Article I. Preamble and Name

The name of this organization shall be Troy Camp of the University of Southern California (USC), hereby referred to as Troy Camp.

Article II. Objective

Section 1.
Troy Camp is a non-profit student organization dedicated to improving the relationships among and between the students of USC and the surrounding community. Troy Camp seeks to foster relationships between USC students and children of the surrounding community as well as provide new and different opportunities for those children. Our Troy Camp mentors serve as positive role models and provide the necessary support, guidance, and individual attention that many at-risk children lack at home. Most importantly, the mentors work to develop the children's character and potential, motivating them to pursue goals of higher achievement. Following the summer camp, counselors build and strengthen their relationship with the campers during the school year through monthly events and activities. Through continual interaction, Troy Camp counselors are able to positively influence these kids-and in most cases correct and prevent the negative behaviors and destructive lifestyles of at risk, inner-city youth.

Section 2.
All members are required to demonstrate support for the purpose of the organization.

Article III. Membership

Section 1.
Membership in Troy Camp shall be limited to students of USC. Students of USC that wish to be a cabin counselor must be at least eighteen years of age by the first day at camp.

Section 2.
Any student of USC selected by the Counselor Recruitment and Selection Committee can be a member of Troy Camp.

Section 3.
Troy Camp will not restrict membership based upon national origin, race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or age.

Section 4.
Active members shall be defined as follows: A) must have attended or read online minutes of at least one of the past four Troy Camp general meetings; and B) must have shown support of the purpose of Troy Camp through attendance to one of the past four kid's events.

Section 5.
All other members, including those abroad, shall be defined as Inactive Members. Inactive Members shall not be included in the membership totals required for quorum. Inactive members studying abroad may still vote on matters of Troy Camp policy.

Section 6.
Recent alumni members are welcome at Troy Camp meetings and yearlong programming but shall otherwise be considered inactive members.

Article IV. Officers

Section 1.
The officers of the organization shall be the Executive Board of Troy Camp. The Executive Board shall consist of two Executive Directors and no less than five additional officers. The other officers shall be: Director of Communications, Director of Finance, Director of Fundraising Events, Director of Grant Writing, Director of Camp Programming, Directors of Yearlong Programming, Director of Camper Recruitment, Director of Counselor/JC Recruitment, Director of Alumni and Public Relations, and Director of Leaders in Training.

Section 2.
The shape of the Executive Board may be modified for each year prior to elections. The current Executive Board shall submit their suggested changes for the approval of the organization at a regular meeting. The offices of Co-Executive Director, Communications and Finance will remain consistent except by amendment.

Section 3.
The directors will perform the duties required by this constitution and the adopted policies.

Section 4.
The Co-Executive Directors shall preside at all Executive Board and general membership meetings. They shall be chief spokespersons for the organization and shall be responsible for keeping contact with major USC and non-USC personnel important to Troy Camp. The Co-Executive Directors shall be responsible for the coordination and effectiveness of all directors and committees. They shall also appoint all committee chairpersons unless or until seats are filled with specific persons as specified in this constitution.

Section 5.
The Director of Communications shall be responsible for managing the Troy Camp website and e-mail accounts. The Director of Communications shall be responsible for notifying members of Troy Camp of announcements and events via the Troy Camp USC e-mail account as well as responding to e-mails sent to Troy Camp or forwarding them to the appropriate parties. The Director of Communications shall also act as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping minutes at the general and executive board meetings as well as keeping track of membership and member involvement.

Section 6.
The Director of Finance shall be responsible for collecting all incoming money, as well as managing the Troy Camp money accounts through the Department of Student Activities, including the student organization account (78), the gift account (22), the checking account, and the endowment. He/she shall be responsible for recording and reporting all expenditures and revenues of the organization. He/She is also responsible for presenting the financial status of the organization to the executive board on a monthly basis.

Section 7.
The Director of Fundraising Events shall be responsible for the coordination of all Troy Camp fundraising events, as well as researching and developing new fundraising sources.

Section 8.
The Director of Grant Writing shall be responsible for researching and applying for new grants and corporate donations.

