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The Bylaws page is divided into 3 parts:
PART 1: Current bylaws as amended.
PART 2: Amendments to the bylaws, with earliest at the bottom.
PART 3: The original bylaws.
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PART 1 - Current Bylaws as Amended
Bylaws of the Chattanooga Bocce Club
ARTICLE I - Name, Purpose, Exemption
SECTION 1. Name. The name of the Club shall be Chattanooga Bocce Club.
SECTION 2. Purpose. To encourage and support the play and development of bocce in the Chattanooga area.
SECTION 3. Exempt Organization. No part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit of, or the distribution to, its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the Club shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I, Section 2 hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the Club shall be in the participation in, or intervention in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, the Club shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from income tax under Section 501c (4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE II - Membership
SECTION 1. Eligibility. Application for membership is open to anyone who has reached the age of eighteen years.
SECTION 2. Membership Process. Requires submission of name, mailing address, phone # and/or e-mail address, and appropriate dues to the Membership Committee or Treasurer.
SECTION 3. Dues and Bocce Season. Dues amount to be established and adjusted by the Board of
Directors. Payable annually and due by March 1st, with the Bocce Season running from March 1st to March 1st of the next year. Those joining after September 1st will pay a pro-rated amount of one half of the annual amount.
SECTION 4. Resignation, Lapse, Suspension or Expulsion.
(a) Resignation. Any Member may resign by signed letter addressed to the Club. No refund of dues already paid will be required of the Club.
(b) Lapse. All Club privileges lapse after June 30th for any Member whose dues have not been paid. Reinstatement can be accomplished by payment of the full dues amount.
(c) Suspension or Expulsion. The Board of Directors may recommend suspension or expulsion of a Member at any time for infraction of Club rules or for any other cause, if the majority of the Board deems the action in the best interests of the Club. Suspension of a Member would occur only by majority vote of the Membership in attendance at a Special Meeting called by the Board in the proscribed manner specified below. The Member in question would be afforded the opportunity to be heard in person or through a representative prior to a vote by the Membership on the subject of suspension or expulsion.
ARTICLE III - Meetings of the Members and Voting Rights
SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Club shall be held each calendar year on a date designated by the Board of Directors as close as practical to the beginning of the Club for the purpose of presenting the reports of officers and committees, and such other business as may lawfully come before the meeting. The time and place for the annual meeting shall be established by the Board of Directors who shall also arrange for an annual convention for the Membership to be held in conjunction therewith.
SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Club may be called at any time by the Board of Directors on its own motion, and must be called by the Board on petition of at least 6% of the total Membership of the Club. Such meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Board shall determine.
SECTION 3. Notice. A written notice of each annual and special meeting stating the place, hour, date and purpose thereof shall be mailed by the office of the Club to every Member not less than 14 nor more than 45 days before such meeting. No action shall be taken at any annual or special meeting of the Members unless the intention to consider the subject matter has been set forth in the notice of the meeting.
SECTION 4. Voting. Each Member shall have one vote on each and every matter submitted to a vote of the Members. At all meetings except as provided by law, the Members entitled to vote who are present shall constitute a quorum. All actions except as otherwise provided by law, by the Club’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, shall be by majority of those Members present and voting. Presence and voting by proxy may be allowed at the discretion of, and in accordance with, rules prescribed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV - Board of Directors
SECTION 1. Jurisdiction. The affairs and property of the Club shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of nine Members of the Club elected in the manner set forth below.
SECTION 2. Nominations. Any Member may nominate any qualified Member to be a candidate for election to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3. Alternate Board Members. At annual or special meetings, the Membership shall elect Alternate Board Members of a number such that, at the time of that election, three would be available to fill a vacancy or vacancies on the Board resulting from resignations, death, illness, or other cause that prevents a Board Member from executing his or her Board responsibilities. The standing Board will determine which of the available Alternate Board Members will fill the vacancy. The Alternate will serve on the Board only until regular Membership election of Board Members occurs.
SECTION 4. Election and Terms of Directors.
(a) The individual directors shall be elected or re-elected annually by the Membership at the Annual Meeting and may be elected or re-elected at duly convened Special Meetings.
(b) There is no limit to the number of annual terms a Director may serve.
