By-Laws

TroyUSBC BA

Of the United States Bowling Congress

City of Watervliet, State of New York

Article I

 The Association is chartered by the United States Bowling Congress. The name of the organization is the Troy USBC BA.

Article II

Section A.              Non Profit Corporation

The association is organized as a nonprofit corporation and operates consistent with the requirements of an organization classified ass tax exempt under Section 501 ©(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 USBC BA members (men and women only).

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 Policy Manual.

5.                   Apply for renewal of its charter every five years.

 Article III

Purpose

 The purpose 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 © (3) IRC.

 Article IV

Membership Dues

 Membership is composed of individuals who pay dues to the association and is in effect from August 1 through July 31.

 An individual joining a summer league after March 15 shall pay the dues that are known to be, or become effective for the next current season and the next season.

 Each individual shall pay national, state (where applicable) and local dues, except as provided in Rule 100e.  Traveling League and 100i. Mail-o-Graphic League.

 The BA members by two-thirds vote determine and adopt local adult dues, if any.

The annual adult membership dues are as follows:

                                USBC     $10.00

                                Local      $ 5.00

                                State       $ 1.00

 The board may wave all or part of local dues for:

1.       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.

 Article V

Board of Directors - Management

Section A.

The management and governance of the association is vested in the board of directors.  The number of directors is determined by the members.

 The board shall not engage in any acts constituting a conflict of interest.  The board’s duties include but are not limited to:

1.       Enforcing the bylaws

2.    Complying with the USBC Association Manual

3.       Ensuring adherence to all USBC Performance Standards

4.       Conducting championship level competition for its membership constituency: (Men and women).

5.       Providing education, training, evaluations, recognition and other services as determined by USBC

6.       Implementing USBC programs

7.       Selecting/appointing the performance of the Association Manager

8.       Approving use of membership records

9.       Re-rating the league average of an association member when there is evidence the bowler’s average does not represent the bowler’s true ability

10.    Conducting suspension and reinstatement hearings

 Section B

A candidate for the board must be:

1.       A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout                their term.

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 to meet bonding requirements.

b.       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 of director.

Additional eligibility requirements, if any will be developed by the nominating committee to be approved by the BA membership.

Section C. Election

Directors are elected by a majority vote of the BA membership present and voting, from:

1.       A slate provided by the Nominating Committee

2.       Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee. Voting will be ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

Section D. Term

The term for directors is 3 years. The number of years in a term, the number of terms allowed and a stagger system are determined by the BA membership.

Section E.

1.       Resignation. A board member may resign from the board of directors 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 hearing following the Removal Procedures in the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter. An appeal may be filed with USBC with in 15days of the removal. Two-thirds written consent of the full board is required to seek re-election and/or reappointment to the board.

4.        Vacancies. Vacancies in positions on the board are filled for the un-expired portion of each term as follows:

a.       The president, with board approval shall fill vacancies in director positions

b.       The board fills vacancies in officer positions.

Article VI

Officers

Section A.

The officers of this association shall include a president and vice president (The association determines if more than one vice president or a sergeant-at-arms is necessary and defines their duties and responsibilities to be place in the association’s operation manual).

Section B. Election

Officers are elected by a majority vote of the BA membership, present and voting, from:

1.       A slate provided by the Nominating Committee

2.       Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted tot the Nominating Committee.

Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

Section C. Term

The term for elected officers is 2 years, not to exceed three years. The president may sere no more than 2 consecutive terms.

Section D. Duties

1.       President

a.       Presides at all meetings

b.       Acts as spokesperson for the association.

c.        Appoints committees, except nominating, with board approval.

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

The Association Manage is:

a.       Selected/appointed by and accountable to the board

b.       Responsible for implementation of USBC’s Performance Standards

c.        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

d.       Responsible for other duties as prescribed by the board and in the USBC Association Policy Manual.

 Article VII

Meetings

Section A. Annual Meeting

An Annual Meeting of the BA membership shall be at a time and place approved by the board of directors

1.       Member

Attendance is open to all members. Voting members, officers and directors must be at least 14 years of age, unless state laws mandate a specific age.

