WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

CATAMOUNT CLUB

 

CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES FOR MEMBERSHIP ON THE CATAMOUNT CLUB BOARD

[appendix to Catamount Club bylaws]

 

The Board of Directors of the Catamount Club is the primary volunteer organization engaged in developing and directing significant private resources to the Catamount Club on behalf of the Athletics Program at Western Carolina University.  In this role, members of the Catamount Club Board are closely identified with the University and are perceived as active partners in carrying out the strategic plan for Athletics at Western as part of the University’s overall institutional mission.  In view of these considerations, the annual identification and election of Board members is a matter of special concern.  The criteria and guidelines for selection of Board members, outlined below, have been adopted to assure appropriate oversight of the Catamount Club’s operations and its relationship to the Athletics Program and Western Carolina University, including selection of board members that reflect an appropriate balance of geographic, ethnic, gender and occupational diversity.  Additionally, the criteria are intended to ensure in as much as possible that members of the Catamount Club Board will have successful experiences that are beneficial to the Athletics Program at Western Carolina University and are also personally gratifying.

 

I.                 RECRUITMENT:  Guidelines for selection to the Board of Directors includes the following:

 

A. Willingness to be a positive advocate for Athletics and Western Carolina University for a three year term beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30 of the respective term

B. Personal contribution at least at the Top Cat level;

C. Recruitment of at least two members at their level per year of service;

D. Attendance of at least 2/3 of Board Meetings;

E. Service on designated committee(s).

 

II.                 EXPECTATIONS:  Board members agree to serve the Catamount Club Board in the following ways:

 

 A.

  1. Assist in raising funds for the Catamount Club through the following activities:  
  1. Encourage other individuals/organizations to provide private gifts to the Catamount Club.
  2. In coordination with the Executive Director (including prior consultation), identify prospective contributors, initiate and follow through on contacts with individuals and businesses that have the ability to make substantial contributions (cash, securities, in-kind) to the Catamount Club;  
  1. Participate actively in at least two Catamount Club fundraising activities (exs., golf tournament, auction, Southern Conference Tournament, etc.) and/or task forces annually, including attending these events and bringing others (exs., purchase auction table; insuring one or more foursomes for golf tournaments, etc.).  Task forces will be responsible for the planning and execution of events and/or activities.  Scheduling of events/activities will be developed in coordination with the Executive Director of the Catamount Club.

 

B.     Advocate for the advancement of Athletics at Western Carolina University among external communities and constituencies through the following:

 

1.      Provide positive, accurate information about the Athletics programs and support services for student athletes along with the University’s academic programs, student life opportunities, outreach services and physical campus;

2.      Emphasize university areas specifically targeted for improvements impacting student athletes [such as student retention and student life issues including support services for student athletes; rising admissions standards, facilities – especially athletics facilities, etc.];

3.      Take advantage of such public relations opportunities as the following:

a.       Help provide access to media programming and editorial boards from local to national outlets;
b.      Help secure endorsements from individuals and organizations beneficial to the athletics programs at Western;
c.       Help involve community organizations with Athletics programs and student athletes as appropriate to their programs/agendas beneficial to Western’s student athletes.

4.      In casual and formal conversation, be aware of improving the public perception of Western’s athletics programs.  Members of the Catamount Club Board of Directors are expected to set a positive example for other fans and, consequently, are held to a higher standard of spectator conduct and sportsmanship.  Its Board members shall adhere to the principles of sportsmanship and ethical conduct as stated by the policies of the NCAA (2.4), the Southern Conference Code of Spectator Conduct, and the policies of Western Carolina University’s Department of Athletics (Addendum P).

 

 

III.             RECOGNITION

 

A.     At the end of each calendar year of service, the participation of each Board member shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee in regard to financial support, membership recruitment, Board meeting attendance, conduct and sportsmanship, overall participation, and overall advocacy of the Catamount athletic program.  After such reviews, a “Board member of the year” will be nominated and brought forward to the full Board for approval.

 

  

Proposed 7-23-05