SEA TRAIL
MEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION AND BY -LAWS
Edition -September, 2006

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization shall be the   SEA TRAIL MEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION (STMGA).

ARTICLE II - OBJECT

The object of this organization shall be to foster the best interest of the members in the playing of golf; to promote fellowship among its members; and, to hold such golf tournament events as the BOARD OF DIRECTORS shall decide.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to any male golfer who is a Sea Trail Plantation property owner, possessing a golf membership, and, who is a paid member of STMGA.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS ***

The officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Chairman, and Handicap Chairman. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers along with three (3) members at large. Three members of the Board will be elected each year and hold office until their respective successors take office. The term of office is normally three years; however, if it is deemed in the best interest of the association, a board member may be elected for additional three year terms. After the annual election, the Board will meet and determine who will assume the responsibilities of each officer position.

ARTICLE V – GOVERNMENT

1.       The control and management of this organization and its affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.

2.       The immediate, past President shall serve as an advisory, non-voting member of the Board.

3.       The Board shall be responsible for appointing any other Chairmen, as deemed necessary.

ARTICLE – VI – INITIATION FEE AND DUES *

1. The Board of Directors shall establish the amount of any initiation fee and annual dues.
2. All new members shall be subject to an initiation fee at the time of joining STMGA.
3. A new member joining STMGA between October 1^st and March 1^st of the following year will be charged the full annual dues.  A new member joining any time after March 1^st will be charged 50% of the annual dues.
4. Subsequent annual dues will be payable by October 1^st of each year. If such dues are unpaid by December 1^st, membership will cease.

ARTICLE VII – TOURNAMENTS ** ***

1. The Board of Directors shall conduct an annual tournament to determine the STMGA champion, and shall award suitable prizes for all flights.
2. The Board shall be responsible for implementing all special tournaments such as St. Patrick’s Day, Member-Member and Member-Guest.  The Board shall also be responsible for the general rules and dates of all tournaments explicitly defined and shall appoint any chairmen and committees deemed necessary.  No committee may have the right to draw funds, or make final decisions involving major expenditures, without first consulting with and receiving approval from the Board.
3. All property owners who are members of STMGA, who have an established U.S.G.A. handicap, are eligible to compete in all events conducted by STMGA except as noted below.
4. Championship Tournament – All STMGA members in good standing who have an 18-hole STMGA/USGA handicap based on 20 scores and who have participated in at least six (6) STMGA weekly events (excluding special events e.g., St. Patrick’s Day, Member/Member, Member/Guest, etc.) during the current membership year, are eligible to participate.

Non-resident members who meet all of the criteria except the six (6) event requirement are also eligible to participate.  However, such members will be placed in the Championship Flight and compete as “scratch” players.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENT PROCEDURE

1. Any proposed amendment is to be presented to the Board of Directors.  The proposed amendment will require approval by three-quarters (3/4) of the members of the Board for preparation and presentation to the membership.
2. The Constitution may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of members present, and voting at the Annual Meeting.  Proposed amendments shall be published one (1) week prior to the meeting.

*   Amended September 11, 1995

**  Amended September 14, 1998

*** Amended September 26, 2006

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I – OFFICERS ***

1. Titles – The Officers of the Association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Chairman, and Handicap Chairman.
2. Election

1. A nominating committee shall present the names of candidates.  The President shall accept other nominations for each office from the membership.  These other nominations must be submitted at least one (1) week prior to the elections in order to be included on the slate.
2. New Board Members shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Association.  A plurality of the votes of the members present shall elect.  In the event of only one candidate for each office, upon motion made, seconded and carried, the President may instruct the Secretary to cast a vote in favor of the these candidates.
3. The term of office shall be for three years, and shall begin the first day of October.  Officers are eligible to serve for more than one succeeding term, subject to election by a plurality of the votes of members present.
4. If an office becomes vacant during the term of office, the Board of Directors may appoint a member to fill the office for the remaining portion of the term.
5. Following the election of the three new Board members, the Board will meet and determine who will fill each of the six officer positions.

ARTICLE II – DUTIES OF OFFICERS ***

1. PRESIDENT

1. Preside at all meetings of the Association, and at all meetings of the Board of Directors.
2. Be an ex-officio member of all committees.
3. Authorized to disburse funds when the treasurer is not available.