                2 Voice and Vote

                      BA membership, voting officers and directors of this association have voice and vote.

                       Members not meeting the above stated criteria may attend with voice only.

                       Absentee and proxy voting are not allowed.

                3.   Responsibilities: 

BA members shall:

1.       Adopt bylaws, including local dues amount, up to the established maximum

2.       Elect officers and directors to the board

3.       Elect delegates and alternates for the USBC and state annual meetings

4.   Meeting Notice

Written notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to the board and league secretaries, at least 15      days prior to the annual meeting.

Special meetings may be called by the president or upon written request of at least three board members.

                5.   Quorum

                                   35 Members constitute a quorum. The members determine the number.

6.   Action

A majority vote of those members, 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.

Election of officers/directors requires a majority vote. Election of delegates and alternates requires plurality vote. Absentee and proxy voting are not allowed.

 Section B.  Board Meeting

The board shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings may be held upon the request of any board member if a majority of the board approve.

1.       Notice: Written notice for all regular and special meetings shall be forwarded to the board, which should be at least 15 days prior to the start of the meeting

2.       Quorum. 10 Board members constitute a quorum. The members 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.

 Section C. Parliamentary Procedure

The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, governs all meetings.

 Article VIII

Committee

Section A. Standing Committee

The association shall have the following Standing Committees, Nominating and Finance.

1.       Nominating Committee. The committee reviews candidates and prepares slates and publicizes criteria and procedures for the elected positions for the board and delegates/alternates to state and USBC annual meetings.

2.       Finance Committee, The committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the annual budget and other financial matters.

 Section B. Other Committees

The president may establish other committees, with board approval.

Article IX

Delegates, Alternates

 Section A.  USBC Annual Meeting

Delegates and alternates to the USBC annual meeting are elected by plurality vote by those members present and voting.

 Section B.  State Annual Meeting

Delegates and alternates to the state annual meeting are elected by plurality vote by those members, officers and directors present and voting

 Section C.  Eligibility

1.       USBC Annual Meeting. Delegates and Alternates must be:

a.       Elected by the BA members, officers and directors

b.       At least 18 years of age

c.        A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.

2.       State Annual Meeting. Nominees must be:

a.       Elected by the BA members, officers and directors

b.       At least 14 years of age

c.        A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.

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.

 A local association is not eligible to send delegates/alternates if is declared delinquent or USBC ha revoked its charter.

 Section D. Election

Delegates/alternates serve for one year, beginning August 1 and are selected by

1.       A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.

2.       Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee.

3.       Plurality vote. The election shall be by ballot, except that voice vote may be taken when the number of candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be filled.

4.       Alternates shall serve in order of their election.

The election is to be held in compliance with the USBC or State Annual Meeting requirements at which the delegates will represent the association.

 Section E. Vacancies

Vacancies are filled for the un-expired portion of each term as follows:

If elected by the members, vacancies are filled by the alternates in the order in which they were elected. If a vacancy still exists the president fills the vacant position by appointment.

The appointee must also meet the same eligibility requirements as elected positions.

 Article X

Amendments

Section A Procedure

Any member of the association may submit proposed amendments to these bylaws. The local association bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting, by a two-thirds vote of the officers and directors and the BA membership present and voting. The amendment must be:

1.       Submitted in writing to the Association Manager or president.

2.       Submitted at least 30 days p [prior to the meeting when the association is considering the proposal

 Section B. Change in Dues

Forward a notice at least 15 days prior t the meeting at which the proposal change is considered to the BA league Secretaries

The notice must:

1.       Be in writing

2.       Specify the amount of the change

3.       Specify the reason for the change

 Notification of any adopted changes in dues, and the reason for the change, will be forwarded, in writing to each BA secretary.

 Section C. Effective Date

All amendments are effective August 1, following adoption, unless otherwise specified when adopted.

 Article XI

Fiscal Year

 The fiscal year of this association is August 1 through July 31.

 Article XII

Indemnification

 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.