7 April 2005
ARTICLE 1: Identification
1.1 The name of the Association shall be the NEW ENGLAND MULTIHULL
ASSOCIATION. The name may be officially abbreviated as NEMA and so used
synonymously.
1.2 The Association Burgee shall be a pointed flag, the hoist of which shall
be two-thirds of the fly. A device located adjacent to the hoist of the flag
shall be a symbolic bow view of trimaran hulls in red. Adjacent to this shall be
a symbolic bow view of catamaran hulls in blue. The field shall be white. The
burgee may be displayed by members on yachts, vessels, and ashore where
appropriate, and shall be displayed at all club functions.
ARTICLE 2: Purpose
2.1 The purpose of the NEW ENGLAND MULTIHULL ASSOCIATION, hereafter referred
to as NEMA, shall be the promotion of the art, science, and enjoyment of
multihull yacht design and construction, of navigation, of seamanship and
safety, and of racing, cruising and socializing, all consistent with an
awareness of a healthy environment.
2.2 NEMA shall operate as a Massachusetts corporation exempt from federal
income tax under the Internal Revenue Code and shall be managed in a fiscally
responsible manner.
2.3 For the purpose of accomplishing the foregoing, the following By-Laws and
Rules shall govern those who become members of the Association and who, upon
acceptance of membership, agree to abide by these By-Laws and Rules.
ARTICLE 3: Membership
3.1 Classes of membership are as follows:
3.1.1 Active Membership: A person who supports the purpose of NEMA will be
accepted as an active member upon submission of a completed application and the
payment of the required fees and dues. Each Active Member shall have one vote.
3.1.2 Reserved
3.1.3 Honorary Membership: The Board of Directors may award the status of
honorary member to any person who, in the opinion of the board, has made
contributions to NEMA or to the organization's purpose above and beyond normal
expectations. The Board will determine the duration of this status. Dues will be
waived for this period.
3.1.4 Life Membership: The Board of Directors may award the status of life
member to any person who, in the opinion of the Board, has made contributions to
NEMA or to the organization's purpose above and beyond normal expectations. Dues
will be waived for this period. Life members obtain all the privileges of an
active member.
3.1.5 Visitors: Visitors are welcome at all NEMA functions. They have no
membership status, and a visitor fee may be required.
3.2 Privileges: All members shall have the privilege of attending all annual
and special meetings of NEMA. Members shall receive such NEMA publications as
the Board of Directors shall prescribe. All members shall be eligible to hold
office and serve on committees; membership in NEMA shall be a prerequisite for
doing so.
3.3 The Board of Directors may by unanimous action, for good cause shown,
suspend or expel any member. If a member is suspended or expelled, dues and fees
shall be returned to him/her prorated for the year or activity as applicable to
the remaining term of said dues or fees.
ARTICLE 4: Government
4.1 Board of Directors
4.1.1 The Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board, shall
consist of the elected Officers as defined in 4.2.1.
4.1.2 The Board shall have general control and management of the affairs and
funds of NEMA. It shall be its duty to carry out the purpose of the Association,
and to establish policy, organization, administration, and procedural matters as
it deems appropriate.
4.1.3 The Board may at any time establish such rules as they may deem
appropriate and in the club's best interest.
4.1.4 Prior to the end of the fiscal year, the Board shall approve an
appropriate budget for the next fiscal year.
4.1.5 Board meetings may be scheduled upon notice by the Commodore. Any three
board members may call a special meeting upon appropriate notice.
4.1.6 A majority vote of the board is necessary for transaction of NEMA
business.
4.1.7 The board shall appoint Directors at Large and determine their duties.
4.2 Officers
4.2.1 Elected Officers consist of a Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Treasurer,
Secretary, Racing Chair, Cruising Chair, and Newsletter Editor. Officers shall
have one vote each as members of the Board.
4.2.2 The Commodore may appoint as non-voting officers a Membership Chair, a
Press Secretary, an Historian / Archivist, a Photographer, and, for any
ex-officer wishing to accept the position, Fleet Captains. Appointed officers
shall serve at the pleasure of the Commodore, not to exceed his/her term of
office.
4.2.3 Election of Officers
4.2.3.1 Officers shall be elected for a minimum of two (2) years at the
Annual Meeting. Officers may be re-elected to another term.
4.2.3.2 After 31 October the Board shall prepare a proposed slate of
candidates and it shall be mailed to all NEMA members at least 10 days prior to
the Annual Meeting. The Board may appoint a committee to assist it in preparing
a proposed slate of officers to present to the membership. Nominations for
Officers may also be made from the floor by any active member at the Annual
Meeting.
4.2.3.3 Voting for Officers shall take place at the Annual Meeting. Voting by
written ballot may be required by any member present. The candidate receiving
the most votes for an office shall become the Officer until a successor is
elected.
4.2.3.4 The terms of newly elected officers shall coincide with the beginning
of the fiscal year, January 1st.
4.2.3.5 In the case of the resignation of an Officer the Board may at its
discretion appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term.
4.3 Duties of Officers
4.3.1 All officers shall have the following duties and shall follow
established NEMA policies, and in the absence of such policy shall obtain the
approval of the Board. Each officer may appoint assistants to help him/her carry
out his/her duties.
4.3.2 The Commodore shall lead the Association, shall preside at Board
meetings and all other NEMA meetings and shall have overall responsibility for
the operation and regulation of NEMA. S/he shall prepare and present at the
Annual Meeting a statement of the goals and status of NEMA. S/he shall be ex
officio a Member of all Committees. S/he shall call Special Meetings at the
request of three Board members. The Commodore shall have the authority to sign
NEMA checks. In the event of the temporary absence of either the Secretary or
the Treasurer, the Commodore may appoint a Member to act in his/her place. S/he
shall appoint officers as described in Article 4.2.2 above.
