Music City Powerboat Association

Constitution and By-Laws

ARTICLE I

Name and Organization

The name of this organization shall be the Music City Powerboat Association (MCPA). This organization shall be a mutual benefit nonprofit corporation formed in January 2005 pursuant to the laws of the State of Tennessee.

ARTICLE II

Purposes

The purposes of this organization shall the following:

a) To become a social club that welcomes all members who love boating, regardless of background or socio-economic status;

b) To promote and support safe, responsible and fun boating in a group;

c) To assist other boating enthusiasts in many ways that will achieve maximum enjoyment from their boating lifestyles on all area lakes and rivers; and

d) To provide value to our members, contribute to our communities and sponsor at least one main event per calendar year to help raise money for a charity of the members’ choice.

ARTICLE III

Membership

Section 1—Full Membership Requirements

Full membership in this association shall be open to any qualified boat owner at least twenty-one (21) years or older who subscribes to the principles and requirements of these bylaws and who remains in good standing. Each member will be required to complete an application and pay annual dues. The applicant and his or her first mate shall both be considered members of the organization and should participate in meetings and events to achieve maximum enjoyment. Some membership privileges will be extended to include members’ children who are under the age of 21, although they will not officially be members. Parents of these children assume all responsibility and liability for their children’s actions while at any event hosted by the association. Parents must be present for children under age 21 to participate.

Section 2—Voting Privileges for Full Members

All full members have voting privileges provided they are in good standing and have complied with all rules and regulations of the association. Voting can only occur during official and scheduled meetings with a quorum of Officers and Executive Committee members present. No provisions shall be made for absentee voting.

Section 3—Election to the Board of Directors

Only full members in good standing may seek to become an elected Officer on the Board of Directors. All full members seeking to become an Officer on the Board of Directors must be nominated by another full member for such a position.

Section 4—Election to Executive Committee

Only full members in good standing may seek a position on an Executive Committee. Members may nominate themselves for these positions or be nominated by another full member.

Section 5—Fees

All members must remain in good standing financially with the annual dues and entry fees to any events put on by the association. Membership cards must be presented to enter any event, unless otherwise determined in advance. No “IOU’s” will be allowed without the consent of at least two Officers, one of which must be the Secretary or Treasurer.

Section 6—Insurance

All members must provide proof of boat insurance at the time of application showing the expiration of the policy and at any time any Officer of the organization makes such a request. Liability insurance must comply with the member’s state’s minimum requirements. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Section 7—TWRA Permits

All members must maintain current TWRA permits for Tennessee residents. Any out-of-state full members must comply with their state’s requirements. All social members who are boat owners must also maintain current TWRA permits for Tennessee residents.

Section 8—Social Memberships

Social Memberships will be available to those who do not own a boat but wish to participate with those who do or for those individual boat owners who do not wish to participate fully in all events organized by the organization. All Social Members will have the same rights and privileges as a full member except for the following:

a) Social Members may not hold a position as an Officer or on an Executive Committee.

b) Social Members may not vote on any issue.

ARTICLE IV

Revocation of Membership Status

Section 1—Voting Rights

A full member shall lose all voting privileges, Officer positions or Executive Committee position if they fail to meet the requirements as stated in Article III, Sections 1-8 of the association’s Bylaws.

Section 2—Causing Harm

A full or social member shall forfeit his or her entire membership if he, she, or their children under 21 years of age through negligence or intentional action, causes harm to another full or associate member or guest. Any actions that cause harm to the association or its existence will carry the same penalty.

Section 3—Revocation Procedure

Membership status can be revoked by a vote of the majority of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee by the following procedures:

a) A complaint may be lodged against a member by sending a written notification to any Officer of the association.

b) The Officers and Executive Committee will notify the accused member either verbally or in writing of the nature of the complaint in detail.

c) The accused member has ten (10) days to either (i) submit a formal response in writing or (ii) to request a hearing.

d) After due consideration, the Officers and Executive Committee will have the discretion to take any reasonable action they deem appropriate and necessary under the circumstances, including the expulsion of the member.

ARTICLE V

Board of Directors

Section 1—Officers of the Board of Directors

The Officers who are elected to the Board of Directors shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Safety Coordinator.

Section 2-Terms of Office of Board of Directors

The Officers on the Board of Directors will be elected at various times throughout the year to ensure continuity of governance at all times.

a) The President and Secretary shall each serve a twelve (12) month term and will be elected in the month of March every year starting in 2006.

b) The Vice President, Treasurer and Safety Coordinator shall each serve a twelve (12) month term and be elected during the month of September of every year starting in 2006.

