Rio La Paz Golf Club Bylaws
Effective January 1, 2006
CONTENTS / QUICK LINKS:
Article 1: Purpose
Article 2: Powers
Article 3: Officers
Article 4: Duties of Officers
Article 5: Membership
Article 6: Affiliation
Article 7: Meetings
Article 8: Conduct of Tournaments
Article 9: Infractions and Discipline
Rio La Paz By-laws Printable Version (pdf)
The purpose for which this club has been formed is to promote the sport of golf and to encourage a high standard of sportsmanship and friendship among its members.
The powers, management and government of this club shall be vested in, exercised, conducted and controlled by a board of directors as hereinafter constituted. The club shall, however, be governed basically in accordance with democratic principles, and to that end, except to the extent that vested rights of third persons dealing with the club may be affected, each power of duty conferred by these by-laws upon any officer or committee thereof shall be subject to the control of the board of directors.
The treasurer, tournament director(s) and president will have the power to sign all checks of the club. However, any person authorized to sign checks and/or make deposits must provide a detailed accounting of the date, payee, amount and purpose of disbursement and/or date, payer, amount, and purpose of deposit. This detailed accounting must be provided to the treasurer at the time of deposit and/or withdrawal.
Board of Directors: The officers of the club shall be the president, vice president/secretary, treasurer, handicap chairperson, and tournament director. The Board of Directors shall have the duty and power to conduct, manage and control the affairs and business of the club. Only members with transfer rights may hold a position on the Board.
Election of Officers: The officers of the club shall be elected at the regular annual business meeting held during the month of September. The term shall be for three years and will commence on the first day of January.
A nominating committee shall be appointed by the president each July prior to expiration of the Board of Directors’ term to select candidates for election to office for the ensuing club year. The nominating committee shall meet prior to the September business meeting to make its selection of candidates.
a) Whenever possible, the committee shall solicit suggestions from the general membership.
b) The committee shall secure the agreement from the prospective candidate to serve in the office should he/she be elected.
c) A notice of the September election meeting and the names of the candidates selected by the nominating committee shall be published and made known to those club members with transfer rights.
d) Additional nominations shall be accepted at the election meeting.
e) In the event there are two or more competing candidates for any office:
• The election will be conducted by written ballot.
• A plurality shall serve to elect.
• Tie votes shall be resolved by taking a second written ballot.
Any resignation of an officer shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors.
Vacancies of any of the officers (other than president) shall be filled by appointment of the president. The appointee shall hold office for the remainder of the regular term of office. A vacancy in the office of the president shall be filled by the vice president assuming the duties of the office.
ContentsARTICLE 4 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
President: To preside as chairperson at all meetings of the club and board of directors; to see that the bylaws and other such rules and regulations of the club are properly and equitably enforced; call special meetings as provided by Article 7 of these by-laws; to report to the board of directors and to the membership of the club any infractions by members or a group thereof; to appoint such persons (i.e., newsletter chairperson, sergeant of arms) and committees as are necessary to carry on the operations of the club; exercise general supervision over the business and affairs of the club. Together with the Handicap Chair, is responsible to ensure that the club maintains compliance with the Handicap Certification requirement of the NCGA.
Vice President: During period of absence or disability of the president, to take his/her place and perform his/her duties until he/she is able to resume them or is replaced by election of the members; to arrange and direct all of the club’s amusements, celebrations and special events and to appoint such persons (i.e., social chairperson, commissioners) and committees as is deemed necessary to aid him/her.
Treasurer: Maintain club checkbook, pay all bills that are submitted and as authorized by the president and/or tournament director, retain vouchers for bills submitted. Upon request, provide the board members with a copy of the club’s monthly bank statement; sign any check issued and to see that all disbursements are paid by check only. The president, tournament director(s), and vice president will also have check signing authority. The treasurer must also keep full and accurate accounts of the receipts and disbursements of the club as provided by Article 2 of these bylaws and render to the club at each of the business meetings a statement of his/her accounts and the financial condition of the club; and prepare a final annual statement of the financial condition of the club no later than February 1 following the end of the fiscal year.
The fiscal year of the club will be from January 1, through December 31.
