Fort Lauderdale Bridge Club

Bylaws
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FORT LAUDERDALE BRIDGE CLUB, INC.

A Not-For-Profit Organization

BYLAWS

Fiscal Year: January 1 through December 31

Adopted: December 1, 1958. Amended: 1959, 1960, 1963, 1968, 1969, 1976, 1989, 1995, 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2007
and
ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

As stated in the Charter, the purposes of this corporation are to promote and preserve without intention of pecuniary gain, the best interests of the game of Duplicate Bridge and to conduct such other activities as may be in keeping with its principal object and approved by the Board of Governors (hereinafter called “the Board”).

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

A. QUALIFICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

1. Without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, origin, sexual orientation, or handicap, Membership in the FORT LAUDERDALE BRIDGE CLUB, INC. (hereinafter referred to as “the CLUB”) shall be open to persons having an interest in the game of Duplicate Bridge.

2. Applicants for membership shall be required to submit a written application and remit a payment for the initiation fee and membership dues.

3. Continued membership requires the submittal of an annual payment of membership dues. Nonpayment of the annual membership dues will be interpreted as voluntary termination of membership.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

1. To promote a friendly environment and maintain an enjoyable atmosphere during the course of the game.

2. To maintain a high standard of ethics and sportsmanship at all times.

C. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

1. Members of the CLUB shall have a right to participate in and to vote at the Annual Membership and all Special Membership Meetings and for the election of members of the Board. Members do not have a right to vote at regular or special meetings of the Board, but are encouraged to attend.

2. Voting by proxy is permissible at Annual Membership and Special Membership Meetings. The proxy must be in writing, stating the designated holder, the authority given and time limit for the proxy. The proxy must be signed and dated by the member of the CLUB giving the proxy.

3. Each member of the CLUB, except the Club Manager and Game Directors, shall be eligible to serve as an Officer or member of the Board
D. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP

For distinguished service to the CLUB, the Board, from time-to-time, may select a member as an Honorary Life Member, who will be exempt from membership dues, but will have all membership privileges of the CLUB.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

A. QUORUMS

A quorum shall consist of no less than ten percent (10%) of the current membership.

B. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

1. An Annual Membership Meeting of the CLUB shall be held no later than the second week of December each year with the specific date being determined by the Board.

2. Thirty (30) days notice of the date, time, place and agenda of the Annual Membership Meeting shall be posted at the CLUB and on the website.

C. SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

1. Special Membership Meetings may be called by: (1) the President of the Board; (2) a written request signed by not less than a majority of the Board; or (3) a written request of not less than ten percent (10%) of the full membership delivered to any Officer of the Board.

2. Within one (1) week of receipt of a written request for a Special Membership Meeting (either from the members of the Board or the membership) the President of the Board shall issue a notice to all members of the CLUB.

3. All notices of Special Membership Meetings shall be sent by mail to each member and posted on the website providing a fifteen (15) day advance notice of the time, place and agenda for the meeting.

ARTICLE IV

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

A. NOMINATING PROCEDURES

1. On or before the September Regular Board Meeting of each year, the President of the Board shall nominate and the Board approve six (6) members to a Nominating Committee. Three (3) members shall be from among the four (4) members of the Board whose term is expiring and three (3) shall be from the membership-at-large.

2. On or before the October Regular Board Meeting of each year, the Nominating Committee shall submit to the Board a list of a minimum of four (4) and a maximum of eight (8) names of members as nominees to be considered for election to the four (4) vacancies on the Board.
3. Nominations may also be made by petition signed by ten percent (10%) of the CLUB members. These petitions must be filed with an Officer of the CLUB prior to the November meeting of the Board. In such instances, the Board may approve more than eight (8) candidates for the four (4) vacancies.

B. VOTING PROCEDURES

1. Ballots shall be distributed in person or by mail to all members of the CLUB as soon as practical following the November meeting of the Board.
2. Ballots may be hand delivered or received by mail at the CLUB and deposited in the designated ballot box no later than 12:00 midnight on December 30. The ballot must be in a sealed envelope bearing the name of the member casting the ballot on the outside of the envelope.
3. Members may vote for up to four (4) of the nominees listed on the ballot. Should votes be cast for more than four (4) nominees on any ballot, that ballot shall be disqualified.

