Preamble

We, the members of the Anthony Aston Players, in order to promote the highest standards of theatrical art at Wake Forest University, do hereby establish this constitution.

Article I - Name

The name of this Organization shall be: the Anthony Aston Players.

Article II - Purpose

Motivated by love for the art of theater, Anthony Aston is dedicated to the promotion of theater arts at Wake Forest University. To this end, we seek:

Section 1. To function as a service organization to the University Theater.

Section 2. To provide students opportunities to develop skills and to participate in the production of theater.

Section 3. To promote high standards of theater arts by recognizing outstanding work and dedication in the Wake Forest University Theater.

Article III - Membership

Section 1. Expectations of Active Membership

a. All active members are expected to meet the requirements as outlined by the Organization in the by-laws.

b. All active members are expected to actively attend and participate in meetings.

c. All active members are expected to pay dues by the due date set by the Treasurer and Executive Committee.

Section 2. Sanctions for Non-Compliance

a. Active members who fail to fulfill active membership requirements will be considered associate members and their voting privileges will be suspended.

b. Upon the unanimous vote of the active membership and the approval of the Advisor, the Organization may expel any member who has brought dishonor to it. Formal complaints concerning the actions of Anthony Aston or its membership should be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee.

Article IV - Officers

Section 1. The Officers of the Organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Historians.

Section 2. Powers and Duties of Officers

a. The President shall:

1. Preside at all meetings

2. Appoint committees and committee chairs

3. Call special meetings

4. Appoint an active member to fill, temporarily, the position of an absent officer

5. Enforce the rules of the Organization

6. Be responsible for the organization of the Freshman Orientation Open House each fall.

7. Assist the Secretary in counting ballots

8. Keep the Advisor informed of any business or concerns of the Organization.

b. The Vice President shall:

1. In the absence of the President, exercise all the powers and duties of the President

2. Serve as Chair of the Executive Committee

3. Serve as Chair of the Concessions Committee

4. Be responsible for the organization and presentation of "Rep Hours"

c.The Secretary shall:

1. Attend to all correspondence

2. Keep minutes of all meetings

3. Conduct roll call at all meetings

4. Be responsible for designing ballots for Anthony Aston and University Theater Awards in conjunction with the Historian(s)

5. Be responsible for counting ballots with the President

d. The Treasurer shall:

1. Keep all financial records

2. Set date for collection of dues

3. Pay all bills of the Organization

4. Be responsible for organizing the annual Awards Banquet

5. Be a member of the Events Committee

e. The Historians shall:

1. Keep records of the Organization’s work

2. Be responsible for the archiving of photographs and programs from Anthony Aston and University Theater productions

3. Assist the Secretary in the design of ballots for Anthony Aston and University Theater Awards

4. Serve as Chair of the Events Committee

Article V - Organizational Structure

Section 1. Executive Committee and Membership

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the officers and the Advisor of the Organization. The vice-president of the Organization shall serve as Chairperson of this committee.

Duties and Powers of the Executive Committee

1. Interpret the Constitution and Bylaws of the Organization and, if necessary, propose revisions therein.

2. Evaluate and make recommendations on the activities of the Organization.

3. Act in an advisory capacity to the President of the Organization.

4. Study the general policies of the Organization and make recommendations to the active membership thereon.

5. Compose a list of all eligible active members for offices whenever an election is imminent. Included in the list should appear qualifications of the individual members including, but not limited to, the number of semesters involved in the Anthony Aston Players, any previous experience on the Anthony Aston Executive Committee, class, and the possibility of overseas travel during the next year. This list will be provided to the Organization’s membership before voting.

6. Two or Three members of the Executive Committee shall serve as student liaisons to the University Theater Play Selection Committee.

Section 2. Other Standing Committees

Membership on Committees is open to all Active Members. Members interested in participating should express their interest to the Chair of the respective committee at a meeting of the Organization. In the event that more members express an interest in a committee than are allowed to serve, the membership shall be determined by lot.

a. Concessions Committee - The Concessions Committee is charged with planning and staffing concessions sales at University Theater and Anthony Aston productions and enforcing the concessions service requirement as defined in the bylaws under Article I, Section 2. The Committee shall be comprised of at least two but not more than five Anthony Aston Active Members and the vice-president who shall serve as Chair of this committee.

b. Events Committee - The Events Committee shall be charged with planning recreational events for the active membership of the Organization. The Committee shall be comprised of at least two but not more than five Anthony Aston Active Members and the Treasurer and the Historians who shall serve as Co-Chairs of the committee.

c. Play Selection Committee - The Play Selection Committee shall be charged with reading and selecting plays to be proposed to the membership of the Organization and Department of Theater faculty for proposal for production. The Committee shall be comprised of the President, Treasurer, one other officer elected by the Executive Committee, and two representatives from each class elected by a vote of the active membership of each class. Should a class not be able to fill their two positions, the position will remain vacant. The President shall serve as Chair of the committee.

Article VI - The Advisor

Section 1. Qualifications and Method of Selection

a. The Advisor shall be a faculty or staff member of the Wake Forest University, Theater or Department of Theater.

b. The Advisor shall be appointed by the Executive Committee, subject to approval by the Department of Theater.

Section 2. Length of Term

a. The Advisor shall take office immediately upon accepting the office and shall serve until he or she resigns or a the Executive Committee appoints a new Advisor which is approved by the Theater faculty and staff.

Section 3. Responsibilities

a. The Advisor shall be responsible for the proper observance of the regulations within the Organization. He or she shall strive to make certain that all procedures within the Organization are fair and democratic.

b. He or she shall make suggestions to the Organization in its activities and policies. He or she shall have no voting power, unless this Constitution specifically delegates it to him or her.

c. He or she shall conduct hearings pertaining to the deposition of an officer.

Article VII - Finance

Section 1. Dues

a. The amount and due date for dues shall be set by the Treasurer and the Executive Committee at the start of each semester.

Section 2. Special Fundraising Projects

a. The active membership may vote at any time in the year to sponsor special fundraising projects.

Article VIII - Amendments

Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by the following procedure:

a. At any Organization meeting, written copies of the proposed amendment(s) must be submitted to the active membership.

b. The President or presiding officer will open the floor for discussion.

c. Proposed amendments may not be voted on before the next meeting of the active membership, and all active members must be notified of the meeting.

d. Passage of amendments requires favorable votes from two-thirds of the active membership.

e. All amendments are subject to approval of the Wake Forest University Student Life Committee.

Article IX - Adoption of Constitution

Section 1.

This Constitution shall go into effect at the beginning of the semester following ratification by two-thirds majority of the active membership and upon approval by the Wake Forest University Faculty.

Respectfully Submitted,
Executive Committee

Donald R. Pocock, President
Kimberly A. Whatley, Vice-President
Aimee E. Mackovic, Secretary
Jenny R. Harrison, Treasurer
Darren L. Linvill, Historian
James V. Hilburn Jr., Historian

Approved,

Dr. Donald H. Wolfe, Theater Department Chairperson
Mr. J. E. R. Friedenberg, Faculty Advisor

April, 1996.