Great Plains USBC Association

BYLAWS

(Revised 2-11-09)

Article I

Name

The name of the organization is the Great Plains USBC Association, chartered by the United States Bowling Congress. (USBC must approve name and jurisdiction of the association prior to granting a charter.)

Article II

Nonprofit Corporation and Charter

Section A. Nonprofit Corporation

The association is organized as a nonprofit corporation and operates consistent with the requirements of an organization classified as tax exempt under Section 501c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

Section B. Charter

Great Plains Charter 08-01-2004

The association shall be chartered by USBC and subject to its authority. To maintain its charter, the association must:

1. Provide services for men, women and youth

2. Adopt bylaws approved by USBC.

3. Not enact any bylaws or rules inconsistent with USBC’s by laws

4. Adhere to Performance Standards and stated requirements as set forth in the

USBC Association Policy Manual.

5. Apply for renewal of its charter every five (5) years. (2009).

Article III

Purpose

The purpose of the association as stated in the Articles of Incorporation, include, but are not limited to:

1. Providing equal opportunity for all in the sport of bowling without regard to

race, religion, age, disability, or national origin.

2. Promoting the game of American Tenpins.

3. Conducting and supporting bowling competition.

4. Engaging in any other activities permitted by an organization classified as tax

exempt under section 501c (3) of the IRC.

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Article IV

Membership and Dues

Membership is composed of individuals who pay dues to the association and is in effect from August 1 through July 31.

An individual joining a summer league after March 15 shall pay the dues that are known to be, or become, effective for the next current season. On payment of the dues, the individual shall become a member for the balance of the current season and the next season.

Each individual shall pay national, state (when applicable) and local dues, except as provided in Rule 100e, Traveling League and 1001, Mail-o-Graphic League.

The adult members, by two-thirds vote, determine and adopt local adult dues, if any. The annual adult membership dues are a follows:

Local $ 8.00

State BA $ 0.00

State WBA $ 1.00

USBC $10.00

The board, by two-thirds vote, determines and adopts local youth dues, if any, based on the recommendation of the Youth Committee. The annual youth membership dues are as follows:

Local $4.00

State $ .50

USBC $9.50

The board may waive all or part of local dues for:

1. Members of other USBC associations having a reciprocal agreement

with the Association.

2. Other groups, such as seniors, etc., as determined by the Board.

The association cannot charge additional non-member assessments.

Article V

Section A. Board Composition, Authority and Duties

The management and governance of the association is vested in the board of directors. The members and Youth Representatives determine the number of directors. The local number of directors is eleven (11). The total number of board members (officers and

directors) is twenty (20). At least 20% of the number of board members will be elected

by the Youth Committee. The elected number of Youth board members is four (4). The

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board shall not engage in any acts constituting a conflict of interest.. The board’s duties include but are not limited to:

1. Enforcing the bylaws.

2. Complying with the USBC Association Policy Manual.

3. Ensuring adherence to all USBC Performance Standards.

4. Adopting youth dues, up to the maximum established by USBC, based on the

recommendation of the Youth Committee.

5. Conducting championship level competition for its membership constituency

(men, women and youth) and complying with state and local laws in their

area.

6. Providing education, training, evaluations, recognition and other services as

determined by USBC

7. Implementing USBC programs.

8. Selecting/appointing and evaluating the performance of the Association

Manager.

9. Approving use of membership records.

10. Re-rating the league average of an association member when there is

evidence the bowler’s average does not represent the bowler’s true ability.

11. Conducting suspension and reinstatement hearings.

Section B. Eligibility

A candidate for the board must be:

1. A USBC member in good standing at the time of elections and throughout

their term.

