Bylaws

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 ammended by 2/3 majority vote of the active racing members on November 12, 1999 and are as follows:

I. Purposes

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

II. Status of Organization

Thc LSLSC 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: Active. Active-Racing, Associate, Junior, Honorary. With the exception of a junior Membership, all classes of membership include the entire family thus granting all family members privileges of that class of membership.

a. Active Membership. Persons holding active membership in the club shall be required to be an owner or a co-owner of a sailboat. An active member who ceases to be a sailboat owner shall have the privilege of retaining active membership for two additional calendar years.

b. Active-Racing Membership. Same as Active Membership (See above) except a different dues structure may apply to support the costs of the racing program.

c. Associate Membership. Associate membership may he held by persons who are not owners or co-owners of a sailboat but who desire to become associated with and to support the LSLSC and are otherwise eligible as defined herein.

d. Junior Membership. A person under the age of 21, with the permission of a parent or legal guardian' may join the LSLSC. They have the right to participate in racing. 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

Section 3: An eligible person desiring to become a member shall make written application on a form proscribed by the LSSLSC 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 LSLSC and voting in meetings shall be limited to active and active-racing members. Only one Vote per family membership shall be allowed.

Section 5: Active members participating in club sailing functions in more than one sailboat may be assessed a nominal multi-boat fee as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 6: An active member, with permission of the race chairman, may try skippering in races for up to two race days without up grading to active-racing member status. Hopefully the member will wish to upgrade. If so, the appropriate dues are to be paid and the trial races will be counted. If the membership status is not upgraded, the active member will cease skippering in races.

IV. Directors and Officers

Section 1: The Board of Directors will consist of 7 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 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 LSLSC. 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 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 active and active-racing 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 will become Commodore and a new Vice Commodore 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: No member shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms

Section 8: Newly elected directors and officers will assume their duties on December 1st of the election year

V. Indemnity

The LSLSC, 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.

VI. Membership Meetings

Section 1: Annual Meeting. The annual meeting will he held in 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 active classes of 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 active classes of 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.

VII. 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. Frost Bite Committee

h. Publicity Committee

i. Membership Committee

j. Junior Sailing 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, If this is done not more than two standing committees shall be left vacant at a time. 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 thc 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, except the Race Chairman, who will be elected by the active-racing members, by March 15th of each year. The Race Chairman will develop the racing rules for the ensuing year, including race days, scoring system, handicaps, boat classes, maintain race results and insure implementation of all other matters pertaining to racing.

VIII 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.

IX Parliamentary Authority

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

X. Amendments to By Laws

Section 1: A proposed amendment must be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer in writing and signed by at least one fourth of the Active classes of membership.

Section 2: Copies of the proposed amendment shall be distributed to all classes of membership by she 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 active classes of membership either present, or represented by ballot or proxy at thc annual or specially called meeting.