VERMONT SENIORS’ GOLF ASSOCIATION
BY-LAWS
Article I -- Names
The name of the organization shall be the “Vermont Seniors’ Golf Association”. It’s shortened name is VTSGA and URL on the internet will be VTSGA.org. The term “Association” shall mean the organization referred to herein as Vermont Seniors’ Golf Association. The term “Board of Directors” or “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Vermont Seniors’ Golf Association. The apostrophe after Seniors” emphasizes it is for the members and it belongs to them.
Article II -- Objectives and Philosophy
The objectives of the Association shall be to promote golfing activities for senior golf players in and around Vermont and to encourage competitive golf and fellowship among members. The Association also supports other organizations and charities that promote the game of golf as well as scholarship funds in Vermont that support young golfers.
Article III -- Membership
Section 1. Any person who has reached the age of 50 years and who is a member in good standing of a golf club duly registered with the Vermont Golf Association shall be eligible for membership. Members should have an active GHIN number. Other people may be invited to become members if waived by the Board.
Section 2. Active membership. Members who have paid the annual dues may participate in all Association activities for that year. Non-paying dues members will be considered inactive until such time as the annual dues are paid for the current season.
Article IV -- Board of Directors
Section 1. The management and control of the affairs, funds and property of the Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors.
Section 2. The Board shall consist of up to nine members and a minimum of five. Future board members are suggested by the membership and recruitment by the present board. This is a working board with no hired executives and the board needs some flexibility to recruit for experience. Directors shall be reelected by board members at the final board meeting of the year and new members can be elected at any time. Directors shall serve one-year terms and may be elected for additional terms repeatedly thereafter.
Section 3. A quorum of the Board shall consist of at least four Board members for purposes of transacting business at any meeting of the Board. Attendance via telecommunication shall be permitted for reaching a quorum.
Section 4. The membership reserves the right to remove or add a board member. This right is exercised by presenting to the board a petition signed by 10% of the members asking for the removal or addition of a board member. If this threshold is met, then the board would hold a formal mail in vote or a called meeting vote to make a decision. A quorum is whoever votes by mail or is present at the called meeting and needs a simple majority to pass.
Article V -- Officers
Section 1. The Officers of the Board shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Treasurer and a Secretary. These officers shall be selected from existing Board members and elected by a majority vote of the Board.
Section 2. Duties of the President. The President shall have general management of the affairs of the Association. He shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Board. He may appoint other members, both from the Board and from the general membership to committees and other positions established by the Board. He shall be ex-officio member of all committees and have power to fill all vacancies by appointment.
Section 3. Duties of the Vice President. The Vice President shall act in his stead for the President in all matters as needed, including requests by the President, and in case illness or absence or physical disability.
Section 4. Duties of the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the Association. He shall accept all payments, pay all bills, make deposits and perform other transactions as required. He shall maintain accounts at financial institutions selected by the Board. He shall provide the Board with financial information as needed and required. He shall communicate required information to outside agencies as directed by the Board. He shall make a report of all yearly finances annually to members of the Association either at a general meeting of the members or a year end written summary to the membership.
Section 5. Duties of the Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the correspondence and communications of the Association. He shall coordinate the various means of communication with members as needed, such as internet and other telecommunication means deemed necessary for the communication of information to the Board and Association members.
Article VI -- Meetings
Section 1. The annual meeting of the Association will be held at a time and place selected by the Board when possible, as not every year lends itself to an annual meeting. The place and date shall be communicated to members at least twenty days in advance. Only members in attendance may vote. If no meeting can be arranged, a year end summary will be communicated to the membership along with plans for the upcoming year and a zoom call could be added.
Section 2. A quorum for the annual meeting shall be those in attendance at the meeting.
Article VII -- Dues and Fees
Section 1. Dues. The Board shall determine the amount of the annual dues. Dues payment is required by May 1 of the current year in order for members to be considered “active” for that season. New members joining after May 1 may pay their dues and become active members for that season at prorated values approved by the Board.
Section 2. Fees. The fees for tournaments and other activities within the Association shall be established by the Board and are due prior to participation in the event for which they are assessed.
Article VIII -- Committees
Section 1. The Board may establish committees or functional subsets of the board to assist in the operation of the Association. These efforts shall be headed by a Board member and may consist of other Board and Association members as directed by the Board. Groups duly constituted shall be empowered to transact
business in the name of the Board as required.
Section 2. Tournaments. The board needs to organize in a way that supports its primary activity – setting up and running tournaments in the following manner.
The board shall be responsible for running tournaments during the active season. The board shall enter contracts with venues, establish fees, communicate information and run each event in accordance with general golf principles. The board shall have final say in all issues regarding tournament results and shall communicate the results of each event to the Board and Association. Who does the work will depend on the volunteer talent the board provides or if needed, hires. All of this will be very fluid and the board will adjust as needed.
Section 3. Membership. The board is responsible for general membership issues, including registering members, maintaining relevant information regarding members, promoting communications with members and any other activity relative to members and the Association.
Article IX -- Amendments
Section 1. The foregoing by-laws may be amended by the Board of Directors at any time provided that ten days’ notice is provided to Board members prior to any meeting at which by-law amendments are to be voted upon. Any changes will be communicated to the general membership.
Section 2. The membership reserves the right to make changes to the bylaws that are established by the board. This right is exercised by presenting to the board a petition signed by 10% of the members asking for a change in the bylaws. If this threshold is met, then the board would hold a formal mail in vote or a called meeting vote to make a decision. A quorum is whoever votes by mail or is present at the called meeting and needs a 2/3 majority to pass.
Approved 7/2024