The Constitution
1. The Squad
1.1 The Society shall be known as the Lancaster Roses Cheerleading Squad, hereafter referred to as ‘the squad’.
1.2 The squad will be affiliated to the Lancaster’s University Student’s Union (LUSU) subject to the conditions set out in Section 27 of the Union Constitution, its bye-laws, the LUSU Safety Framework and other Union Policies.
1.3 The squad may affiliate to the British Cheerleading Association subject to the approval of the Union Council (see section 20 of the Union Constitution).
2. Purpose
2.1 It shall be the purpose of the squad to develop cheerleading routines; both cheer and dance, to perform at the matches of the University’s sports teams. This refers to all squads (All-Girl, Co-Ed, Dance and Bombshells).
2.2 It shall encourage cheerleaders to develop fully, in the areas of cheering, stunting, dancing and gymnastics.
2.3 The squad will compete at a national level at least once annually.
3. Eligibility
3.1 Membership of the squad is open to all members of Lancaster University Student’s Union. They fall into two categories, full and associate, as laid out in section 7 of the Union Constitution.
3.2 A candidate must be neatly presented and medically fit. However as an equal opportunity squad, chances shall be given to all students who qualify under section 3.1 but are disabled in some way to be part of the squad, all that being in a limited capacity.
3.3 A candidate may be male or female.
3.4 Acceptance of a candidate shall be on the basis of ability, the coach’s and captain’s agreement, acceptance of the rules, payment of subs, and without prejudice of race, creed or colour.
3.5 If no payment has been made by the deadline in which the Captain has stated then the candidate will not be allowed to train or attend games.
3.6 Only full members have the right to be a candidate, vote or nominate.
3.7 Only Exec members can second a candidate in elections. An Exec member cannot second two or more candidates running for the same position.
3.8 Honorary membership may be granted on a life basis or a limited period, subject to the agreement of a qualified majority at the Annual General Meeting. This shall normally be granted to ex-members for outstanding service to the squad, or those who can continue to offer service to the squad.
3.9 Honorary members have the right to participate in all squad activities, and attend and speak at meetings.
3.10 The executive committee reserves the right to refuse or revoke membership of an individual for breaching this constitution, the squad’s safety code of practice, the LUSU safety framework or bringing the squad into disrepute, subject to the complaints procedure set out in section 21 of the constitution.
4 Membership
4.1 The Squad is a co-ed squad. Members of the society will be divided into four squads of approximately 25 individuals for co-ed and all girl, 16 for dance and 36(or the maximum amount allowed at specific competitions) for bombshells, depending upon each person’s strengths within the areas of cheering, dancing, stunting and gymnastics and in accordance with competition rules.
4.2 A select group from the squad will be chosen to participate in promotional events and performances, depending on availability and individual strengths. A proportion of the squad will cheer at as many home and away games as possible, as may be designated on the basis of event requirements and travel arrangements. It will be the responsibility of the Lancaster Bombshells coach to organize this.
5 Attendance Requirements
5.1 All cheerleaders will attend practice and fundraisers and those designated will cheer at games, competitions and promotional events.
5.2 Competitions: The executive committee will decide to enter a competition and the coaching committee will make a decision with regards to which divisions the squads will enter.
5.3 Social Activities: All members are encouraged, but not required to attend. Advance notice of non-attendance is required. This applies to the exec only. Members will be required to attend a reasonable proportion throughout the year.
5.4 Squad Activities other than Games or Socials as set out in the Social Calendar: Prior notice of non-attendance is to be given to your designated coach, the Captain or Vice-Captain.
5.5 If any other activities or opportunities are chosen by the exec, the exec will decide if attendance is mandatory or optional. Reasonable notice of all such events will be given. Co-Ed, Dance and All-Girl squad members are to attend one HOME or AWAY game each term. (A performance in half time is not deemed as attendance, attendance is staying the entire game). Bombshells are expected to attend at LEAST ONE HOME and an additional HOME or AWAY game per term. Notice of absence must be given to the Bombshells Coach and emailed to the Lancaster roses email account at least 24 HOURS in advance of kick-off, except in exceptional circumstances.
6 Financial Responsibilities
6.1 Transport to away games: cheerleaders may be required to pay a small amount towards transport costs as decided by a representative of the Lancaster University American Football Team.
