Proposed Constitution and By-Laws

[Lawrence Netterville]

This is the proposed Consitution with proposed procedures for adding new Chapters to Par or Better Golf Club Inc., developed by the Rules Committee, Joe Bayne Chair Person. The new provisions are in blue text.

Please Read the document then post your comments

REVISED
CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS
Of
PAR OR BETTER GOLF CLUB, INC

Preamble Of Objective

The Basic purpose of this organization is to (a) enhance the game of golf for its membership and; (b) promote the game of golf in urban communities. The organization provides for/instructs/teaches the skills and the game of golf to the members of the organization and the members of the community.

The organization will devote at least six weeks of each year to a summer golf clinic to young golfers at local golf facilities. The members support the clinic by offering their time and expertise at no cost.

The organization promotes a golf tournament at least once a year at a local golf facility. Proceeds of this tournament are donated to charitable organizations. Tournaments proceeds are also used to provide scholarships to students who demonstrate good golf skills and high scholastic aptitude.





ARTICLE I

NAME OF CLUB

This club shall be known as Par or Better Golf Club.

ARTICLE II

CLUB CHAPTERS

1. Any and all membership in the club shall be procured through a local Chapter of the club.
2. The St. Louis Chapter is the founding, and therefore the “Parent” Chapter of Par or Better, hereinafter referred to as the “Parent.”
3. A minimum of seven (7) members is required to form a Chapter.
4. NEW CHAPTER: A written request must be provided to the Parent Chapter. This request should provide sufficient information for the Parent Chapter to make an informed decision regarding the inclusion of the new Chapter. Any new Par or Better Chapter(s) must be approved by the Parent, and with a two thirds (2/3) majority vote at a scheduled club meeting, and with the agenda of said meeting having been provided to the members with at least a two week notice.
5. Each new Chapter will initially be subject to the Constitution and By-Laws and Code of Conduct of the Parent Chapter. After a probationary period of two (2) years, the new Chapter may revise and ratify their By-Laws and Code of Conduct as appropriate for that Chapter’s locality and membership preference.
6. During the two-year probationary period:
(a)The Parent will oversee the development and progress of the new Chapter, providing guidance and counsel, as requested by the new Chapter and as deemed necessary by the Parent to help the new Chapter recruit members, host fund raisers, etc.
(b)Expenses incurred by the Parent on behalf of the new Chapter may be passed on to the new Chapter for reimbursement. Such expenses may include but are not limited to shirts, caps, stationery, telephone services, internet services and legal fees.
(c) Except for Executive Committee jurisdictions, the Parent must approve any function proposed by any other Chapter(s) if the function requires the use of our 501-C-3 number.
7. With sufficient notice, any member of any Chapter may attend the functions of any other Chapter, subject to the same restrictions imposed on the other members of the Chapter, such as fees, costs, guests, etc.
8. The logos and trademarks of the Parent may not be altered in any way by any other Chapter except as exclusively granted by the Parent.
9. The Parent may, at its discretion and with due notice and warnings, take disciplinary actions against any other Chapter. This disciplinary action may include fines, suspensions, and expulsion. If a Chapter is expelled, it may, after one year, apply to the Parent for reinstatement. The reinstatement requirements, and ultimately the acceptance or rejection, will be determined by the Parent at meetings whose agenda are provided at least two weeks in advance.
10. If a member is affiliated with a Chapter which is more than 100 miles away from the member’s primary place of residency, the member’s Chapter may periodically review and revise the member’s fees and dues as voted upon by the member’s local Chapter.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

After the Parent accepts two other Chapters to the club, the club may form an Excecutive Committee which will be responsible for the common issues that affect the local Chapters. The responsibilities of this Executive Committee are provided as an addendum to this document.


CLUB MEMBERSHIP FOR EACH CHAPTER

1. Membership shall be limited to 50 members per Chapter.

2. Two thirds (2/3) of the membership vote is needed to raise the membership.

3. Membership to the Club shall be approved with a simple majority vote of the members at the meeting.

4. The Club shall have full power to elect or reject applications for membership.

5. EXPULSION: Unless otherwise provided for in an in effect “due process”, expulsion shall be handled thusly:

(a) A recommendation to expel a member is presented to the President by any (active) member.
(b) The member subjected to expulsion shall be notified by certified mail advising them of this, along with the specifics of the meeting (date, time, location) at which the motion to recommend expulsion will be voted upon.
(c) Three fourths (3/4) of the voting members present may pass a vote to recommend expelling a member.
(d) Notices of this recommendation for expulsion would then be sent out to the entire membership.
(e) The voting membership would mail in their ballot by a specified due date. The ballots shall be opened and the votes tallied at the next club meeting.
(f) A simple majority of the ballots shall be required for the member to be expelled.

