THE UNIT:
The Unit functions within the Bylaws and Regulations of the American Contract Bridge League and its District.
OBJECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION:
To preserve and promote the best interests of and to stimulate interest in the art of playing competitive duplicate contract bridge and any modification thereof;
To cooperate with the League 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 promote the development and organization of affiliated games within the Unit;
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;
To conduct such other activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives.
ARTICLE I
UNIT JURISDICTION:
The geographical area within which this Unit shall have jurisdiction shall be such area as is presently or may be in the future assigned to it by the ACBL Board of Directors.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP:
A. Any person of good moral character and residing within the jurisdiction of the Unit, subject to District regulations, is eligible for membership, and no person shall be denied 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 ACBL of his change of address (unless that member has applied to remain in the old Unit in accordance with ACBL regulations).
2. He has failed to pay his dues in accordance with ACBL regulations.
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, 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 regulations of the American Contract Bridge League.
ARTICLE III
DUES:
Annual dues shall be in the amount fixed by the American Contract Bridge League.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS:
A. There shall be an annual meeting of Unit 180 members on the second Sunday of December each year to conduct elections, ratify changes in the bylaws, if any, and transact other business as may be placed on the agenda by the Unit Board of Directors. The agenda will include a year-to-date report of the unit's financial condition. The agenda will also provide an opportunity for each member to speak. Non-agenda items of business shall not be acted upon at these meetings.
B Special meetings of Unit 180 members to consider specific matters may be called by the Unit Board of Directors or by a petition signed by 50 members of the Unit. The Board of Directors shall send members a notice of the time and place of any special meeting, and the business to be discussed, at least ten days before the meeting takes place. No other business shall be acted upon at such special meetings.
C. A quorum for the transaction of business at any annual or special meeting shall consist of 50 members. Neither proxies nor absentee ballots shall be permitted.
ARTICLE V
UNIT OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
A. Number of Directors and Officers
The affairs of the Unit shall be managed and conducted by the Unit Board of Directors which shall consist of four officers (the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary) and 10 other members of the Unit elected as follows:
1. Board positions 1 and 2 shall be filled from among members who reside within the geographical limits of Harrison County.
2. Board positions 3 and 4 shall be filled from among members who reside within the geographical limits of Hancock County.
3. Board positions 5 and 6 shall be filled from among members who reside within the geographical limits of Jackson County.
4. Board positions 7 through 10 (At Large) and all Officer positions shall be filled without regard to geographical residence.
B. Term of Office and Election
Each officer and member of the board shall hold office for a period of two years beginning on the January 1 following their election. All officers and the even-numbered directors shall be elected at the annual membership meeting in December of even-numbered years. The odd-numbered directors shall be elected at the annual membership meeting in December of odd-numbered years.
C. Nomination of Officers and Directors
No later than October 1 of each year the Board of Directors shall appoint a three-person Nominating Committee with one member each from Harrison, Jackson and Hancock Counties. The Committee will select a Chairperson from among its membership, and shall have the responsibility to solicit nominations for each position to be filled. Members of the Nominating Committee are not eligible for nomination. With that exception, Unit members may place themselves, or others, in nomination by contacting a member of the Nominating Committee prior to November 1. All nominations received by the Committee will be placed on the ballot. The Committee will report these nominations to the Board of Directors, with a copy of the report posted on the Unit Bulletin Board, no later than November 3 of each year.
D. Vacancies
A vacancy in the office of President will be filled by the Vice-President. All other vacancies shall be filled by the Board of Directors and persons so appointed will serve the balance of the unexpired term.
E. Meetings
The Unit Board of Directors shall schedule regular monthly meetings. The January meeting is designated as its Annual Meeting. Special Meetings of the Board may be called at any time by the President, or any five board members, by written notice to each officer and board member forwarded at least three days prior to the meeting. The Special Meeting Notice will include agenda items to be discussed and the meeting will be limited to that agenda. The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the board in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws of this association.
F. Quorum
With exception of a meeting called to consider impeachment, expulsion of member, or a change of these bylaws, a quorum of the Unit Board of Directors for the transaction of business shall consist of seven members including at least two officers. A quorum for meetings called for the aforementioned reasons shall consist of ten members including at least two officers. Members attending meetings by conference call or remote video shall be considered as present.
G. Powers and Duties
1. Board of Directors - In addition to the powers herein granted by the provisions hereof, and by the laws of the State of Mississippi, the Unit Board of Directors have powers and duties involving, but not limited to:
a. The conduct, management, supervision and control of the business of the Unit. However, the Board of Directors shall not allow total debt of the Unit to exceed $25,000 nor shall they acquire or dispose of Unit property —excluding game sanctions— valued at more than $10,000 without approval of the membership by majority vote at a Special or Annual Membership Meeting; and
b. The conduct of Unit tournaments; and
c. The hiring and discharging of independent contractors, supervision of their activities, and determination of their fees.
d. The Board of Directors shall also be empowered to designate the Club Manager of Unit-owned games
2. Executive Committee - The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the President (as Chairman), the Vice President, the Secretary and the Treasurer of the unit. It is the duty of the committee to develop plans and programs designed to achieve the Objects of the Organization for submission to the Board of Directors, and to perform such other tasks as assigned by them.
