CHEYENNE UNIT 421 BY-LAWS
AMERICAN CONTRACT BRIDGE LEAGUE
Revised: March, 2019
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be Cheyenne Unit 421 of the American Contract Bridge League, herein after known as ACBL.
Section 2. The Unit is a subsidiary of ACBL; recognizes ACBL as the parent organization, having authority and control over tournament bridge in the United States; exists under the sanction of ACBL and functions within the Constitution, Bylaws and Regulations of ACBL. The geographical area assigned to the unit within which it may operate is Platte, Goshen and Laramie Counties, Wyoming.
ARTICLE II
OBJECT
The object of this organization shall be to preserve and promote the best interests of competitive contract bridge and any modifications thereof, to cooperate with and assist the ACBL in the promotion and conduct of contract bridge tournaments; to encourage the highest standards of conduct and ethics by its members and to enforce such standards; to consider and pass upon reports of dishonest, unethical or improper conduct of participants in tournaments and games; to bar or suspend persons guilty of such conduct from further participation; to promote the development and organization of affiliated clubs within the Unit; and to conduct such other activities as may be in keeping with its principle objectives.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Any person of good moral character who resides within the playing area of the Unit is eligible for membership.
a. Except as maybe herein otherwise provided, a member shall enjoy and possess all rights of membership equally with all other members. There must be a waiting period of thirty (30) days before new members are qualified to vote in Unit elections.
b. Membership in the Unit shall carry with it membership in the American Contract Bridge League. No one may be a member of more than one Unit. If a member changes his official residence to a location outside of the playing area of the Unit, until he is accepted for membership by a Unit in the area of his new residence, he shall remain a member of the previous Unit.
Section 2. Dues
a. A person shall become a member upon payment of the annual dues which shall be in the amount fixed by ACBL.
b. The payment of dues shall bind the applicant to full compliance with and adherence to these Bylaws, the Unit’s Charter and the Charter and Bylaws of the American Contract Bridge League.
c. Membership dues are payable every twelve months. If dues are not paid within one month after their due date, the individual becomes an “inactive” member. Inactive members may reinstate their membership by sending the current membership fees to ACBL.
d. Any person elected to membership shall pay dues for the entire year without abatement.
e. The Board of Directors shall have no power to levy any special assessment. It is permissible to request voluntary subscriptions to a Unit publication.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1. The annual meeting of the members shall be held in March on a Unit bridge game day.
a. The Board of Directors shall fix the time and place of the annual meeting. At least fourteen (14) days prior to the annual meeting, the Board of Directors shall mail or email to each member the time and place of the annual meeting, a report of the Nominating Committee, a statement as to how other nominations may be made, and any proposed amendments to these Bylaws.
b. Business of the annual meeting shall be: (1) voting on proposed Bylaw amendments; (2) election of members to the Board of Directors; (3) consideration of annual financial statement; (4) any other business that may be properly brought before the membership.
c. The fiscal year for the Unit shall begin on March 1 and shall end on the last day of February of the following year.
Section 2. Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the Board of Directors or the President upon fourteen (14) days written notice, sent by mail or email to all members.
a. The notice of any special meeting shall contain an Agenda of all the matters to be taken up at such meeting.
b. A quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting or any special meeting shall consist of twenty-five (25) percent of the membership.
c. A quorum being present, all motions are passed by a majority of those present legally entitled to vote. Bylaw revisions require an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those present and entitled to vote.
ARTICLE V.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The affairs of the Unit shall be managed and conducted by the Board of Directors which shall consist of seven (7) members. A quorum of the Board of Directors for transaction of business shall consist of four (4) Board members present (Officers and Standing Committees)
a. All Unit board members must be active ACBL members and must belong to ACBL through the Unit they represent.
b. No professional members, including but not limited to, active, rated tournament directors, professional players, club owners, or club directors who derive a portion of their income from the game of bridge, are eligible to serve on the Unit board.
e. The term of office shall begin on April 1 and continue until March 31 of the following year or until a successor has been duly elected.
d. A vacancy in the office of President is automatically filled by the Vice President. All other board vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the current Board of Directors.
e. The Board of Directors shall meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month or at a time and place to be determined by the President.
