Ratified on the First Day of November in the year 2007 by a vote of 7 yeas, 0 nays, and 5 abstentions

CONSTITUTION

Article I. Name
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the Southern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.
1.1 The web address of the organization shall be www.sivavolleyball.com.

Article II. Purposes and Fundamental Policies
Section 1. Purposes and Objectives
1.1 To create a nationally competitive conference of men's intercollegiate volleyball clubs with goals of furthering the sport of men’s collegiate volleyball, learning life lessons through sport, and catering to the needs of spectators.
1.2 To provide the member clubs a forum in which to excel, including the award of a Conference championship and other types of individual and team recognition.
1.3 To assist the clubs in scheduling events, promoting the sport, recruiting players, and organizing teams.
1.4 To consistently maintain a level of participation and membership of club teams.
1.5 To promote the establishment of men's volleyball clubs at non-participating universities and colleges.
1.6 To strive for greater public awareness of intercollegiate men's volleyball clubs throughout the student bodies, the communities, and the media.
Section 2. Fundamental Policies
2.1 To provide cooperation, avenues for communication, assistance and technical information, between the member clubs.
2.2 To serve as a legislative and judicial body for the clubs of the conference.
2.3 To assure fair competition and ethical conduct.

Article III. Principles of Conduct
Section 1. Principle of Institutional Control and Responsibility
Each individual club shall remain under the administrative supervision of its sponsoring university or college. Each club shall abide by the rules and guidelines for sport clubs as set forth by its institution.
Section 2. Principle of Ethical Conduct
All member clubs will strive to maintain the highest level of ethical conduct, complying with the Conference rules and regulations. In addition, they will adhere to the rules and standards established by their respective institutions.
Section 3. Principle Governing Tournament Season
The members shall not be restricted in their practice seasons. The Conference Season will commence in the spring semester.
Section 4. Principle Governing Player Eligibility
Only students enrolled in at least three-fourths of full time status may participate in Conference events.

Article IV. Definitions
Section 1. Sport Club
A Sport Club is a recognized student organization that has been formed by individuals motivated by a common interest and a desire to participate in a favorite sport activity. It exists to promote and develop interest in that sport. Its members learn new skills, refine existing skills, engage in competition, and enjoy the recreational and social fellowship of sport.
Section 2. Conference Administration
The Conference Administration consists of the Conference Commissioner. The Conference Commissioner also serves as the liaison to the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF).
Section 3. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee consists of the Conference Commissioner and four team representatives elected annually each fall (see Article V below) by the Conference membership. There is a two-year limit for serving on the committee.

Article V. Nominations and Elections
Section 1. Nominations
The membership will meet prior to the start of the conference season to discuss the upcoming season. This meeting may be via phone or in person. At this time any individuals seeking membership on the Executive Committee must make their intentions known.
Section 2. Elections
2.1 Elections for Executive Committee positions will be held prior to season. These elections may be held in person, over conference call, or via e-mail.
2.2 One representative from each university or college of the prior SIVA season may vote for executive committee membership.
2.3 Winners of elections will be determined by majority vote. Ties will be broken by coin flip by the Conference Commissioner.