2. Elected or appointed without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability,

national origin, or age, other than the minimum age of 14, unless state laws

mandate a specific age, and be reasonably representative of the membership.

a. Any member of the authorized to sign contracts for acting as a

signatory on association accounts must be a minimum age of 18.

b. At least 20% of the board must be elected by and from the Youth

Committee.

c. A maximum of three bowling center proprietors may serve on the

board at one time. A proprietor is an individual who is the owner,

partner or corporate officer of a bowling center or group of bowling

centers. Excluded from the definition of proprietor is an individual

who owns 25% or less of the equity shares, or who is inactive in the

management of the bowling center and remains so during a term as an

officer or director.

Additional eligibility requirements, if any, will be developed by the Nominating Committee to be approved by the membership.

Section C. Election of Directors

Directors whose positions are subject to election by the adult members are elected by majority vote* of adult members, present and voting, from:

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1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.

2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the

Nominating Committee. A least 20% of the board is elected by the

Youth Committee. Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one

(1) nominee for each position.

Section D. Term

The term for president shall not exceed two (2) terms in office. The term for director is three (3) years (unlimited), except that initially, the appointment of three (3) directors will be for one (1) year, four (4) directors will be appointed for two (2) years and four (4) directors will be appointed for three (3) year terms, in order to create a stagger system. The members Youth Representatives determine the number of years in a term and the number of terms allowed. For two (2) and three (3) year terms the members and Youth Representatives establish a stagger system.

Section E. Resignation and Vacancies

1. Resignation. A board member may resign from the board of directors

by providing written notice to the president or, in the case of the

president, to the board.

2. Removal for Ineligibility. A board member who is not longer eligible

to serve on the board may be removed with two-thirds vote of the

board when a quorum is present.

3. Removal for Cause. When a board member is accused, in writing, of

failure to perform the duties of their office or engaging in improper or

unfair activities or conduct, the board may conduct a hearing following

the Removal Procedures in the Suspension and Reinstatement

Chapter. An appeal must be filed with USBC within fifteen (15) days of

the removal. Two-thirds written consent of the full board is required to

seek re-election and re-appointment to the board.

4. Vacancies. Vacancies in positions on the board are filled for the un-

expired portion of each term as follows:

a. If elected by members, director vacancies are filled by the

president, subject to approval by the board.

b. The board fills vacancies in officer positions.

Article VI

Officers

Section A. President and Vice President

The officers of the Great Plains Association shall include one (1) president, two (2) vice presidents and one (1) sergeant-at-arms.

Section B. Election

Officers are elected by majority vote* of the adult members present and voting from:

1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.

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2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications submitted to the Nominating

Committee. Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for

each position.

Section C. Term

The term for elected officers is three (3) years. Initially, the president will be appointed for two (2) years and the vice-president for one (1) year in order to have a stagger system.

The members and Youth Representatives determine the number of years in a term and the number of terms allowed.

Section D. Authority and Duties

1. President

a. Presides at all meetings.

b. Acts as spokesperson for the association.

c. Appoints committees, except for nominating and youth, with board

approval.

Note: All committees should be composed of both board members and non-board members.

* If a majority vote is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest vote total is dropped and balloting continues until a candidate receives a majority vote.

2. Vice President

a. Presides at all meetings when president is absent.

b. Performs other duties as prescribed by the board or requested by the

president.

3. Sergeant at Arms

a. Maintain order at all meetings.

b. Makes sure all material and supplies are ready for meetings.

c. Controls sign ins and assures voting of legal members.

d. Performs other duties as required or requested by the president.

4. Association Manager

a. Selected/appointed by and accountable to the board.

b. Responsible for implementation of USBC’s Performance Standards.

c. Acts as ex officio non-voting secretary/treasurer of the board or such

other officer designation as required by law and determined by the

board.

d. Responsible for other duties as prescribed by the board and in the

USBC Association Policy Manual.

Article VII

Meetings

Section A. Annual Meetings

An Annual Meeting of association members/Youth Representatives shall be held at a time and place approved by the board. (See article IX, Section D for time frames for

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election of delegates and alternates to the USBC Annual Meeting).

1. Attendance

Attendance is open to all members.

