Club Charter
I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the "Northern Lights Disc Golf Club" (herein referred to as NLDGC).
II. Statement of Purpose and Goals
A. This purpose of the NLDGC shall be to grow and improve the sport of disc golf in Antrim, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau counties (herein referred to as the Traverse Bay Area) and the surrounding areas by bringing together new and experienced players, promoting a friendly environment for club members, and bridging the gap between NLDGC and the community.
B. NLDGC Goals:
B. NLDGC Goals:
- Teach new players of all ages.
- Grow the number of club members and casual golfers, both male and female.
- Hold Regular sanction & unsanctioned event.
- Help maintain the Traverse Bay Area disc golf courses.
- Assist with local course design and implementation.
III. Affiliations
The NLDGC shall be and remain independent and autonomous. Its government is vested in its membership and is subject to the control of no other body. It may affiliate with organizations of like purpose for the promotion, education, or betterment of the sport (disk golf), as long as this affiliation does not infringe upon the independence and autonomy of this club.
IV. Membership
A. Membership Rights and Requirements
- Membership shall not be denied to any individual based on race, religion, sex, ethnicity, age, dialect, or level of disc golf ability. Membership is valid from January 1 through December 31 of the current calendar year and is contingent upon payment of annual dues. Membership can be denied or revoked by Officer's majority vote for violent, obscene, or harmful behavior, or for nonpayment of money owed to the club. Membership dues shall be reviewed annually by the Club Officer Board, who may choose to increase or decrease the membership dues to meet the needs of the club. Membership dues shall be used for the growth of the Club and expenses as listed herein.
- A club member is considered in good standing when his/ her membership dues are current and he/ she has no outstanding debts to the club. All club members are expected to demonstrate upstanding conduct while present at any course and during all club related activities.
- Failure to maintain upstanding conduct including but not limited to: intentional damage to park property, littering, excessive foul language, demonstrative rage, violation of park rules, violation of Club bylaws, etc. will be reviewed and dealt with by the Club Officer Board. A three (3) strike warning system will be implemented, leading to the expulsion of said member(s) from the club. Warnings will be issued by the Club Officer Board.
- Club Members have the right to vote at the spring and fall business meetings. Members may also have the opportunity to vote during special session votes or elections, as specified by the officers.
- All Club Members have the right to express their viewpoints through the Club's internet presence. Club Members are responsible for proper use of Club information, documents, and for their own behavior. Club Members have the right to petition or lobby other Club Members and Officers for the purpose of improving the Club or to sway a decision. This type of activity is limited to issues directly related to Club matters and should not be used as a platform for political/religious affiliations, or personal agendas.
- Club members are responsible for their own safety and wellbeing at any club sponsored event. Club members will participate in club events at their own risk and will never be required to attend any event they do not wish to participate in due to safety concerns. Safety hazards will be reviewed by the Club Officer Board and corrective action taken when necessary.
- All Club Members have the right to attend or not to attend Club functions (unless a Member is specifically required to attend said functions as required by this charter). All Members are highly encouraged to volunteer at Club events, with course maintenance projects, and promote disc golf in a positive manner.
- Members may request resolution of Club-related disputes through the Club Officer Board at any time.
- All Members in good standing can petition to have items added to the club’s meeting agenda.
- Member in Good Standing
- The Primary Body of the Club. Members in Good Standing are current on dues, and are eligible to hold an officers position after their first year as a member. They have full voting rights and can sponsor Member Candidates.
- A Member in Good Standing must attend at least one club event or meeting each calendar year to maintain their membership.
- Junior Member (Under 18)
- Junior Members do not have the voting privileges and can not hold Club Officer positions.
- Junior Members can sponsor Member Candidates and vote in Member Induction Meetings (Article VII.B)
- Junior Members have their dues reduced by half.
- A Junior Member must attend at least one club event or meeting each calendar year to maintain their membership.
- Member Candidate
- Member Candidates are not official members and as such do not pay dues.
- Member Candidates are encouraged to meet and interact with club members (get to know them).
- Member Candidates will be extended an offer to become a Member in Good Standing once the following conditions are met...
- The Member Candidate has attended a minimum of 3 club events within the current calendar year.
- The Member Candidate has been sponsored for membership by a Member in Good Standing, or a Junior Member.
- A simple majority vote for acceptance at a Member Induction Meeting passes. (See Article VII.B.)
- The Member Candidate pays dues for the year. (Dues paid after the Fall Business Meeting will be credited towards the following year.)
- Inactive Member
- A Member with unpaid dues will remain on the membership role for two (2) years. This member loses all rights and privileges granted by this charter during such time.
- After the inactive period, the member will be removed from the membership register. Should they wish to rejoin thereafter, the must rejoin as a Member Candidate and go through the Induction process.
- An Inactive Member may be restored to Member in Good Standing by paying the current years dues and attending 1 club event.
- A Member with unpaid dues will remain on the membership role for two (2) years. This member loses all rights and privileges granted by this charter during such time.
V. Club Officers Board
A. The Club Officers Board shall consist of the following positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Master-at-Arms, all of whom shall have been a member of this club (NLDGC) for a period of at least one (1) year before being placed in nomination. The terms of office shall begin on the 1st of March. Retiring officers shall hold office until the terms of the newly elected officers begin. Other minor offices may be created from time to time as may be deemed necessary. No person shall hold more than one major offices at one time, and no member on the “Inactive” list is eligible to hold office.