4. The four (4) nominees receiving a plurality of the votes shall be determined to be elected to the Board. In cases of tie votes between candidates, a coin toss will determine the winning sequence of the candidates.

5. Each ballot shall be entered on a recap sheet. The recap sheet shall be checked and signed by the Nominating Committee and kept until the following year’s election.

6. Election results shall be announced at the CLUB on December 31 and posted as soon as practical thereafter on the bulletin board and website.

C. TERMS OF OFFICE

1. Members elected to the Board shall hold office for three (3) years. Any past Board member may seek re-election for another three (3) year term after a one (1) year interval between terms.

2. Any member elected to the Board may be removed by a majority vote of the other members of the Board for instances of non-performance or malfeasance.

3. Should a member of the Board leave prior to the end of their term, the successor shall be the candidate who, in the last preceding election, received the next highest number of votes. If that person should decline or not be available, then the next candidate in number of votes in that election shall be the successor. The successor shall serve the unexpired term of the member leaving the Board.

D. ELECTION OF CLUB OFFICERS

1. As soon as practical, but not later than the next regular meeting of the Board following the Annual Election, the newly elected Board shall convene for the purpose of electing a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

2. If an Officer vacancy occurs during the year, the Board shall elect a replacement Officer from its members.

ARTICLE V

MANAGEMENT

A. THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

1. The Board shall consist of twelve (12) members.

2. For purposes of conducting official business, the presence of seven (7) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and only votes taken at the Regular and/or Special Board Meetings shall be valid.

3. The Board shall convene Regular Board Meetings monthly in order to effectively manage and control the affairs of the CLUB in carrying out its purposes according to the Charter and BYLAWS. Minutes shall be recorded and retained of all month Regular Board Meetings.

4. To address special, unforeseen, or emergency needs, the President or a quorum of the Board must call a Special Board Meeting. Minutes shall be recorded and retained of Special Board Meetings.

B. DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

1. To engage and discharge a Club Manager with duties as determined by the Board.

2. To censure, suspend or expel any CLUB member for conduct improper and prejudicial to the welfare and reputation of the CLUB. (See Article X, below.)

3. To call Special Membership Meetings of the CLUB to consider any specific subject(s).

4. To determine the weekly schedule of all Duplicate Bridge games, set the fees for the daily Duplicate Bridge games and other CLUB activities and to set the initiation fees and membership dues.

5. To appoint such committees from the membership as may be necessary or advisable, or as hereinafter stipulated.

6. To contract at their discretion for any services needed for the maintenance and operation of the CLUB.

7. To secure bonding in an appropriate amount for the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Club Manager.

8. To give final approval over all independent contractors hired for the operation of the CLUB’s activities.

9. To control commitments of indebtedness or expenses by Board members and the Club Manager within the following limits:

a. No indebtedness or expense in excess of $200 shall be incurred by any member of the Board of Governors or his or her committee unless the same shall first be authorized by the Board.

b. In the instance of a facilities emergency, the Club Manager may independently commit indebtedness or expense of up to $750. In the absence of the Club Manager, responsibility transfers to the Board President or Treasurer.

ARTICLE VI

DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS

The Board of Governors shall elect the following four (4) officers from among the Board’s twelve (12) elected members. No officer of the Board shall receive compensation for their position.

A. PRESIDENT – shall be the Chairperson of all meetings of the Board and of any meetings of the full membership of the CLUB. The President shall supervise and coordinate the management of the affairs of the CLUB and perform all duties customary to the office. The President shall be a member ex officio of all committees.

B. VICE PRESIDENT – shall assume all of the duties of the President if for any reason that Officer is absent or is incapable to act.

C. SECRETARY – shall prepare and retain the minutes of all meetings of the Board and any meetings of the full membership of the CLUB. Copies of these minutes shall be posted on the bulletin board and website and a file maintained at the CLUB. The Secretary shall perform other duties as is customary to the office.

D. TREASURER – shall maintain all official financial records and files of the CLUB. The Treasurer shall propose an annual budget for adoption by the Board and shall report monthly to the Board all income and expenses against the adopted budget. A copy of the monthly reports shall be posed on the bulletin board and website and a file maintained at the CLUB. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties as is customary to the office.