Section 2. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be elected for a two-year term. The board shall include at least one member who is a current ACBL Director, one who has obtained the rank of at least Bronze Life Master and should include at least one non-life master. Elections will occur each year for persons whose term is expiring. Any member may be re- elected for another two (2) year term.
Section 3. A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors at least forty-five (45) days prior to the annual membership meeting. The committee shall be composed of three (3) unit members, with one who is a member of the Board of Directors. The President shall not appoint this committee nor be a member of it, even ex-officio.
a. Members of the Nominating Committee are not barred from becoming nominees for board membership.
b. The Nominating Committee, before making its report, must contact each person whom it wishes to nominate in order to obtain his/her acceptance of nomination and assurance of his/her willingness to serve.
c. The report of the Nominating Committee should always be formally presented at the Annual Meeting. A Nominating Committee is automatically discharged following the annual meeting.
Section 4. Elections
a. Election procedure requires that after the Nominating Committee has presented its report and before voting takes place, the President must call for further nominations from the floor. No second to a member’s nomination is required, but permission of the nominee must have been previously secured.
b. Elections shall be by written ballot only if nominations have been made from the floor. A ballot with the names of the nominees presented by the Nominating Committee and a place for additional nominees shall be distributed prior to the election. ACBL does not permit proxy votes. The Nominating Committee shall also serve as the Election Tellers.
Section 5. Officers and Standing Committee Chairman shall be elected by the new board members at a special Board Meeting to be held within four weeks after the Annual/Special meeting.
a. Officers
1. President. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the Unit Board of Directors.
The President may not serve more than three consecutive two-year terms, although he/she may continue to be a member of the Board of Directors. The President may be an ex- officio member of all committees (except the Nominating Committee) and has the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the proceedings of the committees; and he/she is not counted in the quorum. The President shall appoint a Recorder to serve the Unit. The President may appoint Special Committees as necessary with the approval of the Board. When a Special Committee has finished the business assigned to it, it ceases to exist as soon as its final report has been given. The fact that an annual meeting intervenes does not discharge a Special Committee. The President will have master keys and will provide key sets to those members as deemed necessary to complete their tasks. The President shall perform such duties as pertain to the office and are not herein expressly provided.
2. Vice-President. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall take the chair and assume and perform other duties that the President and the Board may assign. He/she shall assume the office of the President should a vacancy occur. The Vice- President shall also serve as Parliamentarian for the unit and will be responsible for adherence to the Unit By-Laws. The Vice-President shall also plan appropriate recognition of Unit members bereavements, sicknesses, and special occasions such as Life Master recognitions.
3. Secretary. He/she is the recording officer of the Unit, and the custodian of its records, except those specifically assigned to others; shall keep on file all committee reports; make the minutes and records available to members upon request; furnish committees with whatever documents are required for the performance of their duties; sign all certified copies of acts of the Unit unless otherwise specified by the Bylaws.
4. Treasurer. He/she is the officer entrusted with the Unit’s funds, securities, and other assets; deposits such funds in the bank(s) or financial institution(s) designated by the Board; pays Unit obligations from the funds as directed by the Board; and keeps accurate records. The Treasurer is required to make a full financial report annually, and to make a monthly report to the Board. He/she shall arrange for an annual audit of all receipts and disbursements to be prepared by someone approved by the Board.
