Table
of Contents
Mission Statement
Article I - Name
Article II - Incorporation
Article III - Membership
Article IV - Amendments
Article V - Officers
Article VI - Board of Directors
Article VII - Nominations and Elections
Article VIII - Meetings
Article IX - Dissolution
Article X - Code of Conduct
Mission
Statement
The
purpose of the Arkansas RiverBlades Booster Club (ARBC) is
to support and create interest for the Arkansas RiverBlades
Hockey Team, to promote hockey in Central Arkansas, to contribute
to community welfare, to provide enhanced and expanded opportunities
for RiverBlades fans and Boosters at both home and away games,
and furthermore, to foster camaraderie and social group recreational
activities for Booster members.
Objectives:
The Booster Club's purpose will be manifested through (but
not limited to) the following activities and principles:
1.
Enthusiastic fan support.
2. Goodwill and cooperation among the Boosters and RiverBlades
players, administration and staff, as well as the community
in general.
3. Booster Club appearances, including information dispersal
regarding the RiverBlades Booster Club, RiverBlades Hockey
Team, publicity and activities.
4. Regular meetings for Booster Club members.
5. Recognition and support, including academic and/or hockey
scholarships for youth hockey players in the Central Arkansas
region.
6. Sponsorship and participation in the community public service
activities and fund raising, such as clothing and food drives,
charity work, auctions, and raffles.
7. Recognize the Arkansas RiverBlades Hockey Team, organization,
and Booster Club members through awards, ceremonies, banquets,
press releases, public address announcements, and correspondences.
8. Sponsorship of Booster Club group tickets for some home
and away games, including transportation, game tickets, and
other features for some away games.
9. Organization and/or operation of other travel opportunities
for Booster Club-sponsored events.
10. The establishment and operation of picnics, outings, celebrations,
and other social and recreational activities.
11. Issuance of regular Booster Club communications, such
as newsletters, public service announcements, and other press
releases.
12. The provision of the organized structure, growth and security
for the Booster Club through adequate Bylaw development, enforcement,
control, legal structuring (insurance), legal representation,
election of officers, and other such mechanisms as deemed
necessary.
13. Fund raising through the collection of dues and organization
of events.
ARTICLE
I - NAME
Section
A - Formal Name
The
name of the organization shall be the ARKANSAS RIVERBLADES
BOOSTER CLUB, INC. It shall be referred to herein as the ARBC.
ARTICLE
II - INCORPORATION
Section
A - Incorporation Statement
The
ARBC shall be incorporated in the State of Arkansas as a non-profit
organization. This will be in such a fashion so that all liabilities
rest solely on the ARBC itself and not any of its members.
ARTICLE
III - MEMBERSHIP
Membership
in the ARBC shall be available to any person, subject to the
following terms and conditions as determined by the Executive
Committee. Membership shall be limited to one (1) per person.
Section
A - Application for Membership
Application
for membership in the ARBC shall be made in writing to the
Membership Vice-President. Upon receipt of the annual dues
as set forth in Article III, Section F, Item 2 of these Bylaws,
the applicant shall become a member in good standing. A member
in good standing shall be a person with paid annual dues,
and who abides by the Code of Conduct as prescribed in Article
X of the Bylaws.
Section
B - Types of Membership
The
following types of membership are available:
1. Adult Membership - Adult membership shall be conferred
on all persons eighteen (18) years of age who have paid the
current dues of the ARBC. Each adult member in good standing
shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership,
including full voting rights.
2. Junior Membership - All members seventeen (17) years of
age and under shall be classified as junior members. Junior
members shall have rights and privileges limited to paragraphs
5 through 8 of Article III, Section C of these Bylaws. The
privilege to participate in ARBC trips is restricted with
attendance on such trips required to be under the direct control
of a parent or legal guardian, provided they are part of a
Family Membership as set forth in Article III, Section B,
Item 3 of these Bylaws.
3. Family Membership - Family membership will be conferred
on parent(s) and children under eighteen (18) years of age
living at the same address. Each adult member in good standing
shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership,
including full voting rights. Children of this membership
shall have the rights and privileges of membership limited
to Article III, Section C, Items 5 through 8 of these Bylaws.
The privilege to participate in ARBC trips by members under
the age of eighteen (18) is restricted with attendance on
such trips required to be under the direct control of a parent
or legal guardian.
4. Out-of-Town Membership - Out-of-Town membership may be
conferred on any persons living outside Arkansas. Out-of-town
members shall have all the rights and privileges of membership
except the right to hold office and the right to vote in any
election.