6.2 Members will provide their own refreshments.
6.3 Each cheerleader will pay £30 membership fee at the start of the year. This sum will go towards insurance, squad membership, professional BCA trained coach and other squad operating costs as agreed by the exec. It must be paid by the deadline stated by the Captain.
6.4 Each Cheerleader will pay £1 per training session. This sum will go towards coaches training and hire of training facilities. This amount is payable in a lump sum by the deadline stated by the captain or each session to the Squad Assistant Coach or Head Coach where the Assistant Coach is unavailable.
6.5 Insurance is mandatory and will be provided through subs and arranged by the executive committee. Exemption will only be given on proof of adequate personal insurance to squad minimum requirements.
6.6 Each member of the squad will be required to purchase certain items of uniform for safety and hygiene reasons.
6.7 Members are encouraged to buy their own uniforms from the squad; skirts will be available to hire out for games but full kit is mandatory for competitions however in extreme circumstances exceptions will be made.
7 Selection of exec and coaches
7.1 Coaches will be selected on their potential ability to meet recognized coaching standards of a recognised governing body by squad members at the AGM.
7.2 The executive Committee will consist of a Captain, Vice-Captain, Secretary, Treasurer, Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Kit Officer, Health&Safety Officer, 2 x 'Social and Publicity' officers. These positions will be appointed at an annual AGM, held in the Lent term each year, through a majority of vote by all members.
7.3 In the absence of any member of the executive committee, their duties may be delegated to another executive member. Alternatively, another full member may be co-opted to fulfil such duties, subject the approval of a general meeting.
7.4 Any executive member who fails to attend two consecutive general meetings, without acceptance of an apology, shall be deemed to have resigned and a by-election shall be held.
7.5 Members of the executive who fail to carry out duties conferred on them by this constitution or by resolutions of squad meetings, without reasonable excuse, will be subject to a warning with right to appeal (as detailed in Section 21 of the Squad’s constitution). On a second warning, the individual will be asked to resign from the executive committee and a by-election will be held. If a member of the exec is forced to resign there will be an official by-election in order to fill the vacancy.
8 Duties and Responsibilities of the Coaching Committee
8.1 To arrange regular practices and training schedules.
8.2 To ensure that safety is the top priority at all times, that the squad members are insured and the accident book is accurately filled in in conjunction with the health and safety officer.
8.3 To ensure the safety and conduct guidelines of appropriate governing bodies are adhered to and upheld.
8.4 To work together in the teaching of routines.
8.5 To prepare the squad for games, events and competitions.
8.6 The Coaching Committee shall meet in regular intervals throughout the year to discuss progress and plans for the future.
8.7 To inform the captains by the required deadline of which level the squad will be entering at competitions.
8.8 Each Head Coach on the Coaching Committee MUST have their Squad Safety File with them at EVERY PRACTICE (and every GAME when applicable). This file should consist of: Photocopies of Coaching Certificates in their name, Squad Tryout Forms, Squad Health information and the Squad Disciplinary Form.
8.9 To keep an up to date record of attendance to practises, games and performances.
9 Duties and responsibilities of the captain and vice-captain
9.1 To co-ordinate the squad’s events.
9.2 To keep a record of the squad’s finances in conjunction with the treasurer.
9.3 To aid the publicity officers in fundraising and publicity and where necessary the Bombers and any other teams we may decide to cheer for.
9.4 To ensure the squad is fully equipped with uniforms and any other required materials such as rooms and mats in conjunction with the Kit and Safety Officers.
9.5 To be the primary representative(s) of the squad to the Union, the University, and to external bodies. To attend societies Council, steering groups and other events.
9.6 Has responsibility of opening and responding to all emails and sending out information to the rest of the squad, along with the secretary.
9.7 Act as a chair of squad meetings.
9.8 Oversee the safety aspects of all squad activities and ensure that the LUSU safety framework and the squad’s safety code of practice are adhered to in conjunction with the Safety Officer.
9.9 Oversee the running of the squad and the functioning of the rest of the executive committee and immediate disputes within the Exec.
10 Duties of the secretary
10.1 Be responsible for the administration of all matters relating to memberships and subscriptions and liaising appropriately with the treasurer.
10.2 Be responsible for all the squad’s correspondence and administration in conjunction with the captain.
10.3 Produce the agenda for and record minutes of all meetings and make them available to the exec.
10.4 To ensure the squad is aware of what events are happening in conjunction with the relevant exec members.
10.5 To carry out all administration tasks as requested by the captain.
11. Duties of the Treasurer
11.1 To create a budget for the squad and to ensure the squad does not deviate from it.
11.2 To monitor all squad spending and keep the Exec informed.
11.3 To collect all monies, such as subscription fees and kit and competition payments and make and keep records of them.