Secretary: Keep a full and complete record of the proceedings of the club’s meetings and to make sure that all information of the club’s activities be mailed to all members and/or posted on the website. Record minutes of Board meetings and assist board members with compiling club data (i.e., by-laws and amendments thereof). The secretary shall conduct all official correspondence of the club.
Note: In the absence of the secretary at any meeting of the club, a Secretary Pro Tem may be appointed by the President to record the proceedings.
Handicap Chairperson: Is responsible to ensure that the club maintains compliance with the Handicap Certification requirement of the NCGA. Is responsible for approval of membership applications. Collect all monies relating to membership. Checks off the computer generated list of members the old member renewals and the new member additions; assists in preparation of the NCGA formal list of members and maintains said listing. Provides a membership roster to the Treasurer for purposes of verifying membership status relating to NCGA dues payable. Ensures that transmission of scores is conducted timely to ensure that handicaps are properly displayed on the first of each month. Post current handicap reports in an area designated by the President. Fix the handicap of every member; cause handicaps of members to be checked for revision once each month; make available to the tournament director the current handicap of each member when required. Decisions of the Handicap Chair with respect to individual handicaps shall be final and he/she shall have the power to impose penalties by way of handicap adjustments upon members who do not conform to proper scoring procedures or rules of play.
Tournament Director: Collect all monies relating to tournaments. To arrange and have charge of all tournaments, matches and events of similar character in which the club may engage; to cause trophies and prizes won in tournaments to be presented to the winners as he/she deems appropriate, and to ensure that notification of tournaments are available to members thirty days in advance of tournament dates. Sets up a journal relating to tournament income and expenses to assist the treasurer with preparation of the year-end statements.
1. All members are required to complete a membership application and pay annual dues on or before the first day of November each year for “continuing” members and immediately upon joining for new members. If a member already belongs to another club, he/she shall be charged a fee consistent with the club policy to become a member. Any continuing member not paying his or her dues by December 10 of each year shall be dropped from membership of the club.
2. The Rio La Paz Golf Club waives the annual club dues for the top points winner each year and makes the NCGA payment on his/her behalf. In the event of tie, all players in the 1st position will receive this benefit. Additionally, each board member that performs in a manner satisfactory to the president receives free membership and NCGA renewal. The annual dues and NCGA membership fees are payable only for those persons who renew membership in the Rio La Paz Golf Club for the ensuing year.
3. The Board of Directors based upon anticipated expenses for the coming year shall set the amount of annual dues.
4. Membership is open to all persons covered under the membership Agreement with Rio La Paz Golf Course and in the case of those members that do not pay monthly dues, those persons over the age of 18 years old, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, or golfing ability. Members under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult member in accordance with course policy. Members under the age of 18 will be given junior status with NCGA and are only eligible to compete in NCGA events that do not have an age restriction. Junior members may however compete in the club portion of the event provided full tournament fees are paid.
5. All members of the Rio La Paz Golf Club agree to abide by the rules of golf as approved by the United States Golf Association and the Northern California Golf Association.
In the event any member of this organization shall commit any act which reflects or brings disrepute thereon or shall refuse or neglect to comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the board of directors, such member shall be subject to suspension or expulsion after ten (10) days written notice and the right to be heard, by a vote of two-thirds of the board of directors at any regular or special meeting for such purpose.
1. This club is affiliated with the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA).
2. The NCGA club membership fee required for this affiliation shall be paid from the club treasury.
3. Each individual member shall pay the fee required for the NCGA membership, which includes the fee required for the computer handicapping service. These fees are payable at the same time as the club membership dues as specified in Article 5 above.
There shall be a minimum of two general membership business meetings annually. These meetings shall be held during September and February of each year. When the term of the Board is to expire December 31, the September meeting will include among its business the election of officers for the ensuing three-year term of office. The February meeting will consist of a review of existing bylaws as well as the presentation of the prior years' financial statement to the club membership.
The president may call special meetings of the club or board of directors at any time. Any business, which might be considered at a regular meeting, may likewise be considered at a special meeting.
ARTICLE 8 - CONDUCT OF TOURNAMENTS
Only members in good standing will be permitted to participate in Rio La Paz Golf Club events.
