THE UNIT:

 

As a branch of the American Contract Bridge League, the unit functions within the bylaws and regulations of ACBL and its district.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANIZATION:

 

To preserve and promote the best interests of and to stimulate interest in the art of playing duplicate contract bridge and any modification thereof;

To cooperate with ACBL in the promotion and conduct of bridge tournaments and to conduct at least one sectional tournament every two years;

To encourage the highest standards of conduct and ethics by its member and to enforce such standards;

To promote the development and organization of affiliated games within the unit and to promote the development and enrollment of bridge players as members of ACBL;

To cooperate in the ACBL Charity Program and to sponsor and conduct charity events with the object of realizing funds to be devoted to worthy humanitarian causes;

To conduct such other activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives.

ARTICLE I

UNIT JURISDICTION:

 

The geographical area within which this unit has jurisdiction is the area presently or may in the future be assigned by ACBL. Boundaries now assigned in the unit charter approved by ACBL November 1, 1971, are Bell, Coryell, McLennan and Falls Counties

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP:

 

A.    Any person of good moral character residing within the jurisdiction of the unit is eligible for ACBL membership through the unit. The unit may not deny any person membership because of race, creed, or color.

 

B.    Upon favorable action, the person will become and remain a member unless;

 

1.     He/she changes his/her residence to a place outside the jurisdiction of the unit, in which case he/she will become a member of the unit where he/she moves upon processing by ACBL of his/her change of address, or he/she has applied in accordance with district regulations to remain in the old unit.

 

2.     He/she has failed to pay his/her dues in accordance with ACBL regulations.

 

3.     He/she has been suspended or expelled from membership in accordance with regulations established by ACBL and the unit board of directors, provided that such regulations conform to the rules of due process applicable to membership corporations and that the regulations of the unit board of directors are not in conflict with ACBL regulations.

 

C.    Membership in the unit carries with it membership in ACBL.

 

ARTICLE III

DUES:

 

ACBL establishes the annual membership dues as well as the means for collection and determines ratio of how they are divided between the unit and ACBL.

 

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS:

 

A.    An annual meeting of members, at which they are given an opportunity to speak, is held at the December Christmas Party and Election on a date, time and place to be specified by mail or unit publication. A financial statement is presented to each member present.

 

B.    Special meetings to consider specific subject matters may be called by the unit board, by the president, or by petition of the members. Notice of time and place of any special meeting will be given by mail at least 10 days before the meeting. The notice will contain an agenda of matters to be taken up. No other business will be acted on at the special meeting.

 

C.    A quorum for the transaction of business at any annual or special meeting shall consist of  20% of the Unit 233 ACBL members on December 1 or 20 members whichever is less. No proxies shall be permitted.

 

 

ARTICLE V

UNIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

 

A.    Number of Directors: The affairs of the unit will be managed by the unit board of directors which consists of seven persons, all of whom must be members of the unit. All unit duplicate club owners/managers are honorary members without vote.

 

B.    Term of Office: Each director will hold office for a period of three years. Each newly elected board member's term will commence following election at the annual meeting with at least two of the membership retiring each year. No director will serve for more than two consecutive three-year terms.

 

C.    Nomination and Election of Directors: The unit Board will appoint a nominating committee representative of the bridge clubs under the unit' s jurisdiction, the majority of whom will not be current board members. The committee will nominate   four candidates, representative of the  unit's geographical area with active clubs by October 15 of each year.

 

Thirty days prior to election date, the unit secretary will send a sample ballot, to include a statement to vote for one candidate from each of the  geographical areas with active clubs, to club managers for positing for the information of unit members. The ballot will provide for write-in votes for a member who has not been nominated. Election will be by secret ballot at the annual Unit  December Christmas Party and Election, traditionally held on the first Sunday in December. Only paid-up and life members will be permitted to vote. One candidate from each of the geographical areas with active clubs receiving the highest number of votes will be elected.  Professional members, such as players or club managers and directors who derive income from the game of bridge are not eligible to serve on the unit board.