12. Duties of the Publicity Officer x2
12.1 To organize fundraising events and sponsorship with at least twenty eight days notice in conjunction with the relevant parties and ensure the smooth running of such events.
12.2 To organise the issuing of flyers and posters advertising necessary squad events.
12.3 To set up and maintain a social media presence.
12.4 To organise and collect together publicity materials and photographs.
12.5 To create and maintain a publicity folder, detailing all promotional material and necessary documents for the role.
12.6 To produce and organise promotional articles and events in university media.
13. Duties of the Social Secretaries (x2)
13.1 Organize socials, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, both individually and in conjunction with the American Football team and any other society or sports team the exec may decide to cheer for.
13.2 To ensure all members are notified about the socials and encouraged to attend.
13.3 Secure sponsorship through organizing socials with the sponsor’s company.
14. Duties of the Kit officer
14.1 To provide the squad kit to members who do not own their own for games and publicity events before the event and collect them afterwards, ensuring they are clean and not damaged and that lending is recorded in conjunction with the Bombshells coach. 14.2 To take note of kit and equipment which need to be ordered.
14.3 Must search all revenues when uniform parts are needed for the best prices.
14.4 Ensure correct kit is worn.
14.5 To organize the printing of squad social t-shirts in accordance with a majority Exec vote.
15. Duties of the Safety officer
15.1 To ensure that no jewellery is worn, hair is tied back and appropriate clothing and footwear (proper trainers) are worn, for example, no jeans and shorts are worn where necessary for stunting purposes (it is essential for flyers to wear shorts while stunting). Ensure nails are short and no acrylics or other extensions are allowed. If nail extensions are present they must be removed by a deadline stated by the health and safety officer and/or coaches.
15.2 To attend LUSU first aid courses and gain qualifications in this area. 15.3 Keep and maintain the squad’s first aid kit and safety equipment.
15.4 Create Health forms listing all relevant medical information of the members which the safety officer should be aware of in cases of emergency.
15.5 To keep and maintain an up-to-date accident book, detailing all injuries and accidents which occur at practices, games, competitions and events in conjunction with the coaches.
15.6 Study the LUSU safety guidelines and ensure they are followed at all times.
15.7 Complete up-to-date risk assessments when necessary.
16. Practice Schedule
16.1 To be set by the coaching committee and captains and to be made available to the health and safety officer on request.
16.2 All cheerleaders are required to attend all practices unless the Captain, Vice-Captain, or Coaches have been notified in advance. Coaches and Captains are to keep each other notified. Non-attendance should be notified to a cheerleader’s respective coach at least 24 hours in advance of practice except in exceptional circumstances.
16.3 Mandatory attendance at extra practices may be required leading up to events and competitions.
17. Uniform and Practice Wear
17.1 Cheerleaders must purchase their own uniform from the squad.
17.2 Any squad uniform which is damaged by a cheerleader must be replaced by the cheerleaders whose care it was in.
17.3 Spankies and skins must be purchased by the individual cheerleader for hygiene reasons. These can be purchased through the squad.
17.4 Extra layers can be worn under the uniform, if temperatures require it.
17.5 Jackets may be worn outside throughout games, the squad’s hoodies may also be worn except when stunting.
17.6 Comfortable, appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn to practice, for safety reasons during stunting, shorts are required for flyers, long hair must be tied back and no jewelry may be worn at practice.
17.7 Cheerleaders in uniform or any item of the squad or team identification must always conduct themselves in an appropriate manner becoming to a cheerleader.
18. Appearance
18.1 Uniform must be kept clean and presentable at all times.
18.2 All hair styles must be neat and secured up out of the face, not needing attention whilst cheering.
19 Conduct
19.1 Squad members are required to maintain and uphold the reputation of the society through their own conduct and squad spirit. 19.2 Members are required to be courteous, polite and friendly and try to have a smile for everybody.
19.3 All cheers and chants are to be of a positive and sportsperson like manner.
19.4 Members will make every attempt to ignore or dissuade negative responses at events and not become participants in such actions themselves.
19.5 There will be no smoking or alcohol consumption on the sidelines of games or in squad kit at any time, squad kit consists of kit skirt and top which is used for competitions.
