By-Laws

MBIYC.com

By-Laws

Adopted 2/7/2004

Table of Contents

ARTICLE I - RIGHTS & DUTIES OF MEMBERS

ARTICLE II - CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS

ARTICLE III - PAYMENT OF DUES

ARTICLE IV - QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

ARTICLE V - ELECTION OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE VII – DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ARTICLE VIII – IMPEACHMENT OF OFFICERS

ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS

ARTICLE X - STANDING COMMITTEES

ARTICLE XI - ORDER OF BUSINESS

ARTICLE XII - PARLIAME NTARY AUTHORITY

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDING THE BY-LAWS

ARTICLE XIV - QUORUM

If you wish to download a complete copy of the By-Laws, click HERE to retrieve an Adobe Acrobat PDF version.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print PDF files. You can download the Acrobat Reader for free at www.acrobat.com/product/acrobat/readstep.html.

Step-by-Step Acrobat Reader Instructions

ARTICLE I - RIGHTS & DUTIES OF MEMBERS

SEC. A (1) Applications for membership shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, and submitted to the chairman of the Membership Committee.

SEC. A (2)     The Membership Committee chairman shall have the sponsors named in the application sign the application attesting to their belief the applicant will be a good member. The completed application will then be given to the Recording Secretary for action to be taken at the next Board Meeting.

SEC. A (3)     The Board of Directors shall, at the next Board Meeting, act upon all applications, approving or disapproving same. Their action shall be reported to the floor at the next general meeting. The floor, at this time, may over-rule the action taken by the Board. A two-thirds majority of voting members present shall reverse the decision of the Board.

SEC. B   To be in good standing, members must not be in arrears on dues or other obligations more than thirty days after receipt of a bill. Members in arrears more than thirty days after receipt of a bill shall be deemed delinquent and subject to expulsion as defined in Article I, Sec. C(1) of the By-Laws.

SEC. C (1) In the event that such members shall fail to pay their obligation, the Recording Secretary shall, at least thirty (30) days after the first notice, send them notice in writing by Certified Mail, return receipt requested, that said obligation must be paid within thirty (30) days from date of mailing of the second notice or their memberships shall expire, citing Section C of these By-Laws.

SEC. C (2)    The notices required by this section shall not apply to annual membership dues. Non-payment of annual dues by the due date shall be accepted as resignation from club membership, with no further correspondence required.

SEC. C (3) Expulsion is subject to confirmation of the Board and upon action confirming the expulsion, the member's name shall be removed from the posted roster.

SEC. C (4) Provided that said delinquent member may, within the period above stated, present to the Board of Directors in writing his reasons for such delinquency, the Board shall, after considering the member's statement, make a decision to accept or reject the reasons given. Such decision shall be noted and filed with the member's written request in the member's file.

SEC. D Any complaint against the management of the Club or against the conduct or delinquency of any officer or member shall be made in writing to the Recording Secretary, signed by the complainant. The Secretary shall refer the complaint to the Board of Directors at their next meeting. After the Board has investigated merits of such complaint and provided a hearing to the accused member, it shall report its findings and recommendations for any disciplinary action including suspension to the members at the next regular meeting for their action. The Recording Secretary shall send a written notice to any disciplined member by Certified Mail, return receipt requested, which shall specify the reason for such discipline.

SEC. E Members suspended shall not be eligible for reinstatement for a period of six months, at which time an application in writing, signed by two members in good standing, must be presented to the Board of Directors, accompanied by all arrears accrued to the date of the application. The Board shall report its recommendation to the members at the next regular meeting for action. A two-thirds majority of voting members present shall reinstate such members.

SEC. F    The resignation of any member shall be presented in writing to the Recording Secretary, but no resignation shall be effective or accepted until the resigning member has paid all indebtedness to the date of resignation to the club.

ARTICLE II - CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS

SEC. A   There shall be four classifications of membership in this organization, to wit:

(1)     Active Member

(2)     Associate Member

(3)     Life Member

(4)     Honorary Member

SEC. B   The following conditions, dues, and fees shall apply to each respective membership classification.

(1)     Active Member: An active member shall be male or female, age 21 or over, and shall enjoy all privileges of membership including the right to hold office. For this classification, the initiation fee shall be two hundred dollars ($200), and the annual dues shall be one hundred dollars ($100).

