ Moderators, University of Florida, UFPD, City of Gainesville, State of Florida, and United States of America.

ARTICLE XII. EVENTS

Section A. MEETINGS

  1. General Body Meeting — A meeting of members and officers where they will discuss organizational matters. A General Body Meeting can include but is not limited to Post Game Meetings. Members will be notified a minimum of three days prior to the meeting.
    1. Post Game Meeting – A meeting dedicated to discuss feedback about the most recent Main Game.

Section B. GAMES

  1. Game – An event defined where members engage in active Humans vs Zombies gameplay while wearing a designated bandana. Games may include but are not limited to Main Games, Weekend Games, Lock-In, or Day Games.

ARTICLE XIII. CONSEQUENTIAL ACTIONS

GHvZ officers retain responsibility to enact consequences for any actions that may be harmful to the organization or its events in accordance with the “Etiquette Guidelines” outlined in a separate document.

ARTICLE XIV. APPOINTED POSITIONS

  1. The appointed positions of GHvZ shall be the Moderators, and any other semesterly position that the e-board deems necessary.
  2. Any members or associate members of GHvZ in good standing with the organization are eligible to become appointed positions.
  3. Appointed positions of GHvZ will not be officers of the club, nor will they have any extra voting power beyond that of an active member of the club.
  4. Moderators will help run and plan events during their appointed term as described in Article XIV.
    1. Main Game Moderators are Moderators that will be appointed to specifically plan and run our biggest event of each semester, referred to as Main Game (see, Article XII, Section B.).
  5. Should the President deem necessary the addition of a new, appointive position to their administration, the appointee must be confirmed by a vote of the e-board. The proposed appointee will be approved by a super majority vote (three-fourths) of the e-board.
  6. The e-board will select and appoint new Moderators by a means of a majority vote. Should the voting result in a tie, the President’s vote dictates the outcome.
  7. Moderators will be appointed on an event-by-event basis and are expected to be representatives of the organization
    1. The term of non-Moderator appointed positions shall be one semester, starting on the day they are appointed in that semester and ending on the last day of Reading Days of the same semester.
    2. The term of Moderators shall start on the day they are appointed in that semester and end upon the conclusion of all duties for the event for which they are appointed.

ARTICLE XV. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION

A constitutional amendment may be proposed by any member at any time. Amendment proposals should be sent to a member of the e-board, who will confirm it is in agreement with the Policies of the University of Florida. If it meets the requirements, the proposed amendment must be made available to all members at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to voting. Voting will be done through a Google Form ballot provided to the members which will be active for forty-eight (48) hours.

Any proposed amendment requires a three-fourths (3/4), rounded up if necessary, approval of members who submit a ballot during the voting. Any such amendment is subject to final approval by the Department for Student Activities and Involvement.