By-Laws

The original By-laws were adopted by the charter members in attendance at the organization meeting held at Lake Saint Louis Country Club on Sunday, November 14, 1971 at 2:00 PM.

By-Laws Drafted by: Gary Johnson, Paul Flemming, John Beard and Paul Mack.

The By-laws were amended by 2/3 majority vote of the members present or by proxy on November 16, 2009 and are as follows:

I. Purposes

The purposes of the Lake Saint Louis Sailing and Paddling Club (LSLSPC) are to promote sailing, sailboat racing, paddling and rowing, and to encourage water safety and good seamanship primarily on Lake Saint Louis and Lake Sainte Louise.

II. Status of Organization

The LSLSPC shall be subservient to and an adjunct of the Community Association.

III. Membership

Section 1: Membership shall be open to any individual or member of a family who, in turn, is a member in good standing of the Lake Saint Louis Community Association and is interested in and willing to support the purposes of the Organization.

Section 2: Classes of membership. There shall be five classes of membership: Individual, Family, Senior, Junior, and Honorary. With the exception of a Junior and Senior Memberships, all classes of membership include the entire immediate family thus granting all family members privileges of that class of membership.

a. Individual Membership. Individual persons between the ages of 22 and 59 may be a member of the club and participate all club activities, including racing and social events.
b. Family Membership. Same as Individual Membership (See above) except a different dues structure may apply and all immediate family members are entitled to participate in all club activities.
c. Senior Membership. A person over the age of 59 may join the LSLSPC. They have the right to participate in all club activities. For social functions they may invite family members as guests.
d. Junior Membership. A person under the age of 21, with the permission of a parent or legal guardian' may join the LSLSPC. They have the right to participate in all club activities. For age appropriate social functions they may invite family members as guests.
e. Honorary Membership. An honorary membership may be voted to any persons for a specified duration of time by majority vote of the Board of Directors. Honorary members have the right to participate in all club activities.
Section 3: An eligible person desiring to become a member shall make written application on a form proscribed by the LSLSPC Board of directors and shall submit with the application payment of current dues, fees and or assessments.
Section 4: The privileges of holding office in the LSLSPC and voting in meetings shall be limited to Individual, Family, and Senior members. Only one vote per family membership shall be allowed.
Section 5: The privileges of holding office in the LSLSPC junior club and voting in meetings shall be limited to Junior members.

IV. Directors and Officers

Section 1: The Board of Directors will consist of 8 members as follows:

a. The directors elected at large for three-year terms on a rotating basis with one new director elected each year.
b. Three officers consisting of a Commodore, Vice-Commodore - Sailing, Vice Commodore - Paddling, and a Secretary/Treasurer elected for one-year terms each year.
c. The immediate past Commodore will serve a one-year term as a director. If for any reason that person is unable to serve the position will remain vacant.
Section 2: The duties of the Board will be to meet and determine policies to assure the growth, direction and protection of purpose of the LSLSPC. A quorum will consist of four members of the Board of Directors. The duties of the officers are to execute the policies of the Board. The Commodore will preside over all meetings and break all ties. In the Commodore's absence, the Vice Commodore - Sailing will preside over the meetings and vote to break ties.

Section 3: Officers and directors will be elected annually at a special meeting or at the annual meeting of the membership, by majority vote of those members present. Nominations will be accepted from a nominating committee and/or from the floor.

Section 4: In the event of a resignation or vacancy on the Board of Directors (other than the immediate past Commodore) the position will be filled for the remainder of the term by majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors. If the Commodore is unable to complete the term, the Vice Commodore - Sailing will become Commodore and a new Vice Commodore - Sailing appointed by majority vote of the Board.

Section 5: No member may hold more than one position on the Board of Directors at the same time.

Section 6: No more than one member of a household shall hold office at the same time.

