THE 2010 CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS CHORISTERS

This page is under construction.

Contents
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE I. - NAME
ARTICLE II. - PURPOSE
ARTICLE III. - MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE IV. - OFFICERS
ARTICLE V. - OPERATIONS
ARTICLE VI. - SCHOLARSHIP
ARTICLE VII. - AMENDMENTS
BYLAWS:
ARTICLE I. - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
ARTICLE II. - ADMITTANCE
ARTICLE III. - ELECTIONS
ARTICLE IV. - STANDING COMMITTEES
ARTICLE V. - FINANCES
ARTICLE VI. - PENALTIES

The 2010 Constitution of the

University of San Carlos Choristers
REAMBLE
We, the members, officers, and stakeholders of the University of San Carlos Choristers, do hereby establish this
constitution in order that our purpose be realized to its fullest extent.
ARTICLE I. NAME
Sec. 1 Name
The name of the organization will be University of San Carlos Choristers, or its epithet USC Choristers.
ARTICLE II.NATURE AND PURPOSE
Sec. 1 Nature
The University of San Carlos Choristers is the official chorale of the University of San Carlos.
Sec. 2 Purpose
2.1
Our express purpose is to aid continuing members (see article III) through scholarship.
2.2

Our aim is to promote the arts especially choral music.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Sec 1 Limit
Membership is limited to registered students of the University of San Carlos.
Sec. 2 Membership status
2.1
Probationary status is given to interested applicants who pass auditions for one semester
2.2

Active membership is given to probationary members after serving for one semester.

Sec. 3 Rights and Privileges

3.1
Members are entitled to receive scholarship
3.2

Members are entitled to other related benefits from membership of the organization.

Sec. 4 Voluntary Withdrawal

Any member may voluntarily withdraw from the University of San Carlos Choristers as long as he/she is cleared from
any liability that is due him/her.
Sec. 5 Discrimination provision
The University of San Carlos Choristers does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, personal appearance, age, national origin, political affiliation and physical disability.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
Sec. 1 The Choir Director
The University of San Carlos Choristers shall be under the guidance of the Official Choir Director duly appointed by the
University Administration.
Sec. 2 Roster of officers and qualifications
The University of San Carlos Choristers shall have a set of officers:

President must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least four semesters and must
not be a graduating student for the effective academic year.

Vice-President Internal must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least four
semesters.

Vice-President External must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least four
semesters.

Secretary must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least three semesters.

Assosciate Secretary must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least two
semesters.

Treasurer must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least four semesters.

Auditor must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least four semesters.

Public Relations Officer must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least one
semester.

Chief Custodian 1 must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least one semester.

Chief Custodian 2 must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least one semester.

Chief Librarian 1 must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least one semester.

Chief Librarian 2 must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least one semester.

Castigations and Discipline must be a resident of the University of San Carlos Choristers for at least 3
semesters.

Sec. 3 Candidacy
Only active members of the University of San Carlos Choristers are allowed for candidacy of office. Probationary
members are disqualified.
Sec. 4 Start of office
Office shall start after proper turn-over has been made.
Sec. 5 re-election
Any officer may be re-elected provided he/she has observed the qualifications of this constitution.
Sec. 6 term of office
The term of office for all officers is one academic year
Sec. 7 Power to promote, demote, or remove executive committee

