District 8 Bylaws

ByLaws as revised May 22, 2021 at Vero Beach Yacht Club

Approved by International Order of the Blue Gavel
July 19, 2022

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INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF THE BLUE GAVEL
DISTRICT 8 BYLAWS

ARTICLE I - NAME

This Association shall be known as District 8 of The International Order of the Blue Gavel (IOBG)

ARTICLE II - OBJECTS AND PURPOSES

The objects and purpose of this Association shall be as stated in the Charter and Bylaws of the IOBG. Including, without limitation, the following:

(a) To selectively associate ladies and gentlemen of good character having a common love and appreciation of yachting and social and outdoor activities of every kind, on the basis, of background, character, personality, and social acceptability

(b) To provide Past Commodores with more extensive opportunity for worthwhile yachting activities for the purpose of cultivating, strengthening, perpetuating and preserving the ties of continued friendship, honor, benevolence, sportsmanship, fraternal and social relationships among Past Commodores of yacht clubs and yachting associations

(c) To subscribe to and stimulate interest in abiding by recognized yachting traditions, ceremonies, customs, ethics and etiquette. To provide for, though with limitation thereto, appropriate recognition of past and continuing service on the part of Past Commodores to their Club, the IOBG and yachting in the form of suitable insignia, flags, activities, awards, and honors

(d) To aid and promote, by precept and example, the development of more able and knowledgeable yachtsmen and women, that they may participate in yachting activities and marine events and ceremonies of every kind as a result of high standards of honor, tradition, good sportsmanship, and the fraternal and social relationships experienced by and between Past Commodores

(e) To encourage and promote the continuing interest and service of qualified and proven Past Commodores to their own yacht club and its activities without in any way usurping the authorities and responsibilities of the incumbent Officers, for the best interest of the Club

(f) To encourage and promote yachting and in all ways seek to provide, through the yacht club Chapter, a practical means to support, facilitate and augment the endeavors of the active Officers of the Club. By advising and counseling such Officers to the end of enhancing the pleasure and well-being of all members and the prestige of the Club

ARTICLE III - ORGANIZATION

District 8 shall be composed of individual Past Commodore Members, approved Yacht Club Chapters and the Executive Committee, which is the governing body of the organization, being elected by the members at the annual membership meeting or appointed in accordance with bylaws promulgated by the members.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1- YACHT CLUB CHAPTERS - Chapter memberships shall be limited to those yacht clubs which have met the following criteria: The Club must have been in existence for at least five (5) years; be of sound Financial Standing and have at least five (5) members eligible for membership in the IOBG. The Club must have a Clubhouse or a permanent meeting place and an established address, and the Club must have a minimum of seventy-five (75) members. Provided however, District 8 cannot accept an applying Yacht Club until its Charter has been approved and received from International.

SECTION 2 - DISTRICT 8 MEMBERS - Individual Past Commodores eligibility for membership both At-Large or in a District 8 IOBG Chapter shall first be by invitation and then shall be governed by the requirements for membership as specified by the Bylaws of IOBG and these District 8 Bylaws. All applicants for membership must be Past Commodores of qualified yacht clubs. “At-Large” memberships may be extended to any Past Commodore of a qualified Yacht Club who is not affiliated with a District 8 Chapter. The “At-Large” member shall pay District and International dues, may hold district office, and shall have voting privileges.


SECTION 3 - APPLICATIONS - Transferees, reinstates and new applicants, who upon invitation wish to join a District 8 IOBG Chapter, must submit a completed membership application along with the appropriate dues. After approval by the local chapter, the completed application and dues will be forwarded to the District 8 Membership Chairman for verification and approval of the Executive Committee. Past Commodore transferees from a recognized IOBG Chapter outside District 8 shall be considered, upon Chapter invitation, to be fully qualified for membership in IOBG District 8.

SECTION 4 - AVAILABILITY OF A DISTRICT 8 IOBG CHAPTER - A Past Commodore of a qualified yacht club without a recognized IOBG District 8 chapter may upon invitation from a District 8 Chapter, join another Club's IOBG chapter without having to join that Yacht Club.

SECTION 5 - DUAL MEMBERSHIP - A Past Commodore who belongs to multiple clubs may become a member of the IOBG Chapter at these various clubs.

SECTION 6. CODE OF CONDUCT - All members have agreed to abide by the  By-Laws and rules of their Chapter, District and International Order of the Blue Gavel, and to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and seamanship.