Section 3—Duties of the Board of Directors

a) The President shall be the principle Officer of the association and shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and membership. The President will be the primary spokesperson for any public affairs and gatherings. The President shall oversee all events, fundraisers and community projects from all aspects.

b) The Vice President shall be the second in command and be ready to assume all of the duties and responsibilities of the President in his absence. The Vice President shall assume the office of the President in case of a permanent vacancy for any cause for the remainder of the term to which he is elected. The Vice President shall oversee the Executive Committee and assist said committee in any way necessary in order to help it achieve its responsibilities.

c) The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of all meetings of the membership, Officers and Executive Committee. The Secretary shall maintain an accurate membership roster of all members that includes insurance requirements, home address, phone numbers and email addresses. The Secretary shall prepare correspondence, newsletters and notices to all members with the help of other Officers when needed. The Secretary will be responsible for the official count of all votes held at meetings.

d) The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of annual dues and event fees along with private and corporate donations. The Treasurer will be responsible for keeping accurate records of all incoming and outgoing monies and provide any Officer information concerning those records. The Treasurer shall provide all documents necessary for a CPA to prepare annual tax returns. The Treasurer shall maintain the association’s checking account and assist all other Officers to maintain the association’s budget.

e) The Safety Coordinator is responsible for alerting all members of any potential dangers at any event. This includes, but is not limited to, requirements concerning life jackets, safety switches, fire extinguishers, or registration with local water authorities. The Safety Coordinator will point out any unsafe rigging of boats, trailers and tow vehicles. Weather conditions are also a consideration of the Safety Coordinator.

ARTICLE VI

Executive Committee

Section 1—Committee Makeup

The Executive Committee will be made up of four separate committees, each of which will have two members. The four committees will be the Food/ Beverage Committee, the Event Planning Committee, the Fund Raising Committee, and the Membership Committee.

Section 2—Terms of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee members will serve a twelve (12) month term and rotate one person per committee by election during the months of March and September of every year.

Section 3--Duties of the Executive Committee

a) The Food/Beverage Committee will handle the entire menu for any and all events. This includes, but is not limited to, donated and/or purchased goods. The Committee will also be responsible for finding locations or means of proper storage and delivery of goods when necessary. Menu selections may be voted on in membership meetings, if appropriate.

b) The Event Planning Committee will be responsible for handling the details of when and where all outings and events take place. This will include, but not be limited to, making and confirming reservations, validating amenities offered at event locations, and supplying directions to events when necessary.

c) The Fund Raising Committee will be responsible for hosting events to raise money for the association to maintain daily activities and for giving to charities. This will include, but not be limited to, the annual fun run event, corporate sponsors, assisting the Food/Beverage Committee in collecting donations, and finding charities to which the club can contribute.

d) The Membership Committee shall introduce new members to all other members on a personal basis. The committee will also be responsible for maintaining adequate relations with area boaters and providing potential members with information regarding the benefits and value of the association’s mission and goals.

ARTICLE VII

Meetings

Meetings will be held for all members at least six (6) times per year, with notification of the time, date and location of each meeting to be provided in advance to all members. Officers and Executive Committee members shall meet a minimum of every quarter in January, April, July and October.

ARTICLE VIII

Elections

Section 1 – All candidates for Board of Directors or Executive Committee shall be full members in good standing.

Section 2 - All elections will be held during scheduled meetings with a quorum of Officers and Executive Committee present of which one must be the President or Vice President.

Section 3 – Voting shall be accomplished by secret ballot at the next meeting following nominations with the Secretary responsible for the count.

Section 4 – In the event that no one person in an election acquires 51% or more of the vote, a run-off between the two individuals with the highest percentage of votes shall be conducted without delay to determine the majority vote.

Section 5 – In the event that any position on the Executive Committee becomes vacated, the President shall appoint a full member to serve out the remaining term of the predecessor.

Section 6 – In the event that any position on the Board of Directors becomes vacated, the voting members shall nominate and vote in the replacement to serve out the remaining term of the predecessor.

ARTICLE IX

Voting

Section 1 – Voting is limited to Full Members, Executive Committee and Board of Directors in good standing.

Section 2 – Voting shall be done in person by secret ballot at scheduled meetings.

Section 3 – All votes shall be decided on a majority basis unless otherwise stated.

ARTICLE X

Amendments

Section 1 – This constitution and by-laws may be amended at any time by the Board of Directors. The amendments must be voted on at one the quarterly meetings held by the Officers or an additional meeting called by one or more of the Officers. The vote must be majority with ALL Officers present. The members shall be notified my mail, email or announcement at the next general membership meeting.

ARTICLE XI

Dues

Section 1- Annual dues for Full Members are $150.00 and Social Members are $75.00.

Section 2 – All dues must be paid by March 1^st of each year and the membership is for 12 months.

Section 3 – Any current member who has not paid by March 1^st may be subject to a re-enrollment fee of $20.00 and have membership privileges temporarily revoked until payment has been made.

Section 4 – The annual dues can only be changed by amendment to the constitution and by-laws as stated in Article X, section 1.