Constitution and By-Laws

Rickey Point Sailing Club

P.O. Box, Kettle Falls

Washington, 99141

Constitution


Article I – Purpose and Name

 

Section I

The purpose of the Rickey Point Sailing Club of Kettle Falls, WA is to serve the interests of sailboat owners; to sponsor sailboat racing and cruising; to secure permits, services and facilities for use of Club members; to provide training for individuals and organizations in water safety, seamanship and sailboat handling; to participate in issues involving recreation and water resources and to stimulate a greater interest in sailing among citizens of the area served by the Club.

 

Section II

The name of the Club shall be “The Rickey Point Sailing Club”.

 

By-Laws

 

Article II – Membership

 

Section I

As an initiation fee on being admitted to Club membership, a new member shall be assessed as follows:

$20. per individual membership or family membership. Suggested ammendment: (as per discussion at 04/16/05 meeting suggestion to raise membership dues to $25 for individuals and $____ for family membership.

 

  1. A pro-rata share of costs incurred by the Club on behalf of the members.

All fees shall be those such as approved by the membership from time to time as they see fit.

 

SUGGESTED NEW AMMENDEMENT:

Article II Membership, Section I-A:

Suggested amendment discussion;

  1. Definition of RPSC member, membership rights and benefits, financial obligations and duties.
  • Members are entitled to: Be on the buoy field waiting list; become buoy owners; participate in RPSC meetings, and activities; run for RPSC elected officer positions; regatta benefits (as per discussion at 04/16/05 meeting where suggestion made to charge non-members higher regatta entry fees);
  1. Definition of RPSC buoy owner (by default being a member described above) having other rights, financial obligations and duties.

 

Question:  What is the difference in a CLUB MEMBER and a BUOY OWNER?

 

 

Section II

Application for membership in the Club shall be open to all individuals interested in sailing and related issues.

 

Section III

Application for membership in the Club shall be made in the manner prescribed by the Membership Committee. The membership application, in its approved form, shall contain an agreement to abide by the By-Laws of the Club (See RECORD STORAGE suggested new amendment Secretary Duties). An application for membership shall be referred to the Membership Committee for recommendation. If the recommendation is for approval, the applicant shall then become a member of the Club upon payment of the required fees and installed at a membership meeting.  

SUGGESTED NEW AMMENDEMENT

Article II Membership, Section III-A Membership Committee

  1. Define the Membership Committee?
  2. By-laws state that new RPSC members are installed at a membership meeting (this is not our current practice) Suggest an amendment to delete underlined section in last sentence above).

 

Note: There is a possibility of needing amendment regarding applications and applicants.

  1. Where are completed applications filed?
  2. Do we have them on all members?
  3. When are they enacted?
  4. How are they distributed?
  5. Do the applications reflect current info?
  6. Does a Sail Club member and a buoy owner file the same application?

 

NEW AMMENDEMENT

Article II Membership, Section VIII Correspondence and Notification;

Amendment language APPROVED as per official meeting of 2003 minutes;

Official correspondence and notification to membership of RPSC shall be with e-mail, with an automatic response reply to secretary. For those members who do not have subscription to e-mail services or those who prefer hard copies, the minutes shall be sent by mail through the US Post Office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUGGESTED NEW AMMENDEMENT

Article II Membership, Section IX – Dated Waiting List:

By-Law Amendment from Vice Commodore;

(This is Section 8 or 9 depending if Correspondence & Notification amendment above is acted upon).

Parties interested in buoy ownership may apply as follows:

1.      Complete application for membership and mail with paid dues directly to RPSC Secretary. Applicant will be placed on waiting list as of date RPSC Secretary receives application and check.

2.      To a Board of Director with membership application for a buoy. The Board Member is responsible for filing application and payment for membership with the secretary within 72 hours. When application and paid membership is filed with the secretary the applicant shall be placed on the official RPSC Waiting List in the last position. The waiting period will commence on date of membership payment. Once on the RPSC Waiting List the applicant must remain a member in good standing through out their period on the Waiting List. Secretary will route new membership payment to Treasurer, update the Waiting List, and mail quarterly reports to general membership.

