Official Bylaws
Of Inland Valley Bridge Unit 534 ACBL
The bylaws presented here are the August 12, 2007
version.
The Unit functions within the Bylaws and Regulations of the American Contract Bridge League, hereinafter called ACBL and District directives.
Objectives of the
Organization
A- To preserve and promote the best interests of and to stimulate interest in the art of playing competitive duplicate
Contract bridge and any modifications thereof;
B- To cooperate with, and assist the ACBL in the promotion and conduct of contract bridge tournaments;
C- To encourage the highest standards of conduct and ethics by its members, and to enforce such standards;
D- To promote the development and organization of affiliated clubs within the Unit;
E- To cooperate in the ACBL's Charity Program, and to sponsor and conduct Charity events with the object of realizing
funds to be devoted to worthy humanitarian causes;
F- To conduct such other activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives;
Article I UNIT JURISDICTION
The geographical area within which this unit shall have jurisdiction shall be as presently assigned (per map) or may in the future be assigned to it by the ACBL.
Article II MEMBERSHIP
A. Any person of good moral character and residing within the jurisdiction of the Unit, or any ACBL member choosing to transfer their membership from another Unit, subject to District regulations, is eligible for membership, and no person shall be denied membership due to race, creed, color, or sexual orientation.
B. Such person, upon favorable action shall become and remain a member unless:
1. The member changes residence to a place outside the jurisdiction of the Unit, in which case they shall
become a member of the new Unit immediately on processing by the ACBL of the change of address or has
applied to remain in the old Unit in accord with District regulations.
2. The member has failed to pay dues in accordance with the regulations of ACBL.
3. The member has been suspended or expelled from membership in accordance with regulations established by ACBL and the Board of Directors of the Unit, provided, however, that such regulations shall conform to the rules of due process applicable to membership corporations, and that such regulations as are established by the Board Of Directors of the Unit shall not be in conflict with the
Regulations of the ACBL.
C. Membership in the Unit requires membership in the ACBL. Members may choose to be in any Unit of their choice, irrespective of their residence, by forwarding a request to ACBL.
Article III DUES
Annual dues shall be in the amount fixed by and paid to ACBL.
Article IV MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
A. The annual meeting of the membership shall be held in November of each year, unless otherwise directed by
action of the Board.
B. The Board of Directors shall fix the time and place of the annual meeting and shall give notice to each member club at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled date.
C. Special meetings of the members may be called at any time to consider specific matters by the Unit Board of Directors or by the President, or by petition of at least ten (10) members at large. Notice of the time and place
of any special meeting shall be given to all member clubs at lease ten (10) days before such meeting. The
notice of any special meeting shall contain an Agenda of the matters to be taken up at such meeting. No
other business, not on the agenda, shall be acted upon at such special meeting.
D. A quorum for the transaction of business at any annual or special meeting shall consist of twenty five (25) members.
E. No proxies shall be permitted.
Article V UNIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. Number of Directors--The affairs of the Unit shall be managed and conducted by the Unit Board of Directors which shall consist of nine (9) persons, plus the immediate past President, all of whom must be members of the Unit.
B. Proportional Representation--To ensure fair representation on the Board of Directors for geographical areas within the Unit, allotments shall be established and based upon membership residency within each area. The proportional number of representatives shall be determined by the Board, 60 days prior to each election.
C. Term of Office-- Each director shall hold office for a period of two (2) years, the term to coincide with the calendar year and shall continue to hold office until relieved by a duly elected successor. The terms of the
Directors shall be staggered to provide for election of four (4) directors one year, and five (5) directors the
following year.
D. Nomination and Election of Directors--Candidates for Director shall be nominated and elected from and by the membership of the Unit. The Board of Directors shall appoint a nominating committee and an election
committee at least forty (40) days prior to the annual membership meeting.
1. The nominating committee shall be composed of three (3) members for each of the three geographical areas
of the Unit. No more than two (2) members of this committee may be members of the current Board of
Directors. The nominating committee shall endeavor to prepare a slate of at least 125% of the number of
candidates needed to fill the Board vacancies and report to the election committee. All nominees must have
expressed a willingness to serve. Nominees must be representative of their geographical area or their
primary area of play in the Unit. Nominee may not appear on multiple geographical ballots. Other
nominations may be presented at the annual meeting or may be written in on the ballots if consent is
obtained.
