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Spokane Bridge Unit 448
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Bylaws
New......

BBYLAWS OF SPOKANE UNIT 448

American Contract Bridge League

Revised, December 1975

Amended, December 2000, 2010

Revised and amended December, 2015

 

Article I:  Name

Article II:  Objectives

Article III:  Unit Jurisdiction

Article IV: Membership

Article V: Dues

Article VI: Membership Meetings

Article VII: Unit Board of Directors

Article VIII: Unit Officers and Members of the Board of Directors

Article IX: Impeachment

Article X: Amendments to the Bylaws

Article XI Tournaments

Article XII: Committees

Article I: Name

Spokane Unit 448 is a subsidiary of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), recognizing ACBL as the parent organization, that has authority and control over tournament bridge in the United States, and exists under the sanction of ACBL and functions within the Constitution and Bylaws and regulations of ACBL.

 

Article II:  Objectives

  1. To preserve and to promote the best interest of competitive contract bridge;
  2. To co-operate with, and to assist, the ACBL in the promotion and conduct of the contract bridge tournaments;
  3. To prescribe rules of eligibility for participation in tournaments under its auspices;
  4. To consider and to act upon reports of dishonest, unethical or improper conduct of participants in unit games and/or tournaments, if any, and to bar or suspend person guilty of such conduct from further participation;
  5. To promote the development and organization of affiliated clubs within the Unit; and
  6. To conduct such other activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives.

Article III: Unit Jurisdiction

The geographic area within which the Unit may operate shall be the area of the city of Spokane and areas immediately adjacent thereto, plus any areas that may be assigned to it by the ACBL.

                             Article IV: Membership

  1.  Any person of good moral character who resides within the playing area of the Unit, subject to District regulations, is eligible for membership and may apply to such person, or committee as the Board of Directors may direct, and shall become a member upon complying with such requests as the Board by resolution may, from time to time, adopt and upon payment of ACBL annual dues.  No person shall be denied membership because of race, creed, or color.
  2.  An application shall bind the applicant to full compliance with, and adherence to, these Bylaws, the Unit’s Charter and ACBL’s Bylaws.
  3.  A member in good standing shall enjoy and possess all rights of membership equally with all other members, except that the voting privilege shall be restricted to those who have been members for at least sixty (60) days.
  4.  If a member moves from the listed residence to a place outside the Unit’s geographical area, the member’s eligibility to remain a Unit member will be determined by ACBL regulations. 
  5.  A member remains in good standing unless:
  1. The member has failed to pay ACBL annual dues within six (6) months following the calendar date expiration; or
  2. The member has been disciplined under Article VII H 8 of these Bylaws.

Article V: Dues

  1.  Annual dues shall be in the amount fixed by and submitted to ACBL.
  2. The Board of Directors shall have no power to levy any special assessment.

Article VI: Membership Meetings

 

  1. The annual membership meeting shall be on a day prior to December 31st each year.
  2.  The Board of Directors shall fix the time and place of the Annual Meeting.  Notice shall be given to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting and in a variety of ways: email notification, postings and announcements at playing sites, on the web site and by any other means determined by the Board of Directors.
  3.  Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, or by the President, upon ten (10) days’ notice to the special meeting to all members.  The notice of a special meeting shall contain an agenda of matters to be taken up at such meeting and made available to the membership in a variety of ways, such as email notification, postings and announcements at playing sites, on the web site and by any other means determined by the Board of Directors.
  4.  A quorum for transaction of business at any annual or special meeting shall consist of at least twenty-five (25) members.

Article VII: Unit Board of Directors

  1. Number of Directors: The Unit shall be managed and business conducted by the Board of Directors, which shall consist of nine (9) persons elected by and from the Unit membership.
  2.  Term of Office: Each elected Director may hold office for a period of six (6) years, defined as two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms, if re-elected for a second term.  These terms shall coincide with the calendar year of the Unit. The Director shall continue to hold office until a successor shall have been duly elected.  Elected Directors shall not be allowed to succeed themselves in office for at least one (1) year after having been elected for two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms.  Appointed Board Directors can run for one (1) additional three (3) year term after completing the position to which the Director was appointed to fulfill.   
  3.  Nominations:
  1. A member of the Board of Directors shall be appointed Election Committee Chair. The Chair will select two (2) Unit members-at-large to serve on the Committee. The nominating Committee shall report their selections to the Unit Secretary.  The candidates’ names shall be announced to the Unit membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the election date.  Notification can be by email, on the Unit website and by printed notices at the Club sites.  Any member in good standing, not nominated by the Nominating Committee, may stand for a position on the board by submitting a declaration of candidacy to the Unit President or a member of the Election Committee no later than fourteen (14) days before the election.

