BY-LAWS OF THE
Approved at the LCYC Annual Meeting
September 2006
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The purpose of the
Lake City Yacht Club (Club) shall be to promote the participation and enjoyment
of Yachting, both Sail and Power; to encourage Racing, Cruising, and all other
activities related to Yachting and contributing to its pleasure or to the
promotion of its future; to foster a knowledge of Seamanship and all related
subjects and an understanding of the Rules of the Road and Yacht Etiquette; to
encourage in Youth an active interest in Yachting; and to maintain suitable
Club Quarters and Facilities for the enjoyment of its Members.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
AND DUES
There shall be no
requirements for membership in the Club, either formal or informal, that shall
serve to restrict from membership any qualified applicant because of the
applicant’s race, religion, sex, or national origin.
The Board of Directors may at
any time limit the number of members or classes of membership the Club shall
have.
SEC.
2.01. REGULAR MEMBERS. Regular members are those members, 18 years
or older who have paid full initiation fees and dues and whose application has
been approved by the Board of Directors of the Club (Regular Member). Member,
spouse/partner and minor children shall constitute a single membership. Regular
Members are entitled to one vote per membership and one set of keys to the
Clubhouse. See Sec. 3.01, 8.03 and 8.05.
SEC.
2.02. SPECIAL CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP. There shall be three classes
of Non-Voting Membership: Honorary, Crew, and Associate. Each of these
memberships is subject to renewal annually with the exception of the lifetime
honorary members.
SEC.
2.02a. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP. Honorary Membership shall be
conferred by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors to any individual
deserving such special consideration. Honorary members shall not be assessed
fees or dues. Honorary membership shall be reaffirmed by the
Board of Directors of the Club (Board) on an annual basis. Honorary members shall
receive the same correspondence as Regular Members and shall be welcome at all Club
social activities. Honorary members are entitled to one set of keys to the
clubhouse.
SEC.
2.02b. CREW MEMBERSHIP. Crew Membership is available to those who serve
as crew on yachts owned by Regular Members. Crew members shall receive the same
correspondence as Regular Members, shall be welcome at all Club social
activities and may serve on Club Committees, though not as Chair.
SEC.
2.02c. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP. Associate Membership shall be available to those who do not have a boat
or berth their boat beyond a radius of 30 miles from Lake City, Minn. Associate Members
shall receive the same correspondence as Regular Members, shall be welcome at
all Club social activities and may serve on Club Committees, though not as
Chair.
SEC.
2.03 ELECTION OF MEMBERS. The Board shall elect all new Members and approve
all changes from one class of membership to another.
SEC.
2.04. MEMBERS’ PROPERTY RIGHTS. Regular, voting Members shall have
rights of interest in the Club, including keys to the clubhouse and all such
rights and interest shall cease with the termination of membership in the Club.
SEC.
2.05. MEMBERS IN ARMED SERVICES. Any member
who enters the
SEC.
2.06. REGULAR MEMBERS. A Regular Member may resign at any time.
The resignation of a Regular Member does not relieve the Regular Member from
any obligations the Regular Member may have to the Club for dues, assessments,
or fees or charges for goods and services. Any Regular Member who has resigned
must deliver to the Membership Chair any Club property that may be in the possession
of the Regular Member including keys to the clubhouse. Any property rights in
the Club shall cease with the Regular Member’s resignation. Any Regular Member
who has resigned and who has discharged any obligations to the Club may again
become a Regular Member without payment of the initiation fee after the
application for renewal of membership has been approved.
SEC.
2.07. TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP.
Delinquency: Any member whose dues or assessments are
unpaid two (2) months after the period for which they are due shall be notified of their
indebtedness by the Purser or Membership Director through a notice mailed to
their last known address. In the event that such indebtedness is not paid
within thirty (30) days after notification and unless extension of time is
granted by the Board at their request, the delinquent member shall be notified
in writing that they may be suspended from the privileges of the Club. Any member
who is so notified may have their privileges restored upon payment of their
indebtedness. After the thirty (30)day period has
passed, the delinquent member may be expelled from the Club and their name
dropped from the rolls for nonpayment of their indebtedness. While suspended, a
member is not eligible to hold office, vote, race, or enjoy any privileges of
the Club.