3. President - The Unit President presides at all meetings of the Board of Directors and at all general membership meetings. Subject to approval of the Unit Board of Directors, he/she appoints the unit's Tournament Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator, Intermediate/Novice Coordinator, Education Liaison, and Parliamentarian. He/she also appoints the chairpersons of all standing and ad hoc committees. With the exception of the Nominating Committee, the President serves on all committees as ex-officio member. He/she exercises general supervision over the activities of the unit, serves as the Unit Delegate to the District Board of Delegates and performs other duties incidental to his office, including those the unit board assigns.
4. Vice-President - In the absence or incapacity of the president, the vice-president assumes the president's duties and performs other duties that the president or board may assign. He/she also serves as Alternate Delegate to the District Board.
5. Secretary - The Secretary shall maintain a roster of unit members, send meeting notices to members and directors, record the minutes of all meetings, file the reports of all officers and committees, maintain a library of official documents and historical records, write correspondence, prepare meeting agendas, and perform other duties as assigned by the Unit Board of Directors or President.
6. Treasurer - The Treasurer has custody of and is responsible for all funds, securities, and properties of the Unit. He/she deposits such funds in the bank or banks designated by the board. From these funds he/she pays unit obligations as directed by the Board, keeps accurate records, makes a written financial report at each regular meeting of the Board and at the Annual Membership Meeting. He/she will be bonded, at Unit expense, for the faithful performance of his/her duties and for the restoration to the Unit of all books, papers, vouchers, money, and other Unit property in the treasurer's possession or control in the event of the treasurer's death, resignation or removal from office.
H. Board Membership
The Unit Board of Directors shall be the sole judge of its memberships.
ARTICLE VI
IMPEACHMENT:
Any officer or director may be removed for cause by the Unit Board of Directors provided two-thirds of those present shall so vote. Any officer or director against whom impeachment charges shall be brought shall be notified in writing, by registered mail, of the charges against him, or her, at least ten days prior to the meeting and shall be given an opportunity to be heard before the Unit Board of Directors and to be represented by counsel of his own choosing. Those charged shall be relieved of all duties until the charges are disposed of.
ARTICLE VII
UNIT COORDINATORS AND LIAISONS:
All Unit Coordinators and Liaisons will be appointed by the President, subject to approval of the Board of Directors.
A The Tournament Coordinator shall act as liaison between the Unit, the District, and ACBL in all matters regarding Sectional and Regional Tournaments sponsored by the Unit. He/she shall assist the Tournament Chairperson in arranging tournaments according to the wishes of the Board. That assistance includes, but is not limited to, obtaining sanctions, directors, facilities and accommodations, advertising, transportation, hospitality amenities, and arranging the set-up of tables and equipment.
B. The Special Events Coordinator schedules and plans special games and functions approved by the Board of Directors including unit-sponsored events (i.e.: the Annual Membership Meeting, unit trophy games, etc.) and ACBL-sponsored unit-level events (i.e.: ACBL-wide charity games, Grand National Teams, North American Open Pairs, Epson Pairs, Instant Matchpoint Games, etc.).
C. The Intermediate/Novice (IN) Coordinator directs unit activities related to ACBL's Teacher Accreditation Program (TAP), bridge lessons and other new player services. He/she assures unit compliance with ACBL requirements regarding Basic Standards for New Player Activities, and promotes intermediate/novice participation in Sectional and Regional Tournaments. This coordinator submits the Annual Unit Marketing Report and Sectional/Regional Tournament IN Program Reports. He/she also serves on the Unit Education Committee.
D. The Unit Education Liaison works with the American Contract Bridge League in the promotion of educational programs in accordance with Chapter 9, Section Two, ACBL Rules and Regulations.
ARTICLE VIII
STANDING COMMITTEES:
A. The Disciplinary Committee receives charges that involve the conduct or ethics of members of the unit and conducts hearings in accordance with the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations and Robert’s Rules of Order.
B. The Membership Committee is responsible for increasing membership and encouraging present or former members to renew or reinstate their memberships. The chairperson of the committee receives and processes ACBL membership reports.
C. The Education Committee shall be composed of three members including the unit's Education Liaison, Intermediate/Novice Coordinator, and at least one other member of the unit. Its purpose is to promote the development and education of bridge within the unit and work with the district education liaison and novice coordinator in accordance with Chapter 9, Section Two, ACBL Rules and Regulations.
D. The Publicity Committee has as its mission to publicize unit activities and to increase public awareness of ACBL and its charitable and educational functions.
E. The Tournament Committee schedules, plans, coordinates and supervises all tournaments conducted by the unit. A Tournament Chairperson shall be appointed by the President for each tournament event.
F. The Building and Grounds Committee maintains a property inventory, supervises the janitor, purchases janitorial and kitchen supplies, and arranges building repairs as needed.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS:
A. Amendment to the Bylaws may be made by a two-thirds majority vote of the members of the Unit upon petition signed by at least 50 members and submitted to the Secretary at least 20 days in advance of the annual meeting of the membership or any special meeting called for that purpose.
B. Amendments may also be made at a Board of Directors meeting subject to a two-thirds majority vote of a quorum specified in Article V, Paragraph F. Amendments made under this provision will not become effective until approved by the membership by two-thirds vote at a special or annual meeting of that membership.
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