ACBL Unit 102 ByLaws

Adopted 12.01.01| Amended at Special Membership Meetings of 6.25.05 and 11.12.05 | Amendments in Italic Typeface

Article I - Organization Name and Description
Section 1. The name of this organization is Florida SunCoast Unit 102, Inc., d/b/a SunCoast Bridge Association, also known as Unit 102 of the American Contract Bridge League, Inc., hereafter referred to as the Unit.
Section 2. The American Contract Bridge League is hereafter referred to as the ACBL.
Section 3. The Unit is organized as a Not for Profit corporation under the laws of the State of Florida and has such powers and
obligations as provided in the laws of the State of Florida for Not for Profit corporations.
Section 4. The Unit:
(A) Is chartered by the ACBL.
(B) Is subject to regulation by District 9 of the ACBL, hereafter referred to as the District.
(C) Recognizes the ACBL as the parent organization, having authority and control over tournament bridge.
(D) Exists under the sanction of the ACBL, functions within the jurisdiction of the ACBL, and complies with the bylaws and regulations of the ACBL.

Article II -  Objectives of the Organization
Section 1. The general objectives of this organization are:
(A) To serve the bridge related interests of its members.
(B) To preserve and promote the best interests of the tournament form of the game of contract bridge or any modifications that may be developed in the future.
(C) To exercise all legal powers and to perform all duties of a Florida Corporation in pursuit of the foregoing.
Section 2. Specific powers and duties of the Unit are:
(A) To cooperate with and assist the ACBL and the District in the promotion and conduct of duplicate contract bridge tournaments
conducted by the ACBL or the District within the geographical boundaries of the Unit.
(B) To conduct duplicate contract bridge tournaments under its own auspices.
(C) To prescribe rules of eligibility for participation in tournaments in the Unit.
(D) To act as the local representative of the ACBL and to supervise and schedule duplicate contract bridge tournaments sanctioned by the ACBL within the geographical boundaries of the Unit.
(E) To process reports of dishonest, unethical, or improper conduct by participants in sanctioned games, Unit events, or tournaments under its jurisdiction, and to discipline members of the Unit in a manner fully consistent with the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations.
(F) To cooperate with the ACBL's charity program, and to sponsor and conduct charity events with the object of realizing funds to be devoted to worthy humanitarian causes.
(G) To conduct other activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives.

Article III -  Membership
Section 1. The geographical area within which this Unit shall have jurisdiction shall be such area as is presently or may in the future be assigned to it by the Board of Directors of the ACBL.
Section 2. A member of the Unit is a member of the ACBL, residing in the jurisdiction of the Unit, or one who has chosen in writing to the ACBL and the Unit to be a member of the Unit. No person shall be denied membership because of race, creed or color.
Section 3. Membership dues will be the sums designated by the ACBL and payable as provided in its regulations. The Unit may assess additional fees as necessary.
Section 4. A member will be considered to be a member in good standing if required dues for the current year are paid and the member is not under suspension or expulsion by either the ACBL or the Unit.
Section 5. A member of the Unit may be censured, suspended, or expelled only in accordance with the ACBL Code of Disciplinary
Regulations.

Article IV -  Administration of Organization Affairs
Section 1. All affairs of the Unit will be controlled by the Unit Board of Directors, hereafter referred to as the Board. ACBL regulations will be deemed to be regulations of the Unit.
Section 2. The business affairs of the Unit will be administered by the Board in compliance with these Bylaws.

Article V -  Board of Directors
Section 1. The Unit Board will consist of nine members of the Unit, who are elected by the membership in accordance with the procedures described in Article X.
Section 2. The Board will:
(A) Elect the Unit officers by a majority of vote and have the power to remove those officers by a two-third vote of those present and voting.
(B) Hire employees and/or independent contractors; define their duties and authority, and oversee their performance.
(C) Determine and implement the Unit's policies.
(D) Approve the dates, locations, and management of all tournaments conducted and promoted by the Unit.
(E) Conduct its meetings in accordance with Article VIII and Article IX.
(F) Initiate amendments to these bylaws in accordance with Article XI.
(G) Require each Board member to participate in the functioning of committees as deemed appropriate. Non-compliance shall be deemed dereliction of duty and may subject that Member to removal by a two-third vote of those present and voting..
(H) At least annually, and as determined by the Board, obtain an independent professional review of the financial records submitted by the Treasurer.
Section 3. Elections for the Board will be held in accordance with the provisions in Article X, every year at the annual membership meeting.
Section 4. The term of each duly elected member will be two years.
Section 5. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the Board will appoint a successor from the membership. The person so appointed shall hold office for the balance of the unexpired term.
Section 6. Any Officer or any member of the Board will automatically be removed from office if it is determined said member has failed to maintain membership in the Unit.
Section 7. A member of the Board may be removed from office by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the entire Board, if it is determined that the member has engaged in conduct inimical to the best interest of the Unit, District, or tournament bridge.
Any Board member, against whom impeachment charges are brought will be notified in writing, by registered mail, of the charges against him or her at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting and will be given an opportunity to be heard before the Board.

