BYLAWS OF THE ARKANSAS RACQUETBALL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE ONE
NAME
Section 1 – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Arkansas Racquetball Association, hereinafter referred to as the ARA.
Section 2 – Definition
This corporation is a membership corporation and shall have no capital stock. This corporation is one which does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit to any member, officer or director, and not part of the earnings of this corporation, if there be any earnings, or the assets of this corporation shall inure to the benefit of any member, officer or director thereof. The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to athletic, charitable, health and educational purposes.
ARTICLE TWO
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Section 1 – Purpose
The Arkansas Racquetball Association is a non-Profit corporation for educational purposes designed to foster the development of the sport of racquetball. The Association offers institutions and individuals who desire to join in membership for the advancement of racquetball an opportunity to participate and contribute to their growth. These purposes are fulfilled through the aims and objectives.
Section 2 – Objectives
A. To perpetuate, improve, promote, and extend the sport of racquetball in Arkansas.
B. To stimulate the interest of people in healthy sport participation through racquetball.
C. To supervise and administer a continuing racquetball program for all age groups for the purpose of stimulating interest and developing athletes through careful preparation and planning, utilizing existing facilities, resources and coaching.
D. To unify and coordinate the efforts of all agencies interested in promoting racquetball and permit all interested parties to have a voice in the development of the sport in Arkansas.
E. To create and maintain research projects that will benefit all parties interested in racquetball.
F. To provide a clearinghouse for the distribution of coaching aids, literature, films, research
materials and rules collected from sources.
G. To establish an effective means of communication for the transmission of useful ideas whereby coaches and athletes will be informed of the latest developments and techniques in racquetball.
H. To give prompt attention to valid suggestions on how to improve the conduct of administration in racquetball in Arkansas.
I. To establish racquetball clinics.
J. To maintain records and disseminate information pertaining to all phases of Arkansas racquetball.
K. To train and certify competent racquetball officials.
L. To raise money and finance improvement in the sport of racquetball.
M. To operate exclusively for educational and charitable purposes.
ARTICLE THREE
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Arkansas Racquetball Association shall be open to all persons who qualify for membership in the United State Racquetball Association (USRA). Members of the Arkansas Racquetball Association shall assist the Board of Directors of ARA in an advisory capacity and render such assistance as may be requested by the Board of Directors from time to time.
ARTICLE FOUR
INSIGNIA
The ARA shall have such official insignia as the Board of Directors may decide.
ARTICLE FIVE
OFFICERS
The officers to the Arkansas Racquetball Association shall be President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer, each to be elected by and from the membership of the Board of Directors.
Section 1 – Definition, Terms and Duties of Officers
A. President
1) The ARA shall have a President who shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by the Board of Directors during its meeting during state singles each year.
2) The President shall serve a term of one year, starting with the meeting at which he/she is elected. The President may be re-elected for future terms at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
3) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association membership, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee (if any), and shall be an ex-officio member of any and all operating committees.
4) The President shall be responsible for the affairs of the Association and shall execute and administer the policies established by the Board of Directors.
B. Vice President
1) The ARA shall have a Vice President who shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by the Board of Directors during its meeting during state singles each year.
2) The Vice President shall serve a term of one year, starting with the meeting at which he/she is elected. The Vice President may be re-elected for future terms at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
3) The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence.
C. Secretary-Treasurer
1) The ARA shall have a Secretary-Treasurer who shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by the Board of Directors during its meeting during state singles each year.
2) The Secretary-Treasurer shall serve a term of one year, starting with the meeting at which he/she is elected. The Secretary-Treasurer may be re-elected for future terms at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
3) The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep records of the proceedings of the meetings of the membership, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee (if any), and shall make a report of these activities to the membership of the ARA.
4) At the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary-Treasurer shall present to the Board of Directors a proposed operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year.
Section 2 – Removal and Replacement of Officers
A. An officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
B. If an officer of the Board of Directors dies, resigns, or is removed, a Board member will be appointed by the President to complete the former officer’s unexpired term of office.
C. If a Board member has two consecutive unexcused absences from the annual or called Board meetings he/she may be replaced by the President with a majority vote of the Board.