2. The Board shall appoint at least three (3) members to serve on the election committee who shall prepare a
ballot based on the nominating committee's report. This ballot shall be available at least ten (10) days
prior to the annual meeting for those who are unable to attend the annual meeting but wish to vote by
absentee ballot.
3. Voting shall be by sealed, secret ballot with name ,signature , and ACBL number on the outside of the
Envelope to ensure qualified voters. Every member of the Unit, in good standing, shall be entitled to vote
for Directors in their area only. Members may vote by secret absentee ballot if unable to attend the
meeting. Voting by proxy will not be permitted. The opening and counting of all ballots shall be by the
election committee and only at the annual membership meeting. Candidates may have witnesses at the
counting of the ballots. If there are only the exact number of nominees to fill the vacancies that exist and
no nominations are offered at the meeting, then a voice vote of approval would declare the nominees duly
elected.
E. Vacancies & Absentees--Any vacancy on the Unit Board of Directors shall be filled (by appointment) by the Board of Directors. The person so appointed should be from the same geographical area and shall hold office
for the balance of the unexpired term. Should a member of the Board be absent from three (3) regularly
scheduled consecutive Board meetings, the member's seat shall on the Board shall be considered vacant by
virtue of automatic resignation.
F. Meetings--The Unit Board of Directors shall hold a minimum of four (4) meetings a year. The first one,
following the annual election, shall be held prior to December the 31st. This is to be a joint meeting of the old
and newly elected Directors for the purposes of transferring books, records, funds and other Unit property and
for the transaction of such other business as needed. The first business at this meeting shall be to elect a Unit
President and Vice President. Meetings of the Board shall be regularly scheduled or may be called by the
Secretary at the request of the President or by three (3) members of the Board. Notice of a special meeting
shall be given to all members at least five (5) days in advance.
G. Quorum--A quorum of the Unit Board of Directors for the transaction of business shall consist of not less than a majority of the Board.
H. Powers and
Duties--In addition to the powers herein granted by other provisions
hereof, and by the laws of the State
of
1. The conducting, management, supervision and control of the business of the Unit.
2. The conducting of Unit tournaments and events, the selection of dates, locations, and to the making of all contracts pertaining to such tournaments or events, subject to the regulations of ACBL.
3. The appropriation of Unit funds for the purposes set forth in these By-laws and Regulations.
4. The auditing of receipts and disbursements of the Unit, and to ensure that a financial audit is made by a qualified disinterested person at the end of each fiscal year.
5. The acquiring, holding, administering, and maintaining and disposing of all property of the Unit.
6. The employment and discharging of employees, and the supervision of their conduct and fixing their compensation.
7. The censure, suspension, expelling or otherwise disciplining any member. No member shall be censured, suspended, expelled or otherwise disciplined until that member has been furnished with written
charges to which he/she has had time to reply or until after a hearing of which that member has received
reasonable notice. Such a member may be represented by counsel. The Unit Board of Directors, general
membership, and/or ACBL, shall not be liable for any counsel , attorney or agent fees. Disciplinary action by
the Unit may be appealed to the District Judicial Committee first, then to the National Board of Directors.
The right of the member, while charges are pending, to play in tournaments during any pendency shall not
be affected unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
I. Board Membership--The Unit Board of Directors shall be the sole judge of its membership.
Article VI UNIT OFFICERS
A. Number--The officers of the Unit shall consist of a President, Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The latter two positions may be combined.
B. Election of Unit Officers--A newly elected Unit Board of Directors shall elect all officers at its first meeting prior to the joint meeting with the old Board, and the persons elected shall hold office for one year or until their successors have been duly elected.
1. The President and the Vice President must be members of the Board of Directors.
2. The Secretary and/or Treasurer may be elected from the members of the Board or may be appointed by the
Board of Directors from the general membership. An appointed Secretary and/or Treasurer, not a Board member, shall have no voting rights at the Board meetings. This officer or officers may be bonded for the
approximate value of the Unit's funds and other assets.