3.      NOTE: there is no other means of being placed on the RPSC Waiting List.

 

Section IV

The membership fees in each year shall be due and payable in advance of February 28 in each year. Fees for permits and services or facilities shall be paid on a schedule approved by the membership at the time the expenses are authorized.  

 

Section V

Any member may be:

1.      Expelled

2.       Suspended for a definite period

3.      Deprived of Office of Position

4.      Deprived of Privileges

For breach of his obligations to the Club or for disorderly conduct at a meeting, or Club activity or in or about Club premises. For maliciously making a false complaint against a member or for conduct unworthy of a member which in any way brings or tends to bring the Club into discredit, or for any dishonest act.

 

Section VI

Upon receipt of a written complaint against any member, the Secretary shall given written notice thereof to the member complained against, who will then be entitled to submit a written defense to the said charges, this defense must be submitted within 10 days.

The complaint will be dealt with in a summary way by the Directors, provided the penalty does not involve expulsion from the Club. Of expulsion is recommended by the Directors they will recommend review at a regular or special General Meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section VI

The member may appeal the decision of the Directors by appealing in writing for a review to be heard at a General Meeting. This appeal application to be received by the Secretary at least 15 days previous to the General Meeting.

Ad this meeting a Committee shall be formed to hear both sides of the controversy and they shall then make a recommendation. This recommendation, if endorsed by the majority of the members present, shall be final and the member either re-instated, expelled or suspended from Club privileges.

Section VII

A member may resign from the Club at any time upon notice in writing addressed to the Secretary. This does not release said member from the obligation to pay al dues owing to the end of the period of membership. *

 

Article III - Management

 

Section I

The management of the Club shall be vested in a Board of Directors.

 

Article IV – Board of Directors

 

Section I

The board shall consist of the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Commodore-elect, Secretary/Treasurer and two Directors.

Suggested amendment to change: That the Board of Directors shall be:

  1. The Commodore
  2. The Vice Commodore
  3. Secretary  
  4. Treasurer
  5. Buoy Field Manager
  6. One general member elected by membership

 

Section II

Suggested amendment to change: That the dates for office be established.

The Board members shall hold office as follows:

  1. The Commodore (200_ )
  2. The Vice Commodore (200_ )
  3. Secretary  (200_ ) 
  4. Treasurer (200_ )
  5. Buoy Field Manager (200_ )
  6. One general member elected by membership (200_ )

 

Offices will be held for 1 or 2 years - staggered

 

 

 

 

 

Section III

All members of the Board of Directors shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

Three members of the board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Section IV

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least quarterly at a time and place designated by the Commodore.  

 

Section V

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Commodore. Notice of which shall be given in sufficient time to permit members to be present, taking into consideration the availability of transportation and other contributing factors.  

 

Section VI

The Secretary shall keep all accounts of the Club and have charge of its funds.  He shall keep all funds in a bank approved by the Board of Directors and in the name of the Club, subject to withdrawal by check signed in such a manner as may be from time to time approved by the Board of Directors. He shall disperse the funds of the Club under the direction of the Board of Directors. An annual audit shall be prepared and submitted to the membership. Suggested amendment: Change complete section to address duties of treasurer as RPSC has separated the Secretary/Treasurer position.

 

Section VII

The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of all meetings, and to issue notice of all meetings, both Executive and Membership and to carry out any duties within his or her jurisdiction as instructed by the Board of Directors. Suggested amendment: Delete underlined as RPSC has separated the Secretary/Treasurer position.

 

SUGGESTED NEW AMMENDEMENT Article IV, Section VII-A: add to secretary duties: Record Storage:

1.      RPSC secretary to maintain a working file on all club documents including but not limited to;

                              By-Laws

                              Buoy Field Guidelines

                              All meeting minutes (current and copies of historic)

                              Membership applications (completed and blanks)

                              Membership list and contact info

                              Assigned buoy list (from Buoy Field Manager)

                              Buoy Filed waiting list (from Board of Directors?)

