Basic Facts:

  • The WAA was founded in 1904.
  • The General Board of WAA meets biweekly each quarter and consists of the Executive Board, two representatives from each varsity sport, and a faculty advisor.
  • Membership is open to those women currently enrolled at the University of Chicago who have earned a Major "C" or Minor "C" or who are presently participating in a varsity sport.
  • All women Varsity athletes are encouraged to attend meetings and to become involved in the activities of the organization.



Constitution:

As of February 1987

CONSTITUTION OF THE WOMEN'S ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

Articles

  1. Name
    The name of this organization shall be the Women's Athletic Association of the University of Chicago. (Referred to hereafter as the WAA.)

  2. Purpose
    The purpose of WAA shall be to encourage close relationships between the women athletes of the University of Chicago in order that they may work together as a body to promote women's athletics.

  3. Organization
    WAA shall be governed by this constitution and these bylaws as amended from time to time as provided herein.

  4. Membership
    The membership of this organization shall be open to those women currently enrolled in the University of Chicago who have earned a Major "C", Olde English "C", or an honorable mention or who are presently participating in a varsity sport.

  5. Administration
    1. The officers of the WAA shall consist of a President, a First Vice-President, a Second Vice-President, a Secretary and a Publicity Chairwoman, who shall constitute the Executive Board.
    2. The General Board shall consist of the Executive Board (Section 1), a faculty advisor, a representative from each varsity sport and such chairpeople as the Board shall deem necessary for carrying out special functions.

  6. Meetings
    1. The General Board shall meet regularly, at least three times a quarter, on the day and at the time most convenient to a majority of the members.
    2. The President shall be empowered to call special meetings at any time and the Executive Board shall meet at such times as is deemed necessary.
    3. Minutes of all meetings shall be available upon request to any member of the WAA, and all members of the General Board shall receive copies of said minutes after each meeting.
    4. Each member of the General Board shall be allowed one vote and matters shall be passed by simple majority, otherwise they are overruled.
    5. All WAA members are encouraged to attend General Board meetings.
    6. A General Board member with two unexcused absences will be required to appear before the Executive Board in a special hearing where the possibility of expulsion from their elected position or other disciplinary actions will be discussed.

  7. Nominations and Elections
    1. In the election process nominations for the office of President are accepted first. Members may nominate themselves or they may approve their nomination by another member. The nomination process shall be one week long.
    2. The presidential elections shall take place immediately following the nomination process. Members shall have one week in which to cast their votes.
    3. Following the presidential election nominations will be solicited for all other Executive Board offices. Nominations shall proceed as outlined in Section 1.
    4. Nominations for the offices of First and Second Vice-president are consolidated under the heading of Vice-president. The nominee receiving the highest number of votes becomes the First Vice-president and the nominee receiving the second highest number of votes becomes the Second Vice-president.
    5. Members will have one week in which to cast their votes. The results will not be revealed until the awards banquet.
    6. All elections shall be decided by a simple majority. In the case of a tie there shall be a run-off election for the candidates who have amassed the most votes. Elections must be completed at least one week before the spring awards banquet.
    7. The faculty advisor shall be responsible for the prompt and confidential counting of all votes.
    8. The elections for team representatives shall be held at the beginning of each season. The team representative's term of office lasts until the next election is held.

  8. Constitution and Amendments
    1. The constitution shall be accepted by a two-thirds majority of all members voting on the proposed constitution.
    2. Any member may offer amendments to the constitution if supported by ten additional members. Such amendments shall be considered part of the constitution if accepted by a two-thirds majority of all members voting on the proposed change.
    3. All changes shall be posted at least ten days before they are to be voted on.

Bylaws
  1. Duties
    1. Duties of Officers
      The officers shall perform the duties outlined in the constitution and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by the president.

      1. The President
        1. Shall call and preside at all meetings of the Board, the Executive Board and the Association.
        2. Shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
        3. Shall be responsible for the greeting of the quarterly WAA Newsletter and shall assist the representatives in meeting their deadlines.
        4. Shall ensure that the team representatives fully understand their responsibilities and that said representatives are elected according to the guidelines set forth in Article VII of the Constitution.
        5. Shall, at the end of her administration, prepare and present a report including: a critical analysis of the year's work; specific recommendations tot he new President and Board; and such additional details as may be of assistance to the new Administration.
      2. The Vice-Presidents
        1. The first Vice-President shall act for the President in the absence of that officer and shall assume all duties delegated by the President. Only in this way shall the First Vice-President differ from the Second Vice-President.
        2. Shall be in charge of purchasing and organization for all fund-raising activities. (i.e. the concession stand).
        3. Shall prepare the banquet awards for distribution.
        4. Shall assume the duties of Treasurer:
          1. Shall be in charge of the funds of the Association.
          2. Shall keep a ledger of all money transactions.
          3. Shall have a financial report available at all Board meetings.
      3. Secretary
        1. Shall keep the minutes of the Board and Association meetings and shall ensure that these minutes are distributed to all Board members.
        2. Shall notify persons of their election or appointment to committees.
        3. Shall keep a record of attendance at Board meetings and shall report two unexcused absences of any member to the President.
        4. Shall be responsible for the completion and distribution of the WAA directory.
        5. Shall ensure that the date of the next meeting is posted in the minutes.
      4. Publicity Chairwoman
        1. Shall be responsible for the WAA Bulletin Board.
        2. Shall contact the Maroon and publicize all events of the Association.
        3. Shall be responsible for the preparation of the banquet program cover.
        4. Shall publicize all meetings.

    2. Duties of Team Representatives
      1. The primary responsibility of the team representatives shall be to act as a transmitter of ideas between the WAA Board members and their respective varsity team in order to promote the interests of their team and the WAA as a whole.
      2. Shall be responsible for the recruitment of volunteers to assist in fund-raising activities.
      3. Shall be responsible for the recruitment of volunteers to house prospective students at the request of her coach.
      4. Shall be responsible for the completion of her sport's article for the WAA Newsletter, which is due two weeks after the close of the season.
      5. Shall be present at all General Board meetings. If she cannot attend she must send an alternate in her place.
      6. Shall ensure that the team MVP vote is taken confidentially and that her teammates understand and have read the qualities of a MVP that are listed in this constitution.

    3. Duties of the Executive Board
      1. Shall plan the policy of the Board.
      2. Shall have charge of all properties of the Association.
      3. Shall determine when a member of either Board is to be impeached.
      4. Shall act in place of the General Board in cases of emergency.

    4. Duties of the General Board
      1. Shall carry out all the activities of the Association.
      2. Shall promote athletic spirit and interest and control all matters not otherwise provided for.

  2. Awards Banquet
    An awards banquet shall be held annually during the month of May.

  3. Parliamentary Authority
    All meetings shall be conducted under modified parliamentary procedure.

  4. Varsity Awards
    1. All varsity awards, with the exception of the MVP award, are subject to departmental discretion for which the WAA is not responsible.
    2. The MVP Trophy is awarded to a varsity player who shall be selected by a vote of the team members on the basis of loyalty, skill, sportsmanship, and teamwork. If a tie occurs, a re-vote shall be taken; if the tie cannot be broken, the trophy shall not be awarded.

  5. Amendments
    1. The bylaws shall be amended by a simple majority of all members voting on a proposed change. Each member shall receive a copy of each proposed change at least ten days in advance of the time of voting.

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Recent Past Presidents:

1997 Jen Costello
1998 Amy Still
1999 Amy Gleisner
2000 Dana Allison

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For further information, Contact WAA.