2. Member/Youth Representative

a. Attendance is open to all members. Voting members and Youth

Representatives/alternates must be at least 14 years of age, unless state

laws mandate a specific age. Each youth league is entitled to one adult

representative and one Youth Representative who must be 14years of

age, unless state laws mandate a specific age. A league is not eligible

for representation if it has not submitted a league sanction application.

b. A center having at least one sanctioned youth league is entitled to one

Youth Representative.

c. The following individuals can be considered for Youth Representatives/

alternates:

1) Members of a sanctioned youth league.

2) Youth Leaders.

3) Youth League Officials (i.e., supervisors, officials, coaches,

etc.).

3. Voice and Vote

Voting officers, directors, and members/Youth Representatives, at least 14

years of age, unless state laws mandate a specific age, have voice and vote.

Members not meeting the above stated criteria may attend with voice only.

Absentee and proxy voting are not permitted.

4. Responsibilities

a. Adult members shall:

1) Adopt bylaws, with the exception of youth dues.

2) Adopt local adult dues, up to the established maximum.

3) Elect up to 80% of the Board, including all officers.

4) Elect delegates and alternates representing adult membership for

the USBC and state annual meetings.

b. Youth Representatives shall:

1) Adopt by laws, with the exception of adult and youth dues.

2) Elect the Youth Committee.

3) Elect Youth Representatives and alternates to the state annual

meeting.

5. Meeting Notice

Written notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to the board, Youth

Representatives and league secretaries, which should be at least 15 days prior

to the annual meeting. Special meetings may be called by the president or

upon written request of at least three board members.

6. Special Meetings

Special membership meetings may be called by the president or upon written

Request of at least three board members or at least twenty-five members of the

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association.

7. Quorum

a. 35 members, excluding the board constitute a quorum. The members/

Youth Representatives determine the number.

b. 10 Youth Representatives constitute a quorum for the youth related

elections and activities. The members/Youth Representatives determine

the number.

8. Action

A majority vote of those member/Youth Representatives present and voting, at

a properly notice meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to

take action, unless otherwise provided by law or these bylaws. Election of

officers and directors require a majority vote. Election of delegates, Youth

Representatives and alternates require a plurality vote. Absentee and proxy

Voting are not permitted.

Section B. Board Meeting

The board shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings may be held upon the request of any board member if a majority of the board approves.

1. Notice. Written notice for all regular and special meetings shall be forwarded

to board, which should be at least 15 days prior to the meeting.

2. Quorum. 11 Board members constitute a quorum. The members/Youth

Representatives determine the number.

3. Action. A majority vote of those officers and directors present and voting, at a

properly noticed meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to

take action, unless otherwise provided by law or these bylaws. Absentee and

proxy voting are not permitted.

4. Action(s) Without a Meeting. Actions that are deemed necessary to conduct

business/operations of the association may be taken outside of a board

meeting by use of mail, e-mail or teleconferencing. This type of action must

be permissible by state law and approved by the membership and the board.

The procedures found in the USBC Association Policy Manual, Chapter Five,

Section D, Item 4 must be followed.

The Great Plains Association does allow the board to vote via mail, e-mail, or

teleconference.

Section C. Parliamentary Procedure

The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, governs all meetings.

Article VIII

Committees

Section A. Standing Committees

The association shall have the following Standing Committees: Nominating, Finance and

Youth.

1. Nominating Committee. The committee reviews candidates and prepares

slate for adult board, delegates representing adult membership and alternate

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positions. The committee will prepare slates for the Youth Committee and Youth/Delegates/alternates based on the recommendation of the Youth

Committee. The committee publicizes criteria and procedures for the elected

Positions.

2. Finance Committee. The committee is responsible for reviewing and

monitoring the annual budget and other financial matters.

3. Youth Committee. The Youth Committee is elected by the Youth

Representatives and responsible for:

a. Developing eligibility requirements for the board members representing

the youth, to be approved by the members and Youth Representatives.

b. Electing at least 20% of the members for the Youth Committee.

c. Developing eligibility requirements for the Youth Committee, subject to

approval of the Youth Representatives.

d. Recommending youth dues, to be approved by the board.

e. Monitoring, promoting, reviewing and recommending youth programs

conducted by the association.