7.1
Power to promote, demote, or remove from office the President, Vice-President Internal, and Vice-President
External, Secretary, Assistant Secretary before the term expires shall be with the Choir Director of the University of
San Carlos Choristers.
7.2
Power to promote, demote, or remove Officers
Power to promote, demote, or remove from office the rest of the officers shall be with the President of the University
of San Carlos Choristers.
Sec. 8 Assistant Choir Director
The Choir Director may appoint an Assistant Choir Director.
Sec. 9 Section Leaders
The Choir Director may appoint Section Leader for every voice
Sec. 10Appointment of honorary officers
The President may appoint honorary officers.
Sec. 11Vacancies
The President may appoint any member for any vacancies. Appointment must be accepted by majority (50% + 1
vote) of the officers present, including the president.
ARTICLE V. OPERATIONS
Sec. 1 Minimum rehearsal hours
The University of San Carlos Choristers shall have a minimum of 6 hours of rehearsals per week.
Sec. 2 Attendance
Members of the University of San Carlos Choristers are to be present at every general rehearsal.
Sec. 3 Special Rehearsals
Special rehearsals may be called with the proper permission of the choir director.
Sec. 4 Distinction of performances and rehearsals
Performances and/or services (e.g. on-call performances, mass sponsorships, concerts, etc.) are distinct from
rehearsals.
Sec. 5 Evaluation
Members shall submit themselves to an evaluation process per semester.
ARTICLE VI. SCHOLARHIP PRIVILEGES
Sec. 1 Application of scholarship
Scholarship application is voluntary. Active members may or may not apply for scholarship privileges.
Sec. 2 Eligibility
2.1
An applicant must shall have been a member of good standing with the University of San Carlos Choristers at
least one semester.
2.2
An applicant must have passed in all his/her subjects with a general average of 2.7 and without any failing
grade.
2.3
if a member gets a failing grade, he/she is returned to probationary status without scholarship for one
semester. The scholarship shall be resumed thereafter if he/she makes good in his/her failing grade.
2.4

An incomplete grade may be completed within one semester.

Sec. 4 official application format

Active Members qualified for scholarship shall apply following the official format.
Sec. 5 Scholarship discounts
Scholarship discount shall be determined by the Choir Director depending on the performance of the qualified scholar.

25%

50%

75%

100%

Sec. 6 Probationary members provision

Probationary members are not allowed scholarship privileges.
Sec. 7 Renewal of scholarship
Scholarship applications are good for one semester only and may be renewed for another semester, if applicable.
Sec. 8 Load requirements
Applicants, at a minimum, must carry a total load of 18.0 units unless a lower load is required by the curriculum and
certified by the chairman of the applicants respective department.
8.1 Graduating scholarship applicants may carry a load below the minimum required load unit.

Sec. 9 Power to accept or reject scholarship applications

Power to accept scholarship applications or remove Scholarship Privileges shall be with the Choir Director based on
organizational standing, conduct, and academic condition.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
Sec. 1 Amendments proposal
1.1
Proponents shall be any of the active members of the University of San Carlos Choristers.
1.2
Proponents may submit their propositions to amend this constitution in writing at any meeting at which 75%
of the active members are present.
Sec. 3 Ratification of amendments
The Choir Director, together with the President, Vice-President Internal, and Vice-President External, shall have the
final decision for any amendment of this constitution.
Sec. 4 Effective period
Any amendment of this constitution shall be effective the following year.

The Bylaws of the

University of San Carlos Choristers
ARTICLE I. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Sec. 1 The Choir Director shall amend, ratify, represent, and do all powers vested upon him/her by the constitution.
He/she shall take full responsibility for all organizational affairs. His/her decision shall be the sole basis for every
major proposition and amendment.
Sec. 2 The officers shall have the following functions:
President presides over the daily or weekly and plenary meetings. He/she plans the activities together with the
conductor and officers and committee chairs and assigns the personnel together with the other leaders.
Vice president Directs the choir activities together with the president. He/she is responsible for the smooth
running of the choir and its activities.
1. Internal Affairs takes charge of the work within the organization. He/she represents the president in his/her
absence inside the organization
2. External Affairs takes charge of the work outside of the organization. He/she is responsible of cohesion among
all other organizations. He/she represents the organization and/or the president in his/her absence outside the
organization.
Secretary Keeps the records of all choir activities and meetings and compiles them for the plenary meeting. He/she

checks attendance of the members during rehearsals and performances. He/she is also responsible of the important
and official documents of the organization.
Associate Secretary assists the secretary in performing his/her function and substitutes him/her in case of his/her
absence.

Treasurer - collects, keeps record, and authorize receipts or disbursements of choir funds. He /she shall prepare a

cash flow statement at the end of each semester within his/her term.

Auditor he/she shall be independent from the treasurer and audits the financial statements given by the

treasurer.