(2)     Associate Member: An associate members shall be male or female, age 18 through 20 years, and shall have all privileges of an active member. His initiation fee shall be one-half of that of an active member, and his annual dues shall be one hundred dollars ($100). On his 21^st birthday, he shall become eligible for compulsory reclassification to active membership and shall be so reclassified as soon as any limits on the active membership classification permit. Upon being reclassified an active member, he shall pay the remaining one-half of the active member's initiation fee in effect at the time and his dues shall become that of an active member.

(3)     Life Member: A life member shall be granted only in recognition of the following qualities:

a.        Years of outstanding membership and service to the Middle Bass Island Yacht Club.

b.       Meritorious service to the sport of yachting in general.

c.        He must be found to be of good moral character and a true sportsman.

The Commodore shall appoint a committee of three regular members in good standing who shall investigate the qualifications of the member recommended for life member-ship. The committee shall report its findings in writing to make recommendation to the Board of Directors. The action of the Board shall be referred to the membership at the next regular meeting. Such action shall be approved unless reversed by a four-fifths vote of the members present. Life members shall enjoy all privileges of the Club, retain the privilege of voting and shall pay no annual dues or assessments.

ARTICLE III - PAYMENT OF DUES

SEC. A (1) The annual date for payment of dues shall be January 1^st.

SEC. A The dues of members joining the Club during the year shall be pro-rated so that their anniversary date for payment of dues shall fall on January 1^st.

ARTICLE IV - QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

SEC. A (1) The officers and directors of the Club shall be active or associate members who have been in good standing for one year or more.

SEC. A A member in good standing shall mean one who is neither delinquent nor suspended.

SEC. B The officers and directors shall, if possible, attend every regular and special meeting of the Club, and discharge their respective duties faithfully.

SEC. C The unexcused absence of an officer or director for three consecutive meetings shall indicate that such member is not in a position to fill his respective office. In the event of such absences, the Board of Directors shall immediately institute an investigation and report its findings and recommendations at the next regular meeting, with particular regard to all extenuating circumstances. The members present at such meeting shall vote by written ballot whether such member shall continue to hold office. A majority vote in the negative by those members present shall vacate the office, and the same shall be filled by an immediate election held in accord with Article V.

ARTICLE V - ELECTION OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

SEC. A The Commodore shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three members in good standing at least three months prior to the Annual September Meeting. His committee shall select a slate of proposed officers and directors, interviewing each one so selected as to his willingness to serve if elected, and make a written report in the form of a nomination for each office at the Annual September Meeting. Additional nominations for all offices shall be accepted from the floor.

SEC. B Each member nominated for an office shall stand for election at the Annual Meeting. The nominees for expiring directorships shall be voted upon to replace only the particular director for which they were nominated. The election shall be held in accord with Article VI of the Constitution.

SEC. C A majority vote of the members present shall elect a candidate to office. Proxies shall not be voted in the election of officers or directors. For voting members unable to attend the Annual Meeting, an absentee ballot form will be available from the Recording Secretary. Members who wish to vote by absentee ballot must do so at least one week prior to the Annual Meeting to assure delivery by mail.

SEC. D Any elected office, which becomes vacant before completion of the term in office, shall be filled at a special election to be held as soon as possible after the office becomes vacant. The special election may be held at a special meeting or at a regular meeting, at which time all nominating and balloting shall take place.

ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

SEC. A The COMMODORE shall be the chief executive officer and shall preside at all meetings when present, but shall have not vote except in case of a tie. He shall appoint the chairman of the following committees: Auditing, Finance, Nominating, Long Range Planning, and the I-LYA Delegates and Staff positions. He shall make appointments to fill all vacancies, temporary and otherwise. He shall sign all checks as issued.

SEC. B The VICE COMMODORE shall officiate in the absence of the Commodore and shall coordinate the activities of the group of directors assigned.

SEC. C The REAR COMMODORE shall officiate in the absence of the above officers and shall coordinate the activities of the group of directors assigned.

SEC. D The RECORDING SECRETARY shall keep an exact record of all the proceedings of every meeting of the Club and Board of Directors. He shall conduct all correspondence. He shall be custodian of the Charter and the Seal, and all necessary postage. He shall keep a correct roll of the members and a permanent record, which shall be open to inspection by the Board of Directors or the Auditing Committee at all times, of all membership dues paid, and shall issue receipts thereof and/or membership cards. He shall account to the Treasurer at each regular meeting for all monies collected during the preceding month, and at the expiration of his term, he shall deliver all records and Club property in his possession to his successor.