Misconduct: Any member who
shall willfully violate any of the rules of the Club or who shall be guilty of
such misconduct as to be unworthy of the privileges of membership may be
expelled by the Board. What constitutes misconduct shall be determined by the
Board. Expulsion proceedings shall be initiated upon written complaint and
notice thereof with the time and place of hearing given to the accused member,
who shall then be permitted to appear before the Board and testify with
reference to the charges. No member shall be expelled or suspended except by
the vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the Board. Expulsion shall not relieve a
member from any liability for any indebtedness to the club.
SEC.
2.08. OTHER RIGHTS. Club sailing instructions or the Annual
Membership Application may define other rights and privileges of all classes of
membership consistent with these By-Laws.
SEC.
2.09. NOTICES. The Steward shall give the following prior notice
of meetings: Board, five days; Elections, twenty days. All other prior notices
not specified by these By-Laws or by the Board shall be not less than fourteen or
more than thirty days. Also see Sec. 9.01 on the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE III
ELECTIONS
SEC.
3.01. ANNUAL ELECTION. The election of Officers shall be held at
the Annual Meeting. See Sec. 9.01. The candidates receiving a majority of the
votes cast by Regular Members present who hold a Membership Certificate (Voting
Member) shall be elected. There will be only one vote per Membership
Certificate. See Sec. 2.01 and 8.03. Proxy votes and voting by mailed ballot
shall not be allowed in the elections. Those Officers and Directors nominated
will be presented by the Nominating Committee, and that slate of Officers and
Directors may be augmented by nominations from the floor made only by Voting
Members. Only Voting Members shall be eligible to be elected for Officer or
Director.
SEC.
3.02. TERM OF OFFICE. All Officers and Directors elected at the
Annual Meeting shall take office at the Annual Fall Banquet or not later than
December 1, whichever comes first.
SEC.
3.03. TERM OF OFFICE - OFFICERS. Officers are elected for one-year terms.
SEC.
3.04. TERM OF OFFICE - DIRECTORS. Two Directors are elected each year for
two-year terms.
SEC
3.05 VACANCIES. Vacancies to the Board may be filled by appointment by the Board from qualified
Members eligible for such positions.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND COMMITTEES
SEC.
4.01. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The Board shall consist of the Executive
Officers of the Club, Steward, Purser, four Directors, and the Past Commodore.
Only Regular Members may serve on the Board of Directors.
SEC.
4.02. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The Executive Officers of the Club shall
be the Commodore, Vice Commodore, and Rear Commodore.
SEC.
4.03. ELECTIVE OFFICERS. The Elective Officers of the Club shall
be the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Steward, Purser, and four (4)
Directors.
SEC.
4.04 APPOINTIVE OFFICES. The Commodore shall appoint a Librarian, Nominating Committee, Legal
Advisor, and such other appointees as deemed necessary.
SEC.
4.05. COMMITTEES. Upon recommendation of the Commodore, the
following committees of the Club shall be appointed by action of the majority
of the members of the Board at their first regular meeting after their
installation: the Regatta Committee, Social Committee, Membership Committee, Clubhouse
Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Publicity Committee, and such other Committees
as the Board may desire to create. Upon recommendation of the Commodore, the Nominating
Committee shall be appointed by action of a majority of the members by the
Board at the June meeting of the Board. Reference Sec. 6.06.
SEC.
4.06 FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS ON COMMITTEES. Any Committee of Members of the Club, who
shall without the authority from the Board, obligate the Club to pay out money
in excess of a definite appropriation, or for which no appropriation has been
voted, shall be personally responsible for its payment and shall reimburse the
Club for the full amount of such unauthorized expenditure.
ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SEC.
5.01. AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD. The Board has the responsibility to
control and supervise the management of the property of the Club and has the
responsibility to see that all collections, disbursements, purchases, and all
other financial transactions are carried out in a proper manner. It must
establish Club policy and see that it is carried out according to the By-Laws.
SEC.
5.02. MEETINGS. The Board shall establish such meetings as they
deem advisable during the year and shall have Special Meetings as the Commodore
deems necessary or upon written request of two (2) members of the Board. A Log
Book shall be established for all Board minutes and related papers and kept
available to Members in the Clubhouse under the care of the Steward. Board
minutes will include the time and place of the next meeting, and all Board
Meetings shall be open to Voting Members
SEC.