ARTICLE SIX
GOVERNING BODIES
The ARA shall have two governing bodies:
A. Board of Directors
1) The formation of policy for the ARA shall be vested in a Board of Directors.
2) The Board of Directors of ARA shall number nine (9) members.
3) Members of the Board of Directors shall serve a term of three years, and may be re-elected at the pleasure of the membership. Terms of the initial members of the Board of Directors shall be staggered between three, two, and one year terms, based upon number of votes received, so as to provide for continuity of experience as terms lapse.
4) Each member of the Board of Directors must be, at the time of his/her selection and throughout his/her term, a member in good standing of the USRA.
5) The Board of Directors shall have the right to reject the application of any prospective member of the ARA whose public actions have been judged by such Board to be detrimental to the welfare, image and well being of racquetball and, further, the Board of Directors shall have the right to suspend or terminate the membership of any person whose actions have been judged by such Board to be detrimental to the welfare, image and well being of racquetball.
6) At all meetings of the Board of Directors, five (5) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum and the actions of the Board of Directors at such meetings shall be binding upon all members of the Board of Directors and the members of the ARA and its employees.
7) The Board of Directors may authorize the President to sign all contracts and other instruments in writing, subject to prior approval of each such contract or instrument by the Board of Directors.
8) The President is authorized to conduct mail, e-mail, telegraphic or telephone polls of the Board of Directors. When balloting is completed, he/she shall be charged with recording the votes and reporting the results to the Board of Directors by mail, telephone, e-mail or telegraph.
B. Executive Committee
1) The Board of Directors may, but is not required to, appoint an Executive Committee. If the Board of Directors deems it necessary to appoint an Executive Committee, such Executive Committee shall consist of the President and two other members of the Board of Directors.
a. Such Executive Committee shall be empowered to act for the Board of Directors between meetings and shall transact business and administer the affairs of the ARA and the Board of Directors.
b. The Executive Committee, if any, shall approve the membership of all operating committees.
c. The Executive Committee, if any, shall meet at such times and places as it shall determine, upon call of the President or call of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee.
d. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of two members.
ARTICLE SEVEN
MEETINGS
Section 1 – Annual meeting
A. The annual meeting of the members of the ARA shall be held at the location, city and state of the Arkansas Singles Championship tournament.
B. Immediately following the annual meeting of the membership, the Board of Directors shall meet and elect officers to succeed those officers whose terms are expiring.
C. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at such location and date as determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 2 – Special meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President with 30 days notice, or upon the written request of four (4) or more of the members of the Board of Directors.
Section 3 – Arrangements
All plans, arrangements, programs, budgets and like subjects affecting the welfare and policies of the ARA shall be prepared and actuated by the President. All such plans, arrangements, programs and budgets shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE EIGHT
ELECTIONS
Section 1 – Nominating committee
A nominating committee of three (3) members shall be appointed by the President from the Board of Directors 60 days prior to the annual membership meeting of the ARA to select and nominate candidates for the Board of Directors. Such list shall be certified by said nominating committee and submitted to the membership of the ARA at the annual meeting of the ARA.
Section 2 – Nominations
Additional nominations for said Board of Directors may be made from the floor at the annual meeting of the ARA membership.
Section 3 – Election of Board of Directors
Election shall be made at the Arkansas State Singles Championships tournament by votes cast by members in good standing. No run-offs will be conducted except in the event of a tie. Nominees with the largest numbers of votes will succeed to the number of positions being elected.
ARTICLE NINE
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
All rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the ARA in all cases in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or those of USRA and any special rules of order the association may adopt.
ARTICLE TEN
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 1 – Initial Bylaws
Such Bylaws as deemed necessary for the operation and advancement of the ARA may be adopted by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting by a majority vote of those directors present and voting, assuming a quorum is present.
Section 2 – Bylaw Amendment
A. The Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting (must be included in the call of a special meeting) of the Board of Directors by a majority vote of those directors present and voting, assuming a quorum in present.
B. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws shall be submitted to the President at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which said amendments are to be considered. The President shall mail or e-mail to the members of the Board of Directors a copy of any proposed amendments no later than fifteen (15) days preceding any such meeting.
Bylaws adopted 1998
Bylaws amended: 03/2009;