Constitution & By Laws

HARBOR CLUB NORTH & SOUTH YACHT CLUB

Constitution and By Laws

ARTICLE I – NAME

Section 1. The name of this Club is “HARBOR CLUB NORTH & SOUTH YACHT CLUB”,

Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Michigan, as a non-profit corporation.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

Section 1. The purpose of the Club is to promote the improvement and advancement of pleasure

boating by members of the community and to this end provide the opportunity and means

for members to share their mutual interests and goals in achieving this objective.

ACTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. (a) Any person over eighteen years of age and of good character who is interested in boating

is eligible for membership.

(b) Member: The term shall be deemed to include both spouses, if the applicants are

married or significant other.

member’s spouse.

(d) Seniority: Seniority shall be defined as a period of membership in the Club and seniority

shall be deemed to accrue in accordance with the rules promulgated by the Executive

Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 2. There shall be three (3) classes of membership.

Staff of Harbor Club North and South.
Boater Lessees of Harbor Club North and South.
Social Members.

Section 3. Only active members of this Club shall be permitted to vote or to hold office. Active

members are those members who are current in all membership fees, dues, assessments and

who regularly attend Club meetings. Any disputes will be resolved by the Executive Board

of Directors.

Section 4. Except for spouses of established members, candidates for membership in the Club shall be

proposed by two members in any class who are members in good standing. Such proposals

shall be made in writing on blank forms furnished for that purpose. A proposal letter shall be

addressed to the Committee on Admissions recommending the candidate and giving as fully

as possible from their own personal knowledge the qualifications of the candidate for

membership, and until this information has been received, the name of the candidate for

membership shall not be considered by the Committee. The Committee of Admissions shall

submit all applications of candidates for membership together with their recommendations,

to the Officers of the Club and shall at that time cause to be posted on the bulletin board of

the Club and circulated to all members the name and residence of every candidate so sub-

mitted for admissions together with the name of the proposers. Members shall have the

right to address comments on such candidates to the officers. The officers, not earlier than

10 days after receiving the report of the Committee on Admissions, shall vote upon the

applications submitted. Two negative ballots in person or in writing shall be sufficient for the

candidate. In the event of rejection by the Officers of any candidate for membership, the

Officers at its next meeting shall consult with the proposers of said candidate. Consultation

shall take place prior to notification of said candidate of his/her rejection of membership.

Section 5. Spouses of established members shall become members upon written notification to the

Officers of their desire to acquire membership status, and the date of the marriage.

Section 6. Applications for membership shall be accompanied by such amount as the Executive Board

Of Directors shall determine. A member-elect, who fails to pay the required membership

fees and dues within thirty (30) days of the date of his election, thereby forfeits his/her

right to membership unless the Executive Board of directors shall permit payment of such

fees and dues subsequent to the time specified herein.

Section 7. (a) Charges may be preferred against a member by the Directors, Officers or by any member of the Club. In all such cases, before taking disciplinary action, the Executive Board of

Directors shall conduct a hearing on such charges and a notice in writing signed by the

Secretary or other Officer of the Club, stating the time and place of such meeting at which

such charges are to be heard, together with a copy of the charges preferred against such

member, shall be mailed to him and the Directors at least 10 days before such a meeting,

at which such member may appear in person to be heard or present a written statement.

(b) After a hearing in accordance with the preceding subsection any member may be

suspended for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days for cause including any conduct

which in the judgment of the Executive Board of Directors;

improper, prejudicial, or detrimental to the Club, or
in violation of any provisions of the By Laws of the Club,
in violation of any rule or regulation of the Club.

A hearing held at any meeting of the Executive Board and by a vote of three-fourths of the Directors present; provided however, that no member shall be suspended pursuant to this By Law unless majority of all the Directors shall vote in favor of the suspension.

bulletin board of the Club for a period as the Directors my direct, and a written notice

sent to said member.

Section 8. (a) The quota of members in any class shall be set from time to time by the Board of Directors

and notice posted on the bulletin board of the Club, provided however, that the total

number of members shall not exceed 500.