Article VI. Membership
Section 1. Eligibility for Membership
Any university or college men's volleyball team that is recognized as a "Sport Club" shall be eligible for membership. Those teams with a varsity status (e.g., NCAA, NAIA, etc.) wanting membership in SIVA will be reviewed by the Conference Executive Committee. Those teams with a juniors status (i.e., USAV Boy’s Juniors Teams) wanting membership in SIVA will be reviewed by the Conference Commissioner.
Section 2. Conditions and Obligations of Membership
Conditions and obligations of membership will include, but not be limited to, an agreement to play in all conference events (currently three per year), to pay yearly dues, and to comply with Conference rules, regulations and decisions. Only recognized SIVA members will be allowed to participate in SIVA sanctioned events.
Section 3. Annual Dues of Members
An annual membership dues shall be required of each member team in order for the club to be a member of the Conference. The Conference will invoice each team and checks should be made to the order or "SIVA Volleyball". SIVA dues must be paid in full prior to January 1 of the forthcoming season.
Section 4. Financial Hardships
Any club wishing to apply for a financial hardship waiver must place their justification in writing and forward it to the Conference Commissioner.
Section 5. Termination of Membership - Discipline of Members
Failure to comply with the terms of membership of any violation of Conference rules can result in disciplinary action and/or termination of membership to clubs that are found guilty of such actions. The Executive Committee shall invoke disciplinary action they feel is appropriate to the infraction.
Section 6. Disciplinary Hearings
The Executive Committee may hold disciplinary hearings. These hearings may take place at tournament sites, via reply-to-all emails, or by conference call. All clubs involved are required to be present to plead their case.
Section 7. Reinstatement of Members
Teams may appeal disciplinary decisions to the Conference Commissioner in writing. However, the Commissioner will only examine issues of by-laws. All issues of facts determined by the Conference Commissioner are final.
Section 8. Meetings
Designated meeting dates, times, and places for Executive Committee meetings shall be determined by the Commissioner. The Executive Committee will meet at least twice a year.
Section 9. Conference Season
There will be a Conference Season each year. All teams in the conference are expected to fully participate in the Conference Season. Conference Season sites will be determined by the Conference Commissioner subject to court availability, referee availability, and other such factors. Typically, right of first refusal, to host conference season events will go to the champion and the runner-up of the prior season Conference Championship.
Section 10. Conference Championship
There will be a Conference tournament at the end of the Conference season. Ranking/seeding process for the tournament will be determined by conference season play (i.e., win-loss record, head-to-head, outside conference play, etc.). The Conference Commissioner will ultimately decide upon any discrepancies. The site of the Conference Championship tournament will be decided by the Conference Commissioner via an open bidding process. The tournament will be conducted according to the By-Laws of the Conference.

Article VII. Amendments
Section 1. This Constitution, the By-Laws, and the Playing rules of the Conference must be ratified by 60% of the membership. This Constitution, the By-Laws, and the Playing rules of the Conference may be amended by simple majority vote of the Executive Committee. The Conference Commissioner has the authority to make temporary amendments if time does not allow the opportunity to convene the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will later vote as to endorse or to reject the decision.
Section 2. Modified Rule for SIVA
2.1 As set forth by the Executive Committee meeting on October 30, 1998, “....” of the USA Volleyball Official Rules will be replaced by the following:
“There are to be an unlimited amount of entries per player; as not to exceed a maximum of 15 team substitutions.”

BY-LAWS

Article I. Playing Seasons
Section 1. Conference Season
The Conference Season shall start after January 1st and conclude by the 31st day of March.
Section 2. Playing Rules
The playing rules shall be the official United States Volleyball rules established by USAVolleyball Association for men's volleyball, except for those specified by the Conference in the amendments.

Article II. Non-SIVA Events
Section 1. Non-Conference Play
Member clubs are encouraged to play matches and tournaments with non-Conference teams. Funding for non-conference play may be available each year on a first come, first served basis.
Section 2. Tournaments Hosted by SIVA Members
Member clubs are encouraged to host tournaments other than the selected Conference Season tournaments. In order to preserve the integrity of SIVA conference, members are not allowed to host events that conflict with SIVA sanctioned tournaments.

Article III. Membership
Section 1. Conference membership shall be conducted as stated in the Constitution.