Section 7: Newly elected directors and officers will assume their duties on December 1st of the election year

V. Junior Directors and Officers

Section 1: The Junior Board of Directors will consist of 6 members as follows:

a. Three officers consisting of a Commodore, Vice-Commodore, and a Secretary/Treasurer elected for one-year terms each year.
b. Fleet Captain - Lasers and Fleet Captain - Sunfish elected for a one-year term each year.
c. The immediate past Junior Commodore will serve a one-year term as a director. If for any reason that person is unable to serve the position will remain vacant.

Section 2: The duties of the Junior Board will be to meet and determine policies to assure the growth, direction and protection of purpose of the LSLSPC, and to ensure active junior participation in all club activities. A quorum will consist of four members of the Junior Board of Directors. The duties of the officers are to execute the policies of the Board. The Junior Commodore will preside over all meetings and break all ties. In the Junior Commodore's absence, the Junior Vice Commodore will preside over the meetings and vote to break ties.

Section 3: Junior Officers and directors will be elected annually at a special meeting or at the annual meeting of the membership, by majority vote of those members present. Nominations will be accepted from a nominating committee and/or from the floor.

Section 4: In the event of a resignation or vacancy on the Junior Board of Directors (other than the immediate past Junior Commodore) the position will be filled for the remainder of the term by majority vote of the remaining members of the Junior Board of Directors. If the Junior Commodore is unable to complete the term, the Junior Vice Commodore will become Junior Commodore and a Junior Vice Commodore appointed by majority vote of the Board.

Section 5: No member may hold more than one position on the Junior Board of Directors at the same time.

Section 6: Newly elected directors and officers will assume their duties on December 1st of the election year

VI. Indemnity

The LSLSPC, its officers and members while functioning in any of these capacities assume no responsibility for the safety, welfare, protection of the life or property of any other person (including minors) or organization.

VII. Membership Meetings

Section 1: Annual Meeting. The annual meeting will he held in October or November of each year on a date specified by the Board of Directors at least a month in advance.

Section 2: Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Commodore or the Board of Directors on their own initiative or upon petition by not less than one fourth of the membership.

Section 3: Ten days written notice must be given to the members by the Commodore or the Board of Directors prior to any business meeting or meeting of the general membership.

Section 4: At any duly called meeting of the membership, other than to act on changes in the by laws, the members present shall constitute a quorum and a simple majority of those present and voting shall be required to approve matters properly brought before the meeting.

VIII. Committees

Section 1: The following committees will be standing committees of the club.

a. Safety Committee
b. Racing Committee
c. Education Committee
d. Social Committee
e. Harbors, Grounds and Equipment Committee
f. Regatta Committee
g. Publicity Committee
h. Membership Committee

Section 2: If the Board of Directors determines that one or more of the standing committees is inappropriate for the present circumstances, they may vote to leave vacant that position for one year. Reconsideration is required the following year. It is permissible to combine more than one Standing Committee under a single chairperson

Section 3: A nominating committee will he appointed by the Commodore.

Section 4: The Board of Directors and the Commodore may establish other committees as deemed necessary and appropriate.

Section 5: The Commodore will appoint all committee chairmen.

IX. Finance

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall assess such dues and fees as are necessary for the operation of the club.

Section 2: The Secretary/Treasurer shall submit a financial statement to the membership at the annual meeting, or at any time, to the Board of Directors upon request

Section 3: The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep books of account and receive and disburse all funds.

Section 4: The Board of Directors shall cause an audit to be performed prior to the transferal of the Secretary/Treasurer duties or at any time deemed necessary by the Board.

X. Parliamentary Authority

Robert's Parliamentary Rules of Order shall be the standard authority for the conduct of all club meetings.

XI. Amendments to By Laws

Section 1: A proposed amendment must be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer in writing (or electronically) and signed by at least one fourth of the individual members/families (one family member may sign on behalf of the family). Electronic signatures are acceptable.

Section 2: Copies of the proposed amendment shall be distributed to all members by the Secretary/Treasurer within 21 days following receipt by the Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 3: To become effective, the proposed amendment must receive a 2/3 vote of the members either present, or represented by ballot or proxy at the annual or specially called meeting.