WANDA CANOE CLUB, INC.

CONSTITUTION

Revised 3/24/06

 

ARTICLE 1. NAME

 

This club shall be known as the Wanda Canoe Club, Incorporated of Ridgefield Park, N. J.  The club shall be a non‑profit corporation under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

 

ARTICLE 2. OBJECT

 

The object of this club shall be to encourage canoeing, kayaking, and related aquatic sports;  to provide and maintain facilities for the recreation and convenience of its members; and to promote social activities for its members.

 

ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP (Revised September 14, 2002, endorsed November 8, 2002)

 

Section 1.  The club shall be composed of Active, Active Family, Veteran, Junior, Juvenile, Associate Cruising, and Honorary members.

 

1.  A.         An Active member shall be at least 18 years old, shall be entitled to hold any office when so elected, and shall have one vote in all regular and special meetings of the club and shall be elected as described in section 2 of this article.  An Active Family membership shall be a husband and wife acting jointly as one member, however only one member of said Family shall hold office at any one time.  Minor children residing in the household of an Active Family shall be extended the same privileges, except those involving a vote, as guests, Juvenile or Junior members without additional fees.  Each individual in an active membership shall be eligible to serve on all committees and shall enjoy full privileges and benefits of the club.

 

B.  A Veteran member must have been an Active member for a continuous period of at least seven years, and must be in good standing.  Any member meeting the requirements for said membership shall automatically be installed as a Veteran member at the first meeting following receipt of application for said membership.

 

C.  A Junior member shall be from age 16 to 18.  A Junior member shall be allowed the use of the club only when accompanied by an Active member who shall be held responsible for the Junior member's conduct and any equipment used.  The Junior membership as a whole shall be entitled to one vote in any meeting of the club.  This vote, however, shall not apply to the transferring of funds from the sinking fund.  Failure to abide by the rules or directions issued by the club or its officers shall be grounds for termination of membership. A Junior member must have written permission from his parent or legal guardian allowing the member to compete, train, and participate in club activities relieving the club from responsibility for the Junior member.  Upon reaching the age of 18, the Junior member shall have the option of remaining a Junior member until age 19 or applying for another category of membership.  A Junior member shall be elected as described in Section 2 of this article.

 

D.  A Juvenile member shall be from age 10 to 15.  The Juvenile member shall be allowed the use of the club only when accompanied by an Active member who shall be responsible for the Juvenile member's conduct and any equipment used.  Upon reaching the minimum age limit for Junior membership, the juvenile member must apply for said membership.  Failure to abide by the rules of the club or directions issued by the club or its officers shall be grounds for termination of membership.  A Juvenile member must have written permission from his parent or legal guardian to compete, train, and participate in club activities relieving the club from responsibility for the Juvenile member.  A Juvenile member shall be installed for membership at the first meeting following receipt of application for membership.

 

 

 

E.  An Associate Cruising member shall be at least 18 years old.  The Associate Cruising member shall be invited to take part in all club activities and have the right to voice opinions at all club meetings, but shall not have the power of a vote.  An Associate Cruising member shall be eligible to serve on all committees.  Failure to abide by the rules or directions issued by the club shall be grounds for termination of membership.  An Associate Cruising member shall be installed for membership at the first meeting following receipt of application for membership.

 

F.  An Honorary member shall be a member who has been recognized for a significant contribution to the good and welfare of the club.  This membership shall be for 24 months.  Privileges for this member will be determined by the Board of Governors.

 

G.  Any member of applicant for membership must be able to swim 100 yards, and may be requested to demonstrate this ability before a selected committee of the club.  Inability to meet this requirement will result in termination of membership.

 

Section 2.  Each candidate for membership must be  proposed in writing by a member in good standing.  All applications must be on a form provided by the club for that purpose and sent to the Secretary who shall refer same to the membership committee.  The membership committee shall report at the meeting following receipt of application the completeness of the application, whether or not the fees for one year's membership shall have been included, and their recommendation for action by the club.  Any application not complete or which does not contain one year's fees will not be acted on by the club.

 

A.  Active, Active Family and Junior members shall be elected by a closed ballot where the proposed member is present.  A majority vote is required for election to membership.

 

B.             Veteran, Juvenile, and Associate Cruising members shall automatically become members upon a satisfactory recommendation of the membership committee and payment of one year's fees in advance.