19.6 Members must act appropriately when attending official social events and games ie. Those which are outlined in the social calendar and on the Bomber’s fixture list.
20 Fundraising Activities
20.1 All cheerleaders will participate in as many fundraisers as possible, Contribution to fundraisers is mandatory. Warnings may be issued if an apology is not given and no contribution made.
20.2 All fundraising activities will be organized by the publicity and social officers and approved by the executive committee.
20.3 All funds raised will be put back into the squad budget.
21 Disciplinary Action
21.1 It shall be squad policy that disciplinary action will only be invoked as a last resort and that every reasonable attempt will be made to avoid situations likely to lead to such action through squad discussion and encouragement, by example, and by finding ways and means to correct negative trends.
21.2 A cheerleader may be disciplined for the following reasons: Unexcused absence, excessive absence or tardiness, failure to cooperate with coaches/exec, or failure to comply with the squad rules and regulations.
21.3 A cheerleader may be suspended from a game or event for repeated occurrences of the above.
21.4 Dismissal from the squad will come as a last resort. After two official warnings.
21.5 Any cheerleader who fails to comply may receive an official warning with the right to appeal to the Executive Committee. If the warning is passed, the cheerleader will receive an official written warning which will be logged on the Squad Disciplinary Form for that cheerleader’s respective squad. The same process is followed for the second warning. On the issuing of a second warning the individual will be asked to leave the Squad.
21.6 Any cheerleader involved in any violent behaviour between members of the squad, between members of the Lancaster Bombers or members of the public when at practice, games or on an official social event will be dismissed from the squad immediately.
21.7 Bullying, of a physical or verbal nature, will not be tolerated.
21.8 Official warnings can be issued for not attending the correct amount of games, not contributing to fundraisers and missing three practises without good reason.
22 Elections
22.1 The running of all squad elections shall be the responsibility of the Exec. The returning officers will be those members of the exec who are not running for a position.
22.2 All officers shall be elected towards the end of the Lent term at an event organized by the executive committee.
22.3 Any post may be filled by a by-election at a general meeting.
22.4 Squad members will be informed of the date of the election, positions available and details of the nominations at least two weeks before voting takes place. The positions and candidates will be made clear to the squad at elections.
22.5 Re-open nominations (RON) shall be a candidate in all elections.
22.6 All elections are preceded by speeches by the candidates. The exec will decide in advance of the maximum length of speeches. The speeches shall be followed by questions to the candidate.
22.7 Candidates unable to attend must send written confirmation of their intention to stand and this may include a speech to be read out by the returning officer. If no confirmation is received, exclusion from the election will result.
22.8 A secret ballot will be issued at the meeting. Members may vote once per position. The candidate with the highest number of votes will be duly elected. The secretary will be responsible for the count with the captains overseeing the count to ensure it is impartial, or the captains may give this responsibility to another member of the exec not running for a position at the captain’s discretion.
23 Meetings
23.1 General meetings may be called by the captain or by request of five or more exec members.
23.2 General meetings will be held when deemed necessary and at least seven days notice must be given.
23.3 There shall be an annual General meeting after Roses each year in order for the old and new exec to change over and any resources to be passed on.
23.4 Any coach can call coaching committee meetings whenever he/she deems necessary and subject to the availability of the rest of the coaching committee. This coach will provide an agenda and minutes for such meetings and it will be his/her responsibility to pass these on to the captain.
23.5 The captain may ask to meet with any individual members of the executive committee to discuss any individual matter. Advance notice of the matter will be given.
24 Complaints
24.1 Any complaint about the running or operations of the society should initially be discussed with the captains and/or the relevant member(s) of the Exec.
25 Constitution
25.1 This constitution or any part of it may be altered, amended or deleted at any official meeting. Any changes shall require a qualified majority.
26 Safety
26.1 The squad must adhere to the LUSU Safety Framework and appropriate safety guidelines at all times. Copies of this will be distributed at appropriate times throughout the year. Failure to abide by this framework may result in disciplinary action.
26.2 The squad shall have a safety code of practice that shall be renewed annually. This code shall be known to each member before they subscribe to the squad and be readily available throughout the year.
26.3 It is the duty and responsibility of the captain, coaches and safety officer to ensure that the safety framework and the safety code of practice is enforced in all squad activities.
26.4 The captain and Safety Officer shall attend an annual duty of care briefing held by LUSU Student Activities Office in Michaelmas term.