6. LEAVE OF ABSENCE/REINSTATEMENT: Article VII of these By-Laws defines the conditions under which a member is considered to be in good financial standing. If a member plans to be inactive or otherwise not in good financial standing, the member may officially notify the club of this and, with the approval of the membership, or the approval of a committee designated to administer such matters, the member may reinstate their membership, and with no penalty, by remitting the membership dues in effect at the time of reinstatement. If however, a member becomes financially inactive without notifying the club of such intentions, a membership reinstatement penalty may be imposed. This penalty may be as much as but cannot exceed the membership dues that would have been paid had the member retained continuous membership. The exact penalty required for reinstatement will be determined by membership vote unless otherwise provided for by an adhoc or standing committee and/or by guidelines developed by such committee.
ARTICLE III


GENERAL PROCEDURES

1. The Club shall maintain democratic practices and procedures, including provisions for periodic elections.

2. The Club shall maintain fiscal control of its affairs, including provisions for accounting, financial controls and regular financial reports.




ARTICLE IV

MEETINGS

1. Regular meetings shall be held on a monthly basis, except as otherwise scheduled by the President. The meetings shall be held at a time and place selected by the President.

2. Non-scheduled meetings may be called by (a) the President of the Club or (b) a written notice signed by 25% of the financially active membership.

3. A quorum of financially active members is required to conduct all meetings.

4. Robert's Revised Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings when not inconsistent with provisions of these By-Laws.

5. Except as otherwise provided, a majority vote of the voting members present shall decide an issue. All members shall vote, including the President.

6. Any two members may ask for a roll call or for a secret ballot.

7. Only those members in good financial standing shall be allowed to vote.

8. Only the President or the Vice President can preside over official meetings with the following exception: If neither the President nor the Vice President will be available to preside for an extended period of time, the Secretary may preside. Alternatively, the secretary may call and preside over a special election meeting to elect a President Protem. The President Protem will assume the role of the President until either (a) the President returns, or (b) the Vice-President returns, or (c) the need for a President Protem is precluded, e.g., through the general election process.

9. Any issue may be decided at any official meeting provided that the issue is not in conflict with any provisions of these By-Laws. This includes the process of changing the whole or any parts of an issue that may have been previously voted upon.









ARTICLE V

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1. The election of officers shall be held annually no earlier than the fourth Saturday of October and no later than the third Saturday of November.
2. All nominations for officers shall be made at a general meeting at least three weeks before the election of officers.
3. If a member is nominated for an office in-absentia, the member will be allowed to accept or refuse the nomination before the Election Ballots are mailed.
4. Only the members who accept nominations shall be included on the Election Ballots.
5. The Election Ballots shall be mailed to the general membership at least two weeks before the general meeting at which the ballots will be counted. A stamped envelope with the appropriate address will be provided with the Election Ballot.
6. The Election Ballots must be (a) returned in US mail and received no later than the day before the general election meeting, or (b) delivered to the election meeting in person or by proxy.
7. The disposition of offices for which there were no nominees shall be at the discretion of the President with the following options: The President may (a) appoint the officers; (b) leave the offices vacant; or (c) hold a special election.


OFFICES AND DUTIES

1. President
(a) An elected office except through ascension
(b) Executive officer of the Club
(c) Presides over meetings and rules on points of order
(d) Appoints and removes committee chairmen
(e) Appoints officers when positions become vacant during the year or when new offices are not filled during the annual general election process.
(f) Collects dues and assessments on behalf of the Treasurer.
(g) If both the President and Vice President resign, or are otherwise ousted, the financial member who was the last elected President shall assume the Presidency for remainder of the term.



2. Vice President
(a) An elected office unless appointed by the President as provided for in these By-laws.
(b) Presides over meetings in the absence of the President.
(c) Assumes all duties of the President should the office become vacant (through sickness, death, resignation or ouster).
(d) Collects dues and assessments on behalf of the Treasurer.


3. Secretary
(a) An elected office unless appointed by the President as provided for in these By-laws.
(b) Records minutes of all official meetings.
(c) Mails notices and minutes of meetings.
(d) Collects dues and assessments on behalf of the Treasurer.
(e) Ascertains that a quorum is present.
(f) Calls a roll call should the recording of individual votes be necessary.


4. Assistant Secretary
(a) An appointed office
(b) Serves as an assistant to the Secretary
(c) Assumes the duties of the Secretary should the office become vacant.

5. Treasurer
(a) An elected office unless appointed by the President as provided for in these By-laws.
(b) Collects all dues and assessments.
(c) Deposits all funds in a Federally Insured Depository.
(d) Disperses all funds and maintains records of all monetary transactions.
(e) Keeps up to date records on members' financial obligations to the Club.
(f) Certifies financial members.
(g) Provides periodic financial reports to the Club.

6. Assistant Treasurer
(a) An appointed office
(b) Serves as an assistant to the Treasurer.
(c) Assumes the duties of the Treasurer should the office become vacant.