2. When there are several playing areas within the Unit, each playing area should have representation on the Board approximate in the same proportion as the membership in the area bears to the total membership in the Unit.  The Nominating Committee is instructed to guide itself accordingly, or the members in each playing area may officially meet to select its representative on the Board.

  1. The ballots, with the candidates listed in alphabetical order, shall be distributed by email and the Unit Website and be available from an Election Committee member.  Ballots may be returned by mail to the Election Committee Chair or in person to any member of the Election Committee.  Ballots will be available at the membership meeting for direct voting.  All returned ballots must be marked with the voter’s ACBL membership number.  Failure to include the ACBL number on the ballot invalidates the vote.  All absentee ballots must be received before the day of the election.  Absentee ballots shall be used only for Board of Director elections, not for other Unit business before the general meeting, such as bylaw amendments.
  1.  Elections:
  1.  Every qualified member shall be entitled to one vote for each Director to be elected.
  2.   All ballots shall be secret.
  3. The election Committee will select three (3) impartial members to count the ballots at the membership meeting and to announce the results there.  In the event of a tie or ties, the Board President, assisted by the Secretary, or their designated stand-ins, shall determine by lot and in the presence of the members the Director or Directors elected.
  4.  In the event that the number of candidates is no more than the number of open Board positions, no vote will be taken.  The candidates will be elected by acclamation.
  5.  Any candidate is entitled to have witnesses at the vote counting.

E. Vacancies:  Any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled by the Board of Directors.  The person(s) so appointed shall hold office during the unexpired term.

F. Meetings:

  1. The Board of Directors shall hold a minimum of ten (10) meetings a year.
  2. At the discretion of the Board, a transitional meeting of the sitting Board members and the incoming Directors may be held between the Annual Membership meeting and the first Board meeting in January to elect officers for the coming year and to relay records.
  3.  The Secretary shall call a special meeting of the Board of Directors at the request of the President or upon request, in writing, of four (4) Unit members.  Notices of such special meetings shall be distributed not less than ten (10) days prior to the proposed meeting date.
  4.  All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

G. Quorum:  A quorum of the Board of Directors for business transactions shall consist of not fewer than five (5) Directors.

H. Powers and Duties:  In addition to the powers granted by other provisions of these Bylaws and by the laws of the State of Washington, the Board of Directors shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To acquire, hold, administer, maintain and dispose of all Unit property;

2. To appropriate Unit funds for the purpose set forth in these Bylaws;

3. To hire and discharge employees, to supervise their conduct and to fix their compensation;

4. To audit all Unit receipts and disbursements;

5. To conduct, manage, and supervise and control all Unit business, including, but not limited to, the conduct of tournaments, the selection of all dates and locations for those tournaments, and the making of all contract in connection thereto;

6. To act as coordinator and arbitrator between the local clubs under its jurisdiction for the best interests of duplicate bridge, particularly to avoid, insofar as possible, conflicting playing dates;

7. To arbitrate disputes of members and to consider any protest situation.  At the Board’s discretion any such matters may first be refer to the Conduct and Ethics Committee, which, after thorough investigation will report to the Board of Directors with its recommendations.  The Board will then take such action as it sees fit.  In any dispute involving club directors, only those Board members elected by the membership shall vote.

8. To censure, suspend, expel, or otherwise discipline any player.  But no player shall be censured, suspended, or expelled or otherwise disciplined until that member has been furnished with written charges to which the player has time to reply, or until after a hearing of which the player has received reasonable notice. The player may be represented by counsel of the member’s own choosing and expense.  Disciplinary action by the Unit may be appealed to the National Board of Directors.  The member, against whom charges are pending, may play in tournaments during such pendency, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors. 

9. To reappoint annually local Club Directors, who so desire, to direct Unit games.

10. Board members shall be excluded from voting on issues that affect their financial interest.

 

 

Article VIII: Unit Officers and Members of the Board of Directors

  1.  Number: The Unit officers shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be Directors on the Board.
  2. Election: The Board of Directors shall elect all officers at its first meeting following the Annual Membership meeting.  The persons elected shall hold office for one (1) year or until their successors have been duly elected.
  3.  Vacancies: Vacancies due to death, resignation or other causes shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
  4.  Duties:  The duties of the officers shall be as outlined in the ACBL regulations.

