IC30A Constitution
Adopted February 28, 2004
I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the INTERNATIONAL CATALINA 30 ASSOCIATION, hereinafter called the Association or the IC30A.
II. OBJECTIVES
A. The Association shall be a non-profit organization dedicated to:
B. Promoting harmonious relationships and good fellowship among Catalina 30 owners through the establishment of local and regional One-Design Fleets
C. Promoting the exchange of technical information relating to the Catalina 30, and promoting sailing and social activities on a local, regional and international level.
D. Promoting the education of safe boating and sailing through the care and maintenance of Catalina 30s.
E. Provide for electronic interchange by members and circulation and distribution of all Association materials on the Association’s website.
F. Ensure that members receive a quarterly newsletter or magazine relative to the Association, Fleet and owner activities.
G. Establishing and maintaining one-design standards and specifications for the Catalina 30 masthead sloop, in order to insure fair racing competition between boats of identical design and performance in all the essential areas such as hull, lines, weights, sail plan, standing rigging, and other features as manufactured by Catalina Yachts.
III. GOVERNMENT
A. The governing body of the Association shall be the Executive Committee. The term of office for the Executive Committee is the fiscal year, January 1 through December 31.
B. As recognized by the United States Sailing Association, the Association has international jurisdiction over all organizations conducting Catalina 30 one-design races. The Constitution and Bylaws are binding upon all members, Fleets and events with certain specific exclusions.
C. The Executive Committee shall interpret the Constitution and Bylaws, conduct all business, determine the policies, and shall serve as the last court of appeal in disputes over the interpretation of those documents. The rulings of the Executive Committee shall be binding and final.
D. The territorial unit of the association is the one-design fleet. Each one-design Fleet shall have jurisdiction over their local Fleet events and racing program. Fleet officer titles, Fleet membership and voting within a Fleet on Fleet business, are to be in accordance with that Fleet’s Constitution and Bylaws.
E. The Executive Committee reserves the right to declare any IC30A event, fleet, owner or Catalina 30 which does not conform to the spirit as well as the letter of these rules and regulations, ineligible to participate in Association or one-design activities. The Executive Committee shall sanction, suspend or revoke fleets or members guilty of gross violations of these documents or for unsportsmanlike conduct.
IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
A. The Commodore – shall preside at meetings, serve as Chairperson of the Executive Committee, rule on procedure and jurisdiction, summarize decisions, appoint special committees, and authorize with the approval of the Treasurer, all Association expenditures. The Commodore shall establish and maintain regional and local communications with all fleets by regularly contacting local fleets and providing any assistance necessary to promote membership growth, local boating and social events and maintaining interest in the Catalina 30 boat ownership.
B. Vice Commodore – shall officiate in the absence of the Commodore. The Vice Commodore shall solicit prospective sites and oversee the National Championship Regatta and the Annual Board Meeting. He/she shall delegate, as necessary, any responsibility for these events to the selected Host Fleet Race Chairman or Committee. The Vice Commodore shall maintain the association constitution and bylaws and initiate all changes, amendments, revisions and balloting concerning the associations’ corporate documentation.
C. Secretary – shall handle all correspondence, record the minutes of meetings, and maintain an accurate and current record of members, Fleets, Fleet officers, and Catalina 30s showing hull number, name and ownership. The Secretary shall notify the membership of special events, decisions affecting policy, banned races, suspended members and/or Fleets and ineligible Catalina 30s and shall publish all actions and minutes of the Executive Committee. The Secretary will provide copies of the current Association Constitution and By-laws for the web site and to each Fleet Captain or member upon request.
D. Treasurer – shall maintain financial records and securities and prepare necessary state and federal tax filings. He/she shall deposit funds and disburse funds only on the order of the Commodore. The Treasurer will publish an Annual Financial Report including all receipts and expenditures of the Association and provide copies of all financial reports for the web site and to each Fleet Captain or member upon request.
