River States Conference Constitution
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River States Conference Constitution Preamble Believing that intercollegiate athletic competition is a vital part of higher education and is regarded as an integral part of the educational program available to students at each member institution, and, as such, should be subject to administrative and faculty direction and control, the River States Conference is incorporated for the purpose of maximizing the constructive and educational benefits of intercollegiate athletic competition for the students at each member institution. Fundamental to the successful application of any set of rules is the spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation. It is the function of this conference to encourage intercollegiate athletics on an amateur basis with institutional control. The members of this River States Conference are dedicated to a continuing effort to maintain intercollegiate athletics in harmony with the essential educational purposes of the institution. To reinforce these principles, the River States Conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental purposes, policies, and principles governing the conduct of intercollegiate athletics as adopted by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). These include the aims and purposes contained in Article III of the NAIA Constitution: The aim of the NAIA is to promote the development of athletics as an integral part of the educational offerings of member institutions by means of democratic participation at conference, regional and national levels. This aim shall be accomplished by means of the functioning of committees composed of representatives of those institutions which subscribe to and support athletic programs that shall culminate in truly democratic national championship competitions. The purpose of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of students through intercollegiate athletic participation. Member institutions, although varied and diverse, share a common commitment to high standards and the principle that athletics serves as an integral part of education. The NAIA embraces the concept of the student and recognizes the importance of the individuality of each member institution, the value of the conference and regional structures, and the benefits of membership in a national association. Page 1 of 14 Constitution Table of Contents Article I: Name and Purpose ....................................................................3 Article II: Membership ..............................................................................4 2.1 Conditions of Membership ....................................................4 2.2 Members ...............................................................................4 2.3 Achieving Membership ..........................................................5 2.4 Sanctions ..............................................................................5 2.5 New Member Contributions ...................................................6 2.6 Resignation of Membership ..................................................7 2.7 Dissolution ............................................................................7 Article III: Organization ............................................................................8 3.1 Governance of the RSC ........................................................8 3.2 Council of Presidents ............................................................8 3.3 Administrative Council ...........................................................9 3.4 Commissioner .....................................................................11 3.5 RSC Employees, officers and agents .................................. 12 Article IV: Finances ................................................................................12 4.1 General Principles ..............................................................12 4.2 Budget .................................................................................12 4.3 Disbursement Authorization ................................................12 4.4 Contingency Fund ............................................................... 12 Article V: Indemnification .....................................................................13 Article VI: Arbitration ............................................................................13 6.1 Arbitration ............................................................................13 6.2 Provisions ...........................................................................13 Article VII: Amendments ........................................................................14 7.1 Amendment Procedure ....................................................... 14 7.2 Amendment without Meeting14 ........................................... 14 7.3 Effective Date ......................................................................14 Article VIII: Bylaws .................................................................................14 Page 2 of 14 Article I: Name and Purpose 1.1 Name. Effective July 1, 2016, the legal name of the organization shall be Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Inc. and will operate under the assumed name of River States Conference. The River States Conference (hereafter, RSC) is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Conference is a tax-exempt non-profit corporation under Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (3) as a public charity. 1.2 Statement of Purpose. The purpose of the RSC is to support, promote, organize and supervise intercollegiate athletic competition among members in a way that encourages competition to be equitable, wholesome, amicable, enjoyable and educational. The RSC will work to advance the highest ethical standards of character, conduct, sportsmanship and fair play. 1.2.1 No substantial part of the activities of the RSC shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the RSC shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the RSC shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by any organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corresponding section of any future tax code, or by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. 1.3 Values. The RSC recognizes the value of athletic competition in developing character and life skills and promotes the following NAIA five core values on the field of play, on our campuses, and in our communities: 1.3.1 Respect 1.3.2 Responsibility 1.3.3 Integrity 1.3.4 Servant leadership 1.3.5 Sportsmanship Page 3 of 14 Article II: Membership 2.1 Conditions of Membership 2.1.1 Membership in the RSC shall be limited to not for profit private and state regionally accredited four-year colleges and universities adhering to the purpose and standards of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the RSC. Members must be committed to emphasizing the Champions of Character Program and enhancing the educational values of intercollegiate athletic competition. Membership is based upon mutual trust and respect among member institutions. 2.1.2 Membership is subject to the written approval of the chief executive officers of member institutions. As a condition of membership, each member agrees to comply with Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, Bylaws and sport regulations of the NAIA and RSC in the conduct of intercollegiate athletic programs. 2.1.3 Agreements evidencing membership in the RSC shall be of such form as shall be determined by the Council of Presidents (COP). These shall be signed by an authorized representative of each member institution on behalf of the institution, and by the Commissioner or by such other officers authorized by the law and by the COP to do so on behalf of the RSC. 2.2 Members 2.2.1 Active Full Members of the RSC. As of the date of approval of this Constitution and Bylaws, the RSC membership includes the following institutions Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, KY Asbury University, Wilmore, KY Brescia University, Owensboro, KY Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA Indiana University East, Richmond, IN Indiana University Kokomo, Kokomo, IN Indiana University Southeast, New Albany, IN Midway University, Midway, KY Oakland City University, Oakland City, IN Ohio Christian University, Circleville, OH Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA Saint Mary of the Woods College, Terre Haute, IN (2021-22) University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, OH West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Beckley, WV 2.2.2 Active Associate Members of the RSC. As of the date of approval of this Constitution and Bylaws there are no active associate members. Page 4 of 14 2.3 Achieving Membership 2.3.1 New Member. New members meeting the qualifications set forth in section 2.1 (Conditions of Membership) and Bylaws Article II, sections 2.1 and 2.2 (Achieving Membership) may be admitted upon written application submitted to the Commissioner and be distributed to the Membership Committee and a representative of each active full member. At least two-thirds of current active full members of the COP must approve the admission of the applicant institution to membership in the RSC. Written application for