The unit is the chartered representative of the American Contract Bridge

League. As such:

is subject to the By-Laws and Regulations of the League;

has jurisdiction over organized competitive bridge in the western

San Gabriel Valley; and,

shall conduct its objectives as a non-profit organization.

The unit is acting as the chartered representative of the American Contract

Bridge League and in the conduct of its objectives shall operate as a

non-profit organization.

CHARTER:

The charter of the organization shall be:

1. To promote, facilitate, and educate members of the Unit in pursuing the learning

of contract bridge, including —

a. Rules of contract bridge as documented by the American Contract

Bridge League (ACBL)

b. Strategies of the game

c. Opportunities to participate in local bridge club games, sectional

tournaments, and regional tournaments

2. To encourage, assist, and support bridge events in the unit, district, and region

3. To advocate and coach unit members in participating in and representing our unit

in sectional, district, regional, and national events

4. To enforce high standards of ethics and proper conduct of participants in all

sanctioned ACBL events

ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership in the Unit shall consist of all individuals who are members

in good standing of the League and assigned to it by the League.

B. The Unit shall accept application for membership from any person residing

within the designated area of the Unit and may accept application from

any person residing within District 23 of the League (Los Angeles County).

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

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A. A regular meeting of the members shall be held each year.

(January 1 to December 31)

B. Special meetings of the members may be called at any time by the Board of

Directors or by the President upon ten (10) days written notice to all

members. The notice of any special meeting shall contain an agenda of

the matters to be taken up at such meeting.

C. A quorum for the transaction of business at any annual or special meeting shall consist of those present at the meeting to vote. Those interested in voting can

be present, either in person or in writing. A majority vote is required to pass any

amendment.

ARTICLE III - UNIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. Board of Directors

The affairs of the Unit shall be managed and conducted by the Board of

Directors, which shall consist of no fewer than six (6) members and no more than

twelve (12), all of whom must be members of the unit.

B. Term of Office

1. Each board member shall hold office for a period of two years commencing at the

election held at the Annual Election Party (January 1 to March 31).

2. Election of board members shall take place annually between January 1 and

March 31 with six (6) Directors elected each year. Board members are elected for

a 2 year term. One half the Board is elected in one year and the other half the

following year to ensure continuity of the Board.

C. Nomination Process

•

Thirty (30) days prior to the Election Party, the Unit shall solicit nominations for

openings on the Board of Directors.

•

Nominations to the Board shall be sent to the Unit Secretary no later than ten (10)

days before the Election Party.

•

Nine (9) days prior to the Election Party, the Unit Secretary shall present the list of all

nominees to the Board.

•

If this list contains more nominees than would make up a Board of twelve (12)

members, the Unit shall hold an election to select as many nominees that would

create a Board of twelve (12) members. This election shall be conducted via email

and concluded at least two (2) days before the Election Party.

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The Board shall inform all nominees about the outcome of the election before the

Election Party. The resulting slate of winning candidates shall have a term of two

years of service on the Board of Directors starting the date of the Election Party and

ending the date of the Election Party two (2) years later. (Note: this means that

roughly half of the members of the Board will serve on the Board for one more year

and the remaining members of the Board will serve on the Board for two years.)

•

The Board shall announce the slate of newly elected Board members on the day of

the Election Party.

D. Vacancies

Any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled by the Board of Directors and

the persons so appointed shall hold office during the unexpired term.

E. Board of Directors Meetings

The Board of Directors shall hold a minimum of ten (10) meetings a year, the first of

which shall be immediately after the annual Election Party for the purpose of

transaction of such business as may come before it including the appointment of all

officers on the Board. The President or designate shall schedule and head the

Board meetings. The president or his/her designate shall send an agenda including

Action Item List, schedule, financial statement, and minutes to Board members prior

to such meetings.

F. Quorum

A quorum of the Board of Directors for the transaction of business shall consist of a

majority of the Board members. Financial decisions shall require a supermajority of

the Board members.

G. Powers and Duties

In addition to the powers granted by other provisions of these By-Laws and the Laws

of the State of California, the Board of Directors shall have the following powers and

duties:

1. To acquire, hold, administer, maintain and dispose of all the property of the Unit.

2. To appropriate the funds of the Unit for the purpose set forth in these By-laws.

3. To hire and discharge employees and to supervise their conduct and to fix their

compensation. ARE WE SURE WE WANT TO USE THIS LANGUAGE AS IT MAY REQUIRE REPORTING TO THE IRS, STATE OF CA

4. To audit all receipts and disbursements of the Unit.

5. To conduct, manage, supervise and control all of the business of the Unit, including

but not limited to, the conduct of tournaments, the selection of all dates and locations

for holding such tournaments and the making of all contracts therewith.

6. To censure, suspend, expel or otherwise discipline any member. But no member

shall be censured, suspended, expelled or otherwise disciplined until he has been

furnished with written charges, to which he has had time to reply or until after a

hearing of which he has received reasonable notice. He may be represented by

counsel. Disciplinary action by the Unit may be appealed to the National Board of Directors. The right of a member against whom charges are pending to play in tournaments during such pendency shall not be affected unless otherwise directed by the Board.

ARTICLE IV - UNIT OFFICERS

A. Number

The officers of the Unit shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary,

and Treasurer.

B. Election

Each new Board of Directors shall elect all officers at its first meeting, and the

persons elected shall hold office for one year or until their successors have been

duly elected.

C. Vacancies

Vacancies due to death, resignation, or other cause shall be filled by the Board of

Directors.

D. The duties of the officers shall be as outlined in the By-laws of the American

Contract Bridge League.

ARTICLE V - IMPEACHMENT

Any officer or Board member may be removed for cause at any meeting of the Board

of Directors provided two-thirds of those present constituting a quorum shall so vote.

Any officer or Board member against whom impeachment charges shall be brought

shall be notified in writing, by registered mail, of the charges against him/her, the member at least

ten (10) days prior to the meeting and shall be given the opportunity to be heard

before the Board of Directors and to be represented by counsel of his/her own the members choosing. The action taken by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive (define ‘conclusive) and final.

ARTICLE VI - AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Amendments to the By-laws may be made by the members of the Unit upon petition

signed by at least fifty (50) members and submitted to the Secretary at least thirty

(30) days in advance of the annual meeting or any special meeting called for the

purpose; or upon petition signed by at least six (6) members of the Board of

Directors. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to incorporate the text of the proposed

amendment in the notice of the meeting. The concurrence of two-thirds of all

members present and voting shall be required to pass an amendment. (How does concurrence and voting differ?)

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