Article IV. Player and Team Eligibility
Section 1. Player Eligibility
1.1 All players must be currently enrolled students (in at least three-fourths of full time status) with their respective university or college or school.
1.2 All players must be on their respective university/college/school/club roster and meet the eligibility guidelines established by their respective institution.
1.3 Every team must complete a roster and return it to the Conference Commissioner by January 1 of the forthcoming season.
1.4 All players must be listed on the roster, which will be on file with the Commissioner by the 10th day of February.
Section 2. Team Eligibility
2.1 Conference dues will decided each fall. Non-payment of Conference dues will result in a two year suspension from SIVA.
2.2 A complete roster of team members must be on file with the Conference Commissioner before the first Conference Season tournament.
2.3 After February 10, any changes to the roster must be submitted in writing to the Conference Commissioner for approval.
Section 3. Eligibility Violations
Any violations of eligibility rules should be reported in writing to the Commissioner. If, upon investigation, an infraction has occurred, a fine, not to exceed $500 may be levied. Appeals can be made in writing within one week after a decision has been rendered. Fines must be paid before the next Conference Season tournament.
If the team under investigation is a member of the Executive Committee, they will not be allowed to vote on any decision(s) regarding the investigation.

Article V. Conference Play
Section 1. Results
All results/scores of matches/tournaments should be reported to the Conference Commissioner within three days of the match/tournament via e-mail.
Section 2. No shows
Any team failing to show for a SIVA sanctioned tournament will be fined an amount not to exceed $500. Payment must be made prior to the next SIVA sanctioned event.
Section 3. Seeding
Each Tournament Director must use the seeding provided by the Conference Commissioner.
Section 4. Format
Typical Conference Play will be formatted via complete round robin play within divisions (if any) of the conference. Round robin play maybe augmented via a cross-over tournament. All round-robin/cross-over play will be conducted via best out of 3 set matches.

Article VI. Scoring
Rally scoring to 25 will be used, 3rd game is to 15.

Article VII. Officials
Section 1. Referee No-show
1.1 If a team fails to fulfill their refereeing obligations at a Conference tournament, a monetary penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00) may be imposed b y the Conference Commissioner and the team will forfeit the next set of the conference season with a score of 25-0. This penalty fine must be paid to the Conference prior to the next Conference tournament.
1.2 In the event that a match is left without a certified referee, both teams must be in agreement of the replacement officials. If the two teams cannot agree on a referee then the Tournament Director will make the final decision. Such matches shall be considered legitimate by this Conference.
Section 2. The assignment of officials for all of the Conference tournaments will be coordinated by the Conference Commissioner.

Article VIII. Misconduct
Section 1. All misconduct violations during a match shall be dealt with per USAV guidelines.
Section 2. All misconduct violations prior to or after matches will be dealt with by the Executive Committee.
Section 3. The Executive Committee has the authority to levy fines, suspend, and eject any player or coach for any misconduct by a majority vote.
Section 4. Unpaid Fines
All fines still outstanding after the end of the Conference Season must be paid to the Conference prior to the first Conference tournament of the next year season. No team will be allowed to play a Conference Season with outstanding debts from the past year.

Article IX. Protests
Section 1. Protests must be made in writing within one week after the tournament. No protests based upon the judgement of an official shall be allowed. Only those that involve player eligibility, breaches of playing rules, or unacceptable gym conditions shall be considered. Protests shall be sent to the Conference Commissioner.

Article X. Conference Championship
Section 1. A Conference Championship tournament will take place at the end of the season. The format of the Conference Championship tournament will typically be double elimination. A mixture of single/double elimination may be used if conditions warrant.
Section 2. Prizes
2.1 Both teams participating in Conference Championship Finals will receive trophies. The 1st place team will receive entry fee to Nationals.
2.2 If the prize for first or second place is entry fee to Nationals and the first or second place team fails to compete in that year's Nationals, the team will not receive any monetary prizes.
2.3 The champion and the runner-up will also win right of first refusal for the hosting of SIVA Conference Season events for the following year.
2.3 The 1st and 2nd team All Conference Selections will receive medals or trophies.

Article XI. Emergency Clause
Section 1. The Conference Commissioner has the authority to make immediate decisions as needed to effectively govern the Conference. These decisions will be enforceable until the next Conference Executive Committee meeting.