2. VICE PRESIDENT

1. Perform the duties of the President in the event of the President’s absence, or his inability to serve.
2. Assist the President in such ways as the President may request.

3. SECRETARY ** ***

1. Keep an accurate record of all meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors.
2. Maintain a file of all correspondence in connection with the affairs of the Association.
3. Enrolls all new members and remits their dues and fees to the Treasurer.

4. TREASURER ** ***

a.      Keep an accurate record of the funds of the Association.

b.      Receives and deposits all dues and funds in the appropriate Association account.

c.       Present a complete report of Financial affairs of the Association at all meetings and such other reports as the Board may request.

d.      Make disbursement of funds only upon presentation of itemized statements.

e.      Keep a roll of the membership.

5. TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN **

a.      Shall be responsible for conducting all weekly golf tournament events, including the playing format and the types and distribution of the weekly prizes.

b.      Shall obtain dates and course locations for all weekly and special tournament events.

c.       Shall be a member of all special tournament event committees.

6. HANDICAP CHAIRMAN ***

a.      Shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate record of member handicaps according to the USGA handicap rules.

ARTICLE III – COMMITTEES

1. NOMINATING COMMITTEE ***

a)      The nominating committee shall consist of three (3) members, no one of whom is an officer, and no member of the nominating committee shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive years.

b)      Members of the Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

c)       The committee shall nominate a minimum of three board members to be elected at the Annual Meeting.

d)      The names of such candidates shall be posted on the STMGA bulleting board, by the Chairman of the Nominating Committee, at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting, which is held in September of each year.

2. RULES COMMITTEE ***

a)      The Rules Committee shall consist of three or more members (no one of whom is an officer).

b)      This committee will review all USGA rules and revisions and make recommendations to the STMGA Board regarding local application. The committee will also identify specific local needs and prepare local rules which will be recommended to the STMGA Board. Any such recommendations will be discussed with the membership in a general meeting before the STMGA Board either approves or rejects the recommendation.

3. HANDICAP COMMITTEE ***

a)      The Handicap Committee (a requirement of USGA) shall consist of five or more members, one of whom may be the Handicap Chairman from the STMGA Board.

b)      This committee shall review all USGA handicap rules, guidelines, and revisions and make recommendations to the STMGA Board regarding local application. Any such recommendations will be discussed with the membership in a general meeting before the STMGA Board either approves or rejects the recommendation.

c)       The Committee will review any questions or questionable handicap actions by STMGA members and take the actions specified by the then current USGA Handicap publication.

No committee may have the right to draw funds, or make final decisions involving major expenditures, without first consulting with the Board.  All officers, retiring from office, shall deliver all money account, records, paper, and other property, belonging to the Association, to their successors in office by October 1^st.

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS ***

1. The fall meeting, known as the Annual Meeting, shall be held in September for the purpose of electing the new board candidates, and discussing other business of the Association.

2. The time and place of all meetings will be determined by the Board of Directors, and due notice will be given to all members.

3. There shall be at least two (2) regular meetings of the Board of Directors, one in the spring, and one preceding the Annual Meeting.

4. A special meeting of the Association may be called by the President, or, at the request of the Board of Directors.

5. Order of Business – The order of business shall be as follows:

Reading of the minutes of the preceding meeting(s).

Reading of the report of the Treasurer.

Reports by the Committee Chairmen.

Other business

Election of Officers (Annual Meeting, only).

ARTICLE V – AUDITS

The Board of Directors will appoint one or more members who will be responsible for auditing the Association books and records once each year.

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS

The By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting, by two thirds (2/3), vote of all active members present, provided that written notice of each proposed amendment has been approved by three quarters (3/4) of the Board of Directors, and published at least one (1) week prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VII – STMGA EVENTS AND TOURNAMENTS

All competition shall be played in accordance with the rules of golf as adopted by the U.S.G.A., with such special rules as are in force on Sea Trail Golf Links Courses, or that have been adopted by STMGA.

ARTICLE VIII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in “Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised” shall govern all meetings of the Association, unless inconsistent with the By-Laws.

  **   Amended September 14, 1998

  ***  Amended September 26, 2006