|
Download PDF version of the Alabama USBC Association Bylaws
ARTICLE I – NAME
ARTICLE II – NONPROFIT CORPORATION AND CHARTER
ARTICLE III – PURPOSE
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORS – MANAGEMENT
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
ARTICLE IX – DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES
ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE XI – FISCAL YEAR
ARTICLE XII - INDEMNIFICATION
|
The name of the organization is the Alabama USBC Association, chartered by the United States Bowling Congress. |
|
Section A. Nonprofit Corporation
The association is organized as a nonprofit corporation and operates consistent with the requirements of an organization classified as tax exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).
Section B. Charter
The association shall be chartered by USBC and subject to its authority. To maintain its charter, the association must:
1. Provide services for men, women and youth.
2. Adopt bylaws approved by USBC.
3. Not enact any bylaws or rules inconsistent with USBC’s bylaws.
4. Adhere to Performance Standards and stated requirements as set forth in the USBC Association Operations Manual.
5. Not use any part of the net earnings of the organization for the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.
6. Not have a substantial part of the activities of the organization for carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
7. Not carry on any other purposes not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Section C. Charter Dissolution
Upon termination of its charter, the USBC association shall transfer all of its assets remaining after payment of its lawful obligations to the USBC association that is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization(s) serving the bowling center(s) previously under their jurisdiction.
If the named recipients are unwilling to accept the assets, are no longer qualified as 501(c)(3) organizations, or are no longer in existence, then the assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
If the organization fails to transfer its assets within 30 days of their termination, USBC shall be entitled to take whatever action it deems appropriate to ensure such transfer.
These requirements are applicable to all associations whose charter has been revoked as well as all current and future associations. |
|
The purposes of the association as stated in the Articles of Incorporation, include, but are not limited to:
1. Providing equal opportunity for all in the sport of bowling without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, or national origin.
2. Promoting the game of American Tenpins.
3. Conducting and supporting bowling competition.
4. Engaging in any other activities permitted by an organization classified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. |
|
Adults who have obtained USBC and local association membership, in accordance with USBC and local association bylaws, become members of this association through the payment of applicable annual state dues, if any.
The Board and Delegates*, by a two-thirds vote, determine and adopt adult dues, if any.
The annual state adult dues are $2.00 (Cannot exceed $5.)
The annual youth standard membership dues are $4, state/local association dues are not allowed.
The Board may waive all or part of adult state dues for:
1. Adult members of other USBC associations having a reciprocal agreement with the association.
2. Other groups, such as seniors, etc., as determined by the Board.
The association cannot charge additional non-dues assessments.
Membership is not transferable.
|
Section A. Board Composition, Authority and Duties
The management and governance of the association is vested in the Board of Directors that includes the Officer and Director positions. At least 20% of the total number of Board members must be Youth Directors. The Board and Delegates* determine:
1. The number of positions on the Board.
2. Terms.
3. Term limits, if any.
The total number of Board members is 20, consisting of five (5) officers and fifteen (15) directors. Of that total number, no more than three (3) adult representatives may come from any one jurisdictional area.
The number of Youth Directors is 4.
The Board shall not engage in any acts constituting a conflict of interest. The Board's duties include but are not limited to:
1. Enforce the bylaws.
2. Comply with the USBC Association Policy Manual.
3. Conduct championship level competition for: a. Adults. Its membership constituency (men and women) and complying with state and local laws in their area. b. Youth. All USBC Youth Members.
4. Implement USBC programs as requested.
5. Select/appoint the Association Manager.
6. Approve use of membership records.
Section B. Eligibility
A candidate for the board (elected or appointed) must be:
1. Adult. A USBC member in good standing at the time of election and throughout their term.
Youth. USBC Youth members bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction
2. Elected or appointed without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, national origin, or age, other than the minimum age of 14, unless state laws mandate a specific age, and be reasonably representative of the membership.
a. Any member of the Board authorized to sign contracts or acting as a signatory on association accounts must be a minimum age of 18.
b. b. At least 20% of the Board must be Youth Directors.
c. A maximum of three bowling center proprietors may serve on the board at one time. A proprietor is an individual who is the owner, partner, or corporate officer of a bowling center or group of bowling centers. Excluded from the definition of proprietor is an individual who owns 25% or less of the equity shares, or who is inactive in the management of the bowling center and remains so during a term as an officer or director.
Additional eligibility requirements, if any, are to be approved by the Board and Delegates*.
Section C. Election of Directors
Directors are elected by a majority vote , unless plurality vote is adopted, by the Board and Delegates*. Directors are elected by marjority vote from:
1. A slate.
2. Nominations from the floor.
At least 20% of the total number of Board members must be Youth Directors. Youth Directors and Directors are elected by the Board and Delegates*.
Qualifications must be submitted, in writing, at least 24 hours prior to the opening of the annual meeting.
Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.
Section D. Term
The term for directors is three (3) years. After the initial election, all terms are three (3) years. The following stagger system shall be employed for election of directors:
Initial Election (3 Years) (2 Years) (1 Year)
Directors 1-4 Directors 5-8 Directors 9-11
Youth Director 1 Youth Director 2 Youth Director 3 & 4
Section E. Resignation, Removal, and Vacancies
1. Resignation. A Board member may resign from the Board by providing written notice of resignation to the President or, in the case of the President, to the Board.
2. Removal for Ineligibility. A Board member who is no longer eligible to serve on the Board may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Board when a quorum is present.
3. Removal for Cause. When a Board member is accused, in writing, of failure to properly perform the duties of their office or otherwise engaging in improper or unfair activities or conduct, the Board may conduct a meeting following the Removal Procedures in the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter of the USBC Association Policy Manual. An appeal may be filed with USBC Headquarters within 15 days of the removal. Two-thirds written consent of the full Board is required to seek re-election and/or re-appointment to the Board.
4. Vacancies. The Board fills vacancies in the President’s positon. All other vacancies are filled by the President, subject to approval by the Board.
If a majority vote is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest vote total is dropped and balloting continues until a candidate receives a majority vote. A plurality vote is the largest number of votes cast for a given candidate. The candidate(s) receiving the most votes is(are) elected. |
|
Section A. President, Vice Presidents, and Sgt at Arms
The Officers of this association shall include a President, 3 Vice President and a sergeant-at-arms.
Section B. Election
The Board and Delegates* determine the election process Officers are elected by a majority vote1 of the Delegates representing adult members, Youth Delegates and Board, present and voting from:
a. A slate.
b. Nominations from the floor.
Qualifications must be submitted, in writing, at least 24 hours prior to the annual meeting.
Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.
Section C. Term
The term for elected officers is three (3) years. After the initial election, all terms are three (3) years. The following stagger system shall be employed for election of directors:
Initial Election (3 Years) (2 Years) (1 Year)
President First Vice President Second Vice President
Third Vice President Sgt at Arms
Section D. Authority and Duties
1. President
a. Presides at all meetings.
b. Acts as spokesperson for the association.
c. Serves as the liaison to the state proprietors association, if applicable.
d. Appoints committees, with Board approval.
Note: All committees except nominating should be composed of both board members and non-board members.
2. Vice President
a. Presides at all meetings when the President is absent.
b. Performs other duties as prescribed by the board or requested by the president.
3. Association Manager
a. Selected/appointed by and accountable to the board.
b. Acts as the ex officio non-voting Secretary/Treasurer of the Board or such other officer designation as required by law and determined by the Board.
c. Responsible for other duties as prescribed by the board and in the USBC Association Operations Manual.
|
|
Section A. Annual Meeting
An Annual Meeting of association delegates representing adult membership and Youth Delegates shall be held at a time and place approved by the board of directors. (See Article IX, Section C for the time frame for election of delegates and alternates to the USBC Annual Meeting.)
Attendance is open to all members. Voting officers, directors, delegates/alternates representing adult membership and Youth Delegates/alternates must be at least 14 years of age, unless state laws mandate a specific age.
1. The association invites all associations within its jurisdiction, as follows:
The number is based on the association’s membership. For USBC Youth the membership consists of those bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction
1 – 250 members 2 delegates
251 – 500 members 4 delegates
501 – 1000 members 6 delegates
1001 – 2000 members 8 delegates
2001 and over members 10 delegates
The total number of Youth Delegates will be based on the chart below.
1 – 250 members 2 delegates
251 – 500 members 4 delegates
501 – 1000 members 6 delegates
1001 – 2000 members 8 delegates
2001 and over members 10 delegates
A local association is not eligible to send delegates representing adult membership and Youth Delegates/alternates if it is declared delinquent or USBC has revoked its charter.
2. Credentials
Credentials are forwarded to the state association at least sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the annual meeting.
3. Voice and Vote
Voice: Adult members and USBC Youth members bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction may attend with voice only.
Vote: Board and Delegates*. Absentee and proxy voting are not permitted.
4. Responsibilities
The Board and Delegates* representing adult members shall:
1) Adopt bylaws, with the exception of youth dues.
2) Adopt state adult dues, up to the established maximum.
3) Elect:
a) Two Delegates and two Alternates for the USBC Annual Meeting.
b) The members of the Board, with at least 20% representing youth
Note: A Board Member is a person elected to the Board, by the Delegates to serve all members of the association. While 20% of the Board is elected to represent youth, and will have expertise in that area, they also serve the adult membership, while Directors elected to serve adults also serve the youth members. The Youth Committee makes recommendations to the entire board on programs, tournaments, fund raisers, etc. and the Board makes the final decision. On the adult side committees also make these same recommendations and the Board makes the final decision.