- Qualifications and Eligibility
- Officers shall be members in good standing.
- All officers must be 21 years of age or older.
- All officers must be a member for at least one (1) year prior to appointment.
- All officers must be approved by a 2/3rds vote of the club membership with such vote to be held at the Fall Business Meeting.
- Appointment, Approval, Terms and Duties
- The following officers shall be elected by the membership of the club at the Fall Business Meeting.
- President
- The term shall be three (3) years.
- The President is responsible for setting and monitoring the goals of the club, running club meetings, appointing committee chairs and delegating tasks as necessary, recruiting, and maintaining regular communication with the club members.
- Vice President
- The term shall be three (3) years, unless said term would end in the same year as the President in which case the term is shortened to two (2) years.
- The Vice President is responsible for assisting the President as well as the other club officers in the execution of their duties. The Vice President acts in place of the President if he/she is unavailable. The Vice President may be assigned the role of another officer in the event that officer is unable to complete their term in office.
- Secretary
- The term shall be for one (1) year.
- The Secretary shall keep an accurate and permanent record of all the business meetings of the club and maintain a membership register. The Secretary shall be prepared to read the minutes of all business meetings.
- Treasurer
- The term shall be for one (1) year.
- The Treasurer shall keep a clear, accurate and permanent record of all regular receipts and disbursements. He/she shall disburse when authorized and by check only. He/she shall present financial reports to the club at bi-annual business meetings. He/she shall maintain an accurate record of all monies, keep a log of dues paid and issue receipts.
- Sergeant-at-Arms
- The term shall be for one (1) year.
- The Sergeant-at-Arms primary duty is to enforce order at the direction of the chair and to assist in practical details of club meetings. Other duties include the greeting of visitors, providing for security and safety at events, and keeping/securing the clubs property.
- Any other officers deemed necessary for the smooth operation of the club shall be appointed by the Club Officer Board and approved by the membership of the club.
- President
- The following officers shall be elected by the membership of the club at the Fall Business Meeting.
- Any officer whose conduct is found to be unbecoming such that it might bring reproach upon the club or who fails to administer his/her office in a reasonable manner shall be removed from office by disciplinary committee.
VI. Committees
The Club Officer Board may, from time to time as deemed necessary, appoint temporary committees to carry out the purposes of this club. They shall serve only for the purpose and/or time appointed.
VII. Meetings
A. Bi-Annual Business Meeting
- Bi-Annual business meetings shall be held the last full week of April and October (herein referred to as Spring and Fall respectively) or at another date as determined by the Club Officer Board.
- During the spring meeting the membership will approve the Annual Budget. Also at this meeting the membership will approve the Annual Report for the preceding year.
- Special business meetings may be called by the Club Officer Board. Notice of the purpose and time of special meetings shall be posted to the website and emailed to club members two (2) weeks prior.
- Club Officer Board Meetings will be conducted 2 weeks prior to the Bi-Annual Business Meetings and as often as necessary for the running of the club.
- Any Club Officer may call for a Club Officer Board Meeting with the minimum of one (1) weeks notice to the other club officers.
- Unless otherwise stated in this charter, matters voted upon will be decided by a simple majority of all the officers.
- Member Induction Meetings may be held at any club event.
- Member Induction Meetings serve the purpose of bringing new members into the club and as such a quorum is reduced to 20% of voting members or a minimum of 5 (whichever value is higher).
- At any called meeting a Quorum shall be defined as 50% of the active voting membership body rounded up.
- If a quorum is not established the meeting will be adjourned, and it shall be held on the same day and at the same time next month, or any other date and time as the Club Officer Board may determine.
- If after 2 such rescheduling's a quorum has not been established, a 2/3rd vote of present officers may allow the temporary suspension of the Quorum in order for the club to conduct necessary business.
- Unless stated otherwise in this charter, matters voted upon will be decided by a simple majority of the members present.
- All club meetings with follow Roberts Rule of Order as presented at www.rulesonline.com/
VIII. Financial Responsibilities
A. Fiscal Year
- The fiscal year of this club shall begin January 1 and end on December 31 of the same year.
- Funds shall be raised through membership dues. Dues are to be paid prior to the Spring Business Meeting each year.
- Additional funding may be raised by a markup on club gear not to exceed 20% of the items regular value.
- Additional funding may be raised though League, Tournament or other entry fees, as well as raffle sales or other special fund raisers conducted at such events.
- The Club Officers Board may, as a body, approve transactions for the general maintenance of club infrastructure including website fees, storage rentals, and other items that are necessary to the regular running of the club.
- Two or more Club Officers in agreement, may approve simple transactions of less then $100.
- Apart from the allowance of Articles VIII. C. 1 and Articles VIII. C. 2 all financial transactions of this club shall be voted on by the club membership during business meetings.
- There shall be an audit of the club finances each year and the results of this audit shall be reported to the club after the Spring Business Meeting.
- This audit should be conducted by temporary committee consisting of at least two general members (non-officers).
IX. Amendments
A. This charter may be amended by a 2/3rd majority vote of the attending membership at any regular or special meeting where a Quorum has been established.
B. Any Amendments must be posted to the membership (via website and email) a minimum of 2 weeks prior to such meeting.
C. The date, time and location of such meeting must be included with the text of the Amendment.
B. Any Amendments must be posted to the membership (via website and email) a minimum of 2 weeks prior to such meeting.
C. The date, time and location of such meeting must be included with the text of the Amendment.