5.03. ABSENCE. Any Officer or Director who absents themselves from
three consecutive meetings of the Board without excuse satisfactory to the
majority of the Board membership shall be deemed to have resigned and the
office shall be declared vacant.
SEC.
5.04. MEMBERSHIP. The Board or its delegate shall approve all
candidates to membership in the Club.
SEC.
5.05.
GENERAL POWERS. All unusual and unanticipated questions not covered by these By
Laws shall be decided by the Board.
ARTICLE VI
SEC.
6.01. COMMODORE. The Commodore is chief executive officer of the
Club and shall enforce or cause to be enforced all provisions of the Club
By-Laws. The Commodore shall preside as Chair at all regular meetings of the
General Membership and of the Board. The Commodore shall call Special Meetings
of the Board when deemed necessary and Special Meetings of the Membership upon
written requests of ten (10) Voting Members in good standing. The Commodore
shall command the Club Squadrons and shall be the official representative of
the Club at all social and special events.
SEC.
6.02.
VICE COMMODORE It shall be the duty of the Vice
Commodore to assist the Commodore and officiate in the absence of the
Commodore.
SEC.
6.03. REAR COMMODORE. It shall be the duty of the Rear Commodore
to assist the Vice Commodore and Commodore and officiate in their absence.
SEC.
6.04. STEWARD. It shall be the duty of the Steward to conduct the
correspondence of the Club, send out all notices required by these By-Laws, and
to record in a permanent form the Minutes of all regular or special meetings of
the Board and of the General Membership. The Steward shall place all minutes in
the Log Book. In the case of Special Meetings, the Steward’s Notice shall state
the business intended.
SEC.
6.05. PURSER. It shall be the duty of the Purser to receive all
revenues of the Club from whatever source and to issue receipts; to pay all
bills which have been properly authorized by the Board out of the funds
available for that purpose; and to render a statement to each member who is
indebted to the Club, showing such member’s indebtedness. The Purser shall keep
a full and accurate account of all receipts and disbursements in permanent form
in a suitable book or books furnished by the Club. An Operating Statement and
Balance Sheet shall be maintained and audited as of the beginning of each
Fiscal Year according to Sec. 8.01. Upon request of the Board, the Purser shall
open such books for their inspection and exhibit proper vouchers for all
disbursements. The Purser shall keep an annual inventory of the Club property.
A written report of the current financial condition of the Club will be
submitted at each General and Board Meeting.
SEC.
6.06. OTHER DUTIES. The Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, and the
four (4) Directors shall assume the first six Committee Duties as listed in
Article VII, Sec. 7.01 - 7.06.
These Committee appointments may be changed by the Board, and these Officers
and Directors may have other such duties assigned to them by the Board. Reference Sec. 4.05.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF
COMMITTEES
SEC.
7.01. REGATTA COMMITTEE. The Regatta Committee shall be
responsible for all boating activities of the Club. This shall include Racing,
Cruising, Family Activities, Seamanship, Safety, Juniors,
Power, and all other such special events. They shall appoint a Race Chair and a
Cruise Chair to organize and conduct these events, to post and publish their schedules,
to furnish proper equipment, and to establish suitable rules for the proper
conduct of these activities. The Regatta Committee shall also establish
Handicap, Protest, Scoring, Awards, and any other such committees necessary.
The Regatta Committee shall be responsible for suitable insurance protection
for all events and shall see that suitable equipment and supervision is
provided for the welfare of all the members. The Regatta Committee shall see
that these activities be conducted in a manner consistent with the Rules and
Regulations of the United States Sailing Association, Inc. (US Sailing). The
Regatta Committee shall also maintain a committee boat for all events that is
properly staffed and equipped. The calendar of all these events shall be
coordinated with the Social Committee and submitted to the Board for approval.
This schedule should be provided to the Publicity Committee for the Activities
Booklet, for promotion of these events, and to submit the results of such
activities to the press.
SEC.