(a) Complaints: All complaints by any member or any Chapter of District 8 against another member of District 8 for conduct in violation of organization rules or other misconduct bearing on a member’s suitability for continued membership in the organization shall be in writing, signed and dated by the complainant or Chapter, and delivered to the District President and the District Director, with copies to the Area Vice President and the International Executive Committee.

(b) The District Director, acting as the Chair of a Special District Committee, shall appoint  two (2) other members to that Special  District  Committee, which  shall investigate the complaint and gather information pertaining to the charges and, at the District Director’s discretion, confer with the members or Chapter concerned.

(c) Discipline: The Special District Committee shall submit a written report, signed by all members, to the District Executive Committee.

(d)  The member so charged shall be given at least a two (2) week notice of the time, date, and place where they may appear and present their defense before final Executive Committee action.  The District Executive Committee will vote on expulsion of the member within fifteen (15) days of the proceeding meeting.

(e)  After reviewing the findings of the Special District Committee and hearing the defense of the member charged, the Executive Committee may then expel any member for cause by a three-fourths (3/4) majority vote of the full District Executive Committee.

(f)  If expelled, the member will be notified  by certified mail via USPS and electronic certified means (email) by the District Secretary and immediately loses all rights and privileges of membership.

(g) Appeal Process: At any time within thirty (30) days after expulsion of a member or Chapter by the District Executive Committee, the former member may challenge said action, by presenting an appeal to his/her District Director and Area Vice President for ultimate review and action by the International Executive Committee.


ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

SECTION 1- DELINEATION OF DISTRICT 8 OFFICERS - The officers shall be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, District 8 Director, Alternate District 8 Director, and a Legal Officer (who shall not have a vote).

SECTION 2 - TERM OF OFFICE - The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, District Director and Alternate District Director shall serve a one (1) year term of office to run until a successor is elected or appointed and installed into office. All officers may be re-nominated and re-elected for one (1) term.

SECTION 3 - ELECTION –Officers shall be nominated, elected, and installed at the Annual Fall Meeting. Nominations for office may be made from the floor.  Nominations from the floor for any office  may be made at the Annual Meeting, provided notice of intention to nominate a member for office from the floor is given to the Nominating Committee at least 30 days prior to the annual election.

SECTION 4 - APPOINTED OFFICERS - Subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, the President shall appoint a Legal Officer, who shall not have a vote and who shall, in addition to his/her duties, act as parliamentarian.  Subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, the President shall also appoint any other officer deemed necessary to administer the District.

SECTION 5 – VACANCY IN OFFICE - In the event for any reason a vacancy occurs in an office other than President, the Executive Committee, by majority vote, shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term provided, however, in the unlikely event of multiple vacancies reducing the number of the Executive Committee to three or less, then the IOBG Area Vice President shall appoint interim officers to fill the vacancies until a special election can be called and the newly constituted committee shall do so within 60 days.


ARTICLE VI - STANDING COMMITTEES

SECTION 1- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - Shall consist of the President, Vice President, , Secretary, Treasurer,  District 8 Director, Alternate District 8 Director, Legal Officer and the Immediate Past President, provided this person is not the International  President. It shall meet no less than three (3) time per year. Voting by proxy and telephone polling is permitted. The President or any four (4) members may call a Special Meeting of this committee. Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 2 - NOMINATING COMMITTEE - This committee shall be composed of the President, the two (2) most immediate Past President members of District 8, one (1) District 8 member from the East Coast and one (1) District 8 member from the West Coast. The Immediate Past President shall chair the committee. If for any reason he/she cannot serve as chair, the committee members shall select a chair from among the committee. This committee shall make its nominations for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, District 8 Director and Alternate District 8 Director and present the names of their nominees at the summer meeting of the Executive Committee and again at the Fall Annual Membership Meeting.  This committee shall consult with current members of the Executive Committee or those who have served on the Executive Committee, before recommending automatic advancement of current officers of the current Executive Committee.


SECTION 3 - FINANCE COMMITTEE - This committee shall be chaired by the Vice President and shall include the Treasurer and additional members as needed. This committee is charged with the General District 8 Financial Guidance and is specifically responsible for:

Auditing the Treasurer's accounts of District 8 IOBG prior to the Fall Membership meeting and presenting these findings to the Executive Committee, in writing, at this meeting.