 

C.            Honorary members shall automatically become members of the club upon satisfactory recommendation of the membership committee and approval by the Board of Governors.

 

D.            Names of applicants rejected by the membership cannot be presented again within one year.

 

E.             Any applicant under 18 years old must have written consent of his parents or legal guardian on the application form of the club.

 

 

Section 3.

 

A.             Any member in arrears in dues on March 31 shall be deemed in arrears and same shall be reported to the Board of Governors, who shall proceed in a manner which they deem best suited to the club's and the individual's interests.  However, any member in arrears on June 30 will be written a letter requesting immediate payment of dues.  Any member still in arrears September 30 shall have his membership automatically terminated.

 

B.             Any member dropped for delinquency shall have a thirty day period in which to remove all personal property from the clubhouse.  Should he fail to do so, the Secretary shall notify him by certified mail (return receipt requested) that ten days from the date of the certified letter the Wanda Canoe Club Inc. will dispose of his personal effects to satisfy his indebtedness to the club. 

 

C.            No member deemed in arrears shall be eligible to hold office or entitled to vote, or enter into any race representing the club unless these privileges have been extended by the Board of Governors.

 

ARTICLE 4. FEES AND DUES (Revised January 27, 2006, endorsed March 24, 2006)

 

Section 1. Annual dues shall be as set forth below.  The Board shall have the power to waive such portion of the dues as may be appropriate while still meeting the financial needs of the club..

 

Section 2.            Annual dues for Active members shall be as follows;  $60.00 for individuals and $72.00 for husband and wife, active family, payable by March 31 of each year.

 

Section 3.            Annual dues for Veteran members shall be $15.00 payable by March 31 of each year.

 

Section 4.            Annual dues for Junior members shall be $30.00 payable by March 31 of each year.

 

Section 5.            Annual dues for Juvenile members shall be $24.00 payable by March 31 of each year.

 

Section 6.            Annual dues for Associate Cruising members shall be $30.00 payable by March 31 of each year.

 

Section 7.            There shall be an initiation fee of $12.00 for Active and Active Family members.  The initiation fee shall not be duplicated.

 

Section 8.            Any member may make application to the Board of Governors for rack space for his canoe or kayak.  Such privilege shall be granted by the Board of Governors or their designee and may be rescinded at any time at their discretion.  A fee may be requested by the Board of Governors for this privilege.  The Board of Governors or their designee will be required to post the rack assignments and rules for awarding rack space within the club house, and shall report at least semi‑annually and at the first meeting following a rule change as to the guidelines it has used in utilizing rack space. 

 

ARTICLE 5.         OFFICERS

 

Section 1.            The officers shall be a Commodore, vice commodore, secretary, treasurer, and fleet captain.  No officer may hold more than one office at a time except the treasurer, who may hold one additional office.

 

ARTICLE 6.         BOARD OF GOVERNORS

 

Section 1.            The Board of Governors shall consist of the current officers and retiring commodore of the previous year.  In case a commodore succeeds himself, a member will be elected to the Board of Governors from the floor at the December meeting.

 

ARTICLE 7.         DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND OFFICERS

 

Section 1.            The Board of Governors shall have control of all permanent property both real and personal of the club and shall make such rules and regulation for the care and government of the same as they shall from time to time deem necessary. 

 

Section 2.            It shall be the duty of the Commodore to preside at the meeting and appoint committees when necessary.

 

Section 3.            It shall be the duty of the vice commodore to assist the commodore in the discharge of his duties and to officiate in his absence.

 

Section 4.            It shall be the duty of the secretary:

 

A.             To keep the minutes of the meetings of the club in a book provided for that purpose and have the custody of all reports and documents connected with the club.

 

B.             To keep correct roll of members of the club, together with the dates of their admittance. 

 

C.            To receive applications for membership and to transmit same to the membership committee.

 

D.            To notify each proposed member of his acceptance.

 

E.             To conduct the correspondence of the club, to give notice of all meetings, and in case of special meetings to state the business intended, to notify members of their election to office and of their appointment to serve on committees, and to perform such other services as may be required by the club.

Section 5.            It shall be the duty of the treasurer:

 

A.             To collect all money due, to have charge of the funds of the club, and to keep a correct record and account of all money received and paid out in a book provided for that purpose.