Article VI -  Organization Officers
Section 1. The President will:
(A) Preside at all meetings of the Board and all membership meetings.
(B) Appoint all committees, except when these Bylaws specify otherwise, serve on them as an ex-officio member.
(C) Appoint from the general membership or from members of the Board, the Unit Representatives to the District Board of Directors.
(D) Exercise general supervision over the activities of the Unit and perform other duties that are prescribed by the Board or are incidental to this office.
Section 2. The Vice-President will:
(A) In the absence or incapacity of the President, assume the President's duties.
(B) Perform other duties that the President or the Board may assign.
Section 3. The Secretary will:
(A) Attend all regular and special meetings of the Board and record and keep the minutes of those meetings.
(B) Keep copies of all contracts to which the Unit is a party.
(C) Receive and file the reports of all officers and committees.
(D) Maintain a roster of Unit membership and keep records of all tournaments and other Unit activities.
(E) Send meeting notices to the members of the Board and effect the publication of notices to the membership.
(F) Handle all official and other correspondence as may be required by the President or the Board.
(G) Complete and file all Unit reports that the ACBL requires.
Section 4. The Treasurer will have the care, custody of, and responsibility for all funds and securities and all property of the Unit, and will deposit the funds in such financial institution as may be approved by the Board. The Treasurer will:
(A) Keep accurate books of account of all receipts and disbursements.
(B) Set up and maintain a system of internal controls.
(C) Attend all regular and special meetings of the Board.
(D) Submit a financial report at the regular meetings of the Board and such other times as may be required by the President or the Board.
(E) Perform all such legal and other duties as may be incidental to the office.
(F) Be bonded unless the Unit is insured against loss for acts of the Treasurer through the ACBL.
Section 5. Deleted.

Article VII -  Committees
Section 1. There are two categories of committees:
(A) Standing committees defined by these bylaws.
(B) Temporary (or ad hoc) committees, created by the President or Board to address specific matters.
Section 2. The Chairman of each committee will be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Board.
Section 3. The budget for each committee is determined by the Unit Board.
Section 4. The internal rules of procedure of any committee are determined in accordance with directives of the Board.
Section 5. The Executive Committee will consist of the Unit Officers and the immediate past president, each member will serve with a vote. This Committee will advise the President on matters of immediate urgency, and will act for the Board when an emergency meeting of the Board is not practical. The President is the Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Section 6. Deleted.
Section 7. Deleted
Section 8. The Election Committee's mission is to seek and certify candidates to the Board and to conduct and supervise all aspects of the elections as described in Article X of these BYLAWS. It will consist of three members appointed by the President with the approval of the Board; the President will not be a member of this committee.
Section 9. The Disciplinary Committee's mission is to receive and investigate complaints or charges that involve the conduct or ethics of members of the Unit at club and Unit games. It has the authority to impose sanctions when appropriate.
Section 10. The Appeals Committee's mission is to receive and investigate and adjudicate complaints or charges arising from bidding, play or defense at Unit games.
Section 11. Deleted
Section 12. Deleted
Section 13. Deleted

Article VIII - Quorum and Rules of Order
Section 1. Fifty percent of the membership of the Board will constitute a quorum for that body. Ten regular members in good standing will constitute a quorum for the Annual Membership Meeting or for Special Membership Meetings.
Section 2. Robert's Rules of Order, revised, is the governing authority for this organization in all matters not specifically covered by the Bylaws or by Standing Rules adopted by the Board.

Article IX - Meetings
Section 1. The Annual Membership Meeting will be held during the first Unit 102 Sectional Tournament of the calendar year, the time and place to be specified by the President of the Unit, with the approval of the Board, and publicized in the official Unit publication. This meeting will be chaired by the President or designated representative.
Section 2. A Special Membership Meeting may be called by a petition signed by at least 50 members or by a majority vote of the Board, or by the President with the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee. Notice of the time and place of any Special Membership Meeting will be given by mail or by publication at least thirty (30) days before such meeting and will include the agenda of matters to be taken up at such meeting. Only items included in the published agenda may be acted upon at a Special Membership Meeting.
Section 3. Ten regular members in good standing will constitute a quorum for any membership meeting.
Section 4. The Board will hold its annual meeting during the first Unit 102 Sectional Tournament of the calendar year of each year. There will be a minimum of three additional meetings throughout the year. Additional meetings of the Board may be held at the discretion of the President.

Article X - Election Procedures
Section 1. Election for the Board will be held every year at the annual Membership Meeting. The term of each member elected will be for two years. One-half the Board will be elected every year.
Section 2. The election committee will propose and publish a slate of no less than four nominees at least six (6) weeks before the Annual Membership Meeting.
Section 3. The Chairman of the Election Committee will accept additional nominees from the membership up to three(3)weeks before the Annual Membership Meeting. If the number of nominees exceeds the number of positions to be filled, the election will be by written ballot. Only members of the Unit in good standing will be eligible to vote.
Section 4. The new Board will take office immediately.

Article XI - Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by either the membership or the Board.
Section 2. The membership may propose amendments by a petition signed by not less than 10% of the members in good standing.
Section 3. The Board may propose amendments at any regular or special meeting of the Board, provided that notice in writing has been given at least ten (10) days in advance of the meeting announcing the intention to propose amendments to the Bylaws. The concurrence of two-thirds of all Board members present and voting will be required to propose an amendment.
Section 4. Proposed amendments will be published in the official Unit publication at least 30 days prior to their consideration by the membership.
Section 5. Proposed amendments may be considered at the Annual Membership Meeting, or at a Special Membership Meeting called by the President, with the approval of the Board.
Section 6. A majority of the members present and voting will be required to approve a proposed amendment.

Article XII In the event of the dissolution of the Unit, all of its remaining assets shall be donated to the ACBL Charity Foundation, Inc.

- End ByLaws -

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