Cecil Harford USBC       

Bowling Association

1400 Turret Dr.

Bel Air Md, 21015   

410-638-0946

Association # 81550

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United States Bowling Congress (USBC)

2009-2010 CECIL HARFORD USBC Local BA Bylaws

Introduction

 

The following document is the mandatory form of the bylaws adopted by the Cecil Harford United

States Bowling Congress Bowling Association. (CHUSBCBA)

The association must abide by state corporate laws and may adopt additional provisions provided

they do not conflict with the mandatory bylaws or state laws. The appropriate provision of state

law takes precedence over the bylaws.

Notes and footnotes appear only to provide clarification and examples. Parenthetical statements

are for information only.

 

Article I

Name

 

The association is chartered by the United States Bowling Congress. (USBC must approve the

name and jurisdiction of the association prior to granting a charter.) The name of the organization

is the Cecil Harford United States Bowling Congress Bowling Association. (CHUSBCBA)

 

Article II

Nonprofit Corporation and Charter

 

Section A. Nonprofit Corporation

The association is organized as a nonprofit corporation and operates consistent with the

requirements of an organization classified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal

Revenue Code (IRC).

Section B. Charter

The association shall be chartered by USBC and subject to its authority. To maintain its charter,

the association must:

1. Provide services for USBC BA members (men and women only)

2. Adopt bylaws approved by USBC.

3. Not enact any bylaws or rules inconsistent with USBC’s Bylaws.

4. Adhere to stated requirements as set forth in the USBC Bylaws and USBC Association

Policy Manual.

Section C. Association Dissolution

Upon dissolution of this organization all of its assets remaining after payment of its lawful

obligations shall be distributed in accordance with the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the

Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated hereunder.

 

Article III

Purpose

 

The purposes of the association as stated in the Articles of Incorporation, include, but are not

limited to:

1. Providing equal opportunity for all in the sport of bowling without regard to race, religion,

age, gender, disability, or national origin.

2. Promoting the game of American Tenpins.

3. Conducting and supporting bowling competition.

4. Engaging in any other activities permitted by an organization classified as tax exempt

under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

 

Article IV

Membership and Dues

 

Membership is composed of individuals who pay dues to the association and is in effect from

August 1 through July 31.

An individual joining a summer league after March 15 shall pay the dues that are known to be, or

become, effective for the next current season. On payment of the dues, the individual shall

become a member for the balance of the current season and the next season.

Each individual shall pay national, state (where applicable) and local dues, except as provided in

Rule 100e, Traveling League and 100l, Mail-o-Graphic League.

Associations will use one of the following dues structures as applicable to its membership:

The BA members, by two-thirds vote, determine and adopt local adult dues, if any.

The annual adult membership dues are as follows:

Local $ 9.00 (Cannot exceed $10)

State $ 1.00 (Cannot exceed $1)

USBC adult standard membership: $10.

The Board may waive all or part of local dues for:

1. Members of other USBC associations having a reciprocal agreement with

the association.

2. Other groups, such as, seniors, etc., as determined by the Board.

The association cannot charge additional non-dues assessments.

 

Article V

Board of Directors - Management

 

Section A. Board Composition, Authority and Duties

The management and governance of the association is vested in the Board of Directors. That

includes Officer and Director positions. The Board and BA members determine the number of

positions on the Board of Directors and their term. The total number of board members is 16

with 11 total number of directors.

The Board shall not engage in any acts constituting a conflict of interest. The Board’s duties

include but are not limited to:

1. Enforcing the bylaws.

2. Complying with the USBC Association Policy Manual.

3. Conducting championship level competition for its BA membership constituency: (men

and women) and complying with state and local laws in their area.

4. Implementing USBC programs as requested.

5. Selecting/Appointing the Association Manager.

6. Approving use of membership records.

7. Re-rating the league average of an association member when there is evidence the

bowler’s average does not represent the bowler’s true ability.

8. Conducting suspension and reinstatement hearings if requested by USBC Headquarters.

(See the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter of the USBC Association Policy Manual for

re-rate, suspension, reinstatement and appeal procedures.)

 

Section B. Eligibility

A candidate for the Board (elected or appointed) must be:

1. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and

throughout their term.