(b) In the event membership shall be filled, applications for such membership shall be

considered by the Committee of Admissions and Officers and passed upon in accordance

with the provisions of the Article and thereafter placed upon a list. As openings appear in

memberships, persons upon the list shall be admitted to membership in the order their

applications have been approved.

Applications admitted will not be accepted until membership drops below 500.

ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE BOARD, OFFICERS, COMMITTEES AND DELEGATES

Section 1. The EXECUTIVE BOARD of Harbor Club North & South Yacht Club shall consist of the

owners of Harbor Club North and Harbor Club South, current Club Officers consisting of

Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer and two Past

Commodores, a total of nine positions.

(a) This shall be the legislative committee having full authority over club matters of a

legislative nature.

(b) They will also serve as the Nomination Committee who duties shall be the selection of

candidates for the annual election of officers.

Section 2. The Harbor Club North & South Yacht Club shall consist of 6 Officers. The officers

Shall be known as Executive Board of Directors or Flag Officers.

Commodore – Vice Commodore – Rear Commodore – Secretary – Treasurer – Fleet Captain

They will be responsible for conducting the normal operation affairs of the Club.

(a) Commodore – Agent – It shall be the duty of the Commodore to preside at all meetings of the Club. He/she shall have the authority to designate any member to serve as an appointed official or

committee member. Appointed officials or committee members shall serve at the pleasure of the

Executive Board of Directors who may terminate such appointments at any time.
(b) In the absence or disability of the Commodore, his/her duties shall be performed by the Vice

Commodore. The Vice Commodore will assist the Commodore in the discharge of his/her duties and

assist the running of normal Club operations as assigned by the Commodore.
(c) In the absence or disability of the Vice Commodore, his/her duties shall be performed by the Rear

Commodore; or, in his/her absence or disability by one of the Officers designated by the Executive

Board of Directors for that purpose. The Rear Commodore will assist the Commodore, and Vice

Commodore in the discharge of their duties and will be responsible for social activities of the Club in

the absence of a social or entertainment chairperson.
(d) The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all the meetings of the Club and the Executive Board and shall

notify members of elections, issue mailings, newsletters and/or notices of all Meetings. The Secretary will also be responsible for maintaining current membership rosters and perform various duties that

may be assigned by the Officers that pertain to this office. The records shall be open to inspection of

the Directors at all times.
(e) The Treasurer shall collect all Club membership fees and dues and shall deposit the same in the name

of the Club in such institution or institutions as may be authorized by the Executive Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall pay all bills which have been approved by the Officers, Directors or by authorized

committees, and shall issue a monthly written Treasurers Report at club meetings. The Treasurer will

make available upon request a current report to each member of the Club and at least three days prior

to the Annual Meeting shall present this report to the membership at such meeting. Copies of an

Annual Report of the financial condition of the Club examined and certified by an independent

Certified Public Accountant, shall be mailed to members as soon as the same is available. Each year

that someone is elected to be Treasurer, the Past Treasurer will accompany that person to the financial

institution to change over control of Yacht Club’s Checking account.
(f) The Fleet Captain will be responsible for planning all fleet operations, rendezvous and special boating

activities and to assist the Rear Commodore in the discharge of his/her duties.

(g) Delegates and Alternates will be appointed by the Commodore to represent and attend all required

meetings and functions that require Club attendance and/or voting representation and to assist in

other duties that may be assigned by the Commodore.
(h) Committees – The Commodore may appoint members to serve on various committees as needed.

They will be Chairpersons of the committees and will serve at the pleasure and control of the

Commodore and the Executive Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V – ELECTIONS, MEETINGS AND VOTING

Section 1. (a) The Annual Meeting of the Club for Elections of New Officers and transaction of other

business shall be held in November of each year on a date selected by the current Executive Board of Directors but not earlier than the 14th day following the emailing of written notice of the time, date and place thereof to all members at the addresses shown by Club records.

(b) The nominating or election committee will be the Executive Board of Directors.

