BYLAWS OF THE

LYNCHBURG AREA USBC ASSOCIATION, INC.

Article I

NAME

The association is charted by the United States Bowling Congress. The name of the organization is the Lynchburg Area USBC Association, Inc.

Article II

Nonprofit Corporation and Charter

Section A. Nonprofit Corporation

The association is organized as a nonprofit corporation and operates consistent with the requirements of an organization classified as tax exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

Section B. Charter

The association shall be chartered by USBC and subject to its authority. To maintain its charter, the association must:

1. Provide Services for Lynchburg Area USBC Association.
2. Adopt bylaws approved by USBC.
3. Not enact any bylaws or rules inconsistent with USBC’s bylaws.
4. Adhere to Performance Standards and stated requirements as set forth in the USBC Association Policy Manual.
5. Apply for renewal of its charter every five years

(See the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter for suspension, revocation and appeal procedures.)

Article III

Purpose

The purposes of the association as stated in the Articles of Incorporation include, but are not limited to:

1. Providing equal opportunity for all in the sport of bowling without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, or national origin.
2. Promoting the game of American Tenpins.
3. Conducting and supporting bowling competition.
4. Engaging in any other activities permitted by an organization classified as tax exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the IRC.

Article IV

Membership and Dues

Membership is composed of individuals who pay dues to the association and is in effect from August 1 through July 31.

Each individual shall pay national, state (where applicable) and local dues, except as provided in Rule 100c, Traveling League and 100j, Mail-o-Graphic League.

The adult members, by two-thirds vote, determine and adopt local dues, if any.

The annual adult membership dues are as follows:

Local $ 7.00

State $ 1.00

USBC $ 10.00

The annual youth membership dues are as follows:

Local $ 2.00

State $ .50

USBC $ 14.50

The board may waive all or part of local dues for:

1. Members of other USBC associations have a reciprocal agreement with the association.
2. Other groups, such as, seniors, youth, etc. as determined by the board.

The association cannot charge additional non-dues assessments.

Article V

Board of Directors – Management

Section A. Board Composition, Authority and Duties

The management and governance of the association is vested in the Board of Directors. The total number of directors is a maximum of thirteen (13). Board members cannot be immediate family members and hold position at the same time.

The board shall not engage in any acts constituting a conflict of interest. The board’s duties include but are not limited to:

1. Enforcing the bylaws.
2. Complying with the Lynchburg Area USBC Association Policy Manual.
3. Ensuring adherence to all USBC Performance Standards.
4. Adopting youth dues, up to the maximum established by USBC.
5. Conducting championship level competition for its membership constituency (men, women and youth) and complying with state and local laws in their area.
6. Providing education, training, evaluations, recognition and other services as determined by USBC.
7. Implementing USBC programs.
8. Selecting/appointing and evaluating the performance of the Association Manager.
9. Approving use of membership records.
10. Re-rating the league average of an association member when there is evidence the bowler’s average does not represent the bowler’s true ability.
11. Conducting suspension and reinstatement hearings.

(See the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter for re-rate, suspension, reinstatement and appeal procedures.)

Section B. Eligibility

A Candidate for the board must be:

1. A Lynchburg area USBC Association member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.
2. Elected or appointed without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, national origin, or age, other than the minimum age of 14, unless state laws mandate a specific age, and be reasonably representative of the membership.

1. Any member of the board authorized to sign contracts or acting as a signatory on association accounts must be a minimum age of 18.
2. A maximum of three bowling center proprietors may serve on the board at one time. A proprietor is an individual who is the owner, partner, or corporate officer of a bowling center or group of bowling centers. Excluded from the definition of proprietor is an individual who owns 25% or less of the equity shares, or who is inactive in the management of the bowling center and remains so during a term as an officer or director.

Additional eligibility requirements, if any, will be developed by the nominating committee to be approved by the membership.

Section C. Election of Directors

Directors whose positions are subject to election by the adult members are elected by majority vote* of adult members, present and voting, from:

1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.
2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee.

*If a majority vote is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest vote total is dropped and balloting continues until a candidate receives a majority vote.

Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

Section D. Term

The term for directors is two (2) years. For two – and three year terms the members establish a stagger system.

The Stagger system adopted is as follows:

• 2

President Vice-President

Director #1 Director #6

Director #2 Director #7

Director #3 Director #8

Director #4 Director #9

Director #5 Director #10

Director # 11 Director # 12

Director # 13

Section E. Resignation, Removal and Vacancies

1. Resignation. A board member may resign from the Board of Directors by providing written notice of resignation to the president or, in the case of the president, to the board.
2. Removal for Ineligibility. A board member who is no longer eligible to serve on the board may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the board when a quorum is present.
3. Removal for Cause. When a board member is accused, in writing, of failure to properly perform the duties of their office or otherwise engaging in improper or unfair activities or conduct, the board may conduct a hearing following the Removal Procedures in the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter. An appeal may be filed with USBC within 15 days of the removal. Two-thirds written consent of the full board is required to seek re-election and/or re-appointment to the board.
4. Vacancies. Vacancies in positions on the board are filled for the un-expired portion of each term as follows:

1. The president with board approval shall fill vacancies in director positions.
2. The board fills vacancies in officer positions.

Article VI

Officers

Section A. President and Vice President

The officers of the association shall include a president and one (1) vice president.

In order to be elected to an officer position a member must have served on the Board for a period of at least one year.

Section B. Election

Officers are elected by a majority vote* of the adult members, present and voting from:

1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.
2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee.

Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

*If a majority vote is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest vote total is dropped and balloting continues until a candidate receives a majority vote.