7.02. SOCIAL COMMITTEE. The Social Committee shall be responsible
for all social events and entertainment given by the Club and shall establish a
calendar of social activities coordinated with the Regatta Committee to be
submitted to the Board for approval and publishing in the Club Directory.
SEC.
7.03. MEMBERSHIP. The Membership Committee shall be responsible
for preparing the Annual Membership Application and letter with dues and fees
as approved according to the By-Laws. This shall be mailed to all members in
January and to any other persons or groups to promote and develop active
membership in the Club. All dues, fees, and other funds shall be accurately
recorded and forwarded to the Purser and an accurate listing maintained of all
Voting Members. The Committee shall administer the various classes of
membership according to these By-Laws, and a listing of all members shall be
submitted to the Board for acceptance and to the Publicity Committee for
publication. A continuing record of keys and key numbers shall be maintained
for the integrity of Club access and control of key deposits. The Membership Committee
shall receive all applications for resignation from members along with any Club
property that they may have in their possession. The Membership Committee shall
bring their applications before the Board for action and notify such member of
the action taken. The Membership Committee shall also notify any member of
their fine, censure, suspension, or expulsion.
SEC.
7.04 CLUBHOUSE. The Clubhouse Committee shall be responsible for the operation and
maintenance of the Clubhouse, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and general
decor. This will include cleaning, service and repair, utilities, supplies, and
such other matters for the enjoyment of the Clubhouse by all its members. They
shall also be responsible for insurance, rents, and Club operations according
to the terms of its lease. They shall develop and recommend all Club rules and policies
to the Board for approval and posting.
SEC.
7.05. LONG RANGE PLANNING. The Long Range Planning Committee shall
be responsible for future planning of the Club as to building, grounds,
programs, and facilities to most reasonably accommodate the planned activities
of the Club and to best meet the needs of all its members. Appropriate surveys
of the membership shall be conducted as necessary for recommendations to the
Board to meet these responsibilities. The Long Range Planning Committee shall
relate to the Marina and the Marina Board and conduct any discussions on lease
matters. Costs shall be determined for any necessary projects together with
funding recommendations to be referred to the Board for approval.
SEC.
7.06. PUBLICITY COMMITTEE. The duties of the Publicity Committee
shall be to publish a newsletter and the annual Club Directory. The
Publications Committee will also provide the public press and yachting
periodicals with such information concerning affairs of the Club as may be of
interest to the public and benefit to the Club. The Publicity Committee shall
encourage articles and letters of concern from the Membership to be published
in the newsletter. Any articles that the Publicity Committee feels should be
edited may be submitted to the Board for a decision.
SEC.
7.07. LEGAL ADVISOR. The Legal Advisor shall assist the Commodore
and Board in matters requiring advice and interpretation of Articles, By-Laws, leases,
and such other matters necessary for the proper administration of the Club.
SEC.
7.08. LIBRARIAN. The Librarian shall have charge of preserving
copies of Club publications and records of Club activities, including pictures
and books suitable for display in the Club.
SEC.
7.09 SUPERVISION OF COMMITTEES. The plans, policies, budget, progress, and final
reports of all committees shall be presented to the Board for approval. All
committees shall submit a budget for their operations to the Board for
approval, to which they will be held accountable. The Board shall see that the
total Budgets submitted, together with any other administrative expense, are in
keeping with the total dues and fees that have been approved by the Voting Members
at the Annual Meeting. See Sec. 8.06.
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCIAL
MATTERS
SEC.
8.01. FISCAL YEAR. The Fiscal Year of the Club shall be a calendar
year from January 1.
SEC.
8.02. MEMBERSHIP TERM. Annual Membership shall begin March 1. The annual
membership letter shall be mailed to all prior year’s members at the first of
the year and the membership list closed on March 1 for publication of the roster
in the activities booklet. After which date, there will be a surcharge for
annual dues and fees.
SEC.
8.03. INITIATION FEE. Any initiation fee shall be subject to these
same By-Laws on financial matters. Only Regular Members may pay an Initiation
Fee that has been established at the Annual Meeting. They shall then receive a registered
membership certificate which is required to become a Voting Member, entitling
them to one vote per family or co-owned boat. See Sec. 2.01 and 3.01. Voting Member,
as used in these By-Laws, is a Regular Member holding a Membership Certificate.