(c) The seven nominees receiving the most votes are elected Directors.
(d) The next two nominees are elected Alternate Directors.
(e) Ties in the voting shall be settled by a radom method such as drawing names or coin flips.
SECTION 5. Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum, which may act in any manner within its competence by vote of a majority of the Directors present while a quorum is present.
SECTION 6. Removal of a Director. The Board of Directors may at any regular or special meeting, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of those Directors voting, remove a Director from office for infraction of any club rule or any other cause, including physical or mental incapacity to serve, conflict of interest, conviction of a felony, or behavior detrimental to the Club or deemed not in the Club’s best interest. Written notice of the proposed action must be sent to all Directors at least 30 days prior to the meeting. The Director whose directorship is in question shall be given an opportunity to be heard at the meeting, but shall have no vote on the question.
ARTICLE V - Officers
SECTION 1. Election. A special meeting of newly elected and continuing Directors shall be held between the time of the annual election and the next April 1st for the purpose of electing officers. The newly constituted Board of Directors shall elect from its number a chairperson, vice-chairperson, treasurer, secretary, and appoint from the Board and general membership such committee members and committee chairpersons and such assistants as it deems desirable. All such officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall qualify.
SECTION 2. Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Members and of the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall supervise the keeping of a current role of all Club members and be custodian of the Club Records. In the absence of the chairperson, or in the case of death, resignation, or inability to act, his or her duties shall be performed by the vice chairperson. The chairperson shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of all boards and committees.
SECTION 3. Secretary. The Director who was chosen Secretary or a designated assistant shall:
(a) attend all meetings of the Members and the Board of Directors.
(b) record minutes thereof in a book kept for that purpose.
(c) in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. Treasurer. The Director who was chosen Treasurer shall have
care of all assets and liabilities of the Club, subject to the direction of the
Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI - Administration
SECTION 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall establish the
policies of the Club and shall oversee and direct the implementation and
execution of such policies and the administration of the affairs of the Club.
SECTION 2. Appointment of Committees. The Board of Directors shall
appoint such other committees as shall be necessary to regulate the
competition activities of the Club and to advise and assist the Board of
Directors concerning the affairs of the Club, and shall appoint the
chairperson thereof.
SECTION 3. Committees. The jurisdiction and procedures of such
committees shall be established by the Board of Directors, which shall also
specify the tenure of committee members and establish rules for the
determination of quorums and voting for all committees.
SECTION 4. Rules. Meetings of the Membership, Board of Directors,
Committees, and any other Club organizations, shall be conducted by
following Robert’s Rules of Order.
SECTION 5. Conflict of Interest. No officer or Director of the Club may
participate in, or attempt to influence any decision by the Club affecting
his or her own personal business interest, or otherwise use his or her
official position for personal gain.
SECTION 6. The specific purpose of the Chattanooga Bocce Club is to encourage and support the play and development of bocce in the Chattanooga area. Official recitation of pledges, creeds, and prayers shall be avoided.
ARTICLE VII - Amendment
The Board of Directors, or five percent or more of the Membership, may
propose an amendment to the Bylaws of the Club by submitting such
proposal in writing to the Club Secretary. A proposal submitted by the
Members shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors, which will consider
the propriety of the proposal, taking into account the intent of the
Petitioners, and shall draft the proposed amendment into suitable
language. Proposals of either origin shall be submitted to the vote of the
entire Membership at the annual meeting or at a special meeting. Each
Member shall be entitled to one vote on each proposal submitted to the
Membership. If at least two-thirds of the Members voting at said meeting
vote in favor of the amendment, it shall be adopted. The outcome of the
vote shall be published for the information of the entire Membership.
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PART 2 - Amendments to the Bylaws
Third Amendment of the Chattanooga Bocce Club Bylaws.
At a Special Meeting of the Membership of the CBC on April 24, 2008, the Memership voted to adopt the
following statement: "The specific purpose of the Chattanooga Bocce Club is to encourage and support
the play and development of bocce in the Chattanooga area. Official recitation of pledges, creeds, and prayers shall be
avoided." This statement is inserted into ARTICLE VI as SECTION 6.
Second Amendment of the Chattanooga Bocce Club Bylaws.
