IC30A Constitution
Adopted February 28, 2004
I.
NAME
The name of
this organization shall be the INTERNATIONAL CATALINA 30 ASSOCIATION,
hereinafter called the Association or the IC30A.
II.
OBJECTIVES
A.
The Association shall be a
non-profit organization dedicated to:
B.
Promoting harmonious
relationships and good fellowship among Catalina 30 owners through the
establishment of local and regional One-Design Fleets
C.
Promoting the exchange of
technical information relating to the Catalina 30, and promoting sailing and
social activities on a local, regional and international level.
D.
Promoting the education of
safe boating and sailing through the care and maintenance of Catalina 30s.
E.
Provide for electronic
interchange by members and circulation and distribution of all Association
materials on the Association’s website.
F.
Ensure that members receive a
quarterly newsletter or magazine relative to the Association, Fleet and owner
activities.
G.
Establishing and maintaining
one-design standards and specifications for the Catalina 30 masthead sloop, in
order to insure fair racing competition between boats of identical design and
performance in all the essential areas such as hull, lines, weights, sail plan,
standing rigging, and other features as manufactured by Catalina Yachts.
III.
GOVERNMENT
A.
The governing body of the
Association shall be the Executive Committee. The term of office for the
Executive Committee is the fiscal year, January 1 through December 31.
B.
As recognized by the United
States Sailing Association, the Association has international jurisdiction over
all organizations conducting Catalina 30 one-design races. The Constitution and
Bylaws are binding upon all members, Fleets and events with certain specific
exclusions.
C.
The Executive Committee shall
interpret the Constitution and Bylaws, conduct all business, determine the
policies, and shall serve as the last court of appeal in disputes over the
interpretation of those documents. The rulings of the Executive Committee shall
be binding and final.
D.
The territorial unit of the
association is the one-design fleet. Each one-design Fleet shall have
jurisdiction over their local Fleet events and racing program. Fleet officer
titles, Fleet membership and voting within a Fleet on Fleet business, are to be
in accordance with that Fleet's Constitution and Bylaws.
E.
The Executive Committee
reserves the right to declare any IC30A event, fleet, owner or Catalina 30 which
does not conform to the spirit as well as the letter of these rules and
regulations, ineligible to participate in Association or one-design activities.
The Executive Committee shall sanction, suspend or revoke fleets or members
guilty of gross violations of these documents or for unsportsmanlike conduct.
IV.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
A.
The Commodore - shall preside
at meetings, serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee, rule on procedure
and jurisdiction, summarize decisions, appoint special committees, and authorize
with the approval of the Treasurer, all Association expenditures. The Commodore
shall establish and maintain regional and local communications with all fleets
by regularly contacting local fleets and providing any assistance necessary to
promote membership growth, local boating and social events and maintaining
interest in the Catalina 30 boat ownership.
B.
Vice Commodore - shall
officiate in the absence of the Commodore. The Vice Commodore shall solicit
prospective sites and oversee the National Championship Regatta and the Annual
Board Meeting. He/she shall delegate, as necessary, any responsibility for these
events to the selected Host Fleet Race Chairman or Committee. The Vice Commodore
shall maintain the association constitution and bylaws and initiate all changes,
amendments, revisions and balloting concerning the associations’ corporate
documentation.
C.
Secretary - shall handle all
correspondence, record the minutes of meetings, and maintain an accurate and
current record of members, Fleets, Fleet officers, and Catalina 30s showing hull
number, name and ownership. The Secretary shall notify the membership of special
events, decisions affecting policy, banned races, suspended members and/or
Fleets and ineligible Catalina 30s and shall publish all actions and minutes of
the Executive Committee. The Secretary will provide copies of the current
Association Constitution and By-laws for the web site and to each Fleet Captain
or member upon request.
D.
Treasurer - shall maintain
financial records and securities and prepare necessary state and federal tax
filings. He/she shall deposit funds and disburse funds only on the order of the
Commodore. The Treasurer will publish an Annual Financial Report including all
receipts and expenditures of the Association and provide copies of all financial
reports for the web site and to each Fleet Captain or member upon request.
E.
Chief Measurer - shall be in
charge of all Fleet Measurers. The Chief Measurer shall retain, grant or reject
all measurement certificates, issue duplicates, and answer all questions from
Fleet Measurers regarding measurement rules. He/she shall interpret rules and
regulations concerning eligibility, construction, sail plan, rigging, equipment,
and shall make rulings on matters not specifically covered in official plans and
specifications. All such rulings shall be subject to the approval of the
Executive Committee.
