BY-LAWS OF THE WALNUT HEIGHTS SWIM CLUB
A
Non-profit Corporation
(Hereinafter
referred to as the Corporation)
(As
revised February 2010)
- PURPOSES
The
purpose of this Corporation is to operate, maintain, and construct for use of
members of the Corporation, their families and guests, a swimming pool or
pools, and such other related recreational facilities as the membership may
decide upon and funds allow.
- MEMBERSHIP
2.1 This
club shall be composed of an authorized membership not to exceed one-hundred-seventy-fifty
except as otherwise provided.
2.2 The
occupants of any residence whose property has a mutual boundary with the club's
property shall be eligible for membership in the club at any time, even if the
membership is at the limit set by Section 2.1.
2.3 All
applicants for membership must be approved by a majority of the Board of
Directors. All applicants for membership over and above the number set by the
current membership shall be placed in numerical order upon a waiting list in
the order of receipt of application.
2.4 If
a member desires to sell his membership, he shall first offer it for sale to
the Corporation at a price not to exceed the current amount of the membership
fee except as provided in Article 3.1. In the event the Corporation fails to
purchase said membership within thirty (30) days, the member may then sell his
membership subject to approval of the purchaser by the Board of Directors. Upon
failing to find a purchaser approved by the Board, the selling member shall
then either retain his membership or return it to the Corporation for holding
until an approved purchaser can be found.
2.5 Membership
shall not be subject to attachment, garnishment, execution: shall not be an
asset of the debtor in the event of bankruptcy or assignment of creditors. Upon
any of the foregoing conditions, or any other involuntary transfer, membership
shall automatically revert to the Corporation or assignee, shall have no right,
title or interest therein. However, in the event of the foregoing, the Corporation
shall pay to the former member a sum of money not to exceed the current
membership fee.
2.6 Upon
the death of a member, his membership shall automatically revert to the
Corporation and shall not become an asset of his estate. Nevertheless, the Corporation
shall pay to the representative of the deceased a sum not to exceed the current
membership fee. In the case of a membership owned jointly by husband and wife
or by joint owners, it shall be considered as being held in joint tenancy. The
death of either spouse or joint owner shall not prejudice the ownership thereof
by surviving party.
2.7 Any
member may be expelled by a 2/3 majority vote of the total membership at a duly
constituted meeting as set forth in Article 7.2 for any act of misconduct deemed
by the membership to be detrimental to the best interest of the organization;
provided that said membership shall offer the member reasonable notice in
writing and an opportunity to be heard before a membership meeting (or before
the Board of Directors, if he prefers) before any action is taken by the
membership. In the event of such expulsion, the expelled member shall receive a
sum not to exceed the current purchase price of a membership fee and a prorated
amount of the current operating fees.
2.8 A
member shall be deemed to be in good standing if he is current with all his
Corporation obligations.
- MEMBERSHIP,
ASSESSMENTS, AND OPERATING FEES
3.1 Upon
completion of the pools and allied facilities, all membership fees shall be
valued at four-hundred-twenty dollars ($420.00) plus a membership's share of
any additional money expended or set aside for capital improvements, and a
prorated amount of the current annual operating fees.
3.2 The
Board of Directors shall review annually and shall recommend to the membership
at the annual meeting or a special meeting, whether they believe any change
should be made in the value of the membership fees after taking into
consideration such factors as capital improvements, changes in real estate
values, and changes in total authorized memberships. The board is authorized to
raise dues by up to 5% annually commencing in 2004 without additional approval
from the membership.
3.3 Membership
fees, operating fees, assessment for capital improvements and any amendment or
repeal of this Article shall be approved by not less than forty (40%) percent
of the registered members in good standing only at a duly constituted meeting
or as provided in Article 7.
- ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS
4.1 The
Board of Directors shall consist of seven (7) and be elected from members in
good standing by ballot of the membership at the regular annual meeting. If a
quorum is not present at the regular annual meeting, balloting for officers may
be handled by mail under the management of the Board of Directors. If it is
necessary that the voting be conducted by mail, the Secretary shall have
prepared and mailed to each member in good standing, a ballot carrying the
names of each candidate including a blank line for a write-in candidate of each
vacant office, plus a stamped self-addressed envelope for return of the ballot.
All ballots must be returned to the Secretary by 6:00 p.m. on the seventh day
following the mailing date excluding Sundays and Holidays.
4.2 Four
(4) new Directors will be elected each year and the newly elected Directors
shall take office on 1 October or no later than the 20th day following their
election if by mail. Three of the newly elected Directors will serve for two
(2) consecutive years and the Membership Chairman for on (1) year as set forth
in Article 5, ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
4.3 Prior
to July 1, in the year a President is to be elected, the Board shall have the
authority to elect one of the members of the current Board as President, to
complete the second year of his term. If the president is not elected from the
current Board, the nominating committee shall select a candidate for President
who has either served as Director or been a member of the Corporation at least
three (3) years.
4.4 In
the event a vacancy shall occur on the Board of Directors for any reason other
than the expiration of a regular term, then such vacancy shall be filled by
appointment by the remaining Directors from the members in good standing, and
the person selected shall hold office for the remainder of the vacated term.
- ORGANIZATION
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Office
Term
a. President
2 years
b. Vice-President
(Recreation Chairman) 2 years
c. Secretary
2 years
d. Treasurer
2 years
e. Pool
Maintenance Chairman 2 years
f.
Ground Maintenance Chairman 2 years
g. Membership
Chairman 1 year
- DUTIES AND
POWERS OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
6.1 The
Officers and Directors shall each have the authority and duties customarily
associated with his office, together with such other authority and duties as
shall be delegated to, placed upon them by the membership, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing.
6.11 The
President shall preside over all meetings of members and the Board of
Directors, shall sign together with the Secretary all contracts and other instruments
which have first been approved by the Board of Directors, may call special
meetings of the members of the Board of Directors and, subject to the will of
the membership, generally shall direct the affairs of the Corporation.
6.12 The
Vice-President (Recreation Chairman) in the absence of or inability or refusal
of the President to act, shall exercise all authority and perform all duties
granted to or enjoined upon the President by law or by these By-Laws. He shall
be Chairman of the Recreation Committee and subject to the Board's direction,
he shall be responsible for the hiring, performance, and replacement of a
qualified lifeguard-coach employee for the swim club. He shall have the primary
responsibility to supervise the work of the lifeguard-coach. He is further
responsible for the organization of the club's social function.
6.13 The
Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings of the Board of Directors and
of the membership meetings, shall serve all notices required by law or by these
By-Laws, and shall sign together with the President all contracts and other
instruments as-designated by the Board of Directors. He shall be custodian of
all legal documents of the Corporation such as tax papers, insurance papers,
licenses, permits, etc.
6.14 The
Treasurer shall:
6.14.1 Keep
a proper record of all financial transactions of the Corporation in sufficient
detail as may be required to prepare reports of financial standing and
statements of operation.
6.14.2 Be
the custodian of the funds of the Corporation, depositing all such funds in a
bank designated by the Board of Directors.
6.14.3 Effect
payments only by check, except for a petty cash fund not to exceed twenty-five
dollars ($25.00) of all obligations which have been approved by the Board of
Directors. All checks of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more shall require
the signature of the Treasurer and any one of the following officers:
President, Vice-President or Secretary. In the absence, inability, or refusal
to act of the Treasurer, any two of the remaining authorized officers shall
have the power to co-sign checks without regard to dollar amount.
6.14.4 Make
a report of the Corporation's financial standing at all membership meetings and
submit this report in writing to the Secretary to be entered into the minutes.
6.14.5 Make
an annual report after audit for the fiscal year of the Corporation's financial
standing and submit it at the annual membership meeting.
6.14.6 Prepare
all Corporation tax data and return with proper federal, state and local
authorities.