Section 9.
The Director of Counselor Recruitment shall be responsible for the coordination of one fall recruitment period. He/she shall be responsible for coordinating recruitment activities and establishing the interview and selection committees, the application form, and the interview process. He/she is also responsible for integrating new members into the organization through fall retreat and other periodic activities. The Director of Counselor Recruitment shall also be responsible for the recruitment and selection of Junior Counselors for that year's camp. Junior Counselors shall be secondary students in 9th through 12th grade. They must have been present for at least one summer camp, and involved with the organization for at least one year.

Section 10.
The Director of Camper Recruitment shall be responsible for the establishment of a camper recruitment and selection committee responsible for obtaining the campers for that year's camp. Campers shall be recruited from schools within a five-mile radius of the USC. Campers shall be in 3rd through 5th grade when applying. The Director of Camper Recruitment must build a close-knit relationship with their contacts at each of the school and must maintain this relationship throughout the course of the selection process. The Director may also explore other schools around USC to recruit more campers. He/She may also seek to expand the number of campers permitted to attend Troy Camp.

Section 11.
The Co-Directors of Yearlong Programming shall be responsible for two main operations: monthly to bi-monthly kids events as well as the Mentoring Program. A Kids Event shall be termed any Troy Camp sponsored outing, excursion, or activity held approximately once a month or more, involving counselors and campers. The two directors are permitted to divide the work depending on each other's areas of expertise but they must work together in planning events each month for the campers and counselors as well as building on the foundations of the current Mentoring Program.

Section 12.
The Director of Alumni and Public Relations shall be responsible for increasing Troy Camp's visibility within the USC campus and outside of it. In promoting Troy Camp on campus and outside of it, this can assist in gaining more support from various outlets from a student and faculty level, to a corporate level. They are also responsible for maintaining Troy Camp's counselor alumni base and writing and mailing an alumni newsletter on a timely schedule.

Section 13.
The Director of Camp Programming shall be responsible for scheduling the week of camp and acting as Camp Director for that week. They shall also be responsible for getting supplies for camp donated. They are also responsible for preparing the counselors for camp by performing duties such as making sure they are fingerprinted, CPR and First Aid certified, as well as planning Spring Retreat and Pre Camp.

Section 14.
The Director of Leaders in Training shall be responsible for developing the middle school leadership program, specifically by planning events. The events shall focus on college preparation and building leadership in participants. The director will locate and recruit previous Troy Campers to become a part of the program as well as request participation from counselors in the general membership.

Article V. Executive Board Operations

Section 1.
The Executive Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the organization between its business meetings, post the hour and place of its meetings, make recommendations to the organization, and shall perform other duties as specified in this constitution. The Executive Board shall be subject to the orders of the organization, and none of its acts should conflict with any action taken by the organization.

Section 2.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Board, regular executive board meetings shall be held once a week, an hour and a half prior to general meetings. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the Co-Executive Directors and shall be called upon written request of those members of the Executive Board. The Co-Executive Directors are also responsible for holding one-on-one meetings with each member of the Executive Board once a semester.

Section 3.
The Executive Board shall be responsible for preparing the agenda for all meetings.

Section 4. Finances

1. The budget for Troy Camp shall be prepared by the Director of Finance at the beginning of each semester based on the estimates submitted by the Executive Board Members.
2. All Executive Board members, committees, and general members must report projected expenditures for which they will require a check, internal requisition, or reimbursement, to the Director of Finance at least one week before a payment shall be made. Unless an expenditure is approved by the Director of Finance or either of the Co-Executive Directors, there is no guarantee that it will be reimbursed. A final itemized report of all expenditures shall be submitted to the Director of Finance with any request for reimbursement.

Section 5. Camp Positions

1. Camp position duties shall be determined by the Director of Camp Programming.
2. The Executive Board shall select members to fill camp position duties. Selection may be determined by availability, points, participation in optional activities, recognition of exceptional circumstances, special skills, and preferences.

Article VI. Meetings

Section 1.
Regular meetings for Troy Camp are every week unless noted by the Executive Board. Meetings run approximately one hour throughout the academic school year, September through May inclusive.