E. Chief Measurer – shall be in charge of all Fleet Measurers. The Chief Measurer shall retain, grant or reject all measurement certificates, issue duplicates, and answer all questions from Fleet Measurers regarding measurement rules. He/she shall interpret rules and regulations concerning eligibility, construction, sail plan, rigging, equipment, and shall make rulings on matters not specifically covered in official plans and specifications. All such rulings shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
V. SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS
A. Association Newsletter Editor –will report to the Executive Committee and shall receive, edit, collate, prepare and publish the materials for the quarterly newsletter. He/she shall maintain subscriptions and back copies or reprints for distribution to the membership.
B. Association Webmaster – will report to the Executive Committee and shall establish and maintain an internet web site for the association, the fleets and the members usage. All association documents, membership materials, technical papers, specifications and publications will be updated regularly.
VI. FLEET CHARTERS
A. A One-Design Fleet is the territorial unit, as designated by the Association, open to eligible owners within that area. The purpose of a Fleet is to foster and promote the Catalina 30 one-design activities at the local level and to encourage membership and participation by the individual members of a Fleet.
B. Three or more owners, who must be members of the Association and are not within the territory of any other organized and chartered Catalina 30 One Design Fleet, may charter a new Fleet, upon application to the Secretary.
C. A Fleet may choose to charter and remain autonomous within its territory, or it may choose to charter in common with or become part of an “All Catalina” umbrella fleet or organize as part of another local yachting organization.
D. With respect to all such combined organizations, the Fleets and their Association members shall remain self-governing in all one-design matters with respect to this Association and only the Fleet and their Association members will vote on Association matters. Such combined Fleet Constitution and Bylaws shall not conflict with the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws.
E. All Fleets shall have the authority to accept or reject applications for the one-design Fleet membership. Local Fleets are responsible and liable for their own activities.
F. Each Fleet must elect at least one officer, the Fleet Captain, and may choose to elect other Fleet officers such as the Secretary, Measurer, and Treasurer. These Fleet officers will be directly responsible for the Fleets activities, first to the Association and then to any local umbrella, affiliate yacht club or other organization.
G. Each Fleet shall hold an Annual Meeting and the results of the election of Fleet Officers shall be filed with the Association Secretary no later than thirty (30) days after said election.
H. By January 31st of each year, each Fleet must file a list of paid members in the Fleet along with their respective addresses, phone numbers, boat hull numbers, sail numbers, ratings, and berthing location.
I. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth herein shall result in the mandatory suspension of a Fleet and its membership. Fleet charters and their memberships may be granted or suspended at any time, by the Executive Committee of the Association, but can only be revoked at an Annual Meeting.
VII. MEMBERSHIP
A. A Regular Member shall make application through an association fleet and shall have the privilege of holding any office and voting on all association matters.
B. An Unattached Member is an owner in an area where no association Fleet exists. The owner may make application directly to the Secretary and shall then have all the privileges of a Regular Member. Unattached members within a region will be called upon to form new fleets.
C. A Regular or Unattached Member is an owner of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of a Catalina 30. Only one owner per boat shall hold office in the Association at any one given time and only one vote per boat shall be allowed.
D. An Associate Member is any person who has an active interest in the welfare of the one-design class. An Associate Member may not vote or hold office.
E. A member is in good standing upon payment of the prescribed Association dues and may participate in all general membership meetings, and shall receive Association mailings.
F. A member in good standing shall be eligible to race in any sanctioned race inside and outside of his territorial Fleet. He/she shall conform to the local Fleet rules and regulations where he/she actually races.
G. A member may be suspended for failure to comply with the membership requirements set forth herein. Their memberships may be granted or suspended at any time by the Executive Committee of the Association.
H. Revoked or suspended Fleets or members, and owners of ineligible boats shall be notified in writing and shall be barred from participation in any of the association voting, amendments, regattas and other activities. They cannot be reinstated in the Association until such time that all the Association’s requirements are fulfilled.
VIII. ELIGIBLE SLOOPS
A. Any Catalina 30 is eligible to be raced, but is considered in the one-design class only if it:
B. Conforms to measurement rules as certified by a class measurement certificate as described in the Bylaws.
C. Has been properly and legally registered or documented for the current year.
D. Is owned by at least one member in good standing with the Association and is fully insured for liability, damage and loss while racing in Association or fleet one-design events.
IX. FINANCES
A. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1 through December 31.