Public Relations Officer Communicates and relates with other organizations and handles external affairs. He/she

is also in charge of the promotion and/or publicity of the organization. He/she represents the organization on its
behalf.

Chief Librarians - Responsible for the musical scores. He/she prepares the musical scores during rehearsals and

performances and collects and returns them to the proper place afterwards.

Chief Custodians responsible for the costumes during performances. He/she decides, prepares, and takes

charge of the costumes.

Castigations and Discipline responsible of maintaining order and discipline among choir members in and out of

the choir room, during rehearsals, and during performances. He/she is given the authority to reprimand the members
who commit offenses, light or grave, against the constitution and bylaws of the organization during rehearsals and
performances.
Sec. 3 Officers are called in for meetings at any time the Choir Director or President wishes.
Sec. 4 The Choir Director, President, Vice President Internal, Vice President External, Secretary, and Assistant
Secretary shall form the Executive Committee and shall ratify or reject propositions and decides for the welfare of the
organization.
Sec. 5 Officers may form their own rules and regulations for their respective departments provided that it is not
contrary to the constitution and bylaws of the University of San Carlos Choristers, customs, and morals.
ARTICLE II. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sec. 1 Composition
There shall be an executive committee composed of the President, Vice-President Internal, Vice-President External,
Secretary, and Associate Secretary.
Sec. 2 Powers and duties
The executive office shall have the following powers and duties:
2.1

Administer the affairs of the organization

2.2

Receive, revise, and promulgate the proposed activities submitted by the officers for approval, and

2.3

Every action undertaken shall be subject to ratification by the Choir director.

ARTICLE II. AUDITION PROCESS

Sec. 1 Aspirants shall apply for membership followed by the standard audition process.
Sec. 2 Applicants shall prepare 1 English contest piece and 1 Filipino contest piece.
Sec. 3 After careful deliberation with the Choir Director, callbacks will be announced.
Sec. 4 Applicants shall pair up and sing a duet before the organizational body present.
Sec. 5 A final listing will be announced, henceforth, probationary membership or trainee status will be given to
successful applicants.

ARTICLE III. ELECTION PROCESS

Sec. 1 The Executive Committee shall appoint a Commissioner-at-large for the University of San Carlos Choristers
Commission On Elections.
Sec. 2 Elections will be held every 2nd Friday of March from 5:30-8:00 P.M
Sec. 3 All active members, including probationary members, individually, shall choose 13 creditable and active
individuals from the organizational body without any positions provided any article from the constitution is not
violated.
Sec. 4 The Commission on Elections shall tally the votes cast and the top 13, based on the person with the highest
number of votes, will be announced the same day and will form the latest set of officers.
Sec. 5 The top 13 shall be called in for voting with ranks. The top 13 shall appoint the selected officials, including
themselves, to their desired positions.
Sec. 6 The positions will be given to each officer who garnered the most number of votes for the said position.
Sec. 7 The Commission on Elections will declare the next set of officers for the effective academic year.
Sec. 8 a proper turn-over ceremony will take place at any time before the effective year starts.
ARTICLE IV. STANDING COMMITTEES
Sec. 1 The President may establish standing committees and appoint committee chairpersons for the betterment of
the organization.
Sec. 2 Committees shall constitute technical works, physical arrangements, socio-cultural, cosmetics, aesthetics,
liturgy and worship, and documentations.
Sec. 3 The following functions of the committees:

Technical works responsible for the technicalities during rehearsals and performances. He/she prepares and sets

up the technical facilities and is also responsible of the dismantling and returning of the facilities after rehearsals
and/or performances.

Arrangements - Responsible of the physical arrangement of the choir members during rehearsals. He/she sees to

it that members are seated at their assigned seats during rehearsals. He/she is also responsible of the physical
arrangements of the guests during performances and other choir functions. He/she is also in charge of the
maintenance and cleanliness of the choir room.

Socio-cultural - responsible of the artistic direction and choreography during major and minor performances.

Cosmetics responsible for the cosmetics to be used solely for performances. He/she keeps, provides, and

applies the cosmetics during the performances. He/she is in-charge of the uniformity of cosmetic application.