          Article IX:  Impeachment

Any officer or Director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the Board of Directors providing two-thirds (2/3) of the quorum present shall so vote.  Any officer or Director against whom impeachment charges are brought shall be notified in writing, by registered mail, of the charges against the Director at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting.  Further, the Director shall be given an opportunity to be heard before the Board of Directors and to be represented by counsel of the Director’s own choosing and expense.  The action taken by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive and final.

Article X: Amendments to the Bylaws

Amendments to the Bylaws may be proposed by Unit members upon petition signed by at least fifty (50) members and submitted to the secretary at least sixty (60) days in advance of the Annual Meeting or any special meeting called for the purpose; or upon a petition signed by at least eight (8) members of the Board of Directors.  It shall be the duty of the Secretary to incorporate the test of proposed amendment in the Notice of Membership meeting.  The concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of members present and voting shall be required to pass any amendment.

 

                             Article XI: Tournaments

The Unit shall have complete authority over all tournaments conducted by it, subject to ACBL regulations.

                             Article XII: Committees

The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such committees as may be necessary or desirable to perform the functions of the organization.  The President shall define their duties.  Among the committees appointed by the President shall be the following standing committees:  Tournament Committee, Conduct and Ethics Committee, Membership Committee, Publicity committee, Nominating and Election Committee, and Hospitality Committee.

Office Roles and Responsibilities

ACBL SPOKANE UNIT 448

OFFICE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This document (formerly titled Unit 448 policies and procedures) should be updated by the secretary each time the unit board passes motions that alter the document.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

An elected or appointed unit board member may serve in more than one capacity.  For example, a person might serve as I/N chair as well as publicity chair.

In addition to referring to unit documents relayed by previous officer, each incoming board member or chair shall refer to the pertinent position description on the ACBL website for guidance and direction.   The following text provides the bare essentials of the position, plus any assignments that might be unique to Unit 448.

PRESIDENT:

  • Presides at all unit board of directors and general membership meetings;

  • Appoints, in consultation with the board, all committees and serves on them ex officio, except for the nominating committee ; and

  • Exercises general supervision over unit activities, including other duties incidental to the office and those the board may assign.

VICE PRESIDENT:

  • Assumes the duties of the president, when the president is unable to serve;

  • Proof reads the Grand Slammer prior to publication; and

  • Performs other duties incidental to the office and those the board may assign.

 

SECRETARY

  • Records and maintains minutes of monthly board meetings and the December membership meeting;

  • Provides a copy of approved minutes at club playing sites, in the Grand Slammer and on the website;

  • Maintains unit member roster ;

  • Maintains list of board members and the date of their elections;

  • Applies for all unit championship and charity game sanctions;

  • Completes and files all unit reports required by ACBL;

  • Tracks points earned and orders medals for the Ace of Club and Mini-McKenney awards;

  • Updates roles and responsibilities manual as dictated by unit board actions;

  • Prepares absentee general meeting ballot for new board members and distributes same to all playing sites, members of the nominating committee and on the web at least thirty (30) days in advance of the election; and

  • Relays unit board member and committee chair names to ACBL.

TREASURER

One or two other board member should be authorized to sign checks and to perform the treasurer’s duties, in the absence of that officer.  Any board member may request to inspect all financial unit documents by writing the president. Requests shall be granted and performed within two weeks of request.  Requestor will pay for any photocopy costs.

  • Has custody of and is responsible for all unit funds, securities and properties;

  • Deposits all unit monies;

  • Pays, upon receipt, approved invoices;

  • Reconciles bank statements;

  • Provides a monthly itemized report to the board;

  • Posts a report digest in the club playing sites;

  • Makes financial reports as directed by the board;

  • Prepares for the auditor and secretary a year-end report that includes a copy of the check register;

  • Files Form 990 with the IRS; and

  • Retains records at all times.

 

UNIT 448 REGISTERED AGENT

 

The treasurer or another board member serves as the agent.  Annual fees are $10 and paid by the treasurer.  Late fees will apply if the deadline is missed.  Agent registration is on the Office of Secretary of State, Corporation and Charity website.  Check is sent to the office at James M. Dolliver Bldg. P.O. Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504-0234  

WEBMASTER

  • Maintains the accuracy and integrity of the unit 448 web site;

  • Checks the unit 448 web site periodically to see if offerings other than the “results” page are used;

  • Checks other relevant websites for pertinent information, e.g. DINO and ACBL;

  • Recommends to the unit board improvements to the web site;

  • Uploads approved unit board meeting minutes;

  • Updates unit bylaws and policies and procedures, as submitted; and

  • Uploads submitted Grand Slammer.