C. Vacancies--due to death, resignation or other cause, shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
D. Duties--
1. President--Presides at all meetings of the Unit Board of Directors and all membership meetings; appoints all
committees, except when otherwise provided in the Unit By-laws and Regulations; exercises general
supervision over the Unit activities; performs such other duties that are incidental to the office or which
may be conferred by the Unit Board of Directors and is a member ex-officio of all committees except the
nominating committee and the election committee.
2. Vice-President--Assumes duties of the President in their absence. Performs other duties prescribed by the Board.
3. Secretary--Shall keep a complete record of the Unit Correspondence, maintains a roster of Unit members;
sends a notice of all meetings to member clubs and directors; attends and keeps the minutes of all
membership and Board meetings; keeps records of all tournaments and other activities of the Unit;
completes and files all Unit reports required by ACBL; receives and files the reports of all officers and
committees and is responsible for the maintenance of membership records. The Board may delegate
specific duties to other persons.
4. Treasurer--has custody of and is responsible for all funds, securities and property of the Unit; deposits
such funds in the bank or banks designated by the Board; makes prompt payment of Unit obligations as
directed by the Board; keeps accurate records and provides financial reports as directed by the Board.
Article VII IMPEACHMENT
Any officer or director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the Unit Board of Directors provided two-thirds of those present constituting a quorum shall so vote. Any officer or director against whom impeachment charges shall be brought shall be notified in writing, by registered mail, of the charges at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting and shall be given the opportunity to be heard before the Unit Board of Directors and to be represented by counsel of their own choosing. The action taken by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive and final.
Article VIII TOURNAMENTS
The Board of Directors shall have complete authority over all Sectional or Unit sponsored tournaments held within the Unit or who's approval is required for a sanction, subject to the regulations of ACBL.
Article IX COMMITTEES
A. The Executive committee shall be composed of the officers of the Unit. If the office of Secretary/Treasurer is combined, or if the office of Secretary or Treasurer is filled by a member who is not on the Board of Directors, another Board Director shall be appointed by the Board to the committee. The Executive committee shall be empowered to act for the Board when necessary between its regular meetings. Any action taken by the
committee must be reported to the Board for ratification at the next regular meeting.
B. The Standing committees shall be appointed, if needed, by the President with the approval of the Board; such
as:
1. Conduct and Ethics--This is an ad hoc committee, composed of three (3) members who may, but need not
be members of the Board. This committee will be convened at the discretion of the President. The members
shall be appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Board to investigate complaints or charges
that involve the conduct or ethics of members playing in tournaments. This committee often coordinates its
efforts with a district judiciary committee to report its findings to the Unit Board for action. The President is
a non- voting member.
2. Finance and audit.
3. Hospitality.
4. Housekeeping.
5. Membership--The responsibilities of the membership chairman are to increase membership by seeking new
members; to encourage present members to renew their membership; be the contact with ACBL in matters
relating to membership renewals, moves, etc.; provide new members with Unit By-laws; and perform other
tasks that are appropriate to this position.
6. Publicity and public relations--The duties of the publicity chairman are to publicize Unit tournaments and
activities, and to increase public awareness of ACBL and its charitable and educational activities.
7. Tournament--The tournament committee plans, coordinates, and supervises the sectional and any other
tournaments sponsored by the Unit. The chairman of this committee is a additional member of the Unit
Board, but may vote only on matters related to Unit sponsored tournaments. The Executive committee shall
be voting members of any sponsored tournament committee.
8. Ways and Means
C. With the approval of the Board of Directors, the President may appoint other committees as may be needed to perform the functions of the Unit and shall define the duties of such committees.
Article X AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS
Amendment to the By-laws may be made by the members of the Unit upon petition signed by at least ten (10) members and submitted to the Secretary at least forty (40) days in advance of the annual meeting or any special meeting called for the purpose, or upon petition signed by at least five (5) members of the Unit Board of Directors. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to incorporate the text of the proposed amendment in the notice of the meeting. The concurrence of two-thirds of all members present and voting shall be required to pass any amendment. No amendment shall be considered retroactive.
Article XI PARLIAMENTARY RULES
The proceedings of all meetings shall be governed by and conducted in accordance with the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order.
Article XII UNIT FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS
All Unit functions and events shall be non-smoking.
Approved: January 14, 1996 at Unit 534 General Membership meeting.
Amendments, Article V, approved August 12, 2007 Special General Membership meeting