NORTH OKANAGAN DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

 

CONSTITUTION

  1. NAME
    1. The name of the organization is North Okanagan Duplicate Bridge Club (NODBC).
  1. PURPOSE
    1. NODBC shall promote the playing and teaching of duplicate bridge in the greater Vernon area
    2. The club shall affiliate and cooperate with the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL).

 

  1.  AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
    1.  This constitution may not be altered, amended, repealed or added to unless two-thirds (2/3) of the membership is represented by proxy or person.
    2. An affirmative vote of not less than seventy-five (75%) of those members represented is required to alter, amend, repeal or add to the Constitution.
    3. An amendment to the constitution may be submitted by any member of the NODBC.
    4. The proposed amendment must be in writing and given to the Board at least two (2) months prior to the Annual General Membership (AGM) meeting or Special Meeting. 
    5. The Board will make every effort to contact every member at least one (1) month prior to the AGM or Special Meeting via our web site, email, mail or phone.

 

BYLAWS

 

  1. MEMBERSHIP
    1. Membership shall be open to all persons who play or wish to learn duplicate bridge.
    2. Every member must uphold the constitution and comply with these bylaws.
    3. A member shall remain in good standing provided annual membership fees are paid by January 1st of each year.
    4. A member ceases to be a  member of the NODBC

i) On his or her death,
ii) On being expelled,
iii) On having been a member, not in good standing, for more than twelve (12) consecutive months.

    1. All members are in good standing except a member who has failed to pay current annual dues and thus have no vote at any club meetings. 

 

  1. MEETINGS OF MEMBERSHIP
    1. The AGM for the NODBC shall be held once a year in January.
    2. Special meetings may be called by the Chair of the Board for the purpose of Special Business.
    3. Special Business, which can take place at any NODBC membership meeting, shall include: membership fees, game fees, free game passes, donations, director and teacher fees, and expulsion of Officers and/or members and shall include any special business forwarded by any member in good standing.
    4. Notice of membership meetings shall be given to members at least one month in advance via email and weekly announcements during the games.
    5. The minutes of the AGM will be posted on the web site www.vernonbridge.com with the exception of our Financial Statement which is available on request from the Treasurer.
    6. No fewer than twenty-five (25) members shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary to conduct the business of the NODBC
    7. “Roberts Rules of Order” shall govern all meetings of the NODBC.

 

 

  1. DUES AND TABLE FEES
    1. Yearly dues shall be subject to approval at the AGM or special meeting of the Membership.
    2. Membership dues are payable in December for the following year.
    3. New memberships paid during the current year will be valid until the end of the calendar year.
    4. Any change in table fees is subject to approval at the AGM or Special Meeting.

 

  1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    1. Board of Directors or Board shall mean the members elected by the membership at the AGM
    2. The Board shall consist of no fewer than five (5) members and no more than nine (9). Notwithstanding, the Board may appoint non-voting committee members to assist the Board at any time.
    3. All Board positions, with the exception of the Treasurer, shall be determined by the Board at its first Board Meeting after the Election and shall include a Chair and Secretary.
    4. This member-owned club shall entrust its Board to manage the day-to–day club business, including special business approved by the AGM.
    5.  A simple majority shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary to conduct the business of the NODBC.
    6. The Board shall be responsible for providing and maintaining the venue for the NODBC.
    7.  The Board shall meet no fewer than three (3) times a year.

 

  1. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUES
    1. An annual financial review of the NODBC shall be performed by a non-executive member each December.
    2. Should the NODBC become inactive or fold, any surplus money will be donated to charity by the Treasurer.
    3. The charity(s) shall be determined by the majority of the remaining members.

 

  1. COMMITTEES
    1. All committees of this organization shall be appointed by the Board for a term determined by the Board.
  1. VACANCIES ON THE EXECUTIVE
    1. The Board of Directors may appoint a member, who will serve until the next AGM, to fill a vacancy.
  2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
    1. The Treasurer of the NODBC shall be elected for a term of four (4) years.
    2. Board members shall be elected for two (2) year terms with half the Board members elected on even years and the other half on odd years.
    3. This system will begin in the year 2011 with half the Board elected for one (1) year and half the Board elected for two (2) years.