4.3.3 The Vice-Commodore shall assist the Commodore in the discharge of
his/her duties and in his/her absence, act in his/her stead, and shall be
responsible for scheduling and organizing non-sailing events with the assistance
of all of the Officers. This includes theme, speaker(s) and location selection
and confirmation and announcement of the event in the NEMA newsletter. In the
absence of the Commodore, the Vice-Commodore shall preside at NEMA meetings.
4.3.4 The Treasurer shall have general responsibility for the financial
affairs of NEMA, shall maintain an accurate account of all NEMA property, shall
collect all monies payable to NEMA, and shall pay all bills and other expenses
properly contracted by NEMA. S/he shall have the authority to sign NEMA checks,
shall notify each member in arrears, and shall make a financial report at each
Board Meeting. S/he shall present a financial report to the general membership
at the Annual Meeting.
4.3.5 The Secretary shall keep an appropriate record of the proceedings of
NEMA and of all matters of which a record shall be deemed relevant.
4.3.6 The Racing Chair shall be responsible for the organization of the
racing activities of NEMA. S/he shall be responsive to the racing oriented
segment of NEMA as appropriate. Activities may include, but not be restricted
to, administration and maintenance of a yacht rating system, organization of
seasonal racing activities, timely reporting or all NEMA sanctioned races, and
interaction with racing groups of other organizations. The Racing Chair shall
appoint a minimum of two assistants to form the Race Committee and represent the
varied interests of racers.
4.3.7 The Cruising Chair shall be responsible for the organization of the
cruising activities of NEMA. S/he shall be responsive to the cruising oriented
segment of NEMA as appropriate. Activities may include, but no be restricted to,
organization of cruising related activities and interaction with cruising groups
of other organizations.
4.3.8 The Newsletter Editor shall edit the Newsletter and shall be
responsible for other general mailings as appropriate.
4.3.9 The Fleet Captain's duties shall be determined by the Board.
4.3.10 The Directors-At-Large duties shall be determined by the Board.
4.3.11 The Membership Chair shall interact with both potential and new
members as appropriate, with the objective of attracting interested members to
NEMA and obtaining feedback from current members. S/he shall also maintain the
membership database.
4.3.12 The Press Secretary shall provide communications to the media and
public as appropriate.
4.3.13 The Historian / Archivist shall maintain the archives of NEMA. These
archives may consist of reports, Newsletters, press articles, photographs and
videos. S/he shall contribute to the annual report as appropriate.
4.3.14 The Photographer shall provide a photographic documented record of
NEMA events and shall assist the Historian / Archivist in the organization of
the photographic archives of NEMA.
ARTICLE 5: Administration
5.1 Applications for membership shall be submitted with the required dues to
the office of the Treasurer. They shall contain the applicants name, address,
and phone number and the class of membership to which they are applying.
5.2 The Fiscal year of NEMA shall be the calendar year. New members joining
after 1 October an before 1 January will receive membership for the current
calendar year and for the following calendar year.
5.3 The annual dues shall be established by the Board; other fees may be
levied as appropriate.
ARTICLE 6: Meetings
6.1 The NEMA Annual Meeting shall take place in the last quarter of the
calendar year unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.
6.2 The NEMA Race Community Meeting shall take place in the first quarter of
the year.
6.3 Other meetings may take place as determined by the Board.
ARTICLE 7: Sponsorship
7.1 Support from sponsors for NEMA events is welcome provided that such
sponsorship is consistent with the purposes of NEMA, and is approved by the
Board of Directors.
7.2 Sponsorship of individuals and their yachts is recognized as a desirable
means of defraying expenses. NEMA supports such sponsorship providing that it is
obtained without the involvement of NEMA or its resources. NEMA shall have no
responsibility or liability for such individual support.
ARTICLE 8: Parliamentary Authority
8.1 The rules contained in the current Robert's Rules of Order shall govern
the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which the do not
conflict with these By-Laws.
ARTICLE 9: Amendments
9.1 These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the membership
present at any General meeting. Proposed amendments must be made known to the
Association membership in the form of a notice mailed at least ten days prior to
the meeting.
Adopted this 7th day of April, 2005 by the NEMA membership.
Ira Heller, Secretary
NEMA Policy & Guidelines
Non Budgeted Expenditures $0 - $ 100: requires the approval of the
Treasurer $100 & over: requires the approval of the Board of Directors
The Board should be kept informed of all expenditures by quarterly reports.
Receipts need to be submitted to the Treasurer in order to obtain reimbursement.
Annual Membership Fees Single: $25 Dual / Family: $35 Single / Racing:
$45 Family / Racing $55 Guests: $ 3
Annual Sponsorship Fees Sponsor: $100
Communications All written materials directed for the general public
and NEMA membership representing NEMA requires the approval of the Board before
publication.
General Meetings The Board will organize six General Meetings a year
from Sept. - April including an Annual Dinner meeting and a picnic. They will be
scheduled approximately 5-6 weeks apart. NEMA will purchase non-alcoholic
beverages and pizza for General Meetings.
Board Meetings May be attended by any NEMA member. Meetings are
scheduled for the following Tuesday after a General Meeting.
Newsletter NEMA will publish not less than four newsletters a year
plus a Summer Mailer, to be mailed 16 days prior to each General Meeting other
than the Holiday Party and Picnic. The deadline for copy is a month before the
General Meeting. The newsletter will be professionally copied, collated and
stapled. The final production can then be completed by Board members.
Submissions should be primarily from NEMA members. It is up to the discretion of
the Editor and the Commodore to decide what materials are of interest to the
members.
Adopted this 7th day of April, 2005 by the NEMA membership.
Ira Heller, Secretary
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