Section 2.
Special meetings may be called by any member of Troy Camp by presenting a petition signed by twenty-five percent of all active members ten days before the desired meeting. The Director of Communications shall be responsible for informing all members at least three working days prior to the meeting.

Article VII. Committees

Section 1.
Executive Board Directors may employ the use of a committee at their discretion, with the approval of the Co-Executive Directors. Each committee Chairperson: 1) shall inform his/her committee members of their duties, and 2) may chair only one committee.

Section 2.
Unless no immediately suitable candidate is found, the Directors may choose to appoint an already committed "temporary" chairperson only until the situation is rectified. If additional committees beyond those outlined in the constitution are deemed necessary or desirable, committee chairpersons may make a proposal to the Executive Board for approval.

Section 3.
The counselor recruitment and selection committee is responsible for the completion of at least one counselor recruitment period spanning at least two weeks under the direction of the Director of Counselor Recruitment. The recruitment committee may include any interested members of the organization who are able to attend all interviews for which they are scheduled by the Director of Counselor Recruitment. The counselor selection committee, which will consist of no less than eight members, is responsible for the conduction of interviews for all interested persons. The selection and recruitment committee procedures shall be made known to the committee prior to recruitment.

Section 4.
The camper recruitment committee shall be responsible for a camper recruitment period which shall begin no later than the twenty-eighth of February and be completed by the thirtieth of April.

Article VIII. Terms of Office

All officers shall serve from the day after Troy Camp takes place until the last day of Troy Camp for the following year.

Article IX. Elections

Section 1.
Elections for all Executive Board Positions shall be held in April of each year. The Co-Executive Directors will establish the elections timeline for each year, including a date for the Co-Executive Director election and a date for the general election in which all other executive board positions will be filled. Ample time shall be given between the time elections are announced and platforms are due.

Section 2.
All Executive Board positions shall be elected.

Section 3. Requirements for Candidacy

1. All positions with the exception of the two Executive Director positions are available to the entire membership with 1 year's experience in Troy Camp.
2. Those wishing to apply for the Co-Executive Director position must have at least one year prior experience on the Executive Board.
3. Candidates may only apply for one position in the general election. Candidates eligible to run for Co-Executive Director may run for another executive board position if he or she does not win the Co-Executive Director election.
4. Candidates interested in running for a position must: i) speak with the current director of their position or with the Co-Executive Directors if the current director is unavailable; and ii) submit an application ("platform") by the deadline.

Section 4. Elections Process

1. The current executive board shall make its recommendation for the executive board structure for the following year.
2. Platforms for all candidates shall be made available to the organization by the Director of Communications at least 3 days prior to elections.
3. The Co-Executive Director election will occur in advance of the elections for all other Executive Board positions. This election will follow all of the same elections procedures.
4. On the day of elections, elections shall run as follows:
   1. Each candidate's name, year in Troy Camp, and point totals for the year shall be prominently displayed for the membership prior to any speeches.
   2. Each candidate shall give a speech, followed by a question and answer period;
   3. After the question and answer period, the candidate will leave the room and a brief (3 minute for Co-Executive Director candidates, 2 minutes for all other Executive Board positions for each respectively), closed "discussion" period will take place.
   4. All other candidates for the same position must remain out of the room until each candidate has gone.
5. A vote shall be taken at the end of all positions. Fifty-percent plus one of the members present is required for a candidate to be elected into office.

Section 5. Elections Decorum

1. Comments during discussion period shall remain focused on business-related matters and the candidate's qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the position.
2. Current Co-Executive Directors are to refrain from making comments about or questioning potential candidates.
3. Elections Decorum shall be read prior to the commencement of the first speech on the day of elections. Failure to abide by elections decorum will result in a warning. A second infraction will result the immediate dismissal from elections. The dismissed member shall not be counted in the totals required for quorum.

Section 6.
In the case that no candidate receives the number of votes required to be elected into office, another election shall be held to fill that position. If possible, the election should take place at a Troy Camp meeting before the end of the semester. If time does not allow, the election may be held via e-mail. Because some positions may not require preparation over the summer, appropriate timing on a re-election shall be determined by the outgoing executive board.