6.14.7 Notify
Membership Committee of all members not in good standing.
6.15 The
Membership Chairman shall maintain the list of potential members, inform new
members of their privileges and responsibilities, and other related work for
the good of the membership.
6.16 The
Pool Maintenance Chairman shall be responsible for the planning and supervision
of the pool maintenance program and workers.
6.17 The
Grounds Maintenance Chairman shall be responsible for the planning and supervision
of grounds maintenance and workers.
6.2 Powers
and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
6.2.1
The Board of Directors shall exercise all of the corporate powers of this
Corporation, and all necessary and proper powers relating thereto; and conduct
the business of the Corporation, provided that any action taken by the Board of
Directors shall be consistent with these By-Laws and with existing resolutions
of the membership.
6.2.2
The Board shall enforce (as established by the membership) rules of conduct
and safety and shall take such action as necessary.
6.3 Meetings
of the Board of Directors
6.3.1
Regular meetings shall be held, at least once every three (3) months on the
call of the President, and he shall call special meetings within fifteen (15)
days upon request of any three (3) Directors. Notice of any special meeting
shall be given to each Director by the Secretary, by telephone or mail, at
least three (3) days prior the date set for the special meeting and ten (10)
days prior to regular meetings.
6.3.2
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum
for the purpose of any Director's meetings, and if less than a quorum is
present, the meeting shall have authority only to adjourn from day to day or
until such time as the Directors present may deem proper.
6.4 Indemnification
of Officers and Directors
6.4.1
(a) For the purposes of these By-Laws, "agent" means any person who is or was
a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise.
6.4.1
(b) For the purposes of the By-Laws, "proceeding" means any threatened,
pending or completed action or proceeding whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative; and "expenses" included without limiting
attorneys’ fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification.
6.4.2
(a) The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding (other than an
action by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its
favor) by reason of the fact at that person is or was an agent of the
Corporation, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with that proceeding, if the
person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be
in the best interest of the Corporation and, in the cause of a criminal
proceeding, had not reasonable cause to believe the conduct of that person was
unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order settlement,
conviction or on plea of nolo contendere or it equivalent shall not, of itself,
create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner
that the person reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the
Corporation or that the person had reasonable cause to believe was unlawful.
6.4.2
(b) The Corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in
its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was an agent of the
Corporation, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in
connection with the defense or settlement of that action if that person acted
in good faith, in manner the person believed to be in the best interest of the
corporation and its shareholder. Not indemnification shall be made for any of
the following: (1) Any claim, issue or matter for which any person has been
adjudged Corporation and hit shareholders, unless and only to the extent that
the court where the proceeding was or is pending determines on application
that, in view of all circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses, and then only to the extent that
the court determines; (2) Amounts paid in settling or otherwise disposing of a
threatened for pending action, with or without court approval; or (3) Expenses
incurred in defending a threatened or pending action that his settled or otherwise
disposed of without court approval
6.4.3
To the extent that an agent of this Corporation has been successful on the
merits in the defense of any proceeding in defense of any claim, issue or
matter specified in that paragraph, the agent will be indemnified against
expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the agent in connection with the
matter.
6.4.4
It is the policy of the Walnut Heights Swim Club to indemnify its officers,
directors and agents to the full extent permitted by law.
- MEETING OF THE
MEMBERSHIP
7.1 A
regular annual meeting of the members of the Corporation shall be held between
the first Saturday following Labor Day and October 1st of each calendar year,
at such date, hour, and place as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.
Notice of said meeting shall be given at least the (10) days prior thereto, by
mail.
7.2 Special
meetings of members may be called by the Board of Directors, by the President
or the President shall call a meeting upon the written request to the President
of at least fifteen (15%) percent of the members in good standing. A special
membership meeting must be called by the President within fifteen (15) days
after he shall have received proper written request. However special meetings
may not be requested by the membership within forty-five (45) days of the
annual membership meeting. A written request shall set forth the purpose for
the meeting. Only such matters as referred to in the request shall be
considered at the special membership meeting. Notice of time, place and purpose
of a special membership meeting shall be given at least ten (10) days prior the
meeting, by mail, phone or otherwise.
