This club is known as the “Historical Fencing Club.”

The mission of the Historical Fencing Club (HFC) is to enable students to safely and productively explore their interest in fencing as a Western Martial Art. This includes introduction to the theories and practices of fencing and to the philosophy from which it emerged.

For the purpose of quality instruction, the HFC is affiliated with a local fencing academy, the Academia della Spada.

The membership of the HFC consists primarily of regularly enrolled students of the University of Washington.

Members must follow all rules of safety and conduct provided by the Constitution, Code of Conduct, and Instructor.

Members are required to pay dues in the amount of $25 for one month if they are a basic member, or $40 for one month if they are an advanced member. Dues are collected at the beginning of the month, or on the first day of a given month that a member attends a club meeting. A basic member is defined as any member who is learning the basic techniques to fencing, and has access only to French foil and knife fighting. At the point at which a member is able to competently engage in free assault, at the club or fencing instructor's discretion, they become an advanced member, and with the title, gain access to fighting with any weapon, are allowed to engage in free assault, and may train specially in a weapon other than foil, at the instructor's discretion. These payments do not carry over should a member miss a session. Dues adjustments may be negotiated with the Executive Council on a case-by-case basis¹. These funds will be spent exclusively in the hiring of the Instructor, the acquisition of club equipment, and the furtherance of club goals, as approved by a 4/7 majority of the Executive Council. Dues may be adjusted by a 4/7 majority of the Executive Council.

Only Members in Good Standing² will be eligible to sit on the Executive Council, either as Officers or as Members at Large³.

The Executive Council consists of five Officers and two Members at Large who are responsible for the management of the HFC.

The Officers and their responsibilities are as follows:

President

The President is responsible for promoting the club, managing meetings, coordinating Officer activities, and delegating tasks.

Vice President

The Vice President is responsible for assisting the President, as required.

Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for the collection of dues and for taking roll. In addition, the Treasurer is the liaison for on-campus fundraising.

Secretary

The Secretary is responsible for the maintenance of club and member records, including ensuring that all members have signed waivers.

General Administrator

The General Administrator is responsible for room reservations and for website maintenance.

In addition to the above duties, at least two Officers in addition to the Treasurer are to have access to the HFC’s bank account. The Executive Council is responsible for additional duties not defined herein, but necessary for the successful administration of the club.

The Executive Council will meet no less than once per month to discuss relevant issues, distribute or redistribute duties and tasks, and to ensure the continuation of the HFC. The Executive Council will also delegate the responsibility of collecting, storing, maintaining, and transporting club equipment to its members.

Officer elections will take place in the Spring of each Academic Year⁴. Eligible Officer candidates are University of Washington students who are also Members in Good Standing. Candidates will be determined through nomination by a current HFC member. This includes self-nomination. Voting will be done by secret ballot at a regularly scheduled club meeting. The meeting at which elections take place will be announced no later than a week in advance at a regularly scheduled meeting, with an email reminder sent no later than three days before the designated election meeting. Write-in nominations are acceptable. All nominations must be accepted by the nominee.

The elected candidate for the position of Treasurer must be approved by a 4/7 majority of the incumbent Executive council. This measure is in place because Treasurer holds a position of special trust.

The Presidential candidates must have been Members in Good Standing for at least one Academic Year prior to their nomination.

All amendments to this Constitution must be approved by a 4/7 majority of the Executive Council.