ARTICLE VII

COMMITTEES

A. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

1. The Board of Governors my designate committees and appoint chairpersons and members to those committees to assist the Board with various activities needed to fulfill both the Charter and purpose of the CLUB.

2. Committee Chairpersons may be appointed from among the members of the Board or from the membership-at-large. While the President of the Board shall recommend the need for a committee and shall nominate the Committee Chairpersons (and recommend other members to a committee), the Board shall approve the recommendations and nominations. Once appointed, Committee Chairpersons may, with the approval of the Board, appoint additional members to their committee from the membership-at-large.

B. STANDING COMMITTEES

Standing Committees are those committees which are created to assist the Board in the coordination and oversight of vital activities necessary for the operation and maintenance of the CLUB. The following Standing Committees shall be constituted annually by the Board.

1. Rules Committee – shall be responsible for determining proper interpretation of Duplicate Bridge rulings in difficult and unusual situations during a bridge session. Members of this committee should have a through knowledge of the Laws of Duplicate Bridge, as well as a knowledge of the ethical behavior required of members of the CLUB. Outside help may be requested by the committee members, if deemed necessary. Should action require disciplinary action, ARTICLE X (below) shall be implemented.

2. Grievance and Ethics Committee – shall be responsible for resolving CLUB member grievances and issues of ethics involving members behavior while participating in CLUB activities. These grievance must be submitted to the committee on an approved Player Action Incident Form. ARTICLE X (below) shall be adhered to in the adjudication of grievances addressed by this committee.

3. House Committee – shall be responsible for inspecting the premises at various intervals throughout the year and reporting to the Board any maintenance or repairs deemed necessary. The committee may also seek volunteers to perform certain routine maintenance activities at the CLUB.

4. Finance Committee – shall be responsible for overseeing all financial activities of the CLUB and making recommendations to the Board on the annual budget and the investment of funds. It shall also oversee the audit of the CLUB’s financial books and presenting the results to the Board with recommendations for correcting any negative findings. The committee shall consist of the Treasurer and at least two (2) non-Board members.

C. SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Special Committees may be appointed by the Board for any special purpose or emergency that may arise. These committees are normally for “one-time” activities and are normally of short duration. Special Committees shall automatically be dissolved when the purpose for which they were created has been fulfilled.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these BYLAWS may only be made at a Special Membership Meeting called by the Board. The proposed changes shall be made available to the membership thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE IX

CLUB ACTIVITIES

All activities at the CLUB shall be conducted exclusively for and by the CLUB. Activities at the CLUB shall be operated primarily for the playing of the game of Duplicate Bridge and activities related thereto. The playing of other card and/or board games may be permitted if such does not interfere with the game of Duplicate Bridge activities and the time and conditions of such have been previously approved by the Board.

ARTICLE X

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

A. EJECTION FROM PREMISES AUTHORITY

1. The Club Manager or Game Director(s) may censure any member or non-member and may eject such person(s) from the premises with cause for the session during which an incident occurs. Neither, however, can suspend or permanently bar a person from the CLUB.

2. For censurable incidents, the Club Manager and/or Game Directors shall complete a Player Action Incident Form and submit it to the Board with recommendations for any appropriate follow-up action over and above one-time ejections. All follow-up action(s) shall originate from the Board and must adhere to ARTICLE X.B (below).

B. SUSPENSIONS, PROBATIONS AND DISBARMENT

1. Suspensions, probations and/or permanent disbarments shall originate from the Board and/or Grievance and Ethics Committee.

2. No action(s) shall be taken until a written notice has been given to the member and an opportunity offered to that person to defend him or herself and all ACBL procedures fro suspension, probations and disbarment have been met. An affirmative vote of a majority of the Board members present at the meeting is then required for any action taken.

3. The barring of any person, however for any period of time whatsoever, must appear in the minutes of the Board and the offender(s) must be notified by letter of the action taken and his/her appeal procedure.

ARTICLE XI

SELLING

At no time shall any member or non-member be given the privilege of bringing any article to sell at any CLUB meeting or special event. This does not preclude any fund raising affair set up by the Board for the benefit of the CLUB.

ARTICLE XII

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER REVISED shall govern this CLUB in all cases which are not covered in these BYLAWS.