5. Unit Club Manager. He/she may appoint an Assistant Club Manager and committee members to assist with the Manager’s duties to include responsibility for game day setup and take down. The Unit Club Manager is accountable to ACBL for the enforcement of ACBL rules and regulations in all sanctioned games which the club conducts. The Unit Club Manager will assist the President in disciplinary actions. He/she must supervise the following activities: maintain a current official membership roll; prepare and file a monthly master point report form; correspond with ACBL on club game matters; apply for sanction renewals; and report any change of Club Manager or session changes on a form provided by ACBL. He/she shall act as the official liaison between ACBL and the Unit for the Grand National Teams and North American Pairs (GNT-NAP).
b. Standing Committees
1. Hospitality Chairperson.
He or she will serve as host for each unit game or provide a substitute who will take care of the coffee and snacks etc. A committee may be formed if needed. He/she may assist the Unit with other special events such as the annual tournament and Holiday Party. When necessary, a budget will be submitted for approval by the Board.
2. Public Relations and Education Chairperson.
Publicize Unit and Tournament activities. Increase public awareness of ACBL and its charitable and educational activities. Coordinates with other members who provide formal educational activities for the education and retention of the unit’s membership. Reports on the status of those activities to the Board. A committee may be formed if needed. When necessary, a budget will be submitted for approval by the Board.
c. Special Committees
These committee Chairs fall under the purview of the unit President, are appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors. When necessary, a budget will be submitted for approval by the Board.
1. Indian Paintbrush Tournament Chairman. The Tournament Chair shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board. The Tournament Chairman will select a vice-chairman and other Tournament committee chairman as necessary. The Tournament Chairman directs all pre-tournament arrangements. The Tournament Chairman may delegate duties and authority but has final responsibility for all decisions regarding the tournament. He/she is the Unit’s liaison with the Director in Charge and should discuss specifics with the DIC at proper times.
2. Discipline.
When Discipline becomes necessary, the President or his or her representative, the Club Manager and one non-Board member will review the ACBL Handbook and Code of Disciplinary Regulations and will determine what action is necessary. Serious actions such as removal of a member will be voted on by the entire Board of Directors. The Recorder will keep written file of all incidents and actions.
3. Annual Holiday Party Chairperson. Appointed by the President, he or she will provide regular updates to the Board of Directors. Chairperson will form a committee for assistance and the Hospitality Chairperson may be a member of the committee.
4. Annual General Meeting Chairperson. The President will appoint a chairperson for the Annual Meeting and he or she will form a committee for assistance. He or she is responsible for the Agenda which includes Board’s summary of events and activities during the year, recognition and awards presentation, changes to the Unit By-Laws, The annual dinner follows the meeting and is the responsibility of this committee.
5. Equipment and Supplies Chairperson.
Responsible for overseeing and maintaining equipment and supplies for the unit. A formal, written inventory list is established and maintained. Ordering supplies and maintaining inventory levels, such as convention cards, green pass cards, bidder boxes and tournament supplies. He or she also coordinates with other unit members to insure card tables, section cards, bidder boxes, etc. are taken to big games and special events such as the Holiday Party.
d. Recorder. The Recorder is an impartial member, appointed by the President, who will receive, investigate and respond to player’s reports concerning conduct and ethics. Results for the investigation may result in referral to the Discipline Committee. He or she is knowledgeable of bridge rules and regulations and the ACBL Handbook and Code of Disciplinary Regulations.
Section 6. In addition to the powers granted by other provisions of these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the power to contract for services. They may censure, suspend, expel or otherwise discipline any member. The Unit has jurisdiction over members of the Unit and those residing within the Unit’s geographical boundaries, and those persons participating in a sanctioned event within its geographical boundaries. Detailed rules and regulations by which this Unit is regulated are outlined in the ACBL handbook.
ARTICLE VI
BYLAW AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended or revised at the Annual Meeting or any special meeting called for that purpose, provided that notification has been mailed or emailed to all unit members fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting. A quorum being present (twenty five (25) percent of the Unit Membership) an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those present and entitled to vote is required to make any change.
Section 2. Upon passage of any amendment(s) and/or revision to these Bylaws, they shall be printed as amended with the following entered immediately below the title; revised: month, year.
Section 3. A copy of the revised Bylaws shall be made available to each member in good standing, and a copy shall be mailed to ACBL headquarters.
ARTICLE VII
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in “Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised” shall govern the Unit in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws.
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