 

 

  1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TREASURER
    1. The Treasurer will manage and oversee the finances of the NODBC, including the following duties:

1. To collect and deposit all NODBC monies into the NODBC bank account which will have three members of the Board as signing officers, one of which shall be the Treasurer.
2. To make all payments/disbursements on behalf of the NODBC.
3. To ensure that all cheques paid out have two of the three authorized signatures.
4. To maintain all accounting records.
5. To use his/her home address as the official mailing address of the NODBC.
6. To be listed as Club Manager as required by the ACBL so that all correspondence will be handled by the same person.
7. To present a complete financial report to the membership at the AGM
8. to present a report on the current state of finances at each Executive meeting.

 

  1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
    1. The Chair of the Nominating committee shall be appointed, by the Board, from the general membership and may consist of up to three (3) persons from the general membership, who do not intend to run for office. 
    2. However, any member in good standing, including members of the nominating committee, may decide to run for the Board up to and including the day of the election.
    3.  Self-nomination is acceptable.
    4. Whenever possible, the nominating committee shall post a slate of agreeable candidates at the club and on the club website. www.vernonbridge.com at least two (2) weeks prior to the AGM.
    5. If, during the election, voting by ballot is required, a member of the Nominating committee shall become the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) and provide ballots.

 

  1. REMUNERATION
    1. No Board member, except the Treasurer, shall be remunerated for being on the Executive unless approved by membership at the AGM or Special Membership meeting.
    2. The Treasurer shall receive a yearly stipend, if finances allow, to be approved at the AGM. The amount shall be recommended by the Board.
    3. Stipends for any other Board members may occur only if approved by the membership at an AGM or Special meeting.

 

  1. ZERO TOLERANCE
    1. The NODBC shall enforce the Zero Tolerance policy as set out in the ACBL Zero Tolerance policy.  

 

 

13. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS OR MEMBERS

    1. Any member may be removed for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all members present at a Special meeting or AGM.
    2. A Board member may be suspended for cause from the Board until a Special Membership meeting is called.
    3. Suspending a Board member prior to a Special meeting requires a unanimous vote of the Board.
    4. A Special meeting to remove any member may be called by any member in good standing of the NODBC.   
    5. The definition of “Cause” includes, but is not limited to, “Any member who has consciously and wilfully acted in such a way as to harm, hurt, or damage the well-being or the good name of the NODBC or any of its members”.
    6. Any member expelled by membership vote, may be barred for a set time as determined by the membership. The expelled member will be barred from membership and participation in any club activity, program, or event.
    7. Any member up for expulsion before the membership shall be given one (1) month notice by a member of the Board and is entitled to be heard at the membership meeting.

 

 

 

  1. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS
    1. These bylaws may be altered, amended, repealed or added to by an affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at any AGM or Special Membership meeting.
    2. An amendment to the bylaws may be submitted by any member of the NODBC.
    3. The proposed amendment must be in writing and given to the Board at least two (2) months prior to the AGM or Special Meeting.
    4. The Board will have the proposed amendment posted on the web site, in the club room and sent to the membership via email at least one (1) month prior to the AGM or Special Meeting

 

DECLARATION

These Bylaws, together with the Constitution are adopted by the North Okanagan Duplicate Bridge Club on this the _______day of January, 2011, shall supersede any and all prior Bylaws or Constitution, and shall, henceforth, be the only instrument governing and controlling all aspects of the existence of the North Okanagan Duplicate Bridge Club.

Signed by the 2010 Board of the NODBC

Carol- Ann Halliday – Chair          __________________________________

Linda Trimble – Treasurer              __________________________________

Kathy Orr – Secretary                      __________________________________

John Coone – Head Director         __________________________________

Barbara Hiebert – Hospitality         __________________________________

Patricia Robertson – Membership/Partnership _________________________

Carol Ferguson – Supplies                        __________________________________

 

With thanks to Cathy and Jim Brown, Eileen Currier, Marie Marchand, Rob Murray and the 2010 board for their assistance.