Preparation of a District 8 proposed budget at the Fall Membership Meeting for the review, revision, approval and adoption by the Executive Committee


SECTION 4 - MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE - This committee shall be chaired by the Vice President, who with the approval of the President, may appoint additional members as needed. The committee shall be responsible for implementing and following a membership development plan and to determine the qualifications and fitness of Past Commodores and Florida Yacht Clubs for membership in IOBG in accordance with International and District 8 Bylaws


ARTICLE VII - APPOINTED COMMITTEES - The District President may, from time to time and with the approval of the Executive Committee appoint AD HOC committees to undertake specific assignments based upon need. These committees will automatically dissolve at the completion of their particular project or assignments or at the end of each fiscal year.


ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS

SECTION 1- ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS - Shall preferably be held the second weekend of October. The election of Officers, adoption of the budget, appointment of committees, appointment of necessary officers, determination of the following year's meeting schedule, and other necessary transactions shall be accomplished at this meeting.

SECTION 2 - SPRING GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - Shall preferably be held the third weekend of April each year.

SECTION 3 - SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS - Special meetings may be called by the President, any four (4) members of the Executive Committee or by any thirty-five (35) members of District 8. Such request must be in writing and delivered to the Secretary who will notify the membership of said meeting by mail publication or other acceptable means at least fourteen (14) days in advance.

SECTION 4 - QUORUM –A quorum for the transaction of business at any membership meeting shall be a minimum of one-third (1/3) of the voting members of District 8 provided for under these Bylaws. The number of District 8 voting members is to be determined by the number of members in District 8 as determined by the Treasurer on the day of the meeting. Each Chapter’s total membership number counts for quorum purposes when represented by its President or a duly qualified representative of the chapter.

SECTION 5 - MONETARY ALLOWANCES - Monetary allowances to defray meeting expenses may be paid. The amount of any such allowances shall be determined from time to time at the discretion of the Executive Committee and shall be distributed to:

HOST CLUB ALLOWANCE - May be paid to the Host Chapters at the Spring and Fall Membership meetings to help defray their meeting expenses. A portion of this allowance shall be designated for preparation and distribution of Meeting Announcements.

INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR ALLOWANCE - May be paid to the IOBG District Director (or duly appointed alternate) to help defray expenses of attending the International General Membership meeting.

ARTICLE IX - FINANCE

SECTION 1 - DUES - District dues to be paid by each member shall be established from time to time by the Executive Committee and shall be determined by current annual district fiscal requirements.

SECTION 2 - BUDGET - The budget shall be prepared by the Finance Chairman and approved by the Executive Committee at the Fall Membership meeting. Said budget may be amended for cause.

SECTION 3 - NON-PROFIT STATUS - This organization is hereby declared to be a Not-for-Profit Organization operating as a geographic sub-part of International Order of Blue Gavel. Under no circumstances may funds accrue to or benefit any individual member (s) of IOBG.


ARTICLE X - VOTING

SECTION 1 - VOTING AT DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS –Voting shall be restricted to individual At-Large members and Presidents of District Chapters of IOBG (or their duly qualified alternate at said meeting) who shall cast one vote for each member of their Chapter enrolled as of the date of the membership meeting. To become qualified to vote for a Chapter in the absence of the Chapter President, the alternate must present the District Secretary with a Proxy Authorization signed by their respective Club Chapter President

SECTION 2 - RIGHT TO BE HEARD - Any IOBG member in Good Standing may be heard at any District 8 meeting.


ARTICLE XI - ORDER OF BUSINESS & PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY - The order of business and all parliamentary procedures at District  meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order (Latest Edition) except when inconsistent with the  By-Laws and/or Standing Rules of the District or IOBG. In case of conflict, the By-Laws and rules of IOBG shall prevail over District 8 Bylaws and Rules.


ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS - These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the qualified voting members present at any duly recognized meeting at which a quorum is present (Article VIII - Meetings - Section 4 - Quorum) and provided Notice of the Proposed Change(s) has (have) been duly published and made available to the membership of District 8 at least thirty (30) days prior to the vote.


ARTICLE XIII - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES - Officer Job descriptions, committee responsibilities, standing Rules and Regulations and Procedures and Protocol shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee and shall be defined and maintained in IOBG District 8 Procedures Manual.

ARTICLE XIV – DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY – In the event of a formally declared State of Emergency (National or State) that would prevent or interfere with regularly scheduled meetings, annual nominations, voting and subsequent elections, the District 8 Executive Committee has the authority to adopt and/or implement an alternate method and/or procedures for the purpose of conducting regular business.  The Executive Committee, in making such procedural changes, shall take into consideration guidance provided by and/or set forth by the International Organization.  The procedures enacted will provide for the health, welfare, and safety of District 8 members.

As revised May 22, 2021 - Vero Beach Yacht Club
Approved by International Order of the Blue Gavel – July 19, 2022.