5. Honorary Membership - Honorary membership may be conferred
on any person by unanimous recommendation of the Executive
Committee. Honorary members shall have all the rights and
privileges of membership, except the right to vote and the
right to hold office, and shall not be subject to the payment
of dues. Honorary members may be approved by the Executive
Committee on a yearly basis or for a lifetime membership,
as deemed appropriate.
Section
C - Rights and Privileges of Membership
Membership
is entitled to certain rights and privileges, including:
1. The right to vote in the election of officers and on other
matters of the ARBC as set forth in Article VII, Section B
of these Bylaws.
2. The right to amend these Bylaws as set forth in Article
IV.
3. The right to volunteer for committee work.
4. The right to recommend expenditures for consideration by
the Executive Committee.
5. The right to attend meetings and functions of the ARBC.
6. The privilege to vote for player recognition awards.
7. The responsibility to uphold and support the principles
and purposes of the ARBC.
8. New members shall receive a current copy of the ARBC Bylaws,
newsletter and a current membership package.
Section
D - Membership Cards
1.
Membership cards will be issued by the Membership Vice-President
to all members in good standing.
2. Any member may be required to show their current membership
card to attend an ARBC meeting or function.
Section
E - Termination of Membership
Membership
may be terminated by:
1. Voluntary written resignation addressed to the Membership
Vice-President or the Executive
Committee.
2. Failure to pay the annual dues by the completion of the
October general membership meeting.
3. Expulsion from the ARBC as per Article VI, Section B, Item
7 of these Bylaws.
Section
F - Dues
1.
Establishment of Annual Dues: Dues for the ARBC year shall
be established by the Executive
Committee upon recommendation from the Membership Vice-President
each year no later than the June meeting of the Executive
Committee for the upcoming season.
2. Payment of Annual Dues: Dues shall be made payable to the
ARBC. Renewal dues are payable by
October 1 for the upcoming season. Members not paid following
the October ARBC meeting shall have membership terminated
until said dues are paid. New membership applications and
dues shall be accepted at any time. New membership applications
received on or after April 1 but before October 1 shall be
held by the Membership Vice-President and then applied to
the following ARBC year.
3. Use of Funds: Any funds collected or accumulated by the
ARBC may only be spent to promote the
aims of the ARBC as stated in the Mission Statement and Article
II - Incorporation, of the Bylaws
and only as authorized by the Executive Committee.
4. All membership fees are non-refundable.
Section G - Non-Members
Non-members shall not be permitted to attend more than one
ARBC meeting per year without joining the ARBC.
Section
H - Former Members
Former members must apply for reinstatement in the same manner
as new member applicants.
4. ARTICLE IV - AMENDMENTS
Section
A - Procedures for Amending the Bylaws
1.
Proposals for amending the Bylaws of the ARBC may be submitted
by any member with voting rights.
2. All proposals must be signed by at least three (3) voting
members and submitted in writing to any officer at a meeting
of the general members of the ARBC. The amendment will be
read at that
meeting by the ARBC President.
3. Written notification of proposed amendments must be submitted
to membership-at-large either through the ARBC newsletter
or a special mailing.
4. Discussion on the proposed amendments shall be held at
the next general members meeting after member notification.
5. Voting will occur at the same meeting as the general discussion.
A two-thirds (2/3) "aye" vote will add the proposal
to the Bylaws.
ARTICLE
V - OFFICERS
Section
A - President
1.
The President shall preside at all meetings of the ARBC (
including drawing up and following an agenda), as well as
at all Executive Committee meetings, and shall enforce all
the rules established by the Bylaws.
2. The President shall appoint at least one (1) person, being
known as the Chairperson, to lead any committees, which become
necessary to run the ARBC.
3. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees
during his/her term of office, except the nomination committee.
4. The President shall be the ARBC liaison with the RiverBlades
organization, the Press, etc., along with the Vice-President
or any other members he/she deems necessary.
Section
B - Vice-President of Membership
1.
The Vice-President, in the absence of the President, shall
perform all the duties of the President.
2. The Vice-President will perform all duties requested of
him/her by the President.
3. The Vice-President shall be the permanent Election Chairperson
at all elections and shall appoint those people he/she deems
necessary to assist him/her in this task.
4. The Vice-President shall fill the office of the President
should it come vacant, until the next yearly election.
5. If deemed necessary by the Executive Committee, the Vice-President
shall check membership cards of all members attending all
meetings or functions, and may appoint those people he/she
deems necessary to accomplish this task.
6. The Vice-President shall be responsible for the processing
of incoming membership requests and the maintenance of the
membership database.