2. Elected or appointed without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, national

origin, or age, other than the minimum age of 14, unless state laws mandate a specific

age, and be reasonably representative of the membership.

a. Any member of the Board authorized to sign contracts or acting as a signatory on

association accounts must be a minimum age of 18.

b. A maximum of three bowling center proprietors may serve on the Board at one

time. A proprietor is an individual who is the owner, partner, or corporate officer of

a bowling center or group of bowling centers. Excluded from the definition of

proprietor is an individual who owns 25% or less of the equity shares, or who is

inactive in the management of the bowling center and remains so during a term

as an officer or director.

Additional eligibility requirements, if any, are to be approved by the Board and the BA

membership.

Section C. Election of Directors

Directors are elected by a plurality vote of the Board and the BA membership, present and voting,

from:

1. A slate.

2. Nominations from the floor.

Qualifications must be submitted in a format specified by the Board.

Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

Section D. Term

The term for directors is two years. The number of years in a term, the number of terms allowed

and a stagger system are determined by Board and the BA membership.

Two-Year Terms

Year One Year Two

President 2 Vice Presidents

2 Vice Presidents 5 Directors

6 Directors

Section E. Resignation, Removal, and Vacancies

1. Resignation. A Board member may resign from the Board of Directors by providing

written notice of resignation to the president or, in the case of the president, to the Board.

2. Removal for Ineligibility. A Board member who is no longer eligible to serve on the

Board may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Board when a quorum is present.

3. Removal for Cause. When a Board member is accused in writing of failure to properly

perform the duties of their office or otherwise engaging in improper or unfair activities or

conduct, the Board may conduct a hearing following the Removal Procedures in the

Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter of the USBC Association Manual. An appeal

may be filed with USBC Headquarters within 15 days of the removal. Two-thirds written

consent of the full Board is required to seek re-election and/or re-appointment to the

Board.

4. Vacancies. Vacancies in positions on the Board are filled for the un-expired portion of

each term as follows:

a. The president, with Board approval shall fill vacancies in director positions.

b. The Board fills vacancies in officer positions.

 

Article VI

Officers

 

Section A. President and Vice President

The officers of this association shall include a president and four vice presidents (The association

determines if more than one vice president or a sergeant-at-arms is necessary and defines their

duties and responsibilities to be placed in the association’s operations manual.)

Section B. Election

Officers are elected by a majority vote of the BA members, officers and directors present and

voting, from:

1. A slate.

2. Nominations from the floor.

Qualifications must be submitted in a format specified by the Board.

Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

Section C. Term

The term for elected officers is two years, not to exceed three years in a term,

The number of years in a term, the number of terms allowed and a stagger system are

determined by the Board and the BA membership.

Section D. Authority and Duties

1. President

a. Presides at all meetings.

b. Acts as spokesperson for the association.

c. Appoints committees, with board approval.

2. Vice President

a. Presides at all meetings when the president is absent.

b. Performs other duties as prescribed by the Board or requested by the president.

3. Association Manager

a. Selected/appointed by and accountable to the Board.

b. Acts as the ex officio non-voting secretary/treasurer of the Board or such other

officer designation as required by law and determined by the Board.

c. Responsible for other duties as prescribed by the Board and in the USBC

Association Policy Manual.

 

Article VII

Meetings

 

Section A. Annual Meeting

An Annual Meeting of the Board and the BA membership shall be held at a time and place

approved by the Board of Directors. (See Article IX, Section D for the time frame for election of

delegates and alternates to the USBC meeting.)

1. Attendance

Attendance is open to all members.

2. Voice and Vote

BA members, voting officers and directors of this association, at least 14 years of age,

unless state laws mandate a specific age, have voice and vote. Members not meeting the

above stated criteria may attend with voice only. Absentee and proxy voting are not

permitted.

3. Responsibilities:

BA members shall:

a. Adopt bylaws, including local dues amount, up to the established maximum.

b. Elect officers and directors to the Board.

 

c. Elect delegates and alternates for the USBC and state annual meetings.

4. Meeting Notice

Written notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to the Board and league secretaries,

which should be at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting.

5. Special Meetings

Special membership meetings may be called by the president or upon written request of

at least three Board members or at least twenty-five members of the association.

6. Quorum

15 BA members constitute a quorum. The BA members and Board determines the

number.

Action

A majority vote of those members, officers and directors present and voting, at a properly

noticed meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to take action, unless

otherwise provided by law or these bylaws.