 

B.             To report the names of members in arrears to the secretary and Board of Governors on a monthly basis. 

 

C.            To deposit the funds of the club in the name of the club in a depository or depositories approved by the officers of the club.

 

D.            To present at each meeting a detailed account showing the financial condition of the club.

 

Section 6.            It shall be the duty of the fleet captain to act as chairman of the racing committee.  He shall have the power to call a meeting of competitive members of the club.

 

 

ARTICLE 8.         FUNDS

 

Section 1.            Funds in excess of $100.00, which may be kept as cash on hand to meet current expenses, should be deposited by the treasurer in a depository approved by the officers of the club.

 

Section 2.            Ten percent of all receipts shall be deposited in a sinking fund which is a separate account.  Withdrawals from this fund can be made only by a three fourths vote of the Board of Governors and by a three fourths vote of the active members present at the meeting when notice of said expenditure is given in advance of said meeting.  The sinking fund shall only be used for capital expenditures.

 

 

ARTICLE 9          MEETINGS

 

Section 1.            There shall be a regular monthly membership meeting to be held on the second Friday of each month or as close as practical.  The annual membership meeting shall be held in November or as close as practical.  Officers for the coming year shall be elected at the December membership meeting.  The Awards meeting will be held in January at which time the elected officers will assume their responsibilities.

 

Section 2.            The secretary shall call special meetings at the discretion of the commodore or upon written request of a quorum.

 

Section 3.            One third of the active members or at least four members of the Board of Governors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except for those meetings at which election of officers takes place or a constitutional amendment is adopted, at which meeting one third of active members must be present.

 

Section 4.            Notice of regular and special meetings shall be mailed to every member at least five days in advance thereof.

 

Section 5.            No business shall be transacted at a special meeting except that for which notice was given.

 

ARTICLE 10        ELECTIONS

 

Section 1.            The commodore, vice commodore, secretary, treasurer, and fleet captain shall be elected at the December meeting and shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected.

 

Section 2.            Voting shall be by closed ballot and a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to elect.

 

Section 3.            All vacancies in elective offices shall be filled by a majority vote of members present at the meeting following the meeting at which the vacancy is made known, provided at least one third of active members are present.

 

Section 4.            Nominations for elective officers may be made from the floor.

 

 

ARTICLE 11        AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.            To amend this constitution, it shall be necessary, after the amendment has been submitted in written form and has been passed by a majority vote at any meeting of the club, to inform every member by mail within ten days after that meeting.

 

Section 2.            A three‑quarter affirmative vote of the voting members present at a regular meeting held at least forty‑five days after the amendment has been passed shall be necessary to adopt any amendment to this constitution.  Notice that this voting is to take place shall be placed in the meeting notice preceding the meeting.

 

 

 

BY‑LAWS

 

ARTICLE 1.          DISCIPLINE

 

Any member or members having a complaint against another member for the infraction of any law or rule (other than racing rules) or for conduct injurious to the welfare of the club may report the same in writing to the Board of Governors.  Such complaint shall set forth the facts of the case together with the names of the witnesses, if any.  After receiving such a complaint, a meeting of the Board of Governors shall be held as soon as it is practical, to investigate it.  All persons involved shall receive at least five days advance notice of said meeting and may be heard with their witnesses.  The statements and evidence shall be reduced to writing and filed with the secretary.  The Board of Governors shall have the power to suspend or expel a member or impose any other penalty upon a majority vote of the Board.  The decision of the Board shall be filed with the secretary and he shall mail copies to the persons involved.  An appeal from the decision of the Board may be taken to the club within thirty days by serving upon the secretary a written notice of such appeal.  A special meeting shall thereupon be called for a consideration of the case and a majority vote of all the total voting members in the club shall be necessary to reverse the decision of the Board.

 

ARTICLE 2.          COMMITTEES

 

Section 1.            Standing committees shall include Membership committee, House committee, Social committee, Audit committee, publicity/Historical committee, Cruising committee, Nominating Committee and Conservation committee.  They shall be appointed annually by the commodore at the first stated meeting after the annual election.

 

A.             The Membership Committee shall consist of three members.  They shall investigate all candidates for membership and report their conclusions at the regular meeting.

 

B.             The Social Committee shall consist of one or more members.  They shall provide for and take care of all social activities given by the club.

