Unit 237 Bylaws
The Unit functions within the By-Laws and Regulations of the American Contract Bridge League and District No. 16.
(a) To preserve and promote the best interests of and to stimulate interest in the art of playing competitive duplicate contract bridge and any modifications thereof;
(b) To cooperate with, and assist the League in the promotion and conduct of contract bridge tournaments;
(c) To encourage the highest standards of conduct and ethics by its members, and to enforce such standards;
(d) To promote the development and organization of affiliated clubs within the Unit;
(e) To cooperate in the League's charity program and to sponsor and conduct charity events with the object of realizing funds to be devoted to worthy humanitarian causes.
(f) To conduct such other activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives.
The geographical area within which this Unit shall have jurisdiction shall be such area as it presently or may in the future be assigned to it by the BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ACBL.
A-Any person of good moral character and residing within the jurisdiction of the Unit, subject or District regulations, is eligible for membership, and no person shall be denied membership because of race, creed or color.
B-Such person, upon favorable action shall become and remain a member unless:
(1) He changes his residence to a place outside the jurisdiction of the Unit, in which case he shall become a member of the new Unit immediately on processing by the League of his change of address;
(2) He has failed to pay his dues In accordance with regulations of the American Contract Bridge League;
(3) He has been suspended or expelled from membership in accordance with regulations established by the American Contract Bridge League and the Board of Directors of the Unit, provided, however, that such regulations shall conform to the rules of due process applicable to membership corporations, and that such regulations as are established by the Board of Directors of the Unit shall not be in conflict with the regulations of the American Contract Bridge League.
C-Membership in the Unit carries with it membership in the American Contract Bridge League.
Annual dues shall be in the amount fixed by the ACBL. ARTICLE lV
A-There shall be an annual meeting of the members, which may be held in connection with a tournament or specIal event which Unit members attend.
B-The UNIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall fix the time and place of the annual meeting and shall give appropriate notice of such meeting.
C-Special meetings of the members may be called at any time to consider specific subject matters by the Unit Board of Directors or by the President, or by petition of the members. Notice of the time and place of any special meeting shall be given at least 10 days before such meeting. The President shall declare the minimum number of members for a Quorum at each special meeting.
A-Number of Directors
(1) The affairs of the Unit shall be managed and conducted by the UNIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS which shall consist of one director for every 20 members of the Unit. Said directors shall conduct, manage, and supervise all the business of the Unit, and they shall be the sole judges of their membership.
(2) The Directors shall serve staggered terms, one third of the Directors being elected to serve three year terms annually, and shall continue to hold office until his successor shall be duly elected. The commencement of the term shall be established by regulations of the Unit Board of Directors.
B-Nomination and Election of Directors Candidates for Director shall be nominated and elected from the membership of the Unit.
C-Vacancies Any vacancy on the Unit Board of Directors shall be filled by the Board of Directors and the persons so appointed shall hold office for, the balance of the unexpired term.
D-Meetings The Unit Board of Directors shall hold a minimum of 3 meetings a year, one of which shall be designated the annual meeting. Absence from two (2) consecutive meetings may be cause for removal of a Director.
E-Quorum A quorum of the Unit Board of Directors for the transaction of business shall consist of not less than a majority of the Board.
F-Powers and Duties In addition to the powers herein granted by other provisions hereof, and by the laws of the State of Texas, the Unit Board of Directors shall have powers and duties including but not limited to:
(1) The conduct, management, supervision and control of the business of the Unit;
(2) Conduct of Unit tournaments;
(3) The employment and discharging of employees, and the supervision of their conduct and fixing of their compensation;
(4) The Unit Board of Directors shall be the sole judge of its membership.
A-Number The officers of the Unit shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer to be elected by the Directors at the annual meeting. Any vacancies shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
The President shall appoint such committees as may be necessary to perform the functions of the organization. Standing committees shall be appointed with the approval of the Unit Board of Directors.
Amendment to the By-Laws may be made by the members of the Unit upon petition signed by at least 20 percent of the membership and submitted to the Secretary at least thirty (30)days in advance of the annual meeting on any special meeting called for the purpose or upon petition signed by at least 50 percent of the members of the unit Board of Directors.