5. Meeting Notice
Written notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to the Board and Delegates* at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting.
6. Special Meetings
Special Delegate* meetings may be called by the President or upon written request of at least three Board members or at least twenty-five Delegates*.
7. Quorum
The Board and Delegates determine the number.
a. 41 Adult Delegates* representing adult members constitute a quorum.
b. 9 Youth Delegates* constitute a quorum for youth.
(A quorum of both Delegates and Youth Delegates must be present in order to conduct business..)
8. Action
A majority vote1 of the Board and Delegates present and voting, at a properly noticed meeting, when a quorum of both Delegates and Youth Delegates has been established, is required to take action, unless otherwise provided by law or these bylaws. Election of Officers requires a majority vote1. Election of Directors requires a majority vote1, unless plurality vote2 has been adopted in accordance with these bylaws. Election of Delegates/Alternates requires a plurality vote2. Absentee and proxy voting and other types of voting agreements are not permitted
Section B. Board Meeting
The board shall meet at least annually. Special meetings may be held upon the request of any board member if a majority of the board approves.
1. Notice. Written notice for all regular and special meetings shall be forwarded to the board at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
2. Quorum. Eleven (11) board members constitute a quorum. The delegates representing adult membership and Youth Representatives determine the number.
3. Action. A majority vote of the officers and directors, present and voting, at a properly noticed meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to take action, unless otherwise provided by law or these bylaws. Absentee and proxy voting are not permitted.
4. Action(s) Without a Meeting. Actions that are deemed necessary to conduct business/operations of the association may be taken outside of a Board meeting by use of mail, email or teleconferencing. This type of action must be permissible by state law and approved by the Board and Delegates.
a. The procedures found in the USBC Association Policy Manual, Chapter Eight, Section D, Item 4 must be followed.
b. The association does allow the Board to vote via mail, email, or teleconference. (This action also applies to committees.)
Section C. Parliamentary Procedure
The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, shall govern all meetings. |
|
Section A. Standing Committees
The association shall have the following Standing Committees: Youth and Finance.
1. Finance Committee. The committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the association’s financial matters.
2. Youth Committee. The Youth Committee is responsible for monitoring, promoting, reviewing and recommending youth programs conducted by the association.
Section B. Other Committees
The president may establish other committees, with board approval.
|
|
Section A. USBC Annual Meeting
Two Delegates and two Alternates are permitted and elected by plurality vote. (See Article VI, Section A, of the national bylaws for representation.)
Section B. Eligibility
Delegates and Alternates must be:
1. At least 18 years of age.
2. Adult. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.
Youth. USBC Youth member bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction.
If a member is elected to represent more than one association to attend the same meeting, the first election shall stand and any succeeding election shall be declared null and void.
Note: If the association’s charter has been revoked they are ineligible to send Delegates to the USBC Annual Meeting.
Section C. Election
Delegates and Alternates serve for one year, beginning August 1, and are elected by:
1. Board and Delegates*.
2. A slate.
3. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted, in writing, at least 24 hours prior to the opening of the annual meeting.
4. Plurality vote2.The election shall be by ballot, except that a voice vote may be taken when the number of candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be filled.
5. Alternates shall serve in order of their election.
The election is to be held in compliance with the USBC Annual Meeting requirements.
Section D. Vacancies
Vacancies in Delegate positions are filled for the unexpired portion of each term by the Alternates, in the order in which they were elected. If a vacancy still exists, the President fills the vacant position(s) by appointment. The appointee must also meet the same eligibility requirements as elected positions. |
|
Section A. Procedure
Any member of the association may submit proposed amendments to these bylaws. The association bylaws may be amended at any Membership meeting by a two-thirds vote of the Board and Delegates* present and voting. The amendment must be:
1. Submitted in writing to the Association Manager or President.
2. Submitted at least 60 days prior to the meeting when the association is considering the proposal. The date or number of days is to be set by the Board and Delegates*. (See Section B, for Change in Dues.)
3. Forwarded by the state association at least 15 days before the meeting to:
a. Local Association Managers.
b. Board.
c. Delegates*
Section B. Change in Dues
Forward a notice to each Board member and Delegate* at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed change is considered. The notice must:
1. Be in writing.
2. Specify the amount of the change.
3. Specify the reason for the change.
Section C. Effective Date
All amendments are effective August 1 following adoption, unless otherwise specified when adopted. |
|
The fiscal year of this association is August 1 through July 31. |
|
Directors, officers, and other authorized volunteers, employees or agents shall be indemnified against claims for personal and individual liability arising in connection with their positions or service on behalf of the association to the full extent permitted by law.
NEW FOOT NOTE:
The association has Delegates representing adult members and Youth Delegates representing USBC Youth members bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction. A quorum of both must be present to conduct business. A Delegtate votes once regardless if representing adults, youth or both. |
|