V.
SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS
A.
Association Newsletter Editor
–will report to the Executive Committee and shall receive, edit, collate,
prepare and publish the materials for the quarterly newsletter. He/she shall
maintain subscriptions and back copies or reprints for distribution to the
membership.
B.
Association Webmaster - will
report to the Executive Committee and shall establish and maintain an internet
web site for the association, the fleets and the members usage. All association
documents, membership materials, technical papers, specifications and
publications will be updated regularly.
VI.
FLEET CHARTERS
A.
A One-Design Fleet is the
territorial unit, as designated by the Association, open to eligible owners
within that area. The purpose of a Fleet is to foster and promote the Catalina
30 one-design activities at the local level and to encourage membership and
participation by the individual members of a Fleet.
B.
Three or more owners, who must
be members of the Association and are not within the territory of any other
organized and chartered Catalina 30 One Design Fleet, may charter a new Fleet,
upon application to the Secretary.
C.
A Fleet may choose to charter
and remain autonomous within its territory, or it may choose to charter in
common with or become part of an "All Catalina" umbrella fleet or
organize as part of another local yachting organization.
D.
With respect to all such
combined organizations, the Fleets and their Association members shall remain
self-governing in all one-design matters with respect to this Association and
only the Fleet and their Association members will vote on Association matters.
Such combined Fleet Constitution and Bylaws shall not conflict with the
Association's Constitution and Bylaws.
E.
All Fleets shall have the
authority to accept or reject applications for the one-design Fleet membership.
Local Fleets are responsible and liable for their own activities.
F.
Each Fleet must elect at least
one officer, the Fleet Captain, and may choose to elect other Fleet officers
such as the Secretary, Measurer, and Treasurer. These Fleet officers will be
directly responsible for the Fleets activities, first to the Association and
then to any local umbrella, affiliate yacht club or other organization.
G.
Each Fleet shall hold an
Annual Meeting and the results of the election of Fleet Officers shall be filed
with the Association Secretary no later than thirty (30) days after said
election.
H.
By January 31st of each year,
each Fleet must file a list of paid members in the Fleet along with their
respective addresses, phone numbers, boat hull numbers, sail numbers, ratings,
and berthing location.
I.
Failure to comply with the
requirements set forth herein shall result in the mandatory suspension of a
Fleet and its membership. Fleet charters and their memberships may be granted or
suspended at any time, by the Executive Committee of the Association, but can
only be revoked at an Annual Meeting.
VII.
MEMBERSHIP
A.
A Regular Member shall make
application through an association fleet and shall have the privilege of holding
any office and voting on all association matters.
B.
An Unattached Member is an
owner in an area where no association Fleet exists. The owner may make
application directly to the Secretary and shall then have all the privileges of
a Regular Member. Unattached members within a region will be called upon to form
new fleets.
C.
A Regular or Unattached Member
is an owner of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of a Catalina 30. Only one
owner per boat shall hold office in the Association at any one given time and
only one vote per boat shall be allowed.
D.
An Associate Member is any
person who has an active interest in the welfare of the one-design class. An
Associate Member may not vote or hold office.
E.
A member is in good standing
upon payment of the prescribed Association dues and may participate in all
general membership meetings, and shall receive Association mailings.
F.
A member in good standing
shall be eligible to race in any sanctioned race inside and outside of his
territorial Fleet. He/she shall conform to the local Fleet rules and regulations
where he/she actually races.
G.
A member may be suspended for
failure to comply with the membership requirements set forth herein. Their
memberships may be granted or suspended at any time by the Executive Committee
of the Association.
H.
Revoked or suspended Fleets or
members, and owners of ineligible boats shall be notified in writing and shall
be barred from participation in any of the association voting, amendments,
regattas and other activities. They cannot be reinstated in the Association
until such time that all the Association's requirements are fulfilled.
VIII.
ELIGIBLE SLOOPS
A.
Any Catalina 30 is eligible to
be raced, but is considered in the one-design class only if it:
B.
Conforms to measurement rules
as certified by a class measurement certificate as described in the Bylaws.
C.
Has been properly and legally
registered or documented for the current year.
D.
Is owned by at least one
member in good standing with the Association and is fully insured for liability,
damage and loss while racing in Association or fleet one-design events.
IX.
FINANCES
A.
The fiscal year of the
Association shall be from January 1 through December 31.
B.
The Executive Committee shall
fix the Association dues. The dues are not prorated, but begin and end on the
anniversary of the member’s application.
C.
