Bylaws

ccsalogo

BY-LAWS OF CREVE COEUR SAILING ASSOCIATION, INC.

As amended by vote of the general membership November 2024.

ARTICLE I NAME

A. The name of the organization is the CREVE COEUR SAILING ASSOCIATION, INC.

ARTICLE II PURPOSE

A. The Association shall promote sailing in a wholesome manner, providing the organization and facilities for competitive racing, day sailing, educational and social activity, in compliance with the Articles of Incorporation.

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP, DUES AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS

A. Membership:

  1. Member must have submitted an approved application form and paid all dues as required by section B. of this article.

B. Dues or assessments shall be voted at a board meeting and approved by a majority. Fiscal year is March 1 through February 28 (29). Dues shall be paid by May 15 of each year to maintain membership in the Association.

C. Honorary Members shall consist of those having rendered extraordinary service to the association. They shall be elected by the Board and shall have the privileges of a member in good standing.

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

A. The officers of the Association are designated Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Secretary, and Treasurer. The precedence of the officers is in the order shown above. Term of office for officers is one year.

B. Duties

  1. Commodore: This officer shall direct the day-to-day affairs of the Association in a manner consistent with the policies of the Board of Directors, and shall enforce the Association regulations. The Commodore may make disbursements in the absence of the Treasurer, and shall be the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. The Commodore is ex-officio member of all committees.
  2. Vice-Commodore: This officer shall assist the Commodore, and in the Commodore’s absence, act in that officer’s stead.
  3. Secretary: This officer shall keep a record of all Association meetings. The Secretary shall maintain a roster of the committees, members, and sailboats enrolled in the Association. The Secretary shall be responsible for the annual distribution of a roster. The Secretary shall report to the Association at its meetings and to the Board of Directors.
  4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect all moneys due the Association and make disbursements therefrom as approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Treasurer shall keep an account of all club property and investments. The Treasurer shall make a financial report for the Association annual meeting.

ARTICLE V BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Creve Coeur Sailing Association, Incorporated, operating through its agents, the officers. The Board shall consist of nine members, including the officers. Five board members, including one officer, shall constitute a quorum. All meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the Commodore or any two other Board Members acting in unison. In the latter case, the Board Members’ wishes shall be made known to an officer of the association who shall see to calling a special meeting of the Board. The Commodore shall be the Chairperson or the officer present next in precedence. All motions must pass by a simple majority of those board members present.

B. Discretionary Powers: The Board of Directors may require committees and Officers to report to it. It has control over policy and finances.

C. The Board of Directors shall report to the Association at its annual meeting.

D. All property of the Association shall be vested in the Board of Directors as trustee for the members thereof, and they shall have power to act for and bind the club members, as their agent in all transactions relating to such property.

E. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to fill vacancies in officers and their own membership, but only for the unexpired term.

F. The Board of Directors shall not incur debt in excess of annual income, unless empowered by the general membership.

ARTICLE VI SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS

A. The Officers and Board of Directors may appoint the following positions from the active membership directory; News Editor, Race Chair, Boatyard Coordinator, Social Chair, and others as necessary. Each appointment shall report to the Officers and Board of Directors. Special Appointments can be made from within the politic body or from the general membership. Special Appointments shall be ratified by majority vote by the Officers and Board of Directors.

B. No member appointed to the Special Appointment shall incur any debt for the CCSA without specific authorization by budget or special approval from the Officers and Board of Directors. All expenses approved and incurred shall be documented and the receipts delivered to the Treasurer, as necessary.

C. News Editor. The News Editor shall solicit and publish events and topics on a quarterly basis or more often as needed to the general membership. The News Editor should contact the Officers, Directors, Fleet Captains and others for information in sufficient time to publish. The News Editor shall be primarily responsible for the editorial content and format of the news.

D. Race Chair. The Race Chair shall coordinate all Racing Events, Committees and provide timely results to the Officers, Directors and general membership. The Race Chair shall coordinate Dry and Wet Race Committees, using guidance in the CCSA Sailing Instructions, and provide race results to the membership for publishing.

