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U of S Engine
01-26-2003, 11:05 PM
Hey Everyone

I am wondering what other teams have on paper for a team constitution? I read the essay from MSU, and it is excellent. I would like to create one for the University of Saskatchewan, and need somewhere concrete to start.

Thanks

U of S Engine
01-26-2003, 11:05 PM
Hey Everyone

I am wondering what other teams have on paper for a team constitution? I read the essay from MSU, and it is excellent. I would like to create one for the University of Saskatchewan, and need somewhere concrete to start.

Thanks

Michael Jones
01-27-2003, 12:16 PM
It's an interesting idea provided that you don't hold it as the gospel. It's good to specify what is expected and demanded of team members and have a focus for the year's activites. But I'm not sure if this needs to be enshrined in a permanent constitution -- tends to ossify quickly and adds a level of overhead that may not be relevant or useful. Depends why you want to have a constitution in the first place - some teams probably have them as requirements to get funding from student organizations, for example.

Team goals and objectives generated at the beginning of the year and revisited as the year progresses are probably sufficient. And for long-term consistency, building a strong team culture with alumni involvement tends to take care of that.

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Cornell Racing
http://fsae.mae.cornell.edu

U of S Engine
01-27-2003, 02:07 PM
I think the main reason I wanted it is more to set concrete deadlines that must be followed year after year, like if the car is not rolling by the end of March, it doesn't go! It would be something solid to show to the administrators, and help them to understand that we are serious, and not just some kids using others funding for our hard-on for racing http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Michael Jones
01-31-2003, 10:32 AM
http://fsae.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=763607348&f=125607348&m=2266075202

See this thread for something similar to what you're looking for - sounds like an interesting idea, but it can be done just as well or better with internal deadlines enforced by peer support and pressure vs. administrative oversight.

Our Feb. 1 donut day deadline is such a gateway; it's internal and supported by years of cultural expectation. It would probably lose import if we formalized it.

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Cornell Racing
http://fsae.mae.cornell.edu