Aesthetics responsible for the beautification of the choir members during performances, aesthetics of the choir

room, maintenance of the bulletin board, stage decoration during performances and other aspects of aesthetics.

Liturgy and worship responsible for the liturgy and spirituality of the organization. He/she takes charge of the

prayer leaders during rehearsals and performances. He/she inculcates spirituality among the choir members. He/she
is responsible and is very essential in the decision making in the choices of liturgical songs to be sung during the Holy
Masses where the choir is invited and/or is required to sing in. He/she also organizes spiritual affairs for the
organization.

Documentation documents all the activities and functions of the organization.

Sec. 4 The standing committees shall be under the control of the Executive Committee.
Sec. 5 Power to remove standing committee chairpersons and standing committees shall be with the president.

Sec. 6 Committee chairpersons shall be privileged as honorary officers.

Sec. 7 Term of office for all honorary officers shall be one academic year.
ARTICLE V. FINANCES
Sec. 1 The finances of the organization shall be the sole responsibility of the treasurer.
Sec. 2 Cash Receipts and Disbursements must be in an official cash flow record supported by source documents.
Sec. 3 The treasurer shall prepare a cash flow statement per semester for transparency and accountability.
ARTICLE VI. PENALTIES
Sec. 1 Power to reprimand and castigate shall be with the respective department by which the nature of the offense
falls.
Sec. 2 Attendance
2.1 Tardiness will not be tolerated. Fines will be collected for unexcused tardiness. Measure of fine payments shall be
at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
2.2 Two (2) unexcused tardiness will tantamount to 1 absence.
2.3 Unexcused absences shall be fined. Measure of fine payments shall be at the discretion of the Executive
Committee.
Sec. 3 Costumes and accessories
3.1 Unreturned costumes and accessories at the specified due date shall be fined. Measure of fine payments shall be
at the discretion of the Chief Custodians.
3.2 Damaged costumes and accessories must be replaced.
Sec. 4 Musical Pieces
4.1 Unreturned Musical Pieces must at the specified due date shall be fined. Measure of fine payments shall be at the
discretion of the Chief Librarians.
4.2 Damaged Musical Pieces must be replaced.
Sec. 5 Minor offenses shall be allowed only three (3) warnings from the Executive Committee. Minor Offenses
constitute:
1.

Unnecessary talking during rehearsals and performances.

2.

tardiness

3.

unreturned choir property on due dates

4.

eating, playing, or any unnecessary actions during rehearsals and performances.

5.

other offenses deemed minor

Sec. 6 Major offenses shall be allowed only one (1) warning and the offender must submit himself/herself to a fair
trial and questioning. Major offenses includes
1.

theft

2.

Two (2) unexplained absences.

3.
grave misconduct (e.g. disrespect to the choir director and/or any of the officers and the organizational body,
dishonesty, etc.)

4.

Minor offenses given three warnings

5.

Other offenses deemed major

Sec. 7 Major offenses, after given one warning, tantamount to Expulsion from the University of San Carlos Choristers
relieving him/her of the rights and privileges given to bona fide University of San Carlos Choristers Active and
Probationary Members.
Sec. 8 Expulsion is irrevocable.
Sec. 9 An expelled member shall not be accepted should he/she apply as a member.
ARTICLE VII. THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS CHORISTERS OFFICE
Sec. 1 Keys to the office are limited to the choir director and officers excluding the honorary officers.
Sec. 2 Authorized access is limited to active members. Non-members are given limited rights to the use of choir
facilities.
Sec. 3 Active members and officers are prohibited from:

Creating unnecessary noise

Vandalizing choir property

Polluting the surroundings of the office

Access to confidential information

However, express permission from only the choir director should these restrictions be allowed.
Sec. 4 Non-members are prohibited from:

Creating unnecessary noise

Vandalizing choir property

Polluting the surroundings of the office

Access to confidential information and computer use

Use of musical instruments owned by the choir

However, express permission from only the choir director should these restrictions be allowed.
Sec. 5 Any offenses of these restrictions and rights are subject to Article VI of this bylaws.