8. Parliamentarian
(a) An elected office unless appointed by the President as provided for in these By-laws.
(b) Assists the presiding officer in ruling on parliamentary procedures in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

8. Sergeant of Arms
(a) An appointed office
(b) Shall assist the presiding officer in maintaining order at meetings




ARTICLE VI


CODE OF CONDUCT

A “Code Of Conduct” shall be maintained by this organization and adhered to by the membership. Violation of this Code shall constitute grounds for expulsion as provided for in ARTICLE IV, Paragraph 5.

BY-LAWS
1. All provisions of these By-Laws shall become effective immediately after ratification by the membership.
2. A three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members present at a general meeting or a two-thirds (2/3) mail-in vote of the general membership is required to amend or ratify any part of these By-Laws.
3. A due process shall be followed for amending/ratifying these By-Laws.
(a) The proposed By-Laws shall be mailed to the membership along with a return and stamped envelope. The general membership will be given at least 14 days to review the By-Laws and recommend changes.
(b) The By-Laws Committee will then meet and revise the By-Laws as they deem appropriate.
(c) The revised By-Laws will be presented to the membership at a general meeting, with notification of the meeting through normal procedures.
(d) A three-fourths (3/4) vote of the members at the meeting is sufficient to ratify the By-Laws.
(e) If the By-Laws cannot be ratified at the meeting, the proposed By-Laws will be mailed to the membership and may be ratified by mail with a two thirds (2/3) majority vote. The ballots shall be counted at a general meeting, with notification of the meeting through normal procedures.




COMMITTEES

Special committees may be established. The chairman of such committees shall be appointed by the President.



ARTICLE VII

DEFINITIONS

1. Membership: The total number of members in the local chapter of the organization

2. Good Financial Standing: A member who has paid their dues in full and has no debts to the Club is in "Good Financial Standing".

3. Good Standing: Same as "Good Financial Standing".

4. Financial Member: Same as "Good Financial Standing".

5. Quorum: Seven (7) financial members shall constitute a quorum.

6. Official Meeting: A meeting is official only if the following criteria is met as provided for in these By-Laws:
(a) The meeting is properly called or scheduled
(b) A quorum is present
(c) An authorized individual presides over the meeting

[Sir Lawrence]

This is a copy of the memo that I sent to President Jim Pinkston when the subject of starting a new POB chapter in Phoenix led by Paul Williams and Jerry Young was proposed at a club meeting in March of this year. I Sent this memo on 3-17-07. Members can compare proposals and post a response or post their own suggestions, comment or proposals;



From: Sir Lawrence Netterville

To: James Pinkston-President Par or Better Golf Club

Mr. President,


Pursuant to your directive I have developed for your review, a draft document that outlines the ideas and procedures for setting up a national board of directors for Par or Better Golf Club Inc.

The Constitution of Par or Better Golf Club Inc will be modified to incorporate the formation of a board of directors.

This body will be responsible for the common issues that affect the local chapters.

The makeup of this body will be as follows:

The board shall have seven members elected from the general membership plus the president of each local chapter.

The Election of Board of Directors:

A notice will be sent to the membership requesting the names of members who wish to serve on the board of directors.
Upon receiving the names of the members who wish to serve on the board of directors the Secretary will make a ballot with the names of all members who wish to serve on the board of directors.
The ballot and voting instructions will be mailed to the entire membership. The top seven members who receive the most votes will be the elected members of the Par or Better Club Inc Board of Directors.

Term of office for Directors:

Each elected member of the board of directors shall serve for a period of two years. The President of each local chapter shall serve on the board of directors for the entire length of his or her term as local Chapter President.

After the board of directors has been elected, the directors shall organize and elect officers.

The board of directors shall hold regular meetings and at least twice annually or at their discretion as needed.

Duties of the Board of Directors:

1. Responsible for the installation of officers in the local chapters.
2. Responsible the management of the not for profit status i.e. the 501c3 status of the organization.
3. Responsible for establishing and implementing policies and procedures to support and manage the growth of the organization
4. Responsible for promoting the organization’s mission and brand.
5. Responsible for monitoring the activities of the local chapters.
6. Responsible for providing guidance to the local chapters.
7. Responsible for promoting and promulgating uniform standards and practices for the national organization and the local chapters.
8. Responsible for registering and maintaining the Par or Better Logo as a Trade Mark with the proper government agencies.
9. Responsible setting up and the maintenance of the organization’s website
10. Responsible setting up and the maintenance of a national membership roster and data base.


Funding for the board of directors:

1. 10% of each member’s annual dues shall be set aside to fund the operations of the board of directors.
2. The board of directors may sponsor fund raising activities to offset operational expenses. The board of directors shall make an annual financial report detailing all financial activity.
3. This financial report will be made available to the entire membership.

The board of directors will operate and perform its duties abiding by Robert’s Rules of Order.

These are some initial ideas, as we move forward we can build on this initial draft to ultimately produce viable document to present to the organization for implementation.

Sir Lawrence Netterville
President Emeritus Par or Better Golf Club Inc. 1994-2001