Election of officers and directors requires a majority vote. Election of directors requires a

plurality vote. Election of delegates and alternates requires a plurality vote. Absentee

and proxy voting are not permitted.

Section B. Board Meeting

The board shall meet, at a minimum, as often as required by state law. Special meetings may be

held upon the request of any Board member if a majority of the Board approves.

1. Notice. Written notice for all regular and special meetings shall be forwarded to the

board, which should be at least 15 days prior to the start of a meeting.

2. Quorum. 5 Board members constitute a quorum. The Board and BA members

determine the number. (See the USBC Association policy Manual, Chapter 5.)

3. Action. A majority vote of the officers and directors, present and voting, at a properly

noticed meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to take action, unless

otherwise provided by law or these bylaws. Absentee and proxy voting are not permitted.

4. Action(s) Without a Meeting. Actions that are deemed necessary to conduct

business/operations of the association may be taken outside of a Board meeting by use

of mail, e-mail or teleconferencing. This type of action must be permissible by state law

and approved by the membership and the Board. The procedures found in the USBC

Association Policy Manual, Chapter Five, Section D, Item 4 must be followed.

The association does not allow the Board to vote via mail, e-mail or teleconference.

Section C. Parliamentary Procedure

The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, governs all meetings.

 

Article VIII

Committees

 

Section A. Standing Committees

The association shall have a Finance Committee. The committee is responsible for reviewing and

monitoring the association’s financial matters.

Section B. Other Committees

The president may establish other committees, with Board approval.

 

Article IX

Delegates, Alternates

 

Section A. USBC Annual Meeting

Delegates and alternates to the USBC Annual Meeting are elected by plurality vote by those

members and officers and directors present and voting. (See Article VI, Section A of the national

bylaws for representation.)

Section B. State Annual Meeting

Delegates and alternates to the state annual meeting are elected by plurality vote by those

members, officers and directors present and voting.

Section C. Eligibility

1. USBC Annual Meeting. Delegates and Alternates must be:

a. Elected by the BA members, officers and directors.

b. At least 18 years of age.

c. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and

throughout their term.

2. State Annual Meeting. Nominees must be:

a. Elected by the BA members, officers and directors.

b. At least 14 years of age.

c. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and

throughout their term.

If a member is elected to represent more than one association to attend the same meeting, the

first election shall stand and any succeeding election shall be declared null and void.

A local association is not eligible to send delegates if it is declared delinquent or USBC has

revoked its charter.

Section D. Election

Delegates and alternates serve for one year, beginning August 1, and are elected by:

1. A slate.

2. Nominations from the floor.

Qualifications must be submitted in a format specified by the Board.

3. Plurality vote. The election shall be by ballot, except that a voice vote may be taken when

the number of candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be filled.

4. Alternates shall serve in order of their election.

The election is to be held in compliance with the USBC or State Annual Meeting

requirements.

Section E. Vacancies

Vacancies are filled for the un-expired portion of each term as follows:

1. If elected by the members’ vacancies are filled by the alternates in the order in which they

were elected.

2. If a vacancy still exists the president fills the vacant position by appointment.

3. The appointee must also meet the same eligibility requirements as elected positions.

 

Article X

Amendments

 

Section A. Procedure

Any member of the association may submit proposed amendments to these bylaws. The local

association bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting, by a two-thirds vote of the

officers and directors and the BA membership present and voting.

The amendment must be:

1. Submitted in writing to the Association Manager or president.

2. Submitted at least 30 days prior to the meeting when the association is considering the

proposal. (See Section B for Change in Dues.) The date or number of days are to be set

by the board and the BA members.

Section B. Change in Dues

Forward a notice at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed change is

considered to the board and BA league secretaries.

The notice must:

1. Be in writing.

2. Specify the amount of the change.

3. Specify the reason for the change.

Notification of any adopted change in dues, and the reason for the change, will be forwarded, in

writing to each BA league secretary.

Section C. Effective Date

All amendments are effective August 1, following adoption, unless otherwise specified when

adopted.

 

Article XI

Fiscal Year

 

The fiscal year of this association is August 1 through July 31.

 

Article XII

Indemnification

 

Directors, officers, and other authorized volunteers, employees or agents shall be indemnified

against claims for personal and individual liability arising in connection with their positions or

service on behalf of the association to the full extent permitted by law.