SEC. E The TREASURER shall receive and disburse all funds upon proper order, and shall keep accurate books of account, which shall be open to any inspection by the Board of Directors or the Auditing Committee at all times. All Club funds shall be deposited in a Federally Insured Commercial Bank or Federally Insured Savings and Loan Association, and all disbursements shall be made by check, signed by the Treasurer or the Commodore. He shall keep an account of all receipted bills. He shall make a written report of the financial condition of the Club at each regular meeting, and written detailed report for the preceding year at the end of each year. He shall post an approved bond, running to the Club, in the sum of $1,000.00 premium for same to be paid by the Club.

ARTICLE VII – DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SEC. A   The Board of Directors shall have general control and management of the affairs, property, and funds of the Club, but unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any meeting, shall not make the Club liable for any debt or debts beyond the amount of cash on hand at the time the debt is incurred.

SEC. B   The Board shall meet at such times as the Commodore may direct, or upon written notice of any three members thereof.

SEC. C   Five directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SEC. D   A report of the Board shall be read at every regular meeting of the Club members.

SEC. E    A full written report shall be made by each officer and director at each Annual Meeting covering the activities of the preceding year and recommendations of such measures as are deemed advisable.

ARTICLE VIII – IMPEACHMENT OF OFFICERS

SEC. A An officer or director may be impeached by the unanimous vote of the other officers and directors and may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a regular of special meeting after he has been accorded a hearing upon the impeachment charges.

ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS

SEC. A   The regular meeting of this organization shall be held on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.

SEC. B   A special meeting of this organization may be called by the Commodore, signed by five members in good standing. Such notice shall state the object of the meeting, and no other business than that stated shall be acted upon at such meeting.

SEC. C   A regular meeting may be postponed by a notice signed by three officers or by a petition signed by one-third of the total number of members in good standing.

ARTICLE X - STANDING COMMITTEES

SEC. A There shall be the following standing committees: Membership, Entertainment, House, Race, and Dock. Each director shall appoint chairmen for the committees under his jurisdiction with the approval of his Flag Officer. Each chairman shall select his own committee members with the approval of director.

SEC. B ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE shall have charge of all social functions of the Club.

SEC.C MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE shall investigate the morals and character of each applicant for membership, and report its findings to the Board of Directors in writing on the reverse side of the membership application. The Chairman of this committee shall carry out any other directions regarding membership applications as shall be provided for in the By-Laws.

SEC. D HOUSE COMMITTEE shall be responsible for the proper operation and maintenance of the Clubhouse and the deportment of the members while on Club property.

SEC. E RACE COMMITTEE shall be charged with the supervision of all races sponsored by the Club and distribution of the prizes awarded.

SEC. F DOCK COMMITTEE shall be responsible for the operation, maintenance and the proper functioning all Club docks and Club vehicles.

ARTICLE XI - ORDER OF BUSINESS

SEC. A   The order of Business at Club Meetings shall be:

1.        Reading of minutes of previous meeting

2.        Introduction of new members

3.        Reports of Officers & Directors

4.        Reports on Committees

5.        Unfinished business

6.        Communications

7.        New business

8.        Suggestions for the good of the Club

9.        Adjournment

ARTICLE XII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

SEC. A Robert's Rules of Order shall be the Club's final authority on all questions of procedure and parliamentary law not covered by the Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE XIII - AMENDING THE BY-LAWS

SEC. A These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote at any meeting, a quorum being present, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given at the preceding meeting.

SEC. B No assessment shall be levied against the membership except by a majority vote at any meeting, a quorum being present, provided notice of the proposed assessment has been given at the preceding meeting. The By-Laws shall not be suspended on matters of assessment and the notice requirement of this paragraph shall not be waived. If the matter is of extreme urgency, the provisions of Article X, Section B, Special Meetings, shall govern.

ARTICLE XIV - QUORUM

SEC. A Twenty (20) members on the roll of the Club, including four (4) elected officers and/or directors shall constitute a quorum.

SEC. B A quorum must be present at any meeting at which business is transacted or a vote taken committing the Club to any proposal or action.