Section C. Term

The term for elected officers is two (2) years, not to exceed three years. The members determine the number of terms allowed.

Section D. Authority and Duties

1. President

1. Presides at all meetings
2. Acts as spokesperson for the association
3. Appoints committees with board approval.

Note: All committees should be composed of both board members and non-board members.

1. Vice-President

1. Presides at all meetings when the president is absent.
2. Performs other duties as prescribed by the board or requested by the president.

1. Association Manager

1. Selected/appointed by and accountable to the board.
2. Responsible for implementation of USBC’s Performance Standards
3. Acts as the ex officio non-voting secretary/treasurer of the board or such other officer designation as required by law and determined by the board.
4. Responsible for other duties as prescribed by the board and in the Lynchburg Area USBC Association Manual.

Article VII

Meetings

Section A. Annual Meeting

An Annual Meeting of Lynchburg Area USBC Association membership shall be held at a time and place approved by the Board of Directors.

1. Members

1. Attendance is open to all members. Voting members must be at least 14 years of age unless state laws mandate a specific age. A league is not eligible for representation if it has not submitted a league sanction application.

1. Voice and Vote

Voting officers, directors, and members at least 14 years of age, unless state laws mandate a specific age, have voice and vote. Members not meeting the above criteria may attend with voice only. Absentee and proxy voting are not allowed.

1. Responsibilities

1. Adult members shall:

• Adopt bylaws.
• Adopt local dues, up to the established maximum.
• Elect 100% of the Board, including all officers.
• Elect delegates and alternates representing adult membership for the USBC and state annual meetings.

1. Meeting Notice

Written notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to the board, and league secretaries, and shall be at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting. Special meetings may be called by the President or upon written request of at least three board members.

1. Quorum

A. 11 Members constitute a quorum. The membership will determine the number.

1. Action

A majority vote of those members present and voting, at a properly noticed meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to take action, unless otherwise provided by law or these bylaws. Election of officers and directors requires a majority vote. Election of delegates and alternates requires a plurality vote. Absentee and proxy voting are not permitted.

Section B. Board Meeting

The board shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings may be held upon the request of any board member if a majority of the board approves.

1. Notice. Written notice for all regular and special meetings shall be forwarded to the board, which should be at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
2. Quorum. Seven (7) board members constitute a quorum. (The members determine the number.)
3. Action. A majority vote of those officers and directors present and voting, at a properly noticed meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to take action, unless otherwise provided by law or these bylaws. Absentee and proxy voting are not permitted.
4. Attendance. A board member must attend at least two meetings per year with one meeting being the Annual meeting. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in removal from the Board.

Section C. Parliamentary Procedure

The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, governs all meetings.

Article VIII

Committees

Section A. Standing Committees

The association shall have the following Standing Committees: Nominating, Finance, and Youth.

1. Nominating Committee. The committee reviews candidates and prepares slates for adult board, delegates representing adult membership and alternate positions. The committee publicizes criteria and procedures for the elected positions.
2. Finance Committee. The committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the annual budget and other financial matters.
3. Youth Committee. The Youth Committee is responsible for:

1. Monitoring, promoting, reviewing and recommending youth programs conducted by the association.

Section B. Other Committees

The President may establish other committees, with board approval.

Article IX

Delegates and Alternates

Section A. USBC Annual Meeting

Adult delegates and adult alternates are elected by plurality vote* of those adult members present and voting.

Section B. State Annual Meeting

1. Delegates and alternates representing adults are elected by plurality vote* of those adult members present and voting.

Section C. Eligibility

1. USBC Annual Meeting. Delegates and Alternates must be:

1. Elected by adult members
2. At least 18 years of age
3. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.

1. State Annual Meeting. Nominees must be:

1. Elected by adult members or Youth Representatives.
2. At least 14 years of age.
3. A Lynchburg Area USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.

If a member is elected to represent more than one association to attend the same meeting, the first election shall stand and any succeeding election shall be declared null and void.

A local association is not eligible to send delegates if declared delinquent or USBC has revoked its charter.

Note: An association that has not processed dues for the current season shall be considered delinquent.

Section D. Election

Adult delegates and alternates serve for one year, beginning August 1, and are elected by:

1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.
2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee.
3. Plurality vote*. The election shall be by ballot, except that a voice vote may be taken when the number of candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be filled.
4. Alternates shall serve in order of their election.

The election is to be held in compliance with the USBC or VA State Annual Meeting Requirements.

Section E. Vacancies

Vacancies are filled for the un-expired portion of each term as follows:

1. If elected by adult members, vacancies are filled by the alternates in the order in which they were elected. If a vacancy still exists, the President fills the vacant position by appointment.

Article X

Amendments

Section A. Procedure

Any member of the association may submit proposed amendments to these bylaws. The local association bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting. The amendment must be:

1. Submitted in writing to the Association Manager or President.
2. Submitted at least 30 days prior to the membership meeting when the association is considering the proposal.

Section B. Change in Dues

1. Adult dues. Forward a notice to each league secretary at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed change is considered. The notice must:

1. Be in writing
2. Specify the amount of the change
3. Specify the reason for the change

1. Youth dues. Changes in dues are adopted by the board.

Notification of any adopted change in dues, and the reason for the change, will be forwarded, in writing to each league secretary.

Section C. Effective Date

All amendments are effective August 1 following adoption, unless otherwise specified when adopted.

Article XI

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of this association is August 1 through July 31.

Article XII

Indemnification

Directors, officers, and other authorized volunteers, employees or agents shall be indemnified against claims for personal and individual liability arising in connection with their positions or service on behalf of the Lynchburg Area USBC Association to the full extent permitted by law.

Revised: August 1, 2013