7.3 Not
less than thirty (30%) percent of the membership in good standing shall
constitute a quorum at any meeting of the members.
7.4 Written
Ballots
7.4.1
Unless prohibited in the articles or bylaws, any action which may be taken at
any regular or special meeting of members may be taken without a meeting if the
corporation distributes a written ballot to every member entitled to vote on
the matter. Such ballot shall set forth the proposed action, provide an
opportunity to specify approval or disapproval of any proposal, and provide a
reasonable time within which to return the ballot to the corporation.
7.4.2
Approval by written ballot pursuant to this section shall be valid only when
the number of votes cast by ballot on or before the time the ballot must be
returned equals or exceeds the quorum required to be present at a meeting
authorizing the action, and the number of approvals equals or exceeds the
number of votes that would be required for approval of such action as specified
in the By-laws. Ballots shall be solicited in a manner consistent with the
requirements of subdivision (b) of Section 7.4. All such solicitations shall
indicate the number of responses needed to meet the quorum requirement and,
with respect to ballots other than for the election of directors, shall state
the percentage of approvals necessary to pass the measure submitted. The solicitation
must specify the time by which the ballot must be received in order to be
counted. Such solicitations must be sent out to the membership at least ten
working days prior to the specified return date.
- COMMITTEES
8.1 Nominating
Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, and will consist of two
(2) of the retiring Board members and three (3) from the general membership.
The Nominating Committee shall present to the membership at least fifteen (15)
days before the annual meeting, a slate of candidates for the directorships as
designated in Section 4.2 and 4.3 of these By-Laws. Additional nominations may
be made from the floor at the general meeting. No member may be nominated for
election to a directorship unless he is present at the meeting or written
consent has been obtained prior to said meeting.
8.2 An
Auditing Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors as deemed
necessary or if requested in writing by not less than 15 (15%) percent of the
membership in good standing.
- RECORDS
The
records of this Corporation shall consist of its Articles, these By-Laws,
complete minutes of all meetings of the members and Board of Directors, a roll
of the members, statements completely reflecting the financial affairs of the
Corporation, rules of conduct and safety, and such other records as may be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. All of said records
shall be opened to the inspection of any member of the Corporation at any
reasonable time.
- PRINCIPLES AND
PRACTICES
The
organization shall be cooperative and the following principles shall be
observed:
10.1 Democratic
principles shall govern. Each membership in good standing shall be entitled to
one (1) vote at the membership meetings as herein provided. No proxy voting shall
be permitted, unless otherwise specifically provided in these By-Laws; all
Business, Elections of Amendments to these By-Laws will be conducted only at
duly constituted meetings of the membership or as provided Article 7.
10.2 The
organization shall be neutral with respect to race, religion, and politics.
10.3 All
meetings of this Corporation shall be conducted under Roberts Rules of Order,
except as otherwise provided herein.
10.4 No
alcoholic beverages are permitted on the premises with the exception of special
events that have been approved by the Board of Directors. The sale of
alcohol on the premises is not permitted.
- AMENDMENTS
These
By-Laws or any part thereof, except as stated in Articles 3.3, 7.4 and 10.4 may
be adopted, amended or repealed by not less than thirty (30%) percent of the
registered members in good standing, only at a duly constituted meeting of the
memberships as provided in Article 7. Any member may propose an amendment or
repeal of any part of these By-Laws. Such proposal shall be presented in
writing to the Board of Directors and shall set forth the precise change
proposed. A special meeting shall be called to consider the proposal provided
that the member complies with the requirements of Article 7.2.
- DISSOLUTION
In the
event of the dissolution of the Corporation, the Board of Directors at the date
of such dissolution, shall divide all the net assets of the Corporation equally
among the members in good standing on that date: subject only to outstanding
debts and contractual obligations.