Nominations for the open positions of Officers must go through and be approved by the

Election Nominating Committee. The Nomination Committee shall meet for the

selection of candidates during September but not prior thereto and shall present to the

Secretary on or before September 21st the report of nominees and the Secretary shall

forthwith send to all members the report of the Nominating Committee on or before

October 1st. The names of all persons so nominated shall be printed on email ballots.

These email ballots shall be emailed to all members in good standing. Only these email

ballots received by the Secretary shall be honored. The email ballots shall be counted

by three tellers appointed by the Commodore. A report of the results shall be made

prior to the adjournment of the annual meeting. In case of a tie vote, the members

present at the annual meeting shall decide between candidates by secret ballot and

shall further proceed to fill any vacancies which may exist due to death, resignation,

refusal or inability to serve as the elected candidates.

Captain. Term of office shall be for one (1) year.

(d) Succession of Officers: The incumbent Vice Commodore shall automatically succeed to the office of

Commodore upon completion of his/her normal term of office. If for any reason he/she is unable to

succeed, the Rear Commodore shall succeed to the office of Commodore.

The incumbent Rear Commodore shall automatically succeed to the office of Vice Commodore upon

completion of his/her normal term of office. If for any reason he/she is unable to succeed, the position

shall be filled by appointment and nomination by the new Commodore and Executive Board of Directors

and voted on at the annual election.

All successions to these offices shall be approved by the Executive Board of Directors.

(e) Any officer who shall be absent for three regularly scheduled monthly meetings unless with prior written

consent from the Executive Board of Directors shall automatically cease to be an Officer of the Club.

Section 2. Special Meetings of the Club shall be held at the call of the Commodore, or the Executive

Board of Directors, or upon the written request of fifty active members in good standing

addressed to the Secretary. The object for which the special meeting is to be held shall be

transacted. Notice of such Meeting shall be emailed to each member at the address shown

by the Club records at least seven days before the meeting.

Section 3. (a) A quorum shall consist of the vote of the majority of the members present at any general

meeting or at any duly called special meeting.

(b) Members shall be entitled to one vote. In case of husband and wife or significant other

membership, they shall together, be entitled to one vote.

Section 4. The latest edition to Roberts Rules of Order shall be used to determine Parliamentary

procedure at all meetings.

ARTICLE VI – FEES AND DUES

Section 1. Membership fees shall be paid by newly elected members in such amounts and in accordance

with the schedules as such fixed from time to time by the Executive Board of Directors. The

fees are in no way connected to or applied to slip rentals.

Section 2. The annual dues of active and social members shall be fixed by the Executive Board of

Directors in amounts not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per year. Dues are in

no way connected to or applied to slip rentals.

Section 3. Dues are payable upon presentation of the bill. When a member is in arrears for payment of

these charges or special assessments to the Club for sixty (60) days, the Executive Board of

Directors may suspend or terminate his/her membership. Dues notice of such suspension or

termination shall be sent in writing to the member, and upon mailing of such notice he/she

shall no longer have any right, title or interest in the Club.

ARTICLE VII – SPECIAL ASSESSMENT

Section 1. Special assessments may be levied on all members to meet financial obligations owed by the

Club or for the purpose of improving or acquiring boats or property necessary for the welfare

of the Club.

Section 2. Special assessments must be approved by the Executive Board of Directors prior to sending

all the membership complete details regarding such assessments at least two (2) weeks

before a special meeting to consider such assessments by the membership. Special

assessments must be approved by a vote of two thirds of the members present.

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. (a) These Constitution and By Laws may be amended at any meeting of the Club by a vote of

two thirds of the members present provided that.

The proposed amendment shall have been first submitted in writing to the Executive Board of Directors and shall have been approved by them and
That notice of the proposed amendment so approved shall have been posted and emailed to every member in good standing at least two (2) weeks before the meeting at which it is to be considered.
Whenever forty (40) members in good standing shall propose an amendment as herein before provided, they shall file the same with the Secretary, and the Commodore shall call a meeting of the Club within thirty (30) days thereof to consider said amendment, and the Secretary shall forthwith give the required notice as provided in the preceding subsection of the section.

Amended 08/09/16