Section B. Other Committees

The president may establish other committees, with board approval.

Article IX

Delegates, Youth Representatives and Alternates

Section A. USBC Annual Meeting

Adult delegates and adult alternates are elected by plurality vote* of those adult members

present and voting. (See Article VI, Section A of the USBC National Bylaws for representation).

Section B. State Annual Meeting

1. Delegates and alternates representing adults are elected by plurality vote* of

those adult members present and voting.

2. Youth Representatives and alternates are elected by plurality vote* of those

Youth Representatives present and voting.

Section C. Eligibility

l. USBC Annual Meeting. Delegates and Alternates must be:

a. Elected by adult members.

b. At least 18 years of age.

c. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of

election and throughout their term.

2. State Annual Meeting. Nominees must be:

a. Elected by adult members or Youth Representatives.

b. At least 14 years of age.

*A plurality vote is the largest number of votes cast for a given candidate. The candidate(s) receiving the most votes is (are) elected.

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c. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of

election and throughout the term.

If a member is elected to represent more than one association to attend the same meeting, the first election shall stand and any succeeding election shall be declared null and void.

A local association is not eligible to send delegates/Youth Delegates if it is declared delinquent or USBC has revoked its charter.

Section D. Election

Adult delegates, Youth Representatives and alternates serve for one year, beginning August 1, and are elected by:

1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.

2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the

Nominating Committee.

3. Plurality vote*. The election shall be by ballot, except that a voice vote may be

taken when the number of candidates does not exceed the number of positions

to be filled.

4. Alternates shall serve in order of their election.

The election is to be held in compliance with the USBC or State Annual Meeting requirements.

Section E. Vacancies

Vacancies are filled for the un-expired portion of each term as follows:

1. If elected by adult members, vacancies are filled by the alternates in the order

in which they were elected. If a vacancy still exists the president fills the

vacant position by appointment.

2. If elected by the Youth Representatives, vacancies are filled by the alternates

in the order in which they wee elected. If a vacancy still exists the Youth

Committee fills the vacant position by appointment.

The appointee must also meet the same eligibility requirements as elected positions.

Article X

Amendments

Section A. Procedure

Any member of the association may submit proposed amendments to these bylaws. The local association bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting, by a two-thirds vote of the members/Youth Representatives present and voting. The amendment must be:

1. Submitted in writing to the Association Manager or president.

2. Submitted at least 30 days (date or number of days to be set by the members/

Youth Representatives) prior to the membership meeting when the association

is considering the proposal. (See Section B for Change in Dues.)

Section B. Change in Dues

*A plurality vote is the largest number of votes cast for a given candidate. The candidate(s) receiving the most votes is (are) elected.

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1. Adult Dues. Forward a notice to each league secretary at least 15 days prior to

the meeting at which the proposed change is considered. The notice must:

a. Be in writing.

b. Specify the amount of the change.

c. Specify the reason for the change.

2. Youth Dues. Changes in dues are adopted by the board, based on

recommendations of the Youth Committee. Forward a notice to the Youth

committee and the board at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which the

proposed change is considered. The notice must:

a. Be in writing.

b. Specify the amount of the change.

c. Specify the reason for the change.

Notification of any adopted change in dues, and the reason for the change, will be forwarded, in writing to:

a. Adult dues – each league secretary.

b. Youth dues – Youth Representatives (league and center only).

Section C. Effective Date

All amendments are effective August 1, following adoption, unless otherwise specified when adopted.

Article XI

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of this association is August 1 through July 31.

Article XII

Indemnification

Directors, officers, and other authorized volunteers, employees or agents shall be indemnified against claims for personal and individual liability arising in connection with their positions or service on behalf of the association to the full extent permitted by law..

_____________________________ ________________________­­­­­_____

President Association Manager

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