1. Membership fee, if any, in the Society shall be determined, from time to time by the members at the general meeting.
2. Any person who resides in the Society's geographical boundaries, and is a member in good standing, of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) shall be considered a member of the Society.
3. If any member is in arrears for fees or assessments for any year, such member shall be automatically suspended at the expiration of six months from the end of such year and shall thereafter not be entitled to any membership privileges or powers in the society until reinstated. The Board may suspend a member of the Society, upon the recommendation of a disciplinary committee. The Disciplinary Committee shall be appointed by the Board.
4. The President shall be ex-officio, a member of all Committees. He/she shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the society and of the Board. In his/her absence, the Vice-President shall preside at any such meetings. In the absence of both, a chairperson may be elected at the meeting to preside.
5. Board of Directors, Executive Committee or Board, shall mean the Board of Directors of the Society. The Board will consist of 7 - 9 members, each elected for 2-year terms with 4 members being elected each year. The immediate past president, if he/she is not a member of the Board, will act in an ex-officio manner.
6. The Board shall, subject to the by-laws or directions given it by majority vote at any meeting properly called and constituted, have full control and management of the affairs of the Society, and meetings of the Board shall be held as often as may be required but at least once every three months, and shall be called by the President. A special meeting may be called on the instructions of any two Board members provided they request the President in writing, by fax, e-mail or telephone to call such meeting, and state the business to be brought before the meeting. Meetings of the Board shall be called by 10 days notice in writing mailed to each member or by three days notice by fax or telephone. Any four members shall constitute a quorum, and meetings shall be held without notice if a quorum of the Board is present, provided however, that any business transactions at such meeting shall be ratified at the next regularly called meeting of the Board; otherwise they shall be null and void.
7. Any member of the Society may be elected to the Board of Directors with the exception of those having special interest with the local clubs within the Society's boundaries.
8. Any director or officer may be removed from office, upon the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee, for any cause which the Society may deem reasonable.
9. It shall be the duty of the secretary to attend all meetings of the Society and of the Board and to keep accurate minutes of the same. He/she shall have charge of the Seal of the Society which whenever used shall be authenticated by the signature of the Secretary and the President, or, in the case of the death or the inability of either to act, by the Vice-President. In case of the absence of the Secretary, his/her duties shall be discharged by such officer as may be appointed by the Board. The Secretary shall have charge of all the correspondence of the Society and be under the direction of the President and the Board.
10. The Secretary shall also keep a record of all the members of the Society and their addresses, send all notices of the various meetings as required, and collect and receive the annual dues or assessments levied by the Society. Such monies shall be promptly turned over to the Treasurer for deposit in a Bank, Trust Company, Credit Union or Treasury Branch as required.
11. The Treasurer shall receive all monies paid to the Society and be responsible for the deposit of same in whatever Bank, Trust Company, Credit Union or Treasury Branch the Board may order. He/she shall properly account for the funds of the Society and keep such books as may be directed. He/she shall present a full detailed account of receipts and disbursements to the Board whenever requested and shall prepare for submissions to the Annual Meeting a statement duly audited of the financial position of the society and submit a copy of same to the Secretary for the records of the Society. The Office of the Secretary and Treasurer may be filled by one person if any annual meeting for the election of officers shall so decide.
12. The books, accounts and records of the Secretary and Treasurer shall be audited at least once each year by a duly qualified accountant or by two members of the society elected for that purpose by the Board, at the Annual Meeting. A complete and proper statement of the standing of the books for the previous year shall be submitted by such auditor at the Annual Meeting of the Society. The fiscal year end of the Society in each year shall be March 31. 13. The books and records of the society may be inspected by any member of the Society at the Annual Meeting or at anytime upon giving reasonable notice and arranging a time satisfactory to the officer or officers having charge of same. Each member of the Board shall at all times have access to such books and records.
14. The Society shall hold an annual meeting on or before May 30 in each year, of which notice in writing to the last known address of each member shall be delivered in the mail, email or fax 21 days prior to the date of the meeting. Directors elected at such meeting shall form a Board, and shall serve until their successors are elected and installed. Any vacancy occurring during the year shall be filled by the Board.
15. General meetings of the Society may be called at any time by the Secretary upon the instructions of the President or Board by notice in writing to the last known address of each member, delivered in the mail, email or fax, 21 days prior to the date of such meeting. A special meeting shall be called by the President or Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by one-third of the members in good standing, setting forth the reasons for calling such meeting, which shall be by letter to the last known address of each member, delivered by mail, e-mail or fax at least eight days prior to the meeting.
16. Any member who has not withdrawn from membership nor has been suspended nor expelled shall have the right to vote at any meeting of the society. Such votes must be made in person and not by proxy or otherwise.
17. Notice of elections shall be posted as well as printed in the Society's newsletter. Nominations will be taken by any current board member and end at a specified date not less than 30 days after the notice of elections was posted. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the annual meeting. A nominated society member must accept the nomination to be added to the ballot. 18. Elections, if required, of directors will be held at the annual meeting by ballot. The Board will elect officers at a Board meeting to be held following the annual meeting.
20. Unless authorized at any meeting and after notice for same shall be given, no officer or member of the association shall receive any remuneration for his/her services.
21. For the purpose of carrying out its objects, the Society may borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as it thinks fit, and in particular by the issue of debentures, but this power shall be exercised only under the authority of the Society and in no case shall debentures be issued without the sanction of a special resolution of the Society.
22. The By-Laws may be rescinded, altered or added to by a "Special Resolution" , as defined in the Societies Act.