Notwithstanding the dress code of the course at which the event(s) are conducted, in all club events, members must dress in proper golf attire. This will be strictly enforced in NCGA events. If the host course has a stricter dress code than that described in Article 9, members are expected to comply. See Article 9 for further information.
The Rio La Paz Golf Club has a tournament at least once every month, unless otherwise planned and noticed in advance by the tournament director. The tournament director shall have the discretion to fix the tournament schedule with Rio La Paz management each year depending upon availability of tee times.
Weekend green fees are payable from all tournament participants unless their membership provides for weekend green fees (currently $32.00). The Tournament Director will negotiate a green fee for club events. There will be no further discount provided for club events (e.g., junior, senior, internet specials, twilight, etc.) unless the full green fee rate offered to the general public for morning weekend play is less than the negotiated rate for the same time slots.
The cost and starting times for each tournament will be announced in advance and/or posted on the club bulletin board at least one week before the tournament entry deadline.
The tournament director will provide a breakdown of the cost of each tournament (i.e., green fees, cart fee, prize fund, points money, club fees, etc.) to the treasurer in order to ensure an accurate accounting of club revenues and disbursements. The tournament director will provide a recap of all tournament revenue and expenses and other related information so that the financial statements can be prepared as required by February 1st following the fiscal year end.
Rules for each tournament format as well as any special instructions will be provided to golfers on the day of the tournament.
Persons that are Charter, Silver, Gold or Sports Members and whose dues are current as of the entry deadline dates are eligible to participate in the NCGA events and Club Championship. All other members (those that do not pay monthly dues) shall be eligible for monthly club tournaments. All members in good standing and accepted by the Tournament Chairperson are eligible to participate in the NCGA Team Match Play, provided they are on the June 1st NCGA membership roster (requirement of NCGA).
Eligibility for NCGA qualifiers (Zone, 4-Ball Net Amateur, Net Amateur and Senior 4-Ball) and/or Club Championship, however, will be limited to those NCGA-Only members who have participated in a minimum of four (4) monthly Rio La Paz Golf Club tournaments in the previous 12-month period. NCGA-Only members may play in all tournaments for prizes and points but are prohibited from participating in the qualifying portion of the tournament until the minimum participation requirement is satisfied. There is no minimum requirement for those members in good standing that hold Charter, Platinum, Gold or Sports memberships through Rio La Paz Golf Course.
ARTICLE 9 - INFRACTIONS AND DISCIPLINE
1. Any member not in good standing with Rio La Paz Golf Club and who resigns or forfeits their membership is subject to restrictions described for “NCGA-Only” members in Article 8. In the event Rio La Paz Golf Club management revokes the membership, the NCGA affiliation with the Rio La Paz Golf Club is also subject to revocation (with the consensus of the Board of Directors).
2. Any member, who commits any of the following offenses, may be subject to a disciplinary action. Members are responsible to ensure that guests do not commit these offenses. If so, the member is subject to disciplinary action. If the violation results in a fine, it must be paid before the member is allowed to participate in any Rio La Paz Golf Club events:
a. Failure to wear appropriate golf attire at all Rio La Paz Golf Club events (no t-shirts, short shorts, denim pants, cut-offs, running shorts, sweatshirts, tank tops, etc.). Shirts must be worn at all times. Men’s shirts must have collars. Shorts must be of Bermuda-length or a style specifically designed for golf. Soft spiked shoes must be worn on the course. Members not adhering to the dress code in NCGA events are not allowed to play until the “violation” is corrected. If applicable, penalties for delay of play will be imposed.
b. Failure to cancel participation in a function at least 48 hours prior to the event.
c. Violation of the rules of golf etiquette.
d. Members’ failure to conduct themselves in a manner that will not interfere with other members’ enjoyment of the club. Obnoxious or abusive language and rude or boisterous behavior will not be tolerated.
e. Deliberate abuse Rio La Paz Golf Club property (also may be subject to legal action).
f. Any condition that would cause Rio La Paz Golf Club management to revoke or suspend membership.
g. Termination or suspension of NCGA membership by the NCGA.
The Board of Directors shall have the absolute right to suspend or terminate golf club privileges, and when appropriate, notify both the NCGA and Rio La Paz Golf Club management of action taken.