CONSTITUTION

 

April 5th, 2008

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Saginaw Bay Yacht Racing Association is to promote yacht racing, good sportsmanship, and seamanship.  The SBYRA consists of skippers and crews who race approved mono-hulls that are twenty (20) feet and over in length and approved multi-hulls of twenty-three (23) feet and over in length or a speed potential of 700 Portsmouth or lower.

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SBYRA

Liability

The Saginaw Bay Yacht Racing Association and its Board of Governors assume no liability for sailing accidents.  Each participating yacht representative must complete a waiver of liability prior to entering a race and place same on file with the SBYRA.

 

Receipts and Expenditures

Expenditures must be authorized by the Board of Governors by adoption of an appropriate budget.  The Board of Governors shall make provision for an annual review of all receipts and expenditures.

 

CONDUCT OF THE MEMBERS

All members and their crew members are expected to behave like ladies and gentlemen both on and off the race course.  Unbecoming or objectionable conduct can lead to disciplinary action, including expulsion from the SBYRA by affirmative vote of the Board of Governors.

 

BY-LAWS

MEMBERSHIPS

There shall be two classes of membership.  A full member is one person who is an owner, part owner, lessee or otherwise represents, and is responsible for, an approved, participating yacht.  The person shall also fulfill the financial and legal responsibilities required for membership in the SBYRA.  Each yacht racing in the series of races sponsored by the SBYRA shall be represented by one or more full members. A full member is entitled to one vote at a membership meeting and is eligible to hold office.

 

An associate member is any person who has fulfilled the financial and legal requirements for an associate member.  An associate member is entitled to one vote at membership meetings and is eligible to hold office.

 

All memberships shall be from April 1 to March 31.

 

A yacht participating in a regularly scheduled scoring race of the SBYRA must be represented by one or more full members.  The person in charge of the yacht during the race must be either a full member or an associate member designated by the yacht’s representative.

 

Membership dues and racing fees shall be established annually by the Board of Governors.

 

Both full and associate members shall be entitled to receive all SBYRA mailings.

 

MEETINGS OF MEMBERSHIP

There shall be a minimum of two membership meetings a year.  The Board of Governors of the SBYRA shall be elected at the Fall Meeting that shall be held prior to December 15^th.  The race program shall be presented to the membership at the Spring Meeting that shall be held in Mid-April.  Other business as determined by the Board of Governors may be brought before the Membership at either membership meeting.  The Members shall also be allowed to raise matters at either of the membership meetings.

 

Meetings shall be called by the Commodore or upon written request by three (3) members of the Board of Governors or upon written request of five (5) full or ten (10) associate members.

 

A quorum shall consist of fifty (50%) percent of the Board of Governors.

 

Voting may be conducted by voice vote, show of hands or secret ballot.

 

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The Board of Governors shall be responsible for the day to day operations of the SBYRA.  The Board of Governors shall consist of the elected officers, the two most recent available past commodores of the SBYRA and one Member at Large.  The Member at Large shall be appointed by the Commodore subject to the approval of the other Board of Governors of the SBYRA.  The Member at Large need not own a sailboat or race.

Meetings of the Board of Governors shall be called by the Commodore or upon written request by three (3) members of the Board of Governors.

 

A quorum shall consist of fifty (50%) percent of the Board of Governors.

 

All Board of Governors meetings shall be open to all full and associate members and guests, but only the Board of Governors shall vote on any issue at such meetings.  Voting may be by voice vote, show of hands or roll call.

 

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

The elected officers of the SBYRA shall consist of the Commodore, the Vice Commodore, the Rear Commodore, the Secretary and the Treasurer.

 

The term of office shall be for one (1) year effective immediately following election at the Fall Meeting.

 

If any office becomes vacant during the year, a replacement shall be appointed by the Board of governors.

 

Only the board of governors will be entitle to vote on any issue brought before the Board of Governors for a vote.  Any vote may be by secret ballot, voice vote or a show of hands.

 

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

The Commodore

1.                  Oversee and coordinate the entire program

2.                  Preside at Membership meetings and the Board of Governors meetings.

3.                  Appoint committees as required.

4.                  Call special meetings as required.

5.                  Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.

6.                  Other duties s may be expected of the office.

 

The Vice Commodore

1.                  Assist the Commodore in the discharge of his duties.

2.                  Preside over Membership meetings and the Board of Governors meetings in the absence of the Commodore.

3.                  Serve as Chairperson of the Race Committee.

4.                  Preside at the Skipper’s meeting

5.                  Appoint a Protest Committee Chair.

6.                  Fulfill the duties of the Protest Chair in the absence of same.

7.                  Other duties as may be expected of the office.

 

The Rear Commodore

1.                  Serve as Chairperson of the Program Development Committee.

2.                  Be responsible for the determination of the results of each race and disseminating the results in a time manner.

3.                  Select and purchase flags, trophies and other awards as approved by the Board of governors.

4.                  Obtain race sponsors.

5.                  Other duties as may be expected of the office.

 

The Secretary

1.                  Write and distribute a newsletter to the membership, including race results.

2.                  Record, maintain and distribute minutes of all meetings.

3.                  Maintain By-Laws on a current basis.

4.                  Request and obtain necessary race permits.

5.                  File the Michigan Annual Return on a timely basis.

6.                  Serve as a liaison with district, regional and/or national sailing associations.

7.                  Other duties as may be expected of the office.

 

 

The Treasurer

1.                  Propose a budget for the year to the Board of Governors.

2.                  Provide periodic reports to assist the Board of Governors in monitoring both revenues and expenditures.

3.                  Receive and disburse all funds.

4.                  Maintain the current membership list and provide same to Secretary on a regular basis. 

5.                  Maintain detailed records of receipts and disbursements sufficient to provide an audit trail.

6.                  Provide a complete directory of members including a names, addresses, telephone numbers, yacht names, yacht type, sail number and rating to the membership.

7.                  Maintain a list of all capital equipment and the location of same.

8.                  Other duties as may be expected of the office.

 

The Member at Large

1.                  Represent the needs of the entire membership.

2.                  Serve on appointed committees.

3.                  Other duties as may be expected of the office.

 

STANDING COMMITTEES AND CHAIRS

The SBYRA shall have defined Standing Committees and Chairpersons.  Neither the Chairpersons nor any members of the Committees shall have the right to vote at any meeting of the board of governors.

 

The Commodore, with the advice and consent of the Board of Governors, shall appoint the following Standing Committees and Chairperson.