Section
l - NAME
-This organization is legally titled the West Laurel Swim Club, Incorporated
hereinafter referred to as the “Club”.
Section
2 - PURPOSE
- This is a non-profit Club organized to provide swimming and other recreational
facilities to its member-families.
Section l -
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THESE BY-LAWS
A.
MEMBER is any head of household who meets the requirements for a category
of membership as specified in this Article. A membership may be held jointly by
more than one person, so long as they are residents of the same household. Only
residents of the address recorded for membership with the Club will be
recognized as part of the member family unless so notified in writing by both
parties.
B.
MEMBER-FAMILY includes all persons permanently residing in that household
who are related to the head of the household by blood, marriage, or legal action
as spouse, parent, child, sister or brother, and others who are specifically
approved by the Board of Directors annually.
C.
MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING is a member with all financial obligations
satisfied. These members are entitled to all Club privileges, to include the use
of Club facilities, the right to participate in and vote at all Club general
membership meetings and the right to hold office in the Club.
D.
DELINQUENT MEMBER is a member with outstanding debts owed to the club.
These members will lose all privileges including use of the pool, voting, and
the right to hold office.
E. WEST LAUREL is the area bounded:
-on the east by Laurel City limits
-on the south by Route l98
-on the north by the
Patuxent River
-on the west by Riding
Stable Road, including any streets extending west there from.
Section 2 -
QUALIFICATIONS:
A.
Membership is limited to 600 member-families in good standing. When this limit
is reached, a waiting list will be maintained. Position on the list will be on a
first-come, first-served basis.
B.
The applicant can join the Club by (1) purchasing a membership from the Club or
from a Club member and (2) by paying to the Club the non-refundable Initiation
fee. The amounts of both will be set by the Board of Directors, except when
purchased directly from a member of the Club, then the cost of a membership is
not set by the Board of Directors. Upon payment of all current
fees prescribed in this Article, each member will receive an appropriate
non-charter membership certificate in the Club.
C.
An applicant for membership must be a resident of West Laurel, as defined in
ARTICLE II, Sec l E, unless specifically excepted by the Board of Directors.
D.
There are no other qualifications for membership, and consideration will not be
given to the race, religion or national origin of any applicant.
E.
The Board of Directors, by a five-sevenths vote of the entire Board, may for
good cause waive any of the qualifications for membership stated in this
section.
Section 3 - VOTING CATEGORIES
A.
CHARTER MEMBERSHIP - Original owner of a membership purchased directly or
through real estate option purchase prior to February l, l969.
B.
NON-CHARTER MEMBERSHIP - Any membership who does not otherwise qualify as
a Charter Membership.
Section 4 -
NON-VOTING CATEGORIES
A.
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP - any membership family who gives up residency at
the address on record and moves out of the area for a season or longer and who
declares in writing to the Board of Directors his intention not to use the Club
facilities. A nominal annual sustaining fee set by the Board of Directors must
be paid in lieu of the regular annual maintenance fee to remain a member in good
standing.
B.
LANDLORD-TENANT MEMBERSHIP - any membership family who temporarily
assigns the recreational privileges associated with his membership to a person
occupying his house. This arrangement is permitted provided that the member does
not continue to reside in the general area of West Laurel and that he notifies
the Board of Directors by letter.
C.
RENTER MEMBERSHIP - Granted to a person renting property, including a
house, apartment or room in West Laurel who upon approval of the Board of
Directors may have recreational privileges extended by the Board of Directors
upon payment of a fee established by the Board. These memberships are good for
one year only.
D.
RESALE MEMBERSHIP
l.
Any membership family in good standing, who declares in writing to the Club his
intention to sell his membership. Upon notification a member is no longer
financially obligated to the Club except for past indebtedness.
2.
Upon payment of all current fees including the annual maintenance fee, such
memberships will retain full membership rights, including those of pool usage
and voting until such time as the membership is sold.
3.
These memberships can be reactivated fully upon receipt by the Club, of a
written request payment of all back fees.
E.