PROPERTY CHAIR

Supplies include tables, bidding boxes, boards, pickup slips, entry forms, pencils, sharpeners, convention cards, etc.

  • Inventories equipment and supplies twice a year (January and August);

  • Relocates supplies to any location for sectional or unit games; and

  • Submits mileage for reimbursement mileage which will be paid at the rate equal to IRS business rate.

I/N (INTERMEDIATE-NEWCOMER) COORDINATOR

  • Organizes and serves as tournament chair for the unit’s I/N stand-alone games and/or sectional; and

  • Coordinates with the Education Chair and/or unit game director to provide opportunities for I/N players.

COOPERATIVE ADVERTISING PROGRAM

Unit 448 Cooperative Advertising Program is designed from the ACBL marketing program targeting newcomer programs and lessons, and membership recruitment and retention.  The program will be active as long as funds are available.  ACBL guidelines for submission and reimbursement requirements are on the ACBL web site.

Media advertising options are limited only by costs and perceived return on the outlay.  Reimbursement applies only to the cost of advertising or reproduction.

Unit level reimbursements will depend on available funds and must be approved by the unit board prior to expenditure commitment.

Requirements include:

  • Requestor must be an ACBL Teacher Accreditation Program certified instructor; and

  • Materials must include the ACBL logo or the words “American Contract Bridge League” and the term “Unit 448.”

PUBLICITY CHAIR

  • Publicizes unit tournament activities to increase public awareness of ACBL and unit 448-sponsored bridge playing opportunities;

  • Consults ACBL web site for ideas and strategies; and

  • Chairs a unit board appointed committee, as required.

EDUCATION LIAISON

This appointment is filled by an accredited teacher, who may head a unit board appointed committee.

  • Submits anticipated costs of workshop attendance, conventions and other meetings that will benefit the teacher and students in the area.  On a case by case basis, the unit board will decide whether reimbursement to the accredited teacher may be made for registration fee and/or travel expenses and/or lodgings expenses;

  • Keeps the unit board members informed of ACBL programs that encourage participation and membership;

  • Proposes to the unit board opportunities for advertising through the ACBL Advertisement Reimbursement Program; and

  • Promotes and implements programs designed to increase membership by working with the I/N Coordinator and the ACBL Education Department.

 

UNIT ELECTRONIC CONTACT

This appointment is ACBL-required for the unit to receive membership funds.

  • Forwards the monthly unit 448 In and Out Report to board officers, club directors and the membership chair;

  • Forwards the annual unit 448 QUIP Report to board officers so the secretary can summarize membership data for the minutes;

  • Forwards unit 448 Reimbursement Report to the treasurer so the amounts received can be verified; and

  • Retains all reports for three (3) years.

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

Each person who joins ACBL automatically becomes a member of the unit in whose territory the new member resides.

  • Maintains membership records;

  • Processes new memberships; and

  • Encourages present members to renew and former members to reinstate their ACBL membership.

 

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR

 

A board member serves as chair and recruits two (2) members-at-large to obtain volunteers for the December election.  Since voting is by absentee ballots, there needs to be sufficient names on the ballot to fill the vacating board positions.  The chair reports the names to the secretary.

GRAND SLAMMER EDITOR

  • Gathers information, interview, news, etc. of general interest to the unit members;

  • Edits and formats the issue;

  • Submits the copy to the vice president for proof reading prior to release;

  • Provides printed copies at all club playing sites;

  • Submits copy to the webmaster; and

  • “Publishes” as frequently as is feasible, in consultation with the unit board.

UNIT GAME COORDINATOR

  • Manages the allotted number of sanctions for ACBL games, championships, etc.;

  • Distributes, in consultation with unit board, the requests for unused unit game by the club directors for the unit game at the club events; and

  • Ascertains and informs the unit board the dates for special ACBL games, such as the North American Pairs (NAP) and the Grand National Teams (GNT).

TOURNAMENT CHAIR

  • Schedules all unit tournaments;

  • Secures playing sites, in consultation with unit board;

  • Coordinates special tournament features, such as food, beverages, free plays, etc., in consultation with unit board;

  • Submits unit’s sectional tournament dates to district tournament coordinator for approval prior to request for ACBL sanction;

  • Applies to ACBL for all tournament sanctions;

  • Submits tournament flyers to ACBL for approval;

  • Serves as official liaison between ACBL and the unit prior to the tournament; and

  • Suggests special entry fees or other ideas with revenue impact that will attract new players.

