Defiance College
Student Athlete Advisory Committee
Constitution of Organization

Spring 2008

MISSION STATEMENT:
Defiance College is dedicated to athletic, social, and academic advancement of all student-athletes. The mission of the Defiance College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunities, supporting fellow student-athletes, and fostering a positive student-athlete image to the campus and community. The SAAC supports and upholds the core values of Defiance College excellence, integrity, community, and respect.

PURPOSE:
1. To promote communication between athletic administration and student-athletes
2. To create and promote positive relationships between athletic teams
3. To create and promote positive relationships between athletes and non-athletes
4. To promote a better understanding of student-athletes’ needs to both the administration and student-athlete
5. To solicit student-athlete responses to proposed NCAA legislation
6. To enhance the image of student-athletes on campus and in the community by encouraging involvement of student-athletes in campus and community projects
7. To provide programs for student-athletes that will encourage academic achievement, health promotion, social responsibility, and general awareness
8. To create a way for student-athletes to be represented on campus through committees that discuss issues pertaining to student-athlete well-being

MEMBERSHIP:
1. Membership shall consist of at least two representatives from each of the men and women’s varsity sports.
2. Each member serves as a liaison between the committee and his/her individual athletic team.
3. Each team shall be entitled to a single vote in all matters before the committee.
4. Members will serve a one-year term on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Membership may be altered, should committee members not fulfill responsibilities or should an emergency arise.

SAAC MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Every SAAC member has the mandatory obligation to participate in SAAC and its volunteer activities:
• If a member misses more than two meetings without prior notification, their membership will be terminated.
• If a member misses an activity that he/she has volunteered to participate in without prior notification, their membership will be terminated.
• If a member is absent, he/she should contact the faculty advisor of the SAAC organization to discuss agenda items covered during the missed meeting.
• Members are expected to volunteer/participate regularly in the program hosts. If the executive board does not feel that the individual is participating regularly they have the power to terminate their membership.

EXECUTIVE BOARD:
At the first meeting of every fall semester, the committee will elect (by election or consensus) the following:

1. President
• Presides over meetings
• Serves as the student-athlete liaison to the institution
• Functions as spokesperson to the conference SAAC, national SAAC, media, and other parties
• Serves a one-year renewable term
• If possible, will participate in athletic department staff meetings and academic-athletic committee meetings

2. Vice-president
• Presides over meetings in president’s absence
• Oversees subcommittees that may be formed as a response to the needs of the conference SAAC
• Exercises all functions of the president in the president’s absence
• Performs all duties which are required of the office by the committee
• Serves a one-year renewable term

3. Secretary
• Responsible for maintaining attendance records
• Responsible for recording meeting minutes and reports and delivering them to the appropriate individuals (i.e. Faculty Staff Advisor, Sports Information Director, and SAAC President)
• Serves a one-year renewable term

4. Treasurer
• Responsible for submitting budget requests
• Responsible for keeping written records of the money spent and raised by the conference SAAC
• Responsible for working cooperatively with the SAAC Faculty Advisor
• Serves a one-year renewable term

5. Student Senate Representative
• Responsible for attending all Student Senate meetings as a representative of SAAC
• Responsible for reporting the dealings of Student Senate to SAAC group
• Serves a one-year renewable term

6. Volunteer Coach
• Liaison between the SAAC group and Athletic Staff
• Responsible for attending all SAAC meetings and officer meetings
• Responsible for contributing to SAAC sponsored events
• Responsible for acting as the advisor when the advisor is unable to attend SAAC meetings or sponsored events

7. Advisor
• The advisor will be the Assistant Athletic Director
• Responsible for attending all SAAC meetings and officer meetings
• Responsible to act as a liaison between the SAAC group and athletic department
• Responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the SAAC group
• Has the ability to veto any decision made by the SAAC group