                              Treasurer reports (from Treasurer)

                              Official correspondence

 

2.      RPSC establish a permanent record in a safety deposit box.

 

 

 

Section VIII

The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for all correspondence both within the Club and with outside interests, such correspondence to be at the request of the Membership or the Board of Directors. Suggested amendment: Delete underlined above as RPSC has separated the Secretary/Treasurer position.

 

SUGGESTED NEW AMMENDEMENT:

Article IV Board of Directors, Section IX Buoy Field Manager duties:

Referencing Buoy Field Guidelines define duties of Buoy Field Manager.

 

SUGGESTED NEW AMMENDEMENT:

Article IV Board of Directors, Section X duties Commodore duties:

Define duties of Commodore.

 

SUGGESTED NEW AMMENDEMENT:

Article IV Board of Directors, Section XI Vice Commodore duties:

Define duties of Vice Commodore.

 

SUGGESTED NEW AMMENDEMENT:

Article IV Board of Directors, Section XII Membership representative director duties:

Define duties and process of establishing membership representative director.

 

Section IX Amendment to change this section title to XIII.

Vacancies in any elective office may be filled by the Board of Directors. The successor so chosen shall serve for the un-expired term of his predecessor.

 

Article V – Fiscal Year

 

Section I

The fiscal year of the Club shall be the Calendar Year.

 

Article VI – Nominating Committee

 

Section I

One month prior to the date of election of Officers, a Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Commodore, to be chaired by past Commodore. This committee shall submit the names of one applicant for each position to be filled.

This does not prevent further nominations from the floor at the Annual Meeting. If a nominee is unable to be present for a valid reason at a nomination meeting he must have signified, in writing, his willingness to stand for the office for which he has been or is nominated. Suggest discussion and amendment to reflect current RPSC practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article VII – Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

Section I

The Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of February on a date selected by the Board of Directors. Suggest amendment language; RPSC will hold two annual meetings; one in preparation of the sailing season to be held in late winter (Feb/March); the other to be held at the close of the sailing season (generally Oct/Nov). Proposal from the 04/16/05 meeting is for a social function/banquet to be held at year’s end.

 

Section II

General and Special meetings of members of the Club may be called by the Commodore or by any 5 members upon giving written notice, which notice shall state purpose of the meeting. Suggest amendment to include timeframe for notification (see sections below).

As per official meeting of 2003 minutes reflect that e-mail is RPSC Official Correspondence (need amendment to reflect this).

 

Section III

Written notice of the place, day and hour of all Membership meetings shall be prepared and distributed to the membership by the Secretary, such notice to be in the hands of the Membership at least seven days prior to said meeting.

As per official meeting of 2003 minutes reflect that e-mail is RPSC Official Correspondence (need amendment to reflect this).

 

Section IV

Any action taken at a regular or special meeting shall require a majority vote of those present.

 

Article VIII – Amendments

 

Section I

These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the Club by a majority vote of members attending such meeting, provided a notice of such proposed amendment or amendments shall have been mailed to each member with notice of the meeting at which the amendments are to be considered. Suggest amendment to include timeframe for notification (see sections above).

As per official meeting of 2003 minutes reflect that e-mail is RPSC Official Correspondence (need amendment to reflect this).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article IX - Physical Facilities and Liability Insurance

 

Section I

The placement expense shall be born by each individual user. Common facilities such as booms, storage building, etc., must be voted on by the General Membership and will be on an assessment basis. All members will sign a liability waiver which will exempt The Rickey Point Sailing Club from claims arising from any of their actions. Each member will be responsible for his own insurance. While this is not current practice, the current Club Secretary is in the process of creating a waiver to be used as per above.

 

Current transcription by:

Catherine Brown, Secretary

J Foster Fanning, Vice Commodore

06/02/05

 

Key to color coded text:

Blue is comments or questions regarding the current By-Laws or practices of RPSC.

Red is where changes are proposed to the By-Laws.

Yellow highlight is proposed language of amendments or amendment discussion points.