E. Boatyard Coordinator. The Boatyard Coordinator shall serve as the person in charge of all events and issues surrounding the Boatyard. The Boatyard Coordinator shall coordinate with the Secretary and Treasurer to ensure that all members storing boats are in compliance with the Bylaws and Contracts for Boatyard Storage. The Boatyard Coordinator shall act as the central point of contact to outside agencies specific to issues regarding the Boatyard (such as vandalism, damage or abandoned vehicles) and keep the Officers and Board of Directors apprised as to issues that need resolution.

F. Social Chair. The Social Chair shall conduct all necessary functions to ensure that the following three events are scheduled and the membership is notified of any special requirements: Winter Social, Summer Picnic, Awards Ceremony and Annual Meeting. The Social Chair can solicit participation from the general membership to assist in corrdinating the events. The Social Chair shall submit a request for expenses (either verbal or written) to the Board of Directors for approval prior to the event being planned.

G. The Board of Directors may appoint additional temporary positions as needed.

ARTICLE VII MEETINGS

A. The annual general meeting shall be held the second Saturday in November, however, the Board of Directors may elect a different date. The Secretary shall notify all members at least two weeks prior to the meeting date.

B. Special meetings of the Association membership may be called by the Board of Directors, or by written request of one-fourth of the membership. Special meetings shall have power to act only on the specific business for which the special meeting was called. The Secretary shall notify the membership at least one week prior to the date of the special meeting.

C. The Committee Chairpersons shall have authority to arrange their own committee meetings. The Commodore may call a meeting of any committee.

D. Proxies may be submitted in writing for any meeting.

ARTICLE VIII NOMINATIONS

A. At least sixty days prior to an annual meeting, the Board of Directors shall choose a nominating committee consisting of two board members, two regular members and one officer. The nominating committee shall select a slate of candidates to succeed the vacancies on the Board of Directors and Officers. The committee shall report the slate to the Board of Directors two weeks prior to the annual meeting. The nominating committee shall poll the membership for possible candidates. The Board of Directors shall approve and present the slate to the membership at large during the annual meeting. The board shall also accept nominations from the membership for any and all offices and board members. Any member proposing a nominee must submit with the nomination a statement of willingness to serve from the nominee two weeks prior to the annual meeting. Nominees must be current members of CCSA and must be active in CCSA events. The Commodore’s ex-officio status on all committees does not apply to the nominating committee.

ARTICLE IX ELECTIONS

A. The Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer and members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting each year by a majority vote of the members present or by proxy. Each Officer and Board member shall serve for a term of one year. Officers shall not hold the same office for more than three years in succession. The term of office shall take effect immediately upon election. Voting shall be by secret ballot.

ARTICLE X FLEETS

A. Fleets shall consist of two types: one design fleets and miscellaneous fleets. One design fleets must meet the requirements of their National Association and appoint their own fleet captains. All boats not part of a one design fleet shall be assigned to a miscellaneous fleet. Miscellaneous fleets may appoint fleet captains.

ARTICLE XI COMMITTEES

A. Committees shall be appointed by the Commodore and consist of not fewer than three members.

ARTICLE XII DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS

A. The Board of Directors shall oversee the responsible behavior of the members. In cases where dismissal of a member is desired, a complaint must be submitted to the Board of Directors in written form and agreed to by at least three members of the board. A copy of the complaint shall be mailed to the member concerned by certified mail, advising them of a hearing date before the Board of Directors. At least two weeks notice must be given the member concerned. The Board of Directors shall meet on the appointed date and decide the issue with or without the respondent present. If the Board of Directors finds the charges proved, it may admonish or suspend or fine the member. Should forfeiture of membership be the decision of the Board of Directors, at least fIve Board Members must agree. The member shall be given written notification of the decision by certified mail, and his entire dues remitted. A member who has been required by the Board of Directors to forfeit his membership has the right to appeal within two weeks to the members at a special meeting. A majority vote by the members present in favor of retaining them shall veto the Board of Directors’ decision.

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS

A. These by-laws may be amended only by a majority vote of the members present at a general membership meeting. Each year by-laws herein shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors. The Association membership shall be notified at least one week in advance of meeting to consider amending Association by-laws.

ARTICLE XIV PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

A. All Association membership or Board of Directors’ meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order if requested by a voting member.