REVOKED MEMBERSHIP - any membership declared revoked by the Board of
Directors. The membership will be placed on the Resale list according to the
date of revocation and will have the mount of any indebtedness deducted from the
payment at the time of resale. Revoked memberships loose all pool privileges and
cannot sell their membership themselves unless all indebtedness is paid to the
Club prior to sale. Also, upon payment of all indebtedness, the membership can
be reactivated.
Section 5 - MEMBER
RESALE
A.
Charter and non-Charter members in good standing are permitted to sell their
memberships provided:
l.
Written notification of intent to sell is furnished to the Club.
2.
The name and address of the purchaser is furnished to the Club, and
3.
The purchaser meets the membership qualification requirements of this Article.
B.
The Club will maintain a resale list which will include members in good standing
who do not want to sell their memberships themselves. Placement on this list
will be determined by the date of written notification to the Club. Members
retain the right to sell their memberships themselves while on the resale list.
Upon resale, the new members membership fee will be forwarded to the selling
member.
Section 6 - REVOCATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The
Board of Directors by a five-sevenths vote of the entire Board may revoke the
membership of any member-family for serious cause as defined in the Club's Rules
and Regulations or for financial delinquency. An opportunity for a hearing will
be provided by the Board if requested.
Section
l - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS - The annual membership meeting will be held during
the month of October.
Section
2 - SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS - Meetings other than the annual membership meeting
may be called by the President, the Board of Directors or l0% of the total
member-families.
Section
3 - QUORUM
- A quorum will exist at a Membership Meeting if l0% of the total
member-families in good standing are present.
Section
4 - VOTING
- Each member-family will be entitled to one vote, which may be cast by any
member of that member-family. All membership business will be conducted by
majority vote cast. Members shall be allowed to vote by mail on official Club
ballot.
Section
5 - NOTICE
- Notice of any membership meeting will be provided to each member-family by
either mail or hand delivery at least l5 (fifteen) days prior to the meeting.
Section
l - BOARD OF DIRECTORS - The Board of Directors will be comprised of seven (7) Directors which
will include: the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and three (3)
Directors-at-large, one being the Immediate Past-President if willing to serve.
If the Immediate Past-President cannot serve, a third Director will be elected.
Section
2 - ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS - The Board of Directors will be elected
annually by the members at the membership meeting as specified in ARTICLE
III, Section l. Only members of the Club are eligible to be Directors. Only one
person from a member family can run or serve on the Board of Directors at any
one time.
Section 3 - DUTIES
A.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - The Board of Directors will assume Directorship of
the Club immediately following the Annual membership meeting. The Board of
Directors is the governing body of the Club. It formulates policy regarding
management and financial planning; and implements overall management of the
Club. It is responsible for adhering to the Corporate duties of the Board of
Directors as specified by the Maryland Corporation Law annotated, l959. The
Board of Directors will be bonded in an amount which will be determined by the
Board of Directors and paid for by the Club.
B.
OFFICERS:
1.
PRESIDENT - The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Club. He
presides over all meetings of the members and all meetings of the Board of
Directors. He manages all of the activities in accordance with policies
determined by the Board of Directors. With approval of the Board of Directors he
appoints all committees and their Chairmen and has authority to make contracts,
issue disbursements, and do whatever is necessary for the general management of
the Club.
2.
VICE-PRESIDENT - The Vice-President performs all of the duties of the
President in the absence of the President. Should the office of President become
vacant the Vice-President becomes President.
3.
TREASURER - The Treasurer maintains accounts of all financial
transactions of the Club; he is responsible for the collection, safekeeping and
disbursement of all funds or other valuable property of the Club in accordance
with the By-Laws and policies. He files any necessary tax returns; and gives a
written balance sheet to the members at the Annual Membership Meeting; and keeps
the Board adequately informed as to the financial status of the Club.
4.
SECRETARY - The Secretary records and preserves minutes of all meetings
of the membership and all meetings of the Board of Directors; keeps an
up-to-date listing of all member-families and each member thereof; keeps and
preserves all official documents and records of the Club; handles correspondence
as required and insures that all members are notified of membership meetings.
Section
4 - MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- The Board of Directors meets monthly or at the call of the President or any
two Directors, All business of the Board will be conducted by majority vote
except as otherwise specifically provided by these By-Laws. A Quorum exists when
four Directors are present.
