SUNCOAST BRIDGE ASSOCIATION

Adopted 12.01.01 and amended at Special or Annual Membership Meetings 6.25.05, 11.12.05, 1.18.14, 10.12.20, 1.24.23 and 1.30.24..   Such amendments are shown 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 Promulgate High Standards Of Conduct And Ethics To Its Members.

(F) To Support The ACBL "Zero Tolerance" Principles.

(G) 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.

(H) 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.

(I) To conduct other activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives as is presently or may in the future be assigned to it by the Board of Directors of the ACBL.

(J) No officer of the Unit or Unit Board Member shall obligate the Unit to a financial commitment in excess of $1,000 without the advance approval of the Board. A majority of the Board members present and voting will be required to approve a proposed Financial Commitment or contract.

 

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 seven to nine members of the Unit, who are elected by the membership in accordance with the procedures described in Article X. Proprietary club owners will be ineligible to serve on the Board.

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) Deleted

(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) The Board shall obtain an independent professional review of the financial records submitted by the Treasurer as and when it deems appropriate.

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. Each elected member shall serve no more than five consecutive two-year terms. If appointed to fulfill a partial term, the member may complete that current term and stand for election for two more consecutive two-year terms. A

member who reached his or her term limits may run for election again after vacating the Board for at least one year. (Note: The term limits will begin with the Board elected in January 2014.)

In the event of a major disruption of normal activity for an extended period (e.g the Covid-19 crisis), so that the Unit is not hosting in-person bridge games or tournaments, the terms of Board members and Officers shall be extended one (1) year.

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

The officers of the Board are the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary.

Section 1. The President will:

(A) Preside at all meetings of the Board and all membership meetings.

(B) Establish all committees and appoint committee chairs. 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.

(E) With the approval of the Board, retain professional services as required.

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 approve the deposit the funds in such financial institution as may be approved by the Board.

The Treasurer will:

(A) Keep, or oversee a Board appointed Financial Assistant to 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 President, Vice President and Treasurer with each member having an equal vote in the Committee's decisions. The Unit Secretary shall record the

proceedings of the Executive Committee when possible. 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 (hereafter referred to as "The 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 and/or on the Unit's website.. 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, email 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 and results will be announced at at The 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 three nominees at least six (6) weeks before The Meeting.

Section 3. The Chairman of the Election Committee will accept additional nominees from the membership up to three (3) weeks before The 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 and/or on the Unit's website at least 30 days prior to their consideration by the membership.

Section 5. Proposed amendments may be considered at The 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 of Bylaws -