Members shall forward their
annual dues to the Secretary or through their local fleet upon application or
annual renewal. Payment of dues on or before their annual renewal date shall be
the responsibility of each member.
D.
In the event a member of any
status elects to terminate his membership in the Association, all fees and dues
shall be forfeited.
E.
The Association shall not be
liable for any debts contracted by its officers, Fleet officers, or members
other than the expenditures authorized upon written order of the Commodore and
one other member of the Executive Committee.
F.
The Executive Committee shall
have the power to contract for any of its business services and will review the
contract annually for continuation, compensation, responsibilities and
performance. All Executive Committee members are expected to keep expenses to a
minimum.
G.
The Association shall pay
limited expenses of the Executive Committee members. These expenses shall
include the full cost of transportation to and from official meetings at the
lowest coach fares and for actual room expenses for a maximum of four (4) days,
not to exceed $200.00 per day.
X.
MEETINGS
A.
For the purpose of doing
business, a quorum shall consist of the Commodore or Vice Commodore and two
other members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may be
represented through their written proxies. If a quorum exists at roll call, it
shall exist throughout the meeting.
B.
All business issues will be
decided by a simple majority vote of those members attending. The chair shall
cast the one deciding vote in case of a tie.
C.
Annual Meetings - The Annual
Meeting shall be held during the period of and near the National Championship
Regatta. All agenda topics must be submitted to the Secretary at least sixty
(60) days prior to the meeting. The Annual Meeting agenda shall be as follows:
1.
Call
to order.
2.
Roll
call.
3.
Reports
of the officers.
4.
Ratification
or revocation of Fleet charters.
5.
Ratification
of Executive Committee rulings.
6.
Unfinished
business.
7.
New
business.
8.
Nomination
of officers.
9.
Adjournment.
D.
Special Meetings - Special
Meetings must be held when called by the Executive Committee or by one-third
(1/3) of the Fleet Captains. The meeting will be limited to a specific topic,
which agenda must be submitted to the Secretary.
E.
The Executive Committee shall
fix the time and place of all meetings. Notice of the Annual or Special Meetings
and agenda must be circulated not less than ninety (90) days prior to the
meeting.
F.
Meetings shall be conducted in
accordance with Robert's Rules of Order. The chair may fix a time limit on
speakers and debate of motions.
XI.
ANNUAL ELECTIONS AND REMOVAL
FROM OFFICE
A.
The Executive Committee shall
serve as the Nominating Committee. Prior to the Annual Meeting, the Executive
Committee shall announce the nominations for Commodore, Vice Commodore,
Secretary, Treasurer, and Chief Measurer. At the Annual Meeting, such
nominations shall be proposed and additional nominations may be made from the
floor by any member in good standing. Such nominations shall be added to the
nominations proposed by the Executive Committee, provided such nominees accept
such nominations orally at the meeting or in writing prior to the meeting.
B.
Following the Annual Meeting,
the Secretary shall provide written ballots to be circulated to each
member in good standing. Member ballots must be returned within thirty (30) days
of distribution.
C.
The nominee for each office,
receiving the majority of votes shall be declared the winner. Elected Officers
shall take office the first day of January.
D.
Any member of the Executive
Committee may be removed from office by a three-quarters (3/4) majority
membership vote at a Special Meeting called for that purpose.
E.
In the event that an office of
the Executive Committee is vacated for any reason, the Executive Committee shall
appoint a member in good standing to fulfill the unexpired term.
XII.
AMENDMENTS
A.
Only the Executive Committee
or Fleet Captains shall submit proposed amendments to the Constitution and
Bylaws.
B.
Upon receipt of a proposed
amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws, the Secretary shall circulate the
proposal to all members of the Association. Within forty-five (45) days after
such circulation, any member may review and submit a written argument to the
Secretary in favor of or in opposition to the proposed amendment.
C.
The combined written arguments
shall be circulated back to the members for reconsideration and resolution,
within forty-five (45) days after the close of the review period above.
D.
The Secretary shall then
circulate a ballot to each of the members in good standing. Member ballots shall
be returned to the Secretary within thirty (30) days of the mailing.
E.
Amendments will be passed by
simple majority vote of those ballots returned.
XIII.
RATIFICATION
This is a
valid copy of the Constitution as approved by the Executive Committee and
adopted by the membership by mail ballot vote on February 17, 2004 and
supercedes entirely all previous versions.
Rick
Caselli_____________
date 28 Feb 04 Max
Munger______________ date 28 Feb 04
Commodore
Treasurer