Section
5 - VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS - When a vacancy occurs in any office ,other than
the office of President, the office will be filled by selection of another
member of the Club by the Board of Directors.
Section
l - STANDING COMMITTEES - There will be six standing Committees; the Pool and Grounds
Committee, the Swim Team Committee, the Snack Bar Committee, the Social
Committee, the Swim Lesson Committee, and the Nominating Committee. The
President may, pursuant to ARTICLE IV, Section 3-B1, create temporary
committees. Committee persons handling funds are to be bonded.
Section
2 - POOL AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE - The Pool and Grounds Committee will supervise the
construction and maintenance of the facilities of the Club. It will present to
the Board of Directors, prior to the Budget approval meeting, a cost list of
repairs and maintenance needed for operating the pool.
Section
3 - SWIM TEAM COMMITTEE - The Swim Team Committee will be responsible for the staffing and
operation of the Club's Swim Team. The Committee will submit its proposed staff,
budget, and schedule of events to the Board of Directors for approval. The Swim
Team is authorized to handle its own funds.
Section
4 - SNACK BAR COMMITTEE - The Snack Bar is, with Board approval, responsible for hiring the
Snack Bar Manager and working with that manager to operate the Snack Bar
according to the Club's Guidelines as well as the County Health Department
rules. The Snack Bar is authorized to handle its own funds.
Section
5 - SOCIAL COMMITTEE - The Social Committee will schedule, coordinate and supervise, with
Board approval, social functions for youngsters, pre-teen, teen and adult age
groups, to be held for Club members and their guests throughout the season.
Section
6 - SWIM LESSON COMMITTEE - The Swim Lesson Committee will, with Board approval, set length of
classes, cost, dates and times of classes; sign up instructors and collect fees.
Section
7 - NOMINATING COMMITTEE - The Nominating Committee will prepare a slate of candidates for the
Board of Directors. The slate must include at least one candidate for each of
the seven (7) positions and must be received by the existing Board of Directors
at the September Board meeting. The Committee may recommend candidates to fill
vacancies on the Board of Directors.
Section l - MAINTENANCE
FEE
A.
The Board of Directors will establish by March 15 of each year a maintenance fee
for the purpose of financing the operations of the Club for the ensuing year.
B.
The Treasurer will collect the maintenance fee from each member-family by May l5
of each year.
C.
Members must pay the maintenance fee unless they have declared their membership
to be sustaining or Resale in writing by May l5. Members who have not paid or
declared by that date will be considered delinquent.
D.
Maintenance fees will be prorated both for members joining during a season and
for those leaving the area permanently during a season.
Section
2 - DELINQUENT MEMBERSHIPS
A.
Written notice will be sent to each delinquent member stating the amount owed
and the basis for the charge. The member will be allowed one month in which to
pay the amount owed or to appeal his case directly to the Board.
B.
Following the one-month period, the Club Treasurer will present the member's
account, including copies of all related correspondence, to the Board of
Directors for action, to include possible revocation of the membership.
C.
The Board of Directors may, upon written request from the member, reduce or
eliminate the maintenance fee for good cause shown.
Section
l - COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS - The Annual Maintenance fee shall be waived
for all seven members of the Board of Directors. All Board members are entitled
to reimbursement for expenses properly incurred by them on behalf of the Club.
Section
2 - POLICIES
- The Policies of the Club are to become an addendum to these By-Laws.
Section 3 - ROBERT'S RULES
OF ORDER
- Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, will govern procedures at all membership
meetings, Board of Directors meetings and Committee meetings.
Section
4 - DISSOLUTION - Article 23, Sections 82 and 83 of the Annotated Code of Maryland,
l959, will govern the effects of dissolution of this corporation.
Section
5 - INTERPRETATION AND AMENDMENTS OF BY-LAWS - Any question concerning the interpretation
of these By-Laws will be resolved by the Board of Directors. The By-Laws may be
amended, repealed or modified in whole or part at any meeting of the membership
by majority vote, provided however, that the Board of Directors has had an
opportunity to study the proposed amendment for a period not to exceed 30 days
and to make recommendation, and provided further that the membership has
received a written copy of the proposed change and notice of the meeting.
Revised October 2000