Section 7.
Should a position be vacated during a term, either by resignation or removal, an election to fill the position shall be held at an upcoming Troy Camp meeting. If a suitable candidate is unavailable, the Executive Board will work to fill the duties of this position until a suitable candidate is found.

Article X. Quorums

Section 1.
Fifty percent plus one Active Members of the organization shall be required to conduct business.

Section 2.
Fifty percent plus one member of the Executive Board shall be required to conduct business.

Section 3.
The term majority for voting purposes shall be defined as fifty percent plus one member of the quorum established at that meeting. The term two-thirds vote shall be defined as two-thirds of the quorum established for that meeting.

Article XI. Resignation, Removal, and Discipline

Section 1. Resignation, removal, and discipline of the Executive Board

1. All executive board officers are subject to the continued approval and satisfaction of the organization.
2. Should a Director feel he or she is no longer able to perform his or her duties in office, the Director may resign from his or her position by making his or her intentions known to both Executive Directors.
3. Should a member of the Executive Board or the general membership feel a Director is unable to perform his or her duties in office, the member may take actions to have the Director censured or removed from his or her position by filing a formal or informal request with the Executive Directors.
4. If the issue is a relatively minor matter of behavior, the first action shall be a warning delivered by the Co-Executive Directors. If inappropriate behavior continues at an unsatisfactory level or if the matter regards serious indiscretion, the petitioner may take formal actions for removal by following the procedures for discipline and removal of general members, outlined in Article XII, Sections 2-5.

Section 2.
A petition, signed by one-third of the organization and presented to the Executive Directors, shall be sufficient to initiate removal proceedings. The Executive Directors shall be responsible for presenting the petition to the Executive Board. The petitioners will be responsible for filing the unconfirmed facts with the Executive Directors with the petition. The petition shall be announced to the general membership within two meetings of filing.

Section 3.
The legitimacy of such claims shall be investigated through the use of a formal hearing. Both parties, the petitioners and the accused, are allowed to have advisement in attendance. All members of the organization shall, when requested, appear before the Executive Board. The accused will have the choice of either of the following:

1. an open hearing with the membership determining the legitimacy of the claims. At such a hearing, all members may attend and all members present will vote on the truthfulness of the claims made by the petitioners. A two-thirds majority of the quorum established shall be required to affirm the legitimacy of the claims. The Co-Executive Directors will preside over such a hearing.
2. a closed hearing with the Executive Board determining the legitimacy of the petitioners' claims. At such a hearing, attendance will be restricted to the necessary persons and the Executive Board will vote on the truthfulness of the claims made by the petitioners. A two-thirds majority of the Executive Board shall be required to affirm the legitimacy of the accusations. The Co-Executive Directors will preside over such a hearing. If this option is selected by the accused, no charges or evidence are to be made public.

Section 4.
If the legitimacy of the petitioners' claims has been established, the same forum will consider the appropriate action to be taken by a two-thirds vote of the voting members of the organization in attendance. (Note: Appropriate action is to be defined by the organization at that time. It may range from censorship, to removal from their office, to removal from the organization, and so on.).

Article XII. Amendments

This constitution may be amended by the organization at any regular or special meeting provided that the amendment has been discussed and read at two meetings. Any amendments or changes to the constitution shall be adopted after approval by two-thirds of the quorum established at such a meeting.

Article XIII. Affiliations

Section 1. USC

1. This organization is a recognized student organization at the University of Southern California, but is not a part of the University itself.
2. In all correspondence and business transactions, it may refer to itself as an organization at USC, but not as part of USC itself.
3. Troy Camp accepts full financial and production responsibility for all activities and its sponsors.
4. Troy Camp agrees to abide by all pertinent USC policies and regulations. Where USC policies and regulations and those of Troy Camp differ, the policies and regulations of USC will take precedence.
5. Troy Camp recognizes and understands that the University assumes no legal liability for the actions of the organization, and the University is not providing blanket, indemnification insurance coverage for any activities of the organization, unless those activities expressly benefit and further the goals of the University, and have received prior review, approval, and consent of the Offices of Student Activities, Risk Management, and/or General Counsel.
6. Troy Camp assumes no legal liability for events or the actions of its members that do not take place at officially sanctioned Troy Camp events.