CONSTITUTION OF THE STAR CITY FIGURE SKATING CLUB
Member club of the United States Figure Skating Association (U.S. Figure Skating)
Adopted January 18, 1998.
ARTICLE 1. NAME AND CORPORATION
Section 1. Name
The organization shall be known as the Lincoln Ice Skating Association, Inc., doing business as the Star City Figure Skating Club.
Section 2. Incorporation
The organization was incorporated under the Laws of the State of Nebraska on July 29, 1988. The corporation will have and continuously maintain a registered office and agent. The principal and registered office is located at 5944 Vandervoort Drive, Lincoln, NE 68542-3110. The registered agent at that office is Ronald Ecklund. The Board of Directors may change the registered office and agent from time to time with notice of that change filed with the Secretary of State.
Section 3. Officers of Incorporation
The four officers of the club shall be the four officers of the corporation.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The club’s purpose is to provide access to facilities and programs that offer persons of all ages the chance to participate in ice skating at a level that meets their needs. The club exists to encourage the instruction, practice and advancement of any figure skating discipline, to encourage a spirit of friendship among ice skaters, and to carry out the general policies and objectives of U.S. Figure Skating.
ARTICLE III. OFFICERS
Section 1. Titles
The club officers shall be the president, president-elect, secretary and treasurer. All officers must be registered U.S. Figure Skating members who have designated the corporation as their home club.
Section 2. Duties of the president
The president shall take charge of the club and preside at all meetings of the board of directors and membership. The president shall be responsible for the entire supervision and management of the club, its members and its properties, pending action by the board of directors. The president shall have the power to call special meetings. With the board of directors’ approval, the president and/or the secretary shall sign all club agreements and contracts. The president shall appoint senior members to serve as Sanctions Chair and Test Chair.
Section 3. Duties of the president-elect
The president-elect shall assist the president with overall club management in preparation for assuming the office of president. In the president’s absence, the president-elect shall take charge of the club, preside at meetings, and in general, assume the president’s duties and responsibilities.
Section 4. Duties of the treasurer
The treasurer shall have charge of the club’s funds and maintain its financial records, including all receipts and disbursements. The treasurer shall furnish a written financial report at each board meeting and a fiscal year-to-date report at the annual meeting.
The club shall require the treasurer to be bonded and will pay the fees associated with bonding.
Requests for disbursement must be in a form or on a voucher approved by the board. The treasurer shall not make disbursements of more than $300 without board approval. The treasurer may authorize use of club funds by other officers and directors (for example, allowing the membership director to use Electronic Funds Transfer to pay U.S. Figure Skating dues.)
The treasurer shall deposit club funds in a bank or in securities approved by the board. The treasurer shall not make withdrawals from any savings accounts or investment funds without a board vote.
The treasurer shall make an annual financial report and financial records available to an accountant selected by the board. The accountant shall furnish a written review of the club’s finances and prepare any required year-end filings to government agencies.
Section 5. Duties of the secretary
The secretary shall prepare and maintain the official minutes of board and membership meetings. The secretary shall supervise and retain reports and documents connected with club business.
Section 6. Vacancies
If any of these offices are vacant by reason of resignation, removal, death or otherwise, the board shall appoint a senior club member to hold office for the remainder of the term.
ARTICLE IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Qualification
Directors must be senior members who have designated the Star City Figure Skating Club as their home club under U.S. Figure Skating rules.
Section 2. Number of Members
In addition to the four corporate officers, the board shall be composed of up to five elected directors. Two of these directors shall have specific duties. The remainder shall serve as directors-at-large.
Section 3. Authority
The board shall have entire authority over club management, finances and property. The board shall make and communicate such rules as are necessary to protect use of the club’s name, facilities and property. These rules may include admission requirements for guests, penalties for rules infractions, etc.
Section 4. Financial responsibility
The board shall prepare and communicate to members an annual budge, including anticipated expenses and the proposed sources of revenue to meet those expenses. This budget shall be presented at the annual membership meeting.
The board shall exercise due diligence in monitoring all appropriations from club funds, and shall be responsible for assuring that any required tax returns and other government reports are filed on time.
Section 5. Terms of Office
Club members shall elect one-half of the officers and directors each year at the annual membership meeting. Those elected shall serve a two-year term, subjection to one re-election, except for the president and the president-elect. The president-elect shall assume the duties of president by automatic succession. No officer or director may serve more than four years in the same position.
Section 6. Duties of directors
Membership director
The membership director shall lead the effort to invite members and associate members to join and/or renew their club membership at the start of each new fiscal year, and continue promoting membership throughout the club year. The membership director shall register members with U.S. Figure Skating, and maintain the club’s membership records.
Communications director
The communications director shall be responsible for communicating board action and policy, club news, and other items of interest to the membership. The communications director shall lead the effort to publicize the club’s programs and its members’ accomplishments to prospective participants and to the general public.
Directors-at-large
The directors-at-large shall assist the officers and directors with assigned duties as requested, represent the views of club members at board meetings, and in general, provide counsel to the board.
Section 7. Vacancies
In the event of a director vacancy, the board shall appoint a senior club member to fill the vacancy until the end of the term.
Section 8. Quorum
Two-thirds of the board shall constitute a quorum. Business motions shall be approved by a simple majority.
Section 9. Meetings
The board shall meet at least once each month during the skating season, with no less than nine meetings during the calendar year.
