by-laws

Nevada County, California
Unit 461
District 20
American Contract Bridge League

BY-LAWS:

This Unit exists as a Mutual Benefit Non-Profit Corporation pursuant to laws of the State of California and is under the sanction of the American Contract Bridge League. The Unit is a cooperative venture where substantially all the work is performed without compensation by Officers, Directors and members.

OBJECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION:

The objects of the organization are:

(a) To preserve and promote the best interest of competitive contract bridge;

(b) To cooperate with and assist the League in the promotion and conduct of contract bridge tournaments;

(d) To promote the development and organization of affiliated clubs within the Unit;

(e) 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 may operate is Nevada and Sierra Counties, California as presently assigned to it by the Board of Directors of the American Contract Bridge League and as the area may hereafter be modified from time to time.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP:

(a) Any person of good moral character and residing within the playing area of the Unit is eligible for membership. Such person may apply for membership and shall become a member upon payment of the annual dues.

(b) Membership in the Unit shall bind the member to full compliance with and adherence to the By-Laws, the Unit's Charter, and the Charter and By-Laws of the American Contract Bridge League.

(c) Except as may be herein otherwise provided, a member shall enjoy and possess all rights of membership equally with all other members.

(d) Membership in the Unit shall carry with it membership in the American Contract Bridge League.

(e) If a member changes his official residence to a place outside the playing area of the Unit he shall cease to be a member of the Unit.

(f) A member remains in good standing unless:

(1) He has failed to pay dues in accordance with regulations of the A.C.B.L., or
(2) He has been suspended or expelled from membership in accordance with regulations established by the A.C.B.L.

ARTICLE III

DUES:

Annual dues shall be in the amount fixed by the A.C.B.L.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS:

(a) There shall be an annual meeting of the members, which may be held in connection with a tournament or special event which Unit members attend.

(b) The Unit Board of Directors shall fix the time and place of the annual meeting and shall give appropriate notice of such meeting to each affiliated club at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

(c) Special meetings of the members may be called at any time to consider specific subject matters by the Unit Board of Directors or by the President, or by petition of the members. Notice of the time and place of any special meeting shall be given at least ten (10) days before such meeting. The notice of any special meeting shall contain an Agenda of the matters to be taken up. No other business shall be acted upon at such special meeting.

(d) 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 Board of Directors, which shall consist of not less than seven (7) nor more than twelve (12) persons, all of whom must be members of the Unit.

(b) Term of Office:

Each Board member shall hold office for a period of one year and shall continue to hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected. The commencement of the term shall be established by regulations of the Unit Board of Directors. No member shall serve more than three consecutive years on the Board, excepting an outgoing Unit President, who will automatically serve the following year as Parliamentarian.

(1) The Board of Directors, at least 30 days prior to the annual membership meeting, shall select a nominating committee composed of three persons, two of whom shall not be members of the current Board of Directors. Such Nominating Committee shall meet and prepare a slate of Directors to be placed in nomination by it at the annual meeting of the members.
(2) Additional nominations may be made from the floor by the membership at the time of the annual meeting.

(d) Elections:

Elections shall be held at the annual meeting of the membership and each qualified member shall be entitled to one vote for each director to be elected. All ballots shall be secret. All candidates are entitled to have witnesses at the counting of ballots.

(e) Vacancies:

Any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled by the Board of Directors and the person(s) so appointed shall hold office during the unexpired term.

(f) Meetings:

The Board of Directors shall hold a minimum of two (2) meetings a year. The first of which shall be as soon as possible after the annual membership meeting for the purpose of transacting such business as may come before it. Subsequent meetings shall be held pursuant to regulations established by the Board of Directors, on appropriate notice.

(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 California, the Unit Board of Directors shall have powers and duties:
(1) To acquire, hold, administer, maintain and dispose of all property of the Unit: Any property disposed of shall not accrue to the pecuniary benefit of any Director or member.

(2) To appropriate the funds of the Unit for the purpose set forth in these By-Laws;

(3) To audit all receipts and disbursements of the Unit;

(4) To conduct, manage, supervise and control all the business of the Unit including but not limited to the conduct of tournaments, the selection of all dates and locations for holding such tournaments and the making of all contracts in connection therewith.

(5) To censure, suspend, expel or otherwise discipline any member. But no member shall be censured, suspended, expelled or otherwise disciplined until he has been furnished with written charges, to which he has had time to reply, or until after a hearing of which he has received reasonable notice. He may be represented by counsel. Disciplinary action by the Unit may be appealed to the National Board of Directors. The right of a member against whom charges are pending to play in tournaments during such pendency shall not be affected unless otherwise directed by the Board.

ARTICLE VI

UNIT OFFICERS:

(a) Number: The officers of the Unit shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be members of the Board of Directors.

(b) Election: The Board of Directors shall elect all officers at its first meeting and the persons elected shall hold office for one year or until their successors have been elected.

ARTICLE VII

IMPEACHMENT:

Any officer or director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the 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 of the charges against him, at least ten days prior to the meeting and shall be given an opportunity to be heard before the Board of Directors and to be represented by counsel of his own choosing. The action taken by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive and final.

ARTICLE VIII

COMMITTEES:

The President shall appoint such committees as may be necessary to perform the functions of the organization. Standing committees shall be appointed with the approval of the Unit Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS:

Amendments to these By-Laws may be made by the members of the Unit upon petition signed by at least two-thirds of the members and submitted to the Secretary at least 30 days before the annual meeting or any special meeting called for the purpose; or upon petition signed by at least five members of the 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.

Approved: 12/16/1986