SEC.
8.04. BUDGET AND DUES. At each Annual Meeting, the Board shall
submit a proposed budget. A schedule of dues and fees shall be presented to the
members for the coming fiscal year for acceptance or amendment by a majority
vote of qualified voters. This shall be published in the Mainsheet, posted in
the Clubhouse, or mailed to all members at least twenty (20) days prior to the
Annual Meeting or a meeting called to consider these matters.
SEC.
8.05. CLUB KEYS. The Club will be locked and keys will be
available for those Regular and Honorary Members as determined by the Board,
and those members will be responsible for the use of that key. There may be a refundable
key deposit to be determined by the Board. Reference Sec.
7.03.
SEC.
8.06. EXPENDITURES. No expenditure of Club funds may be made by
any Officer, Committee, or Member unless duly authorized by the Board. The
Board shall not cause expenditures to exceed income by more than three-percent
(3%) in any fiscal year without approval of the Membership unless the funds
have been included in the Budget as presented in Sec. 8.04. The exception shall
be that the Board may prudently use capital reserves to maintain or replace
Club assets. See also Sec. 7.09.
SEC.
8.07. SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS. The Club may, by two-thirds (2/3) vote
of those present at a meeting, levy any special assessment upon members of the
Club provided that twenty (20) days notice is given to all members of such a
meeting. Special Assessments must be paid by the due date established.
ARTICLE IX
MEETINGS
SEC.
9.01. ANNUAL MEETINGS. The Annual Meeting of the Club shall be set
by the Board and printed in the Club Directory or mailed and posted at least
twenty (20) days prior to the meeting date. Elections will be conducted
according to Article Ill Finance according to Article VIII, and General matters
according to Sec. 9.02.
SEC.
9.02. GENERAL MEETINGS. Meetings of the Club shall be called; the
date, time, and place to be set by the Board. The Voting Members at any
regularly called and constituted meeting of the Club may by motion duly made
and carried by a majority vote, adopt resolutions and motions relating to and
providing for Club activities and policies. The current Board shall have proper
regard for and give serious consideration to the opinion and direction of any
resolution or motion so adopted.
SEC.
9.03. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings may be called upon
written application of ten Voting Members in good standing. Such applications
shall be submitted to the Steward and shall state the purpose for which the special
meeting is called. No business other than that stated shall be transacted at
the special meeting; it is further provided that such a special meeting will be
called not less than one week from the date of the application. No special meeting
may be called for Sundays or legal holidays.
SEC.
9.04. QUORUMS. Twenty percent (20%) of the Voting Members all in
good standing shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the membership.
SEC.
9.05. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS. All meetings of the membership and of
the Board shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, which
shall also be the authority for all other procedural matters not covered by
these By-Laws.
SEC.
9.06. MEMBERS LIST FOR MEETINGS. The Board may fix a date not more
than sixty (60) days before the date of a meeting of the members as a date for
determination of the members entitled to notice of the meeting. If the Board
fails to set such a date, the date shall be the sixtieth (60th) day
before the date of the meeting. After fixing a record date for a meeting, the
Steward shall prepare a list of the names (in alphabetical order), addresses
and number of votes of each member entitled to vote at the meeting. Beginning
two (2) business days after notice of the meeting is given,
the list shall be available at the Clubhouse for inspection and copying upon
written demand by any member, at the member’s expense, for the sole purpose of
communication with other members concerning the meeting. The list shall be made
available through the date of the meeting and at the meeting.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
SEC.
10.01. AMENDMENTS. Procedure to amend these By-Laws shall be: (a)
The Board may propose the amendment to the By-Laws by resolution, setting forth
the proposed amendment and directing that it be submitted for adoption at a
meeting of the members, or (b) ten percent (10%) of the Voting Members may set
forth a proposed amendment by petition by those subscribed, which petition
shall be filed with the Steward. Notice of the meeting of the members stating
the purpose, including the proposed amendment, shall be given to each Regular, Voting
Member and to each Officer and Director regardless of voting rights. If the
notice required by this section has been given, the proposed amendment may be
adopted at any meeting of the members by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.
SEC.
10.02. SUSPENSION OF BY-LAWS. These By-Laws may not be suspended at
any time.