Any four board members may request a special meeting, provided that they give written notice to all board members at least seven days prior to the meeting. The written notice shall include the date, time and place of the meeting, the purpose for which the meeting is being called, and the names of the four members requesting the meeting.
Section 10. U.S. Figure Skating Delegates
From among its U.S. Figure Skating-registered and eligible members, the board shall appoint a delegate or delegates to represent the club at the U.S. Figure Skating Governing Council meeting, either in person or by proxy. (U.S. Figure Skating bylaws, article XV, specify the number of required delegates based on the total number of registered club members during the preceding fiscal year.) The board shall file the required certificate of appointment with U.S. Figure Skating.
ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS
Section 1. Time
The election of officers and directors shall take place at least eight weeks prior to the start of the club’s new fiscal year. During the eight-week transition, the retiring board shall retain its authority and financial responsibilities. The newly elected board shall assume control of the club’s management and finances on the first day of the new fiscal year.
Section 2. Nominating Committee
Eight weeks prior to the annual membership meeting at which officers and directors are elected; the president shall appoint a nominating committee. The committee shall consist of two board members and one senior club member who is not a current board member.
Four weeks prior to the annual membership meeting, the nominating committee shall publish to all voting club members a written slate of proposed officers and directors, requesting additional nominations from club members.
Section 3. Voting
Fifteen percent of the current active members shall constitute a quorum for purposes of election. Members shall vote at the annual membership meeting or assign their vote by proxy to another voting member. A simple majority determines the office-holder. In the even of a tie, the winner of the office will be determined by a coin toss.
Section 4. Records
The secretary shall preserve the election records for one year.
ARTICLE VI. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility
Membership in the club is open to all individuals interested in the club’s purpose who conform to the U.S. Figure Skating definitions of membership eligibility.
Section 2. Classes of membership.
Senior members
Senior members shall be those individual age 18 or older. These individuals have all privileges of membership, including voting, nominating officers and directors, and holding office.
Junior members
Junior members shall be those younger than age 18. These members shall not hold club office. On behalf of each junior member, his or her parent or adult guardian may nominate officers and directors and may vote on matters before the members at the annual membership meeting, including election of officers and directors.
Associate members
Associate members are those individuals who wish to participate in club activities and use club ice, but whose primary U.S. Figure Skating membership is with another home club. Associate members shall not nominate officers or directors, nor may they vote on matters before the members at the annual membership meeting, including election of officers and directors. These members shall not hold office.
Professional members
Professional members are those individuals who support the club through payment of annual U.S. Figure Skating and club dues and who receive compensation for providing instruction and coaching to individual skaters. These members shall not hold office, nor shall they nominate officers or directors.
Section 3. Application for membership
All individuals who wish to affiliate with the club must complete an application form and pay the appropriate fees for their class of membership.
Section 4. Membership suspension or termination
By vote of a majority of the board, an individual’s membership may be suspended or terminated for actions or conduct damaging to the club, its members or its good standing with U.S. Figure Skating and the community the club serves.
Section 5. Conflict resolution
If any club member has a complaint against another member for an infraction of club bylaws, policies or procedures, that individual may file a complaint in writing to the board. The complaint shall include the facts of the case and the names and contact information for individuals who can substantiate the facts stated in the complaint.
Upon receiving a written complaint, the president will immediately appoint a committee consisting of two board members and one senior member to investigate the complaint and, within 10 days, submit a written report to the full board, along with a recommendation for action to resolve the complaint. The person filing the complaint and the individual who is the subject of the complaint will receive copies of the report and recommendation. If the report and recommendation do not resolve the conflict, then the president shall call a special meeting within 21 days, notifying both individuals in writing of the date, time and place at least 14 days prior to the meeting. The individuals will present their issues to the full board and be available to answer questions during discussion. Acting under its authority in article IV, section 8, the board shall determine the action necessary to protect the club, including a penalty to any party in the matter of the complaint.
ARTICLE VII. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1. Time
The board shall call at least one annual club membership meeting each year. If only one membership meeting is called, it will take place at least eight weeks prior to the start of the club’s new fiscal year.
Section 2. Notices
Members shall receive written notice of the annual meeting at least four weeks in advance.
Section 3. Quorum
Fifteen percent of voting club members shall make up a quorum for transaction of business at a regular membership meeting. Thirty percent of voting membership shall make up a quorum for transaction of business at special meetings.
Section 4. Special meetings
Ten percent of the club members in good standing may submit to the president a written request for a special meeting. Upon receipt of the request, the president shall select and publicize a date, time, location and subject of the special meeting and shall provide all club members eligible to vote with written notice of the meeting at least 14 days in advance.
Section 5. Special meeting limitation
The club shall transact no other business except that for which the notice of special meeting was given.
ARTICLE VIII. FEES, DUES AND ASSESMENTS
The board of directors shall determine the amount of the annual dues, fees and assessments payable to the club during each fiscal year, and may change those fees from time to time if deemed necessary to meet the club’s financial obligations.
ARTICLE IX. FISCAL YEAR
The club’s fiscal year shall run concurrent with the fiscal year of U.S. Figure Skating.
ARTICLE X. U.S. FIGURE SKATING MEMBERSHIP
The club shall maintain its U.S. Figure Skating membership and conduct its business in a manner consistent with the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws. All members shall conform to the codes of ethics and conduct contained in the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws and rules.
ARTICLE XI. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
The voting members may amend these bylaws, by a two-thirds majority vote at any regular membership meeting provided a four-week notice of the proposed amendments has been sent by postal mail to voting members. Proxies may be used.
Revised April 2004