 

C.            The Audit Committee shall consist of three members.  They shall inspect the books of the treasurer annually and whenever else the Board of Governors deems it advisable.

 

D.            The Publicity/Historical Committee shall consist of at least one member.  It shall be responsible for publicizing the activities of the club, preserving historical record, documents, and artifacts of the club.

 

E.             The Cruising Committee shall consist of at least one member.  It shall be responsible for all cruises organized by the club.

 

F.             The House Committee shall consist of at least three members.  They shall provide for and take care of the general management of all property owned or leased by the club, and supervise persons employed by the club.  They shall receive and redress all complaints concerning club property.

 

G.            The Nominating Committee shall consist of at least three members.  They shall render their report at the Annual Membership Meeting held in November.

 

H.            The Conservation Committee shall consist of one or more members.  They shall investigate, report and advise the club as to all environmental matters.

 

 

Section 2.            The Racing Committee shall supervise all competitive activities of the club and shall be responsible for all competitive equipment owned by the club.  It shall consist of at least three members, one of whom shall be the Fleet Captain.  Each ACA recognized competitive activity in which the club has had at least five members compete in at least five events during the calendar year shall be represented on the committee.  All members will be elected at the annual meeting.  If none of the members of the committee are competitive athletes, an additional member will be elected to the committee who is.  A committee member will be considered a competing athlete if he has competed in at least three ACA sanctioned competitions in the calendar year during which he is elected.  If three races in an ACA recognized activity are entered by at least three members of the club during a calendar year, any club member may petition the membership to have the competitive activity represented on the racing committee.  Upon acceptance by a majority vote of those attending, a candidate will be nominated for election at the next annual meeting.  If fewer than three events in any competitive activity are entered by three or more members, the activity will no longer be represented on the racing committee.

 

ARTICLE 3.          MEETINGS

 

Section 1.            The order of the regular meeting shall be:

   1.          Call to order

   2.          Roll Call

   3.          Reading of the minutes

   4.          Comments from the Commodore and Vice Commodore

   5.          Report of the Treasurer

   6.          Report of the Fleet Captain

   7.          Report of the Board of Governors

8.          Report of the standing committees (Membership, House, Social, Audit, publicity/Historical, Cruising, Nominating and Conservation).

   9.          Report of the special committees

   10.        Unfinished business

   11.        New business

   12.        Suggestions for the good and welfare of the club

   13.        Adjournment.

 

Section 2.            The order of business at the annual meeting shall be:

   1.          Call to order

   2.          Roll call

   3.          Reading of the minutes

   4.          Annual report of officers and standing committees

   5.          Unfinished business

   6.          New business

   7.          Address of the Commodore

   8.          Report of the Nominating Committee

   9.          Suggestions for the good and welfare of the club

   10.        Adjournment.

 

ARTICLE 4.          EMBLEM‑‑COLORS‑‑FLAG‑‑UNIFORM

 

Section 1.            The emblem of the club shall be a side view of a sitting loon holding a single paddle.

 

Section 2.            The club colors shall be royal blue and white.

 

Section 3.            The flag of the club shall be triangular with two units on the staff and three units in length.  It shall be of royal blue with a triangular field.  A loon in proportion to the field with his back to the staff.  The field shall be as wide as the staff and one half its length.

 

 

Section 4.            The uniform of the club shall be royal blue and white.  The uniform shall be approved annually.

 

Section 5.            The boat emblem shall be a reproduction of the club emblem.

 

 

ARTICLE 5.          PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

 

The rules of Parliamentary Practice as comprised in the most recently published edition of "Roberts Rules of Order" shall govern proceedings of the club subject to special rules which have been or may be adopted.

 

 

ARTICLE 6.          AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.            To amend these by‑laws it shall be necessary, after the amendment has been submitted in written form and has been passed by a majority vote at any meeting of the club, to inform every member by mail within ten days after that meeting.

 

Section 2.            A three quarter affirmative vote of the voting members present at a regular meeting held at least forty five days after the amendment has been passed shall be necessary to adopt any amendment to these by‑laws.  Notice that this voting is to take place shall be placed in the meeting notice preceding the meeting.

 

 

ARTICLE 7.          LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY

 

The Wanda Canoe Club Inc. will not be responsible for loss or damage to personal property or personal injury to members, guest, or persons on or near its premises.