 

CHARITY GAME CHAIR

This position and its function are at the board’s discretion.

Researches and recommends unit’s charity for the year to the unit board;

  • Encourages unit members to offer fund raisers, such as an event in a home;

  • Forms a committee to help solicit items.  These items can be priced for sale or used as a silent auction;

  • Submits proceeds and records to treasurer; and

  • Disperses left over items, either to the donor or to the appropriate charity, in a timely manner.

UNIT RECORDER

  • Handles unit game-sponsored complaints which may not warrant filing formal charges, for a variety of reasons.

  • Promotes proper player behavior based on the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge and the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations;

  • Receives, investigates and evaluates player memos;

  • Communicates, as appropriate, with those involved in a reported incident, especially the reporter and subject;

  • Maintains a record of all player memos, including investigation and resolution;

  • Acts on behalf of the unit and its members when presenting evidence to a disciplinary committee in support of charges filed as his or her own initiative;

  • Files a complaint with disciplinary body against a subject to resolve a player memo(s); and

  • Serves as the recorder, or appoints a qualified assistant, for any unit-sponsored tournament.

DISCIPLINARY CHAIR

  • Receives and investigates complaints or charges that involve conduct and ethics of unit members during a unit-sponsored game;

  • Selects four (4) unit 448 members to serve as a hearing committee;

  • Arranges date and location to hear testimony;

  • Notifies all parties involve;

  • Conducts hearing in accordance with ACBL guidelines;

  • Reports to ACBL, in writing, any decisions reached by the committee; and

  • Works in coordination with the unit recorder.

DISTRICT 19 (DINO) REPRESENTATIVE

The DINO director of elections issues a call for candidates to serve as one of two representatives from the eastern Washington district for a three year term.  The director sends a candidates’ list to the various unit boards.  The unit board members vote, individually or as a body.

  • May not be a unit 448 board member;

  • Attends all DINO meetings;

  • Casts votes for the unit; and

  • Reports on DINO proceedings at the unit board’s next meeting.

 

BOARD MEETINGS

Board meetings should be scheduled ninety (90) minutes before unit games. If the unit game is double session, the board meeting may be shifted to a more convenient time or day.

Several volunteer positions are appointed by the president, with the approval of the board.  These positions include, but not limited to: hospitality, disciplinary, property, recorder, charity, tournament coordinator, I/N, NAP, Christmas party, Grand Slammer editor, education liaison, webmaster.  A volunteer need not be a board member.

Departing board members and chairs shall convey all materials to the new member/appointment.

A membership roster is printed annually after the new board is selected.

If a board member misses three meetings without good reason, that person may be replaced.  

Replacement of a board member due to death or resignation is optional and is the prerogative of the board.  The board does not have to use previous nominees to fill a vacancy.

SPECIAL CLUB GAMES

Clubs should not hold regular or special games during local sectionals. The president may approve any unit 448 club for participation in Western Conference STAC games, without board approval.

ACBL holds Senior Games in February and normally has allowed a club to promote the game.  Permission must be granted to the club. Choice of club will be determined by drawing, should more than one club wish to hold it.

Clubs may apply to the unit game coordinator for a unit game at clubs sanction, who will ensure equitable distribution of these games.  




 

UNIT GAMES & UNIT DIRECTORS

Scheduled unit games are:

  • February—Youth Bridge Month. Unit will donate $1 per player attending this game;

  • March—Two-session Awards Game;

  • May—Two session game;

  • October—Two session Unit Charity Game.  Unit will charge $1 per game.  First dollar goes to the ACBL chosen national charity with the second dollar designated for chosen unit charity; and

  • December—Two session Christmas Party and membership votes for new board members, any proposed bylaws revisions and reaction to advisory questions.  The board members sets a dollar amount for extras, such as door prizes.

Each summer a unit game committee shall select a date for the next year’s unit games, using available sources to determine possible conflicts.

The unit board sets the annual amount allotted for unit game hospitality.

Unit director(s):

Hired by the board on a one year contract (January-December);

Fee schedule is $45 per session, plus $5 per table after seven (7) tables. Reimbursement is capped at $100 per session; and

Responsibilities include:

  • Supplies computer;

  • Files game results with ACBL;

  • Posts results on website;

  • Keeps records for the Kris Motoyoshi Trophy; and

  • Orders the trophy and submits receipt to treasurer for reimbursement.