B. The Executive Committee shall fix the Association dues. The dues are not prorated, but begin and end on the anniversary of the member’s application.
C. Members shall forward their annual dues to the Secretary or through their local fleet upon application or annual renewal. Payment of dues on or before their annual renewal date shall be the responsibility of each member.
D. In the event a member of any status elects to terminate his membership in the Association, all fees and dues shall be forfeited.
E. The Association shall not be liable for any debts contracted by its officers, Fleet officers, or members other than the expenditures authorized upon written order of the Commodore and one other member of the Executive Committee.
F. The Executive Committee shall have the power to contract for any of its business services and will review the contract annually for continuation, compensation, responsibilities and performance. All Executive Committee members are expected to keep expenses to a minimum.
G. The Association shall pay limited expenses of the Executive Committee members. These expenses shall include the full cost of transportation to and from official meetings at the lowest coach fares and for actual room expenses for a maximum of four (4) days, not to exceed $200.00 per day.
X. MEETINGS
A. For the purpose of doing business, a quorum shall consist of the Commodore or Vice Commodore and two other members of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may be represented through their written proxies. If a quorum exists at roll call, it shall exist throughout the meeting.
B. All business issues will be decided by a simple majority vote of those members attending. The chair shall cast the one deciding vote in case of a tie.
C. Annual Meetings – The Annual Meeting shall be held during the period of and near the National Championship Regatta. All agenda topics must be submitted to the Secretary at least sixty (60) days prior to the meeting. The Annual Meeting agenda shall be as follows:
- Call to order.
- Roll call.
- Reports of the officers.
- Ratification or revocation of Fleet charters.
- Ratification of Executive Committee rulings.
- Unfinished business.
- New business.
- Nomination of officers.
- Adjournment.
D. Special Meetings – Special Meetings must be held when called by the Executive Committee or by one-third (1/3) of the Fleet Captains. The meeting will be limited to a specific topic, which agenda must be submitted to the Secretary.
E. The Executive Committee shall fix the time and place of all meetings. Notice of the Annual or Special Meetings and agenda must be circulated not less than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting.
F. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. The chair may fix a time limit on speakers and debate of motions.
XI. ANNUAL ELECTIONS AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
A. The Executive Committee shall serve as the Nominating Committee. Prior to the Annual Meeting, the Executive Committee shall announce the nominations for Commodore, Vice Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chief Measurer. At the Annual Meeting, such nominations shall be proposed and additional nominations may be made from the floor by any member in good standing. Such nominations shall be added to the nominations proposed by the Executive Committee, provided such nominees accept such nominations orally at the meeting or in writing prior to the meeting.
B. Following the Annual Meeting, the Secretary shall provide written ballots to be circulated to each member in good standing. Member ballots must be returned within thirty (30) days of distribution.
C. The nominee for each office, receiving the majority of votes shall be declared the winner. Elected Officers shall take office the first day of January.
D. Any member of the Executive Committee may be removed from office by a three-quarters (3/4) majority membership vote at a Special Meeting called for that purpose.
E. In the event that an office of the Executive Committee is vacated for any reason, the Executive Committee shall appoint a member in good standing to fulfill the unexpired term.
XII. AMENDMENTS
A. Only the Executive Committee or Fleet Captains shall submit proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws.
B. Upon receipt of a proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws, the Secretary shall circulate the proposal to all members of the Association. Within forty-five (45) days after such circulation, any member may review and submit a written argument to the Secretary in favor of or in opposition to the proposed amendment.
C. The combined written arguments shall be circulated back to the members for reconsideration and resolution, within forty-five (45) days after the close of the review period above.
D. The Secretary shall then circulate a ballot to each of the members in good standing. Member ballots shall be returned to the Secretary within thirty (30) days of the mailing.
E. Amendments will be passed by simple majority vote of those ballots returned.
XIII. RATIFICATION
This is a valid copy of the Constitution as approved by the Executive Committee and adopted by the membership by mail ballot vote on February 17, 2004 and supercedes entirely all previous versions.
Rick Caselli_____________ date 28 Feb 04 Max Munger______________ date 28 Feb 04
Commodore Treasurer