CASCO BAY ETCHELLS FLEET 27
BY-LAWSThe name of this Association shall be “Casco Bay Etchells Fleet 27” (the Fleet). The Fleet shall be organized under the United States International Etchells Class Association.
ARTICLE I NAMEBY-LAWSThe name of this Association shall be “Casco Bay Etchells Fleet 27” (the Fleet). The Fleet shall be organized under the United States International Etchells Class Association.
These By-Laws shall govern the organizational structure and the regulations of the Fleet. The Charters and By-Laws of the United States International Etchells Class Association and the International Etchells Class Association are hereby made a part of these By-Laws, together with all of their subsequent modifications, except as also modified by these By-Laws.
ARTICLE II BY-LAWS
The primary purpose of the Fleet is to promote sportsmanship, One-Design racing, and competition in Etchells class sailboats. The Fleet will conduct races and social events as necessary to achieve that purpose. The Etchells is a One-Design Class, and all boats sailing in Fleet races shall conform to the specifications of the International Etchells Class Rules.
ARTICLE III PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Fleet is to promote sportsmanship, One-Design racing, and competition in Etchells class sailboats. The Fleet will conduct races and social events as necessary to achieve that purpose. The Etchells is a One-Design Class, and all boats sailing in Fleet races shall conform to the specifications of the International Etchells Class Rules.
ARTICLE IV FLEET MEMBERSHIP
A. The following classes of membership shall be recognized: 1. Owner Member - the owner, charterer, or representative of the owner of an Etchells class sailboat registered with the Fleet. In the case of joint ownership, one owner only may be the Owner Member.
2. Associate Member - any person not an Owner Member wishing to join the Fleet.
3. Honorary Member - any person having an interest in the Fleet or in the Class who is proposed by another Member and seconded by at least one Member of the Fleet and elected by Members of the Fleet at any meeting of the Fleet.
4. Life Member - any person who having contributed a tremendous amount of their personal time and effort to the Class over a substantial number of years is nominated by a Fleet member and elected by Fleet members.
B. All Owner Members and Associate Members must be members in good standing of the United States International Etchells Class Association and the International Etchells Class Association in the appropriate category.
C. Members may be removed for cause by unanimous vote of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V BOATS
The Fleet shall maintain a roll of all Etchells Class One-Design Sailboats owned by Fleet Owner Members.
Dues for Owner Members and Associate Members will be established by a vote of Fleet members at the spring meeting. Dues shall be collected by the Treasurer.
ARTICLE VI DUES
The membership year covered by annual dues shall run from May 1 to April 30.
Members shall be considered to be in good standing when all dues and fees have been paid for the current membership year.
ARTICLE VII FLEET MEETINGS
There shall be a minimum of two Fleet business meetings each year. A fall meeting shall be held in October or November. Officers shall be elected at this meeting. A spring meeting shall be held in March or April. Additional meetings may be called by the Fleet Captain or Executive Committee as necessary. Notice of any meeting shall be sent to all members at least three weeks prior to the meeting. Such notice shall contain any changes to these By-Laws proposed for consideration and, in the case of the fall meeting, the notice shall contain the proposed slate of officers for the coming year. All Fleet meetings shall be conducted using “Roberts Rules of Order.”
ARTICLE VIII VOTING
Only Owner Members and Associate Members in good standing shall be entitled to vote at meetings of the Fleet. Forty percent of the Owner Members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at a business meeting. Only Owner Members shall cast votes for Officers or for changes to these By-Laws. A two-thirds vote of Owner Members shall be required to make changes to these By-Laws. Owner Members may give their proxy to another Owner Member or Associate Member in writing. Associate Members must be present in person to cast a vote. Both Owner Members and Associate Members may vote on business other than election of Officers and changes to the By-Laws brought before a Fleet meeting.
ARTICLE IX FLEET OFFICERS
The Fleet shall elect Officers: Fleet Captain, Race Officer, Treasurer, Social Officer and Secretary. Together they shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Officers shall enforce the By-Laws and Regulations of the Fleet. Specific duties shall be as follows:
The Fleet Captain shall be the executive of the Fleet and shall chair all Fleet and Executive Committee meetings, supervise the actions of the remaining Officers, serve as Fleet Measurer, and represent the Fleet to the U. S. International Etchells and International Etchells Class Associations. The Fleet Captain must be an Owner Member. The Fleet Captain may appoint Members to assist the Officers in their duties.
The Race Officer shall propose an annual schedule of Fleet races and, if necessary, amendments of the racing rules promulgated under Article XI. Such schedule and amendments are to be approved at the spring meeting. The Race Officer shall also undertake to provide race notices, sailing instructions, and race committees for Fleet races and keep score of Fleet race results according to the rules promulgated under Article XI.
The Treasurer shall keep account of Fleet funds, including, but not limited to, the collection of dues and fees and the disbursement of funds at the direction of the Executive Committee. In the absence of the Fleet Captain, the Treasurer shall chair Fleet or Executive Committee meetings.
The Social Officer shall maintain Fleet morale at a high level and shall arrange such social events as are required to do so. Each Fleet race and meeting should include a social component, whenever practicable.
The Secretary shall keep a written record of all Fleet business including, but not limited to, a roll of Fleet Boats, a roll of Fleet Members in good standing, and minutes of all Fleet and Executive Committee meetings. The Secretary shall notify the membership of Fleet meetings as required by Article VII and shall cause Fleet activities to be widely publicized.
The Executive Committee, consisting of the above Officers, shall hold Fleet property, approve all disbursement of Fleet funds, and conduct such other business as the Officers see fit, except the Executive Committee may not elect Officers or amend these By-Laws or the racing rules promulgated under Article XI. It may, after a hearing, remove or suspend, for a period of its choosing, any Member it finds in its unanimous judgment to have committed gross misconduct or other behavior injurious to the Fleet or Class.
At the fall meeting, the Executive Committee shall appoint three non-officers as the Nominating Committee. These shall include at least two Owner Members and one Associate Member. The Nominating Committee shall propose a slate of officers at the next fall meeting.
ARTICLE X NOMINATING COMMITTEE
At the fall meeting, the Executive Committee shall appoint three non-officers as the Nominating Committee. These shall include at least two Owner Members and one Associate Member. The Nominating Committee shall propose a slate of officers at the next fall meeting.
ARTICLE XI RACING RULES
The International Yacht Racing Rules, as adopted by the United States Sailing Association and modified by the Fleet, shall govern the races of the Fleet. From time to time, the Fleet shall adopt racing regulations that set eligibility requirements, scoring systems and schedules for Fleet races. The Fleet may also adopt a limited penalty rule for a specific series in order to evaluate its use. Such special rules shall be voted at scheduled business meetings and all Fleet members will be notified in writing via email or hand-out.
ARTICLE XII PERMANENT TROPHIES
A number of permanent trophies have been donated to the Fleet for specific events or championships. They shall remain the possession of the Fleet and be displayed at the Portland Yacht Club from Memorial Day to October. Otherwise, the recipient may hold the trophy until a new winner has been determined.
ADOPTED on April 21, 2009