7. The Vice-President will coordinate the membership aspect
of the ARBC table.
8. The Vice-President shall be responsible for coordinating
the design, production and dispersal of the annual T-shirts,
pins and membership cards and may appoint those people he/she
deems necessary to accomplish this tasks.
9. The Vice-President and Treasurer shall coordinate the mailing
of dues notices and the timely collection of dues.
Section
C - Vice President of Road Trips
1.
The Vice-President of Road Trips shall be responsible for
coordinating and providing items to support the team on road
trips. Items may include, but are not limited to: beverages,
snacks, entertainment material and personal care items. Things
provided to the team should be closely coordinated with the
coach, trainer and/or equipment manager.
2. The Vice-President of Road Trips shall be responsible for
coordinating transportation to and from designated away games,
group tickets, and any other features deemed necessary.
3. The Vice-President of Road Trips shall be responsible for
coordinating transportation to and from any destination arranged
for entertainment purposes of the ARBC.
Section
D - Secretary
1.
The Secretary shall take the minutes at the general members,
special and Executive Committee meetings of the ARBC. Said
minutes shall be read at the next general members meeting
or Executive Committee meeting.
2. The Secretary shall be responsible for the final editing
of the official ARBC newsletter with regard to content and
form. He/she will maintain a copy of said newsletter along
with the meeting minutes.
3. The Secretary shall receive and process all incoming and
outgoing correspondence as directed by the Executive Committee
and keep the membership informed of all correspondence handled.
4. The Secretary shall maintain and have available at all
meetings the current Bylaws of the ARBC and Robert's Rules
of Order.
5. The Secretary shall be responsible for any ARBC communications
and may appoint those people he/she deems necessary to accomplish
this task.
6. The Secretary shall also act as Historian to keep a memorabilia
book of items pertinent to the RiverBlades and the ARBC. All
materials shall be permanent property of the ARBC.
Section
E - Treasurer
1.
The Treasurer shall receive and be responsible for all moneys
belonging to the ARBC, keeping true and accurate records of
all such collections.
2. The Treasurer shall process the signing of all checks and
pay all bills presented to and authorized by the Executive
Committee.
3. The Treasurer shall be required to make a report at each
business meeting and give a complete financial statement (un-audited)
at the June general members meeting, and an audited financial
statement after the audit (if deemed necessary) by the Trustees
is completed.
4. The Treasurer shall give receipts, if requested, for all
funds being turned in to the treasury, with assistance from
the Corresponding Secretary if necessary.
5. The Treasurer CANNOT pay out any funds from the treasury
without receiving a bill signed by the member incurring the
expense or a signed written request after either has been
approved by the Executive Committee. Said bills and records
to be kept with the Treasurer's records.
6. The Treasurer shall be in charge of general members meeting,
special or Executive Committee meetings of the ARBC in the
absence of the President or Vice-President.
7. Funds of the ARBC shall be kept in an account approved
by the Executive Committee.
8. The signatures of the President and/or Treasurer are authorized
to draw against the funds of the ARBC. The Treasurer shall
ensure that signature cards are kept up to date, and shall
immediately submit a new signature card upon the resignation
of the officers authorized to sign ARBC checks.
9. When a new Treasurer is elected or appointed, the outgoing
Treasurer shall be responsible for working with the new Treasurer
and the Trustees if an audit is deemed necessary until the
audit is complete and accepted by the Executive Committee.
10. The Treasurer will coordinate the fundraising aspect of
the ARBC table.
11. The Vice-President and Treasurer shall coordinate the
mailing of dues notices and the time collection of dues.
Section
F - Trustees (2)
1.
Trustees consist of the Member-at-Large representative and
a front office representative.
2. The Trustees shall oversee an audit of the books and accounts
of the ARBC as deemed necessary or in the event of the resignation
or removal from office of the President or Treasurer.
3. Trustees shall be responsible for reporting at the general
members meeting any discrepancies in the books after an audit.
Section
G - Front Office Representative
1.
A front office representative is designated by the Arkansas
RiverBlades Organization. The representative shall be present
at meetings when possible.
Section
H - Member-at-Large
1.
The Member-at-Large representative shall maintain all sign-in
rosters from the general members meetings in order to verify
a member's eligibility to run for office.
2. The Member-at-Large shall be responsible for providing
a list of members who are eligible, to be nominated for office,
to the Vice-President of Membership.
3. The Member-at-Large will serve as a Trustee (see duties
of Trustees, Article V, Section F).
Section
I - Terms
1.
Officers shall serve for a period of one (1) year beginning
with the May meeting.