 

Absentee voting by mail for those who are unable to attend the Unit  December Christmas Party and Election will be allowed as follows: A member in good standing must send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a request for a ballot to the unit secretary. Secretary will send member a ballot and an envelope to put the ballot in. After voting, member must put the ballot in the envelope, seal, and place in another envelope addressed to the election committee in care of the unit secretary and sign the envelope on the back. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 25 and received by November 30. The unit secretary will bring the absentee ballots to the Unit December Christmas Party and Election to be opened and counted by the election committee.

 

D.    Vacancies: Any vacancy will be filled by the board of directors, and the person appointed will hold office for the balance of the unexpired term.

 

E.    Meetings: The board will hold a minimum of two meetings a year, one of which will be designated the annual meeting. Other meetings may be held during sectional tournaments at a time and location to be specified.

 

F.    Quorum: A quorum of the board for transaction of business will consist of not less than a majority of the members

 

G.    Powers and Duties: In addition to the powers herein granted by other provisions and by the laws of the State of Texas, the unit board of directors shall have powers and duties involving, but not limited to:

 

1.     Conduct, management, supervision, and control of the business of the unit;

 

2.     Conduct of unit tournaments;

 

3.     Employment and discharging of employees and the supervision of their conduct and fixing of their compensation.

 

H.    Board Membership: The unit board shall be the sole judge of its memberships.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

UNIT OFFICERS:

 

A.    Number: The officers of the unit board of directors will consist of a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

 

B.    Election of Unit Officers: The unit board will elect all officers except the secretary-treasurer at its annual meeting. The persons elected will hold office for one year or until their successors have been elected. The secretary and treasurer will be appointed by the president subject to approval by the board and may be re-appointed each year.

 

C.    Vacancies: Vacancies due to death, resignation, or other cause will be filled by the unit board.

 

D.    Duties: In addition to the following, duties of officers will be those outlined herein in the unit bylaws;

 

1.     President: The unit president presides at all meetings of the board of directors and all meetings of the unit membership. The president appoints all committees and serves on them as an ex-officio member except for the nominating committee. He/she exercises general supervision over the activities of the unit and performs other duties that are incidental to the office.

 

2.     Vice President: In the absence or incapacity of the president, the vice president assumes the president's duties and performs other duties that the president or board may assign.

 

3.     Secretary: The secretary maintains a roster of unit members and sends meeting notices to members and directors. He/she attends all membership and board of directors' meetings and records and keeps board minutes. He/she keeps records of all tournaments and other unit activities and completes and files all reports that ACBL requires. The secretary also receives and files reports of all officers and committees and is responsible for maintenance of membership records. The unit board may delegate any of the secretary's duties to other unit members.

 

4.     Treasurer:  The treasurer has custody of and is responsible for all funds, securities, and properties of the unit and deposits funds in an appropriate bank. From these funds the treasurer pays unit obligations, keeps accurate records, and makes financial reports as required. He/she mails copies of the annual financial statement to ACBL and to the district executive secretary.  The unit’s fiscal is December 1 through November 30.  The unit board may delegate any of the treasurer duties to other unit members.

 

 

E.    Impeachment: Any officer or director may be removed for cause at any meeting of the board provided two-thirds of those present and constituting a quorum shall so vote. Any officer or director against whom impeachment charges are brought will be notified in writing, by certified mail, of the charges against him/her, at least 10 days prior to the meeting and will be given an opportunity to be heard before the unit board of directors and to be represented by counsel of his/her own choosing. Absence from four consecutive meetings may be cause for removal.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

COMMITTEES:

 

A.    The president of the unit board may appoint any committees necessary to perform the functions of the organization. Standing committees appointed with approval of the board of directors are as follows:

B.    Executive Committee: The executive committee consists of unit officers, the immediate past president, and those board members who are available to short notice- The purpose of the committee is to advise the president on matters of immediate urgency. The committee may also be empowered to act for the board when an emergency board meeting is not practical.

 

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS:

 

Amendments to the bylaws may be made by members of the unit upon petition signed by at least two-thirds of the members and submitted to the secretary at least 10 days in advance of the annual meeting or any special meeting called for the purpose or upon petition signed by at least quorum plus one members of the unit board of directors. It will be the duty of the secretary to incorporate the text of the proposed amendment in the notice of the meeting. The concurrence of two-thirds of all members present and voting will be required to pass any amendment.