At the Annual Meeting of the CBC on May 5, 2005, the Membership voted to:
1. Establish the Club bocce season and membership year as running from March 1st to March 1st of the next year. This altered ARTICLE II, SECTION 3.
2. To hold the Annual Membership Meeting as close as practical to the beginning of the Club season. This altered ARTICLE III, SECTION 1.
3. To reduce the number of Club Board Members to seven, with two alternates. This altered ARTICLE IV, SECTION 4. (c) and (d).
First Amendment of the Chattanooga Bocce Club Bylaws.
At the Annual Meeting of the CBC on February 22, 2003, the membership voted to change ARTICLE IV, SECTION 4. to read thusly:
SECTION 4. Election and Terms of Directors.
(a) The individual directors shall be elected or re-elected annually by the Membership at the Annual Meeting and may be elected or re-elected at duly convened Special Meetings.
(b) There is no limit to the number of annual terms a Director may serve.
(c) The nine nominees receiving the most votes are elected Directors.
(d) The next three nominees are elected Alternate Directors.
(e) Ties in the voting shall be settled.by a random method such as drawing names or coin flips.
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Bylaws of the Chattanooga Bocce Club June 22, 2002
ARTICLE I - Name, Purpose, Exemption
SECTION 1. Name. The name of the Club shall be Chattanooga Bocce Club.
SECTION 2. Purpose. To encourage and support the play and development of bocce in the Chattanooga area.
SECTION 3. Exempt Organization. No part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit of, or the distribution to, its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the Club shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distribution in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I, Section 2 hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the Club shall be in the participation in, or intervention in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, the Club shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from income tax under Section 501c (4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE II - Membership
SECTION 1. Eligibility. Application for membership is open to anyone who has reached the age of eighteen years.
SECTION 2. Membership Process. Requires submission of name, mailing address, phone # and/or e-mail address, and appropriate dues to the Membership Committee or Treasurer.
SECTION 3. Dues. Amount to be established and adjusted by the Board of
Directors. Payable annually and due by the end of June. Those joining after January 1st will pay a pro-rated amount of one half of the annual amount.
SECTION 4. Resignation, Lapse, Suspension or Expulsion.
(a) Resignation. Any Member may resign by signed letter addressed to the Club. No refund of dues already paid will be required of the Club.
(b) Lapse. All Club privileges lapse after June 30th for any Member whose dues have not been paid. Reinstatement can be accomplished by payment of the full dues amount.
(c) Suspension or Expulsion. The Board of Directors may recommend suspension or expulsion of a Member at any time for infraction of Club rules or for any other cause, if the majority of the Board deems the action in the best interests of the Club. Suspension of a Member would occur only by majority vote of the Membership in attendance at a Special Meeting called by the Board in the proscribed manner specified below. The Member in question would be afforded the opportunity to be heard in person or through a representative prior to a vote by the Membership on the subject of suspension or expulsion.
ARTICLE III - Meetings of the Members and Voting Rights
SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Club shall be held each calendar year on a date in February designated by the Board of Directors for presenting the reports of officers and committees, and such other business as may lawfully come before the meeting. The time and place for the annual meeting shall be established by the Board of Directors who shall also arrange for an annual convention for the Membership to be held in conjunction therewith.
SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Club may be called at any time by the Board of Directors on its own motion, and must be called by the Board on petition of at least 6% of the total Membership of the Club. Such meetings shall be held at such times and places as the Board shall determine.
SECTION 3. Notice. A written notice of each annual and special meeting stating the place, hour, date and purpose thereof shall be mailed by the office of the Club to every Member not less than 14 nor more than 45 days before such meeting. No action shall be taken at any annual or special meeting of the Members unless the intention to consider the subject matter has been set forth in the notice of the meeting.
SECTION 4. Voting. Each Member shall have one vote on each and every matter submitted to a vote of the Members. At all meetings except as provided by law, the Members entitled to vote who are present shall constitute a quorum. All actions except as otherwise provided by law, by the Club’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, shall be by majority of those Members present and voting. Presence and voting by proxy may be allowed at the discretion of, and in accordance with, rules prescribed by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV - Board of Directors
SECTION 1. Jurisdiction. The affairs and property of the Club shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of nine Members of the Club elected in the manner set forth below.
SECTION 2. Nominations. Any Member may nominate any qualified Member to be a candidate for election to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3. Alternate Board Members. At annual or special meetings, the Membership shall elect Alternate Board Members of a number such that, at the time of that election, three would be available to fill a vacancy or vacancies on the Board resulting from resignations, death, illness, or other cause that prevents a Board Member from executing his or her Board responsibilities. The standing Board will determine which of the available Alternate Board Members will fill the vacancy. The Alternate will serve on the Board only until regular Membership election of Board Members occurs.
SECTION 4. Terms. Term in office for any Regular Board Member, shall be limited to two consecutive terms or two consecutive calendar years, whichever is greater. These restrictions will not prevent a Member from being reelected to the Board later.
Alternate Board Members may serve continuously if reelected annually.
SECTION 5. Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum, which may act in any manner within its competence by vote of a majority of the Directors present while a quorum is present.
SECTION 6. Removal of a Director. The Board of Directors may at any regular or special meeting, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of those Directors voting, remove a Director from office for infraction of any club rule or any other cause, including physical or mental incapacity to serve, conflict of interest, conviction of a felony, or behavior detrimental to the Club or deemed not in the Club’s best interest. Written notice of the proposed action must be sent to all Directors at least 30 days prior to the meeting. The Director whose directorship is in question shall be given an opportunity to be heard at the meeting, but shall have no vote on the question.
ARTICLE V - Officers
SECTION 1. Election. A special meeting of newly elected and continuing Directors shall be held between the time of the annual election and the next April 1st for the purpose of electing officers. The newly constituted Board of Directors shall elect from its number a chairperson, vice-chairperson, treasurer, secretary, and appoint from the Board and general membership such committee members and committee chairpersons and such assistants as it deems desirable. All such officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall qualify.
SECTION 2. Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Members and of the Board of Directors. The chairperson shall supervise the keeping of a current role of all Club members and be custodian of the Club Records. In the absence of the chairperson, or in the case of death, resignation, or inability to act, his or her duties shall be performed by the vice chairperson. The chairperson shall be a non-voting ex-officio member of all boards and committees.
SECTION 3. Secretary. The Director who was chosen Secretary or a designated assistant shall:
(a) attend all meetings of the Members and the Board of Directors.
(b) record minutes thereof in a book kept for that purpose.
(c) in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. Treasurer. The Director who was chosen Treasurer shall have
care of all assets and liabilities of the Club, subject to the direction of the
Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI - Administration
SECTION 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall establish the
policies of the Club and shall oversee and direct the implementation and
execution of such policies and the administration of the affairs of the Club.
SECTION 2. Appointment of Committees. The Board of Directors shall
appoint such other committees as shall be necessary to regulate the
competition activities of the Club and to advise and assist the Board of
Directors concerning the affairs of the Club, and shall appoint the
chairperson thereof.
SECTION 3. Committees. The jurisdiction and procedures of such
committees shall be established by the Board of Directors, which shall also
specify the tenure of committee members and establish rules for the
determination of quorums and voting for all committees.
SECTION 4. Rules. Meetings of the Membership, Board of Directors,
Committees, and any other Club organizations, shall be conducted by
following Robert’s Rules of Order.
SECTION 5. Conflict of Interest. No officer or Director of the Club may
participate in, or attempt to influence any decision by the Club affecting
his or her own personal business interest, or otherwise use his or her
official position for personal gain.
ARTICLE VII - Amendment
The Board of Directors, or five percent or more of the Membership, may
propose an amendment to the Bylaws of the Club by submitting such
proposal in writing to the Club Secretary. A proposal submitted by the
Members shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors, which will consider
the propriety of the proposal, taking into account the intent of the
Petitioners, and shall draft the proposed amendment into suitable
language. Proposals of either origin shall be submitted to the vote of the
entire Membership at the annual meeting or at a special meeting. Each
Member shall be entitled to one vote on each proposal submitted to the
Membership. If at least two-thirds of the Members voting at said meeting
vote in favor of the amendment, it shall be adopted. The outcome of the
vote shall be published for the information of the entire Membership.