2. The Officers of the ARBC shall be elected at the annual
meeting to be held in April.
3. No member shall be elected to the same office for more
than two (2) consecutive terms.
4. An officer must be in good standing and may be re-elected
to an office other than the office he/she currently holds.
ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(Executive
Committee)Section A – Members
1.
All officers will be members of the Board. 2. The Board of
Directors will also be known as the Executive Committee. Said
committee shall meet once a month. Minutes of the Board meeting
will be recorded by the Secretary and presented at the next
Executive Committee meeting. No compensation shall be paid
to any Board member.
Section
B – Responsibilities
1.
The Executive Committee will fill an officer vacancy by appointing
another member for the remainder of the elected term, except
for the office of President, which shall be filled by the
Vice-President of Membership.
2.
All Board members must attend all general members meetings
and all Executive Committee meetings except under extenuating
circumstances.
3.
The Executive Committee will approve all outgoing correspondence.
4.
It will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to
see that all members are notified of all regular and special
meetings.
5.
ALL ARBC expenditures by any member or officer of the ARBC
must be approved by the Executive Committee, regardless of
the amount. Once the budget is adopted as provided in Article
V, Section E, Item 10 of these Bylaws, any expense submitted
for reimbursement shall be considered pre-approved by the
Executive Committee if said expense falls within the scope
of the annual budget. If any proposed expense falls outside
the scope of the annual budget, these expenses shall be voted
upon at the next meeting of the Executive Committee.
6.
Any member of the Executive Committee may temporarily suspend
a member for violation of the Bylaws of the ARBC or for improper
conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the ARBC. The Executive
Committee will investigate the alleged violation and at the
next general members meeting present the case to the membership,
stating a determination as voted on by two-thirds (2/3) of
the Executive Committee as to whether the suspension should
be terminated, set for a specific period of time or if said
member should be expelled permanently from the ARBC.
ARTICLE
VII – NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section
A – Nominations
1.
All nominees for an Officer or Board position must be at least
twenty-one (21) years of age.
2.
All nominees must have been an active member of the ARBC for
at least one (1) year and have attended at least three (3)
general members meetings in the past year. The Member-at-Large
shall maintain all sign-in rosters from the general members
meetings.
3.
All nominations will come from the floor at the February and
March general members meetings preceding the election meeting
in April.
4.
No two members of an immediate family may be nominated for
an officer position. Immediate family is further defined as
blood relatives and/or relatives by marriage.
5.
All nominees may present a short platform (limited to three
[3] minutes) at the nominations meeting in March.
Section
B - Elections
1.
The Vice-President of Membership will chair the Election Committee
and shall select such help, as he/she deems necessary, being
a minimum of three (3) people.
2.
All eligible voting members in good standing, with voting
rights, must be duly notified of the nomination process and
election format.
3.
The election will be held at the April general members meeting
by secret ballot.
4.
Any eligible voting member who cannot attend the April election
meeting may request an absentee ballot. Said ballot to be
returned by registered mail to the Vice-President of Membership
before the election meeting.
5.
All ballots, including absentee ballots, will be counted at
the April meeting and the results announced at the same meeting.
The total number of votes cast for each candidate shall not
be revealed, but shall be available for review upon request.
6.
All ballots will be maintained by the present Vice-President
of Membership for three (3) months after the election in case
of any questions about the results.
7.
The nominee receiving the highest number of votes cast for
each office shall be considered the elected officer.
8.
In case of a tie between two candidates, a re-vote will be
held at the next regularly scheduled meeting, following the
rules as described above, with absentee ballots not being
accepted.
ARTICLE
VIII – MEETINGS
Section
A - Schedule
The
ARBC shall have regularly scheduled general members meetings
once per month from September through June.
Section
B - Special
Special
meetings may be called by any member of the Executive Committee
should the necessity arise. This includes special meetings
of either the Executive Committee or the general membership.
Section
C - Annual
The
annual meeting shall be the regularly scheduled general members
meeting in the month of April, at which time elections will
be held.
Section
D - Voting
A
quorum shall exist when ten (10) percent or fifty (50) members,
whichever is less, of the total membership, including a majority
of the Executive Committee, is present to conduct the business
at a general members meeting or special meeting of the ARBC.
Section
E - Order of Business
The
order of business at general members meetings shall consist
of two sessions: formal and informal. The Informal session
may be started at any time following the call to order of
the formal session and the roll call of officers. The informal
session shall not require a call to order nor an adjournment.
The sequence of the two sessions may be adjusted to